Sydney - Australia

Convict Built

2012-02-02T00:01:00.001+11:00

This is a fuller shot of the detail from last week.
Well Done to Julie in identifying the Powder Magazine on Goat Island.
One terrible story was that a convict,Charles Anderson, was chained to a rock near here for two years. Other prisoners were forbidden to talk to him, but managed to throw him some scraps of food.
The walls in this magazine are so thick the temperature inside remains steady, whatever the season.

Fairy Penguin

2012-02-01T00:07:00.002+11:00

This one is in a zoo, although they are found in the wild in Sydney. There is a colony at Manly and one on Lion Island, I even saw one in the surf at Avalon Beach.

Part of the City Daily Photo theme day: Animals.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

A simple grave

2012-01-31T00:01:00.003+11:00

In Arlington, Virginia.

On June 8, 1968, Robert Kennedy was buried alongside his brother. Because of a delay, the funeral service had to be postponed until late at night, so 1500 candles were distributed to the mourners. This is the only time a funeral service has taken place at night at Arlington National Cemetery.

Part of Taphophile Tragic's to view the others click here.

People at the Sydney Opera House

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000+11:00

Popular spot for runners.

Popular spot for photographers.

Avalon Pool Morning

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000+11:00

A swimmer taking an early morning swim even though it is rough.

Colour or B&W, which do you prefer?

Phone Boxes

2012-01-28T00:03:00.002+11:00

Twin phone boxes on The Corso at Manly. When did you last use a payphone?
Death of the payphone began here:'On April 3, 1973 Motorola manager Martin Cooper placed a cellular phone call (in front of reporters) to Dr. Joel S. Engel, head of research at AT&T's Bell Labs. This began the era of the handheld cellular mobile phone."

Sorry, yesterday's puzzle will continue next week.

Detail

2012-01-27T10:19:00.003+11:00

The year was 1836 and the Governor of NSW was Richard Bourke. This convict built building is testimony to the skill of these wretches.
"Appalled by the excessive punishments doled out to convicts, Bourke initiated 'The Magistrates Act', which simplified existing regulations and limited the sentence a magistrate could pass to fifty lashes (previously there was no such limit)."
Only 50!
Where is this building in Sydney? Answer tomorrow.

Australia Day

2012-01-26T00:01:00.002+11:00

Outside the Manly Pacific Hotel, raising the Australian flag, next to the New South Wales flag.

Australia Day celebrates the founding of the colony in Sydney Cove, Port Jackson in 1788.

Day in Day out

2012-01-25T00:01:00.000+11:00

A view from the steps.
The new public artwork titled 'Day In, Day Out', created by Australian artist James Angus at the entrance to No 1 Bligh Street.

Original Sydney Burial Site

2012-01-24T00:01:00.001+11:00

The first burials of Europeans after 1788 in Sydney took place near the shore presumably near the hospital in George Street. It is only conjecture but Ruth Park makes a good case for the area shown in the photo.

Looking from Campbell’s Cove.
“Pause a moment and look towards the west. Somewhere here, between Metcalfe Bond and Gloucester Walk is the probable site of Sydney’s first graveyard. This place at the Rocks in all likelihood was Sydney’s first graveyard, where some of the sick of the First Fleet, for whose care Captain Phillip hurried up his portable canvas hospital, found their lonely resting place. Others say that the first dead were buried up close to the ridge, where Harrington Street now is, but it seems unlikely that graves were dug in so rocky and so precipitous a place. Here, in a patch of sandy earth, in this bay so like hundreds of others still around Sydney, a cranny of glistening cutty-grass and sparkling sea, a bay convenient to the hospital and yet some distance from the marine and convict camps - here they surely laid the forty-one exiles, including ten children , who died in the settlement’s first five months.”
Ruth Park

Part of Taphophile Tragic's to view the others click here.

Doodles

2012-01-23T00:01:00.003+11:00

Surf Life saving boat "Doodles' at Bilgola Beach.
Click to see other Mellow Yellow posts.

Store Door

2012-01-22T00:01:00.001+11:00

An old store door in a railway yard. Ring for?

