Walk with Me

I’ve had these photos in my camera with a view to writing this post since…oh about Christmas time??  That’s just nuts… FINALLY, as it’s been about that long since I was working full time I’m starting to get on top of all the fiddly little jobs that mean I’ve actually got some time/headspace to get on with this!

I am excusing myself from going walking this morning because it’s [ahem] p*ssing with rain outside today. Of course I could get on my treadmill instead… but need I tell you how long since I got on that??  I didn’t think so… I’m sure when you’ve cruised with me through the photos of my daily (Ed. cough, cough… daily?  Define daily!) walking route you’ll understand why walking in the real world is infinitely more interesting than getting on the treadmill…

So, below is the Google Maps overview… and as with most images around here, if you click on them you can embiggen them… (yay for technology…) so click on this and you’ll see what part of the coastal walk between the Spit Bridge and Manly looks like from a Google Satellite (or low flying plane…).  I’ve marked in red the areas where these pics were taken, and if you look
closely you’ll see a light coloured line hugging the coast, which is,
of course the path I take. (Nicely paved… no bushwhacking required!!).  I
actually have no idea how far it is but if I walk at a brisk pace from
one end to the other and back it usually takes me between an hour and
15 and an hour and 30 to complete…

Image number one is taken at the beginning of the later end of the
North Harbour section of the walk and is looking at boats moored in
what I presumed is the North Harbour Marina, but upon consulting the
Oracle it appears to be Davis Marina, clearly a private enterprise.

This is a common sight, the path is always quite busy, morning and
evening with other people walking either themselves, their kids or
their pets (generally dogs) along the foreshore. Lots of regulars and
always lots of visitors too. Though not generally at 7am when I’m off
down there…

Given that this stretch of water is harbour there are few waves, it’s
stunning for swimming in and there are often lots of mums and kids out
and about in the shallows. This isn’t to say of course that it’s a
millpond, there’s enough movement to throw up a plume like this in
places.

This image is looking across Fairlight Beach at the changing sheds and amenities that service this small but beautiful beach. A little out of shot to the right is the Fairlight Pool (see next picture) which is one in the number of more than a hundred of New South Wales’ ocean pools or harbour pools Fairlight is clearly a harbour pool but you’ll get the idea that there are a bunch of them from the two sites linked above.  It’s an interesting exercise to explore all the harbour/beach pools in NSW, they’re safe havens for those who don’t like to swim in the surf and are perhaps a bit wary of some of the potential dangers therein! (Yeah, sharks to make their way into Sydney harbour now in certain seasons).

The number of people who chose to swim for their daily exercise is well catered for, though clearly smaller than the number of walkers/joggers/runners. All year round you’ll find people down here… some of them total die hards who come out rain hail or shine… You rarely get me in here… due to the usual, “Deah Lawd but I hate wearing a swimming costume”, and “Ah I don’t want to get my hair wet thank you very much”, sorts of reasons. Stupid really given the temps have been as high as 40degC this Summer…

This rather imposing apartment block stands directly above Fairlight looking Sth West towards the city, I imagine that the views are rather spectactular and would include, certainly at the higher levels and on certain sides, a glimps of the top of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House and the city skyline in the background. I imagine that as with all homes in view of that particular vista there are regular comments that “you must get a great view of the fireworks on NYE” and also the residents would be the first people to be coerced into hosting parties at that time of year to capitilize on the view…”  Those whose facing is more the South East would get the same effect in the years when the fireworks actually go off from North Head as well… so it’s basically prime real-estate… Oh, and of course, you can see the harbour from it as well… (re-SULT!)

This view is from the cliff above Manly Cove. In the distance is the Manly Wharf from which the Manly Ferry departs twice an hour to go into the city (and to which that same icon returns on the opposite half hour). In the foreground is a rather fetching watercraft whose occupants appeared to be enjoying one or two alcoholic beverages and accompanying tasty morsels. Was I jealous? You bet!! (and if you’ve got this far and thought the light is lovely early in the morning down there, I should point out that I took these late in the afternoon… I had more time to meander in search of shots rather than be head down iPod driven there and back for exercise’s sake!)

As we duck down around behind the cliff towards the cove shore we pass this rather odd looking circular (decagonal?) building that houses Manly’s Oceanarium. A relative of Sydney’s Aquarium down in Darling Harbour ( a bit of a poor relation really) it’s an attraction for its shark pool and kids’ entertainment value, but it will set you back a tidy sum all the same… Behind it is a bit of a water slide that gets a good patronage in the Summer. Manly Pavilion (Pier) Restaurant, currently in the middle of renovations (long overdue) is also in behind here. It’s a nice little area, quite historical actually, and hopefully the pavilion upgrade will lift the whole area so it’s grandeur is slightly less faded!

Finally, a look at Manly Cove as taken from the same spot as the Ocenarium picture. The nets you see in the water actually form the border of Manly Cove’s Harbour Pool and is, basically, a shark net… (gasp). It serves to keep boats and swimmers separated really and like the Fairlight pool has its regular swimmers and is very busy due to it’s sheltered nature and beautiful sandy beach. It’s also close to coffee where Fairlight is not. This is a definite plus, both for beach goers and er, walkers in need of a restorative beverage with, let’s face it, dubious health benefits…

So there you have it, a quick look at my, rather stunning, neighbourhood. It’s easy to see why I love mine so much… I’d love to hear/see what it is about yours that causes you to wax lyrical or to squee with the joy of it! (I sincerely hope you have such feelings about your corner of the world, if not, please let me in on somewhere that does give you that buzz!).