Where to Go and What to Do?
Stinky had been wringing his paws for several days trying to come up with an idea for his adventure with Periwinkle. He read that today is National Backyard Day, but he knew he didn’t want to go outside to pull weeds with his mom, and he was pretty certain Periwinkle would not have a good time doing that. They had helped his Mom do some spring planting in Adventure 83,”Playing In the Dirt,” but that was fun!
When Stinky discovered it was the anniversary of the opening on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, he knew that’s what they had to do. His dad had been to Sydney and could give him some pointers. And Periwinkle enjoyed their trip to the Golden Gate Bridge, so his mind was finally made up. They would be teleporting to Australia.
With the decision made, Stinky was able to get a good night’s rest.
Adventure Day in Australia
The following morning Stinky is up early to pack some provisions and give his furs a good grooming. He heads to the teleportation tunnel to wait for Periwinkle and is delighted when she arrives right on time. The tunnel delivers her right into Stinky’s waiting paws with the usual whoosh. He gives her a quick whisker kiss, tells her that they’re burning daylight, takes her paw and leads her right back into the tunnel.
Moments later they arrive at their destination. Periwinkle takes a few minutes to catch her breath and then looks around. She asks Stinky, “Where are we?”
“Sydney, Australia,” Stinky tells her.
“That’s cool, but why did you select here for our adventure?”
Stinky explains that it is the anniversary of the 1932 opening of the Harbour Bridge, and that his dad said it would be a good place to visit.
“Sounds good to me. Are you going to tell me a bit more about the bridge?”
Francis Howard Greenway
“Of course! The idea for the bridge originally came from a convict and noted architect, Francis Howard Greenway. In 1814, he proposed to Governor Lachlan Macquarie that a bridge be built from the northern to the southern shore of the harbour.”
“Wait a minute, Stinky. A convict proposed that! Was he trying to escape?”
“Stinky chuckles. No, but between 1788 and 1868 the British penal system transported about 162,000 convicts from Great Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia.
Greenway had been convicted of forgery after pleading guilty. He was sentenced to death but later his sentence was commuted to 14 years in prison. Greenway arrived in Australia to serve his time and designed and constructed several projects while still a convict. He eventually became the first official government architect and worked for the governor. (Our readers can read more about Greenway on Wikitree.)
That bridge, however, was not built. It was redesigned several times but no bridge was constructed for more than 100 years for a variety of reasons.”
“Very interesting, Stinky. So let’s go check out what was finally built as you tell me about it.”
Sydney Harbour Bridge
Stinky explains, “The Sydney Harbour Bridge is a through-arch bridge constructed of steel. It spans the harbour from the central business district to the North Shore. The bridge is nicknamed ‘The Coathanger’ because of its arch-based design. It carries rail, vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic. The bridge was designed and built by a British firm, Dorman Long, under the direction of John Bradfield of the New South Wales Department of Public Works.
“That’s a funny name for a bridge. I guess it sort of looks like a hanger,” replies Periwinkle. She continues, “Are we going to get to actually walk on the Bridge.”
“Yes, you bet. There’s a boat waiting to take us around the harbour.” says Stinky.
“This is wonderful. What else can you tell me about the bridge, Stinky?”
Additional Bridge Details
Stinky explains that the piers are made of concrete and faced with granite. The total length is 3, 770 feet with a width of 160 feet. The height is 440 feet, and the clearance beneath at mid-span is 161 feet. It is the tenth longest spanning-arch bridge in the world and the tallest steel arch bridge. It took from July 1923 to January 1932 for the bridge to be built.
“Oh goodie, Stinky, we are getting closer. What’s that cool looking building in the background?”
“That’s the Sydney Opera House. We’ll visit the outside a bit later.”
Cimbing the Bridge
“Stinky, please get down. I am always afraid you will have a seizure and fall, but you continue to climb on everything!”
“Don’t worry, Periwinkle, I am fine. Besides, look at all the people on the very top of the bridge. My dad did that, but I promise not to go any further.”
“Sheesh, like that makes me feel any better,” Periwinkle says under her breath.
Though, Stinky has not heard Periwinkle; he comes down to join her. “Let’s head toward the Opera House, Periwinkle. I promise to stay on the ground,” Stinky says and takes her paw.
Sydney Opera House
“That sure is impressive, Stinky. I can’t wait to get a closer look.”
“Stinky, what can you tell me about the Opera House?” asks Periwinkle.
“The original cost to build the Sydney Opera House was estimated at $7 million. The final cost, however, was $102 million. A State Lottery largely funded it. There was an international design competition in 1956, and 233 designs were submitted. Jørn Utzon from Denmark had the winning design and received a prize of ₤5000. Work began in 1959 and was expected to take four years, but it took 14 years. The Opera House was opened by Queen Elizabeth II on October 20, 1973,” Stinky informs Periwinkle.
“Stinky, maybe we can come back in October to actually check out the Opera House,” suggests Periwinkle.
“Good idea. Now I have a surprise for us!”
“Yippee, a picnic. Thank you, Stinky,” says Periwinkle and gives him a whisker kiss.
The tabbies enjoy their picnic, and then it is time to head home. They take a ferry back to where they left the teleportation tunnel, talking and giggling the entire way.
“It sure was a beautiful day for this trip, Stinky,” Periwinkle exclaims.
Stinky gives her hug and tells her he’s happy she enjoyed herself.
Home Again
When the ferry docks, they hop into the teleportation tunnel and are back at Stinky’s house in the blink of an eye. It’s been a long day, and both tabbies are quite tired. Periwinkle says a quick, “hello” to Stinky’s parents and fursibs before heading back to the tunnel. The tabbies share a few more paw hugs and whisker kisses. Then with the usual blown kisses and waves, Periwinkle enters the tunnel and is gone in a whoosh.
Stinky heads to the kitchen for a quick snack with his meds and then heads to bed to dream of Periwinkle.
The End
Note: Periwinkle and Stinky would like to thank Dad Tom for the use of his photographs from 2000 when he spent three weeks in Sydney to officiate indoor volleyball at the Olympics. That is the reason for the Olympic rings on the bridge.
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Thanks for joining our two adventurers today. They deeply appreciate it.