Manly Oceanworld

On Sunday we headed out for a Magical Mystery Tour !! We love to take the kids out when they don't know where they are going. My own mother did this for me when I was little so I have continued the fun !

Sundays are a great day to travel. All train and ferry trips are only $2.50 per person !! So we decided to head to Manly Oceanworld with our annual passes that we picked up earlier in the year.

First step of the trip was a drive to Wollongong Railway station for a train ride to Sydney. From there we hopped on another train to Circular Quay then a ferry trip over to Manly. All this for $10.00 !!! What a bargain !! On any other day one child alone couldn't get to Manly for $10.00.

Pretending to be "asleep" on the train. Although we were up pretty early.

Welcome to "warm, sunny" Sydney. The weather wasn't great but no real rain.

Can you see Sydney in the background ???

The kids loved the ferry ride over to Manly. Even though the weather wasn't great the water was calm so it was great to stand outside and watch the world go by.

So off we headed to Oceanworld Manly. Sandy & I have not been there for many, many years and wondered if anything had changed. The answer is NO.

It is still very much the same and a much smaller version than Sydney Aquarium but still ok for the little ones. We really did like their underwater tunnel, it seemed to have alot more fish than Sydney and the Sting Rays are HUGE.

The Stingers are HUGE.

One of my favourite sea creatures.

We loved watching this Star Fish as it crawled all over the glass. 

  The kids had a great time watching the star fish as it crawled around and it was great for them to see how it all works. They did also have a chance to get their hands wet in the touch pool and have their pics taken in the jaws of a shark.

Someone help me. PLEASE !!

E's face is a classic. I asked for scared but not sure what I got !!

The girls "swimming" in the deep blue sea. I love the imagination.

 Next to the shark teeth was a mermaid statue. I wanted a picture with this statue so asked C to take a picture of me. E also wanted to get in on the action so she jumped into my picture. Thank goodness for digital pics cause I think we ended up taking about a dozen pictures cause C just couldn't seem to get it right. Even E had a go and didn't do to much better. Finally after we went through the fish tunnel Sandy ended up taking one so here it is !!!

I was determined to get a half decent pic !! What do you think ??

So after the aquarium Sandy wanted to head to Manly beach to check out the surf and grab something for lunch.

Manly beach in the rain.

While we were waiting for our hot chips the kids were playing around on the statues and seating in the area. C was jumping from one circle to the other and E was dancing around. Both kids are far from shy !!

Strike a pose !! Vogue !!

Every bodies Shufflin' !!!

I just love this one. xx

Hooray lunch. Beautiful hot chips by the beach. What could be more Aussie !!

After lunch we headed back to the ferry terminal. Out the front there were a couple of rides including a carousel. Of course the kids wanted to have a go and I wanted a go to so we bought 3 tickets which ended up costing $10.00 !! Unbelievable !! A 7 minute ride for 3 people cost the same as the 3 hour journey to get there and back !! Lucky we got such a bargain getting there !!

Thought I'd better include these pics since it cost so much !!

These horses had seat belts. Never seen that before.

After our "cheap" ride -NOT we could only afford 50 cent ice creams at McDonalds  :(

We did have a really good day and not to much money was spent !! We ended up getting an earlier ferry back to the Quay and had a quick walk around the Opera House. E wanted to do this and wanted to go inside. I thought that this would end up being a little nightmare, with her wanting to have a really good look around. But she was so happy to just walk in the foyer have a quick look and back out the door. Thanks E !!

So we headed back to the station and hopped on our train home. Lets see where we go next school holidays but for now we are gearing up for our trip to the Gold Coast in 5 weeks. Can not wait for that one !!

A Perfect Winters Day.

Today was just a great day to get out of the house and explore our beautiful coastline.

The weather was great and the views were spectacular !!

Our first stop was an apple farm near Helensburgh for some great farm fresh apples. Unfortunately we were just a little late for harvest but we will be back for the harvest of the stone fruit ready for the summer and we can't wait.

