The sun sets fast in autumn, so it wasn’t long until we got a glimpse of a lovely sunset over Umina Beach.
Soon it will be winter solstice, and perhaps a wet patch, so let’s enjoy the beach-going weather while it lasts.
Tag Archives: walk
Autumn Beach Walk – Part 2
I can’t quite believe that Bridie the Beagle is now at the ripe old age of 13. She’s well into pensioner age now and much of the time is content to lounge about.
Unless she senses another dog ‘invading’ her territory.
Or when there’s a beach walk on the cards.
That’s when she gets really active, behaving more like a disobedient pup (do beagles ever grow out of this stage?)
Sprinting, jogging, and all the while sniffing out the many scents on the beach. She particularly likes seaweed!
Strange dog…
Autumn Beach Walk – Part 1
This spell of warm weather seems never-ending at the moment. Today it was 28C here in Sydney, warm enough to enjoy the beach. These photos though were a few weeks ago during the Anzac Day weekend. Umina Beach was surprisingly deserted for a long weekend.
There was very little swimming going on even though the water temperature hadn't dipped as yet.
I think there were more dogs than people in the water that afternoon.
Barangaroo – Part 2
At the northern end of Barangaroo is the newly-opened Barangaroo Reserve. Yes, it’s parkland that’s been added back into the city!
It’s been landscaped with thousands of sandstone blocks that have been quarried from the site, and planted with species that are indigenous to the peninsula. It salutes its indigenous past with many Aboriginal place names on the site.
I love the sandstone blocks which came in all shapes and colours.
The park also has great views of the harbour, down to the Anzac Bridge.
And across Walsh Bay to the Harbour Bridge.
When the entire Barangaroo is open, we’ll be able to walk along the entire foreshore from Woolloomooloo all the way to Darling Harbour. I think it’s a brilliant addition to the city.
Autumn in Tokyo – Part 2
Let’s continue our stroll through Ueno Park.
There’s a temple.
Markets to browse.
A game of baseball play or watch (although the pitcher here was terrible).
The park was used by everyone, including these tiny preschoolers here.
And although it was the beginning of winter, we even found a tree in blossom.
Oh, and there were lots of museums, which I’ll cover in the next post.
At the end of the day, everyone went home contented.
Around a Mountain Town – Part 5
We conclude our visit to Takayama with a walk up to one of the surrounding hilltops, Shiroyama. We are a bit above the town there, and had a good view.
Overlooking the town is a rather big bell, attached to a nearby temple.
The hilltop was forested, with many wandering paths.
It’s forested enough to attract all sorts of wildlife, although we didn’t see any!
And we of course got a final glimpse of the wonderful autumn leaves. It’s a sight to remember this mountain town by.
Around a Mountain Town – Part 4
We made a visit to Takayama Jinya – the old administrative ‘office’ of the region during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Inside, it’s a little like Nijo castle in Kyoto – a series of interconnecting rooms and buildings, surrounded by gardens – except a little less grand.
The weather can be extremely wild up in the mountains, so even the roof tiles were weighed down.
The museum gave us a glimpse into life at the time for those at the top and the bottom of the heap. Very important people were carried in these sedan boxes.
Criminals were carried and kept in these more humble (and uncomfortable) cages, and were subjected to all sorts of painful punishments. I wouldn’t want a run-in with the law in those days.
Around a Mountain Town – Part 3
Some everyday scenes from around Takayama.
Bicycles were again the prime way to get around the old town, given the narrowness of the streets.
Shrines were in abundance, and beside each one, a water spout for ritual cleansing.
Stalls selling grilled rice dumplings on sticks (mitarashi dango) which seem to have been there since time immemorial.
Japan’s love of dogs knows no bounds.
You can always count to find a ‘pub’ wherever you are.
This chrysanthemum is a little ray of sunshine on a gloomy day.
Around a Mountain Town – Part 2
Takayama is a town of two halves. From above, it looks in every way a modern town.
But in its heart is a very old town.
The town was founded in the 17th Century, and being surrounded by 3,000 metre high mountains, was virtually cut-off from the outside world during the long winter months. The buildings in the old town are low to the ground, and the weathered wood gives the town a very earthy, cosy feel. Very different from imperial Kyoto, or even Kawaguchiko where you can see the sacred Mount Fuji from every street.
Around a Mountain Town – Part 1
Let’s continue our walk around Takayama. There’s plenty of interesting things to see, and it’s all about the rivers.
It’s a town of many bridges, and from the sandbagging action by the river side, a few floods as well.
It was really a friendly town and a change after the busyness of Kyoto and Kawaguchiko. Even the statues were smiling.
We were approached by these primary school children, who, in English, asked us a few questions for their class assignment.
Static and Silence 