Coogee...

After breakfast it was time to pack up again. This time we were heading south of Sydney, which meant we got to drive across the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge built in 1932. Our first stop was to my hotel to drop off my luggage.

Our destination was Coogee, where Jane’s sister was living as an on-site property manager; she also teaches art at a local university. After having some tea at her place, we set off for a coastal walk with her dogs. We had to go down a crazy steep hill to get to the path.

Although the town’s name apparently means smelly place or stinking seaweed, I didn’t smell anything offensive.

The coast was again lovely with lots of rocks...

...crashing waves...

...dangerous cliffs...

...and lots of cool architecture.

Birds and Plants...

After stopping in town for a hot drink, we walked back towards the house. Along the way we came across this girl feeding the seagulls...

...these bathing seagulls...

...these pretty birds...

...and some cool plants.

Another Day, Another Direction...

This time we walked north on the coastal path, heading to Dee Why Beach itself.

We passed by the first of several outdoor pools that I saw during my time in Sydney.

There were some all-weather paintings along the pathway as we arrived at the beach.

Sunrise in Dee Why...

As much as I am not a morning person, it didn’t take much to persuade me to get up early to see Mother Nature’s Australian light show.

It was definitely worth waking up for.

Dee Why Coastal Walk...

Just below their property, there was a public coastal walk connecting the beaches. Before sunset, we set off south...

...where we saw some more dramatic views.

Trying to get Jane and Rosemary to both look at the camera at once proved quite elusive.

Spoiled in Dee Why...

It was very generous of Jane’s friends Rosemary and Michael to host the two of us overnight. From the driveway at the end of a cul-de-sac, their home looked rather normal...

...but it looked like something straight out of a design magazine from the back side with its walls of glass...

...and 270 degree view of the coast.

What a dramatic spot for their firepit.

Here’s the view looking towards Dee Why Beach, a suburb north of Manly.

Michael made us an incredible dinner of seafood risotto that we ate in their open plan kitchen/dining/living room.

I couldn’t get enough of the incredible views.

Shelly Beach...

We drove over to Shelly Beach and went in search for some lunch.

 Along the way, we saw a bunch of these big black birds.

We were disappointed to learn that the restaurant had stopped serving lunch, but were happy to have scored the last remaining order of fries.

All Australian restaurants offered free tap water, often in a separate self-serve area; this one had a particularly nice water station.