Rituals

Since we returned to Sydney a little over three years ago, we have started a tradition of visiting the city at this time of the year to soak up the Christmas atmosphere and to do some shopping.  Little did we know that two days after our visit Sydney would be thrown into turmoil with the hostage situation and the terrible consequences.

All Sydneysiders are feeling pretty crushed and the events are still raw in our minds.  I'm finding it difficult to come to grips with the fact that three innocent little children are today without their mother or that a young coffee shop manager just doing his job has lost his life.  God bless you both.

Despite these tragic circumstances, our city is rising above it all and life is slowly returning to normal. Therefore I have decided to show what it was like here last Saturday, before we grabbed the world's attention for all the wrong reasons.

Our first port of call was the Queen Victoria Building, with its stunning Christmas tree soaring through three levels and ending under the magnificent glass dome.

The upper level has the most wonderful toy shop which I suspect is designed more for doting grandparents than children.

A little further along we came across these gorgeous glass baubles waiting to be personalised.

Imagine my delight when we emerged from the Queen Victoria Building to discover that the streets were festooned with patchwork banners.

After a refreshing coffee and wholemeal scone, we did a little more window shopping.

 

Part of the ritual is to visit the David Jones' Food Hall ...

... if for no other reason, just to see what ridiculous price they have put on their cherries each year.

Still, they make everything look so wonderfully tempting, we quickly get over the cherries.

We had already purchased our panettone, but were sorely tempted to buy one of these, even if we threw away the contents and kept the box.  However, sanity prevailed.

The Christmas display windows had children of all ages enchanted.

This lovely young lass and her colleagues bopped along to the music and sold reindeer antlers in aid of children's cancer research.

I wish you a very happy Christmas and most importantly, hug your loved ones.

Christmas in the city

At about this time every year we take a trip to the city to soak up the atmosphere as we prepare for the Christmas season.

In my younger days I spent Christmases in both England and the USA and I've never forgotten the joy of being caught up with the whole spirit of Christmas, with the city streets lit up to the hilt and just about every department store and smaller shops beautifully decorated.  Forged in my memory is one cold evening in London leaving the office where I worked and turning the corner onto Oxford Street to see it transformed into a world of wonder.

Sadly, we don't go quite that far here in Australia, but even so, there are enough sights to gladden the heart. 

The Strand Arcade is one place we never miss at this time of the year, with its beautifully decorated walk and shops brim full of irresistible goodies.

Haigh's chocolate ... mmmmmm .....

 

The other must-see venue is the Queen Victoria Building, with its iconic Christmas tree.

Santa was in residence and it was so lovely to see children donned in their Christmas best for photos with the man in red.

In fact, children were everywhere, their eyes bright, taking in all the wonders around them.

There was even something for Russel Crowe, so I guess he's dried himself off and come home for Christmas.

Of course, no trip to the city would be complete without a browse through the David Jones Food Hall.

Where else could you find pasta for chocoholics?

There is something for everyone.

It's such a pity that they chose to use their traditional Christmas windows for blatant self-promotion instead of something that would bring gasps of delight from the children.  Bah humbug.

So now that my batteries have been re-charged, I'm ready to tackle the final week at Hot Fudge, finishing off all those orders.  Can't wait for Christmas.

It's snowing in Sydney

Hard as it is to believe, it did snow in Sydney yesterday, a week before the beginning of summer.  And we were fortunate enough to be in the city to witness it.

I guess we're a couple of big kids, but we love visiting the city at this time of the year, when the excitement and anticipation of the Christmas season is starting to stir in earnest.

The window displays are so colourful and joyous.

 And you don't have to be a child to appreciate it all.

 

Tradition has it that we always visit the David Jones Food Hall to admire the goodies from lands near and far.

Particularly if Italy comes into the equation.

And then there's the traditional gagging at the price of their produce.  Does anyone pay these prices?

Our last port of call was to the Queen Victoria Building, a mecca for all children, young and old.

Here are the most tempting shops spread over several levels.

A word of advice.  If you plan on visiting this toy store, leave the children at home because they will only spoil your fun.

In fact, you will be doing them a favour.  I mean, what child wants to be embarrassed witnessing their parents (let alone grandparents) squealing with delight at every turn?  Not the Fudge kids, that's for sure.

We never cease to wonder at the size of the Christmas tree, which starts at ground level and soars through the centre of the building, finishing under the dome.

So where does the snow come into the story?  Here at the Christmas Tree.  Right on the hour, as we gazed up into the dome, snow flakes suddenly appeared.

It only lasted a few minutes, but it was such a delightful sight.

This little fellow was mermerised.

Even Santa thought it was pretty cool.

Ah, what fun.  I hope we never grow up.