Days 3, 4, 5.

Sorry about the multiple days.
Friday:
Took the ferry to Manly for morning tea and a look around.   Perfect weather for a harbour cruise.
On our way to the Sydney Observatory we bought lunch at the Friday Foodie Markets at The Rocks.
Pulled pork roll,  beautiful.
The view from the Observatory is spectacular.   We watched the raising and dropping of the time ball - one o'clock on the dot every day.   Was used in the early days as the main time regulator,  both on land and sea.
From the Observatory to the Hyde Park Barracks.   Full of information on Governor Macquarie,  and what he did for the colony,  and the expansion and settlement of Sydney.    Apparently,  he was too lenient with the convicts,  granting tickets of leave and pardons,  thus enabling them to settle on plots of land,  cultivate them,  raise families,  etc.    Some landowners and free settlers didn't like what he was doing,  and petitioned the Crown to send someone to assess his methods.   A Mr Brigg came out,  wrote a report,  and Governor Macquarie was on his way!!!
Went to the Lyric Theatre Friday night to see 'Dream Lover',  the Bobby Darin story.   It was great.   We had dinner there (Star Casino) and a little flutter before and after dinner and the show!!
Cath,  I played Sic Bo at a machine that had the dice in a glass tube in the middle of the console.   They bounced around until someone pressed a large button and they shot to the top of the tube,  to land on the mat,  showing the three numbers.    Hard to explain,  but great to watch.   We'll have to go there next time we're in Sydney!!!!!!!!!
Didn't have the camera or phone with me,  so no photos,  unfortunately.    Also,  home very late,  so no blog,  either.
Saturday:
We were meeting Karen and Terry for lunch at the Hawkesbury River.   We'd each catch the train and meet in the middle.
Karen phoned Saturday morning to say lunch was off,  as Alan had been taken to hospital on Friday - third time in two weeks!!    She and Terry had stayed at Avalon Friday night and were staying the rest of the weekend.   Needless to say,  Aunty Nancy was beside herself with worry.    Apparently,  he has a perforated bowel,  as well as his lung problems,  but it's the bowel that's the issue at the moment,  as it's leaking into his urine.  
He can have surgery,  which he may not survive,  and would involve a colostomy (?) bag for the rest of his life.   He would also need to go into a high care nursing home.   Where does this leave Aunty Nancy?    Alternatively,  he can have a catheter inserted to drain the urine,  thus lessening the risk of infection.   This also involves a permanent bag,  but the nurses where they are at the moment may be qualified to look after him.
Too much information????    Too bad!!!!    Our main concern is how this will impact on Aunty Nancy.
Anyway,  we ended up meeting at Manly for a coffee,  then a few beers.   Was great to catch up;
The harbour wasn't as calm as it had been on Friday!!!
Sunday:
Up early to catch the train to Canberra.   Quick trip today - only 4 hours.   Arrived 11am,  hopped off the train,  who moved the South Pole this far north???    Freezing cold wind.   I've had two jumpers on since we arrived at our hotel!
Nothing much open on Sundays except the shops.   Found the Canberra Museum and Gallery open.   They had an exhibition of the private collection of some man's Dr Who memorabelia (?).  He is trying for the Guiness World Record for the largest collection of Dr Who stuff in the one collection.   Too many 'collections'!!   Apparently,  some guy in the US holds the record at the moment.
Another display was about Lord Thomas Denman,  the fifth Governor General of Australia,  from 1911 to 1914.   He and his wife Trudie were prominant in Melbourne society,  and very popular with the general population.  Trudie contributed substantially to the success of Australian bush nursing,  and the Australian Council of Women.   They both toured remote areas of the country,  and met with local inhabitants,  aborigines included.   Lord Denman was a strong supporter of the development of Australia's defence forces,   and turned the first sod,  in March,  1913,  on the site where Canberra stands today.
Back to the hotel,  rest,  dinner in the bistro and bar.
Goodnight all.

These are what the convicts slept on at Hyde Park Barracks

They are really comfortable.

Friday Foodie Markets,  Argyle Street,  The Rocks

 

Manly Harbour

Time Ball,  Sydney Observatory

Western Harbour from the Sydney Observatory

This ship is not at the Cruise Terminal - at least,  not the one at
Circular Quay

Weird sights in Chinatown

More weird sights in Chinatown

     

        Saturday afternoon on
            Sydney Harbour

Sunset over the Harbour Bridge

Sunset over the Opera House

Sunset over the Opera House

 That's all folks!!!