I’ve been wanting to visit Fort Scratchley for many years since I’ve got fond memories of the place from my youth. Yesterday I went with Kirsten and Lance to see a temporary outdoor sculpture exhibit.
There were dozens (over a hundred?) pieces of art all around the fort, and there’s some sort of contest where viewers can vote on their favourites. Almost all of them are for sale as well, with the above piece only $69,000!
This was my favourite. I forget what it was called, but this delightful 1.5 meter creation depicting a knight on an emu is for me in honor of the Great Emu War of 1932, a very dark part of Australian History. Sadly it was not for sale, although I’m not sure I could have fit the 150 kg masterpiece in my suitcase.
The fort affords a wonderful view of Nobbys and the harbour, and while it looks a little gloomy in the photo the weather was nice. Alas the usual historical exhibits seem to have been put aside for the duration of the art installation, and I must come back another time to see the fort itself.
Happily one thing not temporarily closed was the daily firing of the 1 am time gun, and we had the best ‘seats’ in the house. It was dramatic and louder than expected: so much so I dropped my phone on a child and made them cry!
On the way out we saw this handsome crow eating his takeaway McDonald’s high on a light post. Alas he was a litterbug and tossed the packaging onto the ground. When next you see litter on the ground and reflect on the bestiality of the person you may presume had thrown it there, be mindful it may not have been a person after all!
