Cronulla Bike Ride

On Sunday 31 May, 2009, Kaylene & I drove to Mare's to pick her up and made our way to the Seeto's to pick them up. We packed the bikes up into the "blue bus" and drove to Taren Point, for the start of our ride to Cronulla. Why Cronulla? There was suppose to be a Jazz & Wine Festival on at Dunningham Reserve, near Cronulla Beach. So when we got to Cronulla, because of rain & winds the previous day, they cancelled the event, which didn't please us one little bit as we were looking forward to some food & wine tasting.
So instead we went in search of Maccas, but ended up getting Subway instead and ate it in Monro Park at about 2pm. After our late lunch we rode down towards the beach, but decided against riding further as the black clouds rolled in. So we headed back the way we came, dodging the walkers on the sidewalk.
The bike path was a lot better, than when we last rode, which was mainly on the road, and not so many steep hills to climb.
Had some trouble getting all 5 bikes back into the car, but after a lot of shifting and changing, we managed to get the boot door closed, and headed back to the Seeto's, stopping at KFC on the way to get an early dinner.
Also got Evan to change my bike seat..I now have a "princess seat" and fit my back light on. Also changed the seat on Kaylene's bike and added the front light and handlebars.

Coogee to Bondi to Coogee

The rain had cleared and the day looked promising, so having confirmed with Jess that the walk was still on, we waited for Roy and Jess to swing by and pick us up at 10am, saving us a ride on public transport.

We got to Coogee and Roy suggested we start the walk with a smoothie, so he took us to melonhead, where we got a Honey bee smoothie (banana, cinnamon, honey and other stuff, which I can't remember) - very nice, highly recommended. We started our walk at 11.05am and made our way along the path towards Dunningham Reserve, round the corner and down a path into Gordons Bay, a "scuba diver's paradise".

Up the path and down through the parking lot to Clovelly Beach, "a popular swimming and snorkeling spot and home to a fish called the blue grouper" also home to a group of black cockatoos.

Past Burrows Park and up to Waverley Cemetery, which boasts the world's greatest graveyard seaside views. It's the final resting place for notable Australian poets, Henry Lawson, Henry Kendall and Dorothea Mackellar...but we couldn't find their resting places.

Halfway there, we head down the road to Bronte Beach, which is closed due to rough surf conditions. Past the miniature train ride (missing the train) and the ocean pool, we follow the path past crumbling apartment complexes and multimillion dollar mansions towards tiny Tamarama Beach, where we have a piss stop. Groups of people play volley ball on the beach, but can't spot any bronzed and buffed bodies.

Continue past the sandstone cliffs, the path hugs the waters edge around Mackenzies Point which has a great view looking back to the Cemetery and Bronte Beach. Stop to take the group shots of Bondi Beach from Marks Point and then it's down the path towards Bondi Beach, past the Bondi Icebergs Club which is hosting a Lilac Swim Race, with a few Olympic swimmers.

We get to Bondi Beach, and its time to look for a place to have lunch. After passing a Yum Cha place, Fish & Chips shop, Chocolate Churros shop, we settle on Nikos Shop 4, 164 Campbell Pd, Bondi Beach 2026, Phone (02) 9130 1440, a Greek Restaurant. Jess & Roy order the homemade Salmon fish cakes with salad & chips & ice teas, I have the beer battered fish & chips with LLB, while Janet has a Chicken Club sandwich & chips and a flat white. This plus drinks total of bill = +$80, 10% surcharge on Sundays & PH. Not bad, and the food was just right.

After lunch we head back the way we came.

Jacq's Baby Shower

Last minute decision by Marion to hold a baby shower for Jacq, since she was in the state for work. A good time for friends and family to catch up with her and wish her all the best with the arrival of a new baby, due in August. Lily says it's going to be a girl, so we'll see whether she's right of not.

Kaylene & I walked to Li's home, almost got lost, but found our way.

I gave her a pumpkin patch newborn jumpsuit, socks and a Peter Rabbit Baby Book for Jacq to record the baby's progress.

Lots of cakes to choose from, but I liked the curry puffs and taro cake, which was supplied by caterer.

Evan came by late in afternoon to pick me up. We headed off to Casey & Shirley's for dinner & poker, while Kaylene stayed on for dinner (lasagne) and Mare dropped her back home.

Marker Rides in Bicentennial Park

Evan, Ken, Marion & I met up at Woo-la-ra before setting off for the River Marker at Blaxland Riverside Park. From there we rode through the Newington Armory to the Haslams Creek Marker, where Evan captured Ken, Marion & I going up the Marker on different tiers. We missed the third marker (Bay Marker), but Marion and I walked up the Hills Road Lookout, where we tried to make little selves "look bigger" for Evan to capture us on film. We separated here, with Marion riding back to her car at Woo-la-ra, while we made our way to McDonalds where Marion met up with us for fries and apple pie - no soft serve..the machine wasn't working :(

Taking it to the Streets

Janet rides a bike

Happy Mother's Day

Portuguese Tarts

Marion had a craving to visit Sweet Belem, so after work, she dropped by to pick me up and we had afternoon tea in Petersham. We both ordered hot chocolates, but I ordered a tiramisu to eat there as well as 6 tarts to go - very yummy all of them.

Kaylene's Inaugural Ride

We finally retrieved Nathan's old bike from Mar Mar's shed and fixed the tyres, so that Kaylene could join us for a ride. Where was Mare? She had gone shopping with Marisa, so missed out.

We rode to the Brickpit, then to Maccas for a soft serve, before heading home via Wentworth Common and riding up the Marker. By then Kaylene was feeling the pain in her ass. The sun was setting, so time to head back to the car park.

Matty's 1st Birthday

It's all about the food and when Shirley puts on a party, she gets everyone to cater, with great results.

The whole family was invited to help Matty celebrate his 1st birthday. Matty didn't show his face until late in the day, and wasn't too fussed that we were all there for him. He was just happy to play with his toys and stick with Grandpa.


I spent my time up in Port Macqaurie making a scrapbook album of Matty's first year using photos Evan had taken from birth. I gave this as his present with a hooded towelling robe, bought at Spotlight in Port Macquarie. Lily gave the big red fire truck, and Janet gave a pull along dog.