Thursday, 5th October 2006
Today was our last day in the city of Sydney and so,to cap it all off, I wanted to do the run that I had been most anticipating.
You would think it would be quite easy to get to a bridge, the colossal size of Sydney Harbour, and it probably is,but,for us it was a nightmare!
First we accidently went through the Harbour Tunnel,then we found ourselves lost in Kings Cross,so,what are you going to do? Have a look in the tool shed of course! (all you non -aussies can guess what they sell)
We drove up several dead end streets and one way roads and then finally, I could SEE it.
But how do we get to it?
We wanted to stop off at Café De Wheels (another iconic spot),but there was no parking we could see.But this stage, I was busting for a tinkle and flagged Driver Dick into the petrol station across the road from De Wheels.
The toilet was locked and I needed to go into the station for the key.
Now,let me state,that I have seen some pretty ordinary loo’s in my time.
Fly blown pits along walk trails
Stinky wheatbelt town ones
And scary holes in Borneo
I was in such desperate need, that as I slowly walked towards the locked door,key poised in hand, I tried to convince myself that this loo was sparkling and pristine, THAT’S why it was locked.
Out of respect for the hard working cleaner who diligently scrubbed that dunny out at least hourly.
Of course, once I opened the door,I was completely distracted by the sound of screeching tyres.No wait-that’s me screaming.
The floor was coated with a film of urine,I think it’s original vintage was 1973.
The toilet bowl was silver but,spotted brown.Whether these were rust spots or spots of another kind I can’t bare contemplating.
All I can say is..thank you Allah,Buddah, God ,sweet baby jesus ,every dirt god ever imagined and family genes for strong hammies because I held my breath and HOVERED over that seat.
After that little adventure, I knew I had to run and shake my willies out (so to speak), and so after finding some parking, I marched my little party down the street,and up some stairs,and along a path and I left them to continue this journey forward,while I followed the runners zipping past us.
I had no idea where I was going,but I did know that I’d eventually get to circular quay,and then that fricken bridge.
And eventually,after following runners going the wrong way,and finally working out I was in the Botanical Gardens,and finding a map,and wrestling through 4 Americans asking me what the rush was (who let's these people in anyhow?) I did!
This was taken by Driver Dick et al as they sipped flat white’s and macchiato’s an imagined me to be crossing.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k160/sylvie_011/bridge.jpg
I was probably still running underneath it with my nose pointed skywards, looking for the steps-but once on there,it really was a thrill.(and damn windy)
I imagined the tall ships of the first settlers making their way in and,thought they were really very lucky not to have hit the masts of their ships on the bridge causing an unfortunate capsizing.
Sydney is a beautiful city!
2.00pm
No visit to Sydney is complete without a stop at Bondi Beach
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k160/sylvie_011/bondi1.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k160/sylvie_011/bondi2.jpg
6.00pm
As we head on out of NSW, we are spending the night in Woolongong.Basking in the soft industrial glow of the steel mill flame.
Song of the day: Shipping Steel-Cold Chisel (as sung by me!)
You would think it would be quite easy to get to a bridge, the colossal size of Sydney Harbour, and it probably is,but,for us it was a nightmare!
First we accidently went through the Harbour Tunnel,then we found ourselves lost in Kings Cross,so,what are you going to do? Have a look in the tool shed of course! (all you non -aussies can guess what they sell)
We drove up several dead end streets and one way roads and then finally, I could SEE it.
But how do we get to it?
We wanted to stop off at Café De Wheels (another iconic spot),but there was no parking we could see.But this stage, I was busting for a tinkle and flagged Driver Dick into the petrol station across the road from De Wheels.
The toilet was locked and I needed to go into the station for the key.
Now,let me state,that I have seen some pretty ordinary loo’s in my time.
Fly blown pits along walk trails
Stinky wheatbelt town ones
And scary holes in Borneo
I was in such desperate need, that as I slowly walked towards the locked door,key poised in hand, I tried to convince myself that this loo was sparkling and pristine, THAT’S why it was locked.
Out of respect for the hard working cleaner who diligently scrubbed that dunny out at least hourly.
Of course, once I opened the door,I was completely distracted by the sound of screeching tyres.No wait-that’s me screaming.
The floor was coated with a film of urine,I think it’s original vintage was 1973.
The toilet bowl was silver but,spotted brown.Whether these were rust spots or spots of another kind I can’t bare contemplating.
All I can say is..thank you Allah,Buddah, God ,sweet baby jesus ,every dirt god ever imagined and family genes for strong hammies because I held my breath and HOVERED over that seat.
After that little adventure, I knew I had to run and shake my willies out (so to speak), and so after finding some parking, I marched my little party down the street,and up some stairs,and along a path and I left them to continue this journey forward,while I followed the runners zipping past us.
I had no idea where I was going,but I did know that I’d eventually get to circular quay,and then that fricken bridge.
And eventually,after following runners going the wrong way,and finally working out I was in the Botanical Gardens,and finding a map,and wrestling through 4 Americans asking me what the rush was (who let's these people in anyhow?) I did!
This was taken by Driver Dick et al as they sipped flat white’s and macchiato’s an imagined me to be crossing.
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k160/sylvie_011/bridge.jpg
I was probably still running underneath it with my nose pointed skywards, looking for the steps-but once on there,it really was a thrill.(and damn windy)
I imagined the tall ships of the first settlers making their way in and,thought they were really very lucky not to have hit the masts of their ships on the bridge causing an unfortunate capsizing.
Sydney is a beautiful city!
2.00pm
No visit to Sydney is complete without a stop at Bondi Beach
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k160/sylvie_011/bondi1.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k160/sylvie_011/bondi2.jpg
6.00pm
As we head on out of NSW, we are spending the night in Woolongong.Basking in the soft industrial glow of the steel mill flame.
Song of the day: Shipping Steel-Cold Chisel (as sung by me!)
posted by Wanda Ring at 8:25 PM
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