On the 4th we crossed the harbour on the ferry to visit Manly. The trip itself was great, with very powerful ocean conditions at the heads making for a very rocky ride. I took some video of this, but the file is perhaps too large to upload.
The strong sea conditions meant that the beach itself was closed. The surf was powerful and looked extremely dangerous, so it’s no surprise the life guards were out in force to keep people out.
We walked the beach from end-to-end (it wasn’t as deserted as these images suggest, since there were many people sunbathing and doing such activities as beach volleyball) until we reached a ramp from the boardwalk to the sand at the extreme southern end of the long beach. I stepped up onto the ramp ahead of Adam, and just as he was about to a large wave crashed around him, more or less drenching his lower half.
Seconds before the above shot, he was standing on sand.
The rough surf conditions are continuing, and word is that all the Newcastle beaches are closed and may remain so for up to a week. I’ll certainly still go and visit them, but it may not be until this time next week before I can go out in the surf…
