Today was the day to confront my fears regarding heights. I know its irrational, I know is silly, but it exists. I've dared myself now on other tall buildings throughout the world and it gets no easier. The only comfort is that after I have done it you do experience a feeling is of euphoria.
Today's challenge was the Sydney Tower. Standing at 1,014 feet, its the 2nd tallest observation tower in the Southern hemisphere. Its base is the newly renovated Westfield Shopping Centre and its where you gain access to the observation deck. Thank god its fully enclosed because it sure is high.
Before the ascent a relaxed looking Pauline whose encouraging words of " man up " would ring in my ears on the way to the top.
The views were magnificent and gazing down at the Business District my legs did quiver a little, but with grim determination I did enjoy myself, if I didn't look down too much. The horizon in these circumstances is an old friend.
Out towards Moore Park and SCG, plus in the near foreground where Ben and Anna live, delightful Surry Hills. Once we had descended and the feelings restored to my legs, I can say that it was an enjoyable experience.... honest.
Anna had recommended an afternoon trip to Cockatoo Island, situated a little further into Sydney Harbour, it promised to be something a little different.
After another snackette at lunchtime we arrived at he Quay's and sought out the specific quay which housed the ferry to Cockatoo Island. It turned out to be the Rivercat,
a fast catamaran, that goes all the way up the Parramatta River to the town of the same name. It was a pleasant little cruise, which went under the Harbour Bridge and docked at Cockatoo Island. It took around 20 minutes.
The island is a historical haven, a time capsule from different eras, in 1839, after being commissioned as a prison, the first Europeans set foot on the island . Aboriginal peoples had for thousands of years used, the largest island in Sydney harbour, as a base for fishing activities.
As you can see the island has evolved over its long habitation. Its now a camping and hospitality venue, but it still retains the old industrial heritage, which is why its listed as a World Heritage site. We started out on a circular route and took in most of the old industrial buildings.
Having worked in heavy industry in the past, this journey had a very nostalgic feel. At one time a navel dockyard, the old turbine repair sheds were massive and made you realise how big the shipyard must have been in its heyday.
Look at the size of this chuck, manufactured and built in Glasgow, these buildings were for men and machines, not a computer controlled environment. I'm so glad that I had the privilege of seeing it all, even if the machines were all in slumber.
On the top of the outcrop the old prison barracks can be seen. These buildings again were well preserved and gave an insight into how the poor prisoners were treated, pretty grim existence, but bad boys in those days were certainly punished.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and caught the Woolwich/Balmain ferry back to the Quays. Another great day and back that evening for fish and chips in Surry Hills......perfect.
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