Weston Street, Balmain East, Monday October 30th 2006.

Colourful terraces.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@17mm 1/160 f/6.3 ISO 200.

Strickland House, Vaucluse, Sunday October 29th 2006.

This former convalescent hospital is now the centrepiece of a public park with superb views across the Harbour to the City. The house is available for social functions, such as this wedding, and the park is a very popular picnic spot.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@35mm 1/400 f/11 ISO 200.

Sydney Harbour, Saturday October 28th 2006..

I arrived in Sydney from Dublin ten years ago today. I stayed in a hotel in Kirribilli, just a short walk from here, on my first night and this was the view that captured my heart. I had planned to stay a year, but never left and have made Sydney my home. It's been a great ten years. You can view a full size panorama here.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@28mm 8 secs f/8 ISO 250.

Macquarie Lightstation, Dunbar Head, Friday October 27th 2006.

The Macquarie Lightstation was built 90 years after a wood (later coal) fired beacon using a basket on a tripod was established on this site in 1793 for the guidance of ships entering Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour). It took another 25 years before a proper lighthouse (Australia's first) was erected in 1818. Poor quality sandstone used in that building's construction began to erode after fifty years and a new lighthouse was built in 1883. For historical information please click here.

EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@17mm 1/125s f/18 ISO 200.

Forbes Street, Darlinghurst, Thursday October 26th 2006.

Sydney architect Harry Seidler died earlier this year having designed several iconic office buildings in the city over the last fifty years. He also designed high rise apartment buildings. The Horizon, completed in 1996, being one of his best known. You can read an article about them here.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@17mm 1/160s f/11 ISO 200.

Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst, Wednesday October 25th 2006.

As a child I used to entertain fantasies of digging a tunnel under the house and coming out in China or Brazil. I wouldn't get far with this house sitting as it does on a block of sandstone. Sandstone is everywhere in the natural environment around Sydney and many of it's buildings were built using it. How it came to be laid down hundreds of millions of years ago is a fascinating story and you can read it here.



EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@29mm 1/200s f/10 ISO 200.

Milsons Point, Tuesday October 24th 2006.

I can never get enough of this dramatic view as the sweeping arc of the Harbour Bridge crosses the water.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@17mm 1/100 f/14 ISO 200.

Bradfield Park, Milsons Point, Monday October 23rd 2006.

Cities undergo constant redevelopment that presses on and reshapes them. However, bulky commercial buildings tend to dominate the built environment and have the greatest capacity to rob an area of its uniqueness. It often amazes me how some buildings (such as the one on the right) ever get planning permission.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@24mm 1/200s f/11 ISO 200.

Danks Street, Waterloo, Sunday October 22nd 2006.

The final event in the city's Art & About series is the Danks Street Festival. Lots of arty stuff happening including a large mural being painted by kids.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@35mm 1/80s f/5 ISO 200.

King Street, Newtown, Saturday October 21st 2006.

The Chocolate Dog, gourmet cafe by day, Mexican restaurant by night. You just can't beat King Street for great choice in eating out.


EXIF DATA
Canon 1D Mk II. EF 17-35 f/2.8L@17mm 1/60s f/2.8 ISO 200.