Women of the Cascades and Men of the Tenny – Convicts All

Hobart, Tasmania

In the eighty years of convict transportation to Australia, between 1788-1868, some 162,000 people (including children) were transported. Only 24,000 of these were women and a half of these women were sent to Van Diemen’s Land. It was a male dominated population most certainly. Hobart in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) received approx. 65,000 men and women transportee’s sent out from Britain, Ireland and several other English colonies. Many of their crimes were crimes of poverty and the brutal consequence of the industrial revolution, famine, as well as political crimes. 

A Sydney-Siders Bucket List

What to do in the ‘Harbour City’

Having grown up in Sydney there are iconic things which near all Sydney-siders do.  Sydney is a great place to visit and the activities you can decide on are a myriad, enough to engage the interest of all and any visitors. There are however a core of things which Sydney-siders love, ranging from the sublime the simplest. I am sure Sydney-siders can easily add to this list as it does after all come down to personal choice, but here I have listed few iconic things which… if you haven’t done them, then you are remiss in your education. Wanna know what they are… read on.

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park – Sydney

One of Sydneys magnificent bush reserves can be found just North of the city centre. A favourite haunt for Sydney-siders has always been this beautiful National Park. It nestles quietly on the coast between the Hawkesbury and Port Jackson, in its own brand of splendour. Often the most visitors to Sydney see of the park is the unforgettable sandstone cuttings which herald your northern approach into Sydney. These are for me the gateway to the sprawling city, found along the M1, but there is so much more than this to see.

A Celebration in Sydney

 

Sydney has to be one of our favourite places to explore. While accommodation is always an issue, and the cities Caravan Parking is as scarce as hens teeth, one of the biggest advantages in Sydney is the Opal card… coupled with what is generally a affordable, usable and convenient public transport system. Yes… you can easily get around the vast city on the public network and with the use of one of the transit apps available for smart phones which links you via public transport, from where you are, to where you want to go.

Secret Places – CBD Sydney

View from Sydney Shore

Cities of the world each hold their secrets and Sydney is no exception. This is a city we frequent, one The Man and I grew up in and it is a favoured haunt of ours. It also holds some charming secrets, hiding them in full view and it never ceases to surprise me how so many people overlook these things.

While growing up in Sydney, we had some favourite things to do and see when time and circumstance allowed us. These entertainments ranged broadly from the local beaches to rummaging through the bush, and of course the Manly Ferry ride across the beautiful harbour, particularly when there was a Southerly Buster blowing and the ride was a tad on the wild side. A much loved day out was exploring the City, looking for new wonders as well as the remnant of good ole Sydney Town at the Rocks and other places, those still haunted by the past and family memories.

The Ancient Spirits of Australia

Have you ever been making your way through the bush and suddenly had the sense that you are being watched? There is something out there… something unknown… the break of a twig underfoot… someone else’s foot? Yet there is no one there. Do all your instincts scream that you are not alone? Well in Aus’ you usually aren’t.

No… it’s not always the drop-bears, nor the other forest animals. What it is likely to be watching you as you walk through the bush is the little forest spirits known as the Jongorrie. Well known by the tribal people who lived in our bush and forests for tens of thousands of years, the Jongorrie is a rapacious little bugger of indiscriminate appetites. Known to steal food most commonly, he is also not above a few other less desirable habits.

Ghosts, Graves and Spirit Creatures

We have been spending time in and around what is said to be one of the most haunted towns in Australia, Picton. I’m not sure about the town’s reputation, one that dwells in murder, mishap and mystery as I can think of a few other contenders for the ‘haunted’ category but I do love to delve into these things.

Our Cities – Places of History

We’re in Sydney once more, on our annual (or bi-) migration, having just completed the fun loop from Sydney through to Canberra, on to Melbourne and back and in comparing the big three there can be found a lot of entertainment.

Cruising Sydney : The Hawkesbury

If I were to name the most beautifully and breathtaking river on Earth it would be the Hawkesbury River, an hour north of Sydney. I have travelled some of what are recognized as the greatest rivers in the world, the Rhine, the Danube, The Yangtze even the muddy Thames but the Hawkesbury… aghh the beautiful Hawkesbury shines above them all like a jewel.

Cruising Sydney : Parramatta River

Being in Sydney for a stint, while we wait for the motor upgrade on our cruiser we have been forced to take advantage of public transport. Now, we are both retired and had arranged for the local ‘Opal’ transport cards. As pensioners and seniors we have our own class of card and what a gem these ‘Opal’ cards are… And what a wonderful fraternity of senior concessions NSW has, this specifically in the Sydney region for golden oldies to enjoy. Wake up Queensland… the Go-card’s barely cut it in comparison. Both these cards, as within other States, have been designed to facilitate the use of public transport with ‘tap on, tap off’ technology and I LOVE our NSW ‘Opal’ Cards.