Sydney Harbour Bridge | Diary of an Adventurous Retiree

Our second last full day in Sydney and the weather looked promising – still overcast but definitely clearing so no need to drag jackets out with us. We had a light and early breakfast at Kantine Cafe, met up with Bruce and Ella who were heading to Bondi and got a lift to Circular Quay with them. Just outside the cafe we spotted two sulphur crested cockatoos in a tree. One seemed to be making a nest in the hollow while the other kept guard.

Sulphur Crested cockatoo keeping guard while his mate makes a nest in the hollow?

Moored in the harbour Earl was delighted to find a big cruise ship. I am not keen on cruised but I must admit this one looked exciting and I just could have been tempted to board her. Instead we settled for a River Cruise to Parramatta Wharf.

Isn’t she magnificent – the ship I mean!

Maybe I’ll give in to a cruise one day – when I’m very old

Can’t get enough of that fabulous bridge

Earl as I have mentioned many times before just loves boats, ships, fishing, the sea, lakes, rivers, dams – so long as there is water he is a happy man so he was in heaven on this almost 3 hour round trip which took in Darling Harbour, Cockatoo Island, Kissing Point, Sydney Olympic Point among other harbours and ports. The last stretch up the river becomes quite shallow and narrow and passes through mangroves which was lovley. We spotted birds like white-faced herons, ibises, pied cormorants, darters and ducks.

A beautiful neighbourhood

You can spend the night in a tent on Cockatoo Island

Good fishing in the river

Prime Property

Mangrove Swamps

Some bird life

On the return trip we disembarked at Darling Harbour, had lunch at a coffee shop then visited the quiet, shady and gentle Chinese Gardens before walking back to our penthouse for an afternoon nap! We might be having a night out later so have to get our strength up!

Darling Harbour

Peace and Tranquillity

Terrapin tanning

The Ducks love it

A gushing waterfall

Earl in the bamboo forest

Imperial visitors? No but you could pretend for a day

In the evening we went to Wayne and Tamara for dinner. Wayne took on the role of Jamie Oliver and cooked up a storm – veal with a berry sauce followed by baked chocolate pudding. Afterwards he raided the ark and found his slides from his 1984 trip to South Africa which brought back some great memories. His son, Alexander, didn’t know what a ‘slide’ was and was completely fascinated by the old fashioned projector! We’d all forgotten which way to load the slides and fell about laughing when they appeared upside down on the screen! Finally we got it right and enjoyed the show!

Earl shows Alex some ancient technology

Wayne’s delicious dessert

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge was high on my priority list. But Hubby wouldn’t even let me do the tree top swing thing and so imagine what watching me 134m above sea level would do to his nervous disposition. Of course I didn’t have the slightest bit of fear and would have done it in a beat if I hadn’t been so concerned about his anxiety! The high price of the high climb justified me chickening out on this one too! I envied those brave souls up there though but settled for second best and walked across on the footpath instead. There was after all the pylon climb which Earl declined to do but said it was okay for me.

So after a slightly different breakfast at Kantine – we ordered egg and bacon rolls but were presented with a starter of fruit salad to share just before it arrived – thank you kind hosts – we took the bus to Circular Quay, finally found the start of the walk in Cumberland Street.We kept having to turn around to see the view toward the city and realised that coming the other way would be more picturesque. So we finished the walk and then walked back again! On the return trip I climbed up the pylon paying the “senior’s” fee of $8.50 which for a South African was a big saving on the regular $13. There are some advantages to growing older!

Bridge From the foot path

Cyclists are catered for

There is a cycle track over the bridge – here a cyclist is coming down from the bridge

The pylon I climbed

Breathtaking views from the top

Looking down on the bridge

Tall ship in harbour

After the double walk – it was about more than 2km there and back – we took a hop on hop off ferry to Taronga zoo which included the entry fee. The ferry ride itself was interesting as we got to see Fort Denison, Shark Island and Watson’s Bay en route and being on a boat is always a highlight for Earl. The zoo is lovely but we only did the Australian animals – Africa in Australia did not appeal to us. The best was the bird aviary and being able to see the birds up close – just sitting there watching was a lovely experience.

One of the more unusual birds we saw – Noisy Pitta

The weather today was overcast and chilly at first so fortunately we took our jackets – it rained slightly on our return ferry trip so we were grateful for them.

In the evening the cousins got to together for a fabulous meal at Alpha – a Greek Restaurant in Surry Hills. Not only was the company warm, friendly and stimulating the Greek food was to die for! Thanks Cuzzies for an amazing evening.