NSW Part II 2018, December 23

Another early start to go for a run around Mount Panorama. I had been sick all week and wasn't breathing well today, and that was before starting up the hill.

The run was so much harder than I expected, almost down to walking speed on the way up and the corners never seem to end. It wasn't possible to run flat out on the downhill either as it was too steep and may have been quite dangerous. I was originally planning two slow laps but went a bit too hard on the first one so left it at that.

Due to time constraints could not spend more time to visit the Motor Racing Museum once it opened unfortunately.

Back to the hotel to checkout and drive for an hour to Lithgow or Bowenfels. Stopped to view The Big Miner's Lamp, you can only see the back of it from the parking lot so wasn't too exciting.

Kept driving to Penrith in (very) far west Sydney, although still heavy traffic somehow. Stopped for lunch in some park then drove on to Parramatta. The motorway was probably supposed to be 110 km/h but was 80 km/h the whole way due to minimal roadworks that weren't actually in progress on the day, so basically like every other roadworks you have to slow down for.

Always have time for a quick stop at the Nike Outlet in Auburn. They have individual queue lines so of course got stuck behind a woman who took like fifteen minutes at the counter, seem to be doing a double and triple check of every item on the receipt and debating the prices. Didn't have many size 13 in the store, so just got one pair of older model Zoom Vomero and some Lunarglide that I can probably wear around at work.

Expected to have quite a bit of spare time but just made it before the 2:45pm start of the NBL game at Sydney Olympic Park. It was the only event for the day, but all of the stupid street parking is one hour which is totally useless. Finally found a spot with a normal ticket machine, almost cost as much as the match tickets.

Just made it to the seats with about ten minutes to spare. The seats were in a corner on the second level, pretty good views actually. Sydney were leading after the first quarter, but just stopped scoring in the last quarter and lost once again.

A much better experience than watching a game in Melbourne, not as loud, less annoying music, no kids with clappers or thunder sticks.

Stopped at a burger place in Parramatta, also ordered the potato scallops, Jason had never heard the term before.

Had good quality wifi for once and was able to watch Match Of The Day on the laptop!