Jim_Iain - B2B Sydney - Honolulu - Vancouver

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

We circled around and then started back up Argile Street.     I wanted to visit Observatory Hill Park.   

 

Sydney's early colonists found it to be the highest point in area around their new settlement on Sydney Cove, and consequently became a lookout point to monitor any ships that might be entering Sydney Harbor.

 

 

 

In 1803 Governor Hunter ordered a fort to be built on the site of the mill to defend the colony from rebellious convicts and possible French attack. The fort called Fort Phillip, was never fully completed and never fired a single shot in anger. In 1825 the eastern wall of the fort was converted to a signal station. From here flags sent messages to ships in the harbor and the signal station on the South Head of the harbor. In 1840 the fort was partially demolished. A new signal station designed by the colonial architect Mortimer Lewis, was built on the east wall in 1848. This is now the oldest building on the hill.

 

 

Sydney Observatory began as a simple time-ball tower built near the signal station. Every day at exactly 1.00 pm, the time ball on top of the tower would drop to signal the correct time to the city and harbour below. At the same time a cannon on Fort Denison was fired. The tower was soon expanded into a full observatory. Designed by Alexander Dawson, the building consisted of a domed chamber to house the equatorial telescope, a room with long, narrow windows for the transit telescope a computing room or office, and a residence for the astronomer. In 1877, a western wing was added to provide office and library space and a second domed chamber for telescopes.

 

Edited April 6 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 6 by Jim_Iain

[lkj1301]

OMG I finally caught up.  I love following your cruise adventures. Not only to cruise thru your eyes but to learn.

Have a wonderful trip.

Lorie

[SkystheLimit]

Not sure of your plans but we enjoyed the International Seafood Market and the Maritime Museum.  Off the beaten path but fun.  Such a wonderful city!

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

On our first day in Sydney, while taking refuge from a downpour.   Remember the picture of the lady with the umbrella.    We noticed The Lord Nelson Brewer Hotel, Brewery, Pub and Restaurant   The Lord Nelson was constructed during the late 1830s and is the oldest Pub In Sydney.

 

 

When I got home -  Google to the Rescue.     Found that you could make reservations for either outside, in the Pub or fine dining upstairs.   We chose the Fine Dining... Of Course.  We are finding something very interesting in Sydney.    Many of the finer restaurants require a deposit in advance and charge up to $50 pp if no show.   They often also have a limit of 2 hours if busy to assure turns on the tables. 
 

 

 

 

As you know we are late diners so booked for 8PM.

 

One warning.... I forgot to shoot a picture of our Main Dish  -  Lamb for me and SpatchCock for Iain.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 6 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

They have been awarded The Best Wine Menu in Sydney for Years..

 

They have both some eye opening priced wines but also have very reasonably priced wine by the glass or bottle.   Celebrity should take note.

 

 

 

Edited April 6 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 

 

I had the Scallops -- Incredible.     A touch of Caviar really gave a nice salty hit.

 

 

I chuckled when Iain's Sardines arrived.   I said... I think I could have done that.    I looked at the sardines and did fine they were top end and a whimsical

 presentation

 

Edited April 6 by Jim_Iain

[Jim_Iain]

Forgot the Mains…so let’s skip to desert

 

 

I had the Affagoto and Iain the Chocolate Mousse. 
 

 

The Affagato came with a Frangelico which Iain gladly finished off. 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

 

Really wasn’t bad at about $150 US. Including tip.   In finer restaurants it is customary to tip 10-15%. 

[CardowMD]

Looks the weather improved drastically today! Hoping the rest of your Sydney stay is equally gorgeous!

[DaKahuna]

2 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

 

Love your shirt !! 

 

[Barwick Cruiser]

What a difference a day makes! Glad to see the blue skies and sunshine for your day! Looks like you made the most of it. Hope the nice weather continues for your remaining pre cruise days 🤞 🌞 

Cathy

[Jim_Iain]

56 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Love your shirt !! 

 

 

As some of you may know my last name is Smaltz.    My father was adopted by a Swiss Family who changed from Schmalz to Smaltz.    The family wasn't please and when he died put the original spelling on his grave stone.

 

The things you find on you Facebook Timeline.

[Jim_Iain]

35 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

What a difference a day makes! Glad to see the blue skies and sunshine for your day! Looks like you made the most of it. Hope the nice weather continues for your remaining pre cruise days 🤞 🌞 

Cathy

 

It is suppose to stay nice until Tuesday then about 1/4" of rain and then turn cooler and windy.

 

I think we are off to Oxford Street later today.     I must say Sydney has the worst sites to try to figure out how to get from Point A to Point B using the Metro.    Even Google, which is  usually good was hopeless..

 

Finally found one of my favorites   Rome to Rio with easy to navigate and perfect instructions.  By the way you can either buy a transit card OR ---  Just Tap on and Off with chip card or phone.

[1Virgo]

Amazing photos!    Thank you

[upwarduk]

6 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

They often also have a limit of 2 hours if busy to assure turns on the tables. 

That has been the case since COVID in many pubs in UK.

Fortunately, we have never been charged the £50.00 deposit.

[upwarduk]

7 hours ago, Lena11033 said:

We haven't even heard from home in Ayrshire --- has it been bad.   

 Very wet winter in the Pennines.

We had similar weather in Australia in January 2008- wet. I was so disappointed as I had hoped for heat in their mid summer.

[hcat]

Very enjoyable read....great photos, interesting history,  commentary. 

 

Love the doors, colorful shirts and big smiles!

[Jim_Iain]

Sunday April 7

 

We had a lazy morning, sipping coffee and tea.  Usually staying in an AirBnB. We do a bit of shopping and pick up staples - Bread, Cheese, milk, Mayo, Cereal, lunch meats and wine.  We usually have breakfast and lunch and go out for nice dinners.  
 

We wanted to explore favorite areas.  
 

Let’s go back in time - about 38 years.  I just came to terms with being and came out.  My best friend also parallel my life and had just coming out.  
 

I was in Sydney on Business which coincided with Sydney Gay Pride.   I ended dressed as Captain Cook riding on a float in Gay Pride Parade.   
 

So today we we were off to explore Oxford street in Darlington.   
 

Need lunch first so I made Brie an Ham Sandwiches. 
 

[gordylad]

that looks very tasty Jim..............coming out..bet you have never looked back...where do the years go

[Jim_Iain]

We first wanted to take a look at a restaurant Iain found down on the harbor front. 
 

Ventuno in the Walsh Bay art precinct. 
 

We booked for tonight at 8pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Jim_Iain]

Off we went.   By the way. Navigation is a bit difficult as Iain wanted to go to Oxford street but we screwed up and went to the wrong end and went all the way to Bondi Junction. 
 

oops.  
 

I had forgotten my Melatonin so stopped into a pharmacy.  Found out that it is prescription but for those over 55 the pharmacist can dispense.  The could only sell me a box of 30 2mg - sorry you can only buy one box.  
 

The things they control.   

[Jim_Iain]

Once I figured out Iain wanted to visit the equivalent of SF Castro - back to the train to City Hall Station and just wandered our way back home. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nothing in  particular Just shooting things that caught my eye !

 

 

Edited April 7 by Jim_Iain