Yes, that's right, I spent Christmas morning on the beach with my
wife, eldest son and his girlfriend. We got up early and were on the
train just after 8a.m. a quick change at Central station and then on to
the ferry to Manly beach. A short walk along the main shopping parade,
lots of cafes and food shops already open and of course, St. Matthew's
church, just a little way from the beach. I just had to go in and say a
prayer and talk to God for a moment, giving thanks for all the things he
provides in my life. The important things. Family, health, food,
shelter and the ability to enjoy all of those things.
The weather when we left was uncharacteristically cloudy and threatening rain. Yes, honestly!
Well,
I have travelled half way around the earth, to another continent and I
am going to be on the beach on Christmas day no matter what chummy. It
was amazing, when it did rain we were either on the train or the ferry.
Then when we were walking, it stopped! Magic!
After
reaching Manly beach we went on the short walk to Shelly beach, a lovely
spot and one of our favourites. Beach shelter set up, down to swim
gear, snorkelling equipment sorted, into the water. At first it seemed
quite cool, but we soon got used to it and were so glad we did. We saw
loads of fish, many different species and colours. The best of all
though, were the three huge flatfish that we saw. They have the absolute
perfect disguise, blending in so well with the sand that they are
almost impossible to spot until they move. When they did, they provided
the wow factor of the day.
We eventually returned to
the beach shelter and dried off. Lovely sausage sandwiches, both pork
and kangaroo, some chicken and lamb. the weather then started to look
like rain again, so we packed up and started the walk back to the ferry.
Lucky or what? It started to rain, but not heavily, we timed our visit
to perfection. Back on the ferry and a half hour trip to Circular Quay,
the hub of Sydney's ferries.
Back to our Australian home, happy to have done another "first", Christmas day on the beach.
In
the evening, a wonderful Skype conversation with our youngest son and
his girlfriend. That was so lovely to talk "face to face" with them
again after being here over a month. The time seems to have whizzed by
as we have done so much already. Still lots of time to enjoy this
marvellous place, lots to do and see.
Until the next time, take care of each other, all the best, Grandad.......
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Friday, 20 December 2013
Bondi Beach
Well, it is one of those places that you have to visit if you are in NSW Australia, near Sydney. You can't travel half way around the world and not go there now can you? It is an easy train ride from where we are staying (change once) then a bus ride. Now, the train rides go well, but the buses are quite crowded, no one really queues, but pushes in, (I can do that with the best of them chummy, drawing pins secured to elbows a bonus) in a free for all to get on the bus. Once on, a shortish trip to Bondi beach ensues, the travellers are then deposited on the road opposite the beach.
Bondi beach is probably known throughout most of the civilised world it seems. Iconic? Well it would be described by some as such I suppose. The best beach? Debatable at the very least. Visited by tens of thousands of people each year without a doubt. Now the truth about it all dear reader, from a beach lover and connoisseur of the same. Read on........
Bondi beach is a lot smaller than you might imagine. It is also crowded, (even on most weekdays) but not overly so, unless of course you are foolish enough to go there on Christmas day when all the tourists and locals descend upon that patch of sand, just to say they were there on that wonderful day.
I hasten to add that I will be some distance away, on a beach where I can go snorkelling and see fish swimming around the rocks and be with some of my family on that very day, the 25th of December.
Having had the great good fortune to have travelled around the east coast of New Zealand's north island, I can honestly say that any of their beaches and coves are far superior to Bondi beach in just about every way. They are bigger, longer, with far fewer people to spoil the place and with water just as clean and clear. Whilst the weather in New Zealand may not be as reliable as Australia, when the sun shines, (which was a great deal of the time when we were there) the beaches are absolutely splendid.
Now, more on Bondi beach itself. As I said previously, it is smaller than I expected, but no worries. However, the shops and cafes and bars abound, usually patronised by young people, all trying to look nonchalant whilst desperate to be seen in the right attire. Thankfully, due to my mature years, I no longer have to present myself in such a manner, can wear what I wish and behave in a way only the over 60's can do and get away with it! Compared to Manly beach, Bondi is found wanting in my humble opinion. Manly, not suffering from the "look at me everybody" style of patron is a real bonus, also the nearby Shelly beach (just a short, pleasant walk away from Manly) is great for snorkelling as there are rocks nearby, therefore fish to see and it is also good for youngsters as long as they are supervised because the beach shelves fairly steeply after the first few yards.
