Australia 2017 - Day 56 - 19th April

Day 56

Cerys and I went for a ride into Manly this morning.  I had some shopping to do so we had a wander around.  I really like Manly especially when the sun is out like today.  The ferry port was bustling as usual and the shops were busy.  There is always room on Manly beach and Shelly beach looked splendid in the distance.

Main thoroughfare and shops

Manly Wharf

Manly Beach

Shelly Beach

We had lunch back in the main street but for a change we did not eat in the New Brighton Hotel, we went instead to the Ivanhoe Hotel.  A really nice place and the food was very good.

The Ivanhoe outside

And inside

Cerys enjoying her apple juice

After lunch we drove to Maroubra to see the Bra boys in action and we were not disappointed.  Signs were up saying that the beach was closed to swimming but it did not stop the regulars surfing in their usual spots.

The beach looked good

The water looked rough

Cerys seemed to be having a good time on the beach playing in the sand and standing at the edge of the water letting the waves soak her dress. 

We watched the surfers paddling out and then riding the surf back in.  not all made it in, most came a cropper.  some however were excellent

Getting out there

Not bad

A cropper

Very good

Ezcellent

The signs were up clearly saying the beach was closed, but the regulars took very little notice of it.

Luckily there was a nice Surf Life Saver from New Zealand at hand should any help be required

We watched other beachgoers enjoying the afternoon in various ways before we had to gather our things and leave for home.

Washing sand off before getting into the car

Unfortunately we had chosen to go home during the rush hour and we had to get from the beaches on the South side of Sydney all the way up to the Northern beaches. As you can see from the photograph below, crossing the city was not easy, especially when I took a couple of short cuts and got lost!