Shallow water

taken on iPhone4S

I do so love to swim into deep water!

Illawarra Flame Tree

Photos taken 29 Nov 2012 on iPhone 4S

A contrast to the lavendar of November jacarandas is the native Illawarra flame tree. They are often planted alongside each other. This specimen is in Arncliffe Park.

The Illawarra flame tree (Brachychiton acerifolius)  is native to subtropical regions on the east coast of Australia. Sometimes it is called a Kurrajong, like other brachychitons of which it is a relative.
The flowers are bell-shaped, and it has pod-like fruit, which contain masses of thin bristles and seeds. The seeds were eaten by Aborigines after toasting.

Beach Club, Circular Quay

photos taken on iPhone 4S

Stumbled across what looked like a "beach bar" at Circular Quay last night...but it was strangely empty.

Enter Google. And here's what I found:

"Bringing the beach to the city, Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Intel will transform Customs House Square into your ultimate inner city work space. HP and Intel Beach Club will allow you to escape from the confines of your desk and enjoy the sunshine in the fully functional outdoor beach workspace.
From 27 November to 30 November, HP and Intel Beach Club will be set up as an outdoor productivity area with group zones for meetings. HP staff will also be on site to help with any technology needs.
During the week guests will also be able to simply sit back, relax and enjoy the sunshine. Comfy beach chairs, coconuts and sun umbrellas set the scene, transforming Customs House Square into the ultimate summer location."

It was empty because it's open 10:30 am to 6 pm, and we were there around 6.

I hope the sun DOES shine at some time between 27 and 30 November....it hasn't so far!

Sydney - November - Jacaranda

Jacarandas bloom all over Sydney; the petals fall to form carpets of lavender, which then turn to slippery brown sludge as the inevitable November storms make themselves known. November in Sydney is:

kids doing their final school exams;
summer trying to put in an appearance - hot, sunny days of 34 degrees and cool, cludy days of barely 20;
thunderstorms;
christmas making its presence known in shops;
early pre-christmas office parties, and family get-togethers;
putting away the doona and those nights where you can't decide it you're hot or cold;
all the blue flowers - jacarandas, agapanthus, iris, plumbago....
my birthday



Batman signs !

Guest photographer Nicole de Soleil

Batman has considered the issues and decided to sign the petition to Premier Barry O'Farrell opposing funding cuts to TAFE.

Putting Students First

by guest photographer, Fred Thorpe



Recently the NSW government ripped $1.7 billion from funding for public schools and TAFE (Technical and Further Education) colleges.

The Teachers Federation yesterday organised a community day of action at Darling Harbour in Sydney, and at regional centres across the state.

The day was a "fun day with a serious message" .

Nothing speaks more eloquently about the need to fund our public education system properly than the joy of children - who represent OUR future - and their right to be offered every opportunity to fulfil their potential.  My friend Fred captured this shot of her own children at the event. Her eldest daughter spoke from the stage....we'll see her tomorrow.

A colleague once said "public education is the promise which one generation makes to the next."

To find out more, see here, and here.

Archaeology

I wonder if one day these walls will be exposed in an archaeological dig?
Graffiti tags still visible under construction....now the building, a budget hotel,  is complete.

Pigeon pair

At the (restored) Ibero - American Plaza, commemorating the contribution of Spanish and Portugese speaking peoples to the history of Australia.

Seasonal bounty at The Boathouse

Last time I was at The Boathouse at Palm Beach it was autumn (1 May 2010). This time it was spring - 29 October 2012.

The Boathouse Cafe, Palm Beach ...at water's edge

You don't mind waiting a while when the setting is so sublime.