perfect autumn weather to celebrate a birthday

A few months ago, I watched an excellent documentary on the ABC (Australia’s national broadcaster) called Making War Horse. I expected it to be about the movie and wondered why it was being broadcast so long after the movie‘s release. But it was the “off-season” (the non-ratings period over Christmas-January: Australia’s summer holidays) so I didn’t think too much about it.

However,  the documentary was about the stage production done by the National Theatre Company (England). I found the documentary fascinating (do watch it if you haven’t seen it – it’s 49 minutes well spent) so when I found out the production was coming to Sydney, I asked WM for tickets for my birthday.

We saw it on Wednesday night – it was breath-taking and deeply-moving. We hardly knew where to look, there was so much going on. At the same time, the puppets are so life-like in their movements that we soon forgot that we were watching puppets. One no longer sees the puppeteers/actors. We have not seen the movie so the story line was new to us; I was so pleased it had a “happy ending” but, even if it hadn’t, the whole production was just brilliant and I’d love to go again before it closes.

We live in the metropolitan area of Sydney but, as part of my birthday treat, we stayed in the hotel in the same complex as the theatre. We had been upgraded to a one-room apartment with views over Darling Harbour (one of the inlets in Sydney Harbour). What a great birthday present.

view seen at 10:30pm

almost the same view in the morning

Yesterday, was a national holiday in Australia. We call it ANZAC Day. It is a day of commemoration of all those who have served our country in war and is held on the date of the landing at Gallipoli (a beach in Turkey) by Australian and New Zealand forces in 1915 as part of the British forces. The Allied forces lost 440,000 lives, of which 8,709 were Australian,  in the ensuing campaign which lasted until 8 January the following year.


The flags on the Harbour Bridge were at half mast until early afternoon.


Because it was a holiday, WM and I took advantage of the beautiful weather and spent most of the day ferry-hopping around our beautiful harbour.


Firstly we took the ferry from Pyrmont Bay to Circular Quay

ferry coming in to Pyrmont Bay Wharf, taken from our hotel room

then hopped on a ferry to Mosman (and return), then the ferry to Balmain where we disembarked and went for a walk for a little over an hour.

Balmain Court House

We then hopped back on the ferry to Cockatoo Island and back to Circular Quay.

After a late lunch/early dinner at City Extra restaurant at Circular Quay, we hopped on the ferry back to Pyrmont Bay, collected our luggage from the hotel concierge, and caught the light rail back to Central and a train back to our home town! We had to wait quite a while for a taxi, a lot of people were returning home from a day of celebrations but we finally arrived home a little after 7:30pm, happy but extremely tired.

Here are some more of the myriad of photos WM took during our day away from home!

the city skyline from our hotel room

old wharves/warehouses transformed into very expensive apartments

the northern approach (road and rail) to the Harbour Bridge

Luna Park occupies some prime real estate on the north side of the harbour

Sydney skyline from the harbour

two icons that probably don't need a caption!

looks like a postcard, doesn't it?

some Sydney Water Police in their new boat

I’m sure it’s true that it’s one of the most beautiful harbours in the world! And we saw just a fraction of it!

ANZAC Day -- lest we forget

On 25th April 1915, Australian and New Zealand troops were landed in the pre-dawn dark on the beach at Gallipoli in Turkey. In the following days and weeks, hundreds of men were killed and injured by the Turkish troops waiting on the cliffs above the beach.

In military terms, the campaign was a disaster but it was the first time that the newly-formed Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) fought a major battle in WWI.

Australians commemorate this anniversary as a day of national remembrance. It is a public holiday across our country. Dawn services and marches are held across the nation. We remember all those who have served in war, especially those who gave their lives, from WWI to the present day.

Lest we forget!

ANZAC

Ninety six years ago, on 25th April,1915, soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed on the beach at Gallipoli in Turkey. They were defeated but they hung on, obeying orders; and showing the true grit and mateship for which our nation is reknown.

Today we commemorate them and all Australian and New Zealand men and women who gave their lives serving our country.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.

Lest we forget.

ANZAC Day

It's the day when Australians honour those who served in any war or conflict, including those in peace keeping roles. We especially remember those who didn't come home.

In the words of my favourite hymn sung at ANZAC Dawn Services:

God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far flung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget!

Lest we forget

Today is ANZAC* Day. It is the day we commemorate all those who have served in wars.

Probably the most often told story when I was a child was that of "Simpson and His Donkey". Simpson served at Gallipoli in 1915.

photo copied from http://www.convictcreations.com/history/simpson.htm

Here is his story as told briefly at anzacday.org.au

Simpson and his donkey became famous among the Australian soldiers at Gallipoli because of their bravery. Day after day, and week after week Simpson and his donkey would wind their way through the hills and valleys looking for wounded soldiers. Even though it was very dangerous, Simpson would crawl on his belly and drag soldiers back to safety. He would then put the injured soldier on the donkey’s back and lead him down to the beach.

One day Duffy came down to the beach with a soldier on his back, but without Simpson. Simpson had been killed trying to save another soldier. The donkey somehow knew that even though his friend was dead, Simpson would have wanted him to take the injured man to safety.

To the memory of John Simpson Kirkpatrick and other fallen: lest we forget.




*Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

ANZAC Day

Today is the day when we commemorate Australians and New Zealanders [ANZACs] who have fought in wars, particularly those who have fallen.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget.

ANZAC Day - 25th April

Today was a special holiday for all Australians: it was ANZAC Day - a day we commemorate all who have served to protect this country and her allies, especially those who have fallen.

Thank you to all those who served or are currently serving and thank you to all their families - I'm sure it is a great sacrifice to you.

Lest we forget.

image from http://www.warmemorialsnsw.asn.au/traditions/rosemary.cfm