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Photos from the Circle Line Cruise

Circumnavigating Manhattan

Trip Over to New York

After a late and lazy start on a very cold New York morning – we walked down to the Corner Café at 6th Avenue and 23rd Street, bought some Smoked Salmon Bagels with Scallion Lox to go. Then wandered down 22nd Street to the Hudson River, from there we had leisurely walk all the way up the Riverside to the 42nd Street Pier where we bought tickets to go on the Circle Line 3 hour boat trip right around Manhattan Island, and sat down to eat our bagels before boarding.

Taking up our positions outside on the upper deck in seats at the back of the boat, it was absolutely freezing, but that was the best place for taking photos. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the wind chill certainly made us wonder what we were doing on a boat. Once we got going there were plenty of opportunities to run inside to warm up. My hat, gloves and scarf certainly earned their keep that day.

As the ferry pulled away from the pier the excellent, informative and entertaining commentary began, John really knew his stuff and how to deliver it, we learned so much along the way. First going south down the Hudson past Chelsea Piers with the golf driving range jutting out on the river, then on towards Ellis Island and out past the Statue of Liberty – everyone onboard went wild taking photos of the statue and each other with Lady Liberty in the background. The boat then turned back past the Staten Island Ferry Terminal and started heading up the East River, the wind was like ice!!

Past the New York Helipad with a constant stream of helicopters landing and taking off, then under Brooklyn Bridge, under Manhattan Bridge, under Williamsburg Bridge, past the ruins of the Roosevelt Island Smallpox Hospital, under the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge and the Roosevelt Cable Car, past Gracie Mansion where the NYC Major lives, should he choose to.




At this point I discovered that local New Yorkers are quite uninformed about landmark bridges outside New York. As I was flying in to NYC a week or so earlier, we flew over Manhattan, I could see a bridge that looked like a much smaller version of Sydney Harbour Bridge. One evening we were chatting with a waitress at the Ace Hotel Lobby Bar about things to see and places to go in NYC, she had asked where we were from, etc, etc. I asked her what the name of the bridge that looks like Sydney Harbour Bridge was. She replied, “I don’t know what Sydney Harbour Bridge looks like”. I was quite shocked. Is it just me or should educated people in first world countries know this? I thought Sydney Harbour Bridge was up there with the great monuments of the world that all kids learn about at school, and all adults hear about regularly? Eiffel Tower, London Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, Empire State Building, Sydney Harbour Bridge…….??

On another occasion, I was at the ‘Top of the Rock’ taking in the magnificent view from the top of the Rockefeller Center. From there you can see the bridge in question, I asked the security guy what the bridge that looked like Sydney Harbour Bridge was called, he looked and said, “That’s the RFK Bridge”. But no, on the Circle Line Cruise John informed us the rail bridge behind the RFK Bridge is Hell Gate Bridge, he went on to tell us it was the prototype for Sydney Harbour Bridge, (I’ve heard that the Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, England was the prototype………………..?!!?)

Anyway, to cut a long story short…….the bridge that looks like Sydney Harbour Bridge is actually called Hell Gate Bridge!!!! It’s a rail bridge only, opened in 1916. The Tyne Bridge in Newcastle, England was opened in 1928. Both clearly influential in the design of Sydney Harbour Bridge, but I believe it was the builders of the Tyne Bridge who won the contract to build the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Cruising on further up the Harlem River, under Wards Island Footbridge, under University Heights Bridge and many more bridges, past the Columbia University Boat House, past Yankee Stadium and up to the tip of Manhattan Island, under the High Bridge Aquaduct (now a foot bridge), under the Henry Hudson Bridge where we had to wait for the Spuyten Duyvil Bridge, a pivoting rail bridge, to open up to we could pass through, then it spins back into place for the rapidly approaching train to cross. Trains have priority and everything is timed perfectly – generally. Only a few mishaps along the way, like the time someone drove a car on to the bridge into the path of the oncoming train (and survived!), or the time a boat hit the bridge and brought the trains to a standstill……… From here we were able to turn down the Hudson, and mercifully a change of wind direction, no longer quite as icy.

