Current Location: Autumn in Drummoyne
Greetings to all our families, friends, and space travellers.
Following several months of waiting, we have completed the importation process for Wadda. Import tax and GST paid. Our final customs inspection necessitated a quick trip to Neutral Bay. A few photos, a look-see in the cabin space, another form to fill in, and we were done. The only hiccup pre-departure was the barnacle encrusted propeller: barnacles will slice you up pretty damn quick, but create immense drag when attached to a spinning prop: with the engine in gear at 2000rpm we made no progress through the water. Aquawoman emerged from a long hibernation: with paint scraper and chisel the blades of the prop re-appeared from the mess of barnacles – the local fish delighted with the complimentary mid morning feed.
In the interim, we familiarise ourselves with living in Sydney. Here are some recent highlights.
The State Library of NSW presently has an exhibition of C19th photographs of superb quality from its Holtermann collection. The photos captured life on the gold fields and in the cities with impressive detail. Some of the photos were recently digitally coloured, most are black and white, some are enormous in size.
Detail of Tinsmith James Jaye, Bathurst 1873
The occupation of tinsmith became obsolete following the advent of mass production of household utensils. The original B&W transparency has been digitally coloured by Brendon Keogh, Creative Design Source
The Holtermann Nugget advertising logo
The Holtermann Nugget was the largest chunk of gold ever photographed: the gold was embedded in quartz, so technically was not a nugget – nonetheless it contained ~ 5000oz/57kg of gold. A larger specimen was found at the same site in Hill End, NSW, but was divvied up by the finders shortly after it was hauled to the surface, and no photo was taken.
Holtermann used the proceeds from his gold mining career to sponsor a photographic project aimed at encouraging immigration to NSW. He trademarked the image of himself with the nugget and used it to promote his patent medicines – a dab of that pain destroying liniment sounds just the thing to ease the morning aches and pains.
Wattle and daub hut, Hill End 1872, complete with lace curtains
The Sydney Opera House runs general introductory tours throughout the day. If sitting through an entire opera is not your cup of tea – tho’ I find that very difficult to believe – the general tour offers a brief history of the site, the challenges encountered whilst building, glimpses into the performance spaces, and first-rate views of Sydney Harbour.
Sydney Opera House as seen from the deck of the ferry
Sydney Harbour Bridge, as seen from the forecourt Sydney Opera House
Inside the Opera House
Inside the Opera House, 2
Inside the Opera House, 3
Inside the Opera House, 4
Inside the Opera House, 5
Danish architect Jørn Utzon designed the Opera House. The Utzon Room was named in his honour and contains a tapestry that represents how he experienced a piece of music composed by CPE Bach.
Homage to CPE Bach, Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House, tapestry woven by Victorian Tapestry Workshop, 2004
From the Opera House, it’s a short stroll back to Circular Quay. A quick ferry ride across the harbour will deposit you at the Taronga Park Zoo wharf. Our zoopass ticket included the return ferry trip, zoo entrance, and gondola ride from the wharf up the hill to the entrance. Here is a brief overview of some other local icons.
First up, the coat of arms
Red kangaroo, Macropus rufus, chillaxin’ in the morning sun
Emu, Dromaius novaehollandiae
Emu, head shot
Next, the coins
Ringtail possum, Pseudocheirus peregrinus
Ringtrail possum demonstrating its ringtail
Echidna, short-beaked, aka spiny anteater, Tachyglossus aculeatus, on the 5c coin.
Rear end of a platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, on the 20c coin.
Koala, Phascolarctos cinereus, chillaxin’
Here are some more marsupials
Wombat, Vombatus ursinus, having a little lie down
Another koala, about to tuck into a delicious lunch of eucalyptus leaves
Red necked wallabies, Macropus rufogriseus. If you hang out in the bush all day… you might be a redneck
Another wombat, about to scratch his nose on the wall
Laid back kangaroo
Watch the birdies
Cape Barren Goose, Cereopsis novaehollandiae
Black Swan, Cygnus atratus, having a snooze in the sun
Pacific Black Duck, Anas superciliosa
Black Necked Stork, Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus, showing a bit of leg
Magpie Goose, Anseranas semipalmata, and Pelican, Pelecanus conspicillatus, have a frank and open discussion
One big happy family at the duck pond: pelicans, magpie geese, black ducks, black necked stork share the space
Black Swan goes for a paddle
Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Goura victoria, native to New Guinea
Flooded crop circle
Here’s some of the local lizards
Bearded dragons…lounge lizards…kidding!
Incognito in a banksia
Shedding skin
Children’s Python, Antaresia childreni
Night lizards
Shingleback skink, Tiliqua rugosa, head shot
Olive Python, Liasis oliveaceus, plays peek-a-boo!
More night lizards
A couple of frogs
Dainty Tree Frog (Banana Frog), Litoria gracilenta, looking sleepy
Corroboree frog, small and critically endangered
And some beaut bugs
2 Strong Stick Insects, Ctenomphodes briarius, ‘Easy to care for, don’t bite, generally don’t produce any stinky smells…easy to handle…the ideal pet.’ I guess we’ll call ‘em Sticky 1 and Sticky 2
Most excellent day at the zoo.
More to follow
Margaret and Moe
