Camping life on my outback trip

Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse and Pyrmont Bridge

I met up with Michael and Sue's friends for a delicious lunch at The Little Snail in Pyrmont. Afterwards, I took the opportunity to photograph the Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse and Pyrmont Bridge. Then a lovely stroll to Circular Quay past Barangaroo. 

Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse

The Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse has an unusually adventurous history. Built in 1874 on a low sandy spit south of Townsville in Queensland, it was an iron-clad timber structure designed to warn ships away from a notoriously hazardous stretch of coast. Because the cape was constantly shifting and eroding, the lighthouse had to be moved more than once during its working life. It was automated in 1920 and remained in service until 1987, when it was replaced by a modern light. Rather than being demolished, the 22-metre lighthouse was carefully dismantled, transported more than 2,000 kilometres to Sydney and reassembled at the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour, where it opened to the public in 1994.

Pyrmont Bridge

The Pyrmont Bridge is one of Sydney’s most important surviving pieces of industrial-era infrastructure. Opened in 1902, it spans Darling Harbour and was designed as a swing bridge, with its central section rotating to allow ships to pass through. Once carrying road traffic between the city and Pyrmont, it was closed to vehicles in the 1980s and later restored as a pedestrian and cycle bridge. Today it forms a major walking link across Darling Harbour and remains a striking reminder of the area’s maritime and industrial past, with its original machinery still capable of operating the swing span.

Walk to Circular Quay past Barangaroo

The wonderful Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton was a big part of my childhood and something of an icon in our family. We listened to quite a lot of country music in those days, and Dolly was a firm favourite—especially “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene,” two songs I have loved ever since. Her popularity only seemed to climb as the decades passed, until she became one of the rare figures in an increasingly divided America whom almost everyone could agree on. Much of that affection came from her personality: her warmth, humour, generosity, authenticity and wonderful ability never to take herself too seriously. I was deeply saddened today to hear that she has died at the age of 80. She felt like one of those enduring presences who would somehow always be there.

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I Will Always Love You

 

Jolene

 

Working 9 to 5

I also love Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You,” which transformed Dolly’s gentle country song into one of the great vocal performances in popular music. It came about when Kevin Costner suggested the song for The Bodyguard after another choice fell through. Whitney’s soaring rendition became a worldwide phenomenon and introduced Dolly’s remarkable songwriting to a vast new audience.

Surry Hills

A rather rainy outing exploring the streets of Surry Hills with my Photography Meetup, followed by a delicious steak lunch at a local pub.

Walk with Lydia from Dee Why to Collaroy and back

 A lovely walk with Lydia. This is a walk I always enjoy.