Thursday 5 January 2012

The French call this 'patrimoine'


I think 'patrimoine' is heritage: that which we inherit from our ancestprs, are custodians of for a while, and then hand it down to our descendents. Here in Sydney our patrimoine includes the bridge, the opera house, and the harbour.

Much of our harbour foreshore is either military land, or national park. However, there is a fair bit that is residential. Until recently, most of South Head was off limits. Some still is because there is a naval base there. North Head is part of a national park.


On New Year's Day, I walked around South Head. From Camp Cove, I joined up with the South Head Heritage Trail. A stunning walk, on a gorgeous day. The house here was the residence of the light-house keeper of the Hornby Light, erected after the 'Dunbar' shipwreck in 1857. There are a number of old fortifications from our need to defend ourselves from marauders way down here at the arse-end of the world: the French, and the Russians primarily. The view from North Head is even more stunning, in my opinion.

8 comments:

Kate said...

If your photos are any indication, it must be a stunning location. The last photo gives a fine image of a craggy shore. What fun your walk must have been!

Kay L. Davies said...

I could look at these views all day, Julie. Just lovely. Dick wants to visit Australia, and I grumble about the pain of getting there, but I'm beginning to think he's right. I just have to find a cruise ship to take me and he can fly over to meet me. I'll fly home with him, then sleep for a month.
Love your photos of Alannah. She's in good hands!
K

Jo said...

great coverage of the area, and my favourite is the last one.. i too enjoyed the North Head walk, with its totally different view of the harbour and more bush too.

Jim said...

So many good shots. You certainly have beautiful views on this walk.

Carola said...

Beautiful shots. What a wonderful walk.

Joan Elizabeth said...

I have not done much around South Head .. in fact I didn't know about the existence of the red and while light house until I saw it on Jo's blog recently. My favourite is the top shot. I always love coming over a rise and getting a glimpse of the harbour when sailing boats are out and about ... it is so wonderfully Sydney.

Kevin said...

The South Head Heritage Trail looks like a fabulous walk.

TheChieftess said...

Love the lighthouse shots!!! You live in a beautiful city/country!!!