snap it {cold}

It's a sun-shiny-Sydney-blue sky day, a very cold day too, but with not a touch of frost in sight what do I snap? It's also the second day of the school holidays but I find myself back in my classroom. Why? Well there's always something to do isn't there? But as I glance UP (whilst putting paperwork dating back to 2008 into the 'round file') I spy the beautiful mobile of wooden peg snowflakes that my class made at the end of last term and suddenly the cold shimmers and sparkles from above!

Link to snap it {cold}

Snowflake... Winter's Butterfly!

Linear Perspectives

2204 Marrickville

So what takes a person to Marrickville? For me the only reason I have ever been there is for Yeeros... Victoria Yeeros to be more specific, which has a reputation for being the best to be found in Sydney. It's a suburb that I've passed many times on the way to and from the airport but not really stopped to have a look around. Today I saw glimpses of a growing vibrant, artistic community in Sydney's inner west that has developed within a fusion of multicultural harmony. Marrickville is synonymous with migration and this is a good enough reason for those of us who call this city our home to pay a visit to this place... if only to experience, 'heaven on a stick'!

Growing up under the flight path of Heathrow Airport I barely noticed the sound of planes over Marrickville, so I was bemused as Max noticed almost each one and then proceeded to entertain me with her attempts at trying to photograph them... I think she got a wing-tip somewhere!

Store Front Models
 Ces Camilleri's 'Marrickville Streetscape Sculptures' create a unique look to this suburb.

http://www.creativeartisticsteel.com.au/index.php/marrickville-road-sculptures.html

In his customised and motorised wheelchair, this gentleman was surprised to be asked and then chuffed about having his photo taken. Two seconds later he zoomed off, flags breezing behind him he in a blaze of Greek and Aussie pride!

Out and About With Friends 

Civic Duty

The SES (State Emergency service) comprises a group of 10 000 volunteers who are called upon in times of flood and/or storm crisis and willingly give up their time and energy to assist members of the community. What could be a more Aussie way of fundraising than a good old 'sausage sizzle'. I was happy to donate a few dollars to help the cause, just wish I didn't get tomato sauce all over my jacket!

And the Walls Came Tumbling Down

Inside sources have told us that this may well be the last that we see of this wall that once surrounded Vicars, manufacturers of woollen goods. I might optimistically think that as old history is torn down, new history is made. But I feel there's something to be said for what once was; and wonder how it might serve us better if it was to be incorporated into the future.

A guitar lesson and a quick tightrope practice in the park. It's not often you walk by and catch the sight of two legs walking out of a tree! But only to be expected in the suburb that is home to Aerialize, Sydney Aerial Theatre.

http://www.aerialize.com.au/

Tea and cake is always a must on these photographic excursions. Today's delights? A slice of coconut and lime bread, banana bread and tea for two... a delicious way to spend our loose change... or is that petty cash!

Leaving your Mark

All around Marrickville, people have left their mark. From animated sculpture to cafe art to pavement mosaics and large wall graffiti; the look of a vibrant community is painted all around. Just as my shadow fleetingly leaves a mark on this rusty, corrugated back alley fence,  so Marrickville leaves its mark on me.

2030 Watsons Bay

Well, it has poured and poured with rain quite relentlessly this last few months and for three weeks I had  been without my camera too, so this little day trip that Max and I had planned very nearly didn't happen! How lucky were we when my camera was fixed and returned the day before and that this particular Saturday turned into the most glorious blue-sky day! Watsons Bay is on our list of suburbs to photograph but was hurried along by Maxine's urge to see a red and white striped lighthouse after watching her son playing with his lego. Watson's Bay sits on the end of the South Head peninsular and is a secluded little suburb that enjoys stunning harbour views. It's a place where we often take friends when they visit us, especially along the cliff edges of The Gap up to Hornby Lighthouse, as it's one of those spots that tourists sometimes miss.

Treacherous cliffs...

and sailing ships

The Hornby Lighthouse has been the guiding light for mariners since 1858.

The lighthouse keepers cottage

Camp Cove Curves

From Fish and Chip Shop to Seafood Empire!

