When we awoke the sun was shining though this soon gave way to some heavy showers. Having completed most of the packing last night, we breakfasted, checked out of the apartment, filled the car with fuel and travelled to the airport in time to check our bags. There was a bit of a delay getting into the departure lounge as a fire alarm had gone off and so nobody was being allowed through security. Whilst waiting we met a woman from Glasgow who had retired with her husband to Cairns and was now working as a volunteer information officer within the airport.
The flight was comfortable, we were fed a tasty cooked lunch, there were iPads at every seat providing a streamed entertainment system thoroughout the flight, my only complaint being that they turned the system off before we landed so both Lesley and I missed the ending of the films we had been watching!
I find the most nerve racking time at airports being those moments one waits at the carousel watching for one's luggage. Today, all 3 of our bags arrived quickly and together so gathering them up we went in search of the advertised rail system that would speed us into Sydney. We purchased a weekly travel pass each to enable our use of trains, trams and buses and within the hour were at our new home, Breakfree on George, for the next 6 nights.
George is centrally located near to Central Station, a block from China Town, surrounded by bars and restaurants, Paddy's Market and just a few stops from Circular Quay, the hub for ferries and cruise boats. Whilst Lesley had a bit of a sleep I engaged in hunter-gatherer activities at a local supermarket and on my return, whilst she did some unpacking, I cooked dinner. The cut of lamb was unusual but tender and enjoyed with new potatoes and an onion and cherry tomato garnish. A glass of sparkling Shiraz was a suitable accompaniment.
Being early, we went for a walk, camera in hand, found China Town and a large number of stalls, lots of people and noise, reminding us we are no longer in the outback of Australia but in a large, cosmopolitan city not unlike London, apart from the beaches.
To bed with plans to use our pre-purchased 24 hour hop on hop off harbour explorer tickets tomorrow.
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