A Paddington of terraces

Just off Oxford Street, in a triangular pocket handkerchief of narrow streets, sit some of the oldest established residences in Paddington. This area - Gipps, Spring, and Prospect Streets - was designed not long after the decision was taken to establish Victoria Barracks (the late 1830s) on the other side of Oxford Street. Theses single-fronted terraces were the cottages for the tradesmen working on the construction of the new barracks to replace Wynyard Barracks.

1812 @ Berkelouw's

With cavalry to the right of me, and canon shot resounding in my ears, I flayed my fingers in the general direction of the window display. What does Tchaikovsky, or perhaps even Napoleon, have to do with perhaps the best little bookshop in Sydney town? First of all, eliminate the street number. Then, sleuth around their website sniffing for clues. And bingo! There in the 'About' was the answer. Nowt to do with music. Nowt to do with armed interventions. But all to do with enterprise and chancing one's arm. To quote them: The story of Berkelouw Books begins in Kipstraat, Rotterdam, Holland, in 1812. Solomon Berkelouw traded in vellum-bound theology books which were en vogue in the early nineteenth century ... Solomon peddled his wares on Rotterdam Quay and his clients were mainly owners and skippers of the barques ... Not much is known of Solomon Berkelouw except that his bookselling career came to a sudden and unfortunate end. On a late winter's afternoon, with snow falling thickly all around, Solomon attempted to cross an icy plank that connected a customer's ship to the wharf. Halfway up, he lost his footing and fell into the freezing water. Before anyone could fetch help he drowned, his jute-bag full of books sinking with him to the bottom of the icy harbour. I have been waiting for this cafe/wine-bar to open. I love going up to the top floor to scrummage through the old books on the history of Sydney. I have found many treasures, at quite reasonable prices. But after each 'find' I've toasted my luck at The Three Weeds next door. Now, I can flip through my treasure AND sip a cold chardy in the '1812'.

Night and day

The upper photograph was taken at 5:44PM the lower photograph was taken at 5:41AM.

At five in the afternoon I stood in Gipps Street, looking down into Glenmore Road, and across to Oxford Street. At five in the morning, I stood on Oxford Street, looking across into Glenmore Road and through the dawn's week light, up into Gipps Street. All in Paddington ...

Stockings for Soldiers - 2

Not only did the volunteer stocking-stuffers give freely of their time, all the goodies that went into the stockings were also donated: by friends, by relatives, and by companies large and small all around Australia. The 2011 stocking-stuffing day was held in Townsville, and the 2012 day was held in Sydney. Defence force personnel move around regularly, and many of the volunteers flew into Sydney to contribute to the effort, and to catch up with old friends. Quite a few had never met each other before, but one could not tell this from the camaraderie of the day!

The entire parcel is a ‘stocking’, but within that parcel there is a hand-knitted stocking, filled to the brim with Lifesavers. Three thousand hand-knitted stockings from knitters aged 10 to 93. Yes, you read correctly! The packing benches were weighed down with, amongst others: candy-canes, Chuppa-chups, shortbreads, Redskins, and Minties. “Two Minties. Don’t forget, Ladies. How many Minties? Two!” Each parcel had a hand written letter from a school child (they poured in from around the country), as well as a small Australian flag. And let’s not forget the dogs that are deployed as EDD (explosive detection dogs); for them a dried pig’s ear, some flea wash, nibbles, and a squeaky rubber ball.

Planning is already underway for the 2013 project, which has widened its umbrella to not only include deployed Aussie and Kiwi and ‘furry’ soldiers, but also to support service people wounded whilst deployed overseas in the service of their country. If you wish to lend a hand, or donate something special for the 2013 project, please contact either Selena or Michelle on the FaceBook page, http://www.facebook.com/StockingsandSupportforSoldiersProject/info. The callout for donations, and for knitters, will commence in March 2013. A website is coming soon.

