Sunday, January 24, 2010

What I'm reading & Sydney Part 2




The night before we left for Sydney I found this funny old book in a bookshop in Brunswick St.

It has some great real life stories in it and I'm loving reading about the history & people of a long ago Sydney. I couldn't help staying up late on Friday night to read it, finding myself in a world of crime & punishment & scandal! I hope to catch up with what other people are reading so I'll be hopping over to Punky & Me to see later on.



On Saturday morning Charlotte & I took the train & bus to Bondi Beach. What a magnificent beach it is, my photo's just don't do it justice. I think because we live so far from the sea I really crave these beachy views. I can't get enough of that never ending sky & sea.







We were silly to leave our bathers at the hotel so in a moment of inspiration we found a swimwear shop that had a $10 sale! After trying on some pretty freaky and ill fitting bathers we settled on the best of a bad lot and hightailed it down to the beach. The water was cool and so delicious. It was one of those shiny, white hot days, when you feel your skin almost sizzling as you enter the water. We could have stayed there, floating, vaguely body surfing, and people watching all day. What a beautiful swim it was and so lovely to be sharing the experience with Charlotte.







We didn't have towels and just put our clothes on over the top to keep us cool on the bus ride to Paddington. It was hard to say goodbye to Bondi Beach, Sydney sure has some amazing beaches.



Then it was off to Paddington Market! The last time I visited this fantastic & super creative market would have been over ten years ago. I was happy to find it is still as good as it was back then.


Lots of young and new designers - alot of jewellery & clothes. Interestingly there wasn't much that reminded me of things I've seen at Melbourne/Victorian markets. Not much crochet or many brooches, bags or softies etc.



I bought a great little blue leather purse from Amber Gaye, a much needed replacement for my tiny plastic Care Bear purse!




Charlotte bought a goreous dress from Pretty In Pink who sell yep, you guessed it, lots of pretty dresses and vintage inspired clips, purses, shorts, robes and other sweet things.


It was soon time to go but not before we accidentally caused a car accident! Charlotte hailed a cab to take us back to the hotel and as the cab stopped quickly to pick us up the silver car behind it also braked too hard. This meant the car behind it crashed into the back of the silver car! It was all pretty crazy and Silver Car Guy was not impressed. People were watching from the cafes and we just stood there as the drivers argued and swore! Should have caught the bus!


Back at Potts Point we had just enough time for Char to get her nails done at USA Nails! Don't they look fancy?


Sadly our trip was coming to an end. We took a cab out to the airport and headed home. I think it was one of the best holidays I've ever had. We had so many laughs and just loved looking around beautiful Sydney together. I lapped up the time with Charlotte, loving every minute. She is such good company and we didn't have one bad moment. The hard part is that she is going back to school this week and that made the time together even more special.


Today I'm having trouble adjusting to family life, folks. It's so great to be back with the kids and Mark but I have to admit I could get used to a holiday lifestyle!! While I'm looking forward to the school routine in one way we're also coming to the end of summer holidays & the transition can be hard. At least I have some great memories of our holiday to Sydney to day dream about, might have to start planning the next trip!

Hope your week is a happy one, see you soon xo

12 comments:

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Goodness, just hung out the sheets & Sydney part 2 is already up!! I haven't been to Paddington Markets since i was in high school, sad isn't it?? It is still a jumble of finds & pathways??
So pleased on your Sydney report, you didn't mention crowds, traffic or anyone being rude, ace!! Then again, good things happen to good people, you clearly don't attract danger. Did giggle at the cab incident, gosh, they fly down Oxford Street. Lucky me can park in Victoria Barracks, should do that next time we're in Sydney.
Love Posie

posie blogs Jennie McClelland said...

Completely different topic - i'm eating gnocchi, a few sad uneaten pieces, with the remaining Italian tomato sauce. Was fun to make (about 2.5 hours) & quickly gobbled down. Love Posie

hester said...

Sounds like a fantastic weekend and how special to finally have a trip to Sydney with your beautiful Charlotte.

Unknown said...

Wow what a fabulous trip. I hope I get the chance to visit one day!!!

Great pictures and I sooo know what you mean about that holiday lifestyle. That's how I felt about my NYC visit last April..That's life I suppose.

Tania said...

I'm just STARTING to catch up on all your news. Heck, have you been bizzy woman! Excellent Sydney treated you both well. Excellent the trip produced a whole lot of giggles and a ferryload of memories. As far as school holidays nearing an end go, I am currently busy looking on the bright side. I have quite some blog posts to catch up on and a SLIVER of just 'me' time sounds a little exciting!

Bertie Meadows said...

Thank you for sharing your Sydney sights. We are hoping to visit in July, and after reading your posts I can't wait.
Bertie x

Something Happened Somewhere Turning said...

How fun for you two. I am super jealous considering it is cold as ice here in the States and snow storms are on the way.

crzylady said...

glad you weren't in any hit vehicles.
the nails do look lovely.. USA nails, hmmm? Do we do them differently then they do down under? ;)

moose and bird said...

It sounds like you really did have a lovely time, apart from the car accident. I can understand why it's going to be hard to get back into routine now that you are back. Good luck with the new school year. Melinda xo

Vic said...

*sniffs*

Way to make me homesick!!!

I can't even comment on your book or anything... I'm looking at your pictures with a broken heart & a hopeless sense of longing...!

(Okay, it's not that bad, but I really wish I could at least visit again soon! Glad you had a great time in olde Sydnay town!)

Pam said...

Love the oh so vintage look of the book and the title is brilliant. Sounds like it would be an interesting read. :)

Miss Prudence said...

Oh Beck - did you ever see paddo bizarre in th eold days, like when Dinosaur designs were young designers selling their wares, and vintage clothes from the 40's and 50's were plentiful and cheap? Oh happy days!