Spash!

2012-01-21T00:01:00.002+11:00

Palm Beach pool. This time of year is humid and hot. There is nothing better than diving into an ocean pool to refresh. This is me entering the water (not taken by me of course)

Caffe Sicilia

2012-01-20T00:01:00.002+11:00

On Crown Street.
Recommended.

Manly Municipal Council Building

2012-01-19T00:01:00.000+11:00

Built in 1937 this council building is at the start of The Corso behind an impressive stand of figs.

Earthly Delights on Crown Street

2012-01-18T00:01:00.001+11:00

A wall mural on Crown St Surry Hills.

Mona Vale Cemetery 2

2012-01-17T00:01:00.004+11:00

This small plaque was attached to a rock on the edge of the cemetery. Some cicada shells attached.

This is part of a new blog project. Julie's Taphophile Tragic's Have a look here.

Parking Gate Pitt Street

2012-01-16T00:01:00.000+11:00

Sacred Ibis

2012-01-15T00:01:00.000+11:00

Almost got him as he dipped his beak, seconds to late.

Palm Beach photographer

2012-01-14T12:01:00.001+11:00

This woman was taking photographs of herself and her friend by jumping off the rocks with a camera in her hands pointed towards themselves. He friend has the camera underwater.

Picasso at the Art Gallery

2012-01-13T00:01:00.003+11:00

Having fun

The front of the Art Gallery was busy on Festival First Night

From the Art Gallery Cafe

The Domain Sydney Festival

2012-01-12T00:01:00.004+11:00

A relaxed crowd waiting in the warm afternoon sun for the music to start.
Finally on comes the awaited star.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is a blind Indigenous Australian musician, who sings in the Yolngu language. He plays the guitar upside down. Recommended listening.

Sydney Festival First Night

2012-01-11T00:01:00.007+11:00

After Hyde Park's exertions we strolled over to the Art Gallery and caught a chic French singer with band.

Picasso exhibition still showing.

Next stop The Domain.

Mona Vale Cemetery

2012-01-10T00:01:00.006+11:00

Original gateposts

Monumental grave with new housing development in background

Located off the busy Mona Vale Road this once tranquil resting place is now surrounded by a new housing development. It is over 90% full and I was surprised to learn that it has over 6000 plots and 1000 wall niches.

"The land was dedicated as the 'Turimetta General Cemetery' on 18 October 1905, as that was the name for the village of Mona Vale at that time. The oldest surviving headstone in the Cemetery is for Percy Johnston who died in 1914 aged two years." (Pittwater Council)

This is part of a new blog project. Julie's Taphophile Tragic's Have a look here.

Frederic Joseph Walker Fountain Hyde Park

2012-01-09T00:01:00.002+11:00

This usually neglected fountain in Hyde Park, the Frederic Joseph Walker Fountain 1961, was getting a workout during the Sydney Festival First Night.
Part of Madge's Weekly Top Shot project.

Sydney Festival First Night

2012-01-08T00:01:00.001+11:00

Last night was the opening night of the Festival of Sydney.
It was a great night to stroll around amongst happy crowds watching entertainment all over the city. I walked through Hyde Park first and caught a DJ on the big bus, people were dancing all around, as you can see young and old. The guy with the dragon tattoo was really groovin'.

Sydney the name!

2012-01-07T00:01:00.002+11:00

Sydney Cove was the name given by Captain Artur Phillip in 1788 to the cove where Circular Quay now is, but the name Sydney stuck for the whole city. The settlement was originally going to be called Albion and appears on some early maps. Lord Sydney was the British Home Secretary and Phillip's boss.

Syd-en-nee is the way you sometimes hear it locally pronounced which is close to its original derivation from St Denis. He was the bloke who converted the Parisians from Paganism to Christianity but lost his head as a result. The word Denis came from the Dionysus, the Greek God for having a good time. So perhaps we were well named after all.

