Sydney aquamarine and car hire

Monday 16th September didn't sleep the best woke up a few times then woke up 6.45 to see Ellie stood up in cot. Thought would get her in bed with me but unfortunately she wouldn't go back to sleep so got up after 7. Sharon and Ben got up 7.30 we didn't have breakfast so was out off door before 9 and was in city by 9.40. As soon as arrive in city straight to pancake on the rocks in darling harbour for breakfast which everyone enjoyed. Was a miserable day so good job we decided to go to Sydney aquarium today and got there 10.30. Think Ellie enjoyed especially the Great Barrier Reef exhibit and walking through the amazing underwater tunnels. But unfortunately was not really that interested in seeing her first dugong was more interested in the sand pit. Is lots of animals to see and just nice to experience then hanging out swimming. Ellie also seemed to enjoy the touch pool but think by end was getting tired and didn't end up leaving til 1ish. But trust Ellie not to want to go to sleep at first but got her in pushchair and ended up putting blanket so couldn't see so went to sleep. So whilst sleep decided we would go to Lindt cafe and shared a sharing plate but unfortunately no waffles as machine not working but was still good. Whilst sat down Sharon phoned car hire company and can collect today so decided not to go to wildlife centre instead got train back to go collect car. But had to go home first and got back 2.40 collected everything then out of door. Ended up changing train at Stathfield to Westmead was expecting car to be close to train station. But unfortunately had to walk 15 minutes but at least one good thing had stopped raining got to budget car hire at 4.30. Obvisiously we ended up with an automatic put us all on car hire but think Ben will be doing most of the driving. Had a strange car seat had to fasten it in the boot and was in the middle of the back seat very bizarre. Trust us to hit rush hour traffic and I sat in front as Sharon thought I would have more of idea where we were going. But somehow I had put the wrong address in at first but luckily realised before we got too far and got hone 6ish. Was going to go to spinning class but unfortunately I missed it as was at 5.30 so instead I made tea chilli. However I made it as I usually go and unfortunately it was abit too spicy but was still nice. Unfortunately nothing on TV again so ended up watching 'Notebook' and fall asleep on sofa got to bed 10.30.

Rainy day and DFO

Woke up 5 to Ellie crying but luckily went back to bed and got up 7am. So by time time Sharon and Ben got up at 9am me and Ellie had already had breakfast. Aim was to go to Bondi today but was raining so looks like Bondi won't be happening but would be a pain since track work this weekend. So at 10.30 me and Sharon decided to go to DFO outlet shopping and luckily had stopped raining. Found sone nice pyjamas I wanted from Peter Alexander but unfortunately won't my size. Went to ripcurl Sharon got Ellie a rash vest and had the suitcase which I wanted and was half price, so might have to get. But went to look toy d rest of shops first didn't buy anything else saw cardigan at Ralph Lauren but didn't really seem that cheap for outlet was still $100. It was then back to buy my suitcase from ripcurl as be a shame not to buy at that price. Go for coffee and cake and then walk back as Sharon thinking off getting bus would take same time as walking. On way back stop in park to have our caramel slice and finish our coffee as sun come out now got back at 1.15. When got back Ellie just woken so we had lunch then went to Rhodes at 3ish. The aim was to let Ellie play in Ikea play-area but have to be over 3years and the other one busy. So went to Coles but Ellie got grumpy so went in Thomas ride on but didn't have to turn on for her to enjoy. When got back was going to go in the pool but was very cold but Ellie happy splashing. Then I thought about going to gym or for a run but it never happened. Spoke to mum and dad on Skype and Ellie very excited to see them ended up speaking for just under an hour. Was nothing on TV so ended up watching 'Leap Year' and had oyster bay wine with Sharon then trust me to fall asleep on sofa and bed 11.30.