To summarise, Bondi, been there, took the photo's. Would I go back again? No, in all honesty, there are far better beaches, one of which I will be gracing with my presence on Christmas day. Smug mode assumed until further notice.
Until the next time, take care of each other, all the best, Grandad.........
Bondi beach is probably known throughout most of the civilised world it seems. Iconic? Well it would be described by some as such I suppose. The best beach? Debatable at the very least. Visited by tens of thousands of people each year without a doubt. Now the truth about it all dear reader, from a beach lover and connoisseur of the same. Read on........
Bondi beach is a lot smaller than you might imagine. It is also crowded, (even on most weekdays) but not overly so, unless of course you are foolish enough to go there on Christmas day when all the tourists and locals descend upon that patch of sand, just to say they were there on that wonderful day.
I hasten to add that I will be some distance away, on a beach where I can go snorkelling and see fish swimming around the rocks and be with some of my family on that very day, the 25th of December.
Having had the great good fortune to have travelled around the east coast of New Zealand's north island, I can honestly say that any of their beaches and coves are far superior to Bondi beach in just about every way. They are bigger, longer, with far fewer people to spoil the place and with water just as clean and clear. Whilst the weather in New Zealand may not be as reliable as Australia, when the sun shines, (which was a great deal of the time when we were there) the beaches are absolutely splendid.
Now, more on Bondi beach itself. As I said previously, it is smaller than I expected, but no worries. However, the shops and cafes and bars abound, usually patronised by young people, all trying to look nonchalant whilst desperate to be seen in the right attire. Thankfully, due to my mature years, I no longer have to present myself in such a manner, can wear what I wish and behave in a way only the over 60's can do and get away with it! Compared to Manly beach, Bondi is found wanting in my humble opinion. Manly, not suffering from the "look at me everybody" style of patron is a real bonus, also the nearby Shelly beach (just a short, pleasant walk away from Manly) is great for snorkelling as there are rocks nearby, therefore fish to see and it is also good for youngsters as long as they are supervised because the beach shelves fairly steeply after the first few yards.
To summarise, Bondi, been there, took the photo's. Would I go back again? No, in all honesty, there are far better beaches, one of which I will be gracing with my presence on Christmas day. Smug mode assumed until further notice.
Until the next time, take care of each other, all the best, Grandad.........
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
A WEEK TO CHRISTMAS!
Hello again dear reader!
I can not believe that it is only a week until Christmas day. Being over the other side of the world at this time of year is amazing. perplexing, unusual, a real first (definitely not the last time), and a little disorientating if that is not too strong a word. I am sitting here in just a pair of swimming trunks after preparing the evening meal for everyone to come home to after work and for us all to enjoy, the weather is fine, sunny and really warm. We went for a lovely walk along the shoreline this afternoon, bought supplies and goodies from the shop (ALDI rules!) however we also went to the local shopping mall to get superb veg, great ham and other bits. Supplies over here are so much better that the stuff that is supplied in our "supermarkets". Prices aren't that much different either, but you get much better quality, and dare I say it, really good friendly service everywhere. Try that one in England?
Tomorrow, BONDI BEACH! We are getting a travel card that we can use on buses,trains, light railways and ferries, all for about 5 to 6 quid in old fashioned money per day! Brighton council take note, as it is half price for retired/pensioners. Try that one in England as well? Takes about 1&1/2 hours to get there. Picnic packed, backpack sorted, breakfast tomorrow and then sun, sand, sea and total relaxation as it will be devoid of people as they will all be at work still!
The best part about being here at Christmas, no mad people trying to get that perfect gift for someone. No-one really acting differently to the rest of the year. No decorations everywhere you go, no carols everywhere you go, just a subtle background noise in various places. Absolutely blooming marvelous! What does happen is subtle decorations/lights on people's balconies and around the shopping areas. Me? I am spending Christmas morning on a remote beach somewhere, swimming, sunbathing and just being bloody smug about it all.
Until next time, if I can be bothered, take care of each other, all the best, Grandad......