An article in today's Sydney Morning Herald by David Astle asked the question: what do you call a person from Sydney? Usually we are known as Sydneysiders,
here are some other names identified by him and my comment:

Sydneian - already taken (you Sydney Grammar boys)
Sydneyite - too uptight
Sydneyard - sounds like a train station
Cads - too obscure (from the aboriginal name for Sydney Cove - Cadi)
Sydwegians - too hard to say
Sydninjas - too hard to spell
Emerald Citizen - appeals to me as my new blog title!
Port Jackaroo - no way bucko
Syd - too short
Syddie - just like Brissie, but coined by Antonio Samaranch when he announced the Sydney Olympics
02s - after our postcode - too numeric
33/151s - our lat and long - too confusing

Weekend reflections

People on the Sydney Opera House steps

2012-01-06T00:01:00.003+11:00

Palm Beach Surf Lifesavers

2012-01-05T00:01:00.001+11:00

Just off the pool there is a rip current which catches many unsuspecting swimmers. It is not too strong today but here are two pair of 'clubbies' who are supposed to be keeping watch. The females at the other end seem to be more alert.

Johnny Carter Palm Beach Legend

2012-01-04T00:01:00.006+11:00

Johnny Carter is an Aussie legend, just like Crocodile Dundee or Ned Kelly. Seen here in his black 'Budgie Smugglers' teaching another generation to swim at the ocean pool at Palm Beach. I have been swimming every morning since summer arrived a week ago to do a few easy laps in the 50m pool. The water temperature is 23 degrees Celsius and a morning swim is the best way to start the day I know.

Carter, aged over 80, has been here for over 50 years teaching children to swim, a brass plaque attests to his dedication. There are several "3-generation" Johnny Carter swimming families here. He starts swimming classes at 7am and finishes around 2 pm He charges $10 a week or whatever you can afford. His daughter Robey is often seen helping as he yells 'stroke correction' at the youngsters.

He started here Carter back in 1947, when he worked as a beach inspector. When the summer ends he heads north to live in a caravan on the beach. He is not wealthy and many of the people he teaches are fairly well-off Eastern Suburb vacationers.

In 1958 Johnny carried out a famous rescue here. In rough seas two young men were swept off the rocks near the pool. Carter jumped off the rocks, dived in and swam 50m to grab the first man. Then, with him under his arm, he swam out a further 500m to the second. He was nominated for the George Cross, the highest civilian award for courage. Controversially this application was not supported, some say because he was not a member of the elite Palm Beach Surf Club.

The southern end of Palm Beach, the best beach in Sydney!

I almost didn't write this part but sadly he was in the news a few weeks ago in the Manly Daily:
"Manly Court heard today that John “Jack” Carter, 81, had engaged in a serious “act of folly” when police caught him with 200 pairs of sunglasses and accessories on Pittwater Rd, Brookvale in October. The fake designer goods, bearing brand names such as Chanel, Versace and Gucci, were being offered for sale from a white van for between $10 and $25, a fraction of the cost for the genuine articles. The pensioner, who lives alone at Swansea on the Central Coast, told police he made between $50 and $100 a week selling goods, and had done so for many years. Mr Carter today pleaded guilty to 13 counts of possessing goods bearing fake trademarks and his barrister, Chris Branson QC, told the court his client knew it was a serious matter. Magistrate William Brydon said he would not record a conviction against Mr Carter due to his age, good record and contributions to the community."
Still a legend in my book.

Part of Watery Wednesday.

Bush Grave Havilah Anglican Cemetery

2012-01-03T00:01:00.005+11:00

This rough grave is David Hunter White's (1930-1990). It is in the grounds of Havilah Anglican Church. He was one of the famous White's who settled in the Mudgee district in the 1870s. Havilah Station is located near Mudgee, on the central western slopes of New South Wales. The property became famous for breeding merino sheep and later prizewinning cattle.

The church was built by Henry Hunter White in 1905 who gifted it to the Anglican Church.

This is part of a new blog project. Julie's Taphophile Tragic's Have a look here.

Our World posts.

Austinmer Beach Showers

2012-01-02T00:02:00.000+11:00

About two hours drive south of Sydney in the Illawarra is Austinmer Beach.

