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

 

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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.