Coffee time

Picnic with a view

Dudley Page Reserve, Dover Heights

Macquarie Lightstation, Vaucluse

Australia's oldest lighthouse stands as a magnificent beacon to Sydney Harbour and still provides a light to guide ships entering the Heads. The lighthouse was built in 1818 on the cliff top at South Head. Designed by convict architect Francis Greenway, it was constructed of sandstone quarried on site. When the stone began to erode a new lighthouse was built by James Barnet in 1883 - the one standing today. The light is now operated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority. The grounds are open year-round and you can explore the historic lighthouse on tours.

Tree down!

Last Sunday, in high winds, one of the beautiful trees in the avenue of trees in Arncliffe Park came down. I got talking to workers waiting for equipment to arrive to cut and remove it, who insisted on taking my photo! It was termite-ridden, and the other trees in the avenue will be checked out too; reportedly some are "ready to go". They were planted in 1904.

Food with a view

The view from the cafe and restaurant area at Westfield shopping centre, Bondi Junction is fabulous - right across Sydney Harbour. A bit too chilly for outdoor eating when I was there recently, and a bit too early for lunch! (Thanks to Michelle for the tip-off!)

Bankstown Girls High - Happy 50th Birthday

Recently I went back to a school I taught at in the 1980s - Bankstown Girls High. It was their 50th birthday celebrations, and a really happy, vibrant celebration. Bankie Girls students come from a myriad of cultures and national backgrounds, and they are great singers and dancers. I thought this happy hair wig captured the spirit of the day! Great teachers, great students, and a great example of public education.

Cockatoo Island Part 20 - Buildings

Cockatoo Island Part 19 - the clothes line

This is not an installation either, but it was so wonderful to see a good old fashioned Aussie rotary clothes line in the middle of Cockatoo Island, I just had to take a photo.

Cockatoo Island Part 18 - So glad they told me!

Cockatoo Island Part 17 - G5 Summit

An installation by Shen Shaomin. "The G5 summit...The G5 power summit leaders failed to exercise the power they had. As the world sinks into a morass of economic disasters, and capitalist values, will people turn back to pioneers of socialism. Will people today be inspired to think hard about the ideas, values and theories of Lenin, Mao Zedong, Kim Il Sung, Ho Chi-min and Castro?" "

Dead leaders like Lenin, Mao, Kim Il-Sung, Ho are in coffins. Fidel Castro breathes on - you can even hear him!

Cockatoo Island Part 16 - the shipyard

Cockatoo Island Part 15 - A Bird's Eye View

Cockatoo Island Part 14 - Anyone for tennis?

Can anyone tell me there is a public tennis court with a better view? The Cockatoo Island court costs $10 an hour to hire, and you can hire a racquet and 2 balls for an additional $5/hour.

Cockatoo Island Part 13 - Camping With A View

This might be one of the best placed camping grounds in a major city! Right on the Parramatta River section of Sydney Harbour. You van hire a tent already set up, or bring your own. There's solar powered washing facilities as well.
It doesn't come cheap, but it's certainly a 5***** view at affordable prices!
Here's the information: click here.

If camping isn't your thing, there are holiday cottages available as well.

Cockatoo Island Part 12 - The bleeding obvious

Tomorrow - what those tents are about

Cockatoo Island Part 11 - Easter "Cockatoo" Island

Cockatoo Island Part 10 - Bouncy Castle

Not a playground or amusement for the kids - this "bouncy castle" was part of the
Biennale exhibition.Usually grown-ups aren't allowed to bounce, or social convention precludes it. I'd love to!

This is Jumping Castle War Memorial by Brook Andrew. Only adults over 16 were allowed to bounce (but not while we were there - there was a sign saying we couldn't!). The plastic enclosed turrets contain skulls representing the victims of genocide, and the black and white diamond pattern represented Aboriginal Wiradjuri culture and the experience of cultural amnesia and hypnosis.

Cockatoo Island Part 9

Not an art installation, but a legacy of the shipyard era of Cockatoo Island, in the heavy machinery area.

Cockatoo Island Part 8

Installation by Cai Guo-Qiang. Inopportune: Stage One (2004) has nine cars in an animated sequence of explosion. It was my favourite of them all.

Cockatoo Island Part 7 (Theme Day: Bright Colours)

Part of the Sydney Biennale exhibition at Cockatoo Island. This work is by Reuben Paterson - glitter and acrylic on canvas. Detail of "The Bed's Spread of Provocation" (2009)
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants