It was early March, Coronavirus had not reached pandemic proportions, it was mainly simmering away in China. No directions from our government about “social distancing”, no need, yet, to “self isolate” Australia was still in a certain amount of denial that it would happen to us
So I decided we would do something different this year and go a bit further afield for a birthday lunch. Jack and I share the same day for our birthday, 5th March. So, on the spur of the moment and for a change, I chose Sydney and a lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour. 1000 kilometres south and a one and half hour plane trip. Only a short hop in Australian terms of travel…
March 5th dawned overcast and then it poured with rain. This is going to be a very different look at the harbour. Previous visits have always been bathed in brilliant sunshine.The large trimaran boat waited and when we got aboard it was very obvious that tourism has declined. The friendly waitress told us there were only about a third of the numbers that would normally be on the cruise.
The food was delicious, varied, freshly cooked and plenty of it. What a varied chatter of languages flowed around us, Italian, French, Greek, English, Middle Eastern and just a couple of Asians and sitting next to us a delightful Argentinian couple, who could not speak English, with an older gentleman that I assumed was their father. When they tried valiantly to eat the huge prawns with a knife and fork, Jack, in sign language, gave them a lesson on how to eat them “Aussie style” using your fingers. We all ended up having a good laugh and then taking selfies.
The lunch took 2 hours and we circulated around the groups chatting with the ones that could speak English. As the boat cruised around the harbour past all the iconic landmarks I took some photos through the window. A commentary about the history and details of the things we were passing played in the background. But because of the noise of conversation and clattering dishes I could only hear the occasional snippet. After 2 hours the boat pulled back into Darling Harbour and most guests disembarked. But we had paid an extra $10 to have the 4 hour cruise. So, with only a dozen people left on board, the boat retraced the route around the harbour with the commentary, which I could now hear. I was delighted to have this second hour and a better look as we went onto the back deck sheltered from the rain by a roof.We toast our birthday with glasses of bubbly the waitress gave us and watch Sydney float by. With all the colour washed away it became an ethereal monochrome.The bridge looms out of the mist and Jack toasts this classic Sydney structure that was opened in March 1932 just 2 weeks after he was born. They are both keeping in very good shape… ( Look very closely at the bottom left corner of the bridge in the below photo and you may see a group of tourists just starting their climb to the top of the bridge. What brave souls in this windy and rainy weather)As we glide under the bridge the stately opera house slowly emerges. The sails of this amazing building merging with the grey clouds.Now we pass the million dollar mansions all clustered along the shore line sharing a view of this best harbour in the world.
This bottom photo is the Admiralty House home of the Governor General. We are heading back now and pass under the bridge again, stopping briefly at Circular Quay to let some guests off.This is the cruise ship terminal. These floating cities dwarf the bridge. Little did we know at this time, as we passed this monster, that in a couple of weeks time, from this photo, they would be floating virus hubs and the cruise ships would not be allowed to dock here. And the massive cruise ship industry would be in crisis.
How the world is about to change.
This has been a memorable way to spend our birthday and we still have 2 more days before we head home.With all my activities now on hold I have time to catch up with my journal, this is the first page. Not much drawing in these pages but there will be more to come. I like to keep the colourful brochures they hand out.
Cathy of “Wander Essence” hosts an art journal invitation and she invites you to join in. Now this post only just qualifies as I only have the one spread to show you. But go over to see Cathy’s post it is so inspirational
She’s a beautiful harbour even in the rain. What a lovely birthday treat for you both. And weren’t you lucky with the timing!
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Certainly won’t be going anywhere for a while. Time to get the art gear out. Who knows I may do some housework…🙄
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Your post captured our birthday treat beautifully and now we don’t have to rely on our memory.
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Belated Happy Birthday and Best Wishes, Jack!
🥂 🎉 🎂 xx
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Thank you I’ll share the cake with Pauline It don’t look like it has too many calories..
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Guaranteed to put smiles on your faces, and not much weight anywhere else. 😘
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Lots of photos to remind us…
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Wow I didn’t realise quite how head in the sand Australia was. I have been on high alert since February after the Diamond Princess debacle in Japan. Just got back to NZ and am in 2 weeks self isolation.
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Hi Naomi lovely to hear from you. Our “leader” certainly didn’t give much direction at the start. I think an almost “she’ll be right attitude” but that has all changed now. NZ is a really good place to be. Are you wintering over there on the ski fields?
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Yes I have work over winter, if the ski fields open! Once I’m through my 14 days self isolation I hope to get a lot of tramping in. The wilderness is going to be the best place to be during this outbreak
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Let’s hope some normalcy is back by winter and yes, definitely a good idea to go bush.
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I love the serenity of this, Pauline. Just happy to be together. It’s beautiful 🙂 🙂
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Thanks Jo, that is a perfect way to describe the day, it was quite serene, especially in the second part when we had the boat almost to our selves
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What a lovely way of spending birthday indeed! Happy Birthday to both of you!
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Thank you, it was an interesting day. Wonder what next year will bring…
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This will be a birthday celebration to remember for a long time. The bridge looks beautiful in the mist.
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It certainly was memorable, and quite different to previous visits.
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What a fabulous way to spend your birthday. So glad you both enjoyed it. Hope you are both safe and well.
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Thanks Su, it was a lovely way to spend our birthday together. Just squeezed it in before the shutdown
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Such a nice birthday treat, Pauline. Did those prawns taste as good as they look?
I’ve been on high alert about this virus since early January. It must be my disaster radar, lol. I can multi-task and worry about two disasters at the one time. However, I can only prepare for one disaster at a time. I already had a stack of dried fruit in ready to flee from the fires. Bonus. Dual purpose.
