Newton and North Sydney

Headed into the City this week. Had to go in to visit a restoration company to see about replating a chalice for my associate. He received a seconmd hand chalice for his Ordination. Before seeing it, I asked him why he hadn't ever used it. He said because it was in such sad shape. And then he showed it to me!

It's not a great chalice; it was slightly askew and the cup part was all scratched up inside. So I took it to the only-in-Australia and oldest silver smith here in town, W. J. Sanders. Their company is located in a trendy area of town I had visited only once before, south of Sydney Downtown, called Newton.

Along the way I called my "Mr. Mom" friend, Paul. I officiated the marriage of Paul and his wife Beryl when I first got to Australia a couple years back. (I might even have a wedding picture of them in a previous blog,) Paul and I bonded over superheroes and movies and we've kept in-geeky-touch ever since. Beryl is sweet, too. And they're both really great with their Faith and just all around fun people to be around.

Anyway, Paul is enjoying his paternity leave (he gets 6 months off here to be a stay at home dad and bond with his new baby). Isn't that wonderful? (I think it's the law in Australia.) As Paul and Beryl (and Joni and their dog Rosie) live about half way between Kellyville and Sydney off a bus line, I met up with Paul and Joni for lunch at a nice cafe. (1) It was fun to catch up on movies and superheroes and a bit about parenting a little over one year old…

Then off to Newton! These photos of the main street of the area gives you a hint of the feel of the place. (2-5) Lots of old-timey buildings with cafes, bookstores, gift and soap shops on the street level. It reminded me a bit of San Francisco or some of the older, gentrified parts of Chicago.

Finally, I wanted to visit another area of town called Milsons Point. It's an area adjacent to North Sydney (6) I'd been to Milsons Point before when I crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge a couple weeks back, but didn't have time to explore. Sadly, I still didn't have time, arriving around 7:45 pm! (I don't like to explore new neighborhoods in the dark.)

I was able to see the sunset and soak in the glory of the harbour (7-18). Notice the difference in the color of the light from when I first arrived and took a photo (7) and when I departed about 20 minutes later (18)! I loved this corkscrew tree in the park (10). My next destination stop is this little park at the end of the land (13-14)

Next week I go on retreat. Hope to get some nice pictures of wild kangaroo and the Blue Mountains!