City and Botanic Gardens
Thursday, 1st September 2022
The group met at Circular Quay at about 9.30am
Participants - Ron, Chris, Peter, Helen, Richard, Colin and Natalie.
We look forward to seeing Yvonne soon.
Along the way-
*We walked into Customs House admiring the model of Sydney and locating buildings. We noticed that the Casino was yet modelled.
*Then we walked through the back of Customs House to the new Quay Quarter Lanes. Although it is small in size, it is lovely to see the original sandstone and plaques on the walls telling some of the history.
*The rain began very lightly and turned to a shower so we had morning tea in the café at the Sydney Museum.
*The rain continued very lightly but we still decided to try for a walk into the Botanic Gardens and maybe walk towards Woolloomooloo. (Had to check the spelling of that word!)
*No matter how many times you visit the gardens there are wonderful trees, beautiful plants and new things to see. We particularly loved the whale, echidna and cassowary plant-covered-framed sculptures. There was also a new monkey frame nearer Government House.
*We continued along the path around to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair-always a fun spot for a photo!
*Then we continued up the steps and walked back towards the Art Gallery on the grassy middle section.
*We found several sculptures and memorials of interest. One was a memorial to people who had died whilst being volunteers. There were two winning sculptures from Sculptures By The Sea in 2011 and 2012. We also found the Henry Lawson Sculpture.
*Lunchtime beckoned so we headed back into the garden and found a table for 7 at the café.
*After lunch we continued back towards Old Government House and a lovely lady heard us talking and told us some information about a house next to Govt House. It is called the chalet and has been used for many purposes she said. At one time it was used for children and their nanny of past Governors. Marie Bashir used it for an artists’ residence. Nowadays it provides some accommodation for special guests or VIPs.
*Info from Wikipedia- “The Chalet c. 1890 Designed by Colonial Architect W. L. Vernon, the chalet breaks with the Gothic style of Government House. However, it has Tudor Gothic elements such as half-timbered gables and broad brick chimneys. “
*The last bit of the walk was to see the Aboriginal fish hook sculpture above the carpark entrance to the Opera House. It was lovely to touch. Info from the internet “The gleaming 6m high marble monument, inspired by shell fishing hooks handcrafted and used by local Aboriginal women for generations, proudly rests on the lawns overlooking Dubbagullee (Bennelong Point) and Warrane (Circular Quay). Bara, meaning shell hook, is by Waabya artist Judy Watson and honours the Gadigal of the Eora Nation.”
*Back down to the station where we wished Helen and Richard best wishes for their trip beginning in Darwin and heading towards Cairns.
Time taken - 9.30 to 1.30pm including morning tea and lunch.
Distance covered -7km
Thursday, 1st September 2022
The group met at Circular Quay at about 9.30am
Participants - Ron, Chris, Peter, Helen, Richard, Colin and Natalie.
We look forward to seeing Yvonne soon.
Along the way-
*We walked into Customs House admiring the model of Sydney and locating buildings. We noticed that the Casino was yet modelled.
*Then we walked through the back of Customs House to the new Quay Quarter Lanes. Although it is small in size, it is lovely to see the original sandstone and plaques on the walls telling some of the history.
*The rain began very lightly and turned to a shower so we had morning tea in the café at the Sydney Museum.
*The rain continued very lightly but we still decided to try for a walk into the Botanic Gardens and maybe walk towards Woolloomooloo. (Had to check the spelling of that word!)
*No matter how many times you visit the gardens there are wonderful trees, beautiful plants and new things to see. We particularly loved the whale, echidna and cassowary plant-covered-framed sculptures. There was also a new monkey frame nearer Government House.
*We continued along the path around to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair-always a fun spot for a photo!
*Then we continued up the steps and walked back towards the Art Gallery on the grassy middle section.
*We found several sculptures and memorials of interest. One was a memorial to people who had died whilst being volunteers. There were two winning sculptures from Sculptures By The Sea in 2011 and 2012. We also found the Henry Lawson Sculpture.
*Lunchtime beckoned so we headed back into the garden and found a table for 7 at the café.
*After lunch we continued back towards Old Government House and a lovely lady heard us talking and told us some information about a house next to Govt House. It is called the chalet and has been used for many purposes she said. At one time it was used for children and their nanny of past Governors. Marie Bashir used it for an artists’ residence. Nowadays it provides some accommodation for special guests or VIPs.
*Info from Wikipedia- “The Chalet c. 1890 Designed by Colonial Architect W. L. Vernon, the chalet breaks with the Gothic style of Government House. However, it has Tudor Gothic elements such as half-timbered gables and broad brick chimneys. “
*The last bit of the walk was to see the Aboriginal fish hook sculpture above the carpark entrance to the Opera House. It was lovely to touch. Info from the internet “The gleaming 6m high marble monument, inspired by shell fishing hooks handcrafted and used by local Aboriginal women for generations, proudly rests on the lawns overlooking Dubbagullee (Bennelong Point) and Warrane (Circular Quay). Bara, meaning shell hook, is by Waabya artist Judy Watson and honours the Gadigal of the Eora Nation.”
*Back down to the station where we wished Helen and Richard best wishes for their trip beginning in Darwin and heading towards Cairns.
Time taken - 9.30 to 1.30pm including morning tea and lunch.
Distance covered -7km