I have been catching up today with everything now we are home again. Done the washing, done the shopping and had a medical appointment to get the blood results from when I was sick before Christmas. The virus messed up my liver and kidney function and although the levels are down again now they are still not back to normal yet. Had to have another blood test today just to make sure the levels continue to go in the right direction.
This collage is from Trial Bay Gaol at South West Rocks which was our last stop on our way home from holiday. I know the sky is a different shade of blue in the centre photo than the rest, but that photo was taken on our journey up north and the rest were taken on our return trip. The gaol wasn't open on the first occasion, so we called in there on the way back.
Trial Bay Gaol was built between 1877 and 1886 to house prisoners brought there specifically to construct the breakwater. It remains the only large scale gaol in the history of NSW built to supply labour for a public works project.
Unfortunately, storms, washaways and gale force winds meant progress on the breakwater was slow. After 10 years it measured less than one seventh of the length planned. By 1903 the advent of sturdier ships meant that a refuge was no longer needed. The breakwater was abandoned and the gaol was closed.
The onset of World War 1 brought a new use for the site. Trial Bay Gaol was reopened to hold over 500 men of German descent. The internees were an elite group of academics, professionals and craftsmen who had been classified as 'enemy aliens'. In May 1918, however, camp security was threatened and the internees were relocated temporarily to Holsworthy.
Four years later the gaol was decommissioned its buildings stripped and the contents auctioned. The gaol lay in ruin for many years but later became a popular destination for holidaymakers. In 1946 this unique site was declared a public reserve. Local community based groups worked from the late 1950s to restore the gaol. Today Nation al Parks and Wildlife manages the gaol with the help of volunteers.
@golftragic How brave am I Marnie. You know what I am like visiting gaols, but I managed to have a wander around this one. It didn't give me the creeps like other gaols do but it was probably because you could see the sky while at this place. I didn't venture into any of the cells though.
Fantastic collage Babs & even though we stayed at South West Rocks & visited Trial Bay Goal I didn't know the whole history. so pleased you are on the mend....
I'm glad that it has been re-cherished. Buildings with such pasts let us ponder and explore. Hope the results show continued improvement. I like how you've shown many different aspects to this structure.
It looks quite foreboding as I suppose a gaol should. It also has such an interesting history so it's great that it is now preserved in such a way the story and buildings are not lost. Great collage!
TYF the detail...interesting and fascinating...depicted in your attached photos. 30+ years ago R and I visited Alcatraz. By turn, both humbling and fascinating...and more important, unforgettable. It made a big impression on us both.
Sounds like you have a thing about gaols! Must have been incarcerated in a previous life I reckon! 😃. Love the guy in his hammock type bed! This gaol has a long & interesting history!
What fascinating history! I especially like the one centre left - the shape of the ruined arches is so appealing.
Hope your next lot of bloods show things moving in the right direction for you. All the best!
@happysnaps Thanks Valerie, we had never been to South West Rocks before, it was so interesting. Well apart from the climb up to the lighthouse, ha ha.
@s4sayer Wow you are brave Margo, I don't think I could have visited Alcatraz if my life depended on it. At least this building is a ruin and you can see the sky from in there.
@olivetreeann The initial prisoners built the gaol which must have been a daunting task as the walls are made of granite. Then they built the breakwater and that task failed.
When it was opened again during WW1 it must have been a very daunting place for the German academics and doctors etc to be send to for the duration of the war.
@happypat ha ha definitely must have been locked up somewhere in a previous life Pat. Gaols give me the creeps. It wasn't too bad here because it is a ruin, but I could never visit Maitland Gaol which isn't too far from where I live. There is something so creepy about the clanging of metal doors closing that give me goosebumps.
@casablanca It is a really interesting place if just a bit creepy. Just sent you an email. Hope you feel better soon.
@golftragic Don't worry about the cake I think you have got enough on at the moment. I think I will need therapy after visiting the gaol though. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be because I was able to see the sky, ha ha.
I am not claustrophobic but tiny cells and the clanking of metal gaol doors give me the creeps.
Hope Les is on the mend soon, she should have gone in hospital ages ago shouldn't she, naughty girl. Sounds stubborn just like David. Hope you can have a good nights sleep now she is getting the care she needs.
Thanks Babs. Know exactly what you mean about gaols, so don't tempt the fates. As for Les, she was a career nurse, and like others of her ilk will do just about anything to stay out of hospital. Stubborn doesn't go anywhere near it, scared is more accurate.
I would love to wander around there Babs
Hope your next lot of bloods show things moving in the right direction for you. All the best!
@happysnaps Thanks Valerie, we had never been to South West Rocks before, it was so interesting. Well apart from the climb up to the lighthouse, ha ha.
@s4sayer Wow you are brave Margo, I don't think I could have visited Alcatraz if my life depended on it. At least this building is a ruin and you can see the sky from in there.
@olivetreeann The initial prisoners built the gaol which must have been a daunting task as the walls are made of granite. Then they built the breakwater and that task failed.
When it was opened again during WW1 it must have been a very daunting place for the German academics and doctors etc to be send to for the duration of the war.
@happypat ha ha definitely must have been locked up somewhere in a previous life Pat. Gaols give me the creeps. It wasn't too bad here because it is a ruin, but I could never visit Maitland Gaol which isn't too far from where I live. There is something so creepy about the clanging of metal doors closing that give me goosebumps.
@casablanca It is a really interesting place if just a bit creepy. Just sent you an email. Hope you feel better soon.
I am not claustrophobic but tiny cells and the clanking of metal gaol doors give me the creeps.
Hope Les is on the mend soon, she should have gone in hospital ages ago shouldn't she, naughty girl. Sounds stubborn just like David. Hope you can have a good nights sleep now she is getting the care she needs.