Sydney 2014 Day 7

Sydney 2014 Day 7

Today was the day that I was going to leave Sydney for home and I had left the trip home until late afternoon as I didn’t want to be rushed off my feet. Several days before the thought had crossed my mind to go looking around the city to see what was happening during Australia Day. I soon came to the conclusion that it might not be the best idea as traffic could be backed up within the city and I might not get back to grab my bags and then be off. So it had been decided that I take it very easy and spend some time at the house.

During my resting period before heading to the airport I went out with Margie for coffee and showed her Margaret Olley’s house as she had not seen the house before while she was taking the dog, Lucy for a walk. We both sorted out some family history research issues we both had including about the changes of the county borders in the UK. I found it to be incredibly relaxing just to have no worries other than catching a bus and then a train to the airport. I wasn’t in too much of a hurry as the coffee and the company was good since it is always good to catch up with friends who you have not seen in person for a while other than online.

Both the bus and the train were very easy to catch as I did not have to wait very long at all. The travel to Central was very easy, but I did hear that closer to the CBD streets had been blocked off. When I did arrive to check in my bag the lady at the counter told me I was early and to come back in 40 mins as everything would be ready then. She gave me the gate number and I went to the café for a coffee and a pie. I returned once the time had passed and proceeded to the gate as the number I had been provided was different to the screen. I wanted to make doubly sure this was actually correct and appeared at the new number. The computer was correct, so I went for a wander until it was nearly time to leave. I was starting to become a little anxious that no one had appeared from the airline to get people to board the plane. The pilot did turn up and had to see a lady about letting him onto the plane several gates away. It wasn’t until the time we were supposed to board that the check in people turned up and announced the gate change to the one people had been standing at. Apparently there had been a fault with the other aircraft so they were using this one. The computer system seemed to know well beforehand that something was wrong, but at least I did get onto my flight.

The flight was very uneventful and I landed at Coolangatta airport. The strangest part was the fact I landed in the domestic area as nearly all my flights in the past required me to go through customs and arrivals at the other end of the airport. Domestic arrivals did feel like a treat as it was so quick and my bag came through very quickly and not having to wait for ages. The end of my trip means I have to go back to work and do other things especially make sure if my bike starts up before I head to work on a public holiday. I did have family tell me that I couldnt have enough light in the day to see everything, when I complained that I had not seen everything on my list. Others were impressed with spending my time chasing everything up in the city.

Sydney 2014 Day 6

Today was actually sunny for once though the sun did go behind the clouds for a little while and then popped out to say hello. It wasn’t extremely hot like as I havnt found it to be overly hot while in Sydney even if I have been working up a sweat while on the run.

I had no real plan this morning other than to meet up with some friends from uni who were turning up around midday. I decided I wanted to head over to Kings Cross for a wander as I hadn’t given the area a really good look other than several times near dark when the lights had come on, which meant that I was going to have to head off. This time I would be there in the morning before the crowds had arrived for a good time. I did quickly get ready while some friends expressed concern for me that I was heading to the one place that did have a reputation even though my logic was to be there during the day and not night. I wasn’t too worried about my welfare as I can look after myself, but have not encountered that much trouble on any trip yet.

I took the first bus that I could get on and my first stop was to get off at Taylor Square, where I didn’t head towards Kings Cross straight away as I headed into the other direction past Coco Cubano and some building that had a bright artwork painted all over it. It can be ugly though, but different. I did find some unique things too look at and I think this area is part of Darlinghurst especially since there was things I had found on the wander. A building near the local Woolworths had a building that was called the stables, but not sure if they were actual stables. By pure accident I found a strange lamp in a backstreet that I soon learnt was called Mary Place and at night the lamp was meant to be a sign of reflection and recognition as a lady who was a lesbian had been brutally raped in the area and the social history to the area was being recognised. I found this to be a different way of showing people history and I am not sure if the area is actually on the map. By this time I headed across the road where there was a market going on in Taylor Square that was next to Darlinghurst Court house. The sandstone building was interesting and I think it would be nice to have a little look into the history of the building though I don’t know if the courthouse is still working or now just a historic building. The gates are closed, but there is work going on within the building.