Looking up we could see the Cloisters, which form part of the Met Museum exhibition, built from parts of various European Monastries, all shipped over to New York over one hundred years ago. As we got closer to George Washington Bridge we could see the “Pumpkin House” (named because at night it looks like a Halloween pumpkin), which sits surronded by towers of apartments. An amazing piece of architecture that once sat all alone perched out from the cliff face looking over the Hudson.

The Little Red Lighthouse sits under George Washington Bridge like a toy, dwarfed by the giant bridge. Further down we passed Grant’s Tomb, and tribute to General Grant. He and his wife lie here in the tomb based on Naploeon’s Tomb. Then passing the Riverside Church and the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. Then the geology changes – the northern end of Manhattan needs parkland around the coast to sure up the island to support the buildings, south of 72nd Street the island is sitting on deep bedrock right down to Lower Manhattan so the building goes right to the edge of the island.

As the boat cruised back towards 42nd Street Pier, past Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, John told us about the day Captain Sullenberger brought Flight #1549 down on the Hudson and all 155 passengers and crew were safely rescued – Circle Line Cruises were on hand to pump water out and help with the rescue.

Book a tour on your Trip Over to New York

Itinerary for Trip Over to New York

Flew from Sydney to New York on Qantas via LA.

Arranged to be picked up at JFK Airport with Viator for the drive into Chelsea, also used for the return trip.

Stayed for a month in magnificent artists loft in Chelsea, found on VRBO.

Bought a one month travel ticket for the NYC Subway.

