Day 2 of the birthday get away…

Woke to brilliant sunshine and humidity on day 2. What a change from day 1. Perfect for our plans to walk around the Royal Botanic gardens, visit the Art Gallery of New South Wales and finish the day at the Chinese Gardens.

So Let’s go…

I’d chosen The Maisonette a small boutique hotel in Potts Point, an inner city suburb next to Kings Cross. It was in a heritage listed building, recently renovated. The entrance was almost a hole in the wall, a door sandwiched between two restaurants. A tiny reception area with stairs leading up to 3 levels of bedrooms. No lifts. But we were on the first floor it was perfect, small, clean and only 10 minutes stroll to the Botanic Gardens, and it had a special, stay 3 nights, pay for 2…

Kings Cross had a reputation for sleazy night life. Potts Point also had a thriving bohemian lifestyle. But now it is slightly off beat and funky with plenty of restaurants and boutique shops and galleries.

We strolled along the quiet residential street admiring the gorgeous art deco and Victorian homes. Before coming to the “short cut” 112 steep steps. We walked down, slowly…

At the bottom we turned and watched as the young and fit woman RAN up and notice the other bloke taking the steps 2 at a time…

The bottom of the steps brought us to Woolloomooloo. Rounding a corner and crossing the road we came to Woolloomooloo’s Finger Wharf. It is one of the world’s longest timber wharves. Once a busy cargo dock, it’s now home to restaurants and a marina.  We stumbled across an amazing sculpture display spread out along the board walk of the wharf.

 

The temperature was nearing the 30’s and I really wished I’d put my shorts on, not jeans. At the end of the wharf we came to more steps taking us up the escarpment and over to the Botanical gardens.

At the entrance to the gardens is this welcoming sign. It was a joy to get out of the sun and wander through this delightful Botanic garden.It was so much cooler as we walked under the shady trees. There’s the bridge again, it is a constant presence and pops into view every where.But it is time for a cold drink, so we make a beeline for the café. Passing this artist engrossed in her drawing. We didn’t disturb her she looked so peaceful.

Then we wandered on taking the shady paths to the fernery. And finding these two quirky creatures on our way.

The air conditioning of the art gallery beckoned. A major building project is going on

The Art Gallery of New South Wales’ expansion – the Sydney Modern Project – will create a new art museum experience across two buildings connected by a public art garden.

Our new building, designed by SANAA, will almost double exhibition space with seamless connections between indoor and outdoor spaces, delivering rich and diverse experiences for all our visitors. The Gallery will remain open during construction, which is scheduled for completion in 2022. {more information here}

How exciting this will be when it is finished. But today many of the galleries were closed and new exhibits being installed. We slowly wandered around absorbing the art and atmosphere. But nothing new or innovative that really caught my eye. except this stylised painting of Mount Fuji.

.The reeds at the front swayed and the small boat slowly moved across the painting accompanied by soft music. I found it very mesmerising.

Time to move on and we headed for Darling Harbour using the new Light Rail that now runs through the main CBD area of Sydney.The destination was the Chinese Garden. This is one of my favourite places in Sydney and we started by having a cuppa in the tea house, tea for Jack, iced coffee for me, and of course cake to go with it. As we sat there we were inspired to get our sketch books out. A passing Asian lady offered to take our photos, then she said she had noticed us sketching and would like to take our camera and take a photo of us sketching from across the water. We were delighted to say yes. When she came back she had taken quite a number of photos of us, from a distance, which I like, I’m usually quite camera shy…

This is what I was drawing…

We spent two hours slowly savouring these magnificent gardens. Following the winding paths, passing under the graceful weeping willows. Gazing across the peaceful lake covered with the sacred Lotus flower. Carefully negotiating the rugged rocks to climb to the top pavilion to sit and enjoy the view across the garden. This is a pleasure that should not be missed if you come to Sydney. Here are just a few photos to try and capture some of the magic of this special place.

I was inspired by the beauty of these gardens and when I arrived back home I spent time, using the photos to copy from, filled some of my journal pages.

It had been a busy and satisfying day but now to head back to the hotel. We certainly didn’t want to walk back up those 112 steps so instead we caught the bus to Kings Cross. Our timing was unfortunate as it was just gone 5pm. RUSH HOUR… When the bus came we literally squeezed on. Then came the benefit of being old, people moved around and a couple gave us their seat.

How lucky were we to get this trip away.

It was the beginning of March. Coronavirus was rampant in China and slowly spreading around the world. and the full impact had not hit Australia. “Social Distancing”, as a concept, had not been heard of. About 2 weeks later it was here in all its insidious horror, creating turmoil. Now life as we knew it is totally changed. Thousands are out of work. Sport is a thing of the past, BBQs, social gatherings, even family get togethers are banned. No one knows when, or how, it will end.

We bloggers are lucky as we have some thing positive to occupy our time as we wait it out in isolation. And we have our lovely blogging buddies to keep digitally in contact with. Our communities are now more important than ever.

Stay safe and well my friends and keep blogging…

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Cathy of “Wander Essence” hosts an art journal invitation and she invites you to join in. Go over to see Cathy’s latest art journal post   it is so inspirational and full of great ideas that will make you want to start your own journal. Then share it with us…

I would like to join the lovely Restless Jo this week with this walk around Sydney. Not joined in for quite a while, but I always stroll along, virtually, each week on Jo’s walks. This week it is a beauty, so tranquil and with lots of history. Take a look.