Delightful detour

We had an appointment in Newcastle last week and rather than heading back home after it (via the library) as we usually do, I decided to drive along the coast road and look at the beach.

We stopped first at the Bar Beach car park and got out to have a look.  I used to come and sit here some days in my lunch break when I was working in Newcastle and just needed to get away.  It was overcast, wth storm clouds trying to summon up the energy to roll in.  There weren't many people on the beach - mainly people jogging both on the beach and up the steps leading to the car park.  Luckily I had the little Bloggie camera in my bag, as Billy wanted to take photos.

We stayed there for a little while taking photos, then I decided to drive around to Merewether Beach, one of the next beaches along.  I'd never been there before - but we are definitely going back!  (And with the proper camera this time.)

The beach was littered with shells and rocks - we found some great ones to add to the collection.  I don't know if it's always like that or if it was due to the recent wild storms.

And it was a very pleasant surprise to find rock pools - we spent ages looking in them trying to identify the creatures we saw.

The Ocean baths were closed but we were still able to have a look at them and marvel that people would use them in winter!

And a spot of colour in an otherwise grey-looking day.

It really was a delightful detour - and one we plan to repeat soon.

(All photos taken by Billy - a small collection of the 150+ taken!)