Heylo Newcastle

On an impulse we booked ourselves into Best Western Charlestown for a weekend, we didn't even have the time to truly 'plan' the trip. Saturday was upon us in no time at all and we decided to not bother to cook anything and after a quick breakfast we headed off on our vacation. Tu was as excited as us, since the only thing she registered was we were gonna beach hop....and hop we did!

The last 3 days of the week it was like all the pigeons of Wentworthville ganged up on our car for a free 'let loose' session. Our car was literally head to toe in their poop!! It was the most disgusting thing ever and funnily enough we never once parked under a tree...no idea what was attracting them to our car. So the morning of our trip as we pulled out of our garage it was the most embarrassing thing ever as people gave our car that disgusting look! We pulled into 3 car wash places only to be told we were too early for a Saturday morning...!! Finally somewhere close to Pennant Hills we found a Caltex with a car was we could drive into! What a relief, even as the grub washed away AJ and I finally felt like life was coming back to normal as we sat in the car and washed the foam all around us. Tu squealed away to glory as this was her first in-the-car-wash experience...!! :D

Soon we were on our way to Newcastle and we drove straight to Nobby Beach with only one stop at a playground near Lake Macquarie where we saw a bunch of hand gliders surfing....amazing sight that. 

Tu and I even broke into a twirl as we watched these surfers! :D AJ couldn't stop gushing "How cool is this??"

We had our pre-packed lunch here and thereafter Tu had just dozed off as we pulled up at Nobby Beach, so I got out of the car for a stroll to the beach and boy was I dazed..this was one helluva beach! Vast stretches of soft sand leading up to a light house...it was like the beach itself was twisting and stretching to get a hand on the light house.

Varying shades of turquoise blue/green waters surrounded the beach, I could see a ship or two making their way into the port even I took this breathtaking sight in. On the pathway leading up to the beach I could see several dog owners walking their pets. Some pelicans, gulls and terns lined the shore as well.

I got back to the car so AJ could take his turn walking around.  After another 30 mins Tu stirred in her car seat and soon thereafter followed a barrage of questions "Where are we?" "Why have you stopped here?" etc. When I told her we had stopped to show her a beach a volley of excited and garbled up words gushed from her mouth and soon she was running to the beach- her feet in garbled up thongs! Left on right and right on left...not that it deterred her in any way!! As we reached the beach we found a ladies toilet in which I changed her out into her swim wear and off she raced to the soft dunes on the beach!

As she ran into the water we realised it was cold water gushing at us from the sea, it took a minute or two to acclimatise to the water. Soon Tu was digging up sand and collecting shells even as AJ and I took a stroll on the edge of the waters- the waves came curling into the beach almost like they we ready to give us a nice warm hug! :-) White soft sand beneath our feet making us feel like we were walking on a bed of talcum powder life couldn't be better on a warm sunny Saturday afternoon! :-)

After playing in the waters for an hour or so we were all hungry. The time was already 4:00 pm and so we hurriedly got out, showered and changed before heading to the cafe. it was gorgeous little one on the beach with some fabulous views. The sour dough and avocado sandwich was a bit of a let down, the hazelnut coffee was good, so was the generous serve of peppermint tea. Above our head was a swallow's nest, Tu and her dad enjoyed watching the mom and dad swallows visit the nest frequently with food in their beaks. Amazing how at every turn you see animals of all kinds going through their parenting journey... even as we watched there were several instances we were amused and bemused at the common parenting woes we all entail ;-)

We grabbed what was left of the fries and headed to the car. Soon we pulled into the Best Western Hotel on Pacific Highway.

Even as we entered the room allotted to us we could smell smoke, a quick investigation revealed cigarette butts all over the balcony floor. When AJ went back to  the reception to complain they upgraded us to a better room free of charge and the manager escorted us there. He even mentioned that the previous tenants of that room would probably get a hefty fine...! I thought the cleaning teams should get penalised too for leaving it all in there before we were shown into the room...but didn't say anything :-P After all it was no longer our problem. This hotel had a pool which was all that Tu was interested in..so her dad and she went running down to the pool...but it was not clean and had some feathers and dry leaves in it and looked rather unused. So they got back and filled the bath tub to sure Tu had some water play fun. End of all of this it was already time for dinner!! We headed down to the Babbington restaurant only to be told they had no place to accommodate us!! :( So we ordered room service and headed back up. Food was served within 15 mins and it was good so we ended up finishing all of it. By 8PM we were all asleep...!

