#11 - All About the Views

Monday found Mark off to the salt mines and Andrea stuck toting Steve and I out for another day of touring. We picked a coastal walk from Spit to Manly which takes you through 'hill and dale' or more accurately, through beach and bush, up and down, steps and boardwalks, but with gorgeous views everywhere. It was a beautiful day and we were quite surprised to find our hostess an amateur botanist.  

        

                                    

           Andi-Lou & Marci     

As we walked through the bush, a few lizards accompanied us from time to time and we never lacked for the name of a tree or wildflower.

The day was lovely and I can now identify the flannel flower, Andrea's favorite. We did the 10k in about three hours flat and met up with George and Rosie at Shelly Beach for a delightful lunch at the BoatHouse. Two pineapple mint frappes, two smoked trout plates and the best basket of chips imaginable. We could have eaten much more but had to save room for dinner.

       

     

Sydney has many fine and fabulous restaurants with top chefs. Steve had sent Mark a list of about five places and told him to reserve one for a special dinner out. We met Mark at the Cruise Bar for a cocktail.

It overlooks the cruise ship terminal and our timing was perfect. A large ship was docked and we listened and watched as it sounded its horn and pulled out to sea. We were joined by the manager of the bar, a friend of Marks, and we quickly realized that Mark knows everyone in Sydney. There's "Jewish Geography" everywhere, even if you are not Jewish.

A quick walk along the harbor brought us to the Opera House and Bennelong, a well known restaurant with an extraordinary view, great service and fabulous food. Bennelong is located actually inside the smallest 'sail' of the Opera House. 

The three course menu was chock full of interesting flavors including Steve's entree (starter) of Bugs...a small lobster-like sea delight. 

  The  "Bug"

  Seared  Mackerel

I admit to falling hard off the veggie wagon with a succulent Australian lamb and falling off the diet wagon also as we shared four of the spectacular desserts. My pick, a creme caramel, was the best and most interesting dessert I have had in years and the two great bottles of Pinot we had didn't hurt either. 

  

Full and satiated, we returned to our temporary home in Paradise and slept like babies. Tuesday started like all the other days with Mark making me a Nespresso Flat White, Steve a black tea and Andrea her daily Milo....which is kinda sorta like a Quick chocolate malted milk. This, with a toast and vegemite, is a very typical Australian breakfast of which, so far, I am not choosing to taste. 

We sent Mark off to work again, hung around and then headed off to yet another day of Australian hospitality.  Friends Jane and Miles, the birthday party caterers, invited us to their event space in the National Park at North Head, for a light lunch and cliff walk.  We arrived to a the sight of a lawn set with a large market umbrella and about eight black director chairs set in a circle, champagne chilling and the promise of a lovely buffet.

We toured the space, beautifully redecorated and at the ready for a wedding or corporate event. White bamboo chairs and table linen set, a bar straight out of Casablanca and lawns and gardens awaiting a bride to walk down the aisle.

After glass clinking and cheers, out came the fruit, cut just right, the chicken pies, the pastry so very light  and the salad of arugula, pear, and cheese.

For Jane, it was just another day making food for people but for us it was quite special. 

  

To be treated so well and have these 'new friends' share their time and talents really says something about them, about Australians and about the type of people Mark and Andrea are. 

Miles was up next with a tour of North Head. This is one side of the entrance into Sydney Harbor and probably the best view you can get starting at the ocean and looking all the way down to the tip top of the bridge, seeing coves and beaches, parks and buildings wiggling and waggling along the shoreline. Its the Grand Canyon of Sydney, just a bit more water at the bottom with some crashing waves providing the soundtrack. 

A relaxing late afternoon, Steve taking a swim and me desperately trying to finish book #1 so I don't have to pack it on Wednesday when we leave. A lovely Vietnamese dinner in Mosman, another two bottles of red from Mark's cellar and another perfect day in Paradise. 

Not too much time left in Sydney. I can't say for sure yet, but right now it looks like it might turn out to be the highlight of our trip down under. It's really pretty special to find people across the world that you hardly know and that that you can so easily connect with, never run out of things to talk about and discover how much you have in common - like Mark and Steve turning 60 within three days of each other and both being married 36 years this fall. In one short week we feel like we are one of the family and have a couple of fantastic people as lifelong friends.