Hamish comes to town

My brother Hamish flew in from New Zealand for a long weekend last week. He last visited Sydney more than 29 years ago when I was living in Surry Hills. Over the years it's become something of a standing joke within the family that he and his family have never been back.

Hamish's last visit was memorable for several reasons. At the time I'd just moved into my apartment in Surry Hills. As a result, he and his girlfriend, Karin, were the first family members to visit the place I ultimately called home for a decade. I collected Hamish from the railway station on his first afternoon in town.  That night, while we slept, someone took my car from the apartment's underground car park. 

It was eventually recovered by the police several weeks later.  However, it had been ruthlessly stripped for parts so the insurance company immediately wrote it off. According to the police it was missing its wheels, seats, engine parts, and most of its interior fittings. The officer who called claimed he’d never seen a car stripped so thoroughly before.

I'm pleased to report that Hamish's second visit passed without incident. Instead, Garry and I filled his time with plenty of classic Sydney highlights. Hamish had never been to the Blue Mountains so we squeezed in an overnight stay at Echoes in Katoomba. Garry and I stayed here for Christmas in 2021. 

At first, it looked like the weather was going to hijack our plans.  The forecast didn't look brilliant as he landed late on Thursday evening, and was changing by the hour.  However, luck was on our side.  We ultimately got to do most of what we'd planned without compromise.

  

Hamish's visit kicked off with a ferry ride to Manly on Friday. I'd booked lunch at the ever-popular Hugo's, located on the edge of Manly Pier.  Garry had planned to join us but decided to stay back and finish relocating his wholesale company from its current Kennards warehouse into the same building as Artiwood.

By the time we docked in Manly, an overcast morning had given way to partly sunny weather.  The restaurant also came to the party and offered us a window seat overlooking Manly Cove. We spent a couple of hours downing cocktails, and ploughing our way through a tasty share plate and some awesome seafood mains.  This included Hamish's first taste of Barramundi. We then took time out to walk the Corso to Manly Beach, before returning to Circular Quay on the fast ferry.  

On a whim, we decided to walk 4.5km back to the apartment in Redfern.  This gave us a chance to see the State Parliament, view the iconic fallen soldier statue in the Hyde Park War Memorial, and soak in some of the local culture of Darlinghurst and Surry Hills. Along the way, several Halloween displays also captivated us. 

However, the day's most unexpected sight has to go to the sun-baking seal we encountered.  While completing a quick circuit of the Opera House we discovered it napping on some harbourside steps. I had no idea seals lived in Sydney Harbour.

Saturday dawned heavily overcast with a forecast for passing showers.  As a result, we set out for Katoomba with some trepidation.  Once again our luck held. We arrived in the mountains shortly after 11:30am.  As we made our first stop at Wentworth Falls, dramatic low clouds were swirling through the surrounding valleys.  

Much to our delight, the view opened up towards the south as we reached the lookout. The rolling mountain effect cloud also lifted briefly, giving us a passing glimpse of the falls as well.  We walked down to Princes Rock Lookout hoping for a better view.  Sadly, the view toward the Three Sisters and Jamison Valley remained shrouded by an impenetrable white haze. 

We tried our luck again at Sublime Point lookout. However, Jameison Valley remained resolutely out of sight. Unfortunately, we never did see the Three Sisters during our entire time in the mountains. Just when I thought all hope was lost, our luck improved for the final stop of the day at Govetts Leap.  The northern valleys were largely cloud-free so Hamish scored some stunning views of Grose Valley and the Bridal Veil Falls.  

With rain showers forecast, we drove to the Hydro Majestic to enjoy a late high tea seated by the window. The passing rain that greeted us on arrival unexpectedly gave way to periodic sunshine. As a result, we enjoyed some iconic views of the Megalong Valley as we dined. We then finished the day with drinks and live music in the Echoes cocktail bar before going for dinner at Darley's. The staff delighted the lads with candles as we celebrated Hamish's birthday two days earlier, and Garry's birthday in seven days' time.

The weather closed in overnight and we woke to pouring rain.  I also woke feeling rather unwell.  We decided to abandon plans for any further sightseeing and head back to Sydney where the forecast promised nothing more than heavy cloud.  Garry took us on a Tiki Tour of the city highlights including Homebush Olympic Park, the ANZAC Bridge, Chinatown, and Bondi Beach for a drive-by viewing.  

We eventually parked the car at Bronte and walked back to Tamarama Beach to grab a taste of Sculpture by the Sea. This proved perfect timing as Sunday was the festival's final day. Without a doubt, my favourite artwork was the melting Mr Whippy truck, aptly titled, Hot with a Chance of a Late Storm. This installation was first exhibited at this event 17 years ago. The organisers had revived it for this year's 25th anniversary of Sculpture by the Sea.

The following morning I took Hamish back to the airport and invited him to visit again in 2053. Let's see if he takes me up on the offer.