Having spent about 3 hours on the highways and roundabouts of Wimalee, Springwood, and Penrith, which are smaller communities to the west of Sydney, I think that I am ready to take on the Land of Oz.
When I think that it was only a week ago that I landed at Sydney airport, the incredible series of events and people which have transpired has certainly taken me out of any winter doldrums that I may been under in Canada. My days at the Jolly Swagman hostel, in the Kings' Cross district of Sydney, were a reminder of my hostel days in Central and South America. I am still grateful that there are youngsters who are putting on their backpacks and heading out to see the world. I believe that the more that they interact with each other, the more countries which they tour, the more possibility we may have for a world which understands itself and the varieties of cultures and people who need to share it.
After a few hours of struggling to understand my newly purchased smart phone, I asked my roommate for some hints. He said that he had to "help my grandmother with her stuff all the time, and she is getting on, she is 67." I didn't say anything as he showed me for the fifth time a simple maneuver on the so-called smart phone. He sighed a lot like my son does when I ask him a question about my computer or camera. It must be a generation thing.
I met some riders on the main throughfare of Kings' Cross, and they offered some interesting advice regarding rides and issues around speed cameras and the like. Most of these guys hung out at a small cafe that served reasonable dinner steaks for $10. I figured the price was right in order to get some tips and advice on riding Australia. I think that most of them stuck to the main highways and generally cruised about. Like all bikers, they had a tight group of friends, and it was easy to see the genuine care that they had for each other. The guys were all members of the Kings' Cross Motorcycle Club, and I enjoyed my discussions with them.
The deceased members of the Kings' Cross Motorcycle Club are memorialized with dog tags chained to a Eucalyptus tree near the cafe..
The alley leading to the Jolly Swagman hostel...
What? No Toronto or Vancouver? Lots of Aussies have been to Canada and they frequently let me know that I am Canadian, and not an American...good to know, I think.
Some of the architecture is reminiscent of Gastown, in Vancouver
In the early days, Sandstone was the main architectural feature for the builders and artists. These pieces were the remains of some wonderful early century edifice...
The Sydney Bridge was apparently a make work project for folks during the dirty Thirties, which hit Australia as well. Locals call it the "coat hanger", but it is a magnificent feature of Sydney harbour.
When I get old and grey, I will cruise about the world...
Folk are walking the Sydney Bridge. This is something I am sure that my sister would do, without blinking. I am challenging her $500.00, here on the interweb, to walk the Sydney Bridge. That's cash, Sis....
The iconic folds of the Sydney Opera house formed a brilliant backdrop to the harbour and the throngs of touristas...
Look, an Asian with a huge telephoto...
I think I saw this boats' little cousin in Halifax Harbour this summer. Timmy the Tug colours at least..
This shot is for my Son, the photographer...
Sandstone Spires...
In order to meet up with the gentleman selling his bike, I needed to take the train from Sydney. There is a highly efficient train system funnelling folks to and from the city of 4 million or so. The trains are very efficient, and I was 75 km out of town before I could say "where am I?"
While waiting for the train, I had my first pie. The ketchup is nice and red, isn't it?
I toured the Sydney fish market. It was an eye opener for me, and the prices reflect an expensive and lucrative fishing economy for Australia.
The Atlantic farmed salmon look very similar to the northern cousins but the spots are much deeper and blacker,in my view. The price for farmed salmon was very high, but then again I don't buy salmon in Canada....
People were buying steaks from this huge swordfish. The picture does not give a clear idea of the size of the fish. I am guessing the cost per steak was aligned with the size of the chunks....
These birds are everywhere, waiting for handouts and being pesky...
Tasmanian farmed Salmon
I remember my daughter riding a Merry Go Round at the PNE...remember, girl?
These guys took a boat load out and spun them around and around and got everybody nice and wet...good fun...
Aluminum Birds who were beer cans in a past life???
A stretched Hummer would make an excellent caravan for the grey nomads....
Another view of the iconic Bridge..
For my Son, the helicopter pilot...
For My brother in law, the Harley rider...
I think they have a Volkswagen Motor, unfortunately...
This chunk came from Alberta, near Lethbridge. Ammorlite, I think.
Sunday at the Rocks, with the artisans....
Beautiful wood from Queensland. Hard as rock....
Downtown building from another era..
WARNING: The next section contains GUN PORN. If you don't like guns or boats, thats all for you....
I am ahead of myself, I found some pics of my final day in Sydney. I had to go to the Museum and check it out...
Inside the Queen Victoria building....
I
This roof style reminded me of the huge train station in Argentina, although a lot cleaner....
A model of the Victoria Cross. About six Australian service men were awarded the Victoria Cross for their contributions during the war in Afghanistan...
The Sydney Museum is welcoming....
The Australian Aborigines would share message boards between different tribal groups and areas....
An original mask......
Shark teeth inserted in the club for added emphasis...
In one Dreaming, Crocodile Man would have the Crocodile take him across the Rivers...
In another Dreaming, Crocodile Man would sic his crocs on his enemies...
Nice teeth, Mister....
Yes, Australia has Eagles.....
Can you see the Taurus constellation?
These guys have an crazy, wild laugh...right about 5:00 am...
Deadly Octopus...who would have thought???
Adios Kings Cross....
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I managed to get packed up and get on the road early Saturday morning. About 75 km. north of Springwood is a very famous manufacturing plant. I knew that if I did not make an opportunity to see the small arms museum, I would regret it forever.
The bike with no name takes me to the Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum..
When I was a teenager heading for the hoosgow or worse, My Dad set me up with a friend of his who was a Master Armourer and a great shot. Jack mentored me as I learned that I had an exceptional eye, and that I could shoot the large bore .303 very well. As I won at shoots, my confidence grew, and of course, some self-discipline and focus began in my life. I had joined the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and RCAC program very much influenced my life in a positive manner.
This very poor shot is of the very first Lee-Enfield produced!. It has a number 1 stamped on it. It was produced here at the Lithgow Factory.
This is the current weapon which is being produced at the Lithgow factory.
 Rows and Rows of the different Lee-Enfields.. each version, each modification is documented...  
The top gun below is a "shorty" developed for warfare in Northern India....
 A Lee-Enfield set up for sniping...  |
The middle Enfield is a grenade launcher, reinforced with wire so that it did not kill the soldier launching the grenade...
Rows and Rows of weapons from different countrie....
The Canadian Army FN...this version came into service as I was leaving Cadets...
The museum calls the stocks "furniture", and there were many varieties of different woods used for the Lee Enfields. This blond one below reminded me of the target .303 that Dad's friend had built for me.
My Grandfather would have been up against these Maxim machine guns during his days in France in WW1.
Somebody named their Bren Gun
In another section of the museum is a collection of of 2000 pistols...it is a remarkable history of the development of pistols.
After the museum, I hit the road for a couple of hundred kilometers, moving along the eastern edge of Australia, towards Melbourne.
A shot for my Son, the Pilot
I spent the fist night free camping in a Rest Stop. There were a couple of other grey nomads from different parts of Australia who pulled in as well. I soon had the tent up, as the buggers were out....
The next day I wandered down the coast. The Search and Rescue people are set up with some pretty fancy rigs....
These guys were long-lining, but I don't know what they were after...
Lots of hipsters in Sydney are wearing full beards and hair styles similar to this. I don't know who came first, but Ned is obviously a popular guy....for an Irishman....
This is for my Son the pilot. On the window of a car parked beside me: obviously a jet jockey or something....
Will I get the rain gear on, or not????
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