Rocks, Watson bay and babysit

Didn't sleep the best heard Ellie steering then at 4.30 she one so got her into bed with and fell asleep 5 and woke up 7.30. Think Sharon and Ben got up 8ish unfortunately today doing track work which meant have to catch bus from Rhodes to Strathfield. So caught bus at 10.22 but the bus wasn't really best for pushchairs and nobody gave up baby seats for up. Then half way into journey had to take pushchair down as people couldn't get past us as taking up most of the aisle. Once at Strathfield wasn't much better as lift broken but made train to circular quay with 5 minutes to spare. Somehow Ellie fell asleep 11ish so once at Circular Quay went for walk round the Rocks market but was nothing we wanted, not even any banana bread. Ellie only ended up having 45 minutes once wake we got ferry at 12.15 to Watson Bay which took about 30 minutes. Watson Bay is a harbourside on the eastern suburb of Sydney and is an ideal place to experience the magnificent Sydney Harbour. Once arrive at Watson Bay ferry wharf it is good to explore by foot which was once a fishermans village. Aim was to go to the popular Doyles cafe for lunch but unfortunately Sharon decided didn't want since Ben doesn't like fish. At this point Ellie decided to have a walk so was going to look in the cafe to see what food did but Ellie decided to go other direction. So instead just went for ice-cream from gelatissimo then walk to the Gap, an infamous ocean cliff sadly known in former yeas for suicides. But we decided against doing the cliff walk but I just like to go to Watson bay to relax and take in the beautiful scenery. Ended up getting the ferry back at 2ish and was straight to the Rocks to have some lunch. Went to burger joint a new burger place which has just opened at back of observer hotel and had a lamb burger was very good definitely go again. Got train back to Strathfield and had to wait nearly 30 minutes for bus to arrive but luckily was pushchair space this time. Once back me and Sharon went to Rhodes to get a few things and when back Ellie was still awake. Sharon and Ben go out 6ish to go watch an AFL game at Olympic park so me and Ellie home alone. Had Zaid a 21year student view place at 6.30 who seemed nice and was very keen to move in. Ellie didn't end up drinking all off her milk and eventually went to sleep 8ish but cried a little at first. I then watched 'bedtime stories' with wine and 'Nanny McPhee' which think may off nodded off a little whilst watching. Sharon and Ben got in 11ish and seemed to enjoy the game but not sure if understood ruled and bed 12ish.

Taronga Zoo and Max Brenner's

Woke up 6.30 to see Ellie stood up in cot took abit for her to go back to sleep got in bed with me and then woke up 9ish. We were first up Sharon and Ben got up 9.30 had breakfast and didn't end up leaving til 11ish. Caught train at 11.22 had 2/3 minutes to get on train from central to Circular quay which luckily we made. Got ferry to Taronga zoo at 12.15 and then bus to top to get our tickets for entrance into zoo was hoping Ellie would fall asleep, but no success. First stop Australia aviary as Ellie likes birds at the moment, then Australian nightlife and luckily seemed to see a few animals even the Bilby. Then to see the kangaroos, wallabies and emus which you could walk though and saw a few kangaroos. We walked past koala encounter but only saw one all the rest must be hiding, but hopefully see more later. Luckily the platypus wasn't hiding and looked so cute but looked very lonely as looked to be only one. All off this is part of the Australian walkabout then for another walk though where saw echidna which Ellie liked. Then to the concert lawns to have our picnic but unfortunately no cafe as currently refurbishing. After our picnic was to see the seals, wetland aviary and rainforest trail was going to watch birdshow but didn't think Ellie would sit still. So instead went to look at the big cats trail as I my favourite animals are tigers, elephants and giraffes as I just find them fascinating. Obviously we had to have sone silly pictures taken so had one with eagle and with the gorillas. It was then to listen to the koala talk and found out some new things like there can jump between trees. Was supposedly 4 koalas in the enclosure but only actually saw 3, as 2 were asleep. Walk past alligator on route to exit and look round the gift shop but didn't buy anything. Got the sky safari cable car down to the bottom which always provides a lovely view off Sydney and made the ferry at 4pm. Once off straight to Max Brenner which is creating a new chocolate experience worldwide. Tried to convince them to have a pizza but shared a tutti frutti waffle was good and I had a coconut hot chocolate was nice but very sweet. Ellie was not that keen on the waffle so ended up having to distract her with pringles. Catch train from Wynyard but just missed train so had to wait 30 minutes for next one. Home 6ish let Ellie  play for abit then bed 7.30 and I made tea chicken satay went down well. Watch TV was film on 'Birdcage' which was very funny but couldn't believe Sharon and Ben not seen before, bed 11.30.

Coogee

At 3.30am Ellie woke up but thought was later than that at first but just got her into bed with me and she went straight to sleep took me 30 minutes. We got up 7.30 and was 1st up Sharon and Ben got up 8ish then time to get ready to go out Ellie not bothered about porridge but had some toast. We just made the train at 10.07 as it was runnning 2 minutes late get off at Central and waited few minutes for bus to Coogee. Got to Coogee just after 11 and Ellie asleep at this point so decided to go for walk aim to go to Clovelly beach. Unfortunately could only get to Gordon's Bay as after that was a few steps so couldn't go with pram. At this point Ellie woke up so walk back to Coogee and changed Ellie into swimsuit so could go in sea. So me and Sharon took Ellie for a splash in sea but didn't liked started crying think was the loud noise of the waves. Have some pringles which Ellie liked and played in the sand but Ellie happy climbing on Sharon and Ben. Then looked for shells well we looked and Ellie put them in the pringles tub was on beach nearly 2hours was 23 degrees. It was then food went to Yerro's cafe which overlooks the beach me and Sharon shared a Yerro plate. Which was lamb, chicken, Greek salad, pitta and chips, Ellie liked as could help herself to chips. Then walk other way and found a park where Ellie found a little boy Joey 4 years old to play with. We then walked abit further past the rock pools then turn round as not sure where we would get to. Catch bus back to central and made train with 5 minutes to spare but had to carry pushchair upstairs as couldn't find lift. Ellie wouldn't go to sleep got back 5ish so Ben took Ellie home whilst me and Sharon went for coffee and shopping. Once back thought Ellie might be asleep but was busy playing went to bed 8ish. Ben made tea chicken fajitas then speak mum 8.45 for 30minutes had nice chat and is glad were enjoying self. Went to bed 11ish after having a glass of wine and Sharon trying to find car hire.

