Day out at Le Perouse

I had such a wonderful day out in Le Perouse with Meet Up.  The day stated on a cultural note and then we did a spectacular hike along the coast.

Custom's Tower

I never seem to grow tired of photographing this tower in Le Perouse. It was built in 1822 with views of the entry to Botany Bay. Troops were stationed in the watchtower to keep watch for smugglers. From 1833 until 1903, the watchtower took on the role of a customs house. The tower is the oldest structure in Botany Bay and the oldest customs house in New South Wales.

 

Bare Island
Our first stop was the military fort on Bare Island, built in 1885.  This island fortress can be gained access from the mainland by a hundred year old wooden foot bridge.  Bare Island was part of the traditional land of the Gweagal and Kameygal Aboriginal tribes. In 1770, it was described as ‘a small bare island’ by early explorer, Lieutenant James Cook, hence its current name.

Congwong Beach
Next stop was this beautiful beach with some lovely sculptured rocks.  I was tempted for a swim but got sidetracked with my photography and then lost the group. I ran to catch up, took a wrong turn and ended on a nudist beach!!  Needless to say, I didn't take any photos there.

A beautiful hike along the coast

Thankfully I caught up with the group eventually and I'm so very glad I did.  The coastal scenery on the 12 km walk we did was absolutely breathtaking.  I can't believe I haven't done this walk before!  It's destined to become one of my favourite coastal walks in Sydney.

As usual, I marvelled at all the beautiful flowers along the way.

We came across these fortifications that were used as defence during World War 2.  I always love exploring old buildings like this, and some of them had the best sea views in Sydney.

Of course, no hike is complete without a leap and I managed to recruit someone to share in the fun!

We came across this cemetery, used primarily as a quarantine cemetery from the 1880’s.  It is home to over 2000 graves.




On return to Le Perouse, we stopped to watch the reptile show which takes place every Sunday. We were shown lots of scary snakes to watch out for on our hikes!

A small group of us went for a bite to eat and them ambled back to Bare Island to enjoy the amazing rock formations, and in my case, do a final leap!

Joyce, Maria, Emily, Siva

The ice cream van at Le Perouse is an institution (at least for me!) and I wasn't leaving without a double with nuts and flake!!  I left happy.  What a great day out with lovely people.

Farewell dinner with Chrisèl

Chrisèl leaves on Saturday for South Africa where she'll spend the next year.  Needless to say, I'm feeling sad and will miss her enormously.  To say goodbye, we went to Radio Cairo (which appropriately is an African themed restaurant) for delicious boerewors, lamb sosaties, succulent pork ribs in an amazing sauce, Mozambican chille prawns, crème brulee, mint tea ice cream and a Mozambique tartlet.  We enjoyed every mouthful!

Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak with Russell

It's so wonderful that Russell is in Cape Town at the same time as me. Today, we were happily reunited after not seeing each other since he was in Sydney in 2010.

Russell is staying in Hout Bay with his mum.  It was lovely to see her again too, and I was amazed to find that Sally is still alive.  She is 18 I think!  She's slow and a bit hobbled but the Sally sparkle is still there.  I burst into tears when I saw her as it made me realise Mack is going to get old too one day.

Russell and I then went for ice-cream at my favourite Italian ice-cream place in Hout Bay followed by some geo-caching and leaping on the beautiful Chapman's Peak.

Sally, now 18 years old!!

My favourite ice cream place in just about the whole world.  I did my usual 4 scoops bonanza.

Views from Chapman's Peak

Russell and I doing what we do best.

Le Perouse

I spent a relaxing late afternoon with James, a neighbour and friend, at Le Perouse.  I have photographed it before, but the light was totally different this time.  That's what I love about photography - you're never sure what you're going to get and each time, you get a different result.


The Tower

The Island and Bridge

The Ice cream van - note the number plate!

Interested in my ice cream...

Partners in crime -  James and I

And after many months of in-action, a Myburghian Leap

See also: first visit to Le Perouse
.