The Residence Hyde Park

2012-01-01T00:01:00.002+11:00

This used to be the old Police Building on College Street. They kept the frame of the building, then gutted and refitted it to become a swish new apartment building .. 'The Residence'.

Oprah House Danger

2011-12-31T00:01:00.000+11:00

After Oprah's visit I think the Sydney Opera House needed some work.
If they dig deep enough they will find a big pile of oyster shells, there were mountains of them when the First Fleet arrived in 1788.

Department of Agriculture Building

2011-12-30T00:01:00.003+11:00

Department of Agriculture Building, this is the southern end of the Department of Education Building. Designed by Government architect George MacRae. Made of yellow sandstone from quarries in Pyrmont, Ultimo, the Sydney CBD, Paddington, Bondi and Maroubra.
The second stage was built between 1928 and 1930. The palms in the forecourt are Cabbage Tree Palms, native but not original. Great material for the early settlers and convicts who wove the sinewy fronds into straw hats.

Commonwealth War Cemetery Portianos Lemnos Greece

2011-12-29T00:01:00.008+11:00

This cemetery is located on the small beautiful Greek Island of Lemnos in the North-west Aegean, close to the Turkish mainland. In 1915 this island was used as the base for the Gallipoli campaign.
Enclosed by a stone wall, it is immaculately tended by a local farmer. The cemetery was designed by Scottish architect, Sir John Burnet. Inside lie soldiers from UK (261), Australia (50), NZ (29), Newfoundland (3), and Canada (2).

Here is a 'Then and now' not by me but from here.

This is part of a new blog project. Julie's Taphophile Tuesday's Have a look here.

North Bilgola Lookout

2011-12-28T00:01:00.000+11:00

There was a sea mist rolling in yesterday afternoon. I didn't like to intrude on this person's meditation.

Avalon Beach Ocean Pool

2011-12-27T11:10:00.001+11:00

Many beaches are closed today due to big seas, however some hardy souls are swimming in the Avalon Beach ocean pool.

Captain Arthur Phillip

2011-12-26T00:01:00.003+11:00

In 1788, this man, Arthur Phillip, captain of the First Fleet, aged 49 years, raised the flag for England and christened Sydney Cove. His nose, seen in shadow, was described as a 'French philosopher's nose'. The son of a German schoolteacher he rose through the ranks to become a founder of this nation and the first Governor. He was plagued by problems in the early colony and returned to England after 4 years into obscurity. His life unbearable, an invalid, rolled through an upper storey window in his wheelchair to his death.
Here he is placed, hidden from sight on Manly's Corso, in an alcove on an upper floor of a residential development, he is looking South towards the place he was speared by an Aboriginal.

David Jones Silent Night

2011-12-25T00:01:00.002+11:00

Twas the night before ... again outside the David Jones store in the city.
Happy Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a joyous day.

David Jones Table Setting

2011-12-24T00:01:00.001+11:00

Getting ready for Christmas lunch? At our Christmas on the menu is: falafel, sausage rolls, prawns, ham, and pudding.

North Bilgola Lookout

2011-12-23T00:01:00.001+11:00

This is my destination when I go for a morning walk along The Serpentine to North Bilgola Lookout.

Looking south toward Sydney - 35km away.

Looking north to Bangalley Head at Avalon. Note that some lowlife has stolen the brass plate with all the topographic features on it.

Bend and Stretch inside the Royal Botanic Gardens

2011-12-22T00:01:00.002+11:00

Good to have a friend like this.

Wishing Well Fountain Macquarie Street

2011-12-21T00:01:00.001+11:00

Good to see people reading outside at lunch. This'fro headed young man was 'chillaxing' by the fountain.

"The Wishing Well Fountain for the NSW Society for Crippled Children outside the Palace Garden Gate was designed by architect Professor Peter Spooner, 1963. The pool and fountainhead were by Public Works Department NSW in association with Phill & K.V. Taranto Architects, 1988." Royal Botanic Gardens website.

For a beautiful night shot of this fountain click on to this link of a more talented Sydney photographer: Wishing Well Fountain at night.

