A hyperbolic coral reef in crochet

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a worldwide project created by Margaret and Christine Wertheim of the Institute for Figuring in Los Angeles.

The Sydney Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef was on display during 21-30 August in the Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo. Fortunately I was in Sydney last week and saw it first hand. Here's some of my photos of the exhibition.








The Reef begins with the technique of hyperbolic crochet discovered by Dr. Daina Taimina. In 1997, Daina Taimina, a mathematician at Cornell University, crocheted a physical model of hyperbolic space. Visit http://theiff.org/oexhibits/oe1e.html to read more about Daina's crochet models.

You can crochet your own hyperbolic plane by increasing incrementally. All you have to remember is to increase every nth stitch each row. For example, if n=4 you increase every 4th stitch, every row. As you increase, the surface begins to ruffle naturally. An article in Interweave Crochet magazine gives you the complete instructions at http://theiff.org/press/interweave.html.

Bronte Beach Australia - birthplace of surf lifesaving

It's summertime in Australia and people are flocking to beautiful beaches for inexpensive fun and relaxation. Bronte Beach is a short bus ride on the 378 from Sydney's Central Railway Station. The Bronte Beach Surf Club boasts being the first since 1903.

Bronte has an ocean pool on the south side of the beach. There are around 100 ocean pools or baths along the open coast of New South Wales. Waves often break over the side of these tidal swimming pools.

Bronte is a popular surfing beach; keen surfers are on their boards at daybreak.

If getting more exercise is one of your new year's resolutions, join the walkers and joggers on the coastal path. Head north to Bondi Beach or south to Coogee Beach. The coastal views will reset your minds and motivate you to take on the challenges of the new year.

Bondi Beach to Coogee coastal walkway, sandstone

Beautiful sandstone outcrops along the scenic coastal walkway from Bondi back to Coogee Beach.

Bondi Beach Surf Life Savers' Club

All trails lead to a cappucino. It took just under one hour of steady walking and occasional photo stops to get to Bondi from Coogee. Before heading back to Coogee we made a brief stop at the Bondi Beach Surf Life Savers Club.


Poverty in Paradise - just as Bondi Beach came into view we noticed a shabby makeshift home clinging to a rocky ledge. These guys could evidently feed themselves...a couple of nasty looking fishing rods stood sentinel as the occupants slept.

Tamarama Beach, Coogee to Bondi coastal walkway

Tamarama Beach is on the way to Bondi Beach.

On the way back to Coogee, you can see the sandstone headland of Tamarama Beach.

Bronte Beach, Coogee to Bondi coastal walkway

Bronte Beach nestles between Tamarama and Clovelly on the Coogee to Bondi coastal walkway.

Gordon's Bay, between Coogee Beach and Clovelly

At 7.00 am we set out for Bondi Beach....10 minutes after sunrise. Gordon's Bay is the first little gem along the Coogee to Bondi coastal walkway. In the dim early morning light you can see the Clovelly headland in the distance.


On the way back to Coogee you can see tiny Wedding Cake Island in the distance from Gordon's Bay.

Coogee Beach, Sydney, Australia

If you get the chance to visit Sydney consider staying at Coogee Beach. It's a $30 taxi ride from Sydney Airport. The beautiful crescent-shaped beach is patrolled by the Surf Life Savers 365 days a year. A typical May day has a high of 20-22 degrees celcius...the temperature of the water around 19 degrees celcius. May is a good time to do the 12 kilometre roundtrip from Coogee to Bondi Beach along the coastal walkway.

Australia Day, 26th January

The 26th January is the day we celebrate the birth of our nation. We call it Australia Day. It's a day filled with all kinds of celebrations and special sporting events across Australia. It's the day we honour all that is good in Australia and recommit to making it a better country in the future. This afternoon I will be joining the crowds celebrating in Queensland.

On January 26th 1788 the First Fleet arrived at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour). Captain Arthur Phillip unfurled the British flag and claimed New South Wales to be a colony of England. Eleven ships brought a total of 756 convicts (564 male, 192 female), 550 officers/marines/ship crew and their families. Australia's First Fleet - 1788 provides an interesting account.

Sydney Harbour is indeed a magnificent harbour. Captain Arthur Phillip got it right when he chose to move on from Botany Bay and anchor in Sydney Cove. Today, when I fly back to Sydney and sight that iconic duo of Harbour Bridge and Opera House from the air, a wave of excitement and nostalgia washes over me. Sydney is the city of my birth. I love my country Australia. The words of Dorothea Mackellar's My Country resonates with me

"I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains,
I love her far horizons,
I love her jewel sea,
Her beauty and her terror -
The wide brown land for me."

But what do the Indigenous people think of Australia Day? Britain established a colony at Sydney Cove without consent and without negotiating with the original inhabitants. Colonisation, dispossession from their lands and forced marginalisation has deprived Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of opportunities taken for granted by other citizens. They are among the most disadvantaged people in Australian society today.

Australia Day is a day to reflect on the Indigenous people of Australia and consider how we can best bring the country closer to reconciliation.

Reconciliation Australia recognises the special place and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians, values their participation and provides equal life chances for all. National Reconciliation Week provides a special focus for nationwide reconciliation activities.

It is heartening to note that Indigenous Youth Advocate, Tania Major, was awarded Young Australian of the Year, 2007.

Sydney, the beautiful harbour city

Sydney Harbour: I'm staying at Rushcutters Bay, Sydney for about 10 days...right near the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia. Sydney is my birthplace. Sydney's weather has been unusually warm for winter; I've been enjoying beautiful sunrises over the harbour and clear blue skies throughout the day.

When you visit Sydney be sure to avail yourself of the public transport. No need to hire a car. No need to come to terms with driving on the left side of the road. Bus/ferry/train day passes let you site see the city and harbour for $15 AUD. The inner harbour ferries are the best way to see this beautiful harbour city we call Sydney. Jump off at Darling Harbour, Balmain, Watson's Bay, Rose Bay or Double Bay to shop or dine.