I literally passed by this museum on my way to the botanical gardens several days ago. Noting the…read morelimited hours I slightly rearranged my schedule to make the Tuesday hours work. I was expecting a small museum that would take 30 minutes max to go through. Thankfully I was so wrong. Before even opening the door of the museum I was greeted by one of the docents who was lovely throughout the tour. The entire tour lasted about 70 minutes and was fascinating. She explained the origins of the hospital and detailed history of the nursing staff who truly started the practice of nursing, as directed and sent by Florence Nightingale. While I was vaguely aware of the Nightingale connection I was surprised to find so many items that were either owned by Nightingale or given to the nurses from Florence Nightingale. With all the objects of the museum donated I think they have a truly remarkable collection, including old medical objects, photos of nursing staff, training uniforms, chemist set, to go bag of pharmaceuticals (for visiting rural areas), and medals received for service in the Crimea War. In general, I think it helps to have a medical background in order to understand how great this collection is and to be able to easily compare the collection to current medical practice. That being said, the docents ask prior to the tour if you have any medical knowledge. The only area of the museum that I didn't enjoy was part of the new wing and was two rooms of medical specimens, including the preserved fetus from an abortion. There were many different cancers (breast, ovarian, colorectal) also on display. I think generally people should be warned prior to going into those rooms. $5 Admission per person, cash only Photos are ok, no flash Will be asked to leave larger items (camera bags, backpacks) in the office Very limited hours! Martin Place metro stop

Hmmm... 'All welcome' said the sign…read more Walked up the steps to find a locked door, barred windows, and not a sign of opening hours in sight. I'm confused. There's a sign 'Heritage and Visitor's Centre'. It is right next to St Patrick's Cathedral, a small plaque outlines a brief history of the place, it's obviously kept up. But not open. Not searchable on the Cathedral's website. It's not like there's a lack of heritage either. 200 years or so. The Cathedral site once housed the country's first convent, early schools. A shame. If that's anyone's idea of 'welcome', you've got me stumped.

In 1996 St Patrick's burnt down, churches, perhaps unsurprisingly, are often targets of arson. I…read moreread an article once about the artists invited to help rebuild this historic cathedral, and was curious to see what they had done. I'm not a church-goer, and certainly not a Catholic, but don't mind the odd trip to a church for historical interest. In the lack of a Chartres, we have to make the most of what we've got. The gates in front of the doors give you the first clue that you're in for something different. Modern metalwork, like empty stained glass windows, they're striking. I quietly made sure there was no service on (there's no sign at the front specifying visiting times, only that you don't enter when in liturgical use, and to respect the sanctity of the place, which is fair enough). Inside, which is the old cathedral, is lighter, and more open than I expected, with stained plexi-glass windows now. To the left is a life size statue of Mary Mackillop (now sainted) with flowers offered in front of her. As I crept down the sides, curious to see the little chapels, one has a very flayed medieval-medical illustration version of the Jesus with visible heart theme, another a very old sculpture of the madonna, I walked past some brushed glass doors and nearly jumped out of my skin when I spied a blurry priest inside. Confession boxes that look like booths at a Specsavers. The new Cathedral, built to the left, is minimalist in design, all pale wood with a lightfixture/artwork of the crown of thorns taking up most of the visual space in the centre. The lowkey pulpit is centre, ground level, which is quite a change (and change of meaning) compared to traditional church architecture. Interesting.

I returned under lowering skies, armed with comfortable shoes and a handy map from the Heritage…read moreCentre. Past the foreshore up to the Queen's Wharf Reserve, round to Hambledon Cottage, Elizabeth Farm and Experiment Farm, the walk itself is clearly marked by yellow signs dotted along the streets. It is a strange experience, seeing built up cityscape in front of you while keeping old photographs and descriptions in mind. Bifocal timewalking, I'll call it. Pleasantly disorienting. With so much to see, I've written separate reviews for the attractions mentioned above, but would like to express my appreciation for the effort the local Council obviously has taken with making visible their local history. I was trailed by a couple of school groups, noisily trudging their way around what seems a much less boring school history excursion than many I remember. Explorers Tree for the 5th time? The Heritage Walk is great kids, trust me, it could be worse. With rain starting to spatter, I snuck off the track after Experiment Farm, so I didn't make it through the main street of Harris Farm proper, or past the barracks. Although, next school hols, I suspect I'll be trailing some little feet along behind me.

We went to Old Government House in Parramatta to soak in the local history. The tour guide there…read moregave me the sweet tip to check out archaeological ruins of convict hut on the way back to the train station - totally worth it!!! It's easy to miss if you don't know what you are looking for - the V hotel. The entrance is above street grade, but you will see the dig site below you, as you walk up the steps. It's impressive enough from above, but look for a door to go straight down to the exhibit, just right of the outdoor cafe seating. An elevator is available, too. Lots of good information boards. The site just opened this month (Dec 2017). What a treat! Read more about it here: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/business/remains-of-200yearold-wheatsheaf-hotel-unearthed-during-excavations-in-parramatta/news-story/1d166328b32652cb4a752a8fb5a90c0f

This spot, being also part of the now Judges Precinct, is actually part of the old Nursing school…read moreand associated buildings and as such, was formally named to reflect that! How DARE anyone "rename" it as "Phillip Ruddock Heritage Centre" as it had nothing to do with him!!

Balcombe Heights is home to probably the best off leash dog park in the Hills District. The one at…read moreCrestwood can be a dust bowl, Coolong Reserve is filled with weeds and bindiis, but Balcombe is a big lush green grassy area. There is also a few playing fields, loads of parking, a skate park, bbqs, kids playground, and a concrete walking path which runs around the cricket field and is popular with walkers and kids on scooters. If you're there early on weekends there is often a coffee van parked in the first carpark as you drive in. If not, and you want a coffee while your dogs runs around, Arthurs Cafe is only a short distance up the road.

Lennox Bridge in Glenbrook is the oldest bridge on the Australian mainland (predated by the…read moreRichmond Bridge in Tasmania, completed 1825). This single-arch sandstone bridge was designed by David Lennox, a bridge builder and stonemason who emigrated to Australia in 1832 after the death of his wife. Before his arrival in August 1832, the new colony of New South Wales had no skilled stonemasons, and Lennox was a Master Stonemason with 20 years experience. After a chance meeting with the Surveyor-General, Major Thomas Mitchell, David Lennox was appointed Sub-Inspector of Bridges and later Superintendent of Bridges for the colony. Lennox Bridge was completed in July 1833 by David Lennox and a party of 20 convicts. It is constructed with large sandstone blocks from a local quarry with a single arch of 6m (20-feet) span and 9m (30 feet) above water level, with a road width of 9m (30 feet). Due to its design, it is also known as Horseshoe Bridge. The significance of Lennox Bridge is that it allowed the Great Western Highway through Mitchell's Pass over Lapstone Creek and opened up the development of the Blue Mountains and western NSW. The bridge served the main route to the Blue Mountains for 93 years until 1926 when the Great Western Highway was re-routed along the old railway line over Knapsack Viaduct. In 1967 Lennox Bridge was closed for restoration work and strengthened with concrete, reopening to traffic in 1982. David Lennox also designed Lennox Bridge over Parramatta River in nearby Parramatta, as many other bridges also including 53 bridges in the Port Phillip (Melbourne) area. The bridge photograph is used by permission of the very talented Australian photographer Steve Dorman (http://Flickr.com).