What’s made you smile this week? Many things, I hope!
First on my list is this wacky sock monkey I made last night. It took me hours and his ears are crooked, but he was pretty cute in the end. Which is just as well, as I can’t see myself making another one! I’ve named him Richard, in honour of our podiatrist, the giver of socks (I’m sure he’ll be delighted).
If you’d like to make your own, it only takes one pair of socks and these brilliant instructions from Craft Passion…
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Last Thursday, we took my mother to explore the Hidden Sculpture Walk at Rookwood Necropolis.
Mum was amused and a tad disconcerted to be strolling through a cemetery, but I found it incredibly peaceful. The artworks were scattered through the old part of the necropolis – along paths and in amongst the graves themselves…
Twist of Fate (Widow-maker) by Jane Gillings was my favourite piece. The artist has turned used champagne corks back into a tree…
Lotus Labyrinth, by Diamando Koutsellis…
Peace in Death by Rachel Sheree won a prize…
Tears & Courage by Kirsty Collins sat comfortably in amongst older graves…
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Sydney University is building a brand new museum which will open late 2018 or early 2019. It will combine the collections of the the Macleay and Nicholson Museums, and the University Art Gallery.
This means the Macleay would be closing at the end of November for two years (the Nicholson will stay open until the end of 2017). I’m embarrassed to admit that I’d never been before, despite attending the university and living in Sydney all my life, so Pete and I spent an afternoon wandering around campus and reminiscing.
The Macleay is a glorious Aladdin’s cave of old natural history specimens, including large and small skeletons, specimens jarred in formaldehyde, small stuffed animals, and ancient instruments. I was thrilled to see these old Moa bones…
Specimens in jars, some dating from the 1800s…
Large skeletons, many of which were previously acquired for teaching purposes, are on display…
Old tools and equipment tell the stories of various university departments…
A wall of magnificent butterfly specimens are on display – I never knew their colours could be so bright!
If you’d like to read more about the history of the Macleay Museum, the Uni has just uploaded a PDF copy of Mr Macleay’s Celebrated Cabinet. It was published in 1988 to commemorate the museum’s centenary.
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From the Macleay, we strolled over to the Nicholson Museum.
At present, there are a couple of interesting exhibitions there – one called Death Magic, which explores the beliefs and traditions surrounding death in Ancient Egypt. How cool is it that we can see sarcophaguses in Sydney? (For free too!)
The other exhibition which I loved was Memento: Remembering Roman Lives.
Two sections of wall in the museum are hung with Roman funeral inscriptions…
A translation of each one is offered via an interactive tablet nearby. Having spent an afternoon at Rookwood Necropolis the week before, it made me reflect on our basic human need to commemorate lost loved ones…
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From the Nicholson, we visited Floating Time: Chinese Prints 1954 – 2002.
This free art exhibition at the University Art Gallery showcases wood cut prints from the Mao era and beyond. I’m not a fan of traditional Chinese paintings, but these were stunningly beautiful. I’m taking Mum back to see them before the closing date of 25 November…
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On our way home, we walked through the Main Quad of Sydney Uni.
The large jacaranda tree in the corner is just hanging in there – it’s about a third larger than it was in our time, and looking far less robust. In the 1980s, exam results were posted on a board in that corner of the quad, and new students were always told, “once the jacaranda starts flowering, it’s too late to start studying…”
Edit: sadly, we were right and the tree really was just hanging in there – it collapsed less than a week after our visit. Thankfully the uni has a clone of the original tree ready to go back in its place.
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Earlier this week, Small Man and I sat down to a lunch of homemade sourdough, eggs from the backyard, and a family crossword puzzle. Life doesn’t get much better than that! (He looked up and caught me taking his photo!)
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Finally…it’s hard not to smile when this hottie is all mine, and has been for over thirty years. That look on his face was in response to the suggestive comments I was making about his sexy new leather jacket…
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I hope you’re all having a fabulous week! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
What a cute monkey! He turned out very sweet. I like walking through the cemeteries and reading the gravestones. I find it interesting, my friends think I’m queer. Lol
Your post brightened my evening. Such lovely things you get to enjoy! I would love to be able to wander through the museums you were at. They look so interesting. The pictures at the end are adorable.
I just love your positive attitude – it is contagious. Thank you.
Hi Celia. You are very lucky indeed. You are surrounded by three hot young men! 😀
Celia you are so talented in so many ways.
That sock monkey is the cutest little guy!
When I first looked at the picture of the jacaranda tree I saw the figure of a standing woman ,arms raised, and her hair in a large bun. I decided I must stop analyzing everything I see and read! Your young man is very handsome. Also your photos are just beautiful. Thank you for sharing. Jere
Thank God you DO have an un-snippy family :) ! At least I feel able to be open commenting!!
Yep, he’s a hotty alright!
Wow! These photos are mesmerizing!
Sock Monkey = Squee!
A rather funereal theme to the post but not at all gloomy.
When we’re walking, we often stop in a church graveyard to eat our lunch (there’s always a bench to sit on and a tap to fill our water bottles) and it’s fascinating to read the inscriptions on the gravestones.
Gorgeous sock monkey. Richard should be honoured to be the inspiration for this!
Wonderful post again Celia. I really, really want to spend time in Sydney.
We used to have a TV campaign in the UK for a brand of tea which featured a sock monkey and it was very funny so yours made me chuckle. So many fabulous photos. Haven’t been to a good museum for a long while, so I very much enjoyed sharing your visit!
I love cemeteries and Rookwood is one of my favourites. I used to ride my bike around it when we lived in the area. I enjoy the way you bring the ‘ordinary’ sights and sounds of Sydney to your blog.
Yep – that leather jacket is the bomb. I love it. Thanks for sharing some of these smaller museums with us. Some new places for my next visit to Sydney.
You always seem to find the most interesting museums and art exhibits! How lucky to have that hottie in leather all to yourself!
I have to say that I was overwhelmed with blogs etc and deleted a LOT of them but kept yours and I am so glad I did!! You are clever/whitty and smart…do not let this go to your head :) I LOVE that sock monkey, your Richard is going to give lots of people a smile and a cheer. What amazing museums, your pictures are always so intriguing I have to go to the sites! ah yes, and then there’s THE HOTTIE!!!
Oh I love the monkey and he has got to be on the ‘to do’ list….there is a lot on that list as life has been busy reclaiming my wellness after six years. I am on track there at least and have lost 10kg, reduced all medication and walking well again. Woohoo, life is good. Thanks for the pics too. Sending love. Marilyn
The universities in Brisbane have a superstition that if a jacaranda flower falls on your head, you’ll fail your exams. Is is the same in Sydney?
First time commenter here- I think you’ve inspired me to visit the museums at Usyd while I’ve got time off! Thanks
Dear Celia, I’m a lousy and infrequent correspondent and one sorry to be the bearer or sad tidings but I had a shock when reading your (always wonderful) blog today: the wonderful jacaranda at USYD came down last week! Finally at the end of its days, it fell, but has been cloned and will live on! I suspect yours may be one of the last photos of it – please post it on http://sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2016/10/29/university-community-mourns-jacaranda-tree-collapse.html. Very best.
Hi Jac, I read about the tree on the day it fell – so sad! I’ve already sent my photo to the uni via twitter. Thanks!