It’s a pretty universal hankering amongst us all to want a spot in the sun. Speaking figuratively or actual, don’t you think it equates to a fairly normal trait to pine for the sunny side even of the light, bright and breezy? I for one am a bit of a kitty cat and always gravitate to the one ray of sun beaming in through the window. So it comes as no surprise that, today, watching the sun break over the harbour, I realised (I’m sure in the past I’ve had this light bulb moment so best to say, realised again ) that the innate can actually be the spot in the sun and right now (for me) it’s Sydney’s turn for that sunny spot! (Alright, yet another turn! Can the city help it if it is the popular kid and always shining )

My iPhone photos are not going to do this city justice, especially in the magical early morning light of day when the soft sun plays against the colours of The Rock’s sandstone, but I am want to share them regardless. (Oh, and I did once buy a camera that was supposed to be the holy grail for bloggers photo content but couldn’t get it to do what I wanted. When I finally surrendered to reading the instructions, well, do ya think they could be found? So, back to the iPhone, which, BTW, was told by my tech guy, PW, takes photos as good as any camera. Works for me! )

Anyhoo, after a day spent strolling and snapping, I bumped into Ranger, CY, who gave me a fascinating insight into some of the history (no, I haven’t done the tour yet; already been reprimanded by CY for that one )

Tinerate, apparently, back in the day, the area where the Sydney Habour Bridge is (well, the southern edge) was nothing but a massive sandstone mound and it was from this hill of stone that the convicts would carve the rocks to be used to build the houses of The Rocks area. Once chiselled and carved, the convicts then had to schlepp it across to where the house was to be erected.

I was fascinated with the small etchings all over each of the individual stones of the walls of the houses in The Rocks and CY told me – again – (this is why I need to take the tour ) that these were in fact the convicts signatures. The convicts ‘signed’ the rocks with markings so they would get paid, normally opting for payment to be put towards reducing their sentences. Despite the extremely harsh conditions, many dreamt of the day they were granted clemency and given their own stock hold of land in New Holland.

It was also intriguing to hear CY admit that she had lived in this area for 16 years (adult years!) and until she started working as a Ranger, knew only the glorified folklore known to us all. The tidbits she now knew, CY divulged, were picked up from eaves-dropping on guided tours whilst on smokko! Good to know I’m not the only one in need of a intensive Australian History Class

Another passing comment from CY was that the primary kid tours that came through The Rocks are given the whole convict settler experience, right down to dressing in the black and white stripes. CY’s sister is a teacher and brings her class every year (on CY’s advice initially) to immerse themselves in the past and learn about their history.

I think an excursion to The Rocks is a brilliant idea! Maybe kids from all over the country should have a field trip to Botany Bay … what do you think next-gen RT? Anyone? …

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo