Parramatta RiverCat

http://daviding.com/blog/index.php/archive/meadowbank-rydalmere-parramatta-featherdale/

After a short and illustrious career in Parramatta I felt it was only fitting to ride home in style on the Parramatta ferry. The wait on the wharf at Parramatta was pleasant, watching birds swim across the weir and children play on the perfectly groomed grassy banks. I'd chosen to take the 7.15pm ferry direct to Circular Quay, with one stop at Rydalmere. The day had finally started to cool off and a light breeze was blowing. I was happy the tide was high enough to allow me to catch the ferry from Parramatta. If you aren't so lucky, it's a bus ride to Rydalmere to meet the ferry in deeper water. Initially the pace of travel is slow and perfect for enjoying the banks thick with mangroves and water birds. Once the river widened enough to make the far shore a challenging swim, the ferry sped up and only a few hardened souls remaining outdoors to fight the wind. It was a gorgeous night and ideal for seeing the grand houses that line the river banks. This was a wonderful way to leave Parramatta. If only the timetable had been a bit more convenient (many of the peak ferries run to Darling Harbour) I might have done this more often. It was quiet and eased the soul far more than a packed train ever could.