Monday, November 10, 2014

There and Back Again!



Back safe and sound! Maybe it is true what they say about flying being the safest way to travel? Positive steps achieved with two of my phobias, that only leaves about twenty or so to go :) I know the shot above won't fool Sydney-siders but it kind of looks like I'm doing the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb don't you think! If you click the link you'll see what we actually climbed was the south eastern bridge pylon, 292 ft high, just short of the top of the arch by 148ft but feels a lot safer being enclosed and not out in the elements, not quite ready for that.. yet! Brilliant views all around. While in the tower we watched a short video which included fabulous black & white photos of the bridge when under construction back in the early 1900's, an awesome achievement.


For the first time we were in Sydney at the right time to see Sculpture by the Sea on Bondi Beach.. a brilliant setting for pieces ranging all the way through from the breaching whale carved out of driftwood to the sculpture made up of Gran's old crystal glass-ware! I recognized some of the pieces here..here and here from the same event held on Cottesloe Beach, an equally fabulous backdrop earlier this year.. did I mention it was hot.. and humid!


When I saw their work here in Highgate I was super keen to visit the studio of Gillie & Marc while in Sydney, I wasn't disappointed, what a tremendously talented duo they are.. a bit of a love story going on there :) If they hadn't been so darned heavy a 'lost dog' would have come back to Perth with moi :)


One of my favourite views, the breakfast was pretty good too!


The didgeridoo player and his friend!


The plant 'waterer'.. this one I just liked.. it was a hot and humid day, did I already mention that :) this chap had the pleasurable task of keeping the plants and the ladies in the cafes around The Rocks area cool.. maybe not the ladies :)


St. Mary's Cathedral, not too shabby a backdrop for wedding photo's.. we went inside for the first time this trip, no photo's allowed unfortunately..  


Sydney has many wonderful attractions but winning hands down by far is the delightful 'poupon' below :) Back to Perth business tomorrow, there's been a lot going on since I've been away.. as always! Looking forward to catching up and seeing what's been going on in your part of the world, be patient with me, I'll get there :) Happy Monday, take care and stay safe..


33 comments:

  1. Grace, beautiful place, beautifully illustrated. I can only disapointed that they are so far away ...

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  2. Sydney!!! I hope you had a great time! Thank you so much for this beautiful images!

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  3. Wonderful captures as always, Grace! Such a beautiful place it is indeed!! Have to admit that the last shot of that sweet face would have to be a favorite for me!! Thanks for sharing!! Get some rest and have a great new week!! So good to see you back online!!

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  4. Welcome home, Grace! We missed you. Glad to hear you're chipping away at those phobes. :-)

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  5. I was impressed by all those wonderful and exciting views, but then discovered this cute and lovely face, and those big eyes , and fffff !,I forgot Sidney :o)
    You had a great time , glad to see you back!

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  6. The sculptures are so cool! I've seen them mentioned on a few other blogs now and the driftwood piece, Breaching, is just gorgeous. I love the photo of the cathedral too, these are lovely. - Tasha xxx

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  7. So happy that you had a good time, Grace! What a sweet baby! Love your pics of Sydney too.

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  8. Gorgeous views, Grace! Welcome home!

    What a cutie!

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  9. Hello Grace, I'm your new reader. I live in Germany at the Baltic Sea, and on my blog I show photos from there. And since I like travelling, but don't have the money for it, I read foreign blogs. Glad that I found yours, now I can even "travel" down under :))
    I wish you a fine week

    Knipsa

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  10. Welcome home , dear Grace.. Your shots are gorgeous and the baby is very nice.
    Wish you a good life.

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  11. Very nice photos. That would be a wonderful bridge to climb.

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  12. So glad you back safe and sound (I knew you would be). I feel like I have had a whirlwind trip to Sydney with all these great photos. I do love the crystal sculptures and the dogs especially the ones with the cameras. And, that cathedral is simply stunning. But, there is one thing I must agree on, the little 'poupon' takes the prize. Adorable!
    P.S. you won't find me climbing that bridge either!

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  13. Wonderful shots of Sydney. I do miss the city. I lived there 10 years ago. Glad you are back home and enjoyed your trip. Sweet baby face!

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  14. A very interesting post, wrapped up with a lovely photo of your granddaughter. Climbing the pylon is the best way to experience the bridge views, and a lot cheaper!

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  15. What great shots. Looks like you had a nice trip.

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  16. Looks like you had a wonderful trip Grace. I love all the pictures, especially that last one....so adorable!

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  17. Good to see you're back on-line! Wonderful photos but of course, the absolute BEST is the last one! Looking forward to seeing more :-) xx

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  18. Looks like you sure kept yourself busy in Sydney Grace. A wonderful collection of photos. The last one steals the show.

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  19. Love to see all the images of Sydney, wonderful memories and the last one is the best of course!

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  20. welcome home! sounds like a wonderful visit, love those dog sculptures and that cutie in the last shot! adorable!

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  21. Is there no part of Australia that isn't beautiful?

    The last photo, of course, is the best. Welcome back, Grace!

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  22. I'm envious Grace, I wished that I too could have visited the Bondi Sculptures.
    I've also never attempted the bridge climb, far too scary for me! You've done well even at a lower height.

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  23. By golly, Grace, I´d never be that brave to get so high up! I´m still sad I never went inside the opera. "Phantom of the Opera" was on back then in 1995 and Ingo said, when we´re back in 6 months. And sadly...
    Hot guy, the watering dude :-)
    And the cutest baby-pic ever, awww

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  24. All wonderful photos but you saved the BEST for last!

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  25. One of my favorite cities in the world, and I haven't even been there.

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  26. Beautiful shot from the bridge, Grace. I hope you will try for the top in the future!

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  27. Spectacular views of the bridge! I wish to have breakfast there :) Arianna

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  28. My old stomping gound still can turn up the grand and beautiful volume. I have to admit, I loved the harbour views when I lived in Sydney - always changing and fascinating. I too did the safe pylon experience - inspiring.

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  29. What a lovely time, though I am not sure what the word 'hot' means.
    Super fotos, glad you had a great time.

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  30. I love your review of the Sydney visit. With my problems with heights, I don't know how I would feel about climbing that tower. LOVE love love those photographer dogs! AND, love love love the poupon.

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  31. Welcome back Grace! Wonderful photos of Sydney... and your little 'poupon' is just beautiful :-)

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  32. Wondeful images, thanks for sharing.
    Hugs

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  33. These are all very beautiful views, Grace, the last is cute :-)

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