Clovelly Beach and Rainbows

 Today started out a bit dreary and I was afraid it was going to rain all day and we would be stuck at home or would be out running from place to place trying to stay dry.  While we waited to see what the weather was going to do, Cooper made this cool contraption to pull Tucker around.  I thought it was pretty cleverly constructed and Tucker LOVED being pulled around in it. Even Dingo the Dingo got a ride.

The weather looked promising so we headed out for another adventure.  Our first stop was to get bus tickets. Cooper wanted to ask for them so I told him to ask for "two Zone 2 tickets."  He went right up to the clerk and said, "two tickets to Arizona please."  It was so funny I laughed out loud. We took our tickets to the bus stop and waited about 30 minutes for our bus only to have it drive right past us. I was so aggravated! So, we talked it over and decided to wait another 30 minutes for the next bus.  Finally, the 339 arrived (and stopped) and we were on our way to Clovelly Beach.  Clovelly (pronounced Clo-VELLY) Beach is about a 20-30 minute bus ride from our apartment. The bus took us through the Centennial Parklands which is a huge park just a few miles from Sydney. While driving through the parklands, we saw people playing cricket and others riding horses. We also passed by the Royal Randwick, a huge horse racing track.

Soon we arrived at Clovelly Beach. It is a small lagoon (of the Tasman Sea) perfect for swimming, wading and snorkeling.  The beach is huge and the sand is clean and soft- ideal of digging and building sandcastles.  There were tons of seashells on the shore and we even spotted a crab crawling along the rocks. The boys had a wonderful time wading in the water and playing in the sand.  The weather was sunny when we arrived and by the time we left,  the clouds were coming in and it was beginning to drizzle.  I cannot wait to go back when the weather is warm so we can swim. Who knows maybe we will even try snorkeling.  I heard there are some cool looking fish down below!

our seashells

We have been having some crazy lightening storms the last few nights. I love watching lightening so I have stayed up late just to see it light up the city.  Today, the lightening started while Tucker was napping so Coop and I cuddled on the couch and watched the storm a bit.  Every time lightening struck Coop said, "Good job sky!"  After the storm passed the sky had the eeriest color. We looked the window and saw this incredible rainbow. It was huge and the colours (there is that u again...) were incredibly vibrant. It was a beautiful way to end a great day.

Clovelly Beach and Rainbows

 Today started out a bit dreary and I was afraid it was going to rain all day and we would be stuck at home or would be out running from place to place trying to stay dry.  While we waited to see what the weather was going to do, Cooper made this cool contraption to pull Tucker around.  I thought it was pretty cleverly constructed and Tucker LOVED being pulled around in it. Even Dingo the Dingo got a ride.

The weather looked promising so we headed out for another adventure.  Our first stop was to get bus tickets. Cooper wanted to ask for them so I told him to ask for "two Zone 2 tickets."  He went right up to the clerk and said, "two tickets to Arizona please."  It was so funny I laughed out loud. We took our tickets to the bus stop and waited about 30 minutes for our bus only to have it drive right past us. I was so aggravated! So, we talked it over and decided to wait another 30 minutes for the next bus.  Finally, the 339 arrived (and stopped) and we were on our way to Clovelly Beach.  Clovelly (pronounced Clo-VELLY) Beach is about a 20-30 minute bus ride from our apartment. The bus took us through the Centennial Parklands which is a huge park just a few miles from Sydney. While driving through the parklands, we saw people playing cricket and others riding horses. We also passed by the Royal Randwick, a huge horse racing track.

Soon we arrived at Clovelly Beach. It is a small lagoon (of the Tasman Sea) perfect for swimming, wading and snorkeling.  The beach is huge and the sand is clean and soft- ideal of digging and building sandcastles.  There were tons of seashells on the shore and we even spotted a crab crawling along the rocks. The boys had a wonderful time wading in the water and playing in the sand.  The weather was sunny when we arrived and by the time we left,  the clouds were coming in and it was beginning to drizzle.  I cannot wait to go back when the weather is warm so we can swim. Who knows maybe we will even try snorkeling.  I heard there are some cool looking fish down below!

our seashells

We have been having some crazy lightening storms the last few nights. I love watching lightening so I have stayed up late just to see it light up the city.  Today, the lightening started while Tucker was napping so Coop and I cuddled on the couch and watched the storm a bit.  Every time lightening struck Coop said, "Good job sky!"  After the storm passed the sky had the eeriest color. We looked the window and saw this incredible rainbow. It was huge and the colours (there is that u again...) were incredibly vibrant. It was a beautiful way to end a great day.

Sydney Fishmarket

Today's out was to the Sydney Fishmarket.  It was not exactly what I had envisioned, but now I can say I was there and can go back if I ever need to.  Pretty sure that is not going to be necessary.  Anyway, the market is the biggest fish market in the southern hemisphere and the second biggest in the world when it comes to variety next to one in Japan. They did have a ton of fish and many, many kinds I have never heard of or seen in my life. After living in the Seattle area for so long and visiting Pike Place market, it was strange not to see the usuals- Dungeness Crab, salmon, halibut etc.  I really was craving a big bowl of clam chowder, but that is not something they do here.  As usual, Tucker slept through the whole adventure and Cooper spent most of the time telling me how smelly it was.  He did claim to see the "pout-pout" fish on one stand (a book shared with us by our friends the Cuttings). Kind of sad to think of the pout-pout fish on the chopping block.  Guess that would give him something to really pout about, huh?  Below are a few pics of the seafoods they had at the market and of the market itself.

fish shaped bread at a bakery in the market

A rainbow appeared as we were leaving

Sydney Fishmarket

Today's out was to the Sydney Fishmarket.  It was not exactly what I had envisioned, but now I can say I was there and can go back if I ever need to.  Pretty sure that is not going to be necessary.  Anyway, the market is the biggest fish market in the southern hemisphere and the second biggest in the world when it comes to variety next to one in Japan. They did have a ton of fish and many, many kinds I have never heard of or seen in my life. After living in the Seattle area for so long and visiting Pike Place market, it was strange not to see the usuals- Dungeness Crab, salmon, halibut etc.  I really was craving a big bowl of clam chowder, but that is not something they do here.  As usual, Tucker slept through the whole adventure and Cooper spent most of the time telling me how smelly it was.  He did claim to see the "pout-pout" fish on one stand (a book shared with us by our friends the Cuttings). Kind of sad to think of the pout-pout fish on the chopping block.  Guess that would give him something to really pout about, huh?  Below are a few pics of the seafoods they had at the market and of the market itself.

fish shaped bread at a bakery in the market

A rainbow appeared as we were leaving

The Sun

A few notes about the sun.


The sun actually shines here. All day long.  It comes back everyday.  Even when it is raining, the sun is shining somewhere nearby and rainbows are commonplace.


I am not used to the sun after 10 years in the Pacific Northwest. There, when the sun actually does shine, it is an event. You feel that you don't have a moment to waste because it may be a very, very long time before you see that thing called the sun again.


It is strange to know that the sun WILL shine tomorrow and the next day and the next. 


I think I can get used to this thing called the sun.

photo courtesy of my mom

The Sun

A few notes about the sun.


The sun actually shines here. All day long.  It comes back everyday.  Even when it is raining, the sun is shining somewhere nearby and rainbows are commonplace.


I am not used to the sun after 10 years in the Pacific Northwest. There, when the sun actually does shine, it is an event. You feel that you don't have a moment to waste because it may be a very, very long time before you see that thing called the sun again.


It is strange to know that the sun WILL shine tomorrow and the next day and the next. 


I think I can get used to this thing called the sun.

photo courtesy of my mom