Penrith

Weir Reserve

On Thursday 16 May, 2019 we did a walk along part of the Great River Walk at Weir Reserve, Penrith.  There were many birds to be seen, both on the water and flitting about in the undergrowth and tree canopies.  After our morning walk we had worked up quite an appetite, so walking back to our car, we drove around to the Rowers Club and had lunch sitting at a table out on the covered deck overlooking the Nepean River.  After lunch we continued a short walk along the river, under the bridges, before returning to our car.  It was a very hot day and we felt quite exhausted after our walk. However, we always like to be near the water and enjoy a change of scenery from the Mountains.  We were at the foot of the Blue Mountains and could view the Mountains from the river bank.

Here is the path, starting to ascend from the river bank.  We only went this far before turning around and heading back towards the Rowers Club.  The path is very popular and there were lots of people out and about on it enjoying the pleasant weather.

Pebbles and rocks in a pretty bend in the river.  I took many photos of the river, as I wanted photos of river scenes for a YouTube video project to illustrate my latest piano arrangement.

The Rowers Club, where we had lunch.  People can also dine on the covered verandah (where the umbrellas are). We were seated in the covered deck at the rear of the picture. We walked down the pathway after lunch, to rejoin the Great River Walk along the river.

The Victoria Bridge across the Nepean that carries road transport and trains. There is a new pedestrian bridge alongside it now which we walked over the last time we were here.

Rowing sculls lined up on the bank of the River, beside the Rowers Club.  There is also a Club where you can learn to row, alongside the Rowers Club.  I took this photo from our table on the deck of the Club.

It was a beautiful day for a walk, but we should have worn tee shirts, as it was very hot.

Winmalee

The Coramandel Circuit

We did a longer walk today around what we call the Coramandel Circuit.  It is a circle of streets off Hawkesbury Road and just a short distance from our home.  We cross the Road opposite our house and walk down to the turn off to Coramandel Avenue then turn into Turnbull Street down Robyn Street, into Linnet Street and back into Turnbull Street and Coramandel Avenue back to Hawkesbury Road. It took us about 50 minutes, with many stops to take photos and a short walk down Wren Place before we returned home.  Parts of this walk are not paved and proved to be hard on my feet due to the rough surface and many stones underfoot and some of the streets are steep. After all, we do live in the Mountains!

A little copse of Autumn trees on an unpaved area along Hawkesbury Road before reaching Coramandel Avenue.

I love this little laneway lined with trees shedding their Autumn leaves.  It leads to a group of four houses off Coramandel Avenue.  There is a gate, but I have never seen it shut.  I'm not sure whether it would be classified as a gated community.

A lovely touch of gold in this Autumn tree at No. 9 Wren Place.  The number on the gatepost was loose and swinging on a single nail!

A magnificent view of Bees Nest Hill.  Years ago we walked to the top of this hill where there is a magnificent view into the Grose Valley.  This Hill is accessed via the Blue Gum Swamp at the end of White Cross Road.

This Liquidambar Tree stands on our property and was a welcome sight as we neared home, at the end of our walk.

It was a great day for a walk.  Fine and sunny and not cold.  It felt more like a Spring day.

Winmalee

Tristania Way

To-day we did a short local walk to Tristania Way,  not far from our house.  We have decided we need to do more walking and so we are going to try and do a few short walks every week.  The weather today was fine, sunny and quite warm for late Autumn.  The red and gold colours of the Autumn leaves looked magnificent as we stepped into this little cul-de-sac off Hawkesbury Road.  It was quiet and peaceful in this hidden getaway, even though it is close to a busy Road.  We walked to the end and then back again to Hawkesbury Road.  Here are some photos and observations of our walk.

This row of trees, displaying their Autumn glory, greeted us as we started our walk into Tristania Way.  They were on a bend in the Road as it dipped down into a Valley.  Just before reaching this bend, we saw a Crimson Rosella flitting around high in the trees on our right-hand side.

These dogs were barking excitedly as we walked past their property.  I loved the spotted one.  He looked part Dalmatian.  The other one looked like a Border Collie.  They looked happy to see us, even though they were barking!

We noticed this big old Gum tree, as we continued down the road.  I liked the way the branches intertwined to form an interesting pattern.  It was on the bush side of the Road. The bush stretched down into a deep valley.

On our way back to Hawkesbury Road, we noticed this little tree covered in netting.  It was growing on the Council nature strip.  We assumed it was a fruiting citrus tree and must be good enough for the owners of the adjacent house to want to safeguard it from attacks from birds.  Hope they reap a good crop!

A little clump of Gazanias greeted us in a garden on Hawkesbury Road and on the corner with Tristania Way.  As it was a sunny day the flowers were fully opened.  They made me feel happy!

