Sydney – bus and train – Blue Mountains

Those who are really only interested in the sailing part of this blog (well it IS called sailing2XS…) might want to skip a few days, because although we are living on 2XS, we are firmly tied up at Middle Harbour Yacht Club and not going anywhere till next week.

It is still cold here in Sydney today. But not as wild and snowy as people are reporting to us from Tasmania – very dramatic weather, I gather!

I got up and was all ready for my lovely hot shower and – ahem – quiet time in the facilities this morning. But…the gate was still padlocked and our key absolutely doesn’t work in this lock. Trapped! Pete was still snoozing so I couldn’t clamber over the fence and drop onto his back as I did yesterday so I had to trudge sadly back to the boat and wait until life and work had started on the marina, at which time the gates are all unlocked. And then – oh the joy of being able to use all of this lovely hot water!

Pete spent the morning on his computer, alternately tearing his hair (metaphorically…) and occasionally muttering darkly as he attempted to fill on the huge amount of forms which have to be completed before he is allowed to take 2XS out of Australian waters – registration, insurance, all manner of red tape. I very helpfully lay on the couch reading newspapers and occasionally making soothing humming sounds when his frustration levels got too high. Every now and then I would get up and make a cup of coffee, or a small bowl of food to sustain him through the ordeal.

I also spent a happy amount of time playing with my Tilley hat. What a charming thing it is! It has a reinforced crown, to prevent dire accidents, nifty (unobtrusive) straps to hold it on one’s head in the stiffest of breezes, and a lovely little pocket inside, where one could, if one wanted, stash some cash, or a credit card or two. It has also been designed so that one’s sunglasses can be perched (stylishly!) on top. And the reading matter which accompanies the hat is very amusing – for example, the label reads; “Handcrafted with Canadian persnicketiness.” Cute as could be! Pete loves his too but he hasn’t had as much time as I have to explore its many possibilities.

We left around midday and caught a bus into town – and yes this time we did have pre-paid tickets so the driver didn’t have to nurse us through our novice stages of public transport in Sydney. I bought a Mercury at Wynyard Station – yesterday’s but never mind. We are still, apparently, very caught up in the controversy of the Red Awnings in Murray Street. And oh dear a PIG on the front page of the paper, all panicked and having a dreadful time and Creating Havoc On The Highway (I quote.)

We had plenty of time to get to Central Station and to find the right platform for the Blue Mountains. It took two hours to get to the beautiful little town where Robert, Pete’s friend, has a holiday cottage. A beautiful trip; the mountains are just magnificent, spreading east and west as far as the eye could see. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for the early explorers – Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson, all commemorated in place names the length and breadth of the Blue Mountains. The bush is so very dense, and just when you think you have got there…oops a huge chasm, a gorge, cliffs…and back you go. Over and again.

When we got off the train, which was all cosy and warm, we were met with an icy blast, which must have whistled straight from the Antarctic, bypassing Tasmania. We didn’t have far to walk but we were chilled to the bone; even the insides of our ears were frozen! BRRRR! As we made our way down the little back roads, we heard such a commotion – a flock of white cockatoos, flying from tree to tree and, it would seem, complaining most bitterly. “AAAGGHHH!!!! It’s SO cold!! AAAAGGGHHH!!” We walked past a stately home and there was a tableau of disbelief – five elegant grey kangaroos (three adults and two teenagers), sitting on their haunches, staring up as if to say, “WHAT is all the fuss about??” Too funny!

Robert’s car was ready and waiting for us; it started most faithfully, although it hasn’t been driven for a month or so. He is very kindly lending it to us; we can leave it near his house in the city and drop off the keys at his workplace. As my Michael would say, too easy!

Pete had very fortunately remembered to bring the NavMan with us so we plugged it in and followed the dulcet tones of our navigator all the way back to the Spit Bridge and 2XS. It was nearly 8.00 and we were cold, tired, hungry…why not go to the lovely little Italian restaurant just near the yacht club, Cala Luna? Yum and yum!

So now we are back on the boat, with the heater going, cups of tea in hand, and nearly ready to go to bed. Tomorrow – another Sydney day, this time with a car and not with public transport. I will miss the buses, they are so warm and speedy! And they know exactly where they are going at all times…