As we were leaving the farm we noticed there was a walkway across the road for a waterfall that we never knew about so off we went on a walk to goodness knows where but what a great little place when we arrived.

Madden Falls

What a pretty view !!

E brought her binoculars along so she was checking out all the plants and surrounds.

The next stop on our journey of adventure was to Stanwell Tops where we were hoping to catch some hang gliders, but not to be as the wind wasn't right but of course the view is outstanding !!

We also had a chance to sit down and enjoy our wonderfully fresh, crunchy apples. And they were yum !!

I just love this pic of the girls enjoying their apples and just chilling.

Next stop was something that I have been wanting to do for quite a while. We walked along Sea Cliff Bridge. The bridge was constructed to provide coastal access to the northern suburbs after the old road was constantly being blocked by dangerous rock falls which were destroying the road. The new bridge is fantastic and is now being used by numerous advertising agencies around the world.

On the way to the bridge we were lucky enough to see some Dolphins playing not far off shore. Another highlight to my day !! And thanks E for bringing the binoculars as I got to see the dolphins even closer !!
 

Sea Cliff Bridge. I love how it winds around the cliffs.

Stunning views all the way !!

Right along the bridge people have started to put padlocks engraved with notes of love and other special occasions, both good and bad on the fences. They usually lock the padlocks onto the bridge then throw the keys into the water so that the locks can never be removed. It is a great tradition and I think one day Sandy and I may do the same thing.

The locks go on for what seems like forever !!

Stopping to read some of the engraved messages.

RIP Merv but what a great lock. Definately my favorite.

After our walk we headed back down the coast and stopped at Thirroul for a very late lunch and a quick run at the park. Then poor Sandy was left to drive all the way home while all the girls (me included) fell asleep. Thanks honey !!

It was a great day and the winter weather was perfect. Hopefully the rest of the school holidays will be just as great.

Happy 5th Birthday to my Princess !

Happy 5th Birthday Princess E. I hope you have had a fantastic day and loved all your wonderful gifts !!

Your day started out being dropped off at Nan's house so mum could go to work then of course it was off to the swimming pool for your Monday morning lesson with MUM !!!

Ready, set, swim !!

All done !!

A big thanks to Nan for looking after E every Monday while I go to work and of course for bringing her to the pool for her lessons. We couldn't do it without you, so thank you and we love you !!

Next was Nan to the rescue again and was kind enough to go and pick up Grandma so she also could spend the day with you.

Both kids have to wait to get their family presents with Sandy being on Day shift he is gone before the kids are out of bed. So when C and dad came home it was time for presents and cake !!!

Dad was the cake maker this year !! Thanks Dad !!

Yum !! Making cakes is GREAT !! Especially Birthday cakes !!

E and I went and picked up C from school so dad could sneak home and get your present ready. You were so happy to see your new bright sparkling present in the driveway !

Your new PINK push bike was ready and waiting !! You have been asking for a bike all year and there were certain requirements that needed to be met.

1. Had to be PINK
2. Had to have a basket or bag on the front
3. Had to have a baby sit on the back so that you could take your babies for a ride.

I think we hit the nail on the head !!

Next was inside (after a huge turn on the new bike) for more presents and cake.

Then it was time for cake before we headed to KFC for dinner. Meeting us there would be cousins Ryan, Dylan and Samantha.

Great job with the cake dad !! I love our E candles.

With big sister C.

All lit up and ready to go. The candles in the middle are called Angel Candles and the flame burns the same colour as the candles. So red candle had red flame, green has green flame and so on. They are really cool.

1, 2, 3 blooooooowwwwww.

Everyone enjoying dinner at KFC. Yummy !!

I know that you have had a fantastic day and loved everything !! Now you are "Big Girl" 5 and getting ready to start Kindergarden next year. We all love you very much and are so very happy that you are part of our family. Life would be very boring without you in it !! Happy Birthday Princess xxxxx