A lovely weekend in Australia

This was one of the first weekends that the weather was absolutely great the whole time.

Friday evening I met Lincoln and Don (also from JSI) at Hyde Park for the Noodle Dinner. Hyde Park was the colony's first racetrack and cricket pitch, it is graced with a grand avenue of trees, delightful fountains, and a giant public chessboard. We walked through the area where the tents were set up, with each restaurant in a separate tent, I believe there were 20 all told, we perused the menus and then picked the place that was serving our choice. We were able to grab a table under a tree and close by a make shift stage, and also the Beer tent. By 6.30PM the park was full of happy people sitting on blankets, and what chairs they could find. This park is huge and would venture to say there were between 900-1200 people in attendance. After enjoying our meal and a couple of drinks the Dragon Dancers started to make the rounds of the area, and much to our delight stopped at the stage and put on a show for those of us sitting close enough to enjoy. Next on the entertainment was a Thai woman who danced while balancing bowls on her head and then entertained us with some juggling of balls on a parisol, and then juggling a baton with sticks. The evening was warm and we sat out until 8.00PM just enjoying ourselves.

As you leave the park heading east, in the direction of our place, stands this beautiful old church, called St Mary's Cathedral, with its new copper spires. In 1821 the foundation stone of the first St Mary's Chapel was laid. In 1835 Sydney's first Bishop John Bede Polding OSB arrived on Sept 13th as Vicar Aposlotic of New Holland, and St Mary's Chapel becomes his first Cathedral. In 1865 the first St Mary's Cathedral is ruined by fire on June 29th. In 1868 the foundation stone of a new Cathedral is blessed by Archbishop Polding. The new Cathedral is an outstanding example of Gothic Revival Architecture and was designed by William Wilkinson Wardell of England. By 1905 the Cathedral is debt free is is consecrated. In 1928 the total cost is 700,000.00 which was spent over 60 years. The spires were finally built in 1998-2000 as per the original architects drawings, and the length of this Cathedral now measures 107 meters and takes up a whole city block.

Saturday we were up early to catch the ferry to Watsons Bay which is at the entrance to Sydney Harbour. This is a snug community with restored fisherman's cottages. Again we walked along the paths provided and took in some very spectacular views from the cliffs overlooking the Tasman Sea. We saw one of the few remaining light houses still in operation in Sydney, and also were able to view the anchor which was retrieved from the ship Dunbar that was arriving from England, after an 81 day voyage from Plymouth, when it was swept upon the rocks at the entrance to the harbour (the entrance is 4/5th of a nautical mile wide) barely 12 nautical miles from Circular Quay, all but 1 person perished in this disaster. That person, James Johnson, became the keeper of the light, at the Hornby light house (built in 1858) and we are told that this light house is one of a few still in operation. The ship sank on August 20, 1857, and is considered Sydney's worst maritime disaster, these were not convicts arriving, but rather weathy Australians who were coming back to Australia after visiting their homeland, at the time there was a very fierce southerly bluster blowing, and

according to the news it was similar to one that struck this area earlier this year and took out a couple of the ferry landings well inside the harbour. The wreck was not found until the following morning when someone walking along the cliff noticed the bodies and debris below. The ship sits 9 meters under the waves and just 100 meters from the towering cliffs.

As on all these walkways there are numerous benches and we enjoyed some time just sitting and taking in the sail boats racing below. Sun Screen and a Hat are a must in the sun here, Lincoln even got some sun under his shirt he was wearing. On our walk we came across Lady Bay, which much to my surprise was a nudists beach, which is frequented mostly by males, of which there were about 1/2 dozen in attendance. All the tour boats come in close for a better view, does not seem to bother the bathers. We also saw a couple of topless sun bathers on another beach, I guess they really want to be brown all over.

We then enjoyed a lovely lunch of fish and chips at a little diner on the wharf called Doyle's. It had seating both in and outside, we sat outside under a canopy, and Lincoln enjoyed a Tasmanian Beer. He has nothing but good things to say about the beer here, I am not a beer drinker so have to take his word on how good they taste.

We then decided to take the bus over to Bondi Junction, to visit a heath food store, and then rode the train the rest of the way home, arriving shortly after 6.00PM, tired and having had a great day. Two months and we still have not driven a vehicle here.

Sunday we decided to again take the ferry this time to Manly, 1/2 hr ride (see green and cream coloured ship in background). Again we decided to try another walkway 9KM along the harbour. We walked about 2KM out and then back again. There was a lovely cool breeze off the water, and numerous trees overhung the walkway, some with lovely red or yellow blossoms. We saw little harbours filled with sailing craft of all sizes and watched numerous people out in kayaks, and on sailboards. We had brought some treats along and sat on a bench which had a view straight out to the sea. By now you have guessed that I love the seascape.

We then walked to the sea side of Manly, where a real blow was happening, surfers were out trying to get on their boards and have a good ride into shore. The beach was crowded with people in very skimpy bathing suits, but Lincoln and I were cold, still have not gotten used to the cold air blowing off the sea. We then walked back to the harbour side and hopped on the ferry for the ride back to Circular Quay. We decided to walk home thru the Domain, less hills to climb and again arrived home at 6.00PM tired, a little sun tanned, and ready for a nice relaxing evening.

We are absolutely having a great time and next weekend Lincoln is thinking of renting a kayak for an hour to explore some of the bays. I will bring my towel and a book and sit on the beach and just enjoy the comings and goings.