December 29, 2018 Blue Mountains

This morning we went out for a nice breakfast.  I had a B + E or Bacon and Egg sandwich (their bacon is more like Canadian Bacon) with Tomato Sauce (which is basically ketchup) and from there we drove out to Greg and Yolanda's home in Quakers Hill.  Today was the first day I got to see my brother in his own home - a first since he's moved here.  We were sorry to say goodbye (for now) to Ian and Melinda because it was so lovely to visit with them.

Greg and Yolanda have a lovely home and the gardens are lush.  The pool in the back yard is like an oasis and we were looking forward to a dip later.  But first, because they live relatively close to the Blue Mountains, we opted for a drive out to see the Three Sisters.  Ken and I and his sister Debbie did a tour back in 1994 and saw them then, and I wanted to refresh my memory.  So off we went.  It was about an hour drive and when we got close to Katoomba I used Yelp and found a restaurant - the Station Bar & Woodfired Pizza.  Turned out to be delicious pizzas and salad so if you're ever in Katoomba I recommend it.  We all shared three different pizzas and a garden salad.  Ken tried a new beer, Young Henry's Newtown, and I tried a new rum - Stolen Rum.

Ken and Greg are all smiles

We made it to the Three Sisters vista point after lunch and the crowds were intense but luckily Yolanda dropped us (Greg, Ken, and me) off to check it all out so we didn’t need to find a parking spot.

Greg helped us take a few photos

we walked down the pathway to the lower viewing point and even though it was bloody hot (it was 102 at their house and probably high 90’s even up there) we got some fabulous views

The memories were refreshed, which is what I really wanted.  1994 was a long time ago and I’m very happy we got to see it again in 2018.

We drove back home and spent a bit of time floating around in the pool and catching up.

Our day wasn’t done though.  It was time for Baseball!  We got to meet a few of Greg’s baseball teammates at the Sydney Blue Sox baseball game – yes, American Baseball. 

 It was an exciting game.  The Brisbane Bandits put up an early lead and the Blue Sox came back in the bottom of the 9^th and the final batter had a very long at bat in a pitching duel.  He won by getting walked with the bases loaded and the winning run scored.  A great ending to a wonderful day.

Greg even saved Yolanda's life (only a tiny exaggeration) when one of the outfielders threw a ball to us and it made a beeline to Yolanda's face.  She and Greg were sitting at a table eating and Greg looked up and reached over with his bare hand and snagged this ball literally one foot in front of Yolanda - it would have smashed her in the face!  Great job Greg!