Sydney, again and again.

I feel like I have had a year's worth of trips to Sydney in just two weeks. So much for the quiet, country life!

The first trip was one I was rather dreading. Me, a teacher, and five drama students in our car, up to Sydney to see OnStage (last year's best HSC drama performances. Andrew told Joss' drama class last year, that he would be willing to drive them all. Unfortunately for me, something came up at Andrew's work, and I had to do it!

I don't drive in the city. I'm not a bad driver, just not overly confident when I don't know where I am going and there are millions of other cars about.

Thankfully, Joss' teacher was lovely, so 12ish hours in the car was fine in terms of conversation. The city driving, however, was as bad as I thought it might be! I also got stuck in an elevator for several long minutes, and didn't manage to have any dinner, but this room was a great consolation.

Also, I got my steps up with a pretty decent view, and the humidity saw to it being a good workout.

Look how many people!

We went home the very next morning, through torrential Sydney rain. We got everywhere safely, but I wouldn't very much like to do it again!

I had Wednesday and Thursday at home, then, when the Wagga weather was forecast for 44, I got up before five to catch the plane to Sydney for an Indigenous Services Unconference. It was really interesting, very productive and fully air-conditioned.

Just inside the Mitchell Library

We saved the best for last, and on Tuesday, Andrew and I drove to Sydney to see James Taylor! We stayed in the coolest hotel, with a free minibar, glass elevators and stairs up to our comfiest ever bed.

It was right behind Darling Harbour, so we strolled to the venue and sat with what seemed like a million others to hear James Taylor, sounding as good as ever, being funny, humble and kind.

Tracey works with me, and we bought the tickets together. We all loved the concert, so. very. much.

A little bit of sustenance for shopping and a leisurely drive home. I think I'll stay put for a while and listen to James.....

The Swing of Things

Once all the washing was done after Kiama, Andrew's sister and her three children came to stay; it's a tradition that the cousins would not like to forgo. There is much late night talking amongst three girls in one bedroom, lots of trampolining, ice cream eating and game playing. It's a highlight of our summer holidays.

We also had a great evening down at the river, celebrating Steve and Mike's birthdays. The menfolk swam with the kids while we enjoyed a bit of grown-up conversation under the trees.

We had one last week of holidays, when I got up each morning and left before anyone stirred, and then, no matter how hard they clung to the holidays, it was time for the kids to go back to school.

In fact, Bethany has started somewhere new. Yes, the baby of the family, is in high school.

She was a bundle of excitement and nervousness, but relaxed into a wonderful first day.

The excitement levels elsewhere were pretty well contained.

There are, as one would expect, a lot of things I will miss about the holidays, especially as extra-curricular activity mounts, but there is something satisfying about getting in the swing of things; being organised.

I am not one for New Year's Resolutions. If you need to make positive changes, just do it; but I did make some tongue in cheek ones. I posted on Instagram that I want to read more, burn more candles and drink more tea. I think it's important to set oneself up for success. I also plan to write more letters (and obtain more fountain pens and paraphernalia), so when Tim alerted me to the existence of InCoWriMo (International Correspondence Writing Month), I decided to get involved.

I will be writing a letter, postcard or note every day in February. Tim is getting the first, but if you want to be on my list, let me know in the comments!

We have had Mum and Dad here for a couple of days, which has been delightful. Extraordinarily hot, sometimes windy weather does make for spectacular sunsets, best enjoyed while taking an evening stroll.