I forgot to mention

When reading the post on Ingleside below, imagine your ears ringing with the sound of cicadas
(the loudest insect in the known universe). Not like in 'regular' Sydney suburbs where you're aware 
of the sound - this is DEAFENING.

Anyway, just thought it might help transport you there all the more. (I'm actually thinking of adding
a new element to the blog - small grabs of video and sound to provide a more complete sensory
experience. Like?)

suburb No 18: Ingleside

This week's post is a lot late and a little lean due to a bug that zapped all energy and desire to walk 
to the kitchen let alone roam the streets. It didn't help that the chosen suburb doesn't offer a huge 
variety of imagery. But having said that I think - hope - I've gathered enough pics to paint a fairly 
accurate picture of Ingleside.

When I told friends I was 'doing' Ingleside they either stared at me blankly or thought I was talking about 
Ingleburn, a suburb south of the CBD.

Whilst I at least knew it was north, I couldn't have told you exactly where north. In fact, it ended being 
Suburb No 18 only by accident. After talking to a friend about the Baha'i religion I became curious about 
it. I remembered the Baha'i temple was in the Northern Beaches and when I studied the street directory
I discovered the temple was in a suburb called Ingleside, sandwiched between Mona Vale and Terry Hills 
with Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to its north and Garigal National Park to its south. What happens
in Ingleside I wondered... suburb No 18 decided.

As it turns out, not a lot happens in Ingleside. But what is amazing is how rural it is. One minute you're 
driving along busy roads and the next, you're in the bush. You see horses but not people. Road signs 
warning you to watch out for 'Dragons'. And driveways the length of small roads leading to - you can only
assume because you can't see them - houses. 

It's just not something you expect to find a mere stone's throw from the ocean and 28 km from the city 
centre. So it didn't come as any surprise to read that Ingleside's days as a low density suburb may 
be numbered as there are plans to populate the area. All the more reason to 'document' the place 
while it's still a breath of fresh air and a little bit of country by the sea...

Part 1: Places of peace

While it originated in Persia/Iran, the Baha'i faith appears to be all about the unity of humankind, 
and the temple, or more accurately House of Worship, is 'offered to people of all nations, backgrounds 
and creeds for prayer and meditation'. Just like the bush it's set in.



either way







heavenly light








both planted from another land








nine is the magical number :: 1








all roads lead to heaven








sunset






 
i see stars





Part 2: Room for all



where all religions can sit side by side








nine is the magical number :: 2








white-topped like his temple





Part 3: More horses than people



-head






stripes








bend








pink and red









B is for Beautiful









snap








a girl and her pony should always wear checks








need new shoes?





Part 3: It's a sign... you're far from city life



and fierce looking fruit








a map scribbled in the tree








you know you want me








le poo





Part 4: Zen-ish moments


 
1







 
2







 
3


Ingleside is beautiful in its quiet and isolation. And horses being my favourite animals just made it all 
the more magical. Despite the fact most of us city dwellers live like sardines and you can see the need 
for more housing in Sydney, I secretly hope Ingleside remains the domain of the equine, the duck and 
the dragon.

Provided no more hideous bugs come my way I'll see you with the next suburb this Friday.