This heat is starting to get to us. Goodness knows how we will cope when we get to Alice Springs the Red Center of the Northern Territory late February. Reaching 37°C (only 1° of the old Farenhite reading of 100°F) it was bl**dy hot! But we wanted to find the
Alexander Canal, a section of which run parallel to Sydney airport. Another really good article about this canal can be
viewed here and is worth a read, but in summary, it was named after Princess Alexandra and built in the 19th century during the 1890's depression to provide water and transport links to industries. During the excavation bones of dugongs, aboriginal axes and remains of an ancient forest were found. Unfortunately, this waterway was difficult to maintain needing constant dredging and repair and was abandoned by the 1950s. In 2001 the NSW Deputy Premier wanted to build a cycleway and develop the area but after examining soil samples from the canal bottom it was declared to polluted and plans had to be scrapped due to the toxicity of the water.
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| Shea's creek, now a storm drain, flows from Alexandria into Alexander canal. |
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| Alexandra canal which flows into the Cook river. |
By the time we had stopped at three different points of the canal, walked to take photos, and then returned to the car it was gone midday. The beach was calling to us and with bathers and towels in the car, we headed off for Gongwong beach (don't you just love the name) near Botany Bay. Calm waters and shark nets make this beach very safe, although we did choose the one spot devoid of nets! Jet skiers zoomed up and down and we reckoned any sharks would be long gone but both of us stayed within depth. Cloud cover helped to keep the temperature down but it was still at 36°. When the sun did appear an hour later it was time to seek shade. mu
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| Much too hot. Trying to walk in the sand burned your feet. Didn't want to end up like a Lobster so it was time to go. |
The countdown has begun for New Year's Eve. Tomorrow we head for Sydney and the restaurant overlooking Harbour bridge. An estimated 1.5million people are set to use the trains to view the fireworks. We are hoping that leaving before 5 pm the crush won't be quite so bad. Getting back might be a problem. All those folk trying to leave Sydney at the same time. It will certainly be interesting!
And the wildlife,
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| On the banks of Cooks river tiny grabs |
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| This was the bully! |
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| Crested Pigeon |
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| Bush Turkey chick |
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| Pied Cormorant |