Thevlakevin Regent`s Park, London. With weeping willows, ducks and seagulls enjoying the park as much as the people walking around the lake.
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#regentsparklondon #regentsparklake #regentspark #lakeinthepark #viewacrossthewater #flyingbirds #ducks #seagulls #royalparksandgardens #royalparks #londonlife #londonparks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #blueskyandsunshine
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Hampers full of Christmas cheer in the window display @fortnums on Piccadilly.
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#fortnumshamper #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumswine #fortnums #christmaswindowdisplay #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasinlondon #christmasatfortnums #windowshopping #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #shoppinginlondon
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Upstairs in Fortnum & Mason on London`s Piccadilly, in the beautifully decked out china and hampers area.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly @fortnums #ilovefortnumandmason #piccadilly #shoppinginlondon #oneofmyfavouritethings #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasatfortnums #christmasdecorations #londonvibes #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonstyle #londonatchristmastime #london #london
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Fortnums hampers full of chocolates in the Christmas window display on Piccadilly, you can never have too much chocolate!!
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#fortnumshamper #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #firtnumandmasonchocolates #fortnumschocolates #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #oneofmyfavouritethings #windowshopping #shoppinginlondon #windowshopping #londonlife #londontrip #londonlandmarks #londonchristmas
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One of the Royal parks in London for some time out from the hustle and bustle.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #londonparksandgardens #royalparksandgardens #londonwalks
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Christmas decorations in front a shelves full of black and white checked McKenzie Child teapots, kettles, aprons and all sorts of lovely things in Fortnum & Mason on London`s Piccadilly.
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@mckenziechildarm @fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #piccadilly #mckenziechildsdecor #mckenziechilds #blackandwhitecheckdecor #blackandwhitecheck #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasdecorations #christmasatfortnums #londonlife #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonatchristmastime
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Exploring St James`s in London, there are many little lane ways, visit them all and see what is to be discovered.
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#stjamess #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #exploringlondon #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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Darling Harbour from Pyrmont Bridge, looking very tropical on a Sydney spring day.
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#pyrmontbridgesydney #pyrmontbridge #darlingharbour #darlingharboursydney #whotel #palmtrees #tropicalscene #sydneycbd #sydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneylocal #sydneyinspring
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In the Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason, the turkey is ready with all the trimmings.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnums #christmasdinner #christmasdinnertable #windowshopping #shoppinginlondon #londonlife #seekandyoushallfind #piccadilly #londontrip #londonlandmarks #london #londonchristmas #christmasinlondon
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Inside Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, their famous hampers, cups and saucers, teapots, tea cosies, and all the Fortnums goodies you can dream of.
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumshamper #cupsandsaucers #teapots #teacosies #piccadilly #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon2022 #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonatchristmastime #shoppinginlondon
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Pickering Place is London`s smallest public square, located in St James`s not far from St Jame`s Palace, home to London`s oldest wine merchants Berry Bros, it feels a but like you are walking into someone`s private courtyard.
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#pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #london #historiclondon #sculptureinthesquare #exploringlondon #londonlife #londontrip #seetheworldthroughmylens #christmastree #walkingaroundlondon #seekandyoushallfind
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Bondi Beach with tge Bondi Pavilion in the top right corner of the photo. I love tge colours of the water swirling off the rocks, it looks inviting, but I understand it`s quite treacherous.
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#bondibeach #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #bondi #bondipavilion #bluewater #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyphotographer #sydneyparks #sydney_insta #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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Waiting at McMahon`s Point for the ferry to Circular Quay, lovely day for it, blue sky, blue water, what more can you ask for on a weekend.
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#sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyferries #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneyoperahouse #sydney_insta #sydneylife #sydneyweekends #bluesky #bluewater #outandabout #exploretheworldwithme #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneycbd
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Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, all decked out as an Advent Calendar for Christmas. Fortnums is definitely one of my favourite stores in London, but trying to get inside on Christmas Eve was impossible!!
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#fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #adventcalendar @fortnums #piccadilly #oneofmyfavouritethings #localgrocerystore #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasshoppingtime #londonvibes #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londonstyle #londontrip #londonlover #londonchristmas #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveltheworldwithme
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A day out in Sydney, catching a ferry across the harbour then heading out to Bondi Beach and walking around the headland looking at Sculpture by the Sea.
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#sydney #sydneyaustralia
