Blog 13 Wed 17th Oct and Thursday 18th

I'm really glad I'm keeping a diary or I would be reeling by now mentally, trying to hold it all together. It had chilled down considerably on Wednesday and we went back to The Rocks to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art. Disappointed by 'Primavera', the exhibition of youngest contemporaries. Thought Banbury came off better both in concept and in quality of production of most of it, with a few exceptions. However, the upper galleries showing large spaces devoted to individual contemporary Australians put paid to such dismissive attitudes. I really fell for the calm grey and pink canvases of Rosslynd Piggott whose serenity took me straight into another peaceful space and then the astonishingly beautiful porcelain busts of friends and family by Ah Xian were superlative, both in concept and executi0n. Many others well worth the visit and we then went up to see a show-stopping exhibition by Juilie Rrap. Expecting clever but shocking works of this artist who works from her own body that would only need a few moments before dismissal we found a very very thought-provoking exhibition, again beautifully executed by a very talented lady working in photo, video, sculpture and painting. Yes, shocking at times, but mostly making very valid statements.
Lunch at the Lord Nelson pub was poor (first disappointment with food anywhere) but the area was still worth more time and sketching and a chance to go down to the Pier areas to get some tickets for Friday evening at the theatre.
Back with a sushi supper in the room and onwards to the promised highlight of The Gondoliers by G &S at the Sydney Opera House. First, a grovelling apology for my vitriol over the entrance in an earlier blog. That was only the horrible box office area. Once above that and into the main foyer and the auditorium, grace and excitement is restored and it is a very fine place to be.
The performance was brilliant - wonderful singing, acting and a really hilarious dance scene with life-sized rag dolls, that just worked perfectly. OK Richard you were right on that one. It is exceptional.

Thursday 18th The Blue Mountains

For a change of scene and just to take advantage of all possible moments in Australia we headed by train early in the morning for the Blue Mountains. (Blue because of the blue haze given off fromthe Eucalyptus trees). A leisurely ride of 2 hrs passing Sydney's suburbs and into real country. Very very green everywhere and I was surprised to find the mountain tops so flat too. But it is beautiful country and we were able to use a hop-on, hop off bus round the small town of Katoomba and is surroundings to make the most of the time. We walked from Gordon Falls, along a cliff top path, to Leura Cascade. A beautiful and easy walk for an hour and a half. As we got to the spot we thought was the end of the walk we panicked at the possibility that we had missed the turn back to the road and would need to walk for another hour - this with only water and a biscuit available and Richard facing a seriously wild creature of the woods - me unfed. He hadn't seen this frightening reality for some years and the look of terror was unfeined. However, just as dispair was setting in we found the turning and it revealed a totally unexpected sight. What we had been told was a mid walk 'kiosk' turned out to be an astonishingly sophisticated restaurant/kiosk which served a gorgeous lunch with splendid views called 'Solitary' (We find these strange Australians have a tendency to be a bit loose with nouns, verbs and adjectives)
Refreshed and revived and with Richard reassured that life might continue safely we continued with the bus to 'Scenic World' Despite the possibility that this tourist centre verges on 'Alton Towers' in its advertising and appearance outside, it did give us a real opportunity to take a 52 degree sloping train down to the temperate rainforest boardwalk, walk for about 3/4 hour and then be taken back up by a cablecar. Richard at both points proving real bravery, but after being faced by a hungry wife, nothing is impossible. We spotted a lyre bird, a parrot and a snake and found it chilly and dark down there, but really interesting to experience and the signage explaining the flora is excellent. Up, returning to Katoomba and the train home for two tired but very satisfied individuals.

We may not get much chance to blog for a while, but as all appears to be fine for the visit to Fiji we are very excitedly looking forward to this and will get back on line when we can.