AFL football game

Our first footy game was a Sydney derby. The GWS Giants V Sydney Swans. I quickly Wikipedia'd the rules to get a little understanding but it didn't help that much.

We went as a family, knowing that we may have to come home in pairs if one of the kids got too bored but it was the opposite on the day. After 3 hours we dragged the kids away.

You get free train travel included with the AFL ticket but it's only a half hour drive for us and parking was easy, plus we had to collect our tickets on the door so didn't have them in advance.

Once inside the stadium our 'eyes through a family lense' widened as the ease of bringing a family to a sports game became clear. There were families with kids of all ages; Designated areas for buggy parking; long queues for the ice cream & milkshake stand; lots of toilet blocks and a huge kids play area plus lots of open space behind the food booths where there was a lot of ball throwing/catching going on.

The general attitude was relaxed. Fans were mixed throughout the seating area and I only heard good natured cheering. I don't know if that's normal but I didn't get a sense of the bitter rivalry I'm used to, but then i've only got UK Premier Football League to compare it to. Anyway, the whole atmosphere made me feel happy to bring the kids, but it did miss out a bit of raw emotion and chanting. 

Our kids were so keen to explore the play area that they couldn't sit 5 minutes in their seats before begging to go and play. We made them watch for 15 minutes before giving in to their demands. 

At the entrance to the play area we were offered a free apple and cup of milk. There was a bouncy castle, and various free games to play including inflatable target skills games; a line of iPads (we didn't investigate what was on them because we didn't want to be there all game); large mascot characters and kids could get team name tattoos (the face painting variety obviously). 

At half time a band played on the Virgin Live stage while little kids came out to demonstrate their skills. There was more than 1 half time so I guess it's not actually called half time but I'm still on UK football terms!!

Altogether a good family afternoon, even without fully understanding the rules of the game. 

Blue Mountains

A bright, crisp morning saw us travelling to the Blue Mountains for the day. It had been over 10 years since our last visit but the sight that greeted us was the same.

Firstly we refuelled after the drive with a big brunch at one of the many cafes in Katoomba.

Took a quick look at the Street Art Walk. All the buildings along this short back street were brought to life with some very cool work.  I'm always amazed at the skill involved in producing large pieces of art. Boats drifting out to sea; birds taking off; wildlife gathering; cartoon characters; abstract pieces and a truck which you really had to take a double look at to know it wasn't real. It's such a shame it was off the main road. I'm sure it's in some guides but we only found it by accident and just before our parking ticket expired so didn't get to appreciate it as much as it deserved.
 

We headed towards a '3 sisters' viewing point and at the information centre we watched a short show on Aboriginal history with a focus on instruments, dance and costume. That's probably the wrong terminology but I only picked up the handout sheet in Dutch to send to friends so I can't check.



We had afternoon tea booked at the Hydro Magestic so only had time to take the 10 minute short stroll from the viewing point. There is a lot more to do than we did. Different trails and other points.

More information on the Blue Mountains.

For Art Deco lovers - visit the Hydro Magestic Hotel and Restaurant. Great views over the mountains. Options of different restaurants.


We took one of the last sittings for afternoon tea. We were given a great window table, just had to put up with people keep showing up beside us to take photos out of the window. Lucky we had the view and decor to talk about as the service was very slow. The sandwiches were quite plain but the dessert plate was tasty. Overall a disappointing, expensive option. We will go back but try one of the other restaurants.

The Big Unpack

Nearly 10 weeks after our container was driven out of Amsterdam it arrived back with us.  Into Sydney, then transported to Canberra for customs checks, then back to Sydney. Several boxes contained a note from Customs to say it had been opened for inspection but all that scrubbing and painting paid off as everything cleared customs without any issues. So another huge thank you to my amazing Amsterdam friends who helped in the final weeks of the big pack up.

We have been in our long term rental for 2 weeks and although the hallway and garage are still full of boxes, we have a home. It's amazing the sense of ease felt coming home to 'home' rather than a temporary house. The kids are noticeabley happier to be amongst their own belongings and sleeping in their own beds.

We have been very lucky to find a house that ticked nearly all our search criteria. With the bonus of a small pool to keep us cool over the 9 months of summer. Even luckier to have built an instant rapport with the lovely landlady. 

The arrival of our container was split into 2 deliveries, 2 days apart. Typically the bed and mattresses were on the second load. 

I thought the Dutch relocation company who packed everything had done a good job, until we started unpacking. 

I'd shared with my best friend and nephew the total number of boxes I had, which left them in tears of laughter given it was a couple hundred more than they guessed, but, in my defense, there were a lot of boxes that hardly had anything in them, or boxes that just had empty storage boxes in them with nothing in the boxes within the boxes. Same for the bins except for 1 bin that still had rubbish in it. We had 1 vase broken which had no tissue paper around it to protect it and a souvenir baseball that was wrapped in several sheets of paper. Our 1 antique piece came with 4 broken legs and the bed parts were spread over 3 different unmarked boxes. A lot of the contents didn't match the box label. The legs to the kitchen table were in a box marked pictures. We still haven't found the screws to the legs of the football table. 2 boxes have already gone to the charity shop and baby things given away. 

We ticked off the boxes 1-by-1 as they were unloaded. At least we tried to. You may think that language isn't a barrier when it comes to numbers i.e. 1=1, 2=2 in Dutch and English. Not when it came to our packers. There were 3 of us trying to decipher the numbers scribbled on boxes. It actually offered a light relief to the unloading and carrying but did add an additional task of 'find the box' when we finished unloading and not all boxes were ticked off the sheet. 

Setting up the TV took several people several attempts over a week. The house is wired for sound, delivering cable to every room, unfortunately we went with a company that doesn't support it. No matter, we have enough channels to keep us entertained. 

We have good friends who not only gave up a whole Saturday to help us unpack but brought along dinner too. 

The removal company only take the boxes that they unpack. They don't come back and collect. I put an ad on Gumtree offering free boxes and packaging and got over 10 responses. 

Next task is to complete the claim form for the damaged items. 

Another few weeks and we should be ready to entertain. Another few months and we should be ready for our first oversees visitor.

Curl Curl Beach

Straight into my top 3 of beaches because, in order of discovery:

- its near to a big shopping centre
- we managed to get free parking on the roadside

- a short, curved stretch of golden sand

- sand banks, good for scrambling up

- clear sea

- not the biggest waves so will be good for swimming when we build up the courage or it gets warmer, whichever is first

- cafes at one end

- proper toilet roll in the public toilets

- above the beach is a grass area with picnic tables and open showers 

- perfect rock pools for us as a family with a large lane swimming one and paddling pool with a long slope into it

- saving the best for last: I saw several Dolphins.  It looked like they were playing with the surfers, jumping over the surf just meters from them before swimming away. 

Kiama

We spent a morning in Kiama but we'll be back for longer next time. There is so much to see and do in the area.

During our flying visit we did walk around the lighthouse, manage to see ocean spray come through the Kiama Blowhole. Had coffee at The Table at Amys (the large cappuccino was served in a breakfast bowl, way too much liquid for us). Walked down to see the rock pools, quick play in the playground and brought a Doctor Who Tardis Yahtzee set from a cool toyshop.