Does it come with the stand
It was time for the double decker tube again as we made our way back to the bright lights. The lights were brighter than we expected for 9:30am but then this is the weekend. Our street had already been closed to traffic in preparation for street markets and the promise of live music and there was much bustling. We made a note that this might be worth checking out later but we had a plan. The first thing on today's very loose and scant agenda, was to walk across the famous harbour bridge. It's huge, especially when you consider that it was built in 1926. Six lanes of traffic, two train lines and two walkways use the same span which reaches high above the water so as not to impede the progress of even the largest ocean going vessels. When we eventually reached the walkway, we discovered that more people were using it for exercise than for sight-seeing. If you weren't in running clothes, you were out of place. Happily put of place, we made our way to the other end of the bridge and back, passing the two huge brick towers at either end which look like they bear the brunt of bridge supporting. It turns out they're there for show, to give the public more confidence in the structure.
It was time for the bus tour of the city. This is always a good way to see a city and always a freezing cold way to see a city. It doesn't matter where we are. Paris, New York, Liverpool or Sydney, they are always freezing experiences. We sat in a seat near the front up top and plugged our earphones in. It was surprisingly silent and it wasn't until all heads swung left that we realised that we had chosen the one seat where neither earphone port was working. We moved to experience the chippy banter between Dave, Tilly and Emma along with everyone else, as they 'bigged up' the city and the driver negotiated it.
We were now seriously cold, or I was, and hungry. We returned to a delightful area called 'The Rocks', the oldest part of the city, boasting the oldest street in Australia. It was full of artisan markets and thronging with tourists. The thing about globalisation is that our shrinking world brings with it an inevitable homogenisation of all things. Now, if you go to a market anywhere in the world, you will still find, bratwurst, dream-catchers, amusingly flavoured marmalade and an array of gifts made from wood to inflict on your unsuspecting family when you return from your travels.
I went into one shop, drawn in by the sound of some very impressive didgeridoo playing. I thought it must be a recording, but no. There was a fantastic array of didgeridoos and a man was giving an admirable demonstration of what one can do. When he stopped, the American lady who he was demonstrating to, asked, "And does it come with the stand?"
We found an Italian place for food. We were going to turn away because it was so cold, but they placed us under gas heaters which gently roasted us as we ate. Kate had to have hers turned off but I love a roasting. Kate had a seafood risotto and I chose a chicken in a creamy sauce affair. (Not roasted) When we had eaten all we could, we asked for a container. We have enough chicken and rice for another ample lunch tomorrow.
We sauntered past a modern art gallery, so sauntered in. You may have read a previous blog where I questioned the artistic value of a rectangle of plain white canvas? The sights we saw in this exhibition make me take that all back. Comparatively, it is a masterpiece. (OK. I'm obviously an artistic Philistine - so is Kate, btw)
Weariness was creeping in. There's nothing more tiring than wandering a city, in my opinion. More sauntering brought us to the museum of Sydney. This museum helped to reveal the origins of the west's arrival here. It actually made us rather embarrassed to be British. We, and other colonisers, showed unbelievable assumed superiority and contempt when 'connecting' with the aboriginal people.
Time to plot a course back to our digs...
A few spontaneous course alterations brought us into the Botanical Garden. We could so easily have missed seeing this and it is wonderful. I've tried taking a few pics....
When we arrived back at our street, the party was in full swing. We stopped for a while to listen to a good jazz band, complete with female singer before arriving back feeling pretty tired.
Still, when friends ask, we can now say that we've been to art galleries and museums. It's important to some people and probably should be to us.
I've just been down the road for a few provisions. The party is hotting up out there. I loved that, despite the mounting excitement of party time, the butcher birds are still singing away in the trees. They are in their own world, singing impressive duets to each other. To be honest, I think, rather than the hype, food, drink and dancing down here, I would prefer to sing a duet or two with the birds, up in the canopy of the tall trees.
Looks brilliant, and having a great time. I fear after all things you’ve seen and done, you won’t want to come back!!
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