Marie’s trip to Syders

January 2009

I have written the same first part for these times we spent together. I always found it an odd thing to put in my brain properly because, obviously, moving to Australia separated us massively. And yet, if I hadn’t moved to Australia we wouldn’t have had these incredibly special times together. We know it’s true; when would we have had a fortnight’s holiday together? Even in our best dreams.
Very different experiences with both of you (as you know) mostly down to the fact that I didn’t have a job when Catherine came (= all the time in the world but no money), and I’d just started my job when Marie came (= more money to spend but restricted time). But, if there were never three better people to make the most of the situation at hand and sculpt dream holidays & special times….

You both know how hard it is to choose highlights and the ones I’ve selected might be a bit obvious but honestly, I could write forever….

• All the mornings when we got up (so early!) and went to different beaches to see sunrise and have breakfast; beautiful start to the day

• Our ‘birthday’ night out to the Shangri La for cocktails (French Martinis natch), the water taxi across the harbour and the gorgeous dinner at Chowder Bay. Such a lovely evening. Happy Birthday!
• Our last evening ‘out’ in Sydney. The drama of the Cafe Sydney incident (sorry again). Finding Tanqueray 10 at The Ivy. Going for dinner on Finger Wharf. Honestly, I nearly cry when I think of that evening cos we were chatting about so much and the evening seemed to last forever, and I really really didn’t want it to end.
• Our weekend away: driving up to the Hunter and having the full treatment at Peppertree, personalised wine tasting madam? Cheese plate for you? Oh yes please! Our lovely farmyard ‘cottage’ and sitting out on the verandah all night eating more cheese and olives and drinking wine, oh and talking non non stop of course! The sunset and sunrise walks around Nelsons Bay (great theme to the holiday eh)
• Tapas picnic up at Queenscliff on your last night. Do you remember how much food and wine we’d taken! And everyone was running and training and we just ate and ate….
• That legendary night at the theatre. Oh yeah, we’re really ‘in’ to this play. Oh, Cate Blanchett’s not in the second half. Let’s go… G&Ts back in Manly. Brilliant.
• Walking over the Harbour Bridge and having drinks up at the rooftop garden bar (the only place in Sydney that I’ve been with every visitor: you, Catherine, Hugh and mum.
• The moonlight cinema evening. Wasn’t it fun having the picnic and getting snuggled on our funny chairs. And the film was a bit random but good; well, I mean Brad and George were in it, who cares….
• You driving home (from work?) and going the wrong way. Sorry, just tickled me. You were a star driving my car around, nipping about making everything happen.
• Watching the Australian Open as much as we could. When it was on this year I always thought of you
• Australia Day: you getting caught in the rain with suncream running down (yes, I know!), the washed out bbq at mine and the party where you and Kylie nattered away (so lovely how you got on) and we ‘cheated’ at Rapidough. Ha.
• And of course, all the bits that I wasn’t there for that I loved hearing about: your walks (especially the scenic walk) and swims, and banana bread outings, and shopping trips.

xLuce

Leaving for Australia meal

September 2007

French martinis bien sur

‘Surprise’ guest

All of us

Lovely Marie organised this. Such a fun night. One of my favourite places in London, great bar, great Thai food upstairs (don’t break my heart and tell me it’s closed or anything!)
We all had French Martinis to start, on the basis that they’re my favourite drink, such obliging friends. And then Espresso Martinis to finish, also on the basis that I love them

Surprise guest for the evening was Catherine who’d ‘flown’ in for the occasion. Too good.

xLuce

Catherine’s trip to Syders

May 2008

I have written the same first part for these times we spent together. I always found it an odd thing to put in my brain properly because, obviously, moving to Australia separated us massively. And yet, if I hadn’t moved to Australia we wouldn’t have had these incredibly special times together. We know it’s true; when would we have had a fortnight’s holiday together? Even in our best dreams.
Very different experiences with both of you (as you know) mostly down to the fact that I didn’t have a job when Catherine came (= all the time in the world but no money), and I’d just started my job when Marie came (= more money to spend but restricted time). But, if there were never three better people to make the most of the situation at hand and sculpt dream holidays & special times….

You both know how hard it is to choose highlights and the ones I’ve selected might be a bit obvious but honestly, I could write forever….

• Our trip to the Blue Mountains, the fun train ride, hiking around from place to place, the youth hostel (wine n olives), the dinner out – oh this was too classic for words

• Our various nights out in Manly, I don’t even know that I can remember them all!
  Jamil’s (which isn’t there anymore!) on a Friday then Thai??
  Oh, we went out in Manly after being out in the city – this was the Henry Afrika’s, Boatshed night wasn’t it – I don’t know how many times I’ve told that story…
  Shore Club ‘for one’ one evening
  Am I missing some???
• Our ‘routine’ weekly trip of walking up the Northern Beaches. This was an inspired decision you know – so many people love it when I tell them about this. One of my favourite bits (you know it) was when we tried to cross that lagoon and only changed our minds when we were wet to the thigh, and had been clocked by those two guys, ha ha ha.
• You helping me, and putting up with, and celebrating my various work applications, interviews etc. Of course, you got your reward perving at all the suits when you drove me to North Syders for my interview!
• Body boarding – we went a few times eh? Oh yeah, cos I’d bought my wetsuit. Remember when we had a spat of catching the same wave together, that was cool.
• Of course, going to the Fishmarket the day after the big night out at the Boatshed. So funny how I thought you were in a mood with me, and you were like ‘Lucy, I’ve had 4 hours sleep’ ha ha. Cycling round wasn’t quite what we needed, nor the fishiness! But it was worth it for the brekkie and the ‘refreshing’ ferry ride back. I was just gonna say we were probably drunk in charge of bikes but that wouldn’t have been the only time on this holiday would it…. remember your little tumble.. now which night out was that???
• Ah, kayaking on the day you arrived. What a great idea, and what a beautiful evening, until you got damaged of course. Bl**dy vital Michael!!
• Our other trip away to the Hawkesbury, kayaking (once I managed to work the thing!), eating Tim Tams waiting for the car ferry, pitching out tent in the dark, keeping warm at the bbq, keeping warm by drinking litres of red wine, seeing the kangaroos when we had brekkie the next day. Too good.
• There weren’t many things you did on your own. Oh yeah, remember how you cycled to West Head when I did that random coffee shop shift. That’s about the most tired I think I’ve ever seen you!!!

xLuce