We've been looking forward to this since we arrived in Sydney, going into the City to see the iconic Opera House and Tower Bridge. We were not disappointed, it's just Sensational.
As you have discovered Lachlan Macquarie was a Scot, born on the Isle of Ulva. Elizabeth was his second wife, his first Jane died of TB after just two years of marriage. Macquarie himself died also died of TB just two years after completing his term. He is buried on the Isle of Mull. His grave was gifted to the people of New South Wales and is jointly maintained by the National Trusts of Scotland and Australia. He was by far our most effective colonial governor. Another example of a citizen of the greatest little country in the world making a huge mark. Next year after I (hopefully) complete the West Highland Way, I plan on stopping by his grave on my way to Iona.
That will be a great thing to do, didn't know he was buried on Mull and now that you've told me that I will definitely visit his grave when we get to Mull, don't know when that will be but we want to tour all the western Isles. Good luck with WHW if you have seen my vlog of that would definitely recommend the baggage transfer service.
Thanks Fred we hope to do the ferry before we head home. Not done Opera House tour but we went to see Miss Saigon which was great and let us see the inside.
Brilliant vlog off Sydney, brings back many memories. Here’s a few facts you may like to know, The Sydney Harbor Bridge stone piers only originally went to road level which made the locals apprehensive about its structural safety and put people off using it. They were forced to build the piers higher so the locals would feel more confident about using the bridge 😂. The stone piers are made from granite and the stone masons came from The Granite City, Aberdeen in Scotland, a whole Scottish community was formed around this activity. Governor Lachlan Macquarie was born on the Isle of Ulva, Scotland, and is said to be The Father of Australia. Macquarie was sent to NSW to clean up Governor (Captain) Bligh’s mess. An old maintenance fitting engineer and Vietnam Vet once told me that the original Sydney to Manly ferries were built on the River Clyde, shored up with steel plates to make them water tight and sailed on the open seas to NSW. There are even ties to the Scottish shale industry, Pumpherstoun works and its locals, not far from Sydney. Just some fun facts for you both, us Scots do seem to get ‘oot ‘n’ aboot’ don’t we. Can’t wait to see your next destination. A ballon trip over The Hunter Valley maybe 😂…. Safe and happy travels.
Thanks Billy that's fascinating, and to think that we stay very close to Pumpherston, the old shale oil capital of Scotland. Not surprised to hear that they had to bring in masons from the Granite City to teach them the skills of the trade. We spotted references to Macquarie all over the place like street names, he must have been a good governor.
Thank you so much for sharing your day in the city!!! As my grandfather came to Argentina from Geelong as a young lad around 1910, and later sent his sons to boarding school over there!!! I really am enjoying it all !!! Keep on sharing tve lovely vídeos !!!!🤗
Hi Diana hope you are well, Geelong is beside Melbourne in the south, we are heading up the coast to Cairns and Brisbane so not going down that way, but it's probably a lot like where we are, sun sea and sand 👍💕
An Excellent vlog as usual. Brings back memories. I worked on the Opera House when I came to Australia in 1971. Also worked in Garden Island Naval Dockyard. The upper deck of the bus was a good idea, That also brought back memories, my favourite Hamish Imlach song, "When I was on the upper deck of a 47 bus". Glad that you are both enjoying your stay. Look forward to your next episode. Stay safe.
I could myself extremely lucky to be a Sydneysider. I often go into the Gardens for a walk or just to sit and enjoy the views. So glad you had beautiful weather for your visit. There’s lots more to explore in Sydney so I’m looking forward to seeing 😎🇦🇺where you go next.
Love your Scottish-accented pronunciation of probably our best early Governor. Lachlan Macquarie, as you probably know by now, was a Scot also, so I wonder if your pronunciation is how he would have pronounced it. As a charter/tour bus driver, Mrs Macquaries Chair was one of my favourite places to stop for a brief rest. Peaceful, quiet and with magnificent views of the harbour, its marine traffic and the surrounding sights.
Thanks and yes we know that now, but didn't at the time. It must have been very unusual back then for a lady to have been given such a job so well done Lachlan for getting his missus involved.
Hello Mike and Tricia - greetings from a very wet and cold Poland What a fabulous video. I've seen sydney on this sort of video before. I'd love to know how you managed to take the shots whilst you both were walking through very busy areas. Beauitflu gardens - very pretty. As you siad, quite different plants to those found in the UK.
Hi Michael, for these walking shots the camera was placed in a spot in a doorway or other spot where it would not be disturbed then we get the shot as quickly as we can before anyone notices it or runs off with it👍🤣💕
Those bird cages hanging in the laneway are also accompanied by the sound of many native bird’s songs ( if you stand there and listen). On the ground under them are plaques for each type of bird now gone from the CBD area of Sydney but once prolific there. Happily , many of them still live in the areas in the greater Sydney basin such as in the Blue Mountains…..full of bird song.
It was quite noisy so we didn't notice the bird songs, but it's a really good idea and reminder that nature has suffered as a result of all the developments.
Fabulous video as usual.. the aeoniums were spectacular.. I first came across them at the Inverewe gardens and have been on the look out for one for years, I finally found one a few months ago, it’s only small and just plain green but I have great hopes for it 😂 Sue x
I had a black one many years ago, bought it while camping and it travelled around with us. Eventually when we went home I potted it up and put it outside, meaning to bring it in before the first frosts, but I forgot and that was curtains for the poor wee thing.👍💕
You didn’t fancy doing the harbour bridge walk then, right up over the top…………neither did I. We found that the Sydney ferry service was a great way of getting a round and seeing some sights from the water as well. Ok there’s no commentary giving you the details like on the Captain Cook’s tours but it does make a nice trip on the water.
👍Bonza mate! Great vid. If you wish to have an escorted tour of Sydney's south, and around the Grand Pacific Drive drop me a line and I'll get in contact. I just recently took ROBreacts and his wife Charlie to the south coast through The Royal National Park (which is arguably the oldest park in the world) and they loved it. Let me know. Cheers
Just one correction: at the beginning you say you are "going in to Sydney" - you already were in Sydney when you started the video! Locally we would say you went to the CBD, or "in to town" as my parents would call it.
Many Australians are proud to have a convict in their background. It’s a badge of honour that many convicts ended up doing well for themselves despite their tough start in this country.
Sydney... pfft. Why do tourists think that this busy, crowded, hectic and expensive city represents the rest of Australia? Go and travel... explore other regions and cities. You might be pleasantly surprised!
We don't think that at all and we didn't suggest or imply that we did. It has the hustle and bustle of many other major cities around the world, but does it with some style and we still loved it.
