Brent turns forty three

For Brent's birthday we had a great night away at the Shangri-La Hotel in the Rocks, Sydney. I decided to go the cool black and white look for these pics.

The Horizon Bar (at the Shangri La) where many cocktails have been consumed in it's time

Brent looking pensive

Self portrait

Views over Sydney Harbour from where we had afternoon tea

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Favourite Restaurants

There are some great restaurants that I love in Sydney. And I'd go there all the time if I could.



Number 1: This byo is a favourite



Number 2: A great beach restaurant



Number 3: Noisy, fun and fusion



Number 4: Full of Mediterranean flair in a reputable street



Number 5: A great local restaurant - good value yum cha

Can you guess where they are? Answers are coming soon...

Answers:
1. Ripples - Milson's Point
2. Watermark - Balmoral Beach
3. Blue Ginger - Balmain
4. Sapore by the Fountain - Leichhardt
5. Golden Jade Restaurant - Eastwood

Kerey comes to town

After counting down the weeks till Kerey arrived, the day finally came. And what was a fairly low key school holiday suddenly became fun and exhausting for all. It was great that Brent had a week off work - so every day became an adventure.

Day 1

We go to a hungi at the Tongias and then onto Shelly Beach for a dip - but the camera runs out of juice. On the way home from the beach we go to see 'The fastest Indian' at the Orpheum Theatre.

Day 2

It's Brent's 41st birthday! After church in the morning we go to Yum Cha and then go back to church for the evening. We bolt out of church to get ready for an impromptu party for Brent and Dave...batteries still dead on the camera!

Day 3

Brent takes Kerey to DFO and Kerey makes a purchase!

We then go Luna Park - Coney Island first and then it's 2 rides each.


Sarah and Kerey like the chunder machines. Heather was silly enough to go with them on one topsy turvy ride - what a foolish decision!

Brent and Ben play it safe on the dogems.

Day 4

It's ANZAC Day! We catch the Rivercat from Meadowbank to Circular Quay

We go walkabout - Sydney Opera House - Gardens

And through the city (Martin Pace) where the ANZAC service took place

To the Queen Victoria Building and Darling Harbour, then to the Aquarium.

Fish can be interesting! A big day on foot.

Day 5

Brent and Kerey go for a bike ride - Brent falls off his bike - and then we're off to the zoo.

We're impressed by the the new exhibitions and enjoy the bird show.

Day 6

Off to Darling Harbour again, but this time we go further than the Aquarium. Ben was sick in the carpark at Star City, but comes right for the rest of the day - we're proud of our little trooper.

We head towards Paddy's Market and amble through Chinatown taking it fairly easy for Ben's sake.

We go home via the Macquaire Centre Greater Union Cinema to see 'Shaggy Dog'. It was fun -"woof woof".

Day 7

A big day out to the Blue Mountains. We stop at Katoomba and walk down to the 'Three Sisters', then go to Scenic World.

At Scenic World we go down one of the steepest railways in the world - take a stroll on the boardwalk through the forest - and ascend on the Sceniscender, a large cable car, back to the top.

We race to the Janeolan Caves and make it within minutes of the start of the tour through the Lucas Caves.

The caves are pretty magnificent. The tour through the Lucas Caves show the largest caverns at Janeolan - it was well worth the dash.

Day 8

We walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge - a standard for all our visitors at some point in the stay. We take Kerey on the traditional browse through the Rocks Markets - this time we make a purchase at the space painting stand.

We get corn, delectables from the French Patisserie, and jump onto the Manly Ferry.

The kids go swimming - boy that's keen for the end of April!

Dinner at Leichhardt - The Italian Forum for Pasta, and Bar Italia for gelato! At last.