Hornsby - Water Clock

 

The Hornsby Water Clock is in the Florence Street mall. Created by Australian sculptor Victor Cusack in bronze, stainless steel and glass it is about 8 metres tall and 20 tonnes and it revolves once every 12 hours.

It represents three types of water clocks, a Greek clepsydra, a Chinese water wheel clock and a Swiss pendulum clock.

The inscription on the clock face is "Dare We Forget". Reminding of the importance of preserving the environment. Man is represented by the figure of a woman and a child and local fauna is represented by  the fruit bat, rainbow lorikeet, possum and blue tongue lizard.

Lavender Bay - Wendy's Secret Garden

 

Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden. At considerable personal expense, Wendy started to clean up and landscape a large patch of derelict land adjacent to her home in Lavender Bay, owned by the NSW Rail Corporation. It was choked by weeds and overgrown with lantanas, and strewn with old train carriages, abandoned refrigerators, rotting mattresses and broken bottles, and some homeless people sometimes slept there. Wendy treated the garden like a giant painting, structuring, planting, pruning, moving things around, and letting nature work its own magic. Over 15 years, it has become a coveted spot for those who have heard about or chanced upon it, with random benches in quiet spots, secluded paths, and a spectacular view to the Harbour Bridge.  A wide variety of birdlife previously unknown to the area has arrived. It has been described as rivalling Claude Monet's garden. It is affectionately known by locals as "Wendy's Secret Garden", although the public have always had free access.^[

Paris - Last day and starting journey back home

Last day and starting the long journey home. Zak is leaving a few hours later for Germany and later Lebanon.

I love my life in Australia and my little flat. At the same time I love my 'other' home here in Paris. This journey makes it my 8th visit in 5 decades. Very lucky and great to share this visit with Zak. What fun we had.

Paris - Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Last full day. Zak and I wandered around Belleville and the beautiful Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

Paris - Paris Opera and Le Primptemps

Still very warm in Paris. Usually by now there are a few cool days! Wanted through Les Halles. Did notice the Forum has been removed. Ended up at Paris opera and also Le Primtemps. Had a look at the beautiful dome roof

London - Anniversary day

Not been to London in over twenty years so decided to pop over for the day. We took the 7.15am Eurostar from Gare du Nord to St Pancreas. We did a 'jump on jump off' bus tour. Saw most of the main sites and missed many. So much to see. Need to get back there again one day.

Paris - Le Louvre

 

Been a while since I have been to Le Louvre. I had forgotten what a marvellous gallery it is. We started top floor and worked our way down. After four hours we had had enough. It is exhausting.

Paris - Jardin de Luxembourg et Bastille

Hot day. Wandered the Luxembourg Gardens and home for a snooze and later a wander around Bastille and Rue de Lappe.

Paris - Versailles

The RER to Versailles. The crowds are extraordinary. Really very difficult to see anything. Wandered the chateau and the grounds. This time had the chance to visit the Petit Trianon.

Paris - Right Bank

8 kilometres today! Walked from 11ieme to Arc de Triomphe. When we finally got home got caught up in the Techno Parade. I remember being caught up in the last time I was here too.

Paris - Left Bank

 

 

Walked ten kilometres! Metro to Trocadero then walked to Eiffel Tower, along Champ de Mars to St Germain and St Michel then to Notre Dame, Marais and home in the 11ieme. Exhausting but a great way to see the city.

Barcelona to Paris

Paris still very pretty but also so much more crowded that I ever remember it

Barcelona - Montjuic

 

 

Climbed Monjuic behind our apartment . Great views.

Barcelona - Gaudi

 

 

Wandered the streets and found the Sagrada Familia. Crowds everywhere. It does appear much more finished that I do remember it.

Barcelona - La Rambla

 

Last time I was in Barcelona was 38 years ago! I am sure much has changed but the only thing I remember of it was this statue of Christopher Columbus. Walked around La Rambla and the adjacent streets. Ate yummy food in the local markets.

Sitges

Day at the beach and sunburn

Sitges

Arrived Sitges and found hotel room double booked. Luckily the owner took us to a much better hotel down the street for the same price. Sitges is a tourist mecca for gays. The place is heaving. Even more so when Bears Week.

Madrid - Las Ventas

 

Went to Las Ventas bull ring for a tour. Totally fascinating and atmospheric. Especially so with the bellowing of a bull somewhere in the background.

Madrid - Reina Sofia, Temple of Debod & Chueca

 

Today went to Reina Sofia museum. Mainly to see Picassos Guernica. I never realised it was so big. The rest of the gallery was also impressive stuffed full with 20th century art.

Lunch time nap followed by a walk along Gran Via and the Temple of Debod. Back home via Chueca.

Madrid - Toledo

 

 

Up early and took train to Toledo. Glad we arrived early as we then beat the crowds. Walked, walked and walked some more including back to station in the afternoon. This evening we wandered around Chueca.

Madrid - Prado and Flamenco

Waking up early. Walked in the early morning through the beautiful Retiro park. Some of the trees have leaves turning red already.
Arrive at Prado museum at 10am. This museum deserves all its accolades. Impossible to choose what I like the most.
This evening went to Villa Rosa to see flamenco and I love this stuff. This place has been going since 1911. Tonights dancers were young and hot. Sweat flying off the faces and hair and they moved.

Madrid - Plazas

 

Arrived in Madrid after a 34 hour trip because of a late notice 7 hour wait in Singapore. Caught the bus from airport to Atocha, then Metro to Anton Martin and walked few streets to our studio in Calle Santa Marie. Unpacked, showered and got out amongst it all.
Walked to Puerto de Sol, Plaza Major, Plaza Oriente and every tiny back street in about 35C. Exhaused.
Went back home for a small nap at 5pm. Woke up 2am! There goes day day one and any chance of a late night dinner. Oh well so it has to be 'Chocoprince' biscuits and fresh figs in bed.