Part 2 (Jan 15 to 17, 2012)
first I assumed my last post would refer to Monday, Jan 17th, but today there was a little more to report. Unexpectedly I was given the street address of the former Sydney Bulletin building by Tim Griffiths . As we know, Errol wrote articles for the Bulletin from New Guinea and most likely had to pick up his pay-check from there and , as he states in MWWW, he once entered the building with a couple of savages from New Guinea. The Bulletin is history only for 4 years now, so the building is still there. It’s now occupied by a posh restaurant/bar. Still, the columns in the hall are amazing.
After this short stop-over I took the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly; 30 min north-east. You pass the Sydney Heads on your way, a rock formation, that marks the passage to the open seas. The Sirocco took this passage in 1930 to get on her way north.
But let’s get back to the 15th.
I took the ferry to Neutral Bay. According to J. H. Moore the bay, where the Sirocco was harboured. It’s only a short ferry ride from Circular Quay. On the way I made a stopover at 54 Carabella St., Kirribilli. There’s still the brick house Errol’s maternal grandmother lived.
On 16th I took the bus to Bondi (Junction). Here at 65 Ebley St. is the former Cinesound Studios, where Errol’s first movie “In the Wake of the Bounty” was produced. Today it’s a store & a self storage (in the basement)
Then on to famous Bondi Beach. Just a very short stroll from the beach is 28 Brighton Blvd., where Errol’s paternal grandmother used to live. Who know’s how much the building has changed during the years? My last stop that day was Coogee Beach. That’s supposedly the location where Errol was spotted for his role in “In the Wake of the Bounty”
Well, what I saw today, I’ve mentioned earlier.
That was most likely the my last entry in my Beam Ends travel diary. Tomorrow I’ll depart for home. For me personally it’s a pity I had to skip some interesting locations like Cooktown or Lizard Island in the far North ( not to speak of New Guinea !), Port Alma, some places in Sydney like Errol’s school, the Sydney Church of England Grammar School or Avoca St. in Randwick, Sydney (another address of Errol’s maternal grandmother)).
I realized the very best way to relive Errol’s experience is by boat ! Isn’t it ironic? Well,Robert Florczak is working on this issue !
Anyway, I’ve had a great time posting and I can only apologize for inadequencies, mistakes minor or mayor. Still, I hope the silent majority (?) of the blog reader’s enjoyed the postings, too. I don’t know, if Rory Flynn has been following these posts. If she has, I hope she has had some fun reading.
Thanks at the end to Steve Randell for his support in Hobart, to David and Robert for their “behind the curtains” advice, to Tim Griffiths for his valuable tips & to Tina, Inga, Tassie Devil and all the others for their encouragement and kind comments.
Any comments positive or negative are still welcome.
Volker
— Volker
Anonymous
January 17, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Hi Volker;
Your pictures are terrific and thank you so much in particular for the identification of the grandparents' houses – now it is clear what is what.
I am sorry to hear that your vacation is ending – na ja – a vacation is always much to short – that is a statement which is always true! On the other hand there is always a next time – right!
Your pictures are one of the greatest values to this blog and like I said before, we are all indebted to you! That's how I feel and I am sure there are many compatriots on this blog who feel like I do and I am sure they will express their feelings.
I thank you very much and sincerely hope we will stay in touch!
Have a save journey home! Tina
Anonymous
January 17, 2012 at 7:57 pm
Get back safe and well and thank you for all the information! You will hopefully write a full report… in German… for publication… you know where?
Anonymous
January 17, 2012 at 8:05 pm
if you help me with uploading 2 videos on You Tube … I know where
Anonymous
January 17, 2012 at 10:19 pm
Volker, As Errol might say, You have exceeded my every expectation! What a wonderful journey you have share with us and it is one of the most fun and revealing series on the blog since John Teitloff shared his Port Antonio trips with us! It has been fascinating, to say the least and we are all so grateful to you! A trip of a lifetime for many who are armchair travelers and went along with you in spirit! I am sure the sea voyage will be exciting but it must be a ways off since I know Robert has a lot of other things on his agenda, first – a lot of work yet to do! But what a treat this has been! Thanks so much!
Anonymous
January 18, 2012 at 7:02 am
I will second Tina's vote of thanks for the time and effort that went into your journey. The members of the blog would feel as we do that you have done this journey in your holidays because you have a passion for Errol. Just think you could have taken your vacation anywhere in the world but you chose to follow the journey of Errol and better still let us share in your adventure. You didnt tell me how the brown trout tasted after you caught it down here in tassie!!
Any way Volker enjoy getting back to work next week and many thanks for coming to Tasmania and letting me show you around. Steve
Anonymous
January 18, 2012 at 12:53 pm
Of course I will!
Anonymous
January 18, 2012 at 6:49 pm
Hi Volker–I think I would be in the silent majority! I've read your posts and viewed all pictures! What a great opportunity for you and to include the blog as you traveled along was and is priceless. Now anyone that searches for information on EF will find it here. Thank you so much.
Anonymous
January 19, 2012 at 2:01 am
Kudos, mate–a job very well done!
Anonymous
January 19, 2012 at 4:14 pm
Steve,
since it was my first trout ever, it tasted fantastic, of course. Had to fry it in a pan (which it hardly fit in), because no bbq was available at Great Lake