To the side of the courthouse I found a nice looking building that did say police station though no cop cars were outside, but must be like the courthouse. I think they made the city with a mixture of old and new buildings. I was following what was the Courthouse and ended up with parts of the Darlinghurst goal that is now a university, college or school for the arts. I did enter the arts place and it was interesting taking a small walk. There were more sandstone building including the guard building with the skull and crossbones as I was wondering why it was there since I am guessing that it meant danger for everyone. I did see a security guard who was helping some people out who was part of the arts scene near the cafe. I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to wander aimlessly through the goal area, but I was starting to become pressed for time as anything can happen during the time as I do know I will get lost in my thoughts and wanderings.

 I did end up in Kings Cross taking pictures of the iconic coke sign and the city from the main street, well Darlinghurst street, but I found a theatre up the road called the Stable theatre and I was off down Darlinghurst street following the markers on the footpath explaining different parts to the Cross. For instance there were windmills in the area in the early days of Sydney and the area was also known by several other areas. The markers were actually interesting and I did find that the pubs were open and people were in them. I had some woman run past me shouting maaaaate and I got cracked by her hand across my stomach and she never said sorry. I did make sure I had my valuables in my shorts. Those were my wallet, phone and ipod though I would have noticed if that was gone since I was podcasting. I think she was one of the local characters and I would meet another in a park. I found a small market across from the police station and the fountain, where I crossed the road to find out what was there. I had a cute little sausage dog come up to me and say hello. I seem to attract some puppies that are nice little dogs. I had to take off down towards Potts Point and found a building or apartments called The Manar, where Nelle Melba once lived amongst other people. I thought this was pretty cool and I had found some stairs on a map that caused some class divide in the early years and while I couldn’t find them I had to Google using my phone.

 I headed straight for the location once I had the name McElhone Stairs known also as the stairs of doom according to Wikipedia. I realised last time I was in Sydney I had actually walked down them once I chickened out about visiting Kings Cross. I never realised how close I actually was to the area. I took some back streets back to the main part of Kings Cross and had found the Jolly Swagman hostel next to an area I think is called the arts area, which is behind Darlinghurst Street. Once I popped out onto the main street I found the information centre, which had nothing to do the historic Kings Cross area. They might not have any unless its all down towards the area of The Rocks, where I had picked up all the leaflettes. The pubs were not the only things that were open that you would associate with a night time Kings Cross, but also the adult establishments too. I dont know if the ladies standing outside were tourists or part of the scene, but I did keep walking. I did follow some more information on the street as I was now on my way towards Paddington, while following the hospital that I was using as a landmark to put me out to Taylor Square again. I stopped for something quick to eat before ending up to the house. The others who were turning up had their own problems with trains breaking down, traffic jams and cars breaking down.

The uni buddies soon turned up even if they were a little late not that there is a problem with that as weekends being what they are and a long weekend as well. It is always great to meet up and have several beers and a big lunch too. It was a great way of spending the afternoon after all the running around I had done during the week. I did get an offer next time for a tour around the quarry sites, where Sydney had gotten their sandstone for the buildings. Its near the casino as well, which should be loads of fun. There are times where I need to be the tourist being guided instead of floating around the city trying to find the historic sights, but I think I have found plenty so far on my trip that people have not even realised that were there. Tomorrow is the day when I do fly out to go home and back to my life. Life goes back to normal, though I don’t leave until the afternoon.

Sydney 2014 day 5

  

The day was still cloudy, but I think its just going to be one of those humid day that you will sweat, but wont get very sunburnt at all. It should be pretty good to wander around under the cloud cover and not direct sunlight.

I started by taking a walk with Dawn and Lucy as I wanted to find Margaret Olley’s old house in Paddington. We found the house alright, but if you never googled the address or knew what you were looking at then you would have walked right on by without even knowing who had lived there. It just looks like being an overgrown property that is unless we have gone to the wrong location. Still I did the usual photo op with the house and wandered around  realising and remarking that the back streets of Paddington are like a rabbit warren as you could become lost amongst the streets. I did leave Dawn to walking her dog as I wanted to have a look at the area where the Sydney cricket grounds were or what is known as the SCG.

