Monday 18th December

We are now getting into the stride of life in Manly and started the day with a leisurely walk via the Boatyard (and the obligatory coffee stop) and headed into the town to buy Secret Santa presents for a party later this week.

As per the party invite all presents were purchased from charity shops, which meant we got to check lots of great stores. After then stocking up, we headed out to a Westfield Mall nearby with Caroline & the kids to buy Amelia a few things for Xmas day.

Whilst the girls shopped Charlie and Andy went to explore the fish market.

After a few hours of retail therapy, we went down to Freshwater Beach, which sits north of the famous Manly beach. Friends Jamie & Tracy run the Surf Club there and have the true Aussie dream of a house right on the beach! In return for keeping the place clean and tidy every day, they get to surf and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

We enjoyed a few hours relaxing on the beach, swimming, body surfing and chatting before going back and changing for a night out at the Manly Pavilion.

We had a fab evening enjoying the great views from the outdoor bar with vistas out to Manly Wharf and the wider bay.