As many of you know, my darling beloved is in the military and that means we move around quite a lot. This has its joys and challenges, but one thing I love about the lifestyle is the opportunity it provides to see and experience new places.

Yet there have been times when we’ve taken locations for granted and not made the most of them. This latest posting has been one of those times.

We’ve been at the base of the Blue Mountains on the outer fringes of Sydney for three years now. Not a bad run, considering our previous posting to Melbourne lasted just short of twelve months. But I’m a bit ashamed to say we haven’t made the most of it. There have been plenty of trips west up the mountains, which are beautiful and ever-changing, home to great restaurants, shops, galleries and providores, and plain lovely to visit, but not so many days of venturing east into Sydney.

The truth is that neither of us are fans of Sydney (the city that is, the Sydney Swans AFL team I LOVE). Never have been. But maybe that’s because we don’t know it very well. Maybe we haven’t experienced enough of the cool stuff it has to offer.

Maybe it’s time to give it a fair go and play tourist in our own backyard.

So we’ve decided that this year we’re going to make a concerted effort to explore and experience more of the city. The new policy certainly got off to a good start when we ventured into town a few weekends ago to wander around the harbour and Royal Botanic Gardens. Sydney was putting on a show!

Here are a few happy snaps.

The obligatory harbour photo. Well, it is pretty speccy!

It seemed like all sorts of boats were out.

To celebrated Chinese New Year, there were a series of lantern displays around the CBD. This wonderful tai chi-ing rabbit installation was at the Customs House. Check out the cute one peeking out from the balcony.

There was a seal at the Sydney Opera House. Excited us no end but according to our blasé restaurant waitress they rest here often.

This is Government House. Isn’t it fantastically gothic? Love it. I wonder if it has a ghost. It looks like it should.

The Royal Botanic Garden’s beautiful bottle tree.

The ibises around the gardens are so used to humans they barely acknowledge you.

I adore this mare and foal statue. So peaceful.

One of the beautiful lotus flowers in the lotus pond

I liked the way this was framed with the Monument of Lysicrates on the left, the lush greenery of the gardens in front, and the modern skyline behind.

We were lucky to catch Sculpture at the Wharf at Finger Wharf, Woolloomooloo. These were great fun.

Another of the Finger Wharf sculptures.

I thought this stylised bird of prey was beautiful

Someone stole my boat!

The ‘living dinosaur’ that is the famous Wollemi pine. It really does look prehistoric up close.

I’ve no idea when the next trip will be. Soon I hope. Lots more to see and restaurants to indulge in!