jumpingjellybean

For gay men A fully clothed female like me stuck out (bad choice of words maybe!) like a sore thumb. But it is still a lovely harbour beach, if you don't mind waggling willies in your line of sight.

No comment.

As long as you have: Yourself! Money Passport WHV Visa That is all you really need. Everything else you can get here.

Nah. You will learn the lesson in your own sweet time.

Well its like the second coming of Christ almost!

Nah didn't see him today. But have seen him before when they film during the mid-week.

You were lucky to find a park; rarer than hens teeth! The best way to Bondi is by bus. Yes you need to view sculptures early morning sunrise or just before dusk. Any other time is a crowded nightmare - hot and sweaty - with an "interesting" range of people indeed :laugh:

Also pays to shop around. Local BWS sells a wine I like for $29.99. Local Dan Murphys sells exactly the same wine for $19.99. Less than 1km apart from each other. Both owned by the Woolworths brand. Same with a supplement I buy except the two shops are literally around the corner from each other with a $20 difference. Cars are cheaper to buy in Blacktown than Dee Why, despite being the same car and dealership. So definitely shop around to find the cheaper prices.

Don't know! Do a search: http://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/beaches-and-coast/rock-fishing http://www.tripugo.com/activities.aspx?Country=Australia&Region=All&Com=All&Type=fish

Sounds like a mixture of exhaustion, stress and anxiety! Oh well a day of soaking up the sun rays, gamboling around in the waves and vast quantities of alcohol will revive your spirits once you get here.

I have a very good lifestyle here. But compared to others I probably live below the poverty line. I am not materialistic and live a relatively simple life. You cannot take it with you when you die - so live for the moment and enjoy your life now At least your children will probably pay for your nursing home!

And I suggest you do your research before you go: one is a mixed nudist beach and one of them is a gay (male) nudist beach. Bit of a shock to the system if not expecting either!

What a good post. It will introduce me to some new beaches. I have never even heard of "Seven Shillings Beach". I love the beach. Depending on which I go to will depend on the activity. Sometimes that activity is swimming, sometimes paddling, sometimes just walking up an down whilst thinking how bloody lucky I am to live here, sometimes to take sunrise or sunset photos, sometimes inspecting the rock pools......today was mainly sitting in the sun drink chardonnay! I hate Bondi. Bad parking or otherwise I just dislike it. Favorite beaches are: Tamarama Bronte Balmoral Chinamans Shelly Gordon Milk Whale Bungan Bilgola Palm (been there all day today) Obelisk Wattamolla Congwong Not sure I can pick an absolute favourite though. Each has its own charm.

What a good post. It will introduce me to some new beaches. I have never even heard of "Seven Shillings Beach". I love the beach. Depending on which I go to will depend on the activity. Sometimes that activity is swimming, sometimes paddling, sometimes just walking up an down whilst thinking how bloody lucky I am to live here, sometimes to take sunrise or sunset photos, sometimes inspecting the rock pools......today was mainly sitting in the sun drink chardonnay! I hate Bondi. Bad parking or otherwise I just dislike it. Favorite beaches are: Tamarama Bronte Balmoral Chinamans Shelly Gordon Milk Whale Bungan Bilgola Palm (been there all day today) Obelisk Wattamolla Congwong Not sure I can pick an absolute favourite though. Each has its own charm.

Slowly getting there………….so are you THERE yet? Surely you must be in excitement free fall now SS? I know I would be. It is like the countdown to Santa on Xmas Day as a child! So hoping you don’t bring the rain like you threatened / promised! :laugh: It was a glorious Sydney spring day today. The sort that makes you feel happy to be alive. All the trees are budding and blooming and everyone is out and about gearing up mindset for the forthcoming summer. Lots of happy relaxed people permanently in holiday mode. That is how I always feel even with a job I am disliking. A beautiful day makes everything seem better! Surfers galore out catching a wave break. I didn’t have that much energy. All I could manage was an egg and bacon roll and a coffee whilst sitting on the beach. A walk on the beach today at 10am was a warm 21C (70F) but with a cool refreshing breeze. Glorious. It was so beautiful with the sun glistening on the waves. I was lucky enough to see a pod of dolphins just off shore surfing through the waves. If you get time when you are here in Sydney, catch the L88 or L90 bus from Wynyard CBD rail station to Palm Beach. It takes 1.5 hours each way on the bus or an hour in a car. Make a whole day of it. There are some great cafes for breakfast (pancakes, maple toast or eggs benedict) and lunch (fish, chips and glass of wine in the balmy sun, topped off with a Maggie Beer salted caramel ice-cream!!) otherwise bring your own picnic. There are two beaches to choose from (a sheltered beach and an ocean beach) only a few minutes walk from each other, plus an energetic walk up to the lighthouse for sensational views. Or you could go sailing on Pittwater and over to a deserted water-only access beach on the National Park side. You could even make a whole weekend of it and stay overnight at the Pittwater or Avalon backpacker hostels. http://www.railmaps.com.au/routedetails.php?RouteSelect=745

What about: http://www.costco.com.au I am not a member and have never even been to one. But I hear they are quite cheap.

I agree. That is one thing I really missed about Australia when I returned to the UK after my WHV. It may have changed in the UK since. But back then I was buying several varieties of fresh whole prawns, balmain bugs, lobster and oysters in Australia. Then on my return to the UK, I went to the fishmongers and found one type of peeled frozen prawn (you know the little bland ones found in a typical prawn cocktail) and some tinned lobster. It was a shock to the system. :laugh: Good quality fresh fish is very abundant and cheap in Sydney. Plus of course you can catch your own if you feel so inclined.

Just move to Canberra then. I never realized how much Canberra resembles some towns in the UK: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-17/colours-of-autumn-in-canberra/6395176 If they didn't say it was Canberra, I would have thought it was old Blighty.

No. That is just the people!

Luckily I find history pretty boring. Maybe that is why I have settled so well in Australia. I hated it at school. Constantly droning on about King Henry, Battle of Hastings, Magna Carta and other such excitements. I remember thinking "who cares" and "how does that help me live my life NOW". Appreciate it a bit more now I am older. As to sightseeing - well I prefer visiting ancient rainforests, sandstone gorges and waterfalls - to walking around stuffy grand houses looking at (usually hideous) antiques.

Passport Money Backpack (or suitcase!) Clean Knickers That is all you need!

Alcoholic recovering or otherwise. That is one thing I do remember about the UK - the excessive amount of pubs in any one area. At one time I lived in a tiny village that had four pubs. I reckon three of them must have been fronts for money laundering operations, as no idea how they all managed to stay in business.

Not at all! I was just (helpfully) explaining to dxboz what the OP said..........as I understand it at least.

The $7000 could potentially last you the full year....... if you spend your time Woofing. You can Woof up and down the East Coast and indeed all over Australia. You get free food and accommodation in exchange for you helping your hosts. Just like having a job but you are volunteering. It will give you the opportunity to save most of that $7000, and you still get to travel and see the sights. The following links explain it in more detail: http://www.funkhouse.com.au/hostels-sydney-work/wwoofing/ https://www.facebook.com/WWOOFingAustralia http://www.travellers.com.au/WorkInOz/BackpackerJobGuides/WWOOFjobs/tabid/302/Default.aspx http://www.wwoof.com.au/

I really meant get some now and use it before she arrives. Good tip though.