The weather was crazy in my part of the world over the weekend – Saturday was hot and sunny, 25 degrees in August!! Then Sunday dawned rainy and miz.
When I saw what global warming had planned for my Saturday I was determined to make the most of it.
So I started Googling beachside cafes and we ended up at the most glorious place called the Pelican Pavilion at Collaroy.
I mean, how could I go past THIS …
The kids and I settled down on some stools and ordered burgers and fish and chips with the best view ever.
My burger was YUM: wagyu beef patty, pickles, Dijon, cheddar, pastrami, burger sauce with divine, thick-cut chips.
Afterwards we headed onto the sand. We built sandcastles and moats and the youngest did endless cartwheels. The eldest is still poorly from her virus (it turns out she has old markers for glandular fever so I’m wondering if that’s why she’s been so ill all year) so she just settled down on the sand and buried her legs.
There had been much kicking and screaming from the youngest about taking her cossie and wetsuit to the beach … but guess what I ended up doing? Yep, making a towel dressing room so she could shimmy into her stuff and hit the surf.
She had the most awesome time for about 30 minutes, splashing in the icy waves in the sunshine.
I sat on the sand watching her and got a little teary about how wonderful I felt. The sun was shining, the air was salty and fresh, the crashing waves were soothing my soul …
The beach is my happy place. I must live beside it one day. I must.
If I had a spare $5.5million lying around I could probably make do with this place for sale at Newport …
Do you have a favourite beach? Most of mine are in Newcastle, but I do love Freshwater.
Song of the day: Martha & The Muffins “Echo Beach”
housegoeshome 
The one next to Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland (remember Chariots of Fire? That one). Cold, windswept, bleak, the North Sea comes crashing in. The keep of Bamburgh glowers over the scene. Just magical. No, I’m not a summer person.
I love a beach in winter
I grew up in Bondi and like it best in Winter. Summer is a nightmare!
We lived in Bondi for a few years and loved it, except for the partying backpackers
The partying backpackers (and model-types) got worse with each and every summer. Bondi was a lot quieter in the late 70s when we first moved there! But so was everywhere I guess. After 27 summers in Bondi my family finally had enough!
Which is your fave Newy beach?
I like the rock pools at Merewether.