Watsons Bay was known as Kutti to the indigenous Cadigal people who fished and collected shellfish in the waters and bays off South Head. British settlement and five generations of Doyles later, this seafood tradition  continues in a family business that was established in 1885 and still thrives today.

one basket to share

two lives together

guiding shining

to the lighthouse

18th March 2012

2150 Parramatta

With almost five weeks holiday still ahead of us it was hard to imagine that Max and I were struggling for some 'suburb time' Well, one day during the holidays was all we managed and here it is... Parramatta! I know it's a big place but as I walked around I soon realised there was a lot more to photograph than we had time for. This is the best I could do in the time given (and with a wonky camera) so I hope I've managed to capture enough to tell the story of this historical place. From the origin of it's name derived from the Burramattagal people to the river running through it that bought First Fleet settlers in 1788 in search of fertile land for crops. From the sandstone history and contemporary architecture that live side-by-side throughout this city, to the multicultural face of the geographical centre of Sydney. Hitting this commercial hub in the post Christmas sales enlivened this bustling suburb and reminded me of why I've always enjoyed being in this place.

From All Walks of Life

The head of the Parramatta River was home to the Burramatta clan whose name means  'the place where eels lie down' 

Parramatta... A River Runs Through It

Old Government House is Australia's oldest surviving public building and home of the first ten Governors. From it's doorstep you can see some of Parramatta's newest buildings rising in a glassy-blue shimmering reflection.

Vanes and Cranes

Tudor Gatehouse 

Parramatta Gaol has undergone many transitions since it's opening  on 2nd January 1842. It's walls now stand silent as Australia's oldest serving correctional centre closed it's gates on 9th October 2011.

Lock, Rock and Skin Tearing Razor Wire!

Westflied's humble beginnings in Blacktown, with Frank Lowey at it's helm, has now expanded beyond all recognition. For a long time Westfield Parramatta laid claim to being the largest shopping centre in the southern hemisphere. That crown has since been passed on but in Sydney at least, it still remains a feature that attracts people to this suburb.
What's in a name? Westfield was so called due to its location. West, because it was in the western suburbs of Sydney and field because it was built on subdivided farmland. Interestingly there is no Westfield in Blacktown, the suburb which gave rise to this huge  shopping empire!

Lake Parramatta was a very recent discovery for our family. We couldn't believe this little piece of lakeside beauty and tranquility existed amongst the urban sprawl of Parramatta.

Our day came to an end at St Johns Cemetery, the oldest European cemetery in Australia and final resting place for many of those that came over on the First fleet. While many notable people are buried here such as D'Arcy Wentworth (Wentworthville), John Harris (Harris Park), Mary Kelly (Kellyville), Mary Pymbal (Pymbal) and John Thorn (Thornleigh), it was this headstone that captured my imagination. What peculiar family trials caused Sarah to die of a broken heart on 1st April?

2110 Hunters Hill

Max and I had organised to meet a friend for lunch and being the photgraphic opportunists that we are we thought we'd fit in a suburb beforehand. It had to be somewhere in the proximity of 'lunch' and I fancied photographing somewhere by the water. A search of nearby suburbs in the street directory led us both to the peninsular of Hunters Hill. Well, what a surprise! A stones throw away from the city, who would have thought that we'd find this beautiful, secluded, waterside 'country village'. Pretty sandstone cottages standing side by side along leafy streets and comfortably nestled amongst colourful spring gardens with the most spectacular views. The place was oozing tranquility, nostalgia and charm!

The Garibaldi Hotel opened in 1861 and this is also the year that the municipality of Hunters Hill was established. A special sesquicentary celebration!

The Garibaldi Hotel's Goddess of Wine. This is a replica statue in place of the original which was stolen in 1973; and Adele who took time out of her day to talk to us about the history of the hotel which is now a collection of small shops, one of which is hers.

Antique and Shabby Chic



Room With a View



Marine Life

Scrubbing

Holiday Playground

Hillman Orchard

Scrumping Scalliwags!

Scrumping is a colloquial English term for stealing apples and sometimes other fruit from other people's trees, gardens or orchards. (This explanation is for those not from Blighty. In Australia apparently it's just called... stealing fruit from other people's trees, gardens or orchards lol). These three scalliwags were oblivious to me documenting their looting of mulberries until after they had got all they wanted and were counting their booty. They stopped when they saw me with my camera pointed at them and I stopped clicking away as soon as they saw me... we were all caught out!

Something interesting perhaps, for those of you in the cider drinking business! Scrumpy, from which the verb scrump is derived, is a rough cider from the south west counties of England that is made from apples. It was often given to 'wurzels' in lieu of payment by landowners in an attempt to keep the workers compliant. What's a wurzel I hear you ask? Think Worzel Gummidge and his good friend Aunt Sally and you're halfway there! A country bumpkin, a straw chewing yokel wearing a smock and weilding a pitchfork! (Gotta love those stereotypes) Wurzel is from mangel wurzel a German word for a type of beet. From mulberries to apples to beetroot - I love the connections of language, time and place!