We're looking back on a cooler and wetter time...

   And so at the end of May the travelling Woodleys were headed for Sydney Town - Chatswood to be precise... to the lovely home of our lovely cousins Mr and Mrs E. Woodley; who were so kind as to let us stay for the first few days while they were away down the coast. We had left my cousin Mrs Warth's place after a sunny late-autumn-weathered-week and as we began our travelling to Sydney, the rain started. Suffice it to say, by the time we arrived it was (literally) bucketing down... and we were lucky that the neighbours didn't get too concerned about two black-hoodied characters (being, of course, Nick and myself) transporting things in (and it appeared as if it could have been as just as likely out) of the place. Eventually we were settled in - as Trinity was overjoyed to discover! - their 'olden-days house' and ready to venture into the Big Smoke...

   Our first venture was ambitious to say the least - four children eight years old and under, an unknown city, a train trip from one of the largest stations to the largest station, and an hour or so of navigating the supremely well planned Sydney city streets!! And all to visit the recommended Powerhouse Museum (thank you Mr and Mrs S. Woodley - very much enjoyed by all, especially the 'Teddy Bears Picnic')...

(absolutely loving the train ride and making sure that all within - and without - earshot were aware of it)

(unfortunately one of the only good shots I got of the children enjoying the 

very well planned kid-friendly interactive exhibits)

...as you are no doubt already aware, I take an abnormal interest in random architecture - but it was Sydney, so who could blame me...

...amplifying the brave factor in navigating foreign cities this Mrs Woodley took herself off via two trains - with a connection in between -  and a new and just as confusing array of suburban streets to visit the oldest place visited as yet - 
Old Government House...

...through and past many other examples of the 
diversity of Sydney architecture...
(P.S. these photos are specifically for 
your viewing pleasure, Grandpa!)

...and then back onto the train watching the endless 
city landscapes going by...

...and especially enjoying the view of Sydney Town herself...

...back to the grand and gracious, yet oh so welcoming 'olden days house' complete with reading foyer and large verandah for playing knights and castles - great fun for all including Mama and Dada - on the rainy days...
(also a special treat for Trinity of watching 
Anne of Green Gables for the first time)

...and let's not forget the most important part - the people!... here's Israel with the well-known pirate Great-Uncle Doug complete with his yellow pirate socks...

...'Uncle' Ted with his endless patience at answering 'excuse me' 
and reading countless stories...

...and 'Auntie' Ruth exploring the garden and taking the children for special shopping trips complete with treats!...

(as well as being privileged to reconnect with second cousins Paul and Mark - who are practically the same age as Nick)

...ah yes! - the garden... full of delightful 

nooks to explore and paths to follow... 

...and everyone found something to do which delighted them in their own little way...

...Saturday morning provided us with a private viewing of a regular medieval-sword-fighting get together in the park over the road (our inspiration for the aforementioned 'knights and castles' games on the rainy day veranda)... followed by Nick watching Uncle Ted playing soccor with many half his age (prior to training for an overnight superwalk - Ted that is, not Nick!)...

...then a last walk led us past this unusually painted house - all over silver!, complete with a multitude of silver owls - which had been causing a local cafuffle in this heritage listed area...

...and, sadly, we had to bid fare thee well to this newly rediscovered family as we headed ever northward...
(P.S. thank you so much, Mr and Mrs E. Woodley for allowing Mr and Mrs N. Woodley the special treat of going out to a movie while you watched our energetic children!!...)

...and farewell to you as well, Sydney Town, 

the countryside is calling to us...

...then northwards on to the Port Stephens area, Anna Bay to be precise; past panoramas of water and sun...

...an outing to the Nelson Head Heritage Lighthouse and Museum for scrumptious scones and iced chocolate coupled with clear sky and three hundred and sixty degree views...

...visits to and from old Christian Surfer friends (it was lovely to see you, Miss Watling, as well as Mr and Mrs Westbury)...

...never ending story times - especially 'Are We There Yet?'... and of course Israel reminds me to 'call him Kylie' when he comes with me to the ladies' loos!...

...local scenery to be revelled in...

...and more fun right near our own spot on our very own caravan park playground...

(yes - he really is walking...and running...and riding...and so on and so forth...)

...after befriending other caravan park-ers, walking over the sand dunes, Daddy surfing once, and surviving a night of torrential rain (a taste of things to come) the travelling Woodleys made their way to their next as-yet-unknown spot...