Narrabeen to Collaroy by the lake

The good news  is that we got most of our walk done before the rain, the bad news got soaked…. at least we weren’t the only ones – there were a few other die-hards on the track. I am over winter - bring on Spring!

We were intending on seeing how far around we could go on the new Narrabeen Lake path towards Cromer Golf Club. However, because  the skies looked so dark and ominous we decided to take the safer option that kept us close to shelter and headed around the lake from Narrabeen to Collaroy. What a good decision that turned out to be! As usual it was a lovely walk around the lake and back. Given the weather it was fairly quiet on the track and not much action on the lake either. Instead of breakfasting lakeside we headed up Waterloo Street to Ocean Street and back towards Collaroy to Barbuto Restaurant (across the road from Narrabeen beach).

Barbuto Restaurant

I don’t really know what to say about this restaurant other than it was a real mixed bag. The food was great but the service was odd. Actually, on the whole I would say the service was good - the food arrived so quickly we were stunned. There was just one surly waitress who gave us the impression that we were ruining her day by having to wait tables and another waitress who was playing a power game with us...or at least that's how it seemed.
This was another cafe enticing us to try a Bloody Mary or other cocktail for breakfast. I think I have missed something here - since when do you drink cocktails at breakfast? Showing my age again!!!

Talking about showing my age - I went to a 30 year high school reunion last week. 30 years - I can hardly believe it.....how did I get this old???? and how fast has 30 years gone!!!! It was great to catch up with some old friends and some others who I didn't really know back then but the best bit was having a blast with my girlfriends from school that I still see. Hope you have finally recovered Mandie and Gill!

Our reviews
Narrabeen Lake
difficulty:                        easy
distance:                        6 km return
time taken:                    2.5 hours (including breakfast)                  
parking:                          Berry Reserve car park
worth doing:                  definitely
dog friendly:                  yes, on leash.

water and toilets available at Berry Reserve Narrabeen.
Barbuto Restaurant
food:                                great
service:                           good
ambience:                        good
would we go again:         yes

Queenscliff to Shelley Beach

love the shadow...'tall at last'

Manly or Noosa? Well after a week in beautiful but rainy Noosa its great to come back home and be reminded that Manly is even better than Noosa. Noosa has a great boardwalk on the beach but the boardwalk from Queenscliff to Manly and onto Shelly Beach is close to perfect and on a glorious sunny winter’s day it is even better. Instead of going through Queenscliff park we started our walk from the high side of Queenscliff on Bridge Street. This road goes down a very steep hill to the bridge across the lagoon then onto the beach boardwalk. From there we walked all the way to Shelley beach and then up through the bush track of Shelley Beach Park to the lookouts at the top. From up here there is a great view of Freshwater Beach and all the way up to the central coast. 

The walk around from Manly Surf Club to Shelley Beach goes alongside the crystal clear waters of the Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. Every time I walk this track I do wonder why  we wait until we are away on holidays to go snorkelling when here at Manly the water is as clear and clean as anywhere – maybe the coral isn’t up to the standard of the Barrier Reef but there's still beautiful fish and other creatures waiting to be explored. Better put that one on the bucket list!

In Situ Restaurant and Bar

For breakfast this morning we made our way back to the Beachfront. We were going to try Bluewater Café but as usual it was full. That café is always full at breakfast time so I imagine their breakfasts are great - I have only had lunch there and it was delicious. Instead we headed away from the beachfront to In Situ Restaurant on Sydney Road (next to the markets). In Situ is mainly known for its nightlife but by day it doubles as a great café and out the back under the heaters was warm and cosy. The food was absolutely delicious - Shaz and I both had the corn fritters which are served with bacon, a divine roasted tomato and topped with a sprinkling of fetta. The breakfast menu was a great mix of with eggs, muesli, pancakes and omelettes and the the food coming out looked great. The menu recommended  a ‘Bloody Mary’ to go with your meal – we weren’t quite up to that at 9.30 on a Sunday morning, so stuck to a coffee! Maybe I need to get out of my comfort zone and try something new!

Our reviews
Queenscliff to Shelley Beach
difficulty:                        easy
distance:                        9 km return
time taken:                    2.5 hours (including breakfast)                  
parking:                          on street in Hill, Crown, Pavilion or Queenscliff Rd –    can be difficult to find a park
worth doing:                  definitely
dog friendly:                  yes, on leash.

water and toilets available all along the way.
In Situ Restaurant
food:                                great
service:                           great
ambience:                        great
would we go again:         yes definitely