The Blue Mountains

This past weekend was the first time that the Thoe family left the immediate Sydney vicinity.  A trip to the Blue Mountains can be done in a day from Sydney, but we decided to pack a bag and see where we ended up.  The weather had a nice autumn chill to it and there were blue skies overhead.  Everyone was excited for the getaway.

It took about an hour and half to get to one of the main tourist areas of the Blue Mountains, a village called Katoomba.  This has a cute downtown area and is home of Echo Point, which overlooks the Three Sisters. This is basically an unusual rock formation with 3 stones standing over 900 meters tall each.  There is an Aboriginal legend about three sisters being turned into stone by a witch doctor.  It was a very beautiful outlook.  But, as warned by others, it was a very touristy area.  We were going to have to get a little further out leave the traffic and overall "busyness" of the city. 

Purple pin is Mosman (where we live). Red pin is Katoomba.

Aubrey and Carter posing at the Echo Point sign

This is the overlook at Echo Point.  They are called the Blue Mountains because of the blue haze created by the vapors of the eucalypus trees. 

Overlook including the Three Sisters

Closeup of the Three Sisters

We didn't give up on our quest to "get away from it all."  So, we went ahead and tried to book a hotel room.  Unfortunately for us, there was an ultra marathon going on in the Blue Mountains this weekend.  (A 100 km race through the mountains.)  So, there were slim pickings left for hotel rooms by Saturday afternoon.  We ended up booking a cottage in Mount Victoria.  We drove around the Katoomba/Leura area some more, and then headed up to Mount Victoria.  

Purple pin is Mosman.  Red pin is Mount Victoria.

We checked into Cedar Lodge Cabins later in the afternoon.  It was pretty pricey considering what we got in return.  But, beggars cannot be choosers.  It was actually fine and was a very warm, cozy cabin on a frosty night in the mountains.  It just freaked us out a little when we got there and the owner said they had kept the door open during the day to keep it cool.  So, when we pulled the car up to a cabin (that had not been redecorated since the 1980's) sitting in the middle of the bush with a wide open door.  Our imaginations went wild thinking of all the creepy crawlies that had made their way in to prey on us in our sleep.  We have not forgotten all the stories we have heard of Australia's NUMEROUS poisonous creatures.  Luckily, I can happily report, we survived the night with no creepy crawly sightings.  And, we got to watch some Telefunken TV.  

Outside of our cabin

The bed with the nice flourescent light overhead.  It is kind of messy since I forgot to take pictures until the next morning. 

The couch and outside door of the cabin

The gourmet kitchen with the television right next to it 

Love the brand name of the television!

Sunday, we awoke to a chilly morning by Australian standards (around 3 degrees Celsius or 37 degrees Fahrenheit).  But, it was still pretty cozy in our cabin.  Well, as long as you didn't have to go into the bathroom, which was freezing, but I won't go into that.  Since the kids had us awake by 6:30, and no one really wanted to take a shower there, we got a pretty early start.  We grabbed a coffee and headed towards Sydney on a more northern route through the mountains along Hwy 40 (refer to previous map).  This route was less busy and provided some fantastic views of the mountains.  

We had to pull over to the side of the road to take a picture of this cliff catching the few rays of sunlight cutting through the morning clouds.  It was stunning in person.

We happened upon the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden on Mount Tomah.  We debated turning in, but thank goodness we did.  It was the highlight of our weekend.  We walked around for a couple of hours and tried to absorb all the beauty.  I love Botanic Gardens and I love the view from mountain tops.  Combine the two, and it really is like a piece of heaven here on Earth.  We all walked around with big smiles on our faces the entire time.

Views from Mount Tomah

Sean and the kids posing in the rainforest section of the gardens.

We ate a picnic lunch and then hit the road again.  Driving through the countryside here is a little different than in the Midwest.  We saw a few cows, but we mainly saw horses, sheep, and goats.  We then decided to go a little more off the beaten path and check out our first Aussie winery.  We went to Tizzana Winery in Ebenezer on the banks of the Hawkesbury River.  It was a delightful little family winery.  The owner of the winery then recommended we go just 4 km down the road and see the oldest standing church in Australia.  It was a very lovely, peaceful place.  After finally having a chance to enjoy some quiet time outside of the city, the weekend was ending, and it was time to make our final descent back down to Sydney.

Purple pin is Mosman.  Red pin is Tizzana winery.

This is kind of hard to read, but it states the winery was established in 1887.

Inside the Ebenezer Uniting Church

As we were driving through the outskirts of Sydney, we were discussing dinner options.  Honestly, we have not had much luck in Australian restaurants.  I love the Asian food here, but I am not so enamored with the other restaurants.  Pizza is hit or miss.  Really good service is hard to come by since tipping is not the norm in Australia.  Most restaurants don't have many options, are rather pricey, and then the portions are not very big.  Since they are expensive, Sean and I often try to get meals to share with the kids.  What usually happens when we go to a restaurant is that we leave spending a lot of money, and Sean and I are still hungry.    

