Rustique France: By popular request …….

We’ve just returned from a short visit to Australia to see family and friends and, since many of our friends here in France asked for photos, here are a few just to make them envious.

We had the occasional cloudy day , but mostly it was sunny, hot and sticky.....typical Sydney summer in autumn.

school sport - lifesaving

- and surfing

kayaks lined up at Manly wharf

We began with a four day stay in Manly with our children so we could really catch up. As Sydneysiders know, this is a popular and very touristy beachside suburb on the northern peninsula. On one side is the harbour with access to the city by ferry, and on the other side is the sea. Lots of bars and restaurants make this a haven for singles who love the sun and surf.

Thank you to James for his fabulous house through airbnb at https://abnb.me/EVmg/ICUZR5L0IJ. We all covet your house !

and the name of the house ....DIDUBRINGABEER

At the southern end of this part of the peninsula is the smaller Shelly Beach . Very popular, a pretty spot for weddings, and has a great restaurant……dress code “shorts and thongs”,that means “flip-flops” for you english.

Shelly Beach and the view to Manly

everyone comes to the beach...even the bush turkeys

flower display at the Boathouse at Shelly Beach

We did the tour up the northern peninsula to Palm Beach (known as “Palmy” to Sydneysiders ) and the site of Home and Away for english fans.

a "Palmy" local....for the H&A fans

the sea carves beautiful patterns in the rock

Chris - oblivious to the beautiful surroundings

Avalon Beach

ball games

For those who don’t know Sydney, the northern peninsula has the sea and beaches on one side and Pittwater on the other. This is a large protected waterway with lots of boats. We had lunch at the Newport Arms Hotel overlooking a quiet bay, and the Beach House on Avalon beach.