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The Christmas windows at Fortnum & Mason all festive with baubles, lights and chocolates, even the reflection of the Christmas angel lights above Piccadilly showd in the window.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschocolates #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmas #piccadilly #christmasangel #christmasbaubles #christmasdecorations #windowshopping #oneofmyfavouritethings #lovelondon #seetheworldthroughmylens #londonlandmarks #londontrip
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After a few years of not being able to hold the annual Sculpture by the Sea along the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama......it`s back!!!
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk
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As my ferry pulled in to Circular Quay I saw this new sculpture near Government House in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturegarden #artinpublicplaces #governmenthousesydney #royalbotanicgardenssydney #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #bluewater #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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Sculpture by the Sea returned to the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk this year after it`s Covid hiatus. This one is my favourite.....
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#sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #sydneyinspring #clearbluewater #pacificocean #sunnyday #explorethecityyoulivein
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Another sculpture gleaming in the sunshine at Sculpture by the Sea on the coastal walk from Bondi Beach to Tamarama, looking out over the Pacific Ocean.
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#sculpturebythesea #sculptureinthepark #sculpture #artinthepark #sydneycoastalwalk #pacicocean #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #artinpublicplaces #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyparks #sydneywalks #exploretheworld #seekandyoushallfind
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The water receeds around the edges of Tunks Park under Long Gully Bridge, but there seems to be another downpour forecast next week, so itbis likely to go under again. But look how green the grass is!!!
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#tunksparksydney #tunksparkwalk #tunkspark #longgullybridge #longgully #greengrass #parkunderwater #aftertherain #sydney #sydneyparks #sydneylife #sydneyharbourwalks #myhometown
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From the National Maritime Museum in Sydney behind the boats in the foreground you can see the masts on the replica Endeavour, on the right are the glass towers in Barangaroo.
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#theendeavour #sydneymaritimemuseum #australiannationalmaritimemusem #barangaroo #darlingharboursydney #tallships #sailingboats #sailonsydneyharbour #glasstowers #sydneyharbour #blueskywhiteclouds #visitthemuseum #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #sydneylocal #myhometown #traveltheworldwithme
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The Endeavour at the National Maritime Museum of Australia. It`s a replica, but a very good one. You can go onboard and take a look around - all those ropes, how did they cope?
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#nationalmaritimemuseum @sea.museum #maritimemuseum #endeavour #theendeavour #tallship #darlingharbour #sydney #barangaroo #outonthewater #sydneyharbour #thewayitusedtobe #sydneylife #blueskyandsunshine #seetheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
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Between down pours, Tunks Psrk continued to fill with water. Lucky someone thought to put the "Ground Closed" sign in the middle of the cricket ground 🤣 I think anyone who turned up to play would have realised after wading through knee deep water on to the sodden grass that it wouldn`t work out!😂
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#tunkspark #floodedpark #waterwatereverywhere #greengrass #aftertgerain #walkinthepark #sydneyinspring #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #myhometown #cricketground #toowettoplay #waterviews
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Bright floral arrangement in the David Jones Spring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #elizabethststore #sydney #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers #sydneylocal #sydneystyle #sydneycbd #flowers #flowersofinstagram #flowerseverywhere #notthechelseaflowershow
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Even the tiny little alley/pathway to London`s smallest public square has a proper street sign!
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#londonstreetsign #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #londonvibes #londonlife #londontrip #london_city_photo #londonlandmarks #londonwalks #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londontravel #londonlover #londonhistory #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind #traveltheworldwithme
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At the eastern end of Pyrmont Bridge, one of the old sandstone pylons dwarfed by highrise towers now all around the Darling Harbour area.
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#pyrmontbridge #pyrmontbridgesydney #sydney #sydneyinwinter #darlingharbour #sydneycbd #lunchtimewalk #blueskyandsunshine #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #sydneylocal
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The Darling Harbour Ferris Wheel, surrounded by the highrise jungle that is developing in that area, not a person in site!! Yet another soulless enclave!
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#ferriswheel #darlingharboursydney #darlingharbour #nopeeps #nopeepshere #soulless #highriseinvasion #highrisejungle #lunchtimewalk #sydneyinwinter #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneyaustralia
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At the Australian National Maritime Museum, the Lego model of the bow of the Titanic heading down to the ocean floor, with the two funnels breaking away.
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#titanic #titanic1912 #lego #legofun #anmmuseum #legoexhibition #sydney #darlingharboursydney #darlingharbour #sydneymuseum #thingstodoinsydney #myhometown #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #visitsydney #sydneyaustralia
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The Red Lion pub in St James`s, one of the old workers pubs, also made a name for itself as a Gin Palace. Apparently holds the 2nd oldest licence in the West End, having been around forvover 200 years!
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#redlion #redlionpub #mayfairpub #stjamess #crownpassage #exploringlondon #seekandyoushallfind #londonlife #londontrip #londonwalks #london_enthusiast #londonlover #londontravel #londonhistory #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
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A final check on the recipe for the Christmas pud, making surectgatvlast drop of magic is in there. All part of the amazing Fortnum & Mason Christmas window display on Piccadilly in London.
