Sydney January – March 2024

January 2024 in Sydney, Australia

January saw us heading inland to camp in the Blue Mountains National Park. Here we hiked through epic eucalyptus forests, enormous waterfalls and spectacular cliffs with mega views. We had an extraordinary encounter with a tuneful lyrebird, were stalked by a curious water dragon, and were ambushed by some hungry leeches. We also explored the subterranean Jenolan caves, a UNESCO World Heritage listed labyrinth dating back 340 million years.

Back in Sydney, we visited the Raging Waters aqua park, biked Centennial Park, swam in the Sydney Olympic pool, took an architectural tour of the Opera House, visited Rhodes Parkrun, hiked from Spit to Manly and attended a kids Animation Festival. We visited Cockatoo Island, another UNESCO World Heritage site, where we learnt about it’s history as a shipyard and penal colony, and watched an outdoor movie with our pals from SV Miles Away.

A very lovely running club pal, Emily, entrusted us with her beautiful home for a week. We luxuriated in the space and stillness, and enjoyed the company of Toffee, Midnight and Cuddles.

Back in the water, Zoe, with friends Jocie and Meg, competed in her first big swim event for several years; a 3km choppy open water swim from Palm Beach to Whale Beach.

February in Australia saw us all travelling away from Mowzer.

First off we took an 11 hour overnight, very scenic train ride to Melbourne. We picnicked in Edinburgh Gardens with old friends and the next generation of gems to emerge from the city.

Other Melbourne highlights included the National Gallery of Victoria (painting robotic dogs) and breakfast at Higher Ground (Aussies excel at all things breakfast related).

We all did Maribyrnong Parkrun – easier to run than pronounce, and then took in Pride March in St Kilda.

Thank you Dan, Bec and Soph for your Melburnian hospitality.

Angus had an unplanned return to Europe to visit family in hospital. Meanwhile Zoe and the boys were back aboard Mowzer, taking in Chinese New Year, the Botanical Gardens the Sydney’s awesome National Library.

Just back from Europe, Angus joined us in Huskisson for a Triathlon Festival, where we cheered on our much fitter triathlete friends and raced as a family in a 5k event. Congrats and thanks to Chris and Philip Sloss, Jocie and Geoff for the encouragement and hospitality.

Next up was a tour of Canberra where we visited the Parliament of Australia for Prime Minister’s Question Time and visited the Australian War Memorial museum and observed the very moving Last Post Ceremony. Best of all though was was Questacon, Australia’s ultimate science museum- a huge hit with the junior Mowzer crew who have infinite curiosity, zest and enthusiasm for interactive displays, buttons, levers and switches!

March highlights in Sydney

Quarantine Bay, a 90 minute sail from our mooring in Balmain, is a peaceful anchorage with a fascinating history. Between 1828 and 1984 it was the first port of call for all quarantined ships and their foreign passengers. Scattered in the bush nearby are the carvings by visiting sailors of old and the cemeteries of the victims of smallpox, bubonic plague, influenza, and scarlet fever.

Whilst out exploring this area we had an extraordinary encounter with a man named Jim . We met him on a dirt track in the middle of nowhere outside an unprepossessing metal shed. He told us a story so incongruous that we assumed he must be a fantasist. But incredibly, it transpired that Jim really was the sole Royal Coach Builder for the British Royal family. He generously showed us around his workshop where he was putting the finishing touches to his latest creation – a golden, bullet-proof king’s carriage which will soon be flown to London. Such serendipitous encounters and unexpected connections enrich our travels beyond measure. Thank you, Jim.

Other March highlights included an Easter egg hunt at Bantry Bay; Holi Festival with friends; a flying visit from Uncle Bob; a tour of Allankay, Sea Shepherd’s marine conservation vessel; a night at the Sydney Observatory; Rose Bay aboard Miles Away with the Running Science crew; and skate lessons at Frankie’s Wheels.