Cronulla Beach

Looking south from Green Hills towards Cronulla proper.

Last swim for this summer?

I can't describe how beautiful today is - a tiny breeze, air temperature about 26 (no Adelaide like heatwave), not too humid, fresh-smelling, sea temperature about 22-24. Just a little "bracing" as you slowly immerse yourself, but as we say in our house BOYGI - "boy-gee" - Beautiful Once You get In.

This morning my son and I headed down to Oak Park at Cronulla for a swim. That's him with his towel around his neck - he's just washed off his thongs. That's a beginner's scuba diving class in the middle ground just outside the rock pool, and Bundeena and the Royal National Park across Port Hacking in the background.

Temperatures are predicted to fall for Easter, though sea swimming is usually pretty good in Sydney up until mid-April.

For more pictures of Oak Park, taken in January, click here.

Seven Shillings Beach, Point Piper

I acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of this land, the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. Along this shore, now mostly destroyed, or, apparently, hidden from view, boarded up under the foundations of the houses are Aboriginal stone engravings and carvings.

There are several stories as to how this harbourside beach in the exclusive suburb of Point Piper got its name:
1. Named as such when a Mrs Busby gave an Aboriginal seven shillings compensation for fishing rights, or for a catch of fish;
2. A nurse, employed by Captain Piper, lost a purse containing 'seven shillings' on the beach.

Seven Shillings Beach is not one of Sydney's most beautiful, but it is certainly one of its most disputed. Private bbeaches are not meant to exist in Australia, or so we like to believe. However, some of the country's most well-heeled live in this little enclave (ghetto?) of Sydney and don't take too kindly to people who are not "us" gaining access.

Walking volunteer, Graham Spindler (2007 ) *explains that restrictions limit access to "below mean high water mark during daylight hours", as he calls it "a classic piece of legal compromise".

Spindler continues wryly: "...the beach remains privately owned, although glances across into the private realms are permitted (or inevitable), some of the backyards having long been owned by the fairfax family."

Point Piper
Now here's a classic Sydney story of wealth, harbour views, a beyond-their-means lifestyle, and corruption. But there wasn't an ICAC (Independent Commission Against Corruption) 180 years ago!

Graham Spindler again: " Point Piper's European history began as part of a 76ha land grant by Governor Macquarie to Captain John Piper in 1820. Piper had had control of customs and all harbour matters, a lucrative position which enabled him to vastly increase the size of his land holding and build the finest house then in Sydney on the point. He named it Henrietta Villa, after the second name of Gov Macquarie's wife, Elizabeth, and it quickly became the most prestigious social venue in town. However, the flamboyant and extravagant lifestyle exceeeded even his resources and he was soon deeply in debt. In 1827 it became apparent that he had embezzled 13 000 pounds from the customs revenues which together with other debts amounted to millions in modern value. The mortified Piper made a curiously grand suicide attempt, having himself rowed out into the harbour, and to the strains of his naval band, jumping overboard. He survived to retire to a more modest rural life." (near Bathurst) More here.
More about Captain Piper (and below, a portrait)

* Thanks Graham, with whom I trained as a school teacher-librarian in 1981!

Surfing

Err....

Not a good idea, mate!

Swimming can include everyone

Still at Cronulla. Another of the rock pools - there are about four along this short stretch of coast. Behind me is a large, shady, green park where lots of families were having picnics and barbecues and playing games from cricket to soccer.

Swimming and learning to swim is such an important part of Australian life and culture than many traditional Muslim women are taking part by wearing a "burquini" - designed by an Australian, Ahead Zanetti. You can see a woman in this photo wearing one. They have been adopted by the Surf Life Saving Association for Muslim women members - see article here

Here's an article about Mecca Laa Laa on patrol at North Cronulla beach. (My sister taught Mecca).

Personally, I love to feel the water on my skin and would feel too restricted, but, hey, if it helps some young women learn to swim, interact with their children in the water, and feel comfortable and culturally included, more power to them.

There's lots more pictures of Shelly beach, here on my "Swimming" blog.

