I've known that there was a statue of Mary Poppins in Ashfield Park (in Sydney) for quite a while. I'd walked through the park several times in a half hearted effort to find it. A friend lives nearby so I was there reasonably often. Now my friend is moving, it's unlikely I'll visit all that often, so one day recently I went on a quest to finally find her.
I'd walked most of the park (it's quite big), then realised where she had to be. Near the children's playground. And, there she was!
 |
| On duty for ever, watching over the children |
I also found some of the local family of kookaburras. One of my favourite birds, they are always a delight to see, whether they're laughing or not.
 |
| They typically perch up in trees on the lookout for lunch |
 |
| Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) |
I never knew we had a statue of Mary Poppins in Sydney! Next time I'm in Ashfield I'll check her out. Well done for finding her :-)
ReplyDeleteThat is a good place for Mary Poppins!
ReplyDeleteAnd it's nice to see a photo of a kookaburra - it makes me think of the campfire song we used to sing when I was in the Girl Guides - 'Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree, laugh kookaburra, laugh, gay your life must be.'
My Snapshot is here.
I love the photo where the sun is glimmering on her umbrella. I've only seen a kookaburra in the zoo. I'd love to see one in real life. Here's Mine
ReplyDeleteHow fun! Thank you for that lovely tour.
ReplyDeleteLove the photos of Mary! And thanks for sharing the kookaburra. I've never seen one. I must put Australia on my travel list!
ReplyDeleteI have to confess I never knew P. L. Travers was from Australia. I'd just assumed she was English so thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteOh, I do like tat statue, and I'm another who had no idea PL Travers came from Australia. I guess the whole nanny thing glish. My Snapshot is at http://goo.gl/UR1qOmade me think she was an En
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures! Glad you were able to find the statue of Mary Poppins -- kind of like a scavenger hunt of sorts :-) Very cool!
ReplyDeleteI love the sunshine on Mary Poppins she looks angelic!
ReplyDeleteAhhh, Mary Poppins! Practically perfect in every way! Good job tracking her down! And who knew PJ Travers lived in Sydney ?!?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you found her! I like that bird, too...lol
ReplyDeleteMY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT POST
I love the statue and love seeing the kookaburras - I remember seeing a song about them as a child.
ReplyDeletelooks like you had a successful trip to the park :) I think pigeons are a problem in quite a few places... Congrats on finding the statue and the Kookaburra Book Savvy Babe
ReplyDeleteOf course Mary Poppins is by the childrens playground, watching over the little ones. I think many of us assumed PJ Travers was english rather than Australian so thanks for the education. By the way, did you know they are making a film called Saving Mr. Banks about the making of the Mary Poppins movie? Emma Thompson plays PJ Travers with Tom Hanks as Disney. Apparently she was FURIOUS with what he did with her book!
ReplyDeleteThat is so neat about the Mary Poppins statue, and that you found it near the playground! I bet I'm remembering the same kookaburra song as Kathy. :)
ReplyDeleteadd another to the "I thought she English" column.
ReplyDeleteplayground does seem like the practically perfect place for her
here's mine
Thanks Sim, I'll be looking for Saving Mr. Banks. Now I'm wondering if I ever read the book...off to find my copy
It's kind of ironic that you're not allowed to feed the pigeons and you've got pictures of Mary Poppins. I immediately thought of Julie Andrews singing "Feed the Birds" in the Disney version....
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures of the Kookaburra!
Here's my Snapshot.
So is the movie Mary Poppins after a real person? Love the statue and its location.
ReplyDeleteAnd does a kookaburra really laugh? I only know what the song says.
I too thought the author of Mary Poppins was British. Guess we shouldn't assume!
ReplyDeleteThe Kookaburra looks a little like our Belted Kingfisher... only the kingfisher doesn't sing.
Lovely - I had no idea that she'd lived in Australia!
ReplyDelete