Woohoo, I am back writing on Hive.blog again after yet another extended leave of absence and no better day for my return than to be Market Friday, a favourite tag for me, one that the lovely @dswigle initiated and constantly manages so beautifully.
During my self-enforced sabbatical leave there were many highly enjoyable travelling adventures, one of which happened to be a stay in the beautiful Boutique Hotel in old suburb inner of Sydney called Randwick.
The Avonmore boutique Hotel is my pick for my Market Friday post contribution today.
It was love for me as soon as the taxi stopped in front of this amazing old house, it was just my kind of accommodation, old, full of character, charm and quaintness, an establishment full of stories, I could feel it particularly when I saw the indents in the cement at the beginning of a most beautiful patterned path. Just imagine the hundreds if not thousands of feet stepping onto this bit of cement.
Looking back down the path, through the gate and across the road to the park called Allison Park added to its charm. I am sure there were many walks taken by the family, friends and neighbours around this park back in the day.
Just as magnificent and decorative as the path was the front entry beckoning any inquisitive visitor to come right on in. A welcoming feeling instantly spread through me wanting nothing more than to explore every nook and cranny of Avonmore Boutique Hotel.
I discovered very quickly that there were two entries, a gorgeous main one for distinguished guests and the other very plain one for tradies and help, the cooks, maids and butler etc. As it goes our room was through the second door and I could only think how great was this to see and experience where the staff lived. Or perhaps this is another terrace given that it is number 32 and John Walsh's home was number 34?
It is written that John's home had 16 rooms.
The highly artistic tile work along the porch of the big terrace house still looks extremely attractive and new. Every detail was considered it seems by John Walsh to make this home magnificent. What a grand old dame she is and now always to remain so as she is given that this home is heritage listed, meaning that no change can be made to the outside of the building and the inside of the building as well.
Up the stairs we walked carrying our cases to the second floor as there was no such thing as lifts in 1891 back then. Oh well if one wants to experience history one must do the hard yards! Our very comfortable modernised room positioned at the back of the house was complete with a balcony overlooking the garden. I wondered how this room looked back in the 1900s, in particular the atmosphere with the fireplace. It would have been very welcomed on a cold night in Sydney.
We quickly found out that this large home was built by a man called John Walsh, born in Galway in Ireland. He was a successful builder and railway entrepreneurial contractor. He and his wife Margaret, born in Kilkenny, were blessed with six daughters and so a large house was required. Each daughter had her own bedroom. As the story goes, John Walsh build all the terrace houses over a 3 year period from 1888 to 1891. He built a large one for him and family while the others were rented. From what I read there were many social gatherings at this terrace house, six daughters needed to find husbands.
How I would love a peak into these nights. Oh to go back in time.
I read that John Walsh built 9 terraces, which 8 were rented out. They still look to be in good condition, which is probably due to the heritage listing requirements.
I can only admire this man's everlasting contribution in building the terraces, they are a monument to him, not only still standing but also in wonderful condition. Sadly, he died in 1903 at the age of 50 which was probably not so young in the 1900s compared to these days.
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Not only was the Avonmore Boutique Hotel as wonderful experience so was the little city centre down and across the road. We found the best cafe called Cafe 169, a Brazilian born lady called was the barista and the owner. The food was delicious and Dee made the best coffee. Nothing like a good cup of coffee.
Our motivating reason for our travels to Sydney was to attend the premier of a film documentary written and directed by Bill Bennett. This is his second film called Facing Fear was showing at The Ritz Cinema, a kilometre down and around the corner from the Hotel. Bill's first film was highly successful screening widely in the US and in Australia. It is about intuition.
The film was well received by an appreciative audience, all of whom clapped enthusiastically at the end. It is always a pleasure to have a director speak to the audience and answer questions which is what took place on Monday 10 October. The film has continued to be well received by many audiences in Australia including a recent screening in Sedona, Arizona at the Illuminate Festival.
So ends my Market Friday post and it was such a delight to share my time a the Avonmore Boutique Hotel in Randwick, Sydney. And as life goes I did manage to take a photo of some orange lily flowers. No better ending to a post than a flower or two radiating joy.
It was no easy task finding flowers as there did not seem to be many flowers growing in this part of Sydney. Maybe it was due to the still very cold very wet winter weather.
Regards to my fellow bloggers, it is indeed fun to be back on Hive.
Angie Mitchell
If you are interested in reading about this amazing historical hotel in Sydney here is the link to Wikipedia. The Avonmore Boutiques Hotel