Today I went with Don and did the Harbour Bridge Climb! It wasn't actually the climb that goes up the steel arches but to the top of the South Tower...which is actually higher than the arches themselves.
It was quite a climb up the stairs to the walkway from Circular Quay.
Once on the walkway it was a leisurely stroll to the tower.
The walkway is enclosed but runs parallel and close to the highway.
As we approached the tower the sun bathed it in its rays.
We had to climb quite a lot more stairs but there were interesting things to look
at in the stairwell like this model of a rigger who worked in building the bridge...
and this blacksmith who heated up the rivets to white hot!...
and this rigger who would ride several hundred metres above the sea below with
just his foot in a loop!
When we finally got to the top, this was the first view I got of the scene below.
But what a view it was!
The harbour looked splendid and I could almost see to Manly!
Having this view of Circular Quay was also spectacular and something you don't
get to see very often.
Looking to the north you get a great view of the bridge below.
Don tried to get me to stand on the foot steps but I thought it was safer where I was.
Besides, It was a miracle that I got up this high in the first place! I would much
rather have my feet firmly planted on terra firma!
I have to admit that the view from every side was spectacular.
This was the view looking south towards the city.
This was looking to Dores Point and Darling Harbour.
The top of the opposite tower made me wonder what they used it for.
The view to the road below was not my comfort point, I can tell you that!
Well Don actually got me to stand up on the foot steps...but only for an instant
and as soon as I heard the shutter I was down!
That feels better. What a great view of the Opera House.
Inside there was a museum and this was one of the original cartoons of the early
1900's.
And this was a poem written in the early 1900's
After taking one last look at a train going over the bridge, I thought it was time
to get inside and look at some more museum items.
This is a cross section of the cables they used on the bridge. It is about 20cm thick.
This is the official ribbon cutting scissors. Of course we know that they were
never used because some clever horse rider galloped in and cut it with his sword.
There where lots of official mementos of the opening and here are just a few samples.
We finished our tour and it was time to negotiate those narrow stairs again.
On our way back we chanced upon this interesting view of the Opera House.
We decided to have a bit of a look around the Rocks area on our way back
And found some of the old ruins of the original Rocks area
Time for another photo opportunity before moving on.
The old buildings are very interesting and I am glad they didn't bulldoze them all down.
This corridor is typical of the narrow passageways that existed around the Rocks.
Some of the original terraces still stand. They were kept for low income families but
You would have to be a multi millionaire to purchase one of these now!
There are still a lot of the original factory buildings around the rocks
And someone decided to preserve the masts of an old sailing vessel that now
adorns the Rocks foreshore.
The Australian Steam Navigation Company Building at the Rocks
Tho old Sydney Cove Warehouses
Tucked away, and in Circular Quay are these beautiful terraces.
Also still preserved are some of the ruins. Here you can see a couple of fireplaces
preserved in the wall of this pathway.
Old stonework and arches are still preserved and look as strong as ever.
Courtyards of terraces
I got to pose with one of the traditional owners
We finally left the Rocks area and Circular Quay and headed home, exhausted
but extremely satisfied with the days adventure!
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