Wednesday 8 September 2010

H is for History


As the wheels clicketty-clack down the iron track, the child in us all is freed. Our legs, no longer rooted to the here-and-now, swing freely in mid-air. Our head, lolling out the window, breathes in the cinders and the gush of passing air. We permit our mind to indulge in whimsy. A shy grin spreads across our face, until our face muscles ache with joy, and we shrug our shoulders in childish embarrassment. We have released our better self to the imagination of the past.


This week is History Week – a chance for me to indulge a passion that is obvious to you, dear reader. The theme for 2010 is ‘Faces in the Street’ (note there is only one ‘e’). This is borrowed from the eponymous Henry Lawson poem which starts
They lie, the men who tell us for reasons of their own
That want is here a stranger, and misery’s unknown,
For where the nearest suburb and the city properly meet
My window-sill is level with the faces in the street –


It is not a light-hearted poem, but is indicative of Lawson’s bitter-sweet life and his socialist leanings. State Records of NSW has produced a reading of the poem on YouTube, read (poorly in my opinion) to the back-drop of images of Sydney’s back-lanes and Alley-ways. The photographs are engrossing.


The steam train day down to the Thirlmere Railway Museum, was courtesy of Historic Houses Trust where our busload of oldies was hosted by some of the most gracious volunteers it has ever been my pleasure to have met! We were dined (and wined) and chatted to. Helped downstairs and over rails, and finally piled into carriages with hordes of young families for a trip down the memory lane of childhood.


A member of the ABC Wednesday community.

32 comments:

Dave-CostaRicaDailyPhoto.com said...

Great railroad series.

We have photos of Sydney posted this week on our VivalaVoyage.com travel photo site. We loved our visit to your city a couple of years ago.

Francisca said...

Fabulous again, Julie. You bring the history alive.

Gigi Ann said...

What a great post for H day. History was not one of my favorite subjects in school, but you make it fun.

Carver said...

Fantastic post for H. I love the shots of the trains and the text.

Cheryl said...

The photos just about jump off the page. Such bright and happy colors. It's obvious you love history. This post fairly sings like the train along its tracks.

Joan Elizabeth said...

What I like about this post Julie is that the photographs all show involvement with the activity ... they are not static shots of the train but more about the experience.

David R. Reid said...

Nothing says history like a steam train!

Hildred said...

Marvelous photos Julie - you bring the past alive with your wonderful pictures and text.

Dimple said...

History is a very big H! I like the bit of it you chose to share!

Tumblewords: said...

I love the history you show here - superb!

Jim said...

These shots are awesome. I've got a workmate who is a regular visitor to Thirlmere and bangs on about how great the museum is. After seeing your photos, I want to go now.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

photowannabe said...

Everyone seems to love a train and your pictures certainly depict the history of it. Great color. I like the kids looking out the train windows.

Bruce Caspersonn said...

Great photos and text of a great place, very well done, love it.

Peter said...

The good old days - give me the new Continuously Welded Rail anyday - no more clickedly clack. Brilliant photos!

Verns said...

the good old days remains... stories sorich to tell.. lovely captures..

Hope you can drop by
My ABC Wednesday post here

Bill said...

Great shots Julie. Love the compositions.

Leslie: said...

Wonderful post and loved your photos of the old steam trains.

dianasfaria.com said...

I love how you write.
& your top photo is wonderful!

Wanda said...

That is a wonderful array of trains and history.

lewi14@gmail.com said...

Wow. Wonderful photos. What a great event.

Limarea said...

Fantastic photos! Beautiful old train :)

Rune Eide said...

As the son of a railway man, I would have loved to take that trip!

A very interesting series.

Reader Wil said...

What an interesting piece of history. These trains are still really magnificent! Once we made a trip in Wales in such a train during one of our holidays in the UK.As a child I remember that I was always excited to ride on the train in Java.
Thank you Julie for your visit. Yes, it was wonderful to have the family overhere.Next year I hope to go to Australia.

Roger Owen Green said...

very vivid photos and an interesting history
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

I think I can I think I can.

My nephews went to this train place in Queensland, and love it.

Wendy said...

This wonderful post reminds me of the "age of the trains." I was just talking about this yesterday and saying how much I love trains and all their history and how important they are to all cultures. Wonderful photos and post :)

Unknown said...

Your post helped me hear the sound of the trains in the night when I was a kid. Thank you for a great contribution to H Wednesday. I too love history and once upon a time taught it.
Helen Mac
ABC team

EG CameraGirl said...

What is is about trains that make them seem so appealing? I see trains nearly every day and so far I have never tired of them - even it they make me wait in a line of cars before I can cross the tracks.

Gel said...

Informative, well-written, and interesting! Sharp photos enhanced my virtual experience.

-gel
Http://SoulCrayons.typepad.com
my blog is not at my google acccount)

Dianne said...

I love the poem
suitable for our times

I enjoyed all the photos
I find the shots with people in them especially poignant
you have a wonderful eye for capturing real people

Gayle said...

What fun to be able to take a ride in one of those trains!

SKIZO said...

Thank you for sharing
This fabulous work with us
Good creations