Sydney

Yay, we’re down to Nicky and Andy’s for 10 days. They’re in Dulwich Hill, just west of the city, and it’s great to be in a place like Sydney but living like a local. Sydney, like London, could be a big scary place but instead we’re treated to the delights of Leichardt (lesbian capital of Australia. Will I have anything to prove here, I wonder?) where we sample not only the best coffee but also the best Italian food.

Nicky’s works in the media business and we’re invited to the premier of the new Dr Seuss movie, Horton Hears A Who. There were apparently quite a few Aussie celebrities sharing the red carpet with us, but I wouldn’t have known any of them. There’s no Heat magazine here you know.

It’s Sunday, it’s Sydney. What do locals do? Go to the beach of course. Beach of choice, the beautiful Bronte complete with bogey hole (a natural large rock pool which fills with water as the waves come in and out and provides a perfect kiddie paddling pool).

The next few days see us visiting gorgeous Manly (note to self: could definitely live here) and Bondi beaches and the Rocks (the first European settlement). No visit to Sydney is complete without a trip to the Opera House, so we do. Even though we’ve been here several times before, there’s something very special about this place. The architecture is outstanding, even after all this time, and the views amazing.

I love the North Shore and we revisit Ripples restaurant, just below the Olympic swimming pool with the most amazing view under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and across to the Opera House. The sunsets behind us completes an idyllic spot, only spoiled, in Ruby’s opinion, by the fact that Luna Park (funfair) is closed.

Bill Granger is a celebrity chef here and his three restaurants serve the most delicious breakfasts. We choose the Woolahra branch one and go for a total carb overload; the ricotta hotcakes with maple syrup can’t be beaten. Well, not unless you count his sweet corn fritters. Yummy.

With a few more days here, we visit Darling Harbour and the Saturday morning Victoria Market and take the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly.

So we’ve done all the touristy stuff, what’s next? Ah yes, flex the credit card at Bondi Junction shopping centre and go to Aveda for some long overdue care and attention to my hair in preparation for my birthday.