Monday 24th January
I was undecided what to do with my day today. Speaking with the group at breakfast, it seemed that everyone had very different plans – for most it was their last full day in Australia so they wanted to make the most of it exploring places they had not seen yet. A few went over to Manly on the ferry, whilst others explored places like the Olympic Park or Watsons Bay.
After breakfast, I jumped on the free shuttle bus down to Circular Quay. I’d promised myself that I’d explore a couple of areas of Sydney that I’d not had been to – Observatory Hill and the Botanical Gardens. I jumped off the bus then walked around the quay, through The Rocks and up to the Observatory. It was a really hot and humid day a walking up the hill was harder work than I’d expected as a result! The Observatory, which has free entry, was a fascinating place with lots of interesting information and exhibits. It also has air-con so I was able to cool down a bit!
Upon leaving the Observatory, I made my way back through Circular Quay, round past the Opera House and into the Botanical Gardens. I spent an hour or so walking through the beautiful gardens, then up to the famous ‘Mrs MacQuarie’s Point’, where I enjoyed some amazing views of the harbour, Opera House and bridge. I made my way back through the city to the hotel, calling in a few shops on the way.
In the evening, I met up with Dave, John and the two Geoffs and we went for a few drinks initially to a pub near the hotel, then down to Darling Harbour in search of food. After a very pleasant evening – nice food and good company – we made our way back to the hotel.
Tuesday 25th January
Departure day! For most of the group – me included. Everyone was leaving Sydney today, except Alison who had decided to stay for the rest of the week and Dave who was staying for an extra few days with his son who lived in Sydney. Margaret and Barbara were going to Adelaide for the next ODI tomorrow, Raymond and Joy were off to Brisbane to visit friends and family, and Gordon and Lynn were off to Cairns on the next step of their own self-tailor-made trip.
First off were Margaret and Barbara, who I met in the hotel foyer to wave them off at 10.30am. Everyone else was leaving at 1pm on a coach to the airport for their afternoon flights. After packing my own case and checking out of my room, I caught up with some work and emails on the computer, and then met with the group in the hotel foyer to board the airport transfer coach. On the coach, I said a few farewell words to the group on the mic, and when we got to the airport, we said our goodbyes and went our separate ways – me to catch a train back into the city (my flight was not until later) and everyone else to their check-in desks.
As I made my way back into the city, I reflected on what had been a great trip – thoroughly enjoyable, great company and lots of fun. The only downside had been that we hadn’t seen some more successful cricket, but this is how things go sometimes… you have to be philosophical. Everyone had still thoroughly enjoyed themselves despite the cricket, and it had been a pleasure hosting them for the last two-and-a-half weeks.
I look forward to seeing your all at some point in the future!
