Preparing students for the digital world

A day on the River without Ratty and Mole

A Day OUT for $26.00

A couple of old enthusiact swimmers decided to explore Sydney swimming pools further up Parramatta River after years swimming at Nielsen Park Watsons Bay and Balmain tidal pools.
We decided to take the ferry to Parramatta and exit at Cabarita,where there is a heated saltwater pool.
We arranged to meet at No 1 warf Circular Quay,which as we discovered is a conumdrum,there being no warf Number one.
On the arranged date the MUA were assembling for a march through Sydney streets,30 black shirted comrades gathered with banners flags and megaphone,preliminary arousing of their spirits,before setting forth escorted by a small Police contingent, We all have to believe in something.
Ten minutes before departure time gave us the opportunity for coffee and catch-up time.
The ferry manouvered into the harbour,shrouded in mist,mildly exciting with a drop in temperature,so we departed our outdoor seats on the bow,for the comfort of the crowded internal lounge.
The Oldies know best !
The six stops along the way allowed us to take in the attractions,little private beaches,large waterfront housing,massive concrete bridges and Cockatoo Island,a former industrial shipyard now converted to a tourist venue.
All the jetties along the way were modern, glass partitioned with timber and aluminium seating,and stainless steel railing,gone and forgotten were the old weathered timber jetties of early Sydney.
During our half hour ride up river warmth had crept into the air,the river was calm,no traffic congestion,or car horns hooting,what an ideal way to travel in this car bedeviled city.
The Cabarita pool was 300 meters from the warf,approached through a wooded park,and for $4.75 a couple of old seniors could loll around the pool all day.
No ,this relaxed couple plunged into the warm water,dutifully swimming their four X 50 meter laps in a limpid quiet pool,bathed in Autumn sunshine.Pity all those office workers crowded round the water cooler eager for some scandal !
Lunch ? Our appetites had returned after some exercise and thereapeutic discussion ,but the fruit from our back packs  did not suffice.
200 meters down the path,was a sailing club,with an intrigueing outdoor eating area,shaded by trees,
having tables chairs and umbrellas,and perched beside the river.
For $7.80 we could each have a healthy salad wrap and an additional $8.00 a bottle of cider.We were in heaven!

We rewarded ourselves with a capachino on the warf,while waiting for the River Cat to navigate our way back to Circular Quay,