While sheperds watched their flocks

2011-12-20T00:01:00.003+11:00

The David Jones Christmas display, loved by old and young.
'There's no other store like David Jones" the tune written by Graeme Bond (Aunty Jack) for his old girlfriend, when she left him he used the tune for this advertisement.

Assange, Mawson and Corby

2011-12-19T00:01:00.001+11:00

Three famous Australians who were lined up together on this bookstand.
Who would you like to have a cup of tea with?

Beach Volleyball Manly Beach

2011-12-18T00:01:00.003+11:00

The broad golden sands of Manly Beach, where there are nets set up permanently for volleyball enthusiasts.

Doctor at Large Flying Book

2011-12-17T00:01:00.002+11:00

Revisiting the Galeries Victoria where there are 900 flying books hanging from the ceiling. The Doctor at Large book caught my eye.

The Residence Hyde Park Street Art

2011-12-16T00:01:00.006+11:00

The latest shiny new high rise apartments are on the corner of College and Stanley Streets, opposite Hyde park. This associated sculpture is on that corner. It used to be the old Police Headquarters where Roger Rogerson reigned.

Please enjoy the florid prose from their web site:

"An island of excellence on the leafy oasis ...

a beacon for the future...

vividly alive with the charisma of Sydney's beating heart.

A place in history... a place in time..."

The Arrival

2011-12-15T00:01:00.001+11:00

Book set against the backdrop of a rainy day Sydney and Town Hall.

"The Arrival is a migrant story told as a series of wordless images that might seem to come from a long forgotten time. A man leaves his wife and child in an impoverished town, seeking better prospects in an unknown country on the other side of a vast ocean."

David Jones Christmas Window Display

2011-12-14T00:01:00.001+11:00

Every year the department store, David Jones, has a window display of moving puppets on a Christmas theme. The display is designed by puppeteer David Poulton, he said it took five artists six months to create the mechanical puppet theatre displays and a couple of weeks to install them.

Flying Books

2011-12-13T00:01:00.002+11:00

Inside The Galeries Victoria are these flying books, according to their website: "There are over 900 novels, donated by Random House beneath The Galeries ceiling. This cascading chandelier of novels is our way of celebrating literary genius and you’ll also find quotes from literary legends displayed throughout The Galeries."

No 1 Bligh Street

2011-12-12T00:01:00.001+11:00

Sydney's newest skyscraper, very environmentally friendly I'm told.

Located at the corner of Bent and O'Connell Streets at the top of the broad curving steps of 1 Bligh's entrance is a new public artwork titled 'Day In, Day Out', created by Australian artist James Angus.

'The sculpture is a complex network of three-dimensional ellipsoidal surfaces drawn from shapes expressed in the design of the building. The form is enhanced by a brightly painted colour scheme which traces the underlying geometry.'

I think that means its funky. Any thoughts?

Turbulence

2011-12-11T00:09:00.001+11:00

In summer, when it arrives, kids like to jump into this wash created by the ferry.

Reflection on War

2011-12-10T00:04:00.003+11:00

This is a puddle reflection (flipped) of The Offerings of War from outside the NSW Art Gallery, on a cold, wet December day. The coldest start to summer in 50 years.

Said puddle.

See other Weekend Reflections

Detail from Offerings of Peace

2011-12-09T00:01:00.001+11:00

Cast in 1926 this statue is outside the NSW Art Gallery.
Peace offers the Arts and Plenty.
These are represented by Greek comic and tragic masks as shown here.

Picasso at the Art Gallery

2011-12-08T00:01:00.001+11:00

The latest exhibition at the NSW Art Gallery, has anyone seen it?

Tranquil Lake

2011-12-07T00:06:00.002+11:00

Lake Macquarie from Wangi Wangi.

Australian Christmas Tree

2011-12-06T00:43:00.002+11:00

This Banksia is named after Sir Joseph Banks, botanist on Captain Cook's ship Endeavour in 1770. It even has its own Christmas decorations.

