Monday 20 April 2009

Lavender Bay (1)


On the wall of my father's nursing home is a photograph - dated 1910 - of Lavender Bay showing boating sheds and gentlemen's baths. He asked if I knew where LB was: thirty minutes later, much to his delight, we were there.

Lavender Bay is named after George Lavender who was boatswain on the convict hulk, The Phoenix, which was moored here from 1825 to 1837 as a prison ship. This bay joins Milson's Point (the northern pylon of the Bridge) and Blue's Point. Lavender married one of Billy Blue's daughters - Susannah. Billy Blue was a Jamaican convict and ferryman after whom Blues Point was named. Clark Park teems with the eponymous flower.

Even the shoreline has changed since this photograph was taken some time prior to 1875, looking from the tip of Milson's Point into Lavender Bay with the Anglican Christ Church (established 1868) perched part-way up the rise.

14 comments:

brattcat said...

That's such a beautiful shot, Julie. And I love to hear of your outings with your father.

Lowell said...

Beautiful shot of a beautiful place...Thanks, too, for the antique photo...how things change.

Mo said...

Lovely Lavender

Jim said...

I think it's great that there is actually some lavender growing at Lavender Bay.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Sarah Lulu said...

Ohhh that is SUCH a glorious photo with the bridge in the background!

FSS said...

Wow! What a great shot! I can almost smell the lavender!

stromsjo said...

Again, well composed.

I don't believe there will be many antique photos from our time a hundred years from now. The concept of digital archiving remains to be invented.

Hilary said...

Your posts have such heart Julie - like 'French Sydneyside' I can almost smell the lavendar.

Joan Elizabeth said...

How funny, lavender at lavender bay. That is certainly a lovely part of the city, I used to like walking around there.

Unknown said...

I think it's allways so interesting to compare what places look like now with old pictures, although many times it can be quite shocking...
Lovely lavander shot!

Unknown said...

I think it's allways so interesting to compare what places look like now with old pictures, although many times it can be quite shocking...
Lovely lavander shot!

Stefan Jansson said...

It's really great to read about you and your dad, and seeing the old and new photos.

Stefan Jansson said...

It's really great to read about you and your dad, and seeing the old and new photos.

Lois said...

What a lovely name for such a beautiful place!