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#fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschristmaswindow #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #windowshopping #windowtotheworld #london #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #londonstyle #londonatchristmastime #christmasinlondon2022 #christmasatfortnums #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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The trick is to go on Christmas Day to take photos of the lights, not Christmas Eve!! There are 75% less people doing the same thing!!
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#london #christmaslights
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My favourite of this years Sculpture by the Sea on the Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk.
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#sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #sculpture #artinpublicplaces #artoftravel #bluewater #bluesky #sydneyaustralia #sydneyinsummer #sydneylife #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #sydneycoastalwalk #sydneyphotographer #sydneystyle #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
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It`s a squirrels life, just sitting in a tree, eating a snack, looking over the lake and watching the world go by.....in Regent`s Park in London.
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#squirrel #squirrelsofinstagram #squirrellife #squirrelinatree #regentsparklondon #royalparks #royalparksandgardens #regentspark #walkinthepark #londonlife #londonparks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens
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In the mid 1800s, Pickering Place was the home to the Embassy of the Republic of Texas before Texas became part of the United States of America. This plaque remains on the wall of the small lane leading to London`s smallest public square in St Jame`s.
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#texasembassy #texasembassylondon #pickeringplace #pickeringplacelondon #stjamess #exploringlondon #historiclondon #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonwalks #london #londontravel #traveltherapy #traveltheworldwithme #seekandyoushallfind
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The Christmas tree in Pickering Place, St James`s, London. These houses are now the offices for Berry Bros & Rudd, London`s oldest wine merchants.
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#pickeringplace #pickering #berrybrosandrudd #stjamess #christmasinlondon2022 #christmastree #exploringlondon #winemerchant #publicsquare #londonssmallestpublicsquare #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londontravel #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything
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Another shell fullnof flowers at tge David Jones Soring Flower Show at the Elizabeth St store in the Sydney CBD.
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#davidjonesflowershow #davidjonesstore #davidjones #davidjonessydney #flowersofinstagram #flowershow #flowerseverywhere #underwatertheme #notthechelseaflowershow #sydneycbd #sydneylunchtime #sydneylife #sydneyflowers
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High up on a rock on the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama, this `flying` sculpture even has a plane fkying past in the background.
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#sculptureart #sculptureinthepark #sculpturebythesea #bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #blueskyforever #highonarock #flypast #artinpublicplaces #explorethecityyoulivein #sydney #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydney_insta #seekandyoushallfind
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This was Christmas Eve outside Fortnum & Mason, it was raining, the store was packed with people - look at all the blue Fortnums bags!!! Plenty of last minute shopping going on!!
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@fortnums #fortnumandmason #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #christmaseve #fortnumschristmas #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon2022 #londonlife #londonlandmarks #londontrip #londonchristmas #london #piccadilly #traveladdict
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Looking south towards Tamarama and Bronte Beaches, and all those people walking on the Bondi to Tamarama Coastal Walk to see Sculpture by the Sea.
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#bonditotamarama #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #pacificocean #sculpturebythesea #bluewaterwaves #sydneylife #sydney #sydneyaustralia #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #outandabout
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The chocolate department at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly. So many delicious goodies to choose from - best to just buy at least one of each!!
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#fortnumandmason @fortnums #fortnumandmasonpiccadilly #fortnumschristmas #fortnumschocolates #shoppinginlondon #piccadilly #christmasatfortnums #christmasinlondon #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmylens #traveladdict #londonlife #londontrip #londonatchristmastime
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Choppy day out on Sydney Harbour, as I caught the ferry from McMahons Point to Circular Quay, lots of boats around Fort Denison, Sydney`s eastern suburbs in the background.
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#sydneyharbour #fortdenison #sydneyferries #choppywater #sailingonsydneyharbour #boatsontheharbour #crossingtheharbour #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylife #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneywaterways #bluewater #seetheworldthroughmylens
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Passing the bow of HMAS Sydney, a WWl ship in the Australian Navy fleet. The bow of the ship sits on the edge of Sydney Harbour as a memorial to its successful battle in the Pacific.
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#sydneyferries #hmassydney #hmassydneymemorial #milsonspoint #sydneyharbour #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneywaterways #palmtrees #outontheharbour #explorethecityyoulivein #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind #bluewater
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A twisted woiden sculpture on show on the rocks not far from Bondi Beach on the Sculpture by the Sea coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama.
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#sculpturebythesea #sulptureontheshore #artinpublicplaces #sculptureart #sculpture #woodengardenart #woodensculpture #bonditotamaramacoastalwalk #bonditotamarama #explorethecityyoulivein #ontherocks #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
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A swan and a few ducks on the lake in London`s Regents Park, enjoying a moment in the winter sun.
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#regentsparklondon #regentspark #swansandducks #swansandducksofinstagram #swanlake #outonthelake #reflectiononwater #walkinthepark #londonparks #london #londontrip #londonwalks #londontravel #seetheworldthroughmylens #seekandyoushallfind
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