Events in Parramatta!

I went to the official opening of Pop Goes The Easel at Parramatta yesterday and was a bit taken aback to see tanks coming down the main street.

 

No, it wasn't Parramatta's declaration of independence inspired by the upcoming Scottish referendum, turns out it was the Lancers 100th anniversary parade. It drew a few more crowds than PGTE:)

 

Here are some of my works on show in the window that did draw a bit of attention!

 

 

Back to the Capital to drum up a bit of support!

Goodness, not long to go now! Better get out and about.

 Posing with one of Edinburgh's best loved icons, Greyfriars Bobby.

 

Just checking out the pub named after him!

 

 

And paying final respects!

 

 

And now, visiting the scene of the action! Roll on September 18th!

Checking out the sights!

Just checking out the start of the new Forth Road Bridge. Apparently the current one, at 50 years old is showing its age. Now how old is the  Forth Rail Bridge, 1890, wasn't it? Ah, they just don't make them like they used to:(

You can just see a column for the new bridge in the background.

 

Back on the pub trail!

However, all too soon it's back to the important things in life. Edinburgh just has so many iconic pubs to check out. This could take some time:)

At Deacon Brodies  tavern in the Royal Mile.

 

Outside the Central Bar, Leith Walk

 

Inside the Central Bar. The Central Bar used to be famous for having a urinal around the bottom of the bar so you didn't even have to interrupt your drinking to relieve yourself (assuming you were male and there weren't many "ladies" inside the pubs in those days:). However it is long gone and things are a bit more civilised these days!

 

At the Shore Inn, Leith.

 

 

 

Bit more culture!

Alex is still on the cultural heritage trail. Here he is at St Giles Cathedral  where he was also snapped by a couple of amused bystanders.

 

And taking in the scenery down at Leith, which is the port of Edinburgh!

Foundry visit!

I went to the Sculptors Society meeting last night. It was held at the Australian Bronze Foundry which is spectacularly situated at North Head Sanctuary, Manly.

Not that we could appreciate the spectacular views since, like every day for the past two and a half weeks, it has persisted down. However That didn't prevent them from putting on a great demonstration of bronze pouring,

 

A few pictures but they don't really do it justice, You really had to be there.

 

Thanks to Clive Calder and his people at Australian Bronze for a most enjoyable and informative evening

A bit of Scottish culture!

But life isn't all pubs and grub. Time for a bit of Scottish culture or what passes for it in these parts!

Admiring the famous Edinburgh landmark, the Floral Clock, in Princes Street Gardens.

 

In front of the Scott Monument, commemorating one of Scotland's most famous novelists, Sir Walter Scott.

 

 

That is until he was totally eclipsed by Scotland's greatest export to date. No, not Andy Murray, I refer of course to J.K.Rowling. Here he is paying homage at the café where the epic was written.

 

Another place of pilgrimage for Harry Potter fans. Must have just missed Alex. He must be on his way to Hogwarts. Well he could use a little extra magic next month to swing things his way:)

Alex's further adventures in Scotland!

And he still hasn't run out of stamina!

Here he is on the shores of the Firth of Forth on the popular walk from Silverknowes to the historic village of Cramond. That's Fife in the distance across the water.

Anything to get a thirst up for a visit to the equally historic Cramond Inn!

 

Here he is inside. They do a good lunch here as well!

 

And some of the fine ales sampled!

 

And back to Morningside with just time for a quick visit to Bennet's Bar.

 

It's a hard life but someone has to do it!

Alex takes the high road!

Alex takes the high road, gives Loch Lomond a miss, and goes on a pub crawl of Edinburgh's iconic pubs.

In the Café Royal....

 

In Milne's Bar....

 

In Bennetts Bar, Tollcross....

 

 

I have fond memories of Bennetts bar as being the local watering hole for Edinburgh Art College students (it was the closest!) It probably still is!

Alex's Adventures in Yorkshire!

Alex is still gadding about! He seems to have deserted his native Scotland lately. Maybe he reckons the referendum is in the bag:) However I do have it on good authority that he'll be taking the high road and will be back in the capital shortly.

Alex at Oxenhope station on the Worth and Keighley Valley Railway 

 

Posing with the engine. A little extra publicity never goes amiss!

 

At Batley Park in "God's own country"!

 

Partaking of some traditional Yorkshire fare, the best fish and chips in the world, even if I do say so myself, at the Mermaid Fish Restaurant, Morley.

Alex's further Adventures in Wonderland (aka Yorkshire)!

That Alex certainly seems to get around. You'd almost think that there is more than one of him:)
Here he is enjoying a trip on a steam train.

 

And he's recently been spotted as far north as Kirkcudbright!

 

 

 

Doing his imitation of Victor  Hugo on the Rock of Exiles. Maybe that's what will happen to his namesake post September 18th:)

 

 

Pop Goes the Easel

Pop Goes The Easel has popped up again. This time in the Connection Arcade, Church Street, Parramatta. See the web site for  more details.

And here is one of my Tony heads on display with "Future Tony" in bronze by Paul Hattaway.