I haven’t been making photographs or posting as much as I’d like to recently. That’s because we’ve been preparing for a huge change in our lives.
After several 5 a.m. Skype interviews, I have got a job in Sydney, doing something I enjoy.
What a change it will be. We are currently living in Scotland, leaving for work in the dark, coming home in the dark, and doing our best to keep out of the freezing rain and gale force winds. Much as I love my current job, and Scotland, we will definitely not miss the winters.
The process started long ago. I’ve always been interested in Australia, as long as I can remember. The unique flora and fauna, home of one of the oldest cultures, the incredible landscapes and space. By coincidence (really!), my wonderful wife is Australian, and after jumping through lots of hoops (actually, far less than I had feared) to get my visa, off we go. Much of our determination to emigrate comes from wanting our son to be able to experience as many interesting things as possible. He got his first camera for Christmas, and is very excited by it, so I am looking forward to us exploring the country together and photographing as we go.
I went over to Sydney last year to do a bit of scouting for work, and although I was only there for a few days, I was captivated by the harbour.
I stayed with some friends of friends in Manly, which is on the northern shore. The ferry runs from here, all around the harbour, and to the Central Business District. Possibly the best commute in the world?
A bit of trivia for you – the bridge was Middlesbrough, England, my adopted home town.
As the ferry docks at Circular Quay, one of the world’s most iconic buildings can be seen. I spent most of the next day there. Every angle revealed a new and dramatic view of the building. I fell in love with it.
You can catch a passenger ferry that takes you all round the harbour area. It’s an incredible way to take it all in.
I can’t wait to get back.
Mike Baker | Photography 
As a fan of architectural photography these are brilliant. Love ‘Sydney Harbor Fun Fair.’
Thanks Martin. I want to take a look around that funfair – there’s something quite sinister about that giant face that makes me think weird stuff will happen.
Great set of shots Mike, I particularly like the Fun Fair. Congratulations on the new job, good luck with the move, and I’m looking forward to seeing more from you and your camera down under.
Cheers Malcolm. I’m glad I “found” your blog, and some of the other Brits here, to remind me of the UK while I’m away. I’ve been feeling quite nostalgic for the place lately.
Good news for the new year and you will be just around the world with you blog.
All my best,
Mike
Thanks, Mike.
great way to start 2012! new place to live, explore and photograph… good luck mike!
Thanks. I feel inspired by moving somewhere new, and I’ll be walking around much more, so I’ll have a lot more opportunities to photograph.
Just catching up on posts missed, Mike! My sister lives in Perth, Western Australia and has been over there for the last twenty years. She loves the country and wouldn’t come back to the UK to live! I have to say that I really envy you such an adventure! I would have emigrated like a shot – but my wife wouldn’t leave her family behind and that was the end of that! We do plan to visit when she retires in a year and a half though! Yippee!! Hope you are still going to keep your blog on the go?
Cheers
John
I certainly will, John, and thanks to some lifestyle changes the move will enable, I hope to have more time for photography.
If you ever make it to Sydney, feel free to give me a shout and we can go for a coffee.