Queen Camilla – Sydney – jimsoccasionalblog

Instead of pondering too long on whether the Barmy Army had touched a nerve with the Camilla song the day before, it was time to head downtown on the Parramatta River Ferry. River Taxi it was not, but a scheduled high speed service that calls in at about 6 jetties on its way to Circular Quay – starting [for us], at Kissing Point, and calling in at places that could feature in the University Boat Race, and some that would definitely not. Chiswick pier, Cockatoo Island, Barangaroo, and if you overshoot Circular Quay; Woolwich and Greenwich.

For many Sydney dwellers, the river offers the fastest and most reliable route from one place to another… just take a look at a map of the main metropolitan area and you appreciate not only the size of the City, but the intricacy of its harbour line. At a glance there must be 25 largish secluded bays, all of which are developed completely with spectacular waterside dwellings that are hidden away at the end of many a cul-de-sac enclave.

Taking a car from A to B isn’t always that straightforward, especially in a place where the daily traffic build-up can mean hideous delays in the event of any minor hiccough. But back on the shoreline, £2 million I’m told, gets you a plot with a view, £5 million a pad with a jetty. Any more millions and you then also own a boat and horses for your children.