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When I Die, I Want to be Cremated…

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Waverley Cemetery (Image by LM for TSL)
Waverley Cemetery
(Image by LM for TSL)

Sometimes on a Sunday, when we have nothing in particular planned for our day, LM informs me that he is taking me on an adventure. I love these days.

Adventure days usually involve the pooch. They usually involve us driving to a part of Sydney I am unfamiliar with, followed by a walk and, if we are lucky with our chosen area, are punctuated with a nice meal or snack-age.

This past Sunday, LM took me to Bronte. Specifically, we went to the surrounds of Waverley Cemetery. I say ‘surrounds’ because one member of our adventure party was not permitted access to the actual cemetery.

Waverley Cemetery keeps the dogs out (Image by LM for TSL)
Waverley Cemetery keeps the dogs out
(Image by LM for TSL)
Waverley Cemetery makes it VERY clear dogs are unwelcome (Image by LM for TSL)
Waverley Cemetery makes it VERY clear dogs are unwelcome
(Image by LM for TSL)

Waverley Cemetery is hands down one of the nicest cemeteries in Sydney, if not Australia. The pure white angels against the blue sky with the ocean in the background make this a spectacular place. (Review on Trip Advisor)

The Waverley Cemetery is an iconic heritage site on the cliffs overlooking the water between Bronte and Clovelly Beaches in the eastern suburbs of Sydney. It has been in operation since 1877. And, while it is fair to say the Waverley Cemetery seems to be a particularly fine example of a burial ground, I suspect this may have rather more to do with its location and bazillion dollar views than its occupants.

And, when I die, I want to be cremated. But, if I didn’t, I wouldn’t care less if I had a bazillion dollar view. What would I care? – I’d be dead. What I would care about is that my dog could come and visit me and be allowed to mourn my passing in the appropriate way…* Just saying.

Bazillion Dollar Views at Waverley Cemetery (Image by LM for TSL)
Bazillion Dollar Views at Waverley Cemetery
(Image by LM for TSL)
More Bazillion Dollar Views at the Cemetery (Image by LM for TSL)
More Bazillion Dollar Views from the Cemetery
(Image by LM for TSL)
...and from another angle (Image by LM for TSL)
…and from another angle
(Image by LM for TSL)
Bella outside Waverley Cemetery (Image by LM for TSL)
Bella outside Waverley Cemetery
(Image by LM for TSL)

Anyway, the Bronte-based Waverley Cemetery is quite large. We wandered happily around its circumference for almost two hours. We took in the small section of the Bondi to Coogee walk that backs onto the cemetery, too.

Clearly, the residents within Waverley Council are very law abiding... (Image by LM for TSL)
Clearly, the residents within Waverley Council are very law-abiding…
(Image by LM for TSL)
...VERY law abiding (Image by LM for TSL)
…VERY law-abiding
(Image by LM for TSL)
Clovelly Bowling Club - the world's best lawn bowls site? (Image by LM for TSL)
Clovelly Bowling Club – the world’s best lawn bowls site?
(Image by LM for TSL)
Almost enough to get me barefoot bowling... (Image by LM for TSL)
Almost enough to get me barefoot bowling…
(Image by LM for TSL)
Part of the Bondi to Coogee Walkway (Image by LM for TSL)
Part of the Bondi to Coogee Walkway
(Image by LM for TSL)
Bazillion dollar views... (Image by LM for TSL)
Bazillion dollar views…
(Image by LM for TSL)

I have written about my love of pohutukawa trees before (here). They are colloquially known as a Kiwi Christmas tree because they usually flower at Christmas time – that’s summer-time for us, Northern Hemisphere. Well, Sydney has been experiencing an unseasonably warm winter – 20° C/68° F was the high on Sunday. Look at what we found.

Lots of flowering Pohutukawa

Lots of flowering Pohutukawa (Images by LM for TSL)
Lots of flowering Pohutukawa in the middle of winter!
(Images by LM for TSL)

Oh, and we did get our meal. And, it was fine. More on the Three Blue Ducks in my next post!

*not really, but it sounded good at the time of writing.

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Comments (12)

Does it make me sound like a ghoul to say I love to walk around cemeteries, especially very old sections.

No, I feel the same way. It’s fascinating thinking about all the lives that have gone before us. It would just be nice if I could explore with my dog! 🙂

That cemetery is amazing, I can remember driving past it and thinking that it was a waste of some of the most spectacular scenery Sydney although it would make for a fascinating walk, I love exploring old cemeteries but think cremation is a better option.

TSL, you win the prize for best blog post title – it definitely caught my eye! Love your work and great photos by your able assistant, LM. Those Christmas tree pics are especially beautiful – a small upside to global warming, at least… 🙂

I reckon’ LM’s pics trump mine every time. Maybe he’d like a permanent (unpaid) job…?

My favourite walk in Sydney…I too am a little fascinated by cemeteries – So many stories my imagination goes a little wild when I read all the tomb stones – And I am always a little envious of those people who have the huge tombs of grandeur! Loving the weather at the moment too…. so one good reason not to die just yet though !

BCD, that last line made me do a little snorty laugh! 😉

I shall try not to, BCD…

To mark Warhols 150th birthday they have been live streaming (ironic I know) his gravesite. Bella may not have to miss out after all thanks to social media she could view from her poochy palais. Cheers

I’m not sure, Sue. Bella isn’t so great at the whole social media malarky…

Are people SERIOUSLY watching Warhols grave site live streaming. SERIOUSLY???

Comments are closed.