Road to Parramatta 29
On the way from Elizabeth Farm to Hambledon Cottage, you pass by the rear of Our Lady of Lebaonon.
Hambledon Cottage was built by the McArthurs on their estate to house thier governess and various other hangers on. It is a bit smaller than Elizabeth Farm and dates from the 1820s. It is also surrounded by massive trees (e.g. English oak) planted between 1820-1850. Unlike Elizabeth Farm this house is a full of genuine period furniture that must not be touched.
A few hundred metres further is Experiment Farm, also a lovely Indian bungalow (why don't they build like that anymore? it is so right for the weather here). However, it turns out that Experiment Farm 'cottage' (these 'cottages' are bigger than most of the houses nearby) has almost nothing to do with the actual Experiment Farm, which was across the creek down on the flood plain of the river. James Ruse, an emancipated convict, was given 1.5 ha in 1789 and told that if he could become self-sufficient he could have 30 ha. In 18 months he reported that he was self-sufficient and received the remainder of his 30 ha. This was important to the colonial government because it showed that food could be produced and that the threat of famine then plaguing the colony could be avoided. In 1793 Ruse sold his land to John Harris, who already owned 100 acres next door. It was Harris who built this house. I was more or less forced to take the guided tour (couldn't avoid it without being rude) from an antique furniture enthusiast. The most interesting point was the reason for the four-poster bed - the canopy prevents the intrusion into one's sleep from e.g. rats, insects or other detritus falling from the ceiling.
Front garden looking out over the hills. The National Trust bought and bulldozed three modern houses to restore the view. The garden was replanted according to an early 20th century photograph - Victorian and out of period, like most of the furniture.
I ate biriyani at The Spice of Life, one of the many Indian eateries that have now colonized Harris Park, and then walked down to the river. Took this standing on the bridge above the ferry wharf.
The path into Parramatta centre has been decorated by a local artist with Aboriginal themes. This one commemorates the failed attempt led by Pemulwuy to drive the white people out. Pemulwuy was killed in 1802, following a 12-year campaign, and after that the guerrilla movement basically retreated. The next great battles were up near the Hawkesbury.
Downstream, following the river path towards the car I came upon this other piece of public art commemorating the white people. The things on top are tools like spades and rakes. The inside of the arch is inscribed with quotes from early settlers.
That's it for the Road to Parramatta. There are more sections of the river to explore, but I feel like going somewhere different next, so I'm planning the southern shore of the harbour out to South Head and down the coast to Bondi. See how far I get with that in 2011.
Hambledon Cottage was built by the McArthurs on their estate to house thier governess and various other hangers on. It is a bit smaller than Elizabeth Farm and dates from the 1820s. It is also surrounded by massive trees (e.g. English oak) planted between 1820-1850. Unlike Elizabeth Farm this house is a full of genuine period furniture that must not be touched.
A few hundred metres further is Experiment Farm, also a lovely Indian bungalow (why don't they build like that anymore? it is so right for the weather here). However, it turns out that Experiment Farm 'cottage' (these 'cottages' are bigger than most of the houses nearby) has almost nothing to do with the actual Experiment Farm, which was across the creek down on the flood plain of the river. James Ruse, an emancipated convict, was given 1.5 ha in 1789 and told that if he could become self-sufficient he could have 30 ha. In 18 months he reported that he was self-sufficient and received the remainder of his 30 ha. This was important to the colonial government because it showed that food could be produced and that the threat of famine then plaguing the colony could be avoided. In 1793 Ruse sold his land to John Harris, who already owned 100 acres next door. It was Harris who built this house. I was more or less forced to take the guided tour (couldn't avoid it without being rude) from an antique furniture enthusiast. The most interesting point was the reason for the four-poster bed - the canopy prevents the intrusion into one's sleep from e.g. rats, insects or other detritus falling from the ceiling.
Front garden looking out over the hills. The National Trust bought and bulldozed three modern houses to restore the view. The garden was replanted according to an early 20th century photograph - Victorian and out of period, like most of the furniture.
I ate biriyani at The Spice of Life, one of the many Indian eateries that have now colonized Harris Park, and then walked down to the river. Took this standing on the bridge above the ferry wharf.
The path into Parramatta centre has been decorated by a local artist with Aboriginal themes. This one commemorates the failed attempt led by Pemulwuy to drive the white people out. Pemulwuy was killed in 1802, following a 12-year campaign, and after that the guerrilla movement basically retreated. The next great battles were up near the Hawkesbury.
Downstream, following the river path towards the car I came upon this other piece of public art commemorating the white people. The things on top are tools like spades and rakes. The inside of the arch is inscribed with quotes from early settlers.
That's it for the Road to Parramatta. There are more sections of the river to explore, but I feel like going somewhere different next, so I'm planning the southern shore of the harbour out to South Head and down the coast to Bondi. See how far I get with that in 2011.