Chrismas, summer. And it’s overcast and somewhat cool – 20 to 21. I’m comfortable at 25. Which is too bad, a day in the surf was something I was looking forward to doing. I was going to surf – I practiced so I would stand up right away. But the water was too chilly! The wide yellow corn meal Bondi beach was fabulous. We were going to take a trip to Manly beach, but Andrew pointed out that I’d been talking about Bondi for months and I thought I’d better do it so I’d be happy. I have a picture of me on Bondi in my sweatshirt. At least I was on a beach in December, even if I was wearing a sweatshirt. We walked a paved trail that led around craggy rocks to Bronte beach, a recommendation in all the tour books and brochures. And it was a good recommendation. The walkway between Bondi and Bronte was a great walk, beautiful sights all along the way, and interesting sandstone rock formations. Mom was a trooper and walked along with us. There were surfers at Bondi and Bronte both. I like Bronte beach, it’s a smaller beach with one street of cafes overlooking the traffic and eventually, the water. There is a deep park attached to the beach, and it is here that the families were playing cricket and playing on children’s equipment. We ate on the sidewalk in Bronte at Brio Café a trendy and marvelous little place. It’s an open-air café right on the street overlooking the ocean. The street is fringed by palms. The girl down at the café down the street is sitting outside and separating basil so the scent floats up to us on the breeze. I bought a sweatshirt at Bondi because it’s not hot on the beach. I ordered octopus and prawns. It was excellent. We also drank a glass of wine. What a great vacation lunch!