We have discovered on recent trips to Sydney that we really enjoy walking the various trails that surround Sydney Harbour and we suggested to Robin that we meet at Circular Quay to go on a walk somewhere.
We met at Wharf 2 and decided to take the ferry to Mosman that was leaving in about 10 minutes.
This wharf also services the ferry to Taronga Park Zoo and there was a hoard of people waiting to get on. Fortunately our ferry to Mosman had very few people on board.
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The ferry set off on time past two familiar landmarks. No matter how many times you leave or arrive at Circular Quay you can not fail to be blown away by these structures and the bright sparkling water.
Looking back to Circular Quay.
Sydney Harbour is large but it is small enough for you to be able to feel like it is not that far from shore. In a way it is almost cosy.
The ferry entered Mosman Bay. In the background are some of the houses that we eventually walked past.
Houses with water views are extremely expensive. Houses close to the water like these are insanely expensive.
We disembarked from the ferry and started on our walk. Most of the smaller ferries are catamarans that can travel at about 30 - 40 mph.
Looking up Mosman Bay to Reid Park.
Unusual bicycle rack.
Australia encourages people to enjoy the outdoors by providing plenty of parks, toilets and water fountains.
Looking back towards the harbour.
Much of the Sydney Harbour shoreline has been made accessible with paths like this.
As you can imagine, it is delightful walking beside the water with all the lush vegetation providing shade and cool. It was well into the 80's but the breeze and shade made walking quite comfortable.
We stood and discussed the merits of this house for some time. Marianne did not like the pool with no shade but I pointed out that people who swim often like to lie in the sun to get a tan.
Robin saw a lizard.
The lizard which was about a foot long. Australia has a lot of creepy crawlies. This one is not poisonous.
The old houses in this area are interesting. Most of them would have been built by very wealthy people who could afford to buy in this very desirable area.
The houses on this western side of the bay have some distinct advantages to those on the other side of the bay. They get the morning sun but are protected from the hot afternoon sun by the hill to their rear. They usually get a breeze but not a gale because the bay is narrow.
Another ferry wharf. I think a ferry ride on the harbour has to be the ideal commute.
Sailing is very popular and there are boats everywhere in the various protected inlets and bays. It can get very windy and rough in the main harbour at times.
We had found a seat under a shady tree and had had watched two divers get off the launch with the orange sides. Marianne and Robin decided that they were inspecting bottoms. I remarked that it would be easier and more enjoyable to go to Bondi Beach to inspect bottoms.
Robin really liked this gazebo (rotunda) and said that she wanted to live in it. She would never be able to afford the few square feet of land it stood on.
The gazebo belonged to this house. Marianne did some further research on it which you can find here. There is also information about a new construction in the style of this house just up the hill.
Marianne also found a pdf file about some of the houses in this area.
Daughter and mother in front of the new 'residence'.
You see some strange things as you walk by houses. A zoom lens can be very useful at times.
We came across this sign and decided to clamber down into the garden.
The garden was quite interesting with all the green vegetation. Somebody must still care for the garden since it all looked to be in good condition.
It's interesting looking at all the different houses. Sometime I will go back to decide which one I like the best. That $500 million Powerball ticket must win one day.
We eventually arrived at the point of the peninsula where it was very windy indeed.
Unusual toilet block. Since we live in a round house I am always interested in other round buildings. This one had a flat roof that had a slight slope to allow the rain to run off. I also liked the little windows in the roof. Perhaps we should build something like it if we ever get to move to Oz.
Path to the lighthouse at the point. Robin has become a true Sydney-sider and walks quite quickly.
The light house.
There is always activity on the Harbour.
Teaching kids how to sail.
The Ocean Shield. It is a naval vessel used for humanitarian and disaster relief operations. The red colour certainly stands out.
The ferry arrived to take us back to Circular Quay.
If you ever come to Sydney, this is a very good walk to do and only takes a couple of hours.