We then walked the short distance back to our home.

Leura

Flemish Flavours 

Yesterday, being Mother's Day, I was spoilt with a sumptuous lunch at Flemish Flavours, Leura in the upper Blue Mountains.  My son Bo came and drove Ken and I up the Mountains to this fabulous Belgian Restaurant where he had booked a table for a Mother's Day lunch.  It is located within a heritage listed Mountains mansion in a commanding position at the top of The Mall in Leura.  Although we have driven down The Mall in Leura many times, I have never paid particular attention to this glorious house at the top of the hill, probably because you would have to crane your neck upwards to get a good glimpse of it.  The garden is enchanting and in warmer weather dining can take place in the grounds and also on the verandah.

The house was initially built as a fine country retreat and  has cosy wooden interiors, typical of the 19th Century, creating an Old World charm.  Comfy Chesterfield Couches line the entrance foyer and the walls are panelled with polished timber.

Stunning views to the distant escarpments at Katoomba overlooking the Jamison Valley can be seen from the garden at Flemish Flavours.  

The garden was ablaze with Autumn colour.  However, random plantings of trees throughout the garden has resulted in a diminution of the visual experience.

There was a garden of these pink flowers beaming brightly in the autumn sunshine.  I'm not sure what they are but think they are Bergenia, or common name pigsqueak.  They grow well under trees and in shady spots in gardens.

This was my main meal - brisket (free range) with glazed spring carrots, sweet potato wedges, spinach, tiny toms and thyme jus.  The meat just melted in my mouth, it was so tender. My first course was Pork pate, cornichon and sour dough while Ken had Boudin noir (black pudding).  His eyes lit up when he saw that on the menu!

Cabarita

Trip to Cabarita

On Thursday 9 May, 2019 we travelled by Rivercat Ferry from Circular Quay to Cabarita on the Parramatta River.  I had not been to Cabarita for many years and was pleasantly surprised by what a beautiful place it is now. Cabarita is an Aboriginal word meaning "by the water".  It was once swampland and home to heavy industry.  The swamplands have now been reclaimed to create golf courses, and housing development has replaced industry.

Some of the scenery along the Parramatta River as we passed Balmain.  This beautiful stone building must have a story to tell.

This is the shoreline at Cabarita as we disembarked from our ferry.  I love the rock pools along the sandy beach.

This Wooden Federation Pavillion was built in 1901 from which the Governor General, Lord Hopetoun, proclaimed the Federation of Australia.  The Pavillion was moved from Centennial Park in Sydney to Cabarita Park.

We discovered Sander's kiosk on D'Albora Marina at Cabarita Point where we enjoyed a fabulous lunch at a table overlooking a quiet bay in the River.  It was most enjoyable to sit and relax and watch the boats on the River.

Looking back at the shoreline of Cabarita as we departed in our Rivercat Ferry back to Circular Quay.  It was such a beautiful sunny day, just perfect for our day out and to enjoy some time spent by the water.

Cockatoo Island - conclusion

Exploration of the Island

Cockatoo Island's convict quarters were transformed into a Reformatory and school for orphaned girls in 1871.  At the same time, anchored off the north-east corner of the island, was a training ship housing homeless boys.  To distance itself from its convict days, the institution was renamed Biloela (an Aboriginal word meaning black or white cockatoo).  The school closed in 1880 after a Royal Commission into the abysmal living conditions.  Cockatoo Island became Australia's leading shipyard and operated for 134 years from 1857 to 1991.  We did not have time on this visit to investigate the Island's shipyard legacy, but will return another time and look into this aspect of the Island's history.  Nowadays, the Island is the only harbour island where you can stay the night in unique accommodation including "glamping" tents.  Cockatoo Island's heritage and industrial spaces provide the perfect backdrop for many exhibitions or events.

One of the doors in the Historic Residence Precinct.  This could have been the Residence for the Clerk of Petty Sessions and later of the Foreman Shipwright and Dock Master.

This window was in the Mess Hall in the Convict Precinct.  This building was later utilised as part of the accommodation for the Reformatory and School for orphaned girls and the windows would have been enlarged and improved upon from its' convict beginnings.

The green building on the far shore is the Dawn Fraser Swimming Pool in Balmain where our champion swimmer Dawn Fraser used to train.

Sydney Tower can be seen from the Island rising high in the air across the Parramatta River.

Entrance to Tunnel 1.  This tunnel was built in 1915 and was used to transport materials easily across the island.  During the second World War it was modified to become an air raid shelter.   As we never experienced air raids in Sydney, I guess it was never used.  We walked through it to get to the Marina Cafe where we had tea and cake.