Thursday, June 20, 2013

A week away.......

Just a warning that this blog post is possibly longer than the week....

I am now back home after a busy week away.......I flew to Canberra last Wednesday (for work) to attend the National Australia Day Conference...since I organise the Australia Day event for work it's always great to attend this conference to see how other areas celebrate our national day. 

Nominations for the Australian of the Year were officially opened on the second day of the conference by the current Australian of the Year, Ita Buttrose.  Wow...what an amazing lady!  Could have listened to her all day!

 
 TV cameras were there  ....giving me serious camera envy :)
  

There is so much to see and do in Canberra but there was no time for sightseeing this visit so I will have to put Canberra on my list of "must get back there one day" places!

The conference was held in Old Parliament House - I snapped these pics just as we were about to leave on Friday........looking from the back of Old Parliament House to the new building.......



Next stop on Loz's whirlwind week was Sydney.....

I met my partners in crime fun, Lynda and Diann, at the airport....and we headed to our hotel in the city to get a good night's sleep (bahahahahaha - like that happened!) in readiness to spend the day at the quilt show at Darling Harbour on Saturday........

When we arrived at the hotel "the purse" was bought out and the girls explained the concept to me......everyone puts in to the "kitty" and all expenses are paid out of the purse.....great idea... I was given the task of being in charge of the purse on Saturday....phew.......Diann did suggest at one stage that I needed to take being the keeper of the purse a bit more seriously....sorry Diann ....really hard to be serious around you.....you crack me up  :) 


Here are the girls after the show on Saturday.....deciding where to go for drinks and dinner....

While we were sitting collecting our thoughts after the show the sun was setting - catching the city skyline with the last rays of the day.......



The purse paid for the drinks.....I hear the red wine was great Diann!!


Sunday saw me repacking the suitcases to include one or two things I bought at the show.....it reminded me of the many hours spent packing and repacking suitcases in the US last year - at least I didn't have to post anything home this time!

After checking out of the hotel the girls  walked with me to the train station and made sure I was on the right track (pun intended) to Newcastle!  Off to see Cardy!!  What a pretty train trip ......and a pretty city at the end of the line.  How wonderful to see Cardy again.......
and I must admit on seeing "my" room I was tempted to just move in.... :)


What an amazing few days of chatter, shopping, eating, walking and just hanging out with Cardy and her lovely family.......the time just flew by and before I knew it we were driving to the airport for my flight home :(  As we were looking for a park in the airport car park Cardy turned the wrong way into a one way lane.....being the quintessential pain in the butt passenger I pointed out to Cardy that this was only one way.......her response - "I'm only going one way" .......Oh...she's funny!

Here are a few pics of Newcastle as I saw it......

a dog friendly beach......


the harbour at sunset.........




Walking on the breakwater watching the tugs go about their business....


Another sunset shot....

 
As I was repacking (I may have bought a couple of items of clothing) to fly home yesterday Cardy presented me with a gift she had made for me...how cute is this mug mat!!  You may notice the binding hasn't been attached yet....because we all know Cardy has an aversion to bindings.....!  I love this gift - it will always remind me of the fantastic time we had together in the US last year.  It was great to catch up Cardy......thanks for a fantastic time in your beautiful home and city .....
 

so now I am home.....  A busy week.... filled with fun and friendship.

'Til next time.................Lorraine

15 comments:

Cardygirl said...

Talk about me and going the wrong way....the mug rug is upside down!!! So lovely to have you here....it is very quiet without you!

Lenora said...

Sounds like a great trip!

Susan said...

Oh it's sounds like it was all so much fun. Did you meet the girls through your blog or know them beforehand?

Sharon - Lilabelle Lane said...

Sounds like you had a lovely time. hugs

Shay said...

OK since this was a work trip Im going to say I see way too much fun being had for it to really be a work trip.

I’d want to move into Cardy’s spare room too..its gorgeous!

Glad you had such a wonderful time.

Lynda said...

What a delightful room at Hotel Cardy! It was a wonderful few days (my hands look so old). Your Sydney sunset photos are fantastic.

Sue SA said...

Sounds like a great trip, so good to be able hook onto your work and have hte boss pay for flights! I look forward to seeing your loot and I dont mean your clothes shopping!

Anita said...

Fun trip! Sorry I missed you at the quilt show, couldn't find you again!! Next time - let me know you are coming!! lol

Kris said...

Glad you had such a good time. Cardy's motel is gorgeous! Love all your photos too!

Jen said...

HI! Lorraine, A big fun week .I have always admired Ita Buttrose and what she has achieved. Sydney Quilt show is big. I like to go to ours here in Newcastle in August.
You will have to come back again.

Sarah said...

Sounds like great fun! You are so lucky to travel as much as you do. See anyone you know in airports this time??

Vicki said...

What a great time, if exhausting time! Always great to meet up with the girls and I do love the idea of the purse paying :)

Chookyblue...... said...

oh a great week..........glad you got to spend time with Lynda and Cardy.....

Heather said...

Hi I'm Heather! Please email me when you get a chance, I have a question about your blog! LifesABanquet1(at)gmail.com

DAWNIE said...

Oh such a great read, blogging mates are just so great