June 2014 Report
Rocks Walk
Participants-Colin, Natalie, Yvonne, Ron, Chris, Helen and Richard
The start
We met at Circular Quay and met Yvonne at the Botanical Gardens.
What a contrast the day was weather wise to the previous walk.
We had light rain for most of the day but it did not dampen our mood for a walk around the Rocks and Millers Point areas.
After meeting at Circular Quay Station we walked up to George Street keeping to the eastern side of the road. We stopped to look up at the facades and found some beautiful examples of early colonial street frontages. Colin then asked a cryptic question and said he would explain later. His question was about noticing something about all the pubs on our walk?
We began to notice how many there were. We tried to keep count!
Further up George Street we took the steps down to Campbell Cove, around Dawes Point and under the bridge to the Walsh Bay wharves. We had our morning tea break in the café at the Wharf Theatre. The original floorboards and beams are huge and it is remarkable how well they have stood the test of time.
From there we continued around the wharf area to the beginning of the Barangaroo development. We wondered how the huge excavation at the northern end was going to be used.
Looking at some of the old terraces, we felt that a developer would either demolish or change the character of the area if all the housing commission flats were turned into up market properties. It would lose some of its charm.
The Casino site is well under way and appeared to be frighteningly tall. What more can you say about it?
We then walked up past one of the oldest pubs of Sydney to Argyle Place and then to the Garrison Church.
Remember the question about the pubs? Colin asked if we had noticed that there were 2 pubs claiming to be the oldest in Sydney. One was 1824 and one was 1842. A conundrum for the amateur historians to ponder about!
We climbed some steps up to Observatory Hill and went directly under the approaches to the Harbour Bridge to Cumberland Avenue on the other side. From there we continued to the excavation site called “The Big Dig” under the YHA building.
From there onto the pathway across the Cahill Expressway-very noisy but a great view. Half way along there was a pictorial display of early Sydney development.
By now the rain was beginning to set in and we needed to meet up with Yvonne in the Botanic Gardens so quick smart into the gardens, around the Con and down the path to the café. The café was going to close early because the rain had deterred most people from being out. But not us! We had our lunch-much needed warm food and a hot drink.
Of course by the time we were leaving the day started to clear up, just in time to go home!
It was wonderful to be out-rain and all.
Although we didn’t have Peter’s GPS to give us exact details we felt it was a good 10 km walk and it was especially great to see Richard able to continue the whole way after his recent stint in hospital.
Rocks Walk
Participants-Colin, Natalie, Yvonne, Ron, Chris, Helen and Richard
The start
We met at Circular Quay and met Yvonne at the Botanical Gardens.
What a contrast the day was weather wise to the previous walk.
We had light rain for most of the day but it did not dampen our mood for a walk around the Rocks and Millers Point areas.
After meeting at Circular Quay Station we walked up to George Street keeping to the eastern side of the road. We stopped to look up at the facades and found some beautiful examples of early colonial street frontages. Colin then asked a cryptic question and said he would explain later. His question was about noticing something about all the pubs on our walk?
We began to notice how many there were. We tried to keep count!
Further up George Street we took the steps down to Campbell Cove, around Dawes Point and under the bridge to the Walsh Bay wharves. We had our morning tea break in the café at the Wharf Theatre. The original floorboards and beams are huge and it is remarkable how well they have stood the test of time.
From there we continued around the wharf area to the beginning of the Barangaroo development. We wondered how the huge excavation at the northern end was going to be used.
Looking at some of the old terraces, we felt that a developer would either demolish or change the character of the area if all the housing commission flats were turned into up market properties. It would lose some of its charm.
The Casino site is well under way and appeared to be frighteningly tall. What more can you say about it?
We then walked up past one of the oldest pubs of Sydney to Argyle Place and then to the Garrison Church.
Remember the question about the pubs? Colin asked if we had noticed that there were 2 pubs claiming to be the oldest in Sydney. One was 1824 and one was 1842. A conundrum for the amateur historians to ponder about!
We climbed some steps up to Observatory Hill and went directly under the approaches to the Harbour Bridge to Cumberland Avenue on the other side. From there we continued to the excavation site called “The Big Dig” under the YHA building.
From there onto the pathway across the Cahill Expressway-very noisy but a great view. Half way along there was a pictorial display of early Sydney development.
By now the rain was beginning to set in and we needed to meet up with Yvonne in the Botanic Gardens so quick smart into the gardens, around the Con and down the path to the café. The café was going to close early because the rain had deterred most people from being out. But not us! We had our lunch-much needed warm food and a hot drink.
Of course by the time we were leaving the day started to clear up, just in time to go home!
It was wonderful to be out-rain and all.
Although we didn’t have Peter’s GPS to give us exact details we felt it was a good 10 km walk and it was especially great to see Richard able to continue the whole way after his recent stint in hospital.