The next morning we headed down for breakfast having already paid for it. The spread was pretty decent. After we had our fill we packed up and checked out. From here we headed straight to Blacksmith's Beach.... what a beauty! Some 9 miles of soft sandy beach.

We had to stop at the small Fish and Chips cafe outside the beach to get some icecream (A raspberry stick for Tu, some cookies and cream for AJ and a english breakfast tea for me- ironically I was the only one who didn't have a sore throat in this party today :-P)

As we got to the beach some spring blossoms were in bloom even on the sandy shores, I couldn't help but stop for a click!

We saw a bunch of kids training to be lifeguards and as they swam in the seas up and down AJ, Tu and I were transfixed watching them and admiring their fitness! Tu very calmly said "When i grow up I am going to be like them" :D Sure hope so is what AJ and I thought!

We built a lovely sand castle and decorated it with the several beaut shells we saw on the beach! Then with the promise of more beaches to come we dragged a very reluctant Tu off the beach into the car.

It was already 12PM and so we stopped at Ma Thai in Swan Sea for lunch.

I asked for veg steamed dumplings, some flat noodles and rice with veggies and cashew nut sauce. The dumplings gave me a scare as I couldn't find any veggies in there and something sure looked like chicken to me. But the owner ran up quickly and explained it was tofu and not any form of meat...phew! The noodles was nice but Tu didn't want flat noodles, so we ordered a bowl of 'normal' (thats what she called it) noodles for her. She ate it with gusto. Once done with lunch we headed to Caves Beach- this is another amazing beach....water and sand stretched as far as the eye could see.

I don't think even this panorama shot has done any justice to it.

We posed to take some pics with this wonderful azure backdrop!! Heavenly sight this, Tu just couldn't take her eyes off this glorious beach!

 Again spring blossoms lined the path that lead to the beach making for a beautiful sight.

The cave itself is easy to reach and very safe for kids to walk in and explore. the sea often throws up some very nice rounded rocks onto the beach and this made for an excellent afternoon task for Tu.

At one point she even fought with a gull to pick up a whole dead fish, her face steely set upon 'releasing the fish back in the sea'. that was one helluva priceless moment!! We couldn't stop laughing! =)) Soon, AJ and Tu were busy 'running away' from the waves and jumping up and down some rocks! All in good fun!

By around 2 PM we got out of the beach, showered Tu out of all the mud she had gathered. Changed her into new clothes, she just had no energy left to climb back to the car park. So AJ did "thooki thooki" which is carry her all the way on his shoulders. Once we fastened her seat belt she was out in a flash. So we didn't drive to Murray Beach and instead decided to drive back home.

It had been another wonderful break- the oceans and sands have a way of making you come down to earth with a feeling of calm and serenity. Even as waves rhythmically weave in and out of a beach they remind you of how life is just that- the act of living between the rhythmic sounds of a breath or a heart beat. At every turn is a beautiful scene that makes your heart race or makes your breath go faster, but eventually you sit and gaze at the horizon where the blues of the water merge with the blues of the sky reminding you that boundaries are only fleeting in existence....after all breath and heart all beat to the tunes of life.... With these thoughts running through our minds we bid Newcastle goodbye! It had been yet another weekend getaway to cherish making us want to live form one trip to another...adieu for now!

Heylo Resolute Beach

It had been ages since we got out, winter has been a dampener to all the outings in the last couple of months, added with AJ and my workload. So when Father's Day popped up we decided the best way to celebrate was to head out to a beach and ensure Tu got an uninterrupted day out with her Dad. Having read about West Head Lookout and the Resolute Beach Trail we felt the 2KM hike would be the perfect getaway. Anoop agreed to join us and we were off by 8AM! As soon as Tu heard we were off for a trek, she very eagerly ate up her breakfast. I used my favourite pressure cookers to notch up some food for all of us. We then packed some flavoured milk, juice packs and fruits - tadaaa, we were all set for a picnic on the beach. All the reading up had told us we should stop at the resolute picnic area for rest rooms as there were none at the West Head Look Out. The trail loop from here was 3.5 KMs, whereas the trail loop from West Head Look Out was only 2KMS. Knowing we were getting out after what was probably a couple of months, we decided to keep it short. A very sound decision in hindsight!

