Beaches and more rain

Rain dosen't help anything apart from farmers, I'm sure. I tried to go to a beach called Manly beach a few days ago, only to be rained upon with an almighty force 30 mins after I'd got there. Followed by the wind, I became cold and thoroughly not in the mood for a swim or surf.

The only thing to do was look at over priced Ripcurl, Quicksilver and other surf clothing. Had to keep reminding myself that I can spend whatever's remaining in Thailand, the land of cheap ripoff fakes of a fair quality.

By far the best beach day I've had so far was on the famous Bondi Beach. Most people have heard of it, even in the UK, but I hadn't a clue where it was until I saw it on a Sydney map - its 2 train stops to the west of my hostel. Arriving at the misguidingly close "Bondi Junction", I walked 40 minuites down a network of roads to the beach.

Its a classic curving beach, about 1km long and wide enough for any David Hasselhoff/Pamela anderson to run down in slow-mo to save someone. The real beach rescue people are much less sexy, wearing red shorts and large polo tops finished with a red skull-cap type fixture. Don't envy their job - being put on the line daily for people who just don't read the warning signs and fall foul of their own stupidity. I was put in a similar position on another day, which I'll write about later.

Walking along the beach, I realised that I recognised this place, and not in a deja-vu kind of way. Working it out, I realised that I'd played a game - some Tony Hawk's game - where a level had been heavily influenced by Bondi's local buildings and layout, so much so that I predicted that there was a colourful pool by the sea at the opposite end... Sure enough, there was an open air swimming pool at the end!

Content with myself, I got about getting into the water for a swim, as I was getting right hot with an increasing humidity. Making a couple of girls who looked like they were serious about getting a tan look after my bag, I made for the wet stuff, jealous that I didn't have a surfboard for the perfect conditions.

Then I discovered body surfing! I'd heard rumours of its existence, but only then saw anyone doing it. These guys were carving along the breaking waves, one hand in front like a plow, and miraculously they were surfing, moving fast enough to avoid the crashing waves. Asking one of the guys who could actually do it, I just got told it "comes with practice", which isn't what you want to hear when you want to do it NOW.

After multiple waves pulling me down and putting me on rinse cycle, I managed to get a decent ride, magically floating down the steep face of a wave and away from the crashing bit! Good feeling, and I felt a little bit more smug when I saw some kids going "wow". Yup, I'm a role model.

Getting out of the now-nice-n-warm water, I read a book whilst the sun dried me and gave my unprotected back a little frying (It itches even 4 days later, but its so difficult to sunscreen one's back!) while I read and made for home, watching some skaters in a retro pool park do their thing and smoke and drink and swear like cool kids from 80s films.

That night was free beer night, so we did our bit. Check out the picture of the way they serve cocktails in that bar!

Couple of days later, and I'm back in the water, in very different conditions. Its overcast, nippy and the seas are angry about something. Perfect for going for a swim off rocks for the first time!! Guided/pushed by the hostel manager, Dan (and his dog, Bandit), I managed to get a little bit more body surfing in, with my newfound talent, avoiding the rocks hidden a foot under the water (and the big sharks I imagined there would probably be) and oncoming waves and surf that really didn't want me in the sea. I think at one point I got caught in the rip that was circling the small bay, pushing me about 20m further into open water than I thought I was. It was probably only 5m, but it seemed a far distance when your underused swimming muscles start tiring... Naturally I started thinking "what if I get caught again by the rip or I get too tired" stuff, but just powered on, towards the shore, relising I'd been silly to let myself get tired in the water - V dangerous!! Eventually slamming onto the seaweed ridden rocks (nice softish landing), I clambered out and away from the platform, slipping and sliding on the seaweed that had probably saved me from a nice cut. I got to the rock where we were chilling before, and realised my arms and legs were shaking! Obviously the thought of potentially drowning had sent out a job load of adnreneline. Or my muscles were just tired. Good stuff, good experience, but without local knowledge about currents and help about getting in and out, I probably would have come a cropper!

Leaving Sydney tomorrow, after 3 weeks. According to my calculations, I've only got about 3 and a bit months left til Thailand! Blimey time goes fast. Even better? I'm underspending!! Might treat myself to something British from the British sweet shop down the road.