Let me catch you up on what’s been happening around here. All continues to be mellow and quirky in our universe – hope it’s the same at your place!
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Last Friday, Hong Kong Millie came over on her new pushbike to help with our garden. She’s completely gorgeous, and very obligingly let me add wings to her bike helmet to increase her riding speed…
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Sydney always has sooo much wonderful free art on display! Pete and I spent a lazy afternoon in late August walking through Sculpture at Barangaroo. Horizon by Lucy Humphrey was originally shown at Sculptures by the Sea in 2013…
Empirical View (2016) by Marcus Tatton, was Pete’s favourite…
The Grove (2014) by Margarita Sampson, is clad in red cedar shingles…
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In September, Big Boy put me onto this free iPhone app…
I thought I’d try out the guided Chinatown to Circular Quay art walk…
It was huge fun! I was astounded to discover an entire alley installation, just metres away from the main entrance to Chinatown. It’s been there for ages – I’ve been within half a block of it at least a dozen times in the past few years, but I’d never noticed it before.
In Between Two Worlds (2011) by Jason Wing, has suspended half human, half spirit figures inspired by the Aboriginal and Chinese heritage of the artist…
In the evening, these figures light up – I was fortunate enough to catch them just as the sun was setting a couple of weeks later. If you go looking for this installation, Kimber Lane is close to the Paddy’s Market Light Rail stop…
It wasn’t part of the tour, but this sculpture on George Street was shimmering like a giant snake…
Dobell Memorial Sculpture (1976) by Herbert Flugelman, Spring and Pitt Streets, Sydney…
I was delighted to discover the gloriously named Obelisk of Distances, erected in 1818 as the official point for measuring distances in NSW…
I’m pretty sure all distances to Sydney are now measured to the GPO, but it’s a joy that such a wonderful piece of Aussie history has been so carefully preserved…
A great favourite of mine – Forgotten Songs (2011) in Angel Place is a creation by Michael Thomas Hill to commemorate the songs of 50 bird species once heard in central Sydney prior to European settlement. “A poignant elegy”, my friend Joanna commented. As you stroll under the cages, the bird calls can be heard clearly, mingling with the noise of sirens and traffic from the busy city..
Windlines (2011) at Circular Quay is a wind powered sculpture in honour of the 2008 centenary of Scouting in Australia.
Inlaid riddles point to the names of sixteen locations in Greater Sydney.
I wondered if “Be Resolute Like Flint & Steel” referred to the Iron Cove Bridge…but in fact, it’s a pointer to Resolute Beach and Flint and Steel Bay in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park (not much of a riddle, really)…
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As I strolled down George Street, I passed this wonderful window display at Louis Vuitton…
…and found monkeys in Chinatown! I’m guessing they’ve been up since Chinese New Year…
Serendipitously, the Strand Arcade was celebrating its 150th birthday when I wandered through. It’s hard to pass up a Saturday whisky tasting…
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Aliens! Or as Ella Dee pointed out, more probably markings for future tram works. Either way, many of the roads in Sydney city are covered in scribbles at the moment. On the off chance that they’re actually part of some sinister Dalek plot to invade the earth, I thought I’d better document them…
I think they’re fabulous – it’s like some mad (but very neat) mathematician has graffitied the footpaths…
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The manic bag making continues (I’ve tidied up my sewing room, so I can finally get to my machines). For my 50th birthday a couple of years ago, my friend Nic wrapped her gift in a gorgeous tea towel that was just too pretty to use. So last week I turned it into little zippered bags…
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We popped into Bonarchè in Leichhardt with Kevin and Carol for huge burgers and their to-die-for kimchi fries. Run by Roger and Tracy, this delicious little restaurant is within walking distance of home, serves wickedly good local brews, and is (thankfully) only open Thursdays to Sundays…
Here’s a photo from Small Man’s birthday dinner there in September…the sweet potato fries alone are worth the visit…
…and their British style fish and chips are the bomb…
After scoffing burgers with our friends, we were embarrassed to call it a night at 7pm lest our sons (we have five between us) made old people jokes, so we settled down for a couple of hands of 500.