  I took the path that went between the reservoir  and the fire station as I had taken that very path last time I was heading that was last time I was in Sydney except this time there was no storm with a downpour. Once down at the stadium area I wanted to see what I could find though I thought it would be best walking through the car park. I wasn’t very interested in Centennial Park, which was across the road, but I could see it.  I didn’t know what I was expecting to see, but there was the start of the football grounds as I was able to see a van that was for the Sydney Roosters and then the Waratahs. I was surprised that there were three people playing footy well just passing their ball, but in front of a building with plenty of glass. Some oldish lady did join in with them, but all I was thinking was that they were dim morons. I did look at some statues of footy players of the past, but I didn’t hover as I did feel I was on a time limit since I had a booking for the afternoon. The wandering showed me that the whole area was bigger than what I had thought it was as the next lot of buildings I came across was the cricket grounds and then the AFL grounds where I did see some player from the Sydney Swans.

Covering the entire block seemed to be something of a marathon in itself though I think I did find the Sydney agriculture grounds as it seems to be now part of where the Fox studios are now part of. I thought I could walk into the promotional end and I turned around when I realised I had entered the auditioning area not that I wanted to be on TV, but I doubt I would be able to wander. I jumped into the visitors area, well not jump but wandered to the next entrance over. That was interesting as I found it was a whole entertainment area, which included Hoyts and the film and TV school though it doesn’t interest me too much and time was starting to run out. The whole area is interesting and worth spending some time in even though some places you are not allowed as I had a big security guard watching me from a closed off area though I needed a pass and I never had any on me. Further down the road and I encountered the equestrian centre, but I had crossed over to the park side of the road to see what the memorial fountain thing was. I looked at the time and realised I should be on my way as it was becoming later than I thought.

I did become lost trying to find my way back to Paddington and Oxford street as I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going. I figured that if bus’ were working down the street, then I was on the correct track. I was actually surprised where I had appeared out of the correct street and I knew exactly where I was when I did enter the main road, though I was a short walk away as I was at the main entrance to Centennial Park. After a brief stop and to get my washing off the line before it began raining if I wasn’t back from the city before the end of the day and darkness fell. I did have to sort my bag out with water. Once we were both on the bus as I had booked a place for Susannah Place with Margie. There were some hair raising events, which took place on the way. A blonde lady in an Audi who had something to do with festivals Sydney 2014 cut off the bus in the city near Hyde Park and then there was the motorcyclist with a passenger who kept looking at her phone while the bike was moving. I did find that very surprising as I never seen anyone do that before on a motorbike.

 Once we had alighted next to the Sydney Museum, I started acting as a tour guide for Margie when we had seen the park behind the Paragin pub and then Macquarie park as they had something that would be of interest especially when there was some monuments regarding the first fleet. Before we arrived at The Rocks we did find the monument to The Tank Stream and then a beer with chips at The Fortunes of War. The people were very helpful and did their best to keep customers happy especially us two and we will forgive the fact they had no VB on tap. The next stop was the discovery centre with its possible oldest headstone in Australia. The museum did show how The Rocks location was formed and did recognise the Aboriginal tribes of the area. They did show evidence as well and the plan was to have a look if we had time when after Susannah Place. By that time we had to head into Susannah Place as we were running out of time.

I found Susannah Place to be interesting as it was one of those unique places that had been saved from demolition from the builders and it was very lucky as the houses shows examples of the different time periods from candle, gas lighting to electricity. They even have an air raid shelter as well during the war. I did buy a book about the families who lived in the area between 1844 and the mid 90s before people moved out and the museum had the row of houses. I think washing day on a Monday was a bit much especially when it was by pot and a big stick. Ladies in those days were tough. They did have plenty of examples not that I am going to write them down as it will kill my fingers to even try something like that and memory too. I would have to add that the tour guide was of great value and yeah you have to book or else you would miss out on having a tour. It goes from the afternoon though and not sure why they don’t use the morning as well.

