Oysters

Our day revolved around the $1 lunchtime oysters Hayden had mentioned.

First up, a trip to opal jewelers to see how much earrings cost. I’d seen a shop downtown but couldn’t remember its name. The one we did find, Australian Opal Cutters and Pearl Divers, had small dangles on stainless steel for $150. I have a benchmark. I suspect one could bargain, especially for the higher priced, absolutely gorgeous pieces.

Then off to the QVB, Queen Victoria Building. Built in 1898 and refurbished several times, it was and is the place to shop for upscale clothing, etc. Out front was a wishing well with a statue of Queen Victoria’s little dog Islay. If you throw a coin it, the dog thanks you. Money goes to NextSense, a support service for children.

Inside the QVB, at one end hangs the Royal Clock, sadly broken and not playing its trumpets or showing its scenes in the side windows.

At the other end, the “world’s largest hanging animated turret” clock, the Great Australian Clock displayed the correct time on its many clock faces. The top ring of Roman numerals turned regularly, but we couldn’t figure out how to read all the different dials. There are scenes from Australian history, including the taking of aboriginal children, which I understood once I read this clock was hung in 2000, not a hundred years ago. History is finally starting to be inclusive.

Now time for lunch. We bused back to our neighborhood to Bistrot 916, and as Hayden had promised, Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula were, in deed, $1 each, limit 1 dozen/person. We ordered a dozen and glasses of 2022 Domaine Servin “Les Purges” Chablis. So good, we ordered another dozen. 

I had gnocchi (choux pastry based rather than potato) on spring peas, tiny zucchini slices and their flowers with a glass of 2022 Domaine Pinchot “Cocteau de la Biche” Chenin Blanc; Grant had steak tartar over potatoes Anna and a glass of 2022 Domaine Cornu Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. Definitely the best meal we’ve had on the trip. 

We walked up to our apartment for a regrouping, then took the bus to Watson Bay. On the Tasman side of Sydney National Park, the wind was blowing a stink, but we walked along the fenced cliff side until we reached the locked navel base gate.

All along, there were mounds of asparagus fern, Asparagus aesthiopicus, an invasive plant. Francis said there is an “Asparagus Fern Day” when everyone is supposed to kill all they can find. Someone needs to start on the national park’s, although I think scraping the land with a bulldozer might be what it takes, the plants are so hard to dig up. We had them in Fort Lauderdale too.

Turning back, we saw what I identified as a New Holland honeyeater and a pied currawong. I’m very frustrated that my Merlin app only has a few bird songs here, since I hear more birds than I see.

On the bay side, more cockatoos, including 2 pinkish, walking on the ground with the doves. I’d hoped they were pink cockatoos, but those don’t seem to live on the coast. Still, they looked pink to me.

Several also landed in the telephone poles, screaming away. Noisy dang birds.

We had avoided the rain during lunch. It seemed like more was coming, so we bused home. I am impressed how green the eastern part of Sydney is. Many pocket parks and several larger ones. Although the lots are small with large houses on them, trees are stuffed in everywhere. Balconies have pots of plants all along them. Perfectly groomed tall hedges line the roads. Even rooftops have gardens, including trees. 

Yes, we are going through wealthy areas. It takes money to have plants. But it lovely to look at. And I caught a glimpse of a health community garden in one of the poorer sections we passed in our bus ride.

At the bus terminal, we went to Coles and bought some more shrimp and ramen for an easy dinner at home.

Steps Today: 10,831