Sydney June 2014

June 13^th, As we were leaving the Caravan Park, Val handed in the amenities keys and was told the overnight temperature was minus 2, no wonder we felt the cold. The drive to Sydney was pleasant enough but when we were driving up Mount Victoria; I was a little worried, as the car was straining up the long steep uphill drive and developed a noise that I hadn’t heard before. At one stage I had to get down to first gear and I was very glad to get to the top and start the downward descent. We made it to the Caravan Park, booked in and got set up. We now had another clicking noise coming from the back of the car, mainly when I applied the brakes. We drove over to Greg and Dianne’s place and Greg gave me my Birthday present from all the Family, A side grinder, which was what I needed as my old one had developed a short. They ordered in Chinese for dinner, which was very good, and Dianne said she could take our car in to her work (Heartland Holden) on Tuesday and let them check it out.

June 14^th, We had intended to watch Jessica and Annaliese playing Netball today but it was raining, so we did “plan B” and went for a stroll around Parklea Markets instead. I was getting more worried about continuing to drive our car, especially into the City, as it would be a major problem if it broke down and I didn’t want anything to mar Val’s big Birthday celebrations. So, I did a swap with Greg for his dual cab and we went into Steven and Ed’s place at Elizabeth Bay, where we were staying for the night. After catching up with Steven and Ed and having a few pre-dinner drinks, we got dressed up in our finery to go out for a family Birthday dinner (destination unknown to Val and myself). Our driver arrived to pick us up and a ¼ hour later we were dropped off at the Overseas Shipping Terminal at Circular Quay and walked to the Cruise Bar and Restaurant. After another pre-dinner drink, while looking out over Circular Quay and the Opera House, we moved upstairs to the Restaurant where our table was along the large glass windows, so the view didn’t change. We enjoyed a wonderful 3 course meal with some nice wines. When it came time to leave, Steven insisted that we call into the Grain Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel for a nightcap before Greg, Dianne, Jessica and Annaliese left to go home, as they had a big Netball Event tomorrow. We were surprised to find waiting for us in the Grain Bar was another group of Steven’s friends, some that we have known for many years, so it was good to catch up with Margaret, Nikos and Sandra. As we left the Bar, after saying all our good-byes, Val gave me a carry bag to look after while we were leaving and we jumped in a Cab out front, on George Street, and went back to Steven and Ed’s place, where Val asked me for the bag, to look at all her presents and I realized that I left it in the Cab! Bugger! The worst loss was the Gold Earrings that Greg and Dianne had given Val. Steven posted the loss on several Taxi lost Property sites and even rang the Hotel, who checked the Bar and even looked through their CCTV footage and could only confirm that I walked out through their door carrying the bag. Unfortunately the Hotel’s CCTV did not cover the outside street where we got into the cab, so was unable to tell us the Taxi Company we had used. If the earrings don’t get returned I will replace them for Val.

June 15^th, We had a light breakfast at Steven and ED’s, then went for another mystery drive to an unknown destination for lunch. We where both delighted when we arrived at Neilson Park, as we had not been to this Park in a very long time. Unfortunately it was overcast and showery but the sailing boats were racing by, on the Harbour, as we walked along the pathway to the Kiosk, for lunch. After enjoying a great lunch we went to the Broadway Shopping Centre, for a browse, had a look at some earrings and finished up with a Coffee and Cake before heading back to Elizabeth Bay. After a final drink (only coffee for me) we loaded our gear into Greg’s Truck and drove back to Glenwood, to swap over cars.

June 17^th, Happy Birthday Val. I took our car into Heartland Holden, Dianne met me there and introduced me to the Service Manager, and we all went for a drive to let him listen to the various noises. Dianne dropped me back at the Caravan and went back to work. Val got her final Birthday Surprise when Greg, Dianne, Jessica and Annaliese all arrived this afternoon with a Birthday Cake. That was a lovely surprise!

June 18^th, Dianne rang with the bad news about the car. It needs the 4 rear diff bushes replaced, requiring special tooling and dropping the diff assembly, CV joint repaired and stabaliser bushes replaced. All resulting from the constant towing of our Caravan. Dianne picked us up on her way home from work and after dinner we all watched The State of Origin game. It was a series WIN for NSW after a drought of 8 years. Greg dropped us back home after we decided not to accept his offer of his vehicle, as there is a good bus service from our Caravan Park to anywhere in Sydney and we didn’t want to inconvenience either Greg or Dianne any more than we had to.

June 19^th, Dianne rang with the best quote she could find and we are up for $1540, with it all being ready to pick up late on Monday. We will have to extend our stay in Sydney, so will probably add another week.