Sydney no. 2 - Christmas at Ettalong

A kind friend loaned us his beach house at Ettalong north of Sydney so that we could spend a few days with Flyn and Chris over Christmas. The weather started out perfectly , just as an Australian Christmas should be.

it was quiet before christmas day - but the crowds arrived soon after

We spent four days eating and drinking and shopping together – so much more fun  than a skype conversation.

houses across the bay

don't blame the dogs for wanting a rest in the shade from the heat

Lots of families arrived at the beach ready to spend the day, including that traditional Christmas picnic lunch.

even the ducks wanted to share in the festivities 

Then we moved on to the next stop - the Hunter Valley . For those who don't know, this is wine country so I guess we will just have to try a few...

Bonne semaine mes amis

We have arrived...Sydney at last...

surf anyone ?

Back in Sydney after a year and half away. The sunshine and big blue skies are a shock after wintry grey France. Everything is so bright and colourful and busy.

Yes, I am the shortest in my family

Went to Manly for lunch with the kids. For those who don’t know Sydney, Manly is a suburb on the northern side of the harbour with  an ocean beach on one side and the harbour on the other . It was named this after the very masculine looking (manly) men of the tribe that lived here when the first fleet arrived. Now it’s full of sun worshippers and people who ‘lunch’ and you need lots of money to live here. 

Norfolk pines line the beach front. They were once used as masts on sailing ships as they are so tall and straight

Ribs and Rumps - says it all really

After lunch we took a walk along the waterfront to the more secluded Shelly Beach.

public ocean pool with a view

now which one would we like to have ?

Shelly Beach at the end of the walk

coffee shop on the boardwalk - tees ???

Manly version of vide grenier - selling off a collection of surfboards

waiting patiently for the right wave

Obviously the signs work - everyone does protect the wildlife - this guy wasn't bothered by people passing by on their walk

Sydney and the harbour entrance from North Head

The view from daughter's front door - that's Manly in the distance. Why wouldn't you live here ?

This is just the second day so lots more to share. More posts to come .

Joyeux Noël mes amis

Winter has arrived and Christmas is near….

The daytime temperature has dropped to 6 deg C and it’s zero at night so it must be winter. It is already colder than the last two winters here so not sure what to expect for January and February. 

even the bar on the corner gets the treatment

the lights are actually 'twinkling'

the commune has decorated our house for us..(ours is on the right)

The Christmas lights now decorate the streets at night and the shops are full of Christmas food – chocolate, foie gras, champagne- and on Christmas eve it will be oysters everywhere.

Enjoyed a long lunch today with our french language group for Christmas. Good food and good company – what more could one ask for.

Then off to a wine sale at one of the local co-operatives. It’s the first day and so, so popular even though it’s a work day. Well, you know the french and their wine. People were double parking outside and stressing over the few available trolleys – after all you can’t get all those boxes to your car in the rain without a trolley.

everyone is happy to queue for their wine

The queue for the checkouts was long and moving very slowly which just gave us more time to chat with friends that we had bumped into – as you do.  No rush here as everyone takes time over decisions, lots of tasting and discussing  the comparative merits of each choice.

a little taste anyone ?

just a tiny sample - there are two rooms full

just a little restocking of the cellar, back tomorrow for the rest

One more visit to the Saturday morning market tomorrow and off to a Christmas party in the evening. Then finish packing and we are off to Aus for Christmas with family and friends. It will be our first visit since the big move so looking forward to lots of catching up, but not to the hot weather.

We don't expect to be posting while we are en vacance , so....

Joyeux Noël à tous nos amis

Brocante d’automne Quinconces – part two

I thought the cars at Quinconces should have a post of their own. It’s unusual to see cars for sale at these events, but this collection is gorgeous.

yes that's €23,000

€8,500

Is there anything that takes your fancy ?

I think this one is €30,000

€43,000

€13,900

€37,000

but could you afford to drive it any further than the end of your drive ?

a unique little baby - but does it run ?

Bon courage sur les routes 

mes amis

Brocante d’automne Quinconces - part one

along the riverfront - Pont de Pierre  in the distance

Twice a year Bordeaux holds a ten day brocante fair at Esplanade des Quinconces in the centre of town by the river.  On Sunday we went along for our first time to see what all the fuss is about. The weather was grey but the forecast said no rain.

the leaves are dropping everywhere

We arrived early and wandered from stall to stall with nothing particular in mind, just curious.  I’ll admit there were many things I would have bought but Graham just kept saying “NO”, as he does. The fact that we had bought a few pieces (five !) the day before at our favourite brocante dealer across the bridge did influence this.

at least the stalls were undercover 

barbecuing whole legs of porc french style - that's crackling discarded in the tray at the front (???)

There were lots of places to eat, of course, but we decided that the barbecue was the most interesting. A farmer from St Germain du Puch had brought along all his family to cook and serve their own produce - basically barbecued pork and fries washed down with lots of ok wine, and a crepe sucre to finish if one wished, and coffee. And who do we bump into just finishing their lunch as we arrived, but our favourite  brocante dealer and his wife . They were looking for bargains for their shop so I suppose we may see some familiar items in their window soon. We were greeted with two kisses so must have slipped into the category of good regular customers. I meant to take a photo of the chef at the  barbecue as I knew you would all love him. He was an old guy in a black leather biker jacket with a baseball cap worn backwards and sunglasses on his head. His face was quite weathered and he kept a cigarette in his mouth while grumbling the entire time . This was only day three – it’s going to be a long week for him.

toy pedal car

sitting on Marilyn ?

I'd love this as a planter

gorgeous little stone chickens

a bit of everything

I think it's a pedal boat ?

don't know how old this is,we think the wheel guards are bamboo 

another use for a bath

what every home needs 

I really wanted this coquerel, but Graham said no as he would have to steal it from the monument - too heavy ?

You can find anything here - books, toys,  old bikes, stuffed animals, fine silverware, paintings, furniture both antique and modern vintage, posters, glassware, furs and vintage clothes – even cars. By the time we left four hours later it felt like everyone in Bordeaux had arrived.

naturally everyone brings their dogs

  

no it's not real, but what a strange place to keep your toy dog !

Our conclusion - we’ve decided it’s like the Marché aux Puces at Clignancourt in Paris, but not quite so grand, if you’ve been there. Great fun and lots to see and buy, if you’re allowed.

not a happy face - and seven more days to go 

Bonne semaine mes amis

and don't miss part two