The drive from home was peaceful, Tu squealed in delight when we picked up Anoop from his place! All through the drive her conversation was full of sentences which started with "Anoop did you see.....?" I tried my best to rescue Anoop from her never ending questions, but to no avail. If she had seen a purple/red wall and Anoop had missed it, Tu would be most upset...but Anoop is a good sport, he didn't mind her pestering questions and humoured her with an answer even, more often than not. We got to the entrance of Ku-Ringai Chase at around 9:30, entrance tickets purchased the lady also gave us a map of the various trails. We stopped at the Resolute Picnic Area for the rest rooms- all impeccably clean. Good views from here too (PC: Anoop)

Thereafter we drove close to the West Head Lookout and parked our car there.

As we got to the lookout we pulled out our mobiles to get some good pics with the lovely Barrenjoey in the horizon for a back drop.

Beautiful turquoise vistas all around, we could see several islands too. On a sunny day like this one, one feels indescribable joy at such a sight, it was the perfect backdrop for a dad and daughter frame, so I clicked away to glory! :-)

We started the descent and very quickly reached the steps leading down to the West Head Beach,.

However, we resolutely decided to stick to our plans and went on. Anoop went a bit ahead and that really helped us egg Tu on. She soldiered on the trek, eager to catch up with Anoop.

But the trail was flat in some areas, really rocky in others. AJ and I feel proud of Tu whenever she sees a tough path and treads on it with her composed demeanour. We stopped a couple of times to eat some fruits and drink some water, but in about 30 mins we had reached the steps leading down to the resolute beach, what a breath taking sight of the green waters.

Eagerly we scrambled into the beach, Anoop had already secured us a nice rocky space where we changed tu out into her swim wear and all of us entered the water with gusto! The waves were very gentle making it completely safe for tu to play in the water, the water was colddddd at first, but slowly we got used to it. After a while few others came along to the beach and there were even folks who dived into the cold water. :-O

We had carried tu's beach toys and she spent a good hour or so playing with them, filling water in her bucket and bringing it up to the rocks to pour a 'waterfall' :D It was adorable seeing her improvise with her toys! :-)

When we all got hungry we quickly unpacked the lunch and (over) ate..... tired limbs, a full stomach and the warm sun- were all the perfect recipe for an afternoon siesta!! :D Except we had to trek back....!!

So we packed everything and got a reluctant Tu out of her swim wear...we got back to the trail and she managed to come along for about half the way.

But poor thing even before we reached the West Head Trail she looked up at her dad and said "please carry me" The min she was in AJ's hands she dozed off in sheer exhaustion. AJ soldiered on the rather uphill climb back carrying her, most passers by cooed their sympathy at him even as we heard a faint snore or two from Tu ;-)

Towards the end of the trek it was truly excruciating on AJ to continue to climb steps...but somehow he managed after enough rest stops and finally we were back at the car. By now Tu was awake and Anoop was back too, he had reached earlier. So we all got into the car and drove back home.

Needless to say it was another day well spent, it was a Father's Day that underlined the inseparable bond that dads and daughters share. The undeniable love that a father has for his little one that makes him do the impossible! What a wonderful way to spend Father's Day and Tu was the proudest lil girl who adoringly looked up to her Father knowing he will help her get anywhere and support her with all his will and strength. bless them both, I was but a mother watching from the bylines... happy to see them both and the lovely bond they share. For now, I was really content with that.

Heylo Palm Beach!

It was a nice winter Saturday and we decided to head out to Palm Beach early this morning. :-) Tu was so excited that she gobbled up her breakfast and we quickly packed some food for lunch too. The drive from home took well over an hour but we still got to The Boatclub before 10 AM. What a picturesque place for a cuppa tea by the bay! It was also a good restroom stop, for we were told there were none at the top near the lighthouseWe payed for car park (AUD 22 for the day) but sadly the machine didn't vend the ticket. So we had to call the council and get it sorted, they were most helpful!

Once that was done, we looked up and could see the lighthouse from the parking lot.

It seemed like a bit of a hike and hence we had to prep tu accordingly. She was determined to climb to the top by herself! The signs said 1.5kms to the Barrenjoey Light House, I was impressed seeing her steely frown.

Quietly she said "It seems tough", AJ immediately said "Yes it is, but that's what makes it an accomplishment" They both hi-fiied and off we were!

Built in sandstone the lighthouse had a regal look about it, it sits on Sydney's northern most beach- Palm Beach. The whole setting is straight off a hollywood movie, gorgeous beaches and waves all around!! 

A sandstone lighthouse perched right on top, like it was hovering over us ensuring we only have the right kinda fun ;-) Built in 1881 from sandstone that was quarried it, it is left in the same sandstone finish, adds a unique charm compared to the other light houses we have been to so far in Australia.

