Coogee to Bondi

After some very heavy rainfall the previous day and night, it was felt, at first, that we may have to cancel our walk. However, a smaller than usual group decided to “give it a go”.

We met at the Quay and then travelled by bus to Coogee Beach We thought that it would be wiser to change our planned walk ( going south to Maroubra) but instead head off in a northerly direction and thus have the prevailing wind more or less on our backs, rather than walking into it.

We were very lucky - the rain held off. However, the winds were so strong that we felt at times, that we were weightless. The seas were quite wild and attracted no surfers. We saw some intrepid swimmers in the rock pools which we passed.

This was the first time we had used the recently completed coastal walk facilities - the new railings and seating, together with excellent pathways are very good. We passed a few brave souls out for their constitutionals - not anything like the number whom we would normally see on this very beautiful, popular walk.

Our route took us past the memorial sculpture at Dolphins Point ( dedicated to the Bali bombing victims ) and then around Gordons Bay, Clovelly, Bronte, and Tamarama before reaching Bondi. From Tamarama, and then until we reached Bondi. we saw artists preparing to mount their displays for Sculpture by the Sea, due to commence on Thursday 29th October.

We ate lunch in the sheds on the grass at Bondi - it was a little uncomfortable because of the strong wind, but we managed to enjoy our break there.

We journeyed back to the city by bus, having thoroughly enjoyed our walk in the wild weather.

(No member of the group carried a camera on this walk, so the photo shown was "borrowed" from the Internet - this is how we saw Bondi - wild and woolly! )

Circular Quay to Centennial Park.

This walk which goes from the Quay, through the inner eastern suburbs to Centennial Park,is filled with surprises – even for Sydneysiders!

We used a lift which took us from quayside to the walkway of the Cahill Expressway, from which there are wonderful views across the harbour to the Bridge. (This walkway was the first of the abovementioned surprises for some members of the group).

Then another..............with Macquarie Street behind us, we arrived in the Royal Botanic Gardens and came to a collection of pieces of sandstone set out on lawn. They were not identified at that spot, but research has filled in the details The “sculpture” is called “Memory is Creation Without End”. It was installed in 2000 as part of the City of Sydney’s Sculpture Walk Programme, and was created by Kimio Tsuchiya. He used relics of demolished buildings, symbolizing the circular connection of past, present and future.

N.B. Next year it is hoped, say the authorities , that it will be possible to join guided tours of all the sculptures which are spread throughout the many hectares under their control.

We continued walking through the Gardens – at one spot coming across the bat colony ( Denise’s photo shows just one of the trees which is home to them). Although it would be possible to spend all day in the Gardens, we moved along to Woolloomooloo and chose to sit quite close to the Finger Wharf to have our morning tea. We were very near Harry’s Café de Wheels and although not choosing to partake of his “ goodies”, we were able to admire the many photos which showed some celebrities enjoying his wares.

We continued walking through Potts Point and because of the diligence of our guides, found our way to Elizabeth Bay – passing Elizabeth Bay House and having a quick look at the small, but lovely, Arthur McEltone reserve – the main feature of which is the beautiful fish pond.

We passed through the Rushcutters Bay Reserve and then crossed New South Head Road .This took us alongside the large Trumper Park – this provides an oval, tennis courts and bowling green.

We walked through some streets in Paddington and arrived at the Oxford Street gates of Centennial Park.

Centennial Park – 189 hectares – opened in January 1888 to mark the centenary of the colony. The Park (see our small photo) features include formal gardens, ponds, avenues, statues and historic buildings. Because it was school holidays, there was a lot of activity. We had our lunch and then continued further into the Park, viewing the rose gardens and other beautiful displays. As with the Botanic Gardens, a whole day could be spent exploring this beautiful place , which is situated just a few kilometres from the centre of our city.

The weather on the day was quite pleasant for walking – not quite reaching the mid-twenties, as had been predicted. We used buses to return to various locations in the city from where we continued to our homes.