Last day in Sydney. I caught the ferry to Watsons Bay and walked to the historic Hornby Lighthouse at South Head. Then I enjoyed a late lunch with a distant view of the city skyline before heading back to my hotel and then to the airport. What a wonderful holiday this has been!
My flight home was cancelled and re-booked for 36 hours later, so I suddenly have some bonus time in Sydney.
I found myself in Hyde Park, the oldest public parkland in Australia. After re-visiting the Anzac Memorial—I have childhood memories of this place—I discovered another war memorial nearby. Erected in 2015, YININMADYEMI – Thou didst let fall pays tribute to the courage and sacrifice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who served their country.
The artwork, created by Sydney-based Aboriginal Girramay artist Tony Albert, draws inspiration from his grandfather, Private Eddie Albert, who served during the Second World War.
In April 1941, Private Albert was captured following a German armored assault in Libya, where he was serving with the 2/15th Battalion. He was among the many prisoners sent to Benghazi before being transferred to a prisoner-of-war camp in Italy. After two years in captivity, Albert escaped in 1943 and joined the local partisans.
In April 1944, his group was recaptured by Italian Fascists. Three of the seven Allied soldiers were executed, while Albert and the remaining captives were handed over to the Germans. He remained in captivity until the war’s end.
The sculpture features four upright bullets, symbolising those who survived, and three fallen shells, representing those who were executed.
Spent a lovely day on the largest island in Sydney Harbour with Liz and Chantal, sketching and chatting up a storm.
Cockatoo Island/Wareamah has rich history, cultural significance, and expansive views of the Sydney’s iconic harbour. It served as a penal colony starting in 1839, housing convicts who worked on constructing the island’s facilities, including silos and dockyards. From the late 19th to the 20th century, the island was one of Australia’s largest shipyards. It played a significant role during both World Wars, where naval vessels were constructed and maintained. The shipyards eventually closed in 1992, but the island has since been revitalised as a public space. Definitely worth a visit—I hope to return another time.
Nice to be greeted at Sydney airport by the ubiquitous Australian white ibis (Threskiornis molucca), known locally as bin chicken or tip turkey for its habit of rummaging in garbage. Ah, it’s good to be here.
It’s coming up on six years since the Woolsey fire ravaged Malibu and the surrounding mountains. This oak tree fountain at a local shopping centre commemorates the event. I didn’t realise, while sketching it, that it’s made of copper; I presumed bronze. It has developed a dark patina that makes it feel very coast-live-oaky, and the rocks at the base are bright with algae or moss. I like it.
This stone buddha has been beside a local trail for quite a few years. He is hidden when the weeds are lush and re-emerges as summer ends and the grasses die back.
While the mechanic worked on my car, I wandered down the road and found this cafe. Good coffee, yummy chia pudding, friendly staff. Recommend!
I arrived at the appointed spot 10 minutes early, so sketched the ficus on the opposite corner. Waiting is never boring when you have a sketchbook in your bag!
Egrets? Herons? It’s hard to tell when they’re big and bronze.
We have a fairly new, almost empty, shopping centre in town (like we needed another one!). I had a bit of a wander through, and noticed this public art out front. It’s comprised of columns of burnt burls of wood. Between some of the lumps are ceramic collars stamped with words like ‘fire’, ‘ash’ and ‘transform’. There’s no plaque, but I’m guessing it’s meant as a reminder of the Woolsey Fire which wreaked such devastation on our area nearly six years ago.
hashiworks 