Weathervane and chimney at sunset

At The Grounds Alexandria

The Grounds Alexandria

Inside 'The Grounds' at Alexandria, funky relaxing coffee shop and more.

Sydney's best park?

An Australia Day scene in Hyde Park.

Australian faces

On Australia Day on my way to the Domain here were some proud young Australians at the Archibald Fountain.

Concert in The Domain

Every year on Australia Day there is a public concert in the people's park - The Domain. A beautiful balmy evening, a friendly crowd and as usual the 1812 Overture to finish the program. A fitting end to a beaut Straya Day. Also nice to see we also have a new Australian citizen amongst the many - Mirian Margolyes. Welcome.

Here is the program: ROSSINI: Overture to La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)

BEETHOVEN: Symphony No.9 in D minor, Op.125 (Choral): Mvt.2, Scherzo

PURCELL: March & Canzona for the Funeral of Queen Mary, Z.860: Mvt 1, March

BACH: Concerto in C minor for oboe, violin and strings, BWV1060: Mvts. II & III Adagio & Allegro

ROSSINI: William Tell:Overture

[interval]

SHOSTAKOVICH: Suite for variety orchestra: Mvt 7, Waltz No.2

BARTÓK: Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta: Mvt.3, Adagio

KHACHATURIAN: Suite No.1 from Gayane: Mvt. 7, Gayane's Adagio ELGAR: Pomp and Circumstance – March No.4 in G

TCHAIKOVSKY: 1812 – Festival Overture, Op.49

Australia Day 2013

What better way to start the day, a swim at the beach. The boat crew were out early. Our national day and a long weekend,how good is that, here is the link to Official site: Australia Day

Old Bedford Truck

Outside The Grounds at Alexandria.

Beach Cricket Rules

Australia Day coming up this weekend and here is a true Australian scene - beach cricket on Clareville Beach. Some suggested rules: 1. ball hit in the water = 6 runs and you are out. 2. one handed catch after one bounce and you are out 3. tip and run ... of course 4. can be bowled out first ball 5. no LBW! Further suggestions welcome

Ferry Wheelhouse

Inside the wheelhouse of the Lady Northcott, at Taronga Zoo wharf

The oldest ferry in Sydney

Built in 1974 this lady is still sailing. Berthed here at Balmain shipyard.

Sea Eagle on Pittwater

A Manly Sea Eagle

Boat slips in Pittwater

Sydney's Hottest Day Ever

Today was the hottest day in Sydney ever. It broke the 1939 record and was 45.8 degrees Celcius. Tonight there are bushfires raging throughout the state. From my balcony I noticed a glowing horizon at 9.00pm well after sunset. I went down to the beach and saw a fire across the beach from Pittwater.

The news from RFS website said:

Major Fire Updates Watch and Act - Towlers Bay Fire (Pittwater LGA) 18/01/13 20:49 Posted: 18/01/2013 A fire is burning in the Ku-ring-gai National Park in the Pittwater area. Current Information Firefighters are working to contain the fire which is burning on West Head within the Ku-ring-gai National Park. Remote properties, accessible only by water, in areas including Lovett, Morning and Elvina Bays may experience smoke and embers. Crews are in place to protect properties in these areas. Full marks to those men and women volunteers fighting fires in this heat.

Clareville Beach

A couple rowing ashore at Clareville

Pittwater reflection

Low tide, cute boatshed

Sailing on Pittwater

Slightly jealous? Looking due north from Stokes Point toward Lion Island.

Sydney's best beach?

Balmoral Beach on a sunny Saturday.

Wangi Barbershop and Beardery

Up on the shores of Lake Maquarie is this fine establishment.

"The barber man was small and flash, as barbers mostly are, He wore a strike-your-fancy sash, he smoked a huge cigar; He was a humorist of note and keen at repartee, He laid the odds and kept a "tote", whatever that may be ..." A.B 'Banjo' Patterson from The Man from Ironbark

James Bond 007 Car Boat Sub

... and away I go!

Boat Car

Is this a boat-car, stay tuned to see if it works.

Pittwater boat ramp

This handy boat slip allows you to slide your tinnie into Pittwater at Lucinda Park.

Lucinda Park Palm Beach

Named after a famous event that occurred here. The boat Lucinda hosted an important meeting that preceded the Federation of Australian States.

Statue in Hyde Park

Captain James Cook looking towards the South Pacific Ocean, and the strange leaning lamp posts.

Free Bill Posters

The never-ending human rights campaign to save an innocent man.

Green Tinge

Taxi reflection Hunter Street

Kings Cross Fountain

The El Alamein fountain, summers day.

Where are the strong?

and, "Who are the trusted?" ... Art in a Kings Cross back alley window. "Essentially, we are on our own. That our safety and prosperity can only be guaranteed by our engagement with the rest of the world, by our energy, our ingenuity, our self-respect, our confidence in ourselves and our charity." PJK 2002

What does it all mean?

The answer is here somewhere; on the Kings Cross Graffiti chalkboard.

Bird on a wire

A seagull caught by mistaken, trying to be freed.

The old man and the sea

This guy was wetting a line on Palm Beach wharf, next to the sign that says no fishing.

Hyde Park Street Crossing

The road that divides Hyde Park.