Sydney - Edgecliff
Visitors from home

I think Sydney has so much natural beauty; it's just a beautiful city.
[Flume]

The day after we moved to Edgecliff and on the same evening Karen (Troels cousin) and Lars Erik (his dad) arrived from Copenhagen to visit for a couple of weeks. They were obviously quite tired at arrival late in the evening, and after one drink we all went to bed and they conquered the jetlag in just one night! The next day, a Saturday, the kids were very happy to see some familiar faces when they woke up and we had a slow morning making brunch.



At 11 am Storm had soccer practice, so he and Troels went off on bike for a little male bonding. Lars Erik, Karen, Astrid and Tina met up with the guys after practice in Centennial Park at a nature playground, where we spend the afternoon eating ice cream, basking in the sun, and watching the kids play with the water fountains. In the evening we had a seafood dinner and drinks (a few more than the night before).



The next day it was time for some serious sightseeing! We took the train from Edgecliff station to Martin Place and walked through the Botanical Garden seeing a lovely exhibition on flesh eating plants, and then walking along the harbour to see the iconic Opera House. We were all quite moved when the white tips, reflecting the sun became visible behind the trees, and this fantastic pearly white building with the Harbour Bridge in the background unveiled. It is undoubtedly one of the greatest views in the world!



Monday was date day. Karen and Lars Eric took care of the kids and Troels and Tina meet up at lunch time at the Langham Hotel to have High Tea, and then checked in to enjoy the afternoon in the spa. At dinner time it was off to Bondi beach for drinks and a FANTASTIC tasting menu at Icebergs, with another iconic view of the giant waves of the Pacific Ocean under the full moon. In spite of the many dishes that we had to go through, Troels also had the chef make an omelet that we had the last time we were at Icebergs back in 2006, and it was just as good and very romantic. In the mean time Karen and Lars Eric made their own tasting menu for the kids back at the house, and had them taste purple carrots and squid!



And then the sun, which had been our reliable companion for our trip so far, disappeared. The next couple of days were overcast and occational rainy, but we managed to do quite a few things, including the Bondi-Bronte walk, Karen did some serious shopping while Troels and Lars Erik took the kids to Australian Museum, and Tina had brunch with some colleagues from home. Also, Lars Erik and Karen visited Troels at University of Sydney to see his office and lairs there. And in the evening, Storm and Astrid would prepare gymnastics show in the attic, which we would enjoy along with the drumming of the rain on the roof.



When Troels lived in Sydney in 2006, he sailed a lot, mainly with the ship Scarlett skippered by Skol. And Wednesday evening he and Lars Erik was invited again to participate in the Twilight Races, so they went down to Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutter's Bay. It was fantastic to see Skol again after twelve years, and to revisit a part of a previous life. The race was even greater with good wind, and while having dinner and beers at the club, we were awarded a third place (out of about 12-15 ships).



Family brunch in the lavish Edgecliff house.