29 January 2012

Solitude, and a quotation...

Back in Victoria, at Bruno's Art and Sculpture Garden, where I've used photographs of his amazing sculptures in many previous posts. Today's two, seem just right for my chosen quote showing underneath first photograph, and taken from Quote Garden








Credit: Jayne Print font used from SimplytheBest Fonts


More sight-seeing around Sydney Harbour precincts

Are you still with me on this Australia Day trek?  Hope I haven't lost you along the way ....

From Dawes Point, around under the bridge, there is this view of the iconic Luna Park "just for fun" park.  Just about everyone  my era, has been on the Big Dipper there (and some wish they hadn't .. like me). 


Walking up Hickson Road, Walsh Bay now .. and a glimpse between buildings I see marinas ...and a myriad of apartments.





N.S.W. Maritime is the owner of this development. valued at $AUD800 million, occupying a land area of 8 hectares including 3 finger wharves.  Quoting: Walsh Bay is one of Australia's most historic waterfront precincts.  Its wharves, shore sheds and bond stores were constructed between 1906 and 1922, under the first President of the Sydney Harbour Trust, Mr. Robert Hickson and chief engineer Mr HD Walsh and formed Sydney's main commercial port area.




Domain/belle Property are advertising a marina berth/mooring space here, western side of The Pier, 18.5m x 6.35m, asking for offers above $AUD200,000. 





Hickson Road is also home to the The Sydney Theatre, at #22, and there's a creative demonstration of the arts nearby. From the water-views to this!  What would you have thought?



I've learnt it's one of the Walsh Bay Sculpture Walk projects, and this one can be attributed to Jimmie Durham.

Moving on, and up ........I count the sets of steps on the way, twenty or twenty-one a-piece x three.


At the top of the steps I glance back to what I was leaving behind, and I loved the look of these renovations on the bay too; in fact I prefer the charm of these to the more modernistic, especially in this setting.


But look what was next, just at the top of those steps.... a bird's nest, I hadn't seen one all day, and what a beauty!!  Compliments the late Brett Whiteley, titled Black Totem II.



Coming up next, it's 30 Windmill St, Walsh Bay, one of the historic Bond Store Warehouses, dating back to the early 1900's.  This Bond Store 3, has been converted into a modern, four-storey office building according to this real-commercial site.  You can see for yourself there, the workable interior renovations effected. Currently, wholly occupied by an international tenant, with a net income approx. $AUD1.82 million p.a.  Looking for expressions of interest/for sale.





And yes, there's still more; watch this space, and come with me next, to the historic Rocks area.


Sharing with Weekend Reflections


28 January 2012

Sydney Harbour-side; Campbells Cove Jetty on Australia Day

Closer to the Sydney Harbour Bridge end now, and here I see a sailing boat to investigate down at ...


It's known as the Southern Swan, a 40m (130') 1850's style, Danish-oak timber tall ship.  Weighing 200 tonnes, with a mast height of 24m.  Quoting from Sydney Harbour Escapes website this is a ship that had been designed to withstand the icy conditions of the North Atlantic before sailing from England to Australia.   It is now used for corporate charters in Sydney Harbour with prices ranging from $AUD800/hr. in the low season, to $AUD1250/hr. in the peak season, with a minimum 4 hour charter.





how can can a ship that size have such a tiny rear end?


and as I was taking this photo from the other side.......another sail boat goes by ....

Harbour-side - Australia Day

Stepping out of the train at Circular Quay station, looking out over the railing for this view of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, officially opened in 1932.  Often referred to as the Coathanger, this bridge stands 134 metres above the harbour, and you can walk that arch with a guided tour if you choose to.

The black-front building to the left of the bridge is the Sydney Cove Overseas Passenger Terminal.

Down to ground level now, and just opposite the Circular Quey ferry wharves, these Aboriginal buskers are in their same location as always.  Playing the didgeridoo, with an electronic sound-system accompaniment.  What does a didgeridoo sound like?  You can hear one on this video.




Some had gotten a good vantage point to watch the ferry-races from going up those steps and around to the harbour view, at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.





The buff-coloured awnings behind the crowd along the foreshore, are overhead coverings for various restaurants, eating out.  The stand at the bottom-right had live music happening and white tables/chairs are in front of that for those who wanted to sit a while.

Structural rigging complements one restuarant's nautical theme
..and an interesting galley-door, another.

The Opera House is opposite



Yes people had watched the ferry-race from way up there too




Sharing with Scenic Sunday

Friday's Fence, with a gate

Also known as an arbor, this delightful structure built by the owner, has a certain charm all of it's own don't you think?  Sometimes the jasmine vine growing over it is smothered in sweet-scented white flowers.

I'm sneeking this one into Friday's Fences, just because I can.  There is a fence on either side afterall, and a bonus beautiful gate I'd walked through to take this photograph, too.



for:

27 January 2012

Sydney Harbour-side, for Australia Day; the ferries

January 26 is recognized as Australia Day, a day of celebration.  To quote this Australia Day website, "that was the day in 1788 Captain Arthur Phillip, commander of the First Fleet of eleven convict ships from Great Britain and the first governor of New South Wales, arrived at Sydney Cove".

Though the weather forecast hadn't been brilliant, I'd decided late the night before that the predicted 'occasional showers' might only last for the two-hour journey on the train each way.  Just take a punt on it, be prepared for an early start ... and go!

To be sure, my collection of photographs will span several posts, so I'll just lead-up with one dedicated to the ferries, and the Ferrython!  A popular annual event where the Sydney ferries race from Circular Quay to Shark Island, with the finish line, heading under the Harbour Bridge.

It did shower on the latter part of the train ride, but cleared again before reaching Central, Sydney.  Just one more City-Circle line for a few more stops to reach Circular Quay, and the sun was shining, hurray! So I walk around the foreshore and take photos ... by the dozen.




 With a glimpse of the Opera House there, and a gloomy horizon too.

 this is what happens when the ferry reverses out of Circular Quay (on right-hand side of this photo); this one is maneouvering it's way around

 facing the right way now to head out.  

The background apartments are at Bennelong Point, and were highly controversial and objected to during the building phase.  According to this article in the Daily Telegraph, December 2011, it had been a $AUD600 million project, in the 1990's.  Real Estate pricing quoted, Level 12, five bedrooms, cost $AUD16.8m.  



 The skies are looking ominous now, just ahead of the race scheduled to start at 11 a.m.  This tug-boat has something to do with the start of the race



 
here they come; every floating vessel possible obviously accompanies the ferries

On the hillside, to the left of this photograph, stands Admiralty House, at Kirribilli, home to the Governor General of Australia.  There is a brief history for Admiralty House, Sydney, on this government site.


Way in the distance, a cruise-ship is anchored for passengers to watch from the beginning of the race end.  A helicopter is overhead to the right; there were several flying over the harbour. 

Television news coverage for some, like this one.  I can see the camera aimed, underneath.