Monday, March 16, 2009

#050-365 Circle

Have a really close look before you read any further;
See a circle? - It's right there in front of you!
Have another look!

Oh okay, I'll let you in on the secret, It is the wharf area where all the ferries leave from - It is called Circular Quay. Boy when I stretch themes I don't muck-a-round. It is actually one of the main public transport pivot points for Sydney Central Business District. Here is a link for those that want better info.

As you can see it is just an excuse to show another great shot of our Opera House (I sang there once! - but the Police came along told me to "Shut Up and just move along Sport" Obviously they weren't music lovers -Sally says they were!), and the skyline that has changed so much since I was a kid and used to play truant to go and ride the Manly Ferry back and forward across Sydney Heads during rough weather.

Cars, Taxis, Trains and Buses all transport people to and from "The Quay" and it is a bus terminal as they are forced to turn around (By the water) and when I worked as a Bus Conductor there around 1972 I was standing on the back platform as the bus pulled away from the terminus just as prospective passenger ran to catch the bus, (buses departed Circular quay heading up George street on an average every 2(two) minutes) so this guy yells out "How long will the next bus be??" so I replied "59 feet!" (all Double Decker buses were 59 feet long) and laughed all the way up to Central Railway where an inspector got on and clippies (conductors) being happy was frowned upon, so he accompanied the bus all the way back to the depot.

I think bus conducting was the most pleasing job I ever had, you were in there with the mob (originally the French phrase Mobile Vulgaris) and got to deal directly with them at the coal-face as it were. I once had a double decker bus travelling along with the top floor singing "Pack up your troubles in your old Kit Bag" and the lower deck singing "Roll out the Barrel" and me running up and down the stairs egging them on. The looks of pedestrians on the footpath and drivers in cars was enough to do the job and soon they were competing for volume and I could relax, both of those songs need to be sung LOUD. When the bus stopped I declared it a draw, and everyone got off happy screaming out "Hang the Conductor, Hang the Conductor!"
People that travelled home on my bus rarely went home to fight with their spouses, cause they would walk into the house and say "You should have seen this nutty conductor we had" see I was a marriage counsellor too.

14 comments:

Rachel said...

Great shot of the opera house and the skyline. I love the color of the water, too.

Anonymous said...

Are you sure this is circle, and not "Public Transportation"? A beautiful photo - no wonder you want to show off the site. I would have loved to see the singing double decker!!! I bet you were the same person that I saw leading a Conga Line up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan one evening - the leader was yelling "we're collecting people - join in!"

Anonymous said...

Love the story as much as the photo!! LOL LOL

Also like it that you didn't crop this closely. I like the expanse of water you have included.

Before reading and finding your link, I thought the "circle" was in the water. A boat must have just gone through as there is a wake forming what could have been thought of as a circle. But, alas, no.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful image of the water front! Great colors and story! Thanks Ron.

~Val said...

Never would have guessed the theme, but I always appreciate a blogger who can post really creative interpretations of the themes - it's part of the fun!

mljrbg said...

This is so beautiful. Your in depth commentary almost, note I said almost, gives a feeling of being there. You have done "The Quay" justice with your gorgeous photograph and wonderfully detailed story.

Clara said...

Beautiful blues in this photo, Ron. Looks like a wonderful place.

Anonymous said...

A fine shot of a beautiful spot. I love the idea of a tune on each level of a double decker. Your stories are at grave risk of outdoing your photographs.

Debra said...

Just a slight stretch and I must say you got me as I was searching for that circle. Great story, that singing double decker is hysterical.

Chesney said...

First of all what an awesome shot (good thing I read your write up, cause I couldn't find a circle)! Bus conductor, huh! Now for some weird reason I could see you LOVING that job - it fits your quirky sense of humor (just gave you an idea for a theme) LOL

Anonymous said...

Its a splendid shot, Ron - one of your best. And you win for creative use of the circle theme......

Lorri said...

Very tricky take on the theme, Ron! You never fail to surprise me! There I was, peering at the photo, looking for a circle and determined to find it befor I read further and let you say where it was located!! You're lucky I'm not still hunched up by the monitor trying to find the hidden circle!!

Anonymous said...

I guess I've never thought much about the skyline of Sydney but it is quite beautiful. Thanks for the story that goes along with such a great photo.

Anonymous said...

This is beautiful! Love all the blues in the water and skyline...also love the way the Opera House stands apart....it's lovely!