The walk leaders were surprised to find a large group had assembled at our meeting place (Wynyard Station, York Street exit) an hour before the programmed start time. Fortunately the group of protest marchers headed off in the opposite direction to our walking route. We then gathered our much more sensible group of 15 happy walkers for a fun day of city and harbour views in delightful weather.
Pointing out the historical aspects along York Street, we made our way under the Western Distributor to what was Robyn Mi’s first teaching appointment at Fort Street Girls High (now the National Trust offices and S.H. Ervin Gallery). The girls school later amalgamated with the boys school and relocated.
In Observatory Park meeting Hans Christian Andersen before morning tea.
Our next stop was Observatory Hill Park for morning tea. After refreshments we admired the historic buildings, tall trees, statues and views from the hill. Since we weren’t invited to the wedding being prepared in the rotunda, we headed off down the long and winding road, that leads to (you know the words), the rest room.
We passed the beautifully restored terrace houses along Argyle Place on our way to the famous/infamous pub, The Hero of Waterloo.
In 1843 a Hero and 'drunks and drugs and press-gangs'
Here, thanks to the kindness of the staff, we witnessed the trap door which leads to the tunnel, where drunk and drugged young men found themselves ‘press-ganged’ onto waiting ships as unwilling crew. The unfortunates awoke to find themselves far at sea with no way to get back home, until the ships returned many months/years later (if they survived).
Travelling down Pottinger Street we arrived at Walsh Bay wharves...
Pottinger Street new town houses blending with the old. Then in Walsh Bay Wharves a car after a road rage incident ...
... City Living... .... old machinery ..
... slim artwork ... ... heavy artwork ... ... round artwork
... where we critiqued the art sculptures (items for sale). No-one was keen to take them home, not even the shiny, metal shoes.
At Barangaroo we made a slow climb uphill along a winding path, past a number of VIVID art installations.
Lunch spot
Lunch was enjoyed at the top of the hill, where Lyndy spotted a Sea Eagle circling over the harbour.
Back down on the Barangaroo waterfront we observed skyscrapers and new building sites.
This area of reclaimed land used to be called ‘The Hungry Mile’ and despite Lyndy’s attempts to have it named so, during the naming competition; Paul Keating had other ideas. The Hungry Mile, was a term used during the Great Depression, by the men who lined up for many hours, seeking a job and some food to feed their starving families.
We should remember our past in order to remind us of their struggles to exist.
We enjoyed coffee (and alternatives) at Canteen then headed to Wynyard Station for our respective journeys home.
Tetra Beehive at the lunch spot
Thanks to Nick B for being our Tail End Charlie and Elizabeth and Lyndy for First Aid.
Walkers: Nick B, Gabriela, Judy, Colleen, Cherry, John M, Robyn Mi, Rex, Elizabeth, David R, Dennis, Drina and Fran.
Walk Leaders: Lyndy and Phyllis
Words by Phyllis
History researched by Lyndy
Photos and captions by Drina.