Christmas in the City

Last night we headed to the city to see the Christmas sights.

I hadn't seen the David Jones windows for years.

David Jones is celebrating 175 years this year and the displays

were about the store over the years.

Every character was a moving mechanical marionette.

(so much fishing line!!)

The toy department, with a row of marching soldiers

 The food hall with busy chefs

The staff Christmas choir 

A royal visit, Santa and mail order

didn't get to see this one close-up,

not sure what the elephant is about!

People moving up the escalators!

and a ball, complete with jazz band.

All very impressive and most amusing;

and bringing back memories

of the year I worked in the Elizabeth St building

as a Christmas casual, way back in 1990 (?)

Then we headed across the road to Hyde Park.

There was a guy playing fun Christmas music 

on beer bottles and drum.

It was a hot night,

good weather for an outdoor picnic

by the Christmas tree ...

until it started to thunder and rain!

Emily tried to capture a flash of lightning with her camera

and we sheltered under the trees

to eat the rest of our cold fried rice.

Then down Pitt St

Through the Strand Arcade

to Martin Place

to see the tree there, complete with people's texted messages

displayed in lights

Then onto the tree in the Queen Victoria Building

which is loaded with Swarovski crystals and lights.

Our final stop was the Town Hall,

lighted up with changing projected images,

before grabbing some cold treats 

and jumping onto a train home

to a very hot house.