Graham

Beez Neez now Chy Whella
Big Bear and Pepe Millard
Thu 20 Nov 2014 23:57
Meeting Up With Graham in Sydney
 
 
 
IMG_0567  IMG_0513  IMG_0514
 
This morning we jumped up, after a nice lie-in and bimbled from the Budget Ibis past some of the Domestic Airport to the train station. A double-decker pulled in and the excited Bear led us up the stairs to sit on the upper deck. Very smooth, like a modern subway. We were sitting in a four and after a couple of stops a young chap got on, seeing not a great deal of leg room he simply flipped the bench and sat in the newly created row in front of us, very neat indeed.
 
 
IMG_0516  IMG_0518  IMG_0517
 
The buildings got taller as we neared the city. We passed through some stations and I pointed out some of the classic, original tiling and advertisements. Bear did his best – the results were a lovely blur, the best of the bunch was this picture ‘between adverts’ which produced a record of the ...........fire hose. Huh. We haven’t seen a man waggling a flag for some time. Now you are........... Uh the Barmy Army don’t want to read that sort of thing....Huh.
 
 
IMG_0524  IMG_0526  IMG_0527
 
We had an hour to enjoy the ambience – Carnival Princess was in dock again so the crowds were made up of enthusiastic tourists giving a great atmosphere to the warm, sunny day. We enjoyed listening to the chap on his didgeridoo and then bimbled over to see what was on show outside Customs House. Short answer – Toilets.........
 
 
IMG_0527  IMG_0529
 
A new one on us. Toilets can be fun. We stood for a while watching a chap juggling with wrapped toilet rolls....Knowing Graham would be early, time to head to the ferry dock, excitement fully charged. There’s masses of people how will you find each other. Easy, we just will.
 
 
IMG_0531  IMG_0532
 
The moment. The hug.
 
 
IMG_0533
 
The pose.
 
 
IMG_0534
 
Five minutes later we were sitting on the ferry over to Manly, the years since 1982 having fallen away. Graham and I trained as State Registered Nurses from 1978 to 1981, we last saw each other just before Graham went to Cornwall to do his Health Visitor Certificate. Keeping in touch for some years via the unpredictable ‘blueys’ through Julie. Sadly, when we lost Julie we lost contact, this was before the days of the world wide web, Facebook and all the rest of the modern way. One person wishes she was with us right now another of our infamous and close group - Carolyn, we will raise a glass to you just as soon as the ferry pulls in and we all have a cold one in hand. Here’s to you lovely lady. Graham has not changed one iota, he is still gently spoken, no fake ‘stralian accent and he says hello not g’day. All right with us then.
 
 
Selfie
 
The ‘selfie’ Graham took of us.
 
 
IMG_0536
 
The lovely trip over let us see the Sydney Harbour Bridge again.
 
 
IMG_0540
 
Graham pointed out some of the land marks, the Quarantine dock we would come in to, and said that on the night time ghost tour of the prison, whilst he “doesn’t believe in that sort of thing”, he really felt a chill in one of the cells. A must do when we get back here, fingers crossed, safe winds and a following sea, hopefully this time next year via the good ship Beez Neez. He also said the zoo was one of the best in the world, also now on the wish list.
 
 
IMG_0544  IMG_0546
 
The ferry or harbour side of Manly. We bimbled a few blocks and there we were on the seaward side of Manly.
 
 
IMG_0545
 
There we stood admiring the lovely Manly Beach. Graham said “You brought your swimmers, well shall we go for a swim then a beer or several, or, shall we go straight to the beers.” Oh how difficult was that decision......... Bar it is then. Bear and Graham had many different varieties to try and clearly they needed to start as soon as possible.
 
 
IMG_0549  IMG_0551
 
The Surfers Monument.
 
 
IMG_0552
 
The use of the place name ‘The Steyne’ has a long continuous association with Manly. It is connected to the developer Henry Gilbert Smith and his mid 19th century plans for Manly modelled on the seaside town of Brighton, England. The Steyne – or Steine, got its name from the Flemish word ‘steine’ meaning place of stones. In Brighton, the coast contained a platform of stones on which the Flemish fishermen since the 1600’s were able to beach their boats and dry their nets. The Old Steine is still a central street in Brighton and the spelling was ‘the Steyne’ in 1779 and varied after that date.
The Steyne in Brighton, or walking promenade as it became, was given its prominence by the Prince of Wales – later, King George IV. The Prince built the Brighton Pavilion, alongside it he created the promenade where the gentry soon established houses. It became the place to be seen walking with family or friends.
 
 
IMG_0548
 
Early plans of Manly show the area adjacent to the Pacific Ocean beach named East Steyne. The historic use of the name ‘Steyne’ continues today in the names North and South Steyne Reserve, North and South Steyne roadway, the North Steyne Surf Club and the Steyne Hotel – seen on the right.
 
 
IMG_0554  IMG_0555
 
Soon perched in a bar, it was so easy to chew the cud and enjoy the afternoon. Manly is fine with me, a Mack went by. We watched as a mass of young people crossed the road to use the Steyne for roller blading. Time for another one then.
 
 
IMG_0557  IMG_0560  IMG_0562
 
It was really good to trot along taking pictures of these two old friends. They would stop on important points of memory, then bimble and chat – completely unaware I was clicking away behind them. I did have to pull away when I suddenly spotted a familiar sight, an old letter box.
 
 
IMG_0559
 
This was supposed to be a great picture of a seagull enjoying a jolly good wash. I clicked and guess what............He’d flown off laughing.
 
 
IMG_0564  IMG_0566
 
Chatting continued all the way through the lovely suburb of Manly. We stood and watched the ferry coming in.
 
 
IMG_0542
 
Previously, Bear was heard to say that the harbour is not as big as I had imagined, waiting for the ferry he actually admitted that....it is really pretty big.........
 
 
IMG_0541
 
Back on the ferry and a chance to enjoy the classic scene of Sydney Harbour.
 
 
IMG_0569  IMG_0570
 
We left the ferry, caught a train and were next seen enjoying the architecture of the Surry Hills, another suburb of Sydney.
 
 
IMG_0571  IMG_0573  IMG_0574
 
Many of the quaint terraced houses boast lovely, original ironwork and tiling.
 
 
IMG_0575
 
Time for a swift couple of sherbets in an ’Irish Style’ bar with a huge selection of libations. Then a bimble down the equivalent of ‘the curry mile’ to enjoy a meal at the Maya Da Dhaba, awarded the New South Wales Takeaway for 2014. Fantastic meal. Thursday night in the area is late night shopping and most eateries were buzzing. All too soon it was time to say our ‘farewells’ and head home. Same time next year then.........
 
 
IMG_0578
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALL IN ALL WHAT A JOYFUL DAY
                     A SMASHING TIME WITH A FIRM FRIEND