Manly Ferry approaches

2011-12-05T00:02:00.001+11:00

Nothing beats catching a ferry to work on a warm summer day. I am usually bad at waiting but for some reason don't mind waiting for the ferry.

Pelican + Man

2011-12-04T00:03:00.000+11:00

Narrabeen Lake a popular fishing spot for man and bird. What happens when he catches a fish?

Nautilus Shell Sculpture Manly Wharf

2011-12-03T00:00:00.002+11:00

This sculpture at Manly Wharf has an unfortunate nickname.

It features a 7 metre nautilus shell with 32 mist nozzles creating clouds of cooling water. At night, the mist is lit from the nozzles by fibre optics in a ring of blue neon light. Designed by Urban Art Projects and installed in 2000 it is cast aluminium.

Waiting for the Manly Ferry

2011-12-02T00:10:00.000+11:00

“Seven miles from Sydney and a thousand miles from care”.

Get fit

2011-12-01T00:06:00.000+11:00

Resting between situps, phew!

Steyne Reflection

2011-11-30T01:52:00.000+11:00

Reflection of the esplanade at Manly, tres popular.

Hotel Steyne

2011-11-29T00:01:00.000+11:00

Ideal location for a pub, now owned by Gerry Harvey and John Singleton, I like the redone 'old' posters. Pure Blonde is a relatively recent beer.

Ocean Beach Tea Rooms

2011-11-28T01:47:00.001+11:00

On the corner of The Corso at Manly Beach, shame it is not still serving tea and scones. Although coffee has taken over the mantle as the drink of choice for Australians.

Ambo on Esplanade

2011-11-27T01:44:00.001+11:00

This ambulance crew were enjoying their morning coffee at Manly, they were interrupted soon after and had to deploy, sirens hee-hawing, woo-wooing or is it blaring?

What sounds do your sirens make?

Three Cops

2011-11-26T00:08:00.002+11:00

Looking over a Remembrance Day crowd in Martin Place were these smart policemen.
The NSW Police Force is one of the largest police organisations in the English speaking world. Known as the Night Watch, it began as the first civilian police force in Australia, formed by Governor Arthur Phillip in 1789. In 1862 all Watch Teams were combined to form the NSW Police Force. A few years back their name changed to NSW Police Service,recently their name has reverted to back to the POLICE FORCE!

Two Men Little Manly

2011-11-25T00:01:00.003+11:00

Waiting on the wharf at Little Manly Beach. This harbour beach has a shark net.

Water on The Corso

2011-11-24T00:05:00.001+11:00

Fill up your water bottles here. A great idea for all those who are attached to their plastic water bottle.

This was taken on a recent visit to Manly Beach.
I reckon it is a better beach than its rival across the harbour, Bondi Beach.
Because:
- you can arrive by ferry
- the relaxing walk along The Corso from the ferry to the beach
- the Norfolk Island Pines
- the Steyne Hotel

Flower Stall Martin Place

2011-11-23T00:57:00.000+11:00

Right near the Cenotaph these Flower people are setting up for the day.

Dancers at Market Day

2011-11-22T00:50:00.000+11:00

Bright dancing girls at Avalon Market Day.

Cool Scooter

2011-11-21T00:11:00.001+11:00

This ancient vespa was parked near to the action at the Avalon Market Day.
On a hot and humid day, the perfect way to get around.

Sea Fog

2011-11-20T00:02:00.001+11:00

Yesterday was a steamy hot day and then something unusual happened, a sea fog rolled in mid- morning.

Lake Macquarie Sunrise

2011-11-19T00:39:00.000+11:00

Woken up by the kookaburras so I wandered down to the edge of the lake. The largest saltwater lake in Australia.

Fishing time

2011-11-18T00:42:00.002+11:00

Early Morning Lake Macquarie.
Skywatchers

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 11

2011-11-17T00:50:00.004+11:00

View across Pittwater as I finish my walk.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 10

2011-11-16T00:52:00.003+11:00

As I walked back along the beach these boys were heading off across Pittwater, there are some isolated communities there; Coasters Retreat, Mackerel Beach and Lovett's Bay.
Which 2 Aussie legends used to live at Lovett's?