Once the tour ended Margie and I headed towards the Australia Pub as we both were thirsty and peckish. We had a pizza and a Bavarian type beer that was brewed in Picton NSW. We had our rest and then headed towards The Big Dig area especially when it was part of the YHA building and showed Margie what I had found several days before as it showed the archaeological digs that had been done and what had been found especially what had been thrown down the wells. We did wander around the area a bit more and found parts that I had not found including the area of the first execution. Another spot was in George street as they were doing a deep dig before there was a building to be constructed as the area was on the banks of the Tank Stream. There was a little bit of a display about what they were doing and then we were off as we were meeting Dawn for dinner at the COFA building. It wasn’t actually a very long wait for the bus either and we did end up in Paddington where we found several book stores that we wandered through. The day was at an end and it ended with some needed rain that had been hanging around for the last several days.

Sydney 2014 Day 4

I knew today was going to be another nice day in the city of Sydney. Even though I was up early myself, I knew I would have to be on the run though this time my mission was not to explore, but to search for shorts in Bondi Junction and then head to parts unknown afterwards.

The search for a pair of shorts didn’t go as planned especially since I had left earlier in the morning just as shops were about to open for the day. My plan was to get in and out within an hour of being in the shopping centre. I did learn Westfield is way out of my price range although Target, Kmart and Myer didn’t have what I was wanting as I do like cargo pants for practical reasons. The only place i could find my shorts was at Lowes an it was well over an hour before I left Bondi to drop my new things off. I wasn’t impressed at all with Myer and never bothered walking into David Jones to see what they had. I am not going to wear designer outfits that are $89 each and that was just the shorts. I would have bought shorts from Kmart if they had their clearance lines in my size, but everything was too big. I think it shows that I do not go clothes shopping very often at all.

Once I got back to the house I put on a pair of my new shorts and caught the bus to Circular Quay as I wanted to get the ferry to Cockatoo island and also visit the information centre there as well. By accident I did find some monuments to women during WWII and something commemorating the First Fleet after I wondered what a park might have that was behind a pub that was the HQ for the Barmy army. I went looking for the ferry to my destination and after finding it I went to the information centre only to be told sorry we are for transport only. That meant I was to head into The Rocks for the information I was after. They did have exactly what I was looking for and I was hungry, but never stopped for food there. Once down at the ferries I did get a pie from the only shop not crowded like Hungry Jacks. I was lucky as well with the ferry since it wasn’t too long a way for the boat as it was headed to Parramatta, but the third stop was Cockatoo island.

The ferry gave an estimated amount of time before they would arrive at the next destination especially as it was one of the newer ferries and not an older one. So long as I had a seat I was happy. Once on the Island we were greeted a volunteer who gave us a talk about where everything was on the island including the best part information and audio tours too. The audio tour cost me $5 and I was happy to have the tour and wander around the island following the map. The tour spoke about a range of subjects from history of the island especially from the convict beginnings including one escape where it was the beginnings of Captain Thunderbolt and a spot near the Dawn Frazer pool is called the white steed or horse after the horse that took him away, becoming a reform school for girls, During World war 2 there area was the main repair base for the American ships including submarine refitting as well. Several of the bollards on the dry dock are actually the originals from the convict times from cannons placed there. There were strike action and people who had to work within at least 50 different awards and any slight move could start a strike of some sort. One of the American navy ships was badly damaged in some obscure battle in the pacific and they had to cruise at 2 knots in reverse so the boat didn’t sink. There were some very angry seagulls on the island too as each time I came close they would scream at me and I did see some baby ones too. I did after my tour have enough time to hand in my audio tour and head off into the ferry that had only just pulled up at the dock.

