Saturday 8th, Paddongton, Coogee Beach and Watsons Bay

Another lovely hot day with cloudless skies and the sort of intense sun you only seem to experience in the southern hemisphere. Not entirely sure why that is but there are theories about holes in the ozone layer down under. Whatever the real reason it does seem to be the case.

We had decided to buy a day ticket on the buses and ferries and head off to the coast via the Saturday market at Paddingdon. Eventually we found the ticket office and headed east to the suburb of Paddington which consisted of wall to wall designer shops which did not appear particularly upmarket from the outside but did seem to require a new mortgage if one entered.

The market was interesting with mainly clothes, paintings and craft items. All very good quality and the market clearly attracts large numbers every Saturday.

Off to the bus stop again and having surveyed the options for a beach visit we had decided upon Coogee which is some way south of Bondi. The journey involved a change of bus at Bondi Junction where a very helpful lady directed us to the bus station as a priority over finding her lost husband.

The bus to Coogee duly arrived and off we went via the busy and attractive suburb of Randwick.

As we descended down the Hill into Coogee we both could see that this was a good choice and the beach looked great. 

Braving the threat of great white sharks, box jellyfish, Mitchell Johnson and other Aussie nasties we launched ourselves into the surf.  It was brilliant! Crystal clear warm water and exciting waves. We loved it and could have stayed much longer but the sun was so strong and respite was needed.

Off then back to Circular Quay to take a ferry trip around Port Jackson via Watson's Bay. 

The harbour looked stunning and I have never seen so many yachts and dinghies many of whom seemed to delight in tacking as close to the ferry as possible.

By now we really had experienced enough sun and it was back to the hotel for a cup of tea - how very english!


This evening we are having dinner with Geoff and Genevieve Norman and Anthony and Louise Alexander. The two couples have not met one another but Geoff is a client of Rosemary's at Stafford and Anthony was a partner at Oppenheimers when Rosemary first started as a lawyer. The restaurant is called O (apparently O for organic) and is on the 46th floor of a building in Australia Square. Should be an interesting evening!