Our latest trip to Sydney has been a triumph and apocalyptic. Based in Alexandria/Erskineville, we managed to visit a dozen places, on average 1½ new places a week.
The triumph was that everyone was exceedingly friendly, helpful, curious, concerned. Both locally, within less than a quarter of a mile, where we spent a disproportionate amount of time. Including the local community centre, where we did exercise classes. And beyond. It helped being white, middle aged, with money and English speaking. And it helped knowing inner Sydney.
Seven years ago we did a similar trip, but managed to achieve two or three times as much. But age and illness have caught up with us.
Googee_ is fantastic, near NSW uni, easy to get to from most places; a v.long walk downhill from the L2 tram stop. The ocean was two degree warmer than normal for spring, so swimming was possible from week one. Unfortunately all the traffic, the road tunnels and the luxury SUVs adds to the ocean warming, but why want Australia embrace luxury e-cars, a nation with 'free' electricity? And without a bus hugging the coast, most local beaches and sites south of Bondi are off limit if walking is an issue, unless time consuming transfer through bus hubs.
Newtown_ King Street is much the same as in the past, with a very busy and prosperous top half. In the future, maybe it can benefit from more parklets outside hospitality venues, tree planting at junctions, more bike parking. And more trains stopping at weekends and during off peak hours. I practiced yoga at the far south end, once or twice a week, at the same place I first frequented 17 years ago.
The city centre has improved gradually, with more people, more workers, more residents, more retail. But degenerates with (increased) volumes of traffic. Maybe learn from the City of London, and half the road space available to cars. Maybe time has come to shut a quarter of streets to through traffic at all times. And another quarter of streets outside peak hours.
Mosman and Middle Head_ The area, the public realm, the bayside, the hospitality venues are fantastic, the wealth overwhelming, almost troubling. We swam at Obelisk, Cobblers and Athol bays, the latter by the zoo, and a convenient 20min boat trip from Circular Quay.
Mosman is choking, both with through traffic and local traffic. Maybe an automatic underground light rail, with stations under Neutral Bay and Spit junctions, crossing the Spit Bridge on a viaduct, towards Mandy Vale and Brookvale is needed.
Woollahra_ Our venture to Redleaf beach included mandatory visits to Edgecliff; a fantastic little indoor town centre on top of the station, where you can accomplish daily chores all in one place; To get to Redleaf, involved a short bus ride along a 4-6 lane car jam; Maybe more could travelled by e-bike? Maybe the local buses need to be free for adults? Redleaf beach is a hidden treasure, where I think maybe I should retire and die nearby.
Blue Mountain_ This was our first visit to the hills together, and my first overnight weekend visit. We enjoyed awesome company of almost two dozen, great hospitality, great program and excursion, stunning views west – across the river valley towards endless further mountains in the far distance. The retreat was genuine seventies, comfortable, stylish and well kept.
Six further places_ We also changed transport at Parramatta, North Sydney, Bondi and Manly–spending 1–2 hours in each place. As well as visited the far NE beach of Botany Bay. Places where we visited in the past included north shore and northern beaches, walking a majority of the coast from Palm Beach to Cronulla. Including past visits, I have walked the entire coast and most of the middle and eastern bay.
London vs Sydney_ Returning from Sydney to London, Londoners need to cheer up. Maybe the Mayor needs to conduct an annual survey, where Londoners friendliness is rated. With the aim of increasing the friendliness decade by decade. And indirectly create a competition between various parts of London and Londoners, between Londoners of different backgrounds, geographic, social etc.
Read more See 2013 in column right. Sorry photo insert is broken...
- Sydney and Brisbane – Low carbon anytime soon? 2017
- The 7 Million Sustainable Dense City?
- Gold Coast as post-modern hell or heaven?
- Brisbane as a Mini-Manhatten of the Southern Hemisphere
- Cowboy Town Architecture Sydney Style
Summer 2024_ I achieved
four records last summer; Cycled 75 km up and down from Barnstaple via Exmoor to Bridgwater during two days; Cycled 100 km along Elbe in one day; Crawled 1.5k nonstop in 45min at LF Lido; And swam 1.1k nonstop in 45-55min in a pancake flat and still Flughafensee.
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