I made the decision while on the ferry that I wanted to checkout Darling Harbour a little bit while I was still out and had to change ferries since the old Parramatta ferry wasn’t going near that place. Once I had exited the terminal the ticket inspectors pounced and I showed proof that I was running around on a valid ticket with proof of having a concession card. I was cool to go but the other guy who had exited the terminal beside me was not so lucky at all since he never had proof of his concession card. He ‘left’ it at home. Once I got my bearings I was off to Darling Harbour on the slow ferry that went via Luna Park and Balmain. I got off at the museums and went for  little look around the area including the bridge where the monorail was. I headed into the maritime museum where I think it was starting to close, but I was looking at books I wanted to, but thought I better not. I soon ended up in China town as I was heading towards Central station and catching my bus as I was sore and started getting tired from my running around and long day out and about. I needed to get some washing done as well as I would be wearing my last pair of clothes and hope they do dry by morning.

Sydney 2014 Day 3

Today the plan was to walk from Waverley to Bondi beach and then do some shopping at the Westfield at Bondi Junction. The weather was nice other than being cloudy. My plans usually mean they change at the last second to something that could end up being an epic journey and people might find my trip hard to handle or even follow if they were following me.

I found the right bus to catch to Waverley, but had to remember how to get to the beach walk though most of it would be along the rock cliffs. I did get off at the wrong stop and had to walk a little way, but this was to be expected as I am not familiar with the area. I was actually hunting the cemetery where I was going to wander through and visit Henry Lawson again before heading to Bondi on foot.  The area was a little windy, but I was sure to remain careful when walking near the cliffs as any slip on the rocks might get me hurt or worse. I did notice some signage that indicated to the area with a little bit about either the natural environment or the history to that particular area.

While walking past Bronte beach a big macaw few up to say hello and after several photos he flew off to say hello to several other people. An expensive bird being left to roam is not good though I don’t own the bird so not really my problem. He did come back after I had walked a bit further on and I was talking to him and asked if I could pat him. When I went to give him a scratch he bit my finger when I at first thought he would just mouth me. My finger did hurt a little bit, but I was not angry at the bird for what he had done. A little bit of broken skin, but nothing that would do me any harm at all.

Along the way there were marks telling me how far it was to Bronte Beach or to Bondi Beach, which I noticed along the way unless I was misreading the markers as being something else, but I don’t think I would be wrong. Not that I would know though. There were some nice sights along the way and people were giggling at my shirt that I was wearing since it was one of those ones that had a smart comment. One of the beaches I walked past said it had a wonderland that included elephant rides too. Bondi beach didn’t take too long to walk to though I was more interested in the murals painted on the wall to pay too much attention. The beach was nearly deserted as it was not a hot sunny day, but cloudy.

I ended up on North Bondi and walking up the hill to see what that tower I had seen in all the pictures of Bondi especially with the Bondi vet. Turns out it is part of the Bondi golf course and a water tower to do with Sydney water. The mystery had been solved and I didn’t get hit by golf balls even though I knew of one lot of people who were playing. My trek had taken longer than I had thought especially when I was wondering what that tower thing was. At least there was a bus stop close by that I could use. I needed to head to Bondi Junction where there was a shopping centre to buy several supply things before heading off. I found a Coles with a cafe inside the actual business and it was different as I had never seen anything like that before. Once I bought my stuff I got confused over which side of the road to catch the bus, but the drivers were nice when I asked. I was on the wrong side of the road so waited for the right bus going the right way. I did catch up with Dawn and Margie at a local cafe for lunch and found one of the dogs Dawn looks after called Panda had an accident that meant she broke her leg after a fright.

Once we had lunch I took off to the city again to look for the Tank stream monuments which I found all, but one of. I was thinking about hunting down the information centres, but found the Westfield sky tower had none and that meant I was changing plans to look for a clothes shop. I wanted two pairs of shorts, but there was nothing cheap in Pitt Street unless I could have visited Lowes as the prices are usually reasonable. The whole city CBD area was becoming extremely busy and I didn’t end up finding an info centre, but thought it as best not to wait for a bus and walk to Paddington. It was becoming warm as I was walking at a pace that seemed to suit me. I don’t think it took me too long to end up in Paddington where I was happy to have a shower to cool off and then went out to dinner at one of the local pubs.