Teddy Bears Picnic today..

My little Harrods Bear is off to the picnic today with his little suitcase filled with yummy Haigh's chocolates to share.
My daughter was in London for a few years and bought me a couple of Harrods Bears. This one still has his tag attached to his ear. He was made in 2003. Apparently one is made each year and they are more valuable if they still have their tag. Not that mine is going anywhere, except to the Picnic. He has his  warm coat on as it's a bit chilly and windy in the southern states today. I hope everyone has survived the strong windstorms we have been experiencing.

Tuesday Teasures

Still on the theme of national treasures I'm featuring one of Australia's most historic sites and the one I am lucky enough to live in, for Melody's Tuesday Treasures!
The South Head Signal Station dates back to 1845 when the first two levels were built to replace tents and other buildings that had inhabited the site from 1788. The third story and cottages were added later (around 1860). The NSW Ports Authority used the tower to control all the shipping in and out of Sydney Harbour until 1993 when it was handed to the Coast Guard (now Marine Rescue). The site has been continually inhabited since 1788 when signal fires were lit to let the colony know when a ship was approaching. Later on a flagstaff was built and flags were raised. A corresponding flagpole was erected on Observatory Hill. When Government House moved to Parramatta, other flagstaffs were erected along the route so that the signals (flags) could be relayed to the Governor.
I have been lucky enough to live here since 1994. We have beautiful views and have seen some amazing sights and had some very interesting visitors.
The first picture is a drawing taken from the back of the property.

The scond is an aerial shot

 In the last picture, taken from MacQuarie Lighthouse, you can just see the Signal Station next to the light. The lighthouse is about 500 metres up the road.