So, you think you're an icon. Big deal!

Taken from the pedestrian bridge across the Waringah Expressway, which is really an extension of Ridge Street, North Sydney, this view keeps the ego of both the Opera House and the Harbour Bridge in check.

I will add more info during the day as I stumble upon it.

A large amount of residential and commercial property, half a golf course, and a cemetery were resumed by the government to build this expressway.



the above page is one of ten pages that can be viewed here

Sipping riesling as the ship pulls away from the shore

If you recall back to Friday, I was taking you on an introductory tour of the new wing of the Museum of Contemporary Art, The Mordant Wing, donated by Simon, a businessman and philantropist. I pointed out the fourth floor sculpture garden where I could see people with something cold in their hand. I promised to take you up to see what THEY could see.


They saw variations upon this. I left about 730pm and the scene was becoming more beautiful as the twilight deepened. The cruise ship was the 'Regetta' which was playing '40s swing as the passengers sipped bubbly on the deck. Then the public address indicated that they were steaming over to Papeete, and out the harbour it went.

Wonderful sight. Just glorious. And my riesling went down well, too.

Wrought Iron today

These are the gates to the Royal Botanic Gardens when entering from the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.

If you recall, last week I went to an exhibition at the foundry of Wrought-Artworks, down at the Australian Technology Park in Eveleigh, the old Railway Loco-workshops. I showed you a video of their work, and in it Guido spoke about their commission to 'renovate' the wrought iron in these gates.


On Sunday, I deliberately entered the Botanic Gardens via this gate, not through the forecourt, but up and over the Tarpeian Way at the rear of Government House. It is a glorious walk. And lo and behold, the workmanship in these gates is a joy! The little red 'engine' is a free service to move visitors around the Botanic Gardens. The water in the final shot is Sydney Harbour, specifically Farm Cove. There can be few better walks in Sydney than from these gates around to Mrs Macquries's Chair at the tip of The Domain.

This is my contribution to the Skywatch Friday Community.

A well-earnt reputation for hedonism

You can see how these two images dovetail. I am still on the bush track running along the ridge beside Little Sirius Cove, on my way (eventually) to the Athol Street Ferry Wharf at the 'bottom' of the zoo. Yes, the day was very grey and hazy. A predicted fierce hail storm never eventuated. By the time I got home, the cloud had parted and blue reigned supreme. Drats!

I spy with my little eye

Most of you will be able to recognise the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House. But how many Sydneysiders will be able to pick out Government House and the Conservatorium of Music.

And from where did I take this photograph? Give up?

From very close to the entrance to the William Street tunnel in Kings Cross.

Winter on the harbour

A long bow, I know, but still officially winter even though by our topsy-turvey reckoning the seasons change next week. We don't go for that solstice muck, but change our seasons by the calendar. I will irritate you northern-hemispherers further by claiming that our weather has been like this for most of August.

View from the zoo

This was taken from the northern shore of the harbour, on the ocean side of the bridge. Not my normal haunt. I was outside the bottom gate of the zoo, on Athol Wharf Road in the suburb of Mosman. The zoo is on very steep ground with a comanding view of the city which I have shown you before.

On Saturday mornings - early - I take a bus (two buses actually) across to Mosman Junction for a two hour group French lesson. This week, instead of simply taking the bus back home again, I decided to walk a couple of kms (2.7 kms according to Google) down past the zoo to the ferry wharf, and come back that way.

The best view of iconic Sydney

Participating in Sunday Bridges.

From the top of the GI observation tower.

Garden Island ceased being an island during WW2 when the navy connected the two bits of land with a massive dry dock. The northern tip of the 'island' was opened to the public in 2005, and is only accessible by a very short ferry trip from Circular Quay on the Watson's Bay route. Ann from Sydney Meanderings and I jaunted over to GI for a reconnoitre last Thursday.

The detail to the left of the first photograph.

On the highest point of the original island, stands the original port of Sydney shipping control tower, the roof of which is now a 360 degree lookout, with the most stupendous views of the city and the harbour.

The detail to the right of the first photograph.

The ship docked in Sydney Cove (beyond the Opera House) is the 'Rhapsody of the Seas'.

Sitting, watching, waiting, hoping

The middle of the day, in the middle of spring.
The temperature hovers around 24C; the breeze a light nor-easter.


Out along Circular Quay, between the ferry wharves and the Opera House, stretches Opera House Walk, bustling with diners at the restaurants and small cafes. Water taxis dock, plying for trade - perhaps a passenger to travel to far flung Watson's Bay.

I watch the people watchers.

My World - Opera Bar

Basking in the warmth of a 19C Sunday afternoon on Sydney Cove, soft rock coming from a live trio, swirling a cab/merlot around the glass, I watch as P&O's 'Pacific Jewel' glides between Bridge and Opera House. I take a sip ... and then another ...


So why the foot?

I have recently contributed to a new site called 'Toemail', which is looking for submissions of toes from identifiable sites around the globe.

Go on - give it a try!


A new member of the My World Tuesday community.

Men!

Vivid opera

Angst here today. folks. To post or not to post.

If Jeremiah was a bullfrog, what did he croak about? If that frog had a blog would he winge? A 'jeremiad' is a complaint, a lamentation, in current parlance, a bitch session.

So ... here goes ...


Vivid is a celebration of light which commenced in June 2009. June is the middle of our winter. It is a bit dull and boring. Hence, something to get the populace out on the streets. I have now experienced three aspects of Vivid 2010. It could just be me, but I did not like any of them particularly. Neither the Macquarie Street holograms, nor the lighting of the Opera House sails, nor 'Fire & Water' were a patch on the 2009 offerings. Technically, I suspect they were more complex and 'better' but they were difficult to watch and appreciate. There was too much visual movement, too much visual complexity and way too much writing. 'Fire & Water' was an embarrassment that may have worked on the drawing board but was a yawn on the harbour.

A waste of money. Please don't use my taxes for more of the same in 2011.

Monochrome Weekend - Keeping an eye on you

A member of the Monochrome Weekend community.

Portobello Caffe, Circular Quay

At the furthest end of Opera House Walk, just before the slight rise to the beginning of the forecourt and before you descend to the noisy decadence of Opera Bar, stands this quaint cafe with views to die for. What is intruiging my poor little head, is its purpose in life before succumbing to being a watering hole for the cappucino crowd.

Hunting through the "Photo Investigator" kept by the State Records of NSW, the following three vintage photos lead me to suppose that this structure was used as a tramway building. Unable to find an image of the structure itself, I post images around CQ that appear to be similar. If you have a conclusion based on this photographic evidence - or other evidence - I would value hearing from you.

Top left: East CQ showing the tram tracks out to Fort Macquarie with similar buildings close to the site Top right: Further along showing Fort Macquarie in 1906 and the French boat "Yarra" at the wharves with similar structures close to the site Bottom: The base of CQ (southern end) showing a collection of tramways ticketing and staff buildings in the foreground.

Thanks to Ann from Sydney Meandering, the puzzle is resolved.

This is the Harbour Masters cottage constructed in 1910 under the purview of the newly established Sydney Harbour Trust which was charged with rebuilding the Quay after the bubonic plague decimated in in the first decade of the new century. In 1988 it was converted to a Cafe and Oyster Bar in time for the Bicentennial celebrations.