The hockey has continued , unfortunately with a loss to WA country 1-0 , probably a wake up call , as we were a bit too cocky after winning our first three games . In the return game against WA it was hard fought and resulted in 1-1 draw . With NSW beating Qld this leaves us in second spot with a return games against WA country tonight and WA plays NSW and results will determine who plays who in the semi-finals .
Lily and I have continued our walking on the rests days , a ferry trip to Watson’s Bay followed by a walk to Bondi . Yesterday we took things a bit easier going to the movies after a ferry ride from Olympic Park to Darling Harbour.

There are a couple of traditions in these tournaments with the competitors meeting fro a drink in the tent afterwards and giving a gift to the opposition’s best player and their manager. Our additional thing is to award the Dinger cup which is awarded to the player receiving the most votes from his fellow players after the game though noone can win it twice . In addition the hair is awarded for a foolish event , sort of . I was fortunate enough to receive both after the WA game. The holder of the hair passes it on after the next game. The Dinger cup must remain full at all times , and whilst alcohol is the usual content it is no t mandatory and this morning a cappuccino was the obvious choice . In addition the cup must be dinged by the hold which is why you will notice that the handle is now bent !

Arrived at Sydney Airport for National Masters Hockey tournament and boarded the train for Bankstown. Thought we must have been somewhere in Asia every school kid that got on the train for a while was of Asian descent which soon changed to Middle Eastern as we got further west . Went to the Thai place next to the accommodation for dinner which was Halal and alcohol free and very pleasant.
Following day we bought a weekly train ticket at Bankstown which gives access to the whole rail network bus network and ferries for $61 per week. Took the train to Cronulla and we’re we’d landed in Europe somewhere( till we got to the surf beach anyway). Walked around the peninsula near Cronulla as far as we could on the track next to the water . One difference here you really notice is the deep water openings into bays and harbours as distinct from the bars back on the South Coast. Walked back along the streets to Cronulla once we in the area of Gunamatta bay where the houses take up the beachfront.
After getting a train back to Sydney we took a tour of the Opera house and managed to score a discounted near front row seat to view the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for a performance of a Chopin piano Concerto and Wagner’s ring adventure.It was really great to see and hear very good music , with 80 musicians completely in rhythm and tune ( a stark contrast to the only 2 piece band playing on our walk back to the rail station. )