Monday 29 February 2016

Millers Point from Observatory Hill


Some of the houses in this area are amongst the oldest in Sydney. They have been owned by the government as public housing, but, controversially, the government has evicted long term residents and is selling the properties. People are being rehoused elsewhere. What is clear though, is that what were once 'slums" are now highly desirable, multi-million dollar properties, and the poor are no longer welcome.....

NB - I do not know whether the houses in this photo are amongst those being sold.

Saturday 27 February 2016

Overseas Passenger Terminal, Circular Quay



Cruise ships are getting larger and larger. They are regular visitors to Sydney, often only staying a day - long enough for people to have a wander around the circular Quay area, maybe walk across the Harbour Bridge and to the Opera House, and say they have "done Sydney".

Monday 22 February 2016

Circular Quay



Taken from the northern foyer of the Concert Hall at Sydney Opera House, looking back a Circular Quay.

Thursday 18 February 2016

Ring of rocks pool, Little Bay


This beach was a private beach for the people who used to work at the old "Coast Hospital" - Prince Henry's - above. This pool was constructed to provide nurses with a safe place to bathe. Read more here.

Tuesday 16 February 2016

"Tied to Tide", Pirrama Park, Pyrmont


This is an artwork located in Pirrama Park at Pyrmont. The artists are Jennifer Turpin and Michaelie Crawford.

This is what they say:

"The winds and waters of Sydney Harbour choreograph a lively performance of maverick planks and renegade ladders between the boardwalk and the seawall at Pyrmont Point Park.

Tied To Tide is a kinetic artwork activated by the natural forces of tide, wave and wind. Hinged to the boardwalk, floating planks and airborne ladders combine with the ever-changing elements to perform an aquatic dance on the harbour. Conceptually, the artwork adopts and transforms the maritime language of the site’s timber boardwalk and access ladders. Free of their prosaic constraints, they play with rather than stand against nature. The ordinary becomes the extraordinary as timber boards hover over the water balancing tilting ladders like unwieldy acrobats in a harbourside circus.

Connected by a float to the water, the timber beams translate the eternal return of the tides. High tide lowers the beams whilst low tide raises them skyward. They bob gently on calm waters and dance staccato in a choppy swell. The wash of passing boats unwittingly choreographs sequences of frenzied motion. 

Vibrant maritime-orange ladders pivot in a seemingly impossible balance at the end of timber beams. They offer a metaphor for journey, collaborating with the elements to inspire a reverie of the imagination. A breeze gently sways them whereas wild gusts will spin them through 360 degrees.

Tied to Tide elucidates the complexities of nature through its simple engineering. Its interconnected axis create a myriad of responses to the action of tide, wave and wind. It is an installation in a constant state of flux, endlessly transforming itself with the elemental forces of Sydney Harbour."



Monday 15 February 2016

Timbers


These timbers have been removed from an old flour mill at Lewisham West which is being adapted as an apartment building. From the look of them they are iron bark, which are incredibly hard. We had them in the building I used to work in.

Saturday 13 February 2016

Seated Woman II


A sculpture in Blackburn Gardens, Point Piper. Seated Woman II by Sam Harrison was unveiled 14 March 2013. It was commissioned by Woollahra Council as part of the Women in Woollahra project, which recognises and celebrates the contribution of women.


Friday 12 February 2016

Blackburn Gardens, Point Piper


Between the road and Murray Rose Pool, behind the Woollahra Council building and public library is the beautifully restored heritage garden called Blackburn Gardens.

Thursday 11 February 2016

Red leaf


Before being renamed Murray Rose Pool (see previous post), this harbour pool at Seven Shillings Beach was called Redleaf. Perhaps I found the red leaf?

Wednesday 10 February 2016

Monday 8 February 2016

Seven Shillings Beach, Point Piper


My swimming buddy Darelle proclaims that her heart will go on at Murray Rose Pool, Seven Shillings Beach

Saturday 6 February 2016

Murray Rose Pool, Seven Shillings Beach


This harbour pool was renamed from Redleaf Pool to Murray Rose, after the three times Olympic swimming champion of the 1950s. Rose lived nearby and learned to swim here.

Read more here.

Friday 5 February 2016

Seven Shillings Beach, Point Piper


There are several stories as to how this harbourside beach in the exclusive suburb of Point Piper got its name:
1. Named as such when a Mrs Busby gave an Aboriginal seven shillings compensation for fishing rights, or for a catch of fish;
2. A nurse, employed by Captain Piper, lost a purse containing 'seven shillings' on the beach.

To find out more about this beach, and a tale about Captain Piper, after whom the suburb is named, click here. 








Thursday 4 February 2016

Swimming enclosure, Clifton Gardens


One of the myriad swimming enclosures in the more gentle waters of Sydney Harbour. Sydney is renowned for its surf beaches, but for those who prefer a gentler swimming experience, there's plenty of options available. The vast picnic and play areas make it popular with families and school groups.

Wednesday 3 February 2016

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Museum of Contemporary Art




On the top of the Museum of Contemporary Art at Circular Quay, there is a rooftop cafe. And art. 


Monday 1 February 2016

Favourite coffee shop


When I used to work, this was my favourite coffee shop. They also sell flowers. On Sundays they clean the shop and prepare the flowers for sale.