Sydney Blog
Fleck
Sat 31 Oct 2009 08:01
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31st October, 2009
Position 33:51.4S 151:12.9E (Navigators will note
that this is in the middle of the Opera House: I was there, even if Fleck
couldn't manage the stairs)
Ten great days in Sydney, Rushcutters Bay was an
excellent location, and the facilities and welcome at the CYCA more than we
could have hoped for. Not many Brits get this far South, of course I know why
now, but still it has been great for us and just a bit of a novelty for the
Sydnesiders at the CC. The very hot weather that greeted our arrival was never
repeated, but we enjoyed typical English good summer weather which was perfect
for sightseeing and our long cross city walks. Two interesting walks to Town:
one via Kings Cross: the City's underbelly area with Clubs catering for all
tastes, then through Hyde Park to the Central District. I prefered the bayside
walk, despite the numerous steep steps, this takes you past the iconic Harry's
Cafe de wheels (Pie and peas all hours) the Navy Dockyard, the Art Gallery and
the Botanical Gardens, ending up at the Circular Quay and the Opera House.
Charlie and Mark opted for route one, hopefully because it was the quickest way
to the shops!
Downtown is mostly tall buildings, but some of
these sprout ingeniously from the facades of original city buildings, and
others: particularly the Queen Victoria Building have been spectacularly
restored to original spec, but with a modern twist: imagine loos with all the
latest electronic water systems, but with polished wood and Victorian pocelain
and tiles. I liked it a lot, but could not afford the shops! The Opera House
requires no comment other than to say I took a guided tour to secure a massive
discount on my tickets (A Spring Arts Festival Promotion), and found it really
interesting. A real vindication of the 'Go for it' attitude to the
original design plans: farsighted City Fathers, or did they just get lucky? They
selected the design with no building plans at all: just like our new extension
at Glebe Barn!!
My $50 tickets got me into the best seats for Cose
Fan Tutte (a modern interpretation in every sense, and excellent) and
Peter Grimes (remarkably prosaic in contrast, and nearly ruined by silly
stacking chairs on the set:its too complicated to explain). I also really
enjoyed the NSW Art Gallery: From Canelleto's warped St Marks Square (To get all
the best buildings into one painting) to an arresting squashed Bugatti!, and
pretty well everything in between. Good Examples of Charles Condor, Sydney
Nolan, and Tom Roberts: now my favourite Australian Painters, having never heard
of them before Brisbane.
Other Good things were walking the Harbour
Bridge, eating Asian Food in Hyde Park during the Food Festival, and eating
wonderful roast beef at Chris and Janes lovely Paddington home. Paddington
is especially pretty just now with the Jacorandas in full bloom: the
flowering season has followed us down the coast from Brisbane as the weather
warms up.
On my final day Chris took us all (including Lizzie
who had a day off work, but not Jane who was in Melbourne) up to the Blue
Mountains: the Grand Round trip! It was a really good day out, with great food
along the way (lemon merangue pie as tall as it was wide!). The traditional
views of the Three Sisters at Katoomba did not disappoint: grander that I
remember them twenty years ago, even if they are feeling a little dwarfed
by the massive Visitor Platform that has been erected. I seem to recall
that on our last visit we just scrambled over the rocks to get a view
(but then I can remember walking through Stonehenge with no restrictions at
all!). Chris was pleased as punch to find us
an example of the rare Waratah flower: the emblem of NSW. But round
the next bend in the road there were literally hundreds of the things! (never
seen anything like it...!).
Back home the kids went out boozing, Chris and I
had a fish supper from the Paddo Fish Shop (excellent) and the Grown ups were
early too bed. Next morning up with the lark to the Supermarket for fresh veg
and fruit (they open at 7am). Water and fuel and finally off at 10.00 hours.
Charlie and Chris came to cast me off. Mark had made a valiant effort
to attend as well, but by all accounts had bourne the brunt of the previous
nights excesses. I hope he recovers in time for his job interviews: they fly
back to England on Sunday. I am heading North, first stop the Hawkesbury River.
More anon
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