Yesterday, day 42, was a day off in wonderful Manly.  We slept in after our big night out then had brunch.  We then went for a walk along the Manly promenade and spent some time watching the surfing competition.  After that we walked along the pedestrian Marine Parade to Shelly Beach and climbed the headland.  We found a big rock to sit on and each lunch and we watched the humpback whales cruising up the coast chased by a small flotilla of boats.  We then walked back to motel and relaxed for the rest of the day.  When cycle touring and spending all day outside, it’s nice to occasionally spend time indoors on days off.

Today we left Sydney by cycling from Manly to Palm Beach then caught the ferry to Ettalong.  We started by cycling along the beach then through beach suburbs.  It was slightly frustrating navigating through the streets but we finally found a marked cycle route.  We made our way through the northern beaches with great views of the ocean.  It is Queens Birthday Monday so traffic was heavy on main roads and got very busy as we worked our way up the peninsular.  Fortunately everyone was very patient and relaxed driving which made it OK.  We arrived in Palm Beach which is a nice holiday seaside town on the end of the peninsular.  We then had a very relaxing 2 hour wait on the wharf for the ferry.  The ferry from Palm Beach to Ettalong took 30 minutes and just as we arrive the weather changed and a few spots of rain started falling.  We then biked along the foreshore to the Ocean Beach Holiday Park and quickly set up the tent.  Luckily the rain passed and the evening was OK.

Writing this blog we usually stick to the rule ‘if you haven’t got anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all’.  In this case, the Ocean Beach NRMA Holiday Park is the worst we’ve stayed in.  Reception staff were perfunctory, no kitchen, TV lounge closed at 5pm, shower and toilets were weird with low doors anyone could look over.  We don’t need bouncy pillows, swimming pools and kids clubs.  All we need is somewhere to sit with lights as it gets dark at 5pm….so we went to the pub.

Highlight of the day:  Waiting for the ferry in Palm Beach

Jen eating lunch looking at the whales.

Starting the day cycling along Manly Beach

Palm Beach wharf

Waiting for the ferry at Palm Beach