Our World Trip: City sophistication

The flight from Pert to Sydney takes just over 4 hours and one puts the clocks forward 3 hours, so the day is lost! Boarding the plane in blue-sky 32C and stepping off in a drizzling 21C is also a bit of a shock, but there you go!

We knew David & Ruth’s apartment at Quay Grand was special, but we had not appreciated just how special! With views from the 13^th floor over Circular Quay to the West and the Harbour to the East the best parts of Sydney are there to enjoy. A short taxi ride from the airport passing signs warning of traffic congestion due to ‘cruise ship visit’ we were soon taking in the Sydney ambience and awaiting the arrival of the Two Queens.

There was much news to catch up with over dinner and updates of all the family happenings before we turned in and before we knew it Ruth was at the door (05:15) pointing out the two ships moving into the harbour QM leading QE up to the quays. Escorted by the tugs with firehoses and lots of helicopters the ships made a fine sight in the dawn darkness with all their lights blazing - flashguns popping all over the ships.

As daylight broke the QM turned to port and came alongside in the Garden Island Naval base as, with much hooting the QE moved past the Opera House and came into Circular Quay’s Passenger Terminal. One ship right outside the living room window and another through the trees of the Botanical Garden from our bedroom! At least the transport for our next leg had arrived safely and we were in the right port!

Tuesday was a bit wet, but David has stuff to do at his office so we set off to look over the new development at Lane Cove and see the view from Kristin’s house. The Lane Cove houses are environmentally positive and are quite stunning – what a contrast from the family house previously on the site.

As we drove around news was coming through of the dreadful earthquake in Christchurch – our call there was obviously off. Looks like Neil will make it to Christchurch and thankfully the news is that Mark and Anna are OK

A bit of shopping and back to the apartment for dinner in the Quay Grand restaurant completed a great day ashore

David & Ruth were off to Lennox Head, so we parted company in the morning and wandered around the City, visiting the Sydney Museum and Queen Victoria Building, with its marvellous clocks (one has a boat moving round once a minute). Having made arrangements to meet Jerry Leacock for lunch at The Rocks as the Queen Elizabeth moved from her berth to make way for Fred Olsen’s ‘Balmoral’. Just one anxious moment of doubt about the possibility of simultaneous departures of both Queens, but this time we trusted Cunard to stick to their plans! Great to catch up with Jerry – he’s hardly changed in 11 years and is as cheerful as ever.

A quick taxi to QM2 and we were back in our stateroom with a sigh of relief to have made the departure.

What a sailaway!

With Cunard’s Commodore Warner at the helm we reversed out of the berth and backed up as far as the Opera House, with much hooting and the band playing, before heading out to Manley and the Tasman Sea escorted by lots of yachts and motor-boats. Passing a flotilla of racing yachts and with crowds on the shore waving us off it was an emotional departure from such a lovely city and so many memories of seeing Susie here in 2000.

Now we’re off to Wellington – a maiden call for the QM2 and running the gauntlet of the Cook Strait.

I told you to move