Click for next image
I don't really understand the Opal system, since it seems to stop charging when you reach a certain point; but so far as I could tell it only cost about a fiver or maybe six pounds to get to Blackheath.
The area was originally named Hounslow by Governor Macquarie in about 1815 but he seems to have forgotten he'd named it since on his way back through the area he re-named it Blackheath.
It's easily done. Who amongst us has not named a town and then changed our minds and called it something else? Right now the place is friendly but they could certainly do with some more tourists.
Like much of the Sydney area they seem to revel in the graffiti, which is everywhere in Sydney. This includes official designs on the old cinema (now an antiques and coffee shop) and the lavatories. These latter are the most splendid looking loos I have ever seen.
Even so when I was photographing them it did occur to me that I could get in trouble. But the locals (who like most Australians use No Worries as a catch phrase) were surprisingly understanding.
Jonathan Brind