Mon, 2nd November, 2015 Pete & Marion’s, Camden (Bondi to Bronte Beach walk and sculptures)

Big storm in the early hours this morning. Nice and sunny now 21 degrees at 8am.

Headed to Campbelltown with Natalie as she doesn’t start her new job till tomorrow. Parked the car at the shopping centre and bought a coffee then headed over to the railway station.

Onto a direct train into Central Station. Nice and comfy with lots of big windows to enjoy the view. So many beautiful Jacarandas are in bloom.

As we were coming into Central Station we saw a big sign about Australia’s first female architect, Florence Mary Taylor (1879-1969) – might be a relative!!

Changed trains to Bondi Junction then onto the bus to Bondi Beach. Very crowded on the bus so we had to stand. Were glad to get off as the bus driver was very erratic. Walked down to the lookout over the beach. We came here in 2011 after the cruise and it was so cold and miserable that we just ran down to the Surf Lifesaving rooms for a look then got back on the bus.

Zoomed in a bit closer.

The skatepark that is often featured on Bondi Rescue on TV.

At the start of the Sculpture Walk is the original information and sculptures. Amazing story.

A few swimmers enjoying the warm weather at Bondi Icebergs pool.

People on the beach enjoying the sun and some surfers enjoying the waves.

Onto the path to enjoy the scenery and the sculptures with everyone else. Love the curved one with the ball.

The sandstone escarpment is sculptured beautifully as well by Nature.

Nature versus artist.

Where the water goes – and all the rubbish.

This one was titled ‘Troubled Youth’.

Looking back along the path and the Seaweed made of corks.

The Picnic mat made of copper.

A spaceship finishes this first section then we climb up the stairs to continue around the top of the cliff.

Weedy seadragons.

Another great view point.

Lots of different styles.

Loving the natural sculptures.

The Kings and Queens have a great view from out on the point.

Old Bondi photos.

Early Bondi locals – ‘Nosey Bob’ or Robert ‘the Gentleman Hangman’ Howard lived a lonely life in the cottage in the top right of this photo. A former horse-drawn cab driver, he worked for almost 30 years as the State hangman after being shunned by society following a horribly disfiguring accident, in which his nose was destroyed. This, and his reputation as a decent fellow, who carried out his job with respectability, gave rise to his knicknames.

Great view back over Bondi Beach.

A different sculpture with mirrors.

Looking around towards Bronte Beach and across the bay to a cemetery where some of Marion’s relatives are buried – what a spot.

Up into Marks Park where there were many more sculptures. The Flying Fish.

A plaque about the whales – calmer day today so keeping an eye out in case one passes by.

Ashes to Ashes – we all voted this as the best.

Wandered around checking it all out.

A glassblower was entertaining the kids – oh yeah we scored the school kids on excursion but there was plenty of room to move.

Unusual bar/restaurant.

Love this one – I had one of these coral ferns from Cowley Beach. Third place by us.

This one we gave 2^nd place. It is only narrow but the 3D effect is fantastic. It was called Parallel Thinking Space.

More unusual sculptures and some we just think ‘why!’

This one brings back memories.

The music box.

This looked like something out of Mad Max. It was meant to charge a battery to keep the phone box going.

Stretched beach buggy.

Into the marque to check out other works from the artists which were for sale. A fabulous piece of driftwood.

This one entitled ‘Paper on the Table’ is available for $4800 !!!

This one sold for $2500 and the artist, Mike Van Dam, was from Queensland. He did one of the first ones we saw with the big hand holding the whale – made of chain.

Little versions of the Parallel Thinking Space are available for $550 by Dan Miles.

The Flying Fish for $3500.

Cinderella’s Soul $14,500.

There are so many to look out – amazingly the kids haven’t knocked any over.

 Roundy Man is $13,200.

This fern has sold for $2,100.

This is a small one of the first one we liked - $7980.

There were water and sunscreen stations.

We thought these were real people.

Funny – there were pigeons everywhere and no seagulls.

Coastal bushland and animals.

More art on the rocks as we head around to Tamarama Beach.

A couple of crazy guys diving off the rocks.

Of course there has to be nude male.

A bit further around we were greeted with the sound of whales. Walked out onto the point and saw the sound system. Lots of people were staring out to sea to see if they could see the whales.

The white shell looked great against the sea and sky colours.

Some more sculptures along the way. The bell is lovely. The pipe is meant to be Anemone.

A new take on ‘The Thinker’.

Around to Tamarama and the ‘Migratory Birds’ complete with the new sun care look by the tourist.

The sandstone was the best and the waves were pretty good.

The kids were having a ball with the squirty bottles which worked.

More sculptures around the beach.

Weird to see the pigeons instead of seagulls on the sand.

Wave 2 had all the kids going as it was covered with nude Barbie dolls – there won’t be any in the shops for Christmas this year!!

We thought they were building something here but it was a sculpture too!!

‘Dust’ was pretty good.

Wandered around then bought a Chirozo hotdog for lunch.

Climbed up the stairs where an old home has been removed and they are getting ready for the new one. There are a lot of homes being renovated around here. Wouldn’t want to be the contractors as there is no room to move!!

Looking back down on Tamarama and then around the coast.

Bronte Beach and Park history. Bronte Beach is the birthplace of Surf Life Saving 1903.

Zoomed in on the pool being crashed by the waves.

 Walked up through the park where all the water from the hillside is collected.

Great mural on the sewerage pumping station.

Up through the Norfolk Pines to the bus stop.

Got off opposite Westfield Shopping Centre – some ‘locals’ chilling out.

More sculptures in here too.

Stopped at Coco Noir for a cuppa and yummies. Natalie said to try the ‘Cronut’ – a cross between a Donut and a Croissant . Very nice but very sweet.

Across the road and down the steep escalators to get on our train.

Strangely there were no trains at Central Station – well for a minute or so.

Tim and Sophie are coming back from Hamilton Island so we should pick them up on this train when we go past the airport so we can all go home together. Found them when we got off at Macarthur Station.

Lots of chatter over dinner.