Silly signs

Completely normal requests you'd think. No dogs or fires. But I'd love to know who was considering taking their car up those stairs...

Sculpture by the Sea

Already rather stunning, my morning run has been elevated somewhat this week, firstly by the sighting of wales and also by the installation of Sculpture by the Sea which opens on Thursday. Each day, I've watched the artists and dig little coffin squares of turf, and lovingly begin to place their pieces, either by hand, or by crane as I saw this morning.

There are still many half installed, which I didn't photograph, but it was lovely to meet some of the artists, watching their works come to fruition.

I think the concept is such a good one which could be adapted for many locations, including the not so glamorous.

Royal National Park

Another jolly Sunday out on the motorbike. This time down to the Royal National Park, just south of the city. This park is so big it goes for miles and we barely scratched the surface. We ended up in a little beach town called Bundeena which, as the crow flies, is not that far from the city across the water. We joined an art walk along the coast and stumbled across a herd of deer, which I realise is unusual for Australia. The park was apparently run by a trust who released the captive deet in the late 1800's and they are now running riot, eating their way through fauna and rubbish bins.

The journey back was interesting as torrential rain made us stop many times for cups of tea, but we ended up back, soaked to the skin for the second time in a week.

Elizabeth / Rushcutters Bays

Back on my walks trail, I was aiming for Rushcutters Bay, but took a wrong turn and found myself parked outside Elizabeth Bay House. Rather bizarrely, the road runs directly in front of the house, with a pretty park opposite. Having got home though and discovered the house's history, (champagne lifestyle, beer income), I'm going to go back and check it out in more detail - especially the grotto in the garden which looks amazing.

The area is Italian slash Holland Park and lots of nubile young things lounging around on patches of grass in their bikinis - or even topless, a bit risque perhaps for inner city bays.

I eventually made it round to Rushcutters and remembered I had been here before - my brother's wedding week included chartering yachts from the yacht club here. Not much of a walk and as the park is being refurbed, not much to see, but a sunny day, and the smell of sea salt made me yearn to get back to Pittwater. A bit longer me thinks so mussels for dinner will have to suffice.

Woollomooloo, The Rocks, Botanical Gardens then home

Bit of a duff day weather wise and I decided to stay closer to home, walking through Surry Hills to the wharf at Woollamooloo. Its now the home of the Blue Hotel, and its all cafes and glass but it also hums with the ghosts of its past and the comings and goings of passengers and the hungry 'wharfies' who worked here on a casual basis, shifting goods in harsh conditions in order to feed themselves and their families, until just after the second world war. It was converted in the early '90s after a great deal of protest, prevented the 'big dunny' from being ripped down.

No starvation here now, and plenty of money sat behind big sunglasses (it was raining) in the cafes along the side, reminiscent of London's Butlers Wharf. Here though there are some great big fat yachts to look at, including Kokomo II, part of Mr Laing's large collection, which I keep finding all over the place.

Opposite are the Botanical Gardens, walking to the end of Mrs Macquaries point to her chair, past the Andrew (Boy) Charlton Swimming Pool, to the seat at the end, made me feel very lazy as I fought for space on the path, with the thousands of Sydneysiders who ran past me in their lunchtime.

On round the bay to a nice view of the Opera House and then home through the gardens which probably looked much better on a sunny day. The Spring Walk was in full bloom and reminded me of our road in Tokyo when the blossom was out. Gorgeous, but somewhat over the top. Onwards past the Contemporary Art gallery, where I've been in a previous life and will save for another day. Past the seedy sex shops of Oxford Street, stopping for a bowl of veggie soup at Kawa on Crown Street, and sat amongst the fashionistas in their hats and watched them flap their portfolio pages and talk about fringes... in or out. I'm so out!

Neilsens Park to Rose Bay

My second walk took me further down into the harbour on the Western side. I started at Nielsen’s Park in Vaucluse and walked along the Heritage foreshore path to Rose Bay. Its only about 2km in length but the path is uneven and lots of carved stone steps so not good for grandma or pushchairs.

The swimming area at Nelsons Park was busy for a week day but I’ve since discovered is Yom Kippur which would explain the boys sporting their copolas, along with their beach towels. The path itself though was quiet and apart from the odd fisherman, a drunk under a tree and a fashion shoot, I saw nobody.

Heady with the scent of jasmine, which seems to be pumping through Sydney at the moment, this part of the harbour boasts the only perfect growing conditions for two types of plants that survived the European settlement. Spring was beginning to show with what appeared to be freesias and baby orchids in the undergrowth.

Aside from the pretty private bays, the highlight was Carrara House, now known as Strictland House, which was built in 1854 and now sits with its shutters firmly closed. Such a shame as it appeared to have the best view of Sydney Harbour I’ve seen so far. Named after Carrara, the marble-producing town in Italy of which the fireplaces are constructed, along with two large guard dogs, who unluckily for them, sit with their backs to that view.

Back at the park, I had a cold but delicious swim, as the ferries passed me by, and art students took advantage of the golden hour with their cameras on the beach.

Camp Cove, Watsons Bay

Since getting back from London, M and I have been on a strict health regime, a la Dr Gillian, which resolves eating copious amounts of vegetables. M is doing very well, mainly because he’s eating only what I give him. Naturally, I’ve had to have the odd sneaky glass of wine to cope with stepmother stresses and so I’m counterbalancing my bad behavior with a return to yoga. I’m also getting back into running and trying to up my fitness levels to what they were prior to the absence of Rikki, and the knee incident.

Like London, Sydney has an extraordinary amount of green spaces – big open spans of land next to sea or the bush, or little patches of space between houses. Lots have history and allow you to see how a city has been shaped. For an urban dweller like me, it's the closest I get to nature, for the time being anyway. I absolutely love to be outdoors, and whilst I am unable to work, it's a great opportunity for me to get to know the green spots – along with some of the history of the place that is now home.

I started at Camp Cove, which is adjacent to Watson’s Bay at the tip of the Eastern Suburbs. It was apparently the first landing spot of the European ships, having just made their way through the heads. It sports the oldest lighthouse in NSW, gaily painted in red and white stripes to distinguish it from others further down the coast. The lighthouse was apparently built after the wrecking of several ships on the rocks below – gutting presumably, after such a long voyage at sea to be dashed against rocks only yards from their final destination. Rather bizarrely the first light keeper was the only survivor of one of the first wrecks.

There is a short little circular walk up from the beach – one of Sydney’s prettiest and fringed by houses that compete only with those in places like Malibu and all good for lusting after. The walk passes by the lighthouse and several cannons and long ago redundant, defense relics. There are also some gorgeous flat rocks, perfect for sunbathing and gazing at the ferries passing below. For all out sunbathing, there is Lady Beach (after Lady Jane, although I have no idea why), one of five Sydney beaches that allow nudity.

The adjacent bay is Watsons Bay. Home of Doyles, Australia's oldest fish and chip restaurant with little tables set out on the sand – and one of the best views of the city. You can also stay here at the Watsons Bay Hotel, or get a ferry back to Circular Quay.