Watson's Bay

So with the approaching weekend, I needed to make plans. As it was going to be a gorgeous weekend, highs predicted at 30 and sunshine enough for the baked tanaholics to get a burn, I figured the beach was an appropriate idea. Bondi? Coogee? Manly? Or Watson’s Bay. Ruling out Bondi and Coogee because they are my local beach (I can easily reach them via a bus near my house). Now Watson’s Bay requires a beautiful 45 minute ferry ride and was somewhere that I could not reach on a morning before work. I hopped the ferry and felt the harbour breeze cool my overheated body; it truly was a refreshing feeling. Watching the massive mansions pass by, the small local beaches, and the harbour filled with sailboats was a wake-up call to where I was living.

I reached our stop and disembarked the ship, instantly greeted by the smell of fresh seafood and FISH N CHIPS, how I love that aroma. I managed to force myself past Doyle’s, a Sydney famous restaurant known for their unbeatable seafood. As I had packed my own lunch and am attempting to save money I would allow myself to consume any. After a twenty minute walk through a quiet residential neighbourhood I finally reached my beach. As this beach was on the harbour, it was very swimmable and did not have the big waves of Bondi or Manly. The other benefit is this beach is right near The Gap and the water is fresh from the ocean. What an amazing view (the Sydney skyline in one direction and a quick turn of the head the cliffs and wide-open ocean. This beach was not nearly as crowded nor as large as my prior beaches in Sydney. I pulled out the towel and my novel and sat there all day. With occasional cool down dips and strolls along the rocks, I easily wasted the day away in the sun. For a break from the ocean, I walked along a trail that brought me to the other side of the peninsula…aka the ocean! The cliff side walk was brilliant!

I unfortunately missed the last ferry back but caught the 325 back to Kings Cross and walked a short distance home. I ate some cheap fish n chips, as Doyle’s take-away was closed and the restaurant itself is absurdly priced and not really the beach ware type place, took a nap, and then met up with my mate from work Jason. We had a couple of drinks at the Crown while watching a party of drunken friends dance to live American kickbacks to the 80s. What a great night.

Sunday was almost an identical repeat but with a St. Patrick’s Day parade before hand. The parade was crap but my burger with onions, lettuce, tomato, bacon, and egg was well delicious. After my second day in the sun (and basically my whole weekend devoted solely to beach and party) I met Jason again for some chicken schnitzel and Toothey’s Old Ale…hmmmm. Out to Newtown only to be dogged by a couple of friends…it was not a straight up ditch (because they were not in the state-of-mind to contact me to notify me of the change of venue). I had a drink on my own, ate a chicken-mushroom Pide, and walked home.

A brilliant weekend had by all (myself)!!!!