Tis the night before Christmas

and nothing much can stir because of a serious heat wave. December is likely to be the second warmest on record.

4:29PM

This was a first, and surprising. The flock to which this bird undoubtedly belongs occupies much higher ground farther up the street, and the birds usually don't like being this low.

The heat was high but the humidity was low.

The bird takes micro sleeps but can't fully relax.

Too many feathers and can't get cool?

4:38pm

I didn't get the meaning of what the bird was doing in that last photo until much later on that night.

And that, thought I, was that.

Guylyn 1884

Victoria St

 

 

The Moon and Jupiter

Patrick Freehill 1860

The Rocks, 8:20am.

 

  

 

The year that needed no introduction 1916

 

If any introduction be needed, turn to the Australian War Memorial summary of what was coming up in 1916. 

  
 

Conscription was put to a plebiscite which was not carried but did get yes in 3 states. Gough Whitlam was born.

  

It is tragically understated.

View-Terrace 1892

9:29am

  

 

Hordern Stairs 1882

Officially Horderns Stairs, the 1934 Gregory's Street Directory of Sydney and Suburbs does not register their presence. Interestingly, the 1934 Gregory's does show the path to the stairs as Horderns Place, by which it is known today.

There may have been a shop under here at one time.  
 

 

It is a good stone wall. 

 

 

Look at the right edge, lower down, in the above photo. Here is a close up.

 

The Noah Tactive Instrument Modeller

YB 1907

Oxford St.

 

 

 

 

W Cover 1881

 

An intriguing and altogether grander project than the house he built in 1880, which is not many doors away.

  

 

  

Looks like a reverse 2 to me. 

W Cover 1880

Oxford St

 

Window ironwork 1885

 Victoria's heyday is commemorated from high to low at the Post Office.

  

 

The grate looks entirely functional and should continue to be fit for official duty for at least another 123 years.

Hammer head crane

The steel giant can lift over 250 tons and was operational from 1951 to 1988. It is not yet Heritage listed, but has been registered as an indicative property. Who knows what will happen, considering the issues involved with either preserving or demolishing. Weighty issues indeed! :-)

The cantilever 'Hammerhead' crane is only one of six built in the world. The crane was specifically set up for the removal of the twin 18 inch gun barbettes (barbette = an armoured cylinder protecting a revolving turret on a warship) from the English battleships of the period, hence their location at the home ports of the Royal Navy. (quoted from http://www.dhub.org/object/319851&img=174519)

The foundation cylinders were started in 1944. (quoted from http://www.mmci.com.au/articles/hammerhead/hammerhead_01.html) They are set into the rock bed of the harbour.