Around The World In 80 Waves

Whilst enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we notice that a pod of dolphins has swum into Coogee Bay to wish me Happy Birthday. We go down to the sand to check them out. It is great way to start the day.

Sadly once I have made my mind up to grab my camera and put on some trunks they swim off without being seeing again, before I get the chance to go out and play with them. Never mind Kathleen and I are both keen to go surfing, so it is time for a little safari of the southern beaches.

Our first stop is Bronte, where in all honesty I really should have gone in, because there was a good sized swell hitting the beach, which you see here. 

We did have fun watching the locals launch themselves off the rocks next to the ocean pool though. However everybody timed it right and got out into the break without incident. It is clearly the best way back into the line up after riding one all the way in.

We pushed on to Bondi, which is where I really fancied getting wet on my birthday, but the waves were just dumping upon our arrival, so we decided to check out the shops and let the tide turn a bit. Kathleen treated me to a new pair of flip flops because the ones I had bought in Costa Rica had become decidedly unappealing to anybody’s nostrils. Not surprising given I have lived in them for six months but I felt bad about chucking them in the bin all the same.

Back at the shore I still wasn’t tempted to bag this world famous beach, preferring to curl up in the sun with Kathleen. The beach here is world class but the waves really aren’t, although they were powerful enough to catch out more than a few tourists who had to be rescued by the surf lifesaving clubs patrolling the beach. We thought one bloke was going to be obliterated on the rocks at the north end of the bay, but he was very lucky to be picked up by a rogue set and then be deposited complete with lifeguard up on top of them. Barring a few minor cuts and scrapes I think only his pride was hurt, but it could so easily have been a lot worse for him.

I was so comfortable stretched out in the sun that I decided to pass on a birthday surf, and didn’t even get my feet wet all day! Some what surprising, even to me I’ll admit.

After a day topping up my already healthy tan we returned to Coogee, and after freshening up had a fantastic meal at a Brazilian barbeque restaurant. It is all you can eat there and they keep walking past with more cuts of the most amazing meat trying to tempt you with another plate full.

After ensuring a healthy number of farmyard animals had died to make my evening worthwhile I finally threw in the towel, and practically rolled out of there absolutely stuffed! Then back to the room for an early-ish night and a movie in bed

I had such a great day and through various media received messages from all over the world. Given the number of people I already knew and others I have met from all over the planet they would arrive steadily through the day as the sun rose on the various time zones.

The benefit of being at the starting end of the world’s day meant I also got to have a Skype conversation with my family the following morning for me but while it was still my birthday back in the UK. My 41st was certainly one to remember!