Meandering in behind Martin Place, although I am early and the lanes have recently been hosed, the aroma of fine-roasted flat-white already floats toward me. Yes, please. And poached eggs on multi-grain.
Ah, Julie, you take this forty-years expatriate Neutral Bay boy back to my late-teens (considerably more than forty years ago) when Angel Place meant Saturday mornings in insipidly-green soundproofed booths in Palings listening to classical music I was never gonna be able to afford.
And even further back than that to when, as a twelve-year-old, I used to call into all the travel offices in Martin Place and collect free brochures about places I was never gonna get to see (is the mini-arcade access from Martin Place still there?).
And if anyone wanted Paris in those days, there was Rowe Street. Back then I was a pseudo-beatnik, and black sox and pullovers were de rigueur but unavailable from regular clothing stores, but one could find them in Rowe Street, at Considine's, who were specialist retailers for the clergy – kinda strange with us would-be rebels shopping beside priests and ministers. I walked Rowe Street in the late 1980s and it had been destroyed, in my opinion.
For me, Paris-in-Sydney was a set of steps and terraces up from the north end Kent Street near the bridge. Are they still there?
I too have memories of this area, but I was always in a rush to get to or from work at Angus Robertson (part-time job) to pay much attention to details! Love the title of this post - some slightly ironic alliteration happening there!
Re my earlier comment: I found the steps and terraces I mentioned, via Google maps then images – the Agar Steps. And yes, it looks like they're still there. Probably worth squillions these days.
Fig Mince: I did a post on the Agar Steps a number of years ago. Called from memory The Green Door. It is a lovely little area.
As for Rowe Street. What an obscenity! The MLC footprint just obliterated the street. I think there is one little coffee shop there worthy of the old concept. I was there last year. I will see if I can work up an angle that is worthy of what Rowe Street used to be. Early in July perhaps. It will make you sad.
Gemma: Every time I turn around, epithets are being hurled, and that is the one that clobbers me the most. Ironic? Moi? Nah ...
There are bundles of little alleys like this coming off Martin Place, and arched throughways. But you need time to meander, to self-select. I will go during the lunch rush next time to people it up more.
love that first shot especially Julie, and yes poached eggs for me too and the flat white. It would've been a little nippy in Sydney town corridors early today I'm sure....
Nothing better than getting out amongst the aroma of roasting coffee beans. Nice images. The top one is my favourite. Bold, tall, structural lines and height. I think its the geometry that draws me in.
It all looks a bit cleaner and more upmarket to what it did back in the sixties when I had to attend elocution lessons in one of these old buildings in the lanes. AT teachers college I was told my voice was too soft to be a good teacher thus the enforced lessons. I hated them because I had to sing and I can't hold a tune. The lanes used to echo with the sounds of budding opera singers going up and down the scales. I never had a problem with my voice once I got into a real classroom.
18 comments:
I'd be a latté-sipping lefty, Julie, but I haven't had coffee since Easter, for the sake of my poor beleaguered stomach. And, oh, how I loved coffee. One of my doctors even wants me to give up eggs.
Sigh.
The second photo made me think of Paris.
K
Love these alleys.
I agree with Kay, 2nd photo reminded me of Paris too.
I have to get out on foot more in and around our city.
Ah, Julie, you take this forty-years expatriate Neutral Bay boy back to my late-teens (considerably more than forty years ago) when Angel Place meant Saturday mornings in insipidly-green soundproofed booths in Palings listening to classical music I was never gonna be able to afford.
And even further back than that to when, as a twelve-year-old, I used to call into all the travel offices in Martin Place and collect free brochures about places I was never gonna get to see (is the mini-arcade access from Martin Place still there?).
And if anyone wanted Paris in those days, there was Rowe Street. Back then I was a pseudo-beatnik, and black sox and pullovers were de rigueur but unavailable from regular clothing stores, but one could find them in Rowe Street, at Considine's, who were specialist retailers for the clergy – kinda strange with us would-be rebels shopping beside priests and ministers. I walked Rowe Street in the late 1980s and it had been destroyed, in my opinion.
For me, Paris-in-Sydney was a set of steps and terraces up from the north end Kent Street near the bridge. Are they still there?
I too have memories of this area, but I was always in a rush to get to or from work at Angus Robertson (part-time job) to pay much attention to details!
Love the title of this post - some slightly ironic alliteration happening there!
Re my earlier comment: I found the steps and terraces I mentioned, via Google maps then images – the Agar Steps. And yes, it looks like they're still there. Probably worth squillions these days.
Fig Mince: I did a post on the Agar Steps a number of years ago. Called from memory The Green Door. It is a lovely little area.
As for Rowe Street. What an obscenity! The MLC footprint just obliterated the street. I think there is one little coffee shop there worthy of the old concept. I was there last year. I will see if I can work up an angle that is worthy of what Rowe Street used to be. Early in July perhaps. It will make you sad.
Gemma: Every time I turn around, epithets are being hurled, and that is the one that clobbers me the most. Ironic? Moi? Nah ...
There are bundles of little alleys like this coming off Martin Place, and arched throughways. But you need time to meander, to self-select. I will go during the lunch rush next time to people it up more.
The truth is I hardly know this side of Sydney. The meander around and just hang out side. I love the smell of coffee brewing.
I like the way you love your city.
love that first shot especially Julie, and yes poached eggs for me too and the flat white. It would've been a little nippy in Sydney town corridors early today I'm sure....
Nothing better than getting out amongst the aroma of roasting coffee beans. Nice images. The top one is my favourite. Bold, tall, structural lines and height. I think its the geometry that draws me in.
It all looks a bit cleaner and more upmarket to what it did back in the sixties when I had to attend elocution lessons in one of these old buildings in the lanes. AT teachers college I was told my voice was too soft to be a good teacher thus the enforced lessons. I hated them because I had to sing and I can't hold a tune. The lanes used to echo with the sounds of budding opera singers going up and down the scales. I never had a problem with my voice once I got into a real classroom.
ah, what a rich sensory experience you give us. thank you.
I love this lane but always forget where it is. I only ever find it by accident.
THAT is the best way to find lanes!
Hahahahaha
Great title!
I like it when these old lanes and alleys are brought back to life like this.
I like this style, but I am not fully convinced that one has to fill an alley with graffiti to bring it back to life.
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