Nearly two weeks has passed since I returned from my brief, unanticipated trip back to Sydney.
And it’s only now I’ve had a moment to look at my photos, soundscapes, and diary notes from my time there. Over the next coming days I will be sharing these with you, with the hope to be able to communicate a little of my quietly chaotic sydney life through a series of moments – both silent and sounded. Next week I will continue with my regular posts about current things I am loving, things I’ve been up to while back in Amsterdam (it’s been a very busy couple of weeks!), plus getting the guest quarters ready for our next guest. And I’ll also be letting you know where we are at with the much anticipated My Heart Wanders.
But for now, let’s get geared up for our third series of soundscapes by first taking a road trip to our sound-filled destination…
My life down under has always been seaside, namely because I have always lived on a particular strip of Sydney coastline called the Northern Beaches. It’s a special piece of 125sq km of land that juts north, isolating a stretch of water aptly named Pittwater. This unique peninsula encompasses two National Parks with little pockets of rainforests, nine beaches with seven ocean rockpools, headlands, and sea cliffs…
My time in Sydney is taken up alot with driving up and down this peninsula, coming back and forth from the city to my home. I love the drive as I see the ocean poke out around every corner, and as certain landmarks appear, the memories of my youth come flooding forth. So venez avec moi on this mini trip down memory lane, along Pittwater Road in my zippy white starlet, starting at Collaroy beach and ending at my home, where we will pick up our first soundscape from series 3, in the next post. Strap on your selt belt as it’s going to be a speedy ride (under the speed limit of 60km, of course!).
But before we start, let’s have some music while we take this journey – click here to open my soundtrack of choice which is appropriately titled Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap. Then, as you know, come back to this window to scroll through the photos and captions. Please enjoy…
Long Reef Headland.
A cute beach house on Beach Road…
Tropical-ness, roadside…
…and we’re off!
Collaroy Cinema is a landmark that I hope will always remain. On the right we see an old building with a new shop called Cherry Blossom… it stands right next to the apartment block where my cousin and cousin-in-law used to live back when they were first together. They nicknamed it ‘Cockroach Castle’. I loved that place.
An island that I have never explored, just beyond the Narrabeen Bridge.
Lagoon living.
A favourite fence. An ex-boyfriend and I always imagined our future house to have this fence.
The Rock Lily – all done up but still full of fabulous memories. This was an institution as in my day it was the only nightclub on the peninsula. Now it’s a pizza place.
The local tennis courts where I have watched many-a-game of tennis. Yes, I said watched.
The back road. To the left was the way to my high school. Straight ahead was the way to my heart.
The house full of my childhood memories.
And the windy road that I used to ride my bike up and down.
A place where ‘no parking’ was allowed, but ‘parking’ is exactly what we got up to.
And my primary school with its massive gum trees and rusty tin roofs…
Another drinking establishment, where many a late night was enjoyed by all. This is pretty much what it would look like once you finally pulled yourself away from the premises.
And the neighbouring park by the shoreline became a place for stealing kisses.
Then there is the water that calms my soul…
…and the sunset that soothes my tired eyes.
…to be continued…
I know exactly where you were and what you are writing about – my Aussie home is in Whale Beach and has been for 22 years. When I am in Sydney I do that journey each day and know it so well. You have made me homesick, but in the best possible way as I am off to Oz in October for a short visit. A lovely and surprising post for me.
September 16th, 2008 | #
thank you for inviting me/us along for this road*trip…image, written word and song perfection.
warmly,
gem
September 16th, 2008 | #
I love that last image of the sunset. There is something so great about going home and seeing things you love no matter how everyday they are.
September 16th, 2008 | #
What a beautiful place. I love your narrative – thanks for taking us along with you. I feel inspired to visit Sydney some day…
September 16th, 2008 | #
This is fabolous! Before blogging I never dreamed I could travel to Sidney in such a fantastic company… Thanks for taking me along… through fabolous pictures
🙂
September 16th, 2008 | #
how wonderful Pia, thank you for this ride to “your down under” 🙂
September 16th, 2008 | #
The last sunset photo is beautiful.
September 16th, 2008 | #
oh i so needed to get out of this place! thank you,
September 16th, 2008 | #
I loved touring your neighbourhood Pia.
September 17th, 2008 | #
Just beautiful Pia Jane- that song, those images…I felt a little of what you were feeling, thank you. With anticipation awaiting more ~
September 17th, 2008 | #
my heart aches a little as i look at these photos. home to me is sydney even though i currently live in the usa.
avalon primary is where my school days began. hope your mum is feeling better. g
September 17th, 2008 | #
Thank you, Pia, for taking us on your trip. I miss the sea so much I am doing a series of paintings about it. These photos make me long for the sea even more…
September 17th, 2008 | #
welcome back lovely
September 17th, 2008 | #
Wonderful selection. I love the pictures that are a bit blurry from the speed of the car.
I’m looking forward to more.
September 17th, 2008 | #
oh Pia, I played your Imogen Heap track while reading and had NO IDEA that she was Frou Frou until I thought I knew that voice and did some googling.
I’ll have to check her solo work out, I really loved Frou Frou.
Beautiful shots!
September 18th, 2008 | #
Oh I’m glad Amanda! I’m loving her solo stuff at the moment, and the acoustic version of this song is on the Songs For Tibet album.
Thanks Mary-Laure, I’m glad you got the feeling that we were driving in the car, that was the idea. And I like how the song makes it feel a bit dreamy, like a memory passing.
thanks Fliss ;-).
Annie, I look forward to seeing your paintings on the sea!
Georgina, so nice to know there are kindred spirits out there like yourself. Av primary is now where my twin niece and nephew go. Newport Primary was my old hang out!
Oh I’m so pleased Janmaree, I hope you are liking the soundscapes that have followed.
Kirsty, Nadia, Stacy, and Sofia – it’s my pleasure to take you with me on the ride!
Esti – ditto when I visit your blog. And maybe even you in person in the near future 😉
Persephone – I would love to think my posts inspire you to visit Sydney!
Raina – me too. There are often sunsets like this on the bayside. It’s a special place.
Oh Gem, you’re so welcome!
Vicki, all I can say is serendipity works in wonderful ways. I hope you have a wonderful time in October, I have no doubt our lives have crossed many times on that road! And Whale Beach is my absolute favourite of all the beaches – it would be a dream to call that place home.
xx
September 19th, 2008 | #