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Published: July 11th 2009
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Bondi Babe
OK, not quite the beach yet but close enough to smell the sea! Another day, another bright ray of sunshine to greet us. Last night we all stayed in Sharmilla's apartment in Bondi with the intention of walking the Bondi to Coogee coastal path. Sharmilla had stayed with my cousin Danny overnight and was die to meet us around 10.30am. I slept surprisingly well considering the grown-ups got the bedrooms and I was relegated to the couch and I was really looking forward to stretching my legs.
Sharmilla rang to say whe would be a little late but that she was going to being her mum, Lydia, along which was a bonus and would call again when she was back in Bondi. We decided to spend the extra time exploring the shops in the area and Kev and I stopped off at a cafe for possibly the hugest cooked breakfast I've ever had - and very delicious it was too with avocado, baby spinach and extra mushrooms substituted for the traditional meaty stuff on my plate.
About halfway through our munchings, Margaret rushed over to us all panicky saying that she'd got a call from a house-exchange couple she'd arranged to cook lunch for tomorrow. Apparently the dates had got mixed up
The Bondi Gang
(l-r) Betty, Lydia, Sharmilla, Jeanie and Jude and the house-exchangers were already on their way. Margaret then rushed home to get everything ready, only in her haste she took the mobile phone with her and suddenly we had no means of contacting Sharmilla. We finished off our breakfasts and meandered back to Sharmilla's apartment and were delighted to see she was already there, complete with her mum as well as Betty and Jeanie - problem solved.
We didn't quite get to do the complete Bondi to Coogee walk as the world famous Bondi Beach was back in the opposite direction to the way forward to Coogee, Sharmilla's apartment actually being closer to Tamarama Beach which is partway into the walk. Not a problem though as the area was stunning with thick golden sandy beaches and the kind of view postcards were invented for. We followed the easy going track almost the entire 6km as it wound around the coastline and revealed many more pretty beaches along the way.
My favourite location en route was without doubt Waverley Cemetary - a graveyard by the sea. Headstone after headstone lined the green slopes with many of the graves dating back well over 150 years. It was a
Bondi to Coogee
One of the pretty beaches along the Bondi to Coogee walk. really lovely nice spot on the cliff edge with the sea crashing below and if I believed for a moment that it was worth having a plot with a view for when I pop my clogs, I would have been tempted to book my resting spot right there. The vast cemetary looked as though it might be falling victim to land reclamation as the old walkway was cordoned off where chunks of cliff had simply collapsed into the sea. A new path was under construction which I was pleased to see because the cemetary was such a pretty and interesting place to visit. I had to laugh at the sign advertising cremation services at the exit to the graveyard - best placed ad I've seen in years!!
Further along the trail we passed pretty Clovelly Beach and then a green public park which I think was at Gordon's Bay. Here there was an interesting big bronze sculpture commemorating those who had died in the Bali Bombings, many of whom were Aussie holidaymakers. There was also my favourite sign ever - "if your dog does a poo put it in the bin". Now, do they mean the dog (as correct
Warning!
Apparently it's DANGEROUS to do just about anything! grammar would imply) or the poo (which is the second noun in the sentence and therefore not what the 'it' is refering to) shoud go in the bin? Ok, ok, I know I'm having a rant and a rave but I do love it sometimes when people get their grammar wrong!
At this point, Sharmilla had to take off as she was due to go to work later in the afternoon. Finding there was no convenient bus to take her back to Bondi, she called a cab and we said our goodbyes to her and her mum. The four of us continued on to Coogee Beach where we kicked off our shoes and ran enthusiastically towards the sea. One splash of the freezing cold water on our toes had us running even faster back in the opposite direction! We eventually braved the cold long enough to immerse our feet and refresh ourselves from the walk, marvelling all the while at the crazy people out surfing in the icy waters - some even without wetsuits!
The remainder of the afternnon was spent browsing the few shops in Coogee (it was mostly restaurants and cafes along the strip) and then
Freepool
I love this idea - a swimming pool filled by the sea - free from evils like sharks and jellyfish and free to swim in too! relaxing with a beer or two by the waterfront as we waited for our taxi (aka Margaret) to come and take us home. As the sun set over the ocean, all was well in my world. I just wish Glynn could have been there too.
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