Monday, June 8, 2009

winter on manly beach

Today was the the 7th official day of winter and we went to Manly Beach. This is the closest suburb to downtown Sydney. It is a ferry ride across the harbor or a 40 minute drive down the Pacific Highway from our house. Mike and I went to get some fresh air and look for some souvenirs to take home for our visit. There is an esplanade to walk all along the beach front and there were "heaps" of people out walking, picnicking, biking, surfing, and beach combing. The temps were about high 60's. It was that kind of weather were we were quite warm, wearing shorts, and the Aussies were cold, wearing leggings with Ugg boots! Along the esplanade is a rock pool were you can swim in an enclosed area and many people swim all year round as the water is always near 20 degrees Celsius ( about 69 f ). We strolled along eating our ice cream and enjoying all the sights and was wondrous in the fact, that this is "winter". Gorgeous.
The only strange thing to adjust to is that we are marching towards the shortest day of the year, June 21. So I am not used to the early darkness at this time of the year. I have just heard the 10 day forecast and there will be possible snow in the Blue Mountains next week and we have been advised to "rug up".

Sunday, June 7, 2009

The Queens Birthday

This is a holiday weekend. Referred to as "the long week-end". It is the Queens Birthday and an excuse to have a day off from work. Things that happen on the weekend: Petrol (gasoline) is jacked up to $1.29 a liter in order to gouge the weekend driving. Stores close at 4pm so that no retail outlet employee is deprived of some much needed time off. Restaurants charge a 10% surcharge to all tabs to help pay their employees overtime.
The big story of the country is that Gordon Ramsey is in town for a food and wine festival and he insulted the main news anchor , one Tracy Grimshaw, referred to as a national treasure. So the public is insulted and demanding that the wanker be sent back to England where all good Pommes need to stay.
Mike,Claire and I spent most of the time surfing the net on our "unlimited" broadband service, that is really 40GB. Which is "heaps" according to all the aussies, but when you are trying to watch american television online, it doesnt last very long. All internet service is metered here. There is no true unlimited services.