Photos from my trip to Australia. NB I have only published photos of people where I either have express permission or I know that they have published photos of themselves on their own website. And yes, there are a lot of pics of my sister Emma (who is three and a half) – I couldn’t resist!
My sister Emma and I on Newport beach the day after arrival. We went to the Northern Beaches because of the trouble at Cronulla. Despite the hot day and the distance from the southern and city beaches, the beach is still almost deserted. It was wonderful to swim in the ocean again although I had to be very careful in the sun – my boyfriend and I are probably the whitest people on the beach! 
A few days after arriving in Sydney, we met our friend Jeanne-Vida and her little girl (who is two and very cute!) to do the Bay Walk – walking a complete loop around Hen and Chicken Bay at Iron Cove, which lies between Rozelle and Drummoyne. The walk is 7km long and mostly paved – it’s popular with joggers and would be good for rollerbladers too. This picture shows the restoration of the mangroves near Drummoyne.
A shag on a boat on the Rozelle side of Hen and Chicken Bay. The amazing thing was seeing how clean the water was – Iron Cove used to be filthy but they have devoted a lot of effort to cleaning it up and there were some parts off the shore near Haberfield (right by a major road) where the water was so clear I could see the rocks through the water.
This is what a swimming pool should look like! The public Olympic swimming pool in North Sydney. I stopped here for a swim after visiting my great uncle up the road.
View of a cloud of bushfire smoke over North Sydney, as seen from Balmain.
Out with Georgina in Newtown. We had Mexican at Cocina Newton on King Street and then drinks at Zanzibar.
Ben and Lyndsay out in Newtown.
Rollerblading at Moore Park netball courts at night, the day before Christmas Eve. Ben and I had tried to join the city skate down by Circular Quay and the Rocks but it turned out not to be on so we went to Moore Park instead.
Christmas Eve barbeque at my aunt and uncle’s place. Dad and Emma are in the pool with the dog.
Emma on Christmas morning.
The Christmas Fairy shows off her new wings.
Dad and me on Christmas Day.
Emma trying out her new butterfly net at the farm near Bowral.
Emma tests out the hay bales at the farm.
The Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland where I met up with my mother and also saw lots of other friends and family. The view from the hill behind the Big Top.
Liz (right) and I at the Folk Festival. Liz and I used to live together in Balmain and we ran into each other by chance at the festival.
My cousin Kim and me at the festival.
The Fire Event on New Year’s Day. Mum and I sang in the choir, which gave us an awesome view!
Illuminated platypus from the lantern parade before the Fire Event.
View of garden and Crystal Waters Permaculture Village from my aunt’s verandah. We stayed there for a few days after the festival, allowing us to rest and catch up with more family members, including my grandmother.
A king parrot in my aunt’s garden.
Me with my mother.
My cousin Rhia (right) with her boyfriend Ken.
We also took a day trip down to the coast to see my cousin Stella, pictured here (middle) with Rhia (right) and me (left) on Coolum Beach.
A galah at Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
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