In such pleasant weather 12 of us were able today to see examples of history, old and future as we walked in the city.
Meeting at Central Station we walked down the Devonshire Tunnel to the recently revived elevated Old Goods Line walk. There we were able to read the story of the line and see the accompanying pictures. We wandered around the ground floor of the “paper bag” building (see photo) before having morning tea on some of the seating on the walk.
After reaching the street we walked on with new construction underway on our left and glimpses and delicious smells of Chinatown on our right. We approached Darling Harbour via the Chinese Gardens, finding a lunch spot suitably in the shade from where we watched children at play with very young ones showing their enjoyment of running and older ones playing in the equipment area including a group of older boys involved in using the water pumps and channel section (school assignment?). A much older boy was later seen there having fun demonstrating how it all worked.
Our afternoon coffees were partaken in the Maritime Museum’s cafe with views of boats, water and the tall city buildings, present and future.
It was a good end to our walking year and we look forward to seeing folk again on the track in 2017.
Where we went.... ... and leaning towers of sandstone don't scare us
"We wandered around the ground floor of the paper bag building." [Clockwise from bottom left. Last photo a reflection.- Ed.]
From leader Lyn "... we watched ... older [children] playing in the equipment area including a group of older boys involved in using the water pumps and channel section (school assignment?). A much older boy was later seen there having fun demonstrating how it all worked."
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It was a hot day, and in the bustle of Darling Harbour,
cool drinks were the order of the day,
except for the true mugga addict.
Meanwhile, there were boats of interest in Darling Harbour. From Ray and Wikipedia - "The Steam Yacht Ena, centre, was built in 1900, sunk in the early 1980s and now is restored and a pleasure cruiser" .
Large buildings and smaller objects. For technos, this stroller is a sophisicated machine (see below).
And as co-leader Ray reflects in his notes: "When I was a bit younger, as a country bumpkin I attended the NSW Scout Corroboree at Loftus. We had an organised day out in Sydney and 2 things remain in my memory - one was a visit to the Peters (I think it was) Ice Cream factory in Ultimo (free ice-creams!) and the other was a trip up to the cage on the AWA Tower. Then, it was the highest point in Sydney!"
...and "Disc brakes on a Pyrmont Bridge stroller!!!!special insights into changes that have taken place between the 1940s and 50s and today."
For the record.
Leaders Lyn, Dawn and Ray were followed by Diana M, Jean McD, Norma, Margaret B, Pat U, Elizabeth, Kath, Pam, Elaine G.
Photos, captions and research by Ray.