I’m just posting these as I get a chance, and really just picking up on some of the highlights. In between I’m working on the book and relaxing.
Monday we switched to a hotel in Manly to allow ourselves some pampering and to give my sister a break. We had an enjoyable, if unexpected, tour of Manly courtesy of a misunderstanding between the taxi driver and myself. Jetlag, it seems, is the gift that keeps on giving. However, we got a good dinner recommendation out of it. Result.
Our evening meal was spent at a small Australian chain restaurant called Ribs and Rumps. Nice restaurant; great service and gargantuan servings of meat – which was what I was after. G then rolled me back to the hotel. 🙂
On Tuesday, feeling we should really take advantage of our locale, we ventured out into Manly to the places small but perfectly formed gallery. In the guides it is actually declared a museum and gallery but this does seem to be stretching the definition a bit given the historical exhibits all fit in one room. It was a pleasant way to spend an afternoon wandering round some interesting and talented paintings.
I wasn’t aware that Manly had a long established history of bringing kids from the outback out to the Far West school and so, although small, the museum exhibits were genuinely interesting. It was a bit heartbreaking to see the medical conditions that many of the previous incumbents of the school had to deal with. A charming, if random, contrast to this exhibit was provided by a brief history of the surfboard, including example boards going back to the twenties that adorned the ceiling.
A local musician (Manjia Music) serenaded us with violin and keyboard, playing – quite by chance – as part of the Manly art festival. The intriguing performer actually jingled as she walked – her costume having been strewn with tiny bells – and played her self described mixture of spiritual, healing and meditative music. I don’t know about that but it was relaxing, as was the rest of the day.