The Hermitage Walk joins the larger, wider Nielsen Park as we catch a glimpse of Strickland House,
one of a number of former grand estates which have been bequeathed to the state and offer public
access. Originally known as "Carrara" it was built in the 1850s for John Hoskings, former Lord
Mayor of Sydney. Over the years it’s been a grand formal residence, health care facility and old
people’s home. Today it stands empty, surrounded by an expanse of harbour front property and
sweeping views. The grounds were declared an urban park in 1994.

We passed by and re-entered the reserve proper. Then the sky fell on us. Cameras and such were
quickly pushed into bags, rain parkas were hastily donned and a photographic jaunt quickly became an
exercise in getting to the end of the hike while keeping as dry as possible, avoiding being swept
into the harbour by the flash floods of water hurtling down stepways, preventing oneself falling
over in the mud and protecting possessions from ruin.