Beez Neez now Chy Whella

Graham

Big Bear and Pepe Millard

Thu 20 Nov 2014 23:57

Meeting Up With Graham in Sydney

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.

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.

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.........

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.

The moment. The hug.

The pose.

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.

The ‘selfie’ Graham took of us.

The lovely trip over let us see the Sydney Harbour Bridge again.

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.

The ferry or harbour side of Manly. We bimbled a few blocks and there we were on the seaward side of Manly.

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.

The Surfers Monument.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Chatting continued all the way through the lovely suburb of Manly. We stood and watched the ferry coming in.

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.........

Back on the ferry and a chance to enjoy the classic scene of Sydney Harbour.

We left the ferry, caught a train and were next seen enjoying the architecture of the Surry Hills, another suburb of Sydney.

Many of the quaint terraced houses boast lovely, original ironwork and tiling.

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.........