Lots of fun

The rock pool at Oak Park, South Cronulla. A great way to spend the Australia day public holiday.

There's a lot more photos from Oak Park rock pool here on my "Swimming" blog.

Facing the waves

There's a low pressure system off Queensland at the moment - not unusual...it is cyclone season in the north. It is delivering flooding rains to southern Queensland and northern NSW, and huge seas down the NSW coast. Yesterday most of Sydney's beaches were "closed". This means that the lifesaving patrols do not put out the "swim between the flags" flags and advise people not to swim, because it is too dangerous.

Here on the coast south of Sydney, the seas are a bit higher than usual, but we're not having anything like further north, or the rain either. Just a succession of beautiful sunny days.

That's my son second from the left.

The best way to get through a wave is to dive under it. Waiting to dive: Or maybe you might prefer to just throw yourself into it after it's broken!

Whatever you decide, remember - have fun!

Here's a picture from the newspaper showing seas off Sydney. Waves have been up to 3 metres.

An Aussie summer

At this time of year, the lazy days of January, Australians in droves decamp to the beach. So has Sydney Daily Photo. Here are some of the essential ingredients: an umbrella for shade, clothing to cover up from the ozone-hole strength sun, board shorts and rash vests, boogie boards and beach cricket. (That brown house nestling a third of the way up the cliff in the background, with the log cabins in front, belongs to Nicole Kidman and family). This is a really busy day on "my beach" !

On the Beach

Time for summer holidays!

Hats and thongs

Essential accessories for the Australian summer

Sculpture By The Sea - "lemon tree"

Lots of school children were visiting the sculptures when I was there. Itwas great to se lots of young people engaging with the art. The orgaisers even published a children's activity book based around the exhibits.

Artist Irene Hoppenberg of Germany said about her work: " Yellow represents light. For me the lemons are a symbol of the southern countries and the sun."

For me, this work combines two icons of the Aussie suburban backyard - the Hills Hoist rotary clothes line and the lemon tree.

By the way, I am in love with the house high on the hill overlooking Tamarama Beach. It strikes me as somethign Jilly in Menton might post!

Between Clovelly and Bronte

Looking towards Bronte Beach on the cliff walk, north of Clovelly.

Later: I have to come clean! Because of my recent holiday I have a shortage of new photos of Sydney, and while yesterday's jacarandas were taken yesterday, this photo was actually taken in July. Thus this is a mid-winter photo, not summer. And yes, Sydney often looks like this in winter. Sad to live in such a wintry place, eh! (Clues: the long sleeves on the man, and the few people on the beach. It was probably a warmish 22 degrees on land, but only about 17 or 18 in the water - that's celcius of course...)

Looking from Monterey to the city

Once the beachfront along the Grand Parade through Brighton-le-Sands, Monterey and Ramsgate was high sand dunes, which regularly drifted across the road. Nowadays they are lower, and stabilised with plantings of native vegetation.

Photo from Rockdale its beginning and development by Philip Geeves and James Jervis, rev 1986, published by Rockdale Municipal Council.

Ramsgate Baths

At Ramsgate Baths, a remnant of the last surviving timber pool enclosure within the Botany Bay/Georges River area. Its construction technique and use of materials is unique within the Sydney region. Such enclosures are built along the bay to provide safe swimming free of the threat of shark attack. Sharks are numerous within the bay.

Bin unwanted fishing line

This is the first time I have noticed these receptacles along the beaches of Botany Bay. Great idea. Discarded fishing line has a nasty habit of endangering sea life. Read more about the TAngler Bins here. Hope the guys below do the right thing!

Beach games

There's a Barbie girl who's lost her thongs, Sandringham

Yuck factor 100%

She spent the afternoon squeezing his pimples!

Platform diver?

Sunday afternoon my husband (this is not him!) and I took a walk along Botany Bay. Looks like the council has been busy replacing railings - last time I was along here they were very rusty. And building platforms! Our guess is they are going to be a new set of steps down to the beach. I wonder if this fellow reached the same conclusion?

Stay tuned for some more of what we saw on our walk in the coming week.