Costco Sydney

While traveling in UK and USA, we have come across a few Costco stores which were impressive. Our Seattle based part of the family have always been big supporters and employees of Costco. When we heard that Costco was finally coming 'down under', we were ready for big things.

They opened first, with a big fanfare and much publicity, in Melbourne. When the company arrived in Sydney we joined up on line but it was a few months after the opening that we went to the store located in one of Sydney's outer suburbs, Auburn. To cut a long story short, we were disappointed. There is no on-line information as to what products are available or details of any specials. This store seemed to focus mainly on food with very few clothing items. Also tools and cameras were in short supply.

Considering that our trip there is about 1.5 hours each way, we felt that we were better off buying local to home. We get most of our fresh vegetables from the local farm shop and everything else from local stores that are very competitive.

I'm sure we will go again but not for quite a while.

One good thing did come to light and that was the alcohol department. Prices generally were marginally cheaper but the big bonus was that I could buy my favourite wine in 1.5 litre bottles for only a couple of dollars more than a local 750mls bottle.





The down side though is that they are corked, not screw caps, which makes it difficult to reseal.

We have heard that the Canberra store, which opened at the same time as the Sydney branch, is very good.

A record

This really must be some sort of record, three blogs in one evening. I should try for the Guinness Book of Records.

It might have something to do with a programme on TV that Di wants to watch and I don't.

Alex is showing a very keen interest in photography and for a six year old does very well. He had to make a speech at school on what he wanted to be when he grows up and he said that he wanted to be a photographer like his Mom.



Early one morning outside our backdoor, on one of his regular weekend stop overs, still in his very colourful pyjamas and dressing gown.



Taking pics of my favourite flowers. Now what were they called?



He is using my camera while I try out one of his mothers cameras.



The look of total concentration!

Spring is sprung.

Spring is well and truly sprung. We seem to have reverted to winter with very cold days and lots of rain. We don't mind the rain as the land really needs it but I am very quickly getting through my store of fire logs that I was hoping would see us ready for next winter. Might have to get the chainsaw out of storage.









The Wisteria has been great this year, until the rain and high winds destroyed most of the flowers. I don't know what our fruit crop will be like next year as the same high winds and rain also destroyed most of the fruit blossom.



These are one of my favourites. I really should find out and remember what they are called. They are one of the very early flowers in the garden and the bees love them.

Heavy rain also highlighted the fact that the high winds had deposited loads of leaves in the rain gutters. All this debris was washed into the drains and all the storm water drains were backing up. I REALLY do like digging holes to access drains and poking rods down them!!

Distrust.

They say you should never trust a second hand car dealer, a real estate agent or a politician. I suppose this entry comes under the heading of local politicians.

We have a lot of problems in North Richmond with over development, so much so that all services are congested, especially our road system. The only way into town is via one of only two main roads giving access to the west of the state from the Sydney basin. The 'fly in the ointment' is that our road also has to cross a two lane river bridge. Development of the area has been allowed to continue virtually unchecked and now there is so much traffic passing through at peak times that either side of North Richmond bridge becomes a car park.

Hawkesbury City Council made a decision to stop any future development to the west of the bridge until the problems with roads and other services were fixed. Along comes a developer with lots of money who wants to build a retirement village and 2000 new homes on land which is prime dairy paddocks and the historic home of Yoemans Key Line System.

Now the mayor and council have done a back flip and this huge development has the go ahead!! Never trust a Politician.









Cutting in the access road.

Watch this space.