Roman Ruins in Sydney?

No not really but it looks a bit like one. This is Paddington Reservoir a tranquil oasis not far from busy Oxford Street. A great sun trap to eat your lunch on a winter's day. Here's what the City of Sydney say about this beaut spot.

The City of Sydney's magnificent restoration of Paddington Reservoir Gardens was officially opened by Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP on Sunday 29 March 2009.

Designed by the City Engineer, Edward Bell, the Paddington Reservoir was built between 1866 and 1878 and was a key element in Sydney’s early water supply.

The reservoir served Sydney well until it was finally decommissioned in 1899. It then became a garage and workshop for the Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board, and later a service station, until it was acquired by the Paddington Municipal Council for much-needed open space. Then from 1934, the lower level was leased as a commercial garage. And that was how it remained until 1991, when sections of the roof collapsed and the reserve was closed to the public.

Henry Lawson went on holiday

This is a response to Julie, who does a great Sydney Blog, her photos are always fabulous as are her stories, you can find her blog here at Sydney-eye

Yesterday she did a great blog on Henry Lawson - an iconic Australian writer. Well Henry's statue went on holiday in September 2007 and was replaced by a statue of a Maori bouncer, here is a shot taken on my phone camera.



and here is an extract from of Henry Lawson's 'Faces in the Street' in homage to all those early morning commuters:

In hours before the dawning dims the starlight in the sky
The wan and weary faces first begin to trickle by,
Increasing as the moments hurry on with morning feet,
Till like a pallid river flow the faces in the street
Flowing in, flowing in, To the beat of hurried feet
Ah! I sorrow for the owners of those faces in the street.

Sandstone Carving Art Gallery Rd

This is carved into a post at the St Mary's Cathedral end of Art Gallery Rd. I love the honey colour of Sydney sandstone - it gives many of our buildings a real warmth. I am unsure of the significance of the actual carving, the numbers 1 and 8 perhaps signify 1888? Any other ideas appreciated.

Autumn Light

There is something special about the autumn light, this block of apartments caught my eye, again up the Cross (it is on my lunchtime walk)on my way down to Woolloomooloo Bay through the gardens and back to work.

Old Red Post Box

Not too many of these left, in fact I can't think of any others. As you can see it was taken with the El Alamein fountain in the background.

Industrial Strength Justice

The front corner of the Industrial Relations Commission, corner Bridge and Macquarie Streets. It is a beautiful old court where the premier industrial cases are heard.

ANZAC DAY

Beach Burial

Softly and humbly to the Gulf of Arabs
The convoys of dead sailors come;
At night they sway and wander in the waters far under,
But morning rolls them in the foam.

Part of a poem by Kenneth Slessor

Indian Head

A beautiful autumn morning at Avalon Beach, the water is still warm and I love this light at sunrise.

Almost Once

Brett Whiteley’s “Almost Once” sculpture. Thse two massive match sticks, one fresh and unused, the other used and charred. Brett Whiteley, a talented Sydney artist, 7 April 1939 – 15 June 1992.

Police Memorial

In the Royal Botanic Gardens there is a memorial to NSW Police who have been killed in the course of duty. Sadly there is plenty of space left as well as multiple other walls adjacent. It spans 1862 to 1998, it was erected in 1999.
The first is: 16 Jun 1862 Const William Havilland - accidentally shot whilst on a gold escort.

Kings Cross Footpath

A message on the footpath of Kings Cross, just across from the El Alamein fountain. It is a nice summary of Kings Cross - Art Deco, Cosmopolitian and still a refuge for many.

Darling Harbour

I caught the ferry from Circular Quay around to Darling Harbour - what a beautiful journey at sunset. This shot did not work as intended but is one I kept. I am unsure of the name of the vessel.

Pool Cafe

Down by the shores of Woolloomooloo Bay, in the Royal Botanic Gardens, there is a nicely sited cafe which is part of the 'Boy' Charlton Pool.

St Vincents College

St Vincent's College was opened in 1858 and is one of the oldest Catholic day and boarding schools for girls in Australia.

Flannel Flower

Actinotus helianthi ... these flowers grow in the bush near me and I was heartened to read last weekend that someone is growing a variety to grow in your garden. I've tried and failed - they like poor soil with perfect drainage.

Archibald fountain

The Archibald fountain, situated on the crossroads of Hyde Park. The central column depicts Apollo holding out his right arm as a sign of protection over all nature. In the foreground Theseus is slaying a Minotaur, representing the sacrifice for the good of humanity.

Gum Tree gum

This is probably why they are known as gum trees - this is Eucalyptus Maculata - a spotted gum - it is one of the gume that koalas like, although not too many koalas are left in Sydney. The wood of this gum is very wavy and tough - it is used for flooring and axe handles.

The Cortile - Intercontinental Hotel Sydney

This is the inside of the NSW Treasury where they used to store all of the gold from the goldrush days of Sydney. Gold was first discovered discovered in 1851 in NSW and was the start of the rush from all over the world. This building is now a hotel and a pleasant place for a coffee.

Commercial Travellers - MLC center

This, believe it or not is a hotel especially for Commercial Travellers - very quirky and right in the centre of Sydney, in Martin Place.

Garbage rider

Doing a great job. The garbagemen ride on the back of their trucks - haven't heard of any falling off - although they probably don't tell you.

Government House

This is where the Governors of New South Wales live, it has magnificent views over the Opera House. The current Governor is Marie Bashir, the first woman in the post.

Sydney Hospital Sign

In front of an historic building they go and put a sign like this. I find it a bit jarring.

Flags above Centrepoint

The Australian flag on top and the flag of our state (New South Wales) in the middle. These are outside the old Lands Department building - another beautiful Sydney sandstone building.

Australian Museum

This is the Australian Museum - the premier museum for natural history in Australia. They have a giant whale skeleton hanging above you as you walk in the door - Amazing. A few years ago some of the staff were caught taking home exhibits and selling them, when the police raided one home his house was full and he had even had a fully stuffed lion there.

ANZAC Memorial

Another shot of my favourite Sydney building, the memorial on my way to work always looks good with the pink granite.

Customs House Sydney Model

Again inside Customs House there is a model of Sydney which you can walk on top of.

Monument, Centrepoint

Can you guess who was killed here? Australia claims him as one of our own.

Zig Zag Railway Loco

A bit out of Sydney but technically still in the Sydney Basin. The zig zag railway is a magnificent feat of engineering which cut into the sandstone cliffs to allow the railway to breakout of the Sydney basin. It is still operating as an historical society and is in the Blue Mountains.

Aboriginal Language

In the Royal Botanic Gardens all along the footpath edge there are words which were recorded in the early days of the settlement in Sydney and their meanings. As you can see we also have problems with litter.

St Marys Cathedral

Hyde Park Barracks

Hyde park barracks looking through the gate.