Sydney August 2013 (3 images)
“There must be some kind of way out of here,”
Said the joker to the thief,
“There’s too much confusion, I can’t get no relief”.
“All Along the Watchtower” is a song written and recorded by Bob Dylan. The song initially appeared on his 1967 album John Wesley Harding. The song is strongly identified with the interpretation Jimi Hendrix recorded for Electric Ladyland with the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
This is a follow up to my earlier post, The Bridge (see link below). Soon after that photo was taken, I made the long trek up the numerous stairs to the top of the South Pylon. I got to the reception area and asked how much it would cost to go to the top. $11, I was told. I asked if there was an elevator to the top. The girl laughed and said no. I joked that that was thievery, charging me money to walk up a long flight of stairs.
Anyway, once I got to the top of the South Pylon, it really felt like being at the top of a watch tower. Unfortunately I only had a 50mm lens, so no sweeping panoramic shots. Maybe next time.
On the way down I walked past the receptionist and wanted to find the bathroom so I started to head down the stairs that I came up from. She called out to me, “You can’t go that way, that’s the way up only!”. I turned, looked at her and said, “Well, there must be some way out of here. I’m confused and can’t get no relief!” ๐ ๐ ๐
That’s a very…uh…literal interpretation of the lyrics!
Also, did she get the reference? (My suspicion is no.)
What can I say. My brain works in mysterious ways. Considering the girl was probably in her early 20’s the answer should be clear. ๐
Sorry to have taken so long to get back to you; it was one of those days. I was running to stand still all day.
Somehow, I had the idea your very clever word play was wasted on the employee. But as long as you were amused…
You should know by now that I’m easily amused. ๐
Yes, there IS a possibility that I’d noticed that about you. There is also a possibility that I am the same way!
So beautiful! It was worth to climb and pay for that:)
Thank you. It really was a nice view.
The view from this place is spectacular and it is well worth all your physical suffering (effort).
A โgirlโ about my age (60) would have answered you: โCome and take my herb.โ
m
Thank you. ๐
“…. Iโm confused and canโt get no relief.”, very COOL ๐ Great shots!
Thank you very much. ๐
Walking up stairs is good for your heart! I always try to walk up a flight or two before giving in to the elevator. ๐
I know, but paying for the privilege? ๐ It was worth it though.
Outsatanding view! I’m actually mesmerised by the second picture. The bridge design. What’s that “hut” on the bottom left? It’s such a relief that I don’t have to walk those steps… And you saved me entrance money too, Nnw, that’s not thievery ๐
The “hut” is a moving maintenance office. You may be able to see that it is on the railing and has attached cranes and landings. You can see supplies on the landings and I suspect there would be a bathroom in there too. ๐
Thanks for “visiting” Sydney with me. ๐
Thanks for the wonderful “tour” ๐
Cheers. Have a good weekend.
What a great hunk of bridge! I tried going up in a (similar looking) fire tower once – and was unable to because I got dizzy. I am a land based creature ๐
(me on the bridge was a huge accomplishment for me!)
“I’m learning to fly, but I ain’t got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing” … Tom Petty.
Some people looked straight down over the edge. I wasn’t one of them. ๐
Did you hear the really loud GROAN from half way around the world? That was a lonnnnng way to go for a punch line, Dragon. ๐
Like the shots and really like #1. The young woman makes it work–she is our entry into the scene.
Having just recently woken up, I was wondering why I had difficulty sleeping last night. Indeed I thought I heard a groan and maybe a curse or two a few hours ago. Hmmmm…. ๐
Many thanks for the comments. Cheers.
I have acrophobia…. but this is a nice view!
Sorry to hear that. Glad you could appreciate this from afar.
Wow, what a view. Great response to that lady. Did she seem to recognize the words?
Thanks, but as only I had the song in my head (song titles often do that when I take a particular photo) she seemed clueless. ***
*** The author of this blog reserves the right to embellish the truth occasionally for the purposes of creating a good story. ๐
I like the second one, by the way …Navies from around the world are assembling in Sydney Harbour today, and I MISSED IT :(.
Thanks.
Had to work today so I didn’t see it either. Most of the activities are this weekend. Probable chaos with all the road closures so I may skip it all. Details here, http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/events . Post some photos if you go. Cheers.
Thank you very much for the link.
I didn’t go there, need to finish the rest of my Uni assignments
When are you going to stop being so talented?
Thank you Miss Owl. Have a great weekend.
You too..
Ha, it may well have been lost on that girl ๐ Great view from up there. I remember it well.
Bridgeclimb (which I haven’t done) gets all the glory but as I understand it you can’t take a camera or anything loose up there in case it falls and turns into a missile. The South Pylon offers a great vista which you can photograph but doesn’t get as much advertising which is a shame. I’m glad you got to enjoy it when you were here. Have a great weekend.
Lovely view from up there! ๐ Did you count the steps while climbing up? hehehe…i can’t stop smiling with what you said to that receptionist…
No I didn’t count the steps but I did see a few people doing that. ๐
Thank you very much. Have a great weekend.
Great post. Loved the story and the photos were striking!
Thank you very much. Cheers.
That’s a funny story ๐ Great photos, Sidney looks beautiful.
Thank you – glad I could provide some entertainment. ๐
favoloso! mi gira la testa!
๐
Tieniti forte! ๐ Grazie.
Sidney must be one of the most beautiful places in the world. The last photo leaves me breathless and wanting to see Sidney in person. Thank you, Lignum, for sharing the beauty of Australia to the rest of the world!
Every city has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s my pleasure to show you some of the strengths. Cheers.
I think 50mm worked *very* well. Especially like the first one!
Thank you so much.
Beautiful cityscape, and I love the lines of the bridge.
Wonderfully captured!
Happy Sunday to you!
Thank you very much. Have a great Sunday.
Stunning view! It was well worth the money and the stair climbing.
It certainly was.
Hi! Stunning beautiful opera house shot. It’s very beautiful in Circular Quay area .
I have been wondering your Chinese letter. Dragon is ้พใin our country.Please explain your logo for me. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you very much.
I am using the Simplified Chinese Character for Dragon, please see: this link
I too was wondering if the girl at the desk got the song reference!
I like to think I would have climbed up there with you … I believe myself to be such a daredevil but every now and then the height gets to me.
But I’dve tried, yes I would because it looks amazing!!!!
Awesome shots (and song reference)
Thanks. The solid brick construction is very comforting. Those observation decks built on wooden boards are a little worrying, whilst the ones on glass raise a sweat.
Hi! Thanks for your explanation.
I keep hearing Jimi Hendix’s fabulous intro to his version of this great song, the heaviness of which would somehow help me keep my feet on the ground in the presence of such awesome views! Well done on climbing those stairs and what beautiful shots!
Thanks. Fortunately I was travelling light (no camera bag), otherwise I might not have made it up. ๐
These are excellent. Especially love the shot of the bridge!
Thank you Liz.
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Fabulous pictures! I climbed up the South Pylon in 1998 with a very basic, film camera so my results are nothing as good as these, but I did have a close-up shot of the bridge (similar to your 2nd image, which I had photocopied onto A3 paper and still have it framed on my wall!) Sad, I know… oh and you have gained another follower, I’m not really stalking you ๐
Jude xx
Thank you very much. It’s a spectacular view up there. I went up once before in the 90’s and the only camera I had was a disposable camera from Kodak which I bought in the gift store. Not the best and I always meant to come back with a proper camera. It took a while but I did it. ๐
I hope you had a good time in Sydney, and the photo on the wall brings back happy memories.
Glad to have you on board. ๐
SUPER!
๐