2 Days in Paris

The very next night we had a family reunion (by chance) at the Orpheum. I had decided we would go to the movies AGAIN (3 times in one week!!),as i wanted to see 2 days in Paris. By complete coincidence Megan and Dan walked in to see the same movie about a minute behind us. And guess who was ripping tickets ouside cinema 5!!(yes Tim. So we had our little family reunion and enjoyed the movie. I thought it was terrific, and Julie Delpy is an absolute superstar and sooo talented..she was seemingly responsible for the whole thing..directing, writing, editing, starring in. Dad wasn't so enamoured..he thought it was a bit indie for him - he much preferred Knocked Up.

Open Air Cinema - Mark II

Pouty face. I lined up early in the pouring rain, so we could get a table to eat our dinner and have a drink at, rather than juggle stuff on our laps in the wet. Dad was to park the car and meet me half an hour later..This is a self portrait taken when he still hadn't arrived 1 and a 1/2 HOURS later!



Had a drink while I was waiting...getting happier!!

Eventually he turned up!

Then I was happy.
We watched the movie in pouring rain and enjoyed ourselves anyway -this time it was "Knocked Up". romantic comedy with no pretensions starring that girl from Grey's Anatomy.. It was quite funny really and only a couple of "too gross for mum" moments.

St. George Open Air Cinema - Mark I

We have four outings to Mrs Macquaries Chair planned for the summer season- (site of the St George Open Air Cinema). It is in a beautiful setting right on Sydney Harbour. The gates open at 6.15, so there's a couple of hours to enjoy some dinner and a glass or two of wine before the movie starts, while gazing out at the harbour, the Bridge and the Opera House. It's a magical sight! At 8.30pm the screen lifts from its position just above the water, and the movie begins. The show goes on in all weathers except extreme wind.




On our first outing, Elizabeth -The Golden Age- starring Cate Blanchett was screening. Cate Blanchett was magnificent and very beautiful,the costumes were just glorious in their detail and extravagance, but I think the characterization was so over simplified it was almost caricature.




The weather throughout was misty and drizzling, so the whole audience is ponchoed up ( they give them out at the gate), but the evening was thoroughly enjoyable nevetheless. After the show, the ponchos shuffle out!

AFTERNOON IN MANLY

We went to Manly for lunch. We walked round to Shelley and back up to Queenscliff and back to the Corso. It was a perfect fun relaxed afternoon. I had my camera with me and took lots of snaps.


We encountered a wedding -- very good to see what Not to do.

Adelaide

So having gone to Brisbane the first weekend of January for the last 2 years, this year we decided to spend that particular weekend in Adelaide with very good friends Lynn and Mike. And was it cooler and pleasant?? Not a bit - 39C in Adelaide!! ( note to self - stay in Sydney early Jan.!! ).

Nevertheless, we managed to valiantly soldier on and battle our way around a German coffee house, 5 wineries, a brewery, and a Tuscan restaurant ( where Mike said he got the BEST meal he's had in 62 years!)on Saturday, and a repeat visit to 4 of the wineries and a long and leisurely lunch at Hahndorf Hill Winery on Sunday, before staggering back to the airport, completely overstuffed with the most extraordinary gourmet delicious food and wine, on Sunday night. It was an absolutely gloriously delightful weekend!!

Cases of wine are now appearing on our doorstep!!

(click over pictures for captions)

Happy 18th Birthday Andy!!

Andy passed up the opportunity of celebrating his 18th with dinner in a swanky restaurant, in favour of dinner at the pub. We went up to the Preso(local pub).


He seemed to be very comfortable and AT HOME in his surroundings!!! -looked like he's been ordering beers in pubs forever - I don't think he was exactly thrilled to have his mother stalking him around the pub with a camera though!! heheheh ( i
have put the pics in anyway as they record a milestone moment, but some of them are very blurry)

It turned out to be a good choice for his birthday celebration - we had a very relaxed time and the food was PLENTIFUL!!,but he was very disappointed to NOT be asked for ID!!!

Seeing in 2008!! Happy New Year!

We (Barry and I) went down to the beach at Bradleys Head and got a great little possie with a direct view of the bridge. ( well almost... through the boats). It was a really lovely way to end what has been,in parts, a bitch of a year. We nibbled on blue vein,drank a good bottle of wine and cuddled up under a blanket while we waited for the show and people-watched those around us.( mostly families..many accents and different languages), but a few oddballs like the women climbing over the rocks in their high heels and slinky dresses ( where did they think they were going when they got dressed, I wonder).

The 9 o'clock fireworks were a bit average, but were made up for, by the midnight show.(Barry loaded up with the food and grog, setting off from the streets of Mosman at about 7.30pm)



Happy New Year Everyone!! Hope our 2008's are happy,healthy, fun and stress - free!!!!!!!!!!!