On this particular evening, we were discussing how we were tired and hungry and just wanted a good meal.  Unfortunately, we did not think the chances were high to find that filling, heartwarming meal.  This is when we saw a sign along the side of the road and the promise land beckoned us.  It was almost too good to be true.

Yes, we ate at Outback Steakhouse here in Australia.  We didn't even know the restaurant chain was actually in Australia (it is based out of Tampa, Florida).  It tasted soooo good.  And the service was even American-like.  We were so giddy with excitement that the hostess and waitress probably thought we were mentally off-balance.  But, sometimes when you are not in your home country, there are little things you miss.  Even though they are little things, they keep adding up over a period of time.  On Sunday night, The Outback filled some of that void.  We left with full tummies and a warm glow.  Then, we drove back to the city and returned to our home away from home.  

The Wait is Over

We have constantly been waiting for things to happen since the end of November.  We had to wait to see if Sean was chosen to work in Australia.  Then, there were lots of little details with the move that we were waiting for.  Everything was set, and then we were waiting for the actual departure date.  We made it to Australia, then we were waiting to move into our permanent apartment.  We finally made to our more permanent residence and THEN we were waiting for our shipment from the States.  Finally, FINALLY, it is here!!!  We are unpacked and settled!  Our new life in Australia is officially up and running.  And, I have to say, life is good.

I will give you a little tour of our apartment.....

Our bedroom.  The picture in the corner is a portrait Carter made me for Mother's Day.

View out from our bedroom.  There is a door to the balcony, but we kind of blocked it by the tv.  What can I say, laying in bed while watching tv is guilty pleasure.

View of our bedroom looking towards the master bath

The kids' bedroom looking in the door at Aubrey's bed

Carter's bed and desk in the kids' room

The view out the kids' bedroom window

The kitchen

The dining "room"

The view from the living room toward the dining room and kitchen

The living room looking out at the balcony

View of the living room from the dining room

So, that's it for our apartment.  There is another bedroom that we are using for the computer room with a couple of desks and dressers in it.  This room is really not up to having its picture taken yet as it has also turned into our "miscellaneous room" until we find a place for everything.  The apartment isn't spacious, but it is clean and modern and has a great location.  We are pretty happy with where we have settled.

I'll add a couple of pictures of the kids playing on the playground at Balmoral Beach here in Mosman on Sunday.  I had to take a picture of Aubrey in this dress as I love it and she refuses to wear it.  She agreed to wear it Sunday since it was Mother's Day.  It may be the only time this dress sees the light of day while on my child, so I have to enjoy it while I can.

Also, I wanted to show some of the odd chip flavorings here.  I don't have a picture, but Aubrey's favorite chips are Honey, Soy, and Chicken flavored.  That is not multiple bags; it is just one kind of chip.   Okay, I admit it, they are actually really good and they are also my favorite kind of chips.  We try not to buy them very often because they can be a little addicting.  

Sean and I were very excited in the grocery store last Sunday when we found these KC BBQ flavored almonds.  They taste very similar to Lays BBQ chips.  We decided we would take the BBQ almonds over the Lamb and Rosemary chips (those are disgusting).  

All right, so there is ONE thing we are waiting on now that our apartment is in order; to begin our Australian adventures outside of Sydney!  There is an entire country here to explore.  We are hoping to make our first little trek out of the city this weekend to the Blue Mountains.  We are very excited!  Hopefully, I will have more on that subject next time.  Have a great weekend!

Carter's fun play date

Today I had a play date with my friend Maurits and CJ they are both in my class! I know CJ is a weird name but his real name is something different. The play date was at Primrose park! Primrose park is a little park where you ride your scooters and bikes! So me and Aubrey brought our scooters to Primrose park to ride on! At first me and Maurits were riding on our scooters following each other! 

Later when I was still play on my scooter I found Maurits scooter lying on the track on the ground. I looked every where but I could not find him no where! Then I herd him in the trees! So I went to the trees and saw him climbing on a tree! Then he came off the tree and came to me! Then Maurits and me followed each other! Then I told my mum that we were going on the big cliff! Because there was a big cliff by Primrose park! 

 Then when we were on top of the cliff we started rock climbing another cliff to a little cave on the cliff! Then I named the cave Carter's cave! We went up it a little bit more then I got a scratch going down and up to Carter's cave! Then Cj came and we climbed on Maurits favorite climbing rock! Then it was time to go home! The End!!! 

Carter and Maurits by the cave.

