Sunday, July 10, 2011

Ocean Baths

Ocean Baths by frontdrive34
Ocean Baths, a photo by frontdrive34 on Flickr.

No wise words here.

I don't often travel north of Sydney. Something about the motorway fatigues me but I recently went north.

Friends had suggested a drive. A Citroen was selected and then the destination, Newcastle was chosen (Palm Beach was another option). Now I didn't get tired, the car ran like a dream and to my joy the roads weren't too busy apart from several clusters of Harley riders, those Sunday ones, not the proper bikers!

It had been quite a long time since I last went there. The last time was actually by vintage diesel loco there and Sydney Harbour Ferry boat home (but thats another story with lots of spew).
All I had remembered of Newcastle was some great architecture. Well I wasn't dissapointed with these ocean baths being one of Newcastles jewels. What a treasure they have.

*

* by frontdrive34
*, a photo by frontdrive34 on Flickr.

No wise words here.

Whats wrong with people? This is part of a building outside the Newington Armory. Its fibro, its a pretty green and I love that it is preserved. It is one of many great bits of preserved achitecture at the Armory site a place of great historical interest.
Now what I'm lost over was the fact that when I was there hundred of parents and their offspring were making picnic, cycling, screaming and being generally crazy outside the Armory. It was icy cold, madly windy and crowded BUT if they walked a very short distance and moved their picnics inside the Armory (yeah you are allowed) they could have soaked up some warm rays, been out of the awful wind and been surrounded by some nice things.

Not a one was in there apart from the tour group on Seguays who zoomed off over the hill (whats wrong with walking and stopping to look these days?).