It’s one of the few things that Pete and I can’t do together – we decided long ago that for the sake of our marriage, we could never be card partners. So for the last thirty years, it’s been Kevin and Pete vs Carol and I.
The night ended with a draw, and perhaps it is indicative of old age that none of us felt the need to play a decider round…
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What a longwinded post! If you’ve made it to the end, thank you for reading. What’s been happening in your world? I hope all is well with you and yours! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
What a lovely post! Such amazing art. You live in a beautiful city. It is nice to see that many of the old monuments are still standing.
Things here are slowly slowing down now that we are getting the occassional snow flurry.
Yes, I loved seeing all that art – next time it will be SIDDIE for me!
Celia – I am NOT trying to pay you compliments but I simply do not know of anyone who SO finds the spirit of Sydney-town as you! Fantastic photos . . . the Strand Arcade used to be the centre-of-town for me . . . *smile* Dad used to drink Martell at times when his fave 4-star Hennessy was not around . . . [and Miss C: I did not make Melbourne but Sydney is my hometown!!]
I just love your posts Celia, informative, funny and always entertaining. We are also following your bag making fetish with amusement, we particularly laughed at the zongzi shaped versions… the jury is still out on their final usage though!
Hahaha…the small versions of them have proven to be excellent dog poop bag carriers! :)
My, my…. you have been busy. I’ve already made comment of those fries – they are the bomb! A lovely collection of photos of you other adventures. Love the wings on the helmet : )
Come to Sydney and play! Bring the fossil lover with you and I’ll take him shopping. I still have your umbrella, remember, so you have to come back.. :)
Oh my goodness there is so much here! You know how they say pictures can tell a thousand words? This post alone could speak a novel! Every photo was super captivating and it sounds like such an amazing time. Thanks for sharing with us.
The helmet wings are fantastic
Thanks Gary! Millie was very kind to indulge me! :)
Hi Celia, There are so many things to see when you look :) They all look cool.
Those sculptures are incredible. And I love that app…will have to investigate to see if we have anything local here in Bexhill. I’m itching to be sewing but we are in full house refurb mode right now so I’ll have to be patient. Maybe we can go out for some nice meals…your photos have made me hungry!
Maybe I could just download the app and pretend that I’m there.
I’m amazed that nobody has added their own symbols on the pavement – just think, you might be able to re-route the tramworks (or just get arrested).
Wonderful, wonderful post!!! I shall install the app ready for my next visit to Sydney; one of my favourite things is to “walk the city.” Love the road scribbles – I have an ever-expanding collection of photos of manhole covers from around the world. I’m particularly smitten with the pics from Helsinki and Seoul. Road scribbles may be my next target! Oh, I love graffiti too – my family complains that I never have people or scenery in my holiday pics – just flowers, graffiti and “things.” They don’t understand such things are the stuff of memory surges!
Thank you for the art vacation. Such creativity! (And those little bags are faboo) hugs, Maz.
Sydney is an amazing city, I hope I´ll travel to Australia in January 2018……:):):)
You always make Sydney look fabulous – and its food! I am going to be visiting next year so I will be sure to check out that app. Thanks again for sharing.
If Daleks invade Sydney let me know. You can borrow my sonic screw driver.
What fun and adventures you get up to, girlfriend! xxx
The art scene in Sydney is absolutely fabulous. I love your creative and innovative way of recycle and upcycle.
You do live in such an interesting and inspiring place. Loved this little catch up.
I just love your life!!! xxoo
Last time we were in NYC we did an app walking tour of the Historic Port, it was so cool because you could do it all at your own speed. I am going to check it out for Toronto. Your little bags look amazing.
How lovely to have such gorgeous art free to see! Those sweet potato fries look to die for! I love that you keep making zippered bags, where do they all go? Thank you for sharing Celia.