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Those prawns were the best Tracy, very juicy. I really didn’t notice much change in Sydney when we were there, public transport crowded, no masks worn, people greeting with hugs. But our son who works in the CBD
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Oops hit send button by mistake… But our son who works in CBD says only about a dozen people on the train when he commutes to work. All sitting well apart. I guess because you have health concerns it would be scary. Stay safe Tracy
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Everyone’s safety is my safety, Pauline. No difference. 🙂 Not good that the city is so quiet now, but entirely understandable.
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What a lovely way to spend your birthdays! And so good to see those beautiful photos of Sydney Harbour. Reminds me a bit of San Francisco’s fog. You know the poem “Fog”? It talks about “little cats’ feet” but looks like yours was a nice fat tom! So glad you and Jack continue to have such good times together, and that you share that joy with those around you, and us online. Humble thanks to you both. 💋💋
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Thanks Del, what a lovely comment. Now I will google the fog poem you have intrigued me with the “little cats feet” Now to start all those projects I have been putting off. Hope you are ok and not too affected by this virus. More time for sewing maybe….
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Sorry I didn’t think to send the poem along with the comment, but glad you were able to find it.
(I have very few poetic references! Only reason I have this one was it’s set as a vocal solo I did years ago, and lyrics remain in me head.)
My normal routine continues, with a few more people thumping around their own spaces during the day. Thanks for asking!
Nowhere to go round here and not much to do outside of my own plentiful apartment activities. Have always been one delighted to be home, always finding something to do which surprisingly doesn’t usually include housework…. 🤪
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Our crafts are a joy and more important now, AND we now have more time for them. I looked at my dirty windows this morning!!! Then got the iPad out…..
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GOOD FOR YOU!!! 👏👏👏
Am doing the same, but did get the bread started… this gal’s gotta eat. 🍞 xx
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Not found time or need to bake yet, but it will come to that soon. I can smell a virtual whiff of that bread from your place….
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Hope I’ll be able to find the few needed ingredients in a few weeks, as sorry as things appear at the moment.
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I’m sure it will sort itself out sooner or later
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Yes. Special hours for seniors announced, and have my order in for Thursday noon pick-up. Not that anything is reserved for us except some times, so fingers & toes crossed. 🤞 🤞
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I looked up the poem “fog” what a delightful description and yes definitely a Tom cat fog that day
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😆 🤣 😆
😹
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What a great way to spend your birthday!
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Thanks Andrew
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Despite the weather you had a lovely birthday, the lunch looked very tasty, and Jack is looking good. A birthday you’ll both remember for many reasons.
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We did have a lovely day and were lucky to fit it in before the world closed down. Now all our activities are on hold it will be more time for all those things I have been putting off, sorting photos on the hard drive!!! Among other things. Maybe even do more housework 🙄
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Haha… Jo and I were talking about housework. And I do have lots of photos to organise 😂
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And, of course, always plenty to do in the garden 🌷🌷🌷
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I might even get a chance to simply sit out in the garden and read a book! If the weather improves 😊
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Now that is a great idea, I’ll send you some virtual sunshine🌞🌞🌞🌻
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Thanks for a wonderful post and I wish both of you many more years and a very…although late…Happy Birthday! I am happy for you both that you got to spend your celebration touring the harbor and having such a wonderful lunch. The certainty of life is that things will indeed ‘change’. They always do and life does resume in the ways people live their lives. Do take care.
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Thank you for your lovely thoughts Renee, life certainly does keep changing but this time it is far more drastic change than ever before. But we will eventually get over it. Stay safe and enjoy the slower pace of life we are being forced to adjust too
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Thanks for the birthday wish and kind words.
Change and karma is Buddhist philosophy.
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Yes, it is, so that tells you something about me. Be well, Jack.
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I’m glad you had such a lovely joint birthday. Hope you are both keeping well.
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It was a lovely few days away. We are both well hope you are ok Anabel, are you having to stay inside?
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Not yet, though we are staying inside as much as possible. My mum is half an hour away so that is a worry.
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Hope your mum stays safe and well. It is a worry
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I’m glad to hear you had a good birthday experience. Did the rain bother you or do you think it added it’s own charm?
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We have been to Sydney quite often, but it is usually hot and sunny, so yes it did have its own charm and it wasn’t cold at all.
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Thanks for the virtual tour and happy belated birthday 🙂
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Thank you Lani 🤗
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You’re so lucky you managed to get to Sydney and this luncheon cruise, even in the rain, to celebrate your joint birthdays, Pauline. Belated happy birthday to you both! It looks like it was a warm and cozy place to be even in the gloomy weather, and it sounds like you had good company without being swamped with other tourists. I also love your journal spread. I also like to add bits from travel brochures, and I love the picture of you and Jack. Keep safe and healthy, Pauline. I’m happy to link this to my next art journal post on April 10. Let’s hope we have more certainty and good news by then. 🙂
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The less people certainly was a bonus, not too long a queue to get the food from the buffet and a relaxed atmosphere. I imagine Rome is much different now to the crowds when you were there. More time to blog and catch up with art projects now. Wonder what another 4 weeks will bring, everything is so uncertain at the moment.
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We can only live through this a day at a time, Pauline, and yes, there is so much uncertainty. It would be nice to have the gift of hindsight.
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My husband and I are March Birthday people as well..Happy belated to you both…that food makes me hungry.
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Thank you, happy birthday to you both too. Apart from being out bd month I think March is the best month of the year
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😄
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