Stockings for Soldiers - 1

'Stockings for Soldiers' held its annual stuff-a-thon last weekend at Victoria Barracks (1840), just up the hill from me in Paddington. It is a glorious army camp and worth a guided-tour most Thursdays from 10am. But ensure you book as, understandably, security is tight! This was the third year for the 'Stockings for Soldiers' project, which began over a cup of coffee. It is a volunteer-run community group, mostly composed of the family of serving members of the Australian defence forces. The aim is to give some Aussie cheer on Christmas day, and to show the deployed uniformed defence men and women our pride and solidarity in what THEY do, and to wish them a safe and happy Christmas. This year 3,000 hampers were packed to be sent as far afield as Afghanistan, the Middle East, East Timor, The Solomon Islands, The Sudan, and Egypt. The project is expanding to include not only army, but also airforce, and naval personnel deployed anywhere across the globe. It is also being expanded to include deployed personnel from the New Zealand forces. In 2013 the aim is to stuff 4,000 stockings! The indefatigable convenors are Selena and Michelle, in the lead photograph. More details tomorrow: where do the goodies come from: who makes the stockings; you send stockings to dogs!!? Together with contact information.

Skewed

I was attracted by the decoration under the eaves of this late 19th century terrace on the corner of Albion & Selwyn in Paddington. Once I stood on the diagonal, however, the lines of the house, and the lines of the utility poles seemed to have a 'star-wars' effect on my brain.

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An early start

Each Friday, I leave home early to catch the 6:15 train from Central to Fassifern. This is what it looked like this morning at 5:45 as I waited for the 378 bus on Oxford Street (next to Victoria Barracks) to take me to Central.

It takes Two

'It takes Two' is part of the Woollahra Council Public Art Programme, and is temporarily sited in Paddington for 12 months. It is a work by Gillie & Marc, featuring their signature ‘dogman’ character and his female rabbit companion on a vespa.

Surveyor's slice

Old tramway stop park, corner Gurner and Cascade Streets, Paddington.

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View from the gutter

Norfolk Street, Paddington

All strung out

An espaliered Chinese Star Jasmine, atop Cascade Street at the end of Norfolk Lane in Paddington.

A monochrome of by-ways

Access-way in Paddington, close to where Norfolk Lane and Cascade Street would intersect - if they were not vertically separated.

Retail's red tide

Retail is in a fragile state along the once bustling strip of Oxford Street that winds its way through Paddington. Once filled with boutiques that did a grand trade in fashion and accessories even on a weekday, they are now struggling even on Saturdays. More and more billboards are adorning verandahs trumpeting a shop for lease; more and more posters are stuck on shopfronts indicating a shop selling out from under. And yet, the general public has never been better off. The statistics indicate that wages are rising faster than prices. That interest rates are low. That employment is high. That taxes are lower now than they were 5 years ago.

Burnished balaustrades

Now that I walk with a stick, I am much more appreciative of the simple, inconspicuous things in life.

Above: "Cutler Footway" shown yesterday Below: Beare's Stairs in Caldwell St, Darlinghurst

Imposed upon - Smith & Kannon shop front

An example of Jess Bush Art, in Kidman Lane, Paddington, which is the lane heading up through 'Ampersand Book Store & Cafe', onto Oxford Street. 'Smith & Kannon' is an arty, cutting edge space decorating venture.

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Transit of the sun

Up in the mornin', Out on the job, I work like the devil for my pay. I know that lucky old sun, has nothin' to do, But roll around heaven all day.

Old tramways layby on the intersection of Glenmore Road, Brown Street, and MacDonald Street in Paddington.

Getting into the gutter

Light is being shone on the accummulated filth, so its about time to clamber into the gutter and ream it out.

Pique hour

Here I am, taking photographs whilst leaning against my garden gate, 8am Wednesday. In a nutshell, this is the benefit of inner city living. In a quarter of an hour, a fit, young person can get to work, get their daily exercise, and the cost is minimal.

Yes, I realise the travails of the daily grind from outer suburbs, from the mountains, and from the Central Coast. Sitting in the car, drumming the steering wheel, cursing other road users, bad-mouthing politicians, and petty bureaucrats.

Top floor - well thumbed

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Collecting

Collecting. By men. By women.