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 9

2011-11-15T00:47:00.000+11:00

On the way back down I met a fellow shutterbug, he had much better gear, even though it was Canon and not Nikon.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 8

2011-11-14T00:02:00.003+11:00

Time to head back down smugglers track past the keepers cottage, no longer occupied.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 7

2011-11-13T00:00:00.005+11:00

Some of the plants around the lighthouse, anyone know what this is?

This is the lonely grave next to the lighthouse. It is the grave of the first keeper George Mulhall, struck by lightning when he went outside to get some firewood. His son, the next keeper was also struck in later years but not fatally.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 6

2011-11-12T00:58:00.000+11:00

Made from local sandstone, this is the third lighthouse on this site. Here is the copper earth to take those lightning strikes to ground. Tomorrow is a sad story about one of those strikes.

View from the top looking South to the ritzy suburb of Palm Beach.

Remembrance Day 2011

2011-11-12T00:51:00.002+11:00

11/11/11
These sailors are selling poppy's for Armistice Day - all proceeds to Legacy - a great cause.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 5

2011-11-11T01:55:00.005+11:00

Here is the lighthouse, completed in 1881, designed by NSW colonial architect James Barnet.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 4

2011-11-10T01:54:00.006+11:00

Here is the view looking south, this shows the sand isthmus, Pittwater to the right and the Pacific Ocean to the left.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 3

2011-11-09T12:49:00.004+11:00

Turn off the beach for the start of the track.

This is the view back down to Pittwater.

Now we get a glimpse of the South Pacific Ocean, and the Northern end of Palm Beach, these dunes are popular with runners.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse Walk 2

2011-11-08T00:47:00.002+11:00

Walk along the soft sand, this is the Pittwater side, so just gentle lapping waves, lots of receational activities, sunbathers, fisherfolk .. and me.

Barrenjoey Lighthouse walk

2011-11-07T01:44:00.001+11:00

Come on a walk to the northern end of Sydney - to the lighthouse,

Back street Art

2011-11-06T00:42:00.001+11:00

Taking a shortcut the other day I came upon this interesting art piece behind Abbey's on York Street, does anyone know what it is?

Melbourne Cup Day

2011-11-05T00:32:00.004+11:00

I love cup day, the vibe is festive all day.

Here is the crowd before the event watching on the big screen in Martin Place.

Here is the crowd after the race, heads down, done their dough.

The Toaster

2011-11-04T02:06:00.000+11:00

A building above the Circular Quay Eastern forecourt. This building is nicknamed 'The Toaster', much hated. It was evident that a great view of the gardens was lost when the original building was demolished and before this was thrown up.

Circular Quay East

2011-11-03T02:04:00.001+11:00

As you stroll from the Quay to the Opera House is a place where there are plenty of distractions. An hour after this photo it was pouring.

Sandstone detail

2011-11-02T00:59:00.000+11:00

The crest on the outside wall of the Governors residence. Tried to get the crest but had no luck, any one know the translation my latin skills are poor. Perhaps Virtue before wine? (google translations not allowed)

Castle on the harbour

2011-11-01T00:02:00.002+11:00

Great views from this place above the Sydney Opera House.

At the racecourse

2011-10-31T16:10:00.002+11:00

Tomorrow is the day a race stops the nation.
The Melbourne Cup means that every workplace will have a sweepstakes,
stop work and watch the big race about 3.00pm.
Good luck to all you punters!

Entrance sign

2011-10-30T01:56:00.000+11:00

The entrance to the Governor's residence. Yes we are still ruled by the crown. Comments?

Green pastures

2011-10-29T00:54:00.000+11:00

Friday Afternoon Sydney. Is there a better place to spend the arvo?

Governor's Residence

2011-10-28T00:02:00.000+11:00

In the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens is this stately mansion. Currently occupied by the Governor of NSW, Marie Bashir.

New Gazebo

2011-10-27T00:46:00.001+11:00

This is a new building in the gardens, is it a gazebo, a folly, a shelter; what do you call these things?