Friday 22 December 2017

Batemans bay bridge


There are plans to replace this opening bridge. It gets stuck occasionally, causing lengthy delays and cutting Batemans Bay off from the north and west. Sometimes it has been as long as four hours.
While necessary, it will be the end of an era - the bridge is an icon of The Bay. Mum remembers the first time she came through, there was no bridge, just a punt across the river.

Tuesday 19 December 2017

Street Library, Malua Bay


Are you aware of the street library movement? "Street Libraries are beautiful homes for books, planted in your front yard. They invite your neighbours to share the joys of reading and create lasting connections inside your community."  Find out more by clicking here. 

This street library is next to the community notice board outside the supermarket at Malua Bay.

Friday 15 December 2017

Coffee at Malua Bay

 If you want a coffee at Malua Bay, you may end up at the butcher's or the newsagent's! 










The Pink Gates, Moruya


A bronze plaque at the site says: 

"The Moruya Show was first held on land at the corner of Murray and Evans Street, Moruya in 1877 and was later moved to a site now used for Moruya Bowling Club in River Street. The Moruya Jockey Club held its first meeting on the present show ground site on 26th & 27th January, 1887. 

"The Pink Gates" were first built as the entrance to the show ground in River Street, Moruya and moved to their present site in 1914. For many years they were an icon in our village and a meeting place for the young folk of Moruya. 

The gates fell into disrepair and were removed on (sic) the 1960s and the new gates were erected on 17th March 2010 using the old gate located in the Moruya Historical Society as a template. "




Friday 8 December 2017

Cockatoo in the wattle tree


Lately we've had cockatoos in the garden. This one was enjoying the seed pods from the wattle tree. They are destructive beasts and leave their dinner mess for others to clean up!

Sorry the pic is a bit out of focus, but i had to snap it in a hurry, from a fair distance.

Wednesday 6 December 2017

Muddy Puddles, Batemans Bay


By the look of this, it seems the muddy puddles have arrived sooner than expected.

Tuesday 5 December 2017

On the rocks.


The southern headland at Mosquito Bay leads around to Garden Bay.

The rocks in this part of the world are some of the oldest in the continent of Australia - laid down about 450 million year ago. They are mainly greywacke, chert and shale of the Wagonga Group. They have been squeezed, bent and broken since formation, under very high pressure.

Monday 4 December 2017

Baby puffer fish, Rosedale Beach


A recent walk along Rosedale Beach and we saw this newly washed up tiny fish on the sand.

Finger for scale

Sunday 3 December 2017

The Turdle Man






Until recently, we had a septic tank pumpout sewerage system at Rosedale. They are in the process of being de-commissioned as a new electrical sewerage system which pumps effluent to a sewerage treatment works nearby.

The Turdle Man with his pumpout truck won't be seen around for much longer.

Friday 1 December 2017

Rosedale lagoon on misty day


The lagoon of Saltwater Creek at Rosedale two days ago. Usually from this point we can see the ocean and Jimmy's Island.


Thursday 30 November 2017

Sea-mist, Rosedale Beach



Yesterday was warm and humid, and we experienced a sea-mist which lingered until well past midday.

Wednesday 29 November 2017

Pack The Pool, Batemans Bay


Batemans Bay public pool is ageing and needs to be replaced. Council is proposing a 25 metre indoor pool, which would be open year round, to replace the current 50m outdoor pool.

There is a campaign to retain a 50m outdoor pool in the mix. This is not in opposition to a 25 m indoor pool as well.

On Saturday 24 Nov, there was a gathering at the pool called by the 50m pool supporters. I happened to be swimming laps and joined in. I do not like swimming indoors, and a 50m stretch out is preferable to 25m. You can also swim more comfortably with several people in the lane.

One woman near me said it was the first protest she had ever attended. There's no stopping people when they find a cause which touches them!



Saturday 25 November 2017

All Saints Anglican Church, Bodalla



All Saints Church, commemorating Thomas Sutcliffe Mort and his wife Theresa Shepheard Mort, was designed by Edmund Blacket. Mort was an early landholder in the area. He established a dairy estate. 

Blacket arrived in NSW from his native England in November 1842. In 1847 he was appointed chief diocesan architect for the Church of England in Sydney. Notable churches we designed include St. Paul's, Redfern, St. Mark's, Darling Point and St. Philip's, Church Hill. He is largely responsible for St Andrews Cathedral in Sydney. He was appointed Colonial Architect for NSW in 1849. In 1854 he was appointed architect for the University of Sydney. (I did many university exams in its beautiful Great Hall.)

It is unlikely that Blacket ever saw the site of the church. Construction was overseen by his son, Cyril. 

For more about Blacket - click here.

The foundation stone for the church was was laid by Marianne Mort, Thomas' second wife, on 18 March 1880. It was completed in 1901.