Lion Island from Barrenjoey Lighthouse

Fox-free fairy penguin home island in the mouth of the mighty Hawkesbury River

Barrenjoey Lighthouse details

Looks like a castle with gun slits

PMG Roll of honour

In Martin Place in the old Post Master General's building is this Roll of Honour. One page at a time showing a name of a solider killed in World War 1.

Salvation Army Band in Sydney

In Martin Place on Christmas Eve.

Happy Christmas from Sydney

Greetings from Martin Place

Christmas Window Sydney

David Jones does some nice Christmas windows from the start of December

Christmas Tree Martin Place

Happy Christmas to all!

Number 1 Martin Place Sydney

The Westin Hotel

Sydney florist Martin Place

The florist has been overwhelmed this week

A picture of grief

Sad people

Christmas antlers

Girls selling these outside the Town Hall.

Martin Place flowers

Martin Place has become the focal point for grief following Monday's siege. The flowers continue to grow and it is heart wrenching to watch as crying people queue to lay their flowers. Office workers, pensioners, and young families all in line. There is also a tent with condolence books with people queing yesterday to write lengthy messages to the families of Tori Johnson and Katrina Dawson, the two people killed. Click here for a story on Tori.

Norfolk Island Pines in Sydney

These trees are native to an island 1600km from Sydney. In 1788 they were planted in the hope of the timber being used for masts. Sadly not suitable. But they were planted all over Sydney anyway. Popular on the beaches. And I took this yesterday as there were two boys at the top, but you cannot see them in this photo,

Aftermath

In Martin Place this morning signs and flowers for the persons killed in Monday's siege.

Sydney Siege Day

Yesterday was a strange and terrible day in Sydney. The siege was nearby and our building was in lockdown. Sirens went non-stop for over an hour and rumours were flying. Things like there was a bomb at the Opera House and the Bridge was closed. The Christmas crowds disappeared and shops started closing. No-one could work with that going on. We all left work early. Then to wake up to the terrible news this morning ... two hostages killed.

Darlinghurst gaol

Part of the art complex in the old hanging gaol.

It's raining ...

Watermelon seeds from the roof, in the Galeries Victoria

Roo bar

On a ute parked in my street is this sticker on the front of the bull bar or kangaroo bar. Poor Skippy.

Skull and crossbones building

This small building is in the grounds of the old Darlinghurst Gaol, I noticed the carving above the doorway.

Storm brewing

We have had 7 days of tropical storms, sunshine then storm, here comes another one.

Christmas gift idea for a bad boss

My boss is always telling me to work harder. Now here is the perfect gift.

Next Door Cafe

New cafe opened in Avalon - nice outdoor area. Coffee smooth. No People.

Man having shower

Avalon Beach shower

Beach photographer

A scene at the beach yesterday morning - finally some blue sky after the storms.

A Good Catholic Girl

Sounds a good drop

Christmas tree in Hyde Park

Getting closer!

Beach Shower

Whale Beach has a new shower

Tanning message

Tanning is skin cells in trauma - Sign at Whale Beach

The wrong bus

Here is the popular sightseeing bus for Sydney, except it has Canberra on the side of the bus.

Sunday on the beach

A perfect beach day, the Nippers were out in force.

Food truck in Sydney

This lemonade truck was at Avalon Market Day

Sydney information

Outside the Town Hall is where you go for some directions and maps.

Ugliest street in Sydney

I was visiting Melissa St Auburn last week and found that there is a problem with illegal dumping. I challenge you to find an uglier street.

The Boathouse Cafe Palm Beach

As seen from the seaplane jetty

Camel mural

The completed mural from a few days ago

Best jogging place in Sydney

Morning sunrise on a fine spring day

Seaplane flights Palm Beach to Rose Bay

A bit windy today, maybe tomorrow

Sydney cafe with water view

My favourite cafe on a Sunday morning - Th eBoathouse, part owned by Andrew Robb Federal Minister.

New mural

Sad to see the fairy wall gone, not sure the connection of Avalon Beach with camels but we do have a lot of sand.

Back street massage

A strange place for Reiki

Avalon Market Day 2014

The crowds keep getting bigger on market day each year.

Old dog being held

Cool dude and dog at Avalon Market Day

Town Hall Jacaranda

Blooms at the Town Hall.

Glenlee House

On the tracks at Glenlee looking at the impressive colonial houses left in this area about 56km to the south west of Sydney. Glenlee House was built by magistrate William Howe in 1824. It was purchased by the Macarthur Development Board in 1978 who restored it. William Howe was born in Scotland, In 1813 he joined the 1st Royal Scots Regiment as an ensign and took part in the Napoleonic wars. He left the army in 1815 and in July 1816 arrived in New South Wales as a free settler with his wife an four children. In January 1818 Lachlan Macquarie granted Howe 3000 acres which he named Glenlee.