Detail from top of building in Darlinghurst

O'Hears Steps, Frog Hollow

Yesterday I showed the site of a notorious Sydney slum Frog Hollow. O'Hears steps, leading down from Albion St were named after the local baker, James O'Hear who lived opposite until his death in 1891.

Frog Hollow, Surry Hills

By the beginning of the twentieth century, Frog Hollow, on the corner of Riley and Albions Sts, Surry Hills, was Sydney's most notorious slum, associated with petty crime, alcohol, gambling and domestic violence. It was about 9 metres below the surrounding streets, with the houses piled on top of each other. Police claimed that this enclave had bred some of the most 'desperate and dangerous criminals' they had encounteres. It was home to the Riley Street Gang.

The City Council's slum clearance came to Frog Hollow in 1925. Part of it was later used as a council depot, and part was Hills reserve, named after a Sydney Lord Mayor, Pat Hills.

Former Grace Brothers building

The copper dome and clock towers of the former department store, Grace Brothers, buildings at Broadway. Now one building houses student accommodation (Unilodge) and the other a shopping centre, the Broadway Centre.

Gardener's Lodge, Victoria Park

In 1865 an area at the corner of City Road and Paramatta Road was added to the University of Sydney to provide a formal entrance. The entrance avenue through the park was planted with fig trees and entrance gates installed, flanked by the Gardener's Lodge, and the mirror-image Messenger's Lodge (demolished in 1940).

Victoria Park

At the corner of City Road, Broadway and Parramatta Rd

Tuk tuk

No, not in Thailand, but inside a Thai restaurant in Pitt St, Sydney - the Khao San.

Chef's table

Recently I went to a "chef's table" food tasting. Here's the wine selection to accompany the food, and a plate of truffles, jellies and fudge to accompany coffee.

Sydney Tower

Taken from the corner of George and Market Streets in the city.

Mail box, Albion St,

There's not too many of these old English style pillar boxes left in Sydney. This one is in Albion St, Surry Hills.