Botanical Gardens

Woke up 7.30 and was surprised that Sharon and Ben already up but Ellie didn't end up getting up til 9ish. We had all breakfast but Ellie only had milk then went to Rhodes to look round shops then to Coles to get a few things. Get back gave Ellie her breakfast thought would try porridge today but still only ate half of it. Then get train at 11.50 after making sandwiches for our picnic later on. Get off train at Town Hall so could go to Woolworth's to look for baby milk but didn't have what we wanted. Looked in platypus shoes for trainers for Ben and eventually found some he liked some onitsuka tiger ones and wouldn't mind some myself. Then walk down to botanical gardens but stop pharmacy first to see if had baby milk but still not what we wanted. Walked round the Opera House then into the gardens for our picnic which ended up having at 2, Ellie liked the Pringles. Was amusing watching Ellie chase the dickd and followed 2 ducks which was so cute but unfortunately didn't have camera ready. Ellie then walked for abit which seemed to take a while but we did have good views of the Opera Housr and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Eventually Ellie went in the pushchair and fell asleep quickly so we walked up to Macquire Chair but didn't find the chair. Then walk round the gardens sone more past the pond into gift shop and Ellie woke up only had about an hours sleep. Get train back caught from circular quay to Strathfield where we changed for Rhodes. On way back pop stop at Rhodes for coffee and biscuit whilst we went to Coles, Ben took Ellie to playarea so wouldn't get bored. Got hone just after 6, Ellie go to bed 8 and fell straight asleep. So we had tea pasta with red pesto, chicken and mushrooms was very nice. Watched TV and could feel self falling asleep so bed 11 and aim to read book which didn't happen.

Sky tower and Manly

Ellie slept in my room as I had foolishly put the cot up in my room then I wasn't sure how to get down but was fine. She woke up 6 but thought would put her in bed with mr and luckily we both went back to sleep I woke up 8.30 and Ellie 9. Made bacon sandwiches for us 3 and Ellie had weetabix had 2 spoonfuls then didn't want any more had satsuma. Sharon booked sky tower combo pass for her and Ben as cheaper in long run when also doing aquamarine and wildlife centre. But then couldn't get the email as hotmail not working so missed train at 11.20 and caught next one straight to town hall. First stop sky tower for Sharon and Ben to get there passes then do the sky tower with 4D cinema experience. Then to the observation deck which is 250 metres high and the Sydney Tower Eye is the tallest building in Sydney. It took 6 years to build and was when opened in September 1981 was the 4th tallest building in the world. The observation deck was not as big as I expected didn't take long to walk round but was a nice view. But Ellie wasn't really interested in the view much preferred to play in the play area. We left sky tower about 1.30 and walk to Circular Quay which didn't take as long as I expected and actually made Manly ferry at 2pm. Had got a multi pass 2 ticket this morning and thought included Manly but didn't but let us though since Rhodes conductor told us it did. Once at Manly was straight the sealife centre and just caught the end of the Penguin talk, were very cute. But Ellie seemed to enjoy walking through tunnel especially the stingray and making splashes in the rockpool. After walk own corso and go on a manly front to get something to eat went to Manly Grill just had chicken Caesar salad and Ellie liked chips. We then walked to a Shelley beach as Shaton recommend to go and trust Ellie to fall asleep so didn't get to go on the beach. But me and Sharon had paddle very cold sat on beach for abit as a lovely view then walk back dipped feet in rock pool still cold. Once back at Manly went to Ben & Jerrys for ice-cream we all had 2scoops  I had peanut and chunky monkey preferred the peanut one. Look in shops after as Ben wanted new top and shops ended up getting a top from ripcurl but couldn't find shoes. Ended up catching ferrying at 18.10 and let us go through free cause of mishap with the different zones. Got back to Circular Quay caught train to central and change there for Rhodes made train in 7 minutes with 2 lifts and even had 3 minutes to spare. By time got back was 7.30 Ellie had toast, strawberries, blueberries bath but didn't want to go to bed. We got take-away pizza fom eagel boys and at this point Ellie was still awake eventually went to sleep 9ish. Didn't end up going to bed til nearly 12 and Ellie was stearing so had to be very quiet.