Writing prompt: Sydney Harbour
Sydney Harbour Bridge
The Sydney Harbour Bridge is such an iconic structure it is instantly recognisable the world over. Whenever we visit our son and our grandchildren in Sydney we cross this wonderful bridge a number of times on every visit. They live several railway stations north of the bridge or about an hour’s walk from home.
We have driven over the bridge, gone over it numerous times on trains, walked across it and gone under it on ferries. The only thing I haven’t done is the Bridge Climb OVER it (see photo below). Getting a bit old and shaky in the knees for that. Should have done it for my 60th Birthday Bash as I had planned.
Writing prompts:
- If you have been to Sydney write about your experiences.
- If you have been on the Bridge Climb describe the sensation of being up so high.
- If you have not been on the climb, imagine what it would be like, describing the experiences.
- Notice the huge pylons on each side and at each end of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Imagine a murder takes place inside one of the towers. Write a short story about how this occurs, and the aftermath.
- Write about the most unusual bridge you have ever seen.
- Write about any rickety, unsafe or downright dangerous bridge you have crossed. (For me that would have to be the suspension bridges crossed while trekking in the Everest region of Nepal. DON”T look down!)
- Write about a ferry ride on Sydney Harbour that turns very sour; someone is murdered or thrown overboard.
- Write a poem about the beautiful harbour, the waves or the bridge itself.
Good writing.
People doing the “Bridge climb” in Sydney
Writing prompt: unusual pets
Alligator and presenter, Australian Reptile Park
I guess that most of us can remember having to write an essay, story or composition about pets while at school. This always caused me a few problems. I lived on a farm and although we had plenty of animals around us all the time, all of them were “working” animals; they all had a purpose, from the horses and cows to the pigs, dogs and ducks. Perhaps only the cats could be called pets, though they, too, had a role in minimising the number of mice around the house and sheds.
Sometimes I envied children who had unusual pets. Few pets, however, compare with the animal in today’s photos. A genuine, real, living alligator is not your average household pet. This animal is part of the show about reptiles at the Australian Reptile Park in Gosford, north of Sydney. This animal knows how to behave when in the presence of its keeper because it has lived with the keeper for many years and is well trained.
Trained or not – that alligator is not welcome in MY home.
Writing prompts:
- Write about your pets – describing them, listing their likes and dislikes, their nature and their characteristics.
- Write a poem about the most unusual pet you can imagine.
- Write an article about keeping pet birds, reptiles, insects, or amphibians. some research may be needed.
- Write a story about the day your pet boa constrictor took over your dinner party.
- Write a poem about the time you took your pet lamb/puppy/fish/lizard to school.
Alligator and presenter, Australian Reptile Park
Alligator at Australian Reptile Park
Writing prompt: rudeness
Laughing Kookaburra
Some people can be incredibly ruse at times. Others can be rude all the time. Yet other people are accidentally rude – like the Laughing Kookaburra shown in the photo above. He turned his back on my camera while I was recently visiting the Australian Reptile Park just north of Sydney.
Writing prompt:
Write about the rudest person you have ever met. Describe what they do, how they are rude to you – and others – and how it makes you feel. Write it out on scrap paper or print it on used paper – then burn it. If you only screw it up and throw it in the bin, make sure the person’s name isn’t on the paper – especially if they live in the same house! It could come back to bite you.
Admission:
The Laughing Kookaburra in the photo wasn’t really all that rude. A moment after taking the photo he did turn around and look at me. Trouble is, the second photo I took was all blurry and I’m too ashamed to show it here.
Good writing.
Sailing, sailing
Yachts at Goolwa, South Australia
I have never had too many opportunities to travel on ships or boats and especially sailing on yachts. I have only ever been sailing on a yacht on a handful of occasions. I certainly would have liked to have had far more opportunities, but they didn’t present themselves.
Perhaps I don’t mix with the right kind of people – or I need to find new ways of making far more money so I can afford a nice yacht. Trouble is, people like me (of a certain age) are probably too old and decrepit to learn how to sail. Perhaps I need to make a lot of money from my writing so I can afford to buy a yacht and employ someone to sail it for me.
On the other hand, I have often watched yachts sailing, admiring their beauty as they press through the waves, flying along on the wind. More than once have I wistfully wished to be one of those on the boat. From time to time I’ve even caught myself dreaming about sailing my own boat to exotic destinations.
Writing prompts:
- Write an account of a time when you went sailing or boating.
- Turn your non-fiction account into a fictional story, letting your imagination full rein.
- Write a poem about the beauty of sailing ships and yachts.
Good writing.
The photo above was taken several years ago of yachts near the mouth of the River Murray, Goolwa, South Australia.
Writing prompt: A cute little rabbit
This little rabbit has taken up residence in our garden. Not that we want it there, or have encouraged it in any way. It just arrived, probably from a nearby warren.
My sister-in-law thinks it is “cute”.
My daughter thinks it is “cute”
We don’t think that it is “cute” the way it eats our plants. In fact, my wife says that the only “cute” rabbit is one in the pot cooking for dinner.
How do you react to seeing a young rabbit? Perhaps you might even have a pet rabbit. Write a story about a rabbit, either one you do not want around, or a pet rabbit that you love.
Good writing.