A Day in Sydney

Back in June Mick and I had a day out in Sydney.

"Snubby" the silver sidecar had to visit the bike mechanic to have a fuel line replaced under a recall, even though she is seventeen years old. It's too hard to ride her down there so she went for a trip in the trailer behind the ute.

I suggested it be on a Friday, so I could go along too and was a bit sneaky and suggested the Friday that the Quilt and Craft Show was on at Darling Harbour.  I had been umming and aahing as to whether I would go down on the train, so this seemed a great way to kill two birds with one stone.  Fortunately, Mick doesn't mind tagging along to such things, as he reckons a quilt show is like visiting an art gallery, although all textiles.

We were able to leave the ute at the bike shop and then managed to navigate the city trains and light rail to Darling Harbour with no dramas.  The weather was glorious and quite warm so we went for a bit of a wander before entering the quilt show.

The replica "Endeavour".  It is surprisingly small.

Who knew there was a lighthouse right in Darling Harbour?  OK, it is a part of the Maritime Museum and has been relocated from Cape Bowling Green, south of Townsville.

Next, to tackle the quilt show.

We were greeted by this colourful collection of hoop art.  It was fun trying to identify different well know makers.

As usual, photos of the quilts could only be taken for personal use. However, the quality was truly stunning.  It was fun pointing out all the Tula Pink fabrics used in quilts to Mick, who really didn't care, (hence me keeping it up).  The workmanship in the major prize winning quilt was rather unusual, as well as being beautifully worked.  

I have to share that Susan Reinhard, who used to blog as Thimblestitch won an award. It was very well deserved.  Beautiful design, colours and workmanship.

Look at that!  She won a second award.  Well done. Also well deserved.

Some of the "Don't Touch" signs were very clever.

After we spent a very pleasant couple of hours enjoying the quilts it was time to once again go outside and get some fresh air.....and find something yummy for lunch.

What a glorious day.

Yes, we did find a delicious lunch, sitting beside the water. It's a tough life, but someone's got to do it.

Then it was back into the fray to see the craft show side of things.

How cool is this crocheted tunnel.

I can't remember this featured artist's name, but it was fascinating watching her work.

So clever.

There was also an exhibition of vintage Japanese textiles. So many layers of fabric and mending. They would have been warm to wear, but very heavy.

Yes, I did make a couple of purchases, but not many.  

Knitting needles for Mum.

The yarn that I have shown you before.

And lastly, a magnifier light.  I looked at these last year, but it would have been too hard to bring home on the train, but this year it was OK.  It came in a surprisingly small box.  The beauty of this model is that it is rechargable, so, as Mick pointed out, I can take it in the caravan and use while off grid if I want.

We still had quite a bit of time up our sleeve after we finished with the craft show, so wandered slowly through the city to Central Station.

We even had time to enjoy afternoon tea back at Central Station.  What beautiful stained glass windows they had.

We had to wait quite a while for the bike to be ready, but they did a great job of giving her a service, as we requested, as well as fixing the recalled item.  Therefore, we experienced the joy of weekday commuting in peak hour.  Oh boy, are we glad we don't have to deal with that on a daily basis.

We were ready to fall into bed by the time we returned home, as it was fifteen hours since we left in the morning.

It was a long day, but one we really enjoyed.