Sand Sculptures

 I visited the township of Windsor, to see the inaugural Hawkesbury International Sand Sculpting Championship. The theme of the competition, which ran from 11th to the 29th January 2012, was Mystical Creatures.   

Jino van Bruinessen (Blue Mountains, NSW)

Hawkesbury River, Windsor

Windsor is a historic township around 50km north-western of central Sydney. The setting for the competition was a park next to the Hawkesbury River. 

Cliven Abben (Rye, Victoria) - Rainbow Serpent

Peter Redmond from Victoria sculpted this winged horse and foal.

 

I was amazed at the strength they can achieve in these sand sculptures. They use the same sort of sand that bricklayers use. This is mixed with water and compacted in tiered layers within timber forms, before the sculpturing begins.

Although the sculptures are coated with a protective water resistant (biodegradable) spray, recent rain had caused damage to some sculptures, which required repair.

The event was run by Sandstorm Events.      

Susanne Ruseler (Netherlands) - Gorgon Sisters

Jaap Tichler (Netherlands) - Second Life

The winning sculptor, Jakub Zimacek is from the Czech Republic. I wasn't happy with my photo of his Sea Serpents, due to the dappled lighting. 

  

Location map

Blue Gum Swamp

This letter box attracted my attention as we walked along Whitecross Road at Winmalee, to begin a  walk to Blue Gum Swamp.

The walk in the lower Blue Mountains, is also popular with mountain bike riders and bird watchers. It could be done as a circuit of around 9Km, or shortened to return along the same path. As it was a hot day, we did the latter.

 

        Yellow drumsticks (Isopogon anethifolius)

 





















The map above was near Whitecross Road Winmalee. We caught a 692W bus from Springwood Station to Winmalee then walked a short distance to the start of the walk.

My thanks to Judith, who led us on this pleasant walk towards the end of last year.
 

Sculpture by the Sea, 2011 (3)

Ron Gomboc - Together in balance

This is my final post of 2011 'Sculpture by the Sea' (Bondi) photos. I wasn't able to find out the name of the artist of the sculpture above, if you know please let me know.

Jane Gillings - Provenance (a gift frame)

Kyoung Kwon Kim - Cover the rainbow

Margarite Sampson - The yearning

Georg Mayerhanser - Angel is born

Alan and Julie Aston - Simply black & white

Although the sculptures are gone for this year, this coastal walk remains very popular all year.

Faulconbridge

Statue in the Corridor of Oaks, Faulconbridge

The Corridor of Oaks  has an oak tree planted by each of Australia's Prime Ministers (or by a representative) since federation . Joseph Jackson MLA (1874–1961), was the founder of the Corridor of Oaks and donated 20 acres of land for this purpose in 1933 .

Near the Corridor of Oaks is Jackson Park and an adjoining bush reserve. These photos of flowers were taken on a short walk around Jackson Park Reserve. Location map

Triggerplant (Stylidium graminifolium) [left]
It's called the Trigger Plant because an insect can trigger the release of the stigma & stamen column onto the insect, which assists pollen exchange.


 Fringed Violet (Thysanotus tuberosus) [right]



Sir Henry Parkes (1816 - 1896) was Premier of NSW five times, or Prime Minister as it was called before federation, and is known as the 'Father of Australian Federation'. His grave is quite near the station at Faulconbridge, which was named after Parkes' residence, 'Faulconbridge House'

Sir Henry Parkes Grave, Faulconbridge

    Blue Mountains Local Studies

  The Corridor of Oaks is further along Sir Henrys Parade, towards Springwood.  Location map