Bridging the Gap with a Croc Pizza

And

Keeping up Appearances on HMAS Onslow

It was a perfect evening for a walk over the bridge as the power of the sun was on the wane and the walking side by now in its shadow. Not being inclined to pay the expensive fee to traverse over the top of the arch we were content to wander along the broad clean pathway at street level, taking in the sun shining on the Opera House and expanse of blue water and Athol Bay, site of our NYE anchorage in the distance.

We valued the opportunity this visit had given us to remember where we could safely and inexpensively anchor Zoonie, in a bay with a ferry terminal so we would have access to the city just by swiping our credit cards over the ‘opal’ e-ticket post and stepping aboard the fast ferries. We have yet to fully explore places like the Botanic Gardens and the estuary itself from the water.

Back to the bridge which is covered with permanently fitted firework holders like the one in the picture. Imagine having the job of filling them with live fireworks, you wouldn’t want to get it wrong.

By the time we had crossed the bridge there and back and meandered a little we were well ready for a bite and so found our way back to the Australia Pub in The Rocks area (as shown in a previous blog), the Rocky knoll to the right of the Circular Quay Transport hub that we had visited with our four friends.

The black lumps you see on Rob’s pizza are olives and eggplant, the croc is white meat which hardly shows but tastes like pleasant and delicate nothing else!

Sitting at a pavement table there was a gentle breeze to cool us and giant fruit bats flying overhead. They live in the city along with numerous other exotic looking birds like the colourful lorikeets and Egyptian Nile Valley looking white Ibis with their long beaks, spoonbill lookalikes without the spoon bowl.

Next morning we decided to be a very sensible pair and visit the Hyde Park Medical Centre Skin Cancer Clinic to get some advice on little blemishes that have appeared, one on my hand and one or two on the top of Rob’s head. They all welcome walk in clients’ to these places, in fact encourage them. Our little worries are solar keratosis spots which while non-cancerous at present can develop if untreated, so that will be the next step. Frankincense Essential Oil can be effective and there are regular creams on the market too.

Next on the itinerary for the day was the Maritime Museum and we were advised to visit the ships first before they became too crowded.

Dotted around HMAS Oslow’s long black whale-like British built hull were volunteers some of whom were as interesting career wise as the vessel herself by virtue of all the places on the world’s oceans where they had served and seen action. I admired them because they were elderly, like the sub and were putting up with the growing stifling heat and answering lots of questions from inquisitive bods like me and all this for the sole reward of being useful and re-living their past.

I was surprised at just how beautiful the inside of a sub could be. Everything was neatly fitted into a tiny area and cleaned and polished until it shone. See the picture of all the brass and coloured dials and gauges, I only took it because of its beauty. I am a little ashamed that I can’t remember much in the way of her technical details I’m afraid, but she was much loved by her minders I can tell you.

After climbing around, over, up and down the inside of her hull we were ready for some refreshment before proceeding to the fine replica of Cook’s Endeavour.