Mind-wandering in solitude in a city swarmed by high rises.

Who would have thought that in the middle of inner-city Sydney, a parcel of land, large enough to develop a small suburb lays dormant to real estate aficionados’ grasp, provides solitude to early morning walkers, as well as being a true representative of Australian colonial history? On Easter Saturday I met with my good friend Liz for overdue catchup. We often meet in between our homes for a brisk walk and interesting conversation. She is one who listens intently and offers insightful observations. It was on this crisp morning walk that she showed me Yaralla from a local’s perspective and I’m ashamed to say that living in the area for nearly a decade I had never ventured past the gates. The estate, now heritage-listed was initially the home of a convict turned landowner who later mortgaged the land and was then converted as a convalescent home for returning soldiers.

For a full history of the area, please click through the link here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yaralla_Estate

But what is so extraordinary is the foresight of government bodies, a watertight land title and the collective community who insist that this area be anything but a testament to its history. As we passed through muddy fields along the riverside in tranquil silence, the noise of the traffic seemed to disperse with the fog. And like a scene from A Room with a View, the majestic mansion, in all its splendour smiled in the sunlight. Surrounded by knee-high grass that could have fed a few goats for a month, we passed the boat shed, the grotto and the rose garden that stood in front of the vast farmland that spanned further acres northward. In a city that seems to be eating away at any available green space, it was wonderful to simply drift and enjoy the ambience. Stables and barns remain untouched by modern renovations and instead are delicately restored to their original architectural form.

I can appreciate the quietness we sometimes need to disconnect in an era where the lines of true connection are often blurred. A time for mind wandering.

I’m thankful to Liz for leading me to this lovely little pocket amongst a swarm of high rises. Next time I’ll go back with the dog and the husband, to stroll back in time and perhaps sit for a little while longer and write a story and imagine what could have been.

#freshair #estatedreaming #untouchedland #australianhistory #suburbantranquility #writinginspiration