Saturday 25 May 2013

Sydney Writers Festival 2013

I can't believe I've lived in Sydney for nearly 6 years and have never been to the Writers Festival (although when I said this to my husband he reminded me that for the past 5 winters I've been busy ferrying boys around soccer fields instead of enjoying ferry rides into the city!)
 
We've just had a week of rainy, wintry Sydney weather but today shone through brilliantly.
The harbour was washed clean, the jackets came off as we basked in the warm winter sunshine and my brain was stimulated by so much bookish talk that I think it might explode!
 
 Waiting for the ferry to take me to Circular Quay.
 
 
 Piers 2/3 and 4/5 - home of the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Writers Festival (if only there was a ferry stop here).
 
 
Instead I had to do this awful walk from Circular Quay through the Rocks, past the MCA and the George St markets with all these amazing views of the bridge to get to the piers!!
 

 
Most of the sessions were packed out which meant queuing early to avoid disappointment.
But queuing with a view like this was not very hard to do!!
 
 


My Top 10 Sydney guide says "The roll-call at this week long event includes more than 200 international and local speakers, with the odd Nobel Laureate thrown in for good measure. There are panel discussions, master classes, book launches and readings aplenty. The festival caters to all ages and tastes, from sci-fi to romance."
 
Books featured everywhere.
 
 
 My Instagram 'end of a glorious day' photo.
 
I walked the long way back to the ferry terminal around Dawes Point underneath the bridge.
The setting sun made the harbour sparkle. The underside of the bridge is spectacular in any light.
 
I passed four wedding groups having their official photographs taken with views of the sunset, the bridge, the harbour and Opera House. It was a magical way to end a glorious bookish day.


 


 


 

 
 
As the ferry pulled out of Circular Quay passed the Opera House, we noticed the rising full moon as it crested South Head. It was an incredible ball of light.
Half the ferry raced to the rear of the vessel to get a better view.
I tried to get a photo, but the fading light was too hard for my mobile phone to manage.
However the walk home from the ferry was a sunset delight and the panorama feature on the phone worked a treat with this.
 
Today was one of those days that comes as close to perfection as one can get.
I hope your day was as good :-)
 
Saturday Snapshot is a now being hosted by Melinda from West Metro Mommy
 
The rules are simple:
 
To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken and leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.   

17 comments:

  1. These are so lovely. The lighting is just perfect.

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  2. Books everywhere, what could be better?

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  3. Wow, great pictures -- beautiful! I particularly like the one of the books everywhere, too, lol!

    Here is my SATURDAY SNAPSHOT post.

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  4. Amazing photos! Hope your winter is a cheery one. I'm sure it won't snow. Here we're having spring, but the temp. may just be like what you're having, or even lower. It's 6C now.

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    1. Oh dear - our chilly winter day that I 'complained' about was actually a balmy 21°C!
      I hope more summer-like weather comes your way soon :-)

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  5. I loved and enjoyed the walk and ferry ride with you...and the cozy vignette with stacks of books and a cup of something nearby....I want a room like that!

    Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST

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  6. How beautiful, Brona! I love photos of bridges...not much a fan of bridges themselves. Love the shot of the Opera House. Have a great weekend!

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  7. What a beautiful site for a conference!

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  8. Love that bridge against the skyline, and the shots showing its structure up close. Very impressive. My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/hfGhV

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  9. OMG! What great shots of the harbor and bridges! Love the Instagram shot and that under the bridge perspective shot is awesome!

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  10. What a gorgeous day you had Brona. I hope you post about the sessions you went to sometime soon too (no pressure if you hadn't planned to). I haven't been to Sydney Writers Festival either, although have been to Melbourne twice. I want to get to every writers festival in the country. This year wasn't the time for Sydney with the upcoming European festivities. I've decided that I'm going to go next year though. It's silly that I haven't been- it looks great.

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    1. I am planning to write a review post for the writers festival on Brona's Books while it's all fresh in my mind. This was my first visit and it certainly wont be my last!
      If you come along next year, we'll have to meet up :-)

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    2. Just read your review post, how great it all sounds. I'd love to meet up sometime Brona. Sydney is sadly not featuring in my plans much this year, it'll probably be about May when I get there next anyway.

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  11. So bright and sunny! What a lovely day - beautiful scenery and books too.

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  12. That looks like such fun! Thanks for taking part in Saturday Snapshot!

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  13. Breathtaking shots! Oh and love the make-shift reading nook!

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  14. I hope to see these sights for myself one day soon. Your photos are just wonderful!

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