North Head Walk
Today was better weather but still cool. Sue and I started the day with a quick cycle ride from the house, but as we're pretty unfit at the moment, it was hard work up all the hills around here. And we thought Crowborough was bad!

Caroline had arranged to see some friends today and Laura preferred to stay at the house, so Sue, Rebecca and I headed off to Manly where there was a walk being held on the last day of the 'Parks Week', promoting the various National Parks around Sydney. A new walk has just been opened from Manly up onto the North Head, with good paths through the bush and a route that takes in the old Artillery training school. The photo is of Sue and Rebecca at the edge of the parade ground, having completed the walk.

The North Head had great views across to Sydney city and up the Northern Beaches, plus there's a lot of history here with the old army base and the Quarantine Station where immigrants were held in the 19th century. There were quite a lot of people on the walk and the sun came out for much of it. Highlights were following the path by ducking through a hole in the old wall surrounding the headland, an old gun emplacement from WWII, views across the harbour and the Quarantine Station cemetery, with gravestones in overgrown bushland.

On the way back to the car we detoured through the Management College where there was a wine festival taking place. Lovely atmosphere and interesting to see this building close up as it stands out above Manly and the surrounding area.

This place was also the setting for Nicole Kidman's wedding to Keith Urban in June this year.