Happy Mother's Day

I treated myself to my first run in almost a month on this beautiful Mother's Day morning.  Well, I guess I should be honest.  It was really a run/walk since it has been almost a month and Sydney has some serious hills.  But, I wanted to share some of the awesome pics I took from my phone this morning.

And, I have to pay homage to the wonderful people that have made me the mother I am today.

  

Happy Mother's Day!!! 

Autumn

I love Autumn.  In Kansas City it makes my think of crisp mornings, cozy sweaters, pumpkins, and football.  It is so odd to be going through Autumn here while hearing my friends and family talk about Spring.  Many of my nieces and nephews are graduating from high school and college.  School is getting out soon in the States.  They have had some very warm days with temps in the 90's Fahrenheit (around 32 degrees Celsius).  When I see those posts on Facebook, I kind of feel like I am on a different planet.  

Proof that it really is Fall here.

Autumn in Australia is completely different from any Autumn I am used to.  The mornings have a certain cool, crispness to them.  I try to take a moment to breathe the fresh air when we are walking to Carter's school in the morning (as long we are not hurrying because we are late).  It warms up quite a bit during the day and all the crispness is lost by 10:00 am, as long as the sun is out.  By midday, it feels like an early summer day in Kansas City.  But, by 5:00 pm, I am well reminded of the appropriate season.  Because it is dark.  Yes, the weather has been glorious for the most part, but we are dealing with the shortened days of Fall going into Winter.  I am ready to feel the freedom of staying outside until 8:00 at night and forcing myself to go inside to put the kids to bed.  But, I don't have too much to complain about, so I will stop there.  

We have yet to find out what Winter is like in Sydney.  Everyone talks about it as though it is pretty ominous.  I am hoping that is mainly due to the fact that most houses do not have heating.  I am still thanking my lucky stars that we were able to find a place with ducted heat and air con.  I will have to update you in a few months on the subject of Winter.

An update on us all:

Carter has continued to become accustomed (or as Aussies say, climatized) to his school.  He still says that he loves it there.  We have learned that Aussie children are expected to be very active.  He is going to begin swimming lessons next week as all Aussie children need to know how to swim well.  They even have "swimming carnivals" at school.  (Carnivals here are usually a competition of some sort.)  Hopefully Carter will get up to speed by next year with his swimming.  They also run longer distances at school here than Carter did in the States.  Today he had a cross country running carnival at school.  I'm not sure the distance, but I am estimating around 1 kilometer.  He has been practicing at school for this over the past week and a half.  He has told me that he often comes in near last.  He starts out fast, but he quickly runs out of steam.  This morning he said he was going to try to "set a pace".  I was very proud of him today when he ran the entire distance and finished in the middle of the pack.

The runner in action

Yay!!  Carter did great!

Aubrey has been loving being with me all the time.  We have been doing swimming lessons, dance lessons, and soccer.  She loves it all.  We are still not sure what we are doing about preschool.  Hopefully we will figure something out in the next month or so.

Aubrey at soccer.  She is one of about 3 girls playing.

Sean tells me work is "fine".   He bought a "push bike" and has started to bike a little bit in the mornings. Some days he does have to drive out to a far suburb of Sydney for work.  Parramatta is really is only 33 km away, but with traffic, it takes around an hour each way.  Those are long days for him.

Purple pin is Mosman (where we live) and Red pin is Parramatta

I'm doing very well.  Other than losing my engagement ring somewhere in our apartment during the move, everything is going very smoothly.  Being a stay at home mom is a little different for me.  For example, I am trying to cook more.  Today I am making Garlic and Herb Lamb Shanks in the crockpot.  I will be ecstatic if it turns out to be edible. 

Sunday was one of the best days we have spent together as a family since we got to Australia.  We started out at a market in Frenchs Forest.  We have been to many markets here, but they have mainly consisted of clothing and crafts.  This one had tons of fresh produce and had a feel of City Market in Kansas City.  We loved it. 

At the Frenchs Forest Market

Purple pin is Mosman and Red pin is Frenchs Forest

Then, we proceeded to the Pittwater Food and Wine Festival.  It took place in a large park next to a beautiful lake.  They had a stage set up with an Aussie group playing 70's and 80's Rock, good wine, a small carnival, and a huge playground.  Carter and Aubrey did bumper cars for the first time.  It also didn't hurt that the weather was amazing with barely a cloud in the sky.  We spent several hours there and a great time was had by all.

Purple pin is Mosman and Red pin is the Food and Wine Festival

Carter and Aubrey watching a jester juggle

The stage with the Rock band

Carter on a climber at the playground.

Closeup!

I took a few moments to myself while drinking a glass of wine to stare out and ponder life while looking at the lake in front of me.

And bask in delight that these were not my children to take home and clean up....

We then went driving home along the coast.  No matter what season it is, these views are incredible.