To get there we could take either the sloping Access trail for 1 KM or we could take the more adventurous sounding Smuggler's Path.

 We decided to go with the access trail to give Tu a fair chance of doing it by herself. Even as we started off it was a bit steep for her 3 year old legs. She huffed and puffed but was constantly egged on by passers by and that kept her going. Soon another troupe of parents with toddlers came along and seeing those kids climbing made her hike up all the more easier. She kept going and had a deal with us that she gets a KitKat once she gets to the top by herself. So on and off she'd ask to see the KitKat so she could reassure herself that this climb was truly gonna be worth it!! :-))

The view kept getting better with every bend we turned...what a beauty this place was! Put even the Wineglass Bay from Tasmania to shame! 

All along a faint drizzle kept threatening our progress but just as we got to a place where we could see the neck, the sun came out and the whole place lit up like she had just smiled in greeting us! :-) 

We kept encouraging Tu and in about 20 mins we reached the entrance to the lighthouse, she ran in celebrating all the way and just as she reached me tripped and fell...!! All her happiness transformed into a dismay that could only be pacified with some empathising cooing and kisses for her mild bruises :-* In 2 mins she was fine and demanding that I open her KitKat. We found a nice seat overlooking the seas where we opened her chocolate that she proudly shared with us...after all "Mom and Dad also climbed with me, so they need a prize too" :D

A chocolate alone wasn't enough and so we opened up our lunch and had that here as well. The sun was shining on us and the warmth was a good massage to sore legs and backs. We saw several people posing in front of the lighthouse...it truly made for a glorious backdrop. Glad we brought food along, there is nothing available at the top except glorious 360 degree views :) Happy in a way to see that there are no cafe's or commercialisation at the top. I feel that always spoils the true charm of a place even though it adds to convenience. (Charm or convenience is a whole new topic when you are a toddler parent.......almost every inch of your mind aches for convenience and then you suddenly get nostalgic aout the days when you only enjoyed the charm and nothing else mattered....sigghhhh)

Finally I also managed to get a pic of the lighthouse with no people about...it was an achievement indeed- using the 2 second gap you get to click a pic! ;-) 

But our eyes were content with all we had seen and now it was time to be adventurous on the way down and we took the smugglers path. 

We counted to 350 steps that Tu managed all on her feet...and then she feebly said "I am so tired, I will fall off" Proud of her overall effort with his chest puffed up in pride AJ scooped her up for the rest of the way down. :) Truly we couldn't be more proud of her, such a doll to try the whole hike by herself and really glad how much she enjoys traveling and hiking with us :)

Once we got down we took the first exit to the 'clean side' of the beach (The other side that leads up to the lighthouse has weeds which didn't impress Tu. But once we got to this side she was unstoppable...running right out into the water. Slowly all her beach digging play things came out and we spent another couple of hours getting our fill of the beach, the waves and the sand! An ocean that was brilliant blue, a clearing sky dotted with white clouds and golden brown sandy beach.... all picture perfect. 

Seeing the Lighthouse at the top often has a reassuring feeling even though we are not sailors.  In a vague sense I have always loved lighthouses...they always remind me that someone was thinking about safety and guess therein lies my association of safe beaches being those that have a lighthouse on it! :-) Yep..thats just some crazy meee... (AJ will whole heartedly agree there is more where that comes from ;-)

Even as they were hit by some unexpectedly high waves, Tu accidentally brushed AJ's glasses away while that didn't bother her when the waves got her swim suit and her diaper, a cacophony that was incredibly funny ensued from her mouth.....!!!! AJ and I couldn't stop laughing at how upset she was when she thought the sea had caught her diaper. Anyways we managed to grab it back for her so she could safely throw it into the trash bin and all was well in her world again!! :-)) At the end of all this mirth we realised there were no shower caddies, so AJ dunked her in the sea to rid her of all the sand that she had managed to get on every inch of herself! :-O Then we changed her out and made the rather long walk back to the car (our tiredness made it seem longer than it really was).  We saw so many Kookaburras all along our hike and fittingly we saw one more as we walked away as well! 

But all in all it had been another day where we had had tons of fun and another fun spot we had discovered in Sydney. Beaches are our favourite spots for a 'perk me up' weekend and Sydney seems to have so many to offer that our entire year seems full of beach visits! We ain't complaining for sure!

Even as we drove back, we made a note of Whale Beach, Avalon Beach and plenty others that all seemed to demand a visit back to this area......sun soaked beaches of Sydney, we continue to be amazed by you! :) Now it's time to wait for our next weekend getaway :D