Sydney to see the Archibald Exhibition

What a great weekend! I was off to Sydney on Friday to see the Archibald Prize winner - actually I couldn't even look at the winning painting it was so creepy - but the exhibition is an annual event for a friend and me. We go to the Art Gallery and walk around on our own for about an hour. Then we come together and walk around again and compare notes. She awarded the prize to Rodney Pople (again) for his self portrait and I gave it to Alexander McKenzie for Sarah Blasko. The painting of Heath Ledger was very disturbing - technically brilliant - but very sad.

Anyway, we stayed in Maroubra. Lovely beach, still, calm and quiet. We stayed with really lovely people who treated us like royal visitors - it's been a long time since I was treated so well. And the spaniels were delightful. Oh, I musn't forget to mention the visit to Yarn Addiction in Bowral on the way through. LOVE IT!

Early Saturday morning we sat on the steps of the Art Gallery of NSW waiting for the doors to open trying to beat the crowds, and we did. There were a lot of people with canvases and paints waiting to get in too. We didn't really look for them afterwards to see what they were painting and now I am left wondering a little. I would like to be them spending the day painting.

The fountain in the Sydney Hospital is delightful. I've spent a lot of time in hospitals with my son over the years, and I would have liked this fountain to sit by. It's also on the shortcut way to the Lindt cafe where we had hot chocolate and lunch. Have you been there yet? It's in Martin Place and it is to die for!

My friend shopped - and since I'm not a shopper I sat in Pitt St Mall and listened to this man who had the voice of an angel - really!

We had take away Lebanese food that was really yum. We had great coffee. We shopped and bought at Tapestry Craft (and saw women giggling, a lot, over a intermediate class in increasing, decreasing and reading a pattern class - I really wanted to join in).
And across the street from where I stayed was a little gnome village. They were playing statues everytime I looked but I heard them giggle as soon as I turned away.

It really was a great weekend. And I want another one soon.