I can not believe that it is only a week until Christmas day. Being over the other side of the world at this time of year is amazing. perplexing, unusual, a real first (definitely not the last time), and a little disorientating if that is not too strong a word. I am sitting here in just a pair of swimming trunks after preparing the evening meal for everyone to come home to after work and for us all to enjoy, the weather is fine, sunny and really warm. We went for a lovely walk along the shoreline this afternoon, bought supplies and goodies from the shop (ALDI rules!) however we also went to the local shopping mall to get superb veg, great ham and other bits. Supplies over here are so much better that the stuff that is supplied in our "supermarkets". Prices aren't that much different either, but you get much better quality, and dare I say it, really good friendly service everywhere. Try that one in England?
Tomorrow, BONDI BEACH! We are getting a travel card that we can use on buses,trains, light railways and ferries, all for about 5 to 6 quid in old fashioned money per day! Brighton council take note, as it is half price for retired/pensioners. Try that one in England as well? Takes about 1&1/2 hours to get there. Picnic packed, backpack sorted, breakfast tomorrow and then sun, sand, sea and total relaxation as it will be devoid of people as they will all be at work still!
The best part about being here at Christmas, no mad people trying to get that perfect gift for someone. No-one really acting differently to the rest of the year. No decorations everywhere you go, no carols everywhere you go, just a subtle background noise in various places. Absolutely blooming marvelous! What does happen is subtle decorations/lights on people's balconies and around the shopping areas. Me? I am spending Christmas morning on a remote beach somewhere, swimming, sunbathing and just being bloody smug about it all.
Until next time, if I can be bothered, take care of each other, all the best, Grandad......
Thursday, 12 December 2013
SLEEVELESS T-SHIRTS AND SHORTS!
Well dear reader, Grandad is back from his excursion to New Zealand, now returned safely to Sydney. New Zealand, what a place! Fabulous countryside and coast, easy roads to drive on, the friendliest people I have ever met and a terrific place to visit, live and love. We only had time to explore some of the north land in the north island, to see this country would take at least three months for each part, even then you might only touch upon the surface.
The beaches are plentiful, sandy, not crowded and the sea beautiful both in colour and temperature. Parking nearly everywhere is entirely free and easy to find. All in all I suppose I drove not very far in local's terms, doing 1,106 Km in total, which is about 687 miles in real money over 8 days. Don't forget, Grandad has a lazy breakfast, usually followed by a swim in a cove/beach somewhere and then explores the area a bit more.
We have seen glow-worms, (they only exist in New Zealand and Australia), been kayaking up to raging waterfalls, down rivers and back again. Walked through forests, mangroves and seen herons nesting in trees and an owl just sitting on a branch while we took its photograph. Been swimming in the Pacific ocean, body surfing in the waves on a surf beach, driving through tropical forests and also saw a large pod of whales off the coast of Hokianga harbour from a vantage point at Pakia Hill, just before descending the road to Oponomi. There we saw wonderful sunsets and rainbows, all viewed from our verandah and the beach a few yards away, before enjoying dinner and a glass of wine or three.
Apologies to all those avid readers of my blogs, but we are so busy enjoying ourselves that I hardly have time to paint or draw, let alone write a blog for you to share our journey. Do I feel guilty? Not a bit chummy!
Until the next time, take care of each other, all the best, Grandad.......
The beaches are plentiful, sandy, not crowded and the sea beautiful both in colour and temperature. Parking nearly everywhere is entirely free and easy to find. All in all I suppose I drove not very far in local's terms, doing 1,106 Km in total, which is about 687 miles in real money over 8 days. Don't forget, Grandad has a lazy breakfast, usually followed by a swim in a cove/beach somewhere and then explores the area a bit more.
We have seen glow-worms, (they only exist in New Zealand and Australia), been kayaking up to raging waterfalls, down rivers and back again. Walked through forests, mangroves and seen herons nesting in trees and an owl just sitting on a branch while we took its photograph. Been swimming in the Pacific ocean, body surfing in the waves on a surf beach, driving through tropical forests and also saw a large pod of whales off the coast of Hokianga harbour from a vantage point at Pakia Hill, just before descending the road to Oponomi. There we saw wonderful sunsets and rainbows, all viewed from our verandah and the beach a few yards away, before enjoying dinner and a glass of wine or three.
Apologies to all those avid readers of my blogs, but we are so busy enjoying ourselves that I hardly have time to paint or draw, let alone write a blog for you to share our journey. Do I feel guilty? Not a bit chummy!
Until the next time, take care of each other, all the best, Grandad.......
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