Australia 2017 - Day 3 - 25th February

Day 3

After a long flight I finally arrived in Sydney at 6.15 this morning.  There was a short wait for my luggage then I had a very quick passage through security, where my cases were subjected to a very thorough 'sniffing over' by one of those amazing dogs they use at the airport.

When I emerged into the arrivals lounge, I saw Amy and Cerys waiting there for me.

A nice welcome

After a coffee at the airport I sorted my phone out for the duration of my stay in Australia and we headed out to the car which Amy had parked in an open air car park, so we braved the elements and loaded the car up and set off for French's Forest,  Unfortunately after Amy had left the car park she took a wrong turn and we found ourselves back in the car park!! 

No problem at second attempt to leave and we were soon on the road into the city and before I knew it we were crossing the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

As we were driving around circular quay we had a great view of the Queen Mary 2 at berth. Unfortunately I did not get a photograph but I will try in the next couple of days if it is staying for any length of time.

Before long we arrived at Amy & Justin's home and after unloading, and unpacking I was ready for the bacon sandwiches that Justin made for breakfast.

Feeling somewhat knackered I had a couple of hours sleep in my room followed by a most welcome shower.  We then all got ready to head down to Manly for the 'Australian Open of Surfing'

it was as if Storm Doris had followed me to the other side of the world.  The weather was atrocious and what spectators that were there were sheltering in the pubs.

Amy sheltering from the rain

But Justin, Cerys and Dylan were braving it

There were competitions on, but nobody watching them except for in the sponsered tents

There were some there who didn't seem to get the hang of how to do it though,,,,,,,,,,,,

I think she would do much better in the water

At least the Hawaiian girls brightened the day

Soaked through we decided to call it a day and headed for the New Brighton Hotel for food and drink.  We had tried the Steyne first because it was nearer to where we were getting soaked, but it was absolutely rammed so we moved on to the New Brighton.

The First floor bar of the New Brighton Hotel

Its a real favourite of mine and we were glad we had moved on.  Once again the food was great and I was able to have the first crispy skinned Baramundi of my trip. Delicious.  I only found out today that it is also called the Asian Sea Bass.

After we had finished eating we ventured outside again and it had stopped raining  so we strolled along Wentworth Street, which links the Manly ferry terminal and its small nearby harbour beach, with the world famous ocean beach at the other end of the street.

The arrow in the photograph below indicates Wentworth Street.  To the right is Sydney harbour and the ferry terminal, to the left is Manly beach and the Tasman Sea.  Top right hand corner you can see the entrance to Sydney harbour which Captain Cook missed during his first voyage of discovery down here. It is flanked by North Head to the left and South Head to the right.

Manly

The Sydney Heads (also simply known as the Heads) form the two-kilometre-wide entrance to Sydney Harbour. North Head and Quarantine Head are to the north; South Head and Dunbar Head are to the south; and Middle Head, Georges Head, and Chowder Head are to the west and within the harbour.

The Hornby Lighthouse is located on South Head and is Australia's third-oldest lighthouse. MacQuarie Lighthouse, Australia's first lighthouse, is three kilometres to the south on Dunbar Head.

After Manly, we headed back home for a few hours rest before Justin and I headed off to The Star at midnight to watch the Scotland v Wales match on the big screen in the Casino Sports bar.

The Star Casino

What a first day in Australia.  Don't know what I'll feel like in the morning!!