Dog sitting in Narrabeen, Sydney is one way of getting a dog for Christmas. This is my first official dog sitting experience in Australia. I am so excited and I have already taken Milo the dog I am sitting for a walk. Not only will I get some great exercise, I get to live on the Northern Beaches for even longer!
As you may have gathered I love the Northern Beaches and I would love to live here for a few months here and there every year! I am lucky enough to be able to get a 3-month visa and stay in this beautiful part of the world. Thank you, universe!
There are lots of things to do in Narrabeen, due to having the lagoon and the sea, it’s perfect for SUP – (that’s Stand Up Paddling), kayaking, walks, cycling, surfing (of course) and swimming in the rock pool. Due to the walking the dog, I haven’t managed to get over to it yet! It’s a very chilled out place to live with plenty of cafe’s and restaurants nearby.
One thing I really love about dog walking is that I tend to notice all the different trees and I just have a few moments to snap a tree, plant or flower along the way!
Here’s some I found on my dog walking trips.
Explore nature in the Northern Beaches
Milo was such fun to care for, she was no bother and besides a morning tease when trying to put on her collar, she was a dream to look after.
In the New Year I have a new dog assignment and this time it’s in Manly. I little dog this time called Pepper. I can’t wait for that either… dogs bring so much love into your life. I met Pepper at Christmas and she is a very different type of dog to Milo – she is quite snappy and moody apparently, we will see!
Happy New Year to everyone. Here’s to creating an amazing 2018!
I will be seeing Robert Forster ex founding member of the Go-Betweens, he’s doing a talk at the Sydney Writer’s Festival. He has written a book called GRANT & I. I saw the Go-Betweens play live loads of times in London over the years. They have recorded over 15 albums but never really hit the big time! A bit like the Indie band I was in during the 90’s – never quite got there but had a lot of praise during their time.
I will be seeing Liane Moriarty author of The Husband’s Secretand Little Big Lies – she was really popular in my book club back in the UK. I have been living on the Northern Beaches for the last month so have been getting a feel for where some of the books were set.
To book visit a place at the festival online: www.swf.org.au
2. Palm Beach Pool – I love the salt water pools at the northern beaches. Palm Beach a beautiful spot to sit against a warm wall and watch the sea, the pool and the blue sky. Followed by a coffee in a lovely coffee shop called 2108 espresso!
Take a boat trip from Palm Beach to Pittwater and back. I took a trip from Palm Beach to Ettalong Beach and visited a friend in Umina. It was lovely to be on the water!
My favourite spot Air BnB – check out this amazing location and a cosy cabin with views overlooking Palm Beach, located in the Northern Beaches of Sydney. I can personally vouch for Bobbie she is a lovely person and you couldn’t ask for a better host.
Here are some images of her place:
PALM BEACH AIR BNB – WITH BOBBIE YOUR HOST
https://bnc.lt/EVmg/nBNM3opfg
5. Clothes shopping Absolutely, no need to leave the peninsula for a shopping trip. I came across a brand called BOOM Shankar – it’s colourful brand, fun, practical and stylish too! The skirt I bought is perfect for travelling as its reversible. It’s a FREE SIZE and held together with poppers and made with 100% cotton. If you can afford to go upmarket or buy a signature piece for your wardrobe visit Lee Matthews shop in Newport Beach – OMG – Beautifully made clothes but sadly not on my budget. The pieces you would wear for years to come! If you are on a budget pop a few doors down and find a bargain with second-hand designer wear at Encore. Again I saw some Lee Mathews clothes in there.
6. Avalon Cinema – catch a movie here see what ‘s one.. this week it was Their Finest – a British Comedy with Bill Nighy and Gemma Atherton.
7. I haven’t been to Bigola Beach yet, so if it’s sunny this week I will be heading down to this beach again and trying out their pool. There are so many beaches that are all gorgeous but you might as well as visit as many as you can!
8. Mona Vale yoga – Introductory price only $29.00 for a whole week’s yoga.
Meet Koochi at My Organic hairdressers. She is adorable and friendly…
My Organic Hairdressers – Corner of Foamcrest & Coles Prd. Newport Beach, NSW 2016 – Meet the lovely Hairdresser Claire… and her lovely dog Koochi.
To book call Claire on 9979 2494
Visit one of the many cafes on the Northern Beaches and read one of my favourite books this month: Jamie Catto’s Insanely Gifted Turn your Demons into Rocket Fuel and Robert Forster’sGrant & I.
Why I have fallen in love with Sydney, Australia – May 2017
Colour: Each country I will choose a colour and Australia for me is the colour blue – rock pools/sea/sky everywhere you look is blue…
Cafe: Northern Beaches especially Palm beach – lovely spot, great coffee and delicious bliss ball – lovely friendly staff! visit: @2108esspresso cafe
Inspirational /favourite book: Robert Forster ‘s Grant and I
Animal: Birds – Rainbow Lorikeet (Hilariously funny things and amazing multi-coloured coats)
Nature: So many beautiful trees around here I am living in a sea of green but my favourite is the Paperbark trees, shredding its bark from the outside and it’s like a soft blanket of creamy coloured contoured bark.
Place: Northern Beaches – also known locally as the “the insular
peninsular” – Palm Beach rock pool /Newport Beach Rockpool – all the beautiful beaches – who needs to go anywhere!
People: Friendly Australian people – love ’em. Always seem to be friendly and kind, willing to redirect you when you get lost or have a chat. I even got invited for Sunday lunch and I had a really lovely time!
Music: I have been listening to Go-Betweens – revisited CD – Live on Snap!
Cinema: Buena Vista Social Club – feel-good documentary about Cuban music.
I fall in love with every country I visit… Nepal, India, Bali, and currently Australia…I realise I have not just fallen in love with the country, I have fallen in love with life, and in doing so I have fallen in love with my own life!
The month of May brings a month of many birthdays around me and this year it has been more significant as I turned 50! For the last six months I have been traveling in Nepal, India, Bali and now I am in Sydney, Australia. It wasn’t planned that I would be here for my birthday but I found myself here house sitting in the Northern Beaches. It is a truly beautiful spot, full of sandy beaches, coffee shops and a laid back atmosphere, so all my needs are catered, only one thing I am alone, having left all my friends and family in the UK. I couldn’t wish for a better view though, sunrise and sunset, sunshine or rain it is a great spot to be.
I love the number One: the beginning, the leading number, being number One has such positive connotations. This month will be a month of many firsts for me besides turning 50. I am setting up my first blog www.travelwithalice.com and therefore writing my very first blog post. I have joined an online course to assist me and making the step out of my comfort zone into the world of blogging. Let’s hope I don’t live to regret it!
Lately, I have come to celebrate the 1st of every month, as it reminds me to start the month on a positive note and set my intentions for the month, a stepping stone towards creating my new life.
Free e-book Once Upon a Time… By Christine & Alice Readman
The number one reminds me of universal oneness and inter-connectedness. On this first blog I want to celebrate one special person in my life – who happened to be instrumental in my birth too, my Dad. He would have been 85 years old today the 18th May but died aged 66 back in 1999. I am offering a free e-book to my all my new subscribers. I created the book from the story my sister Christine Readman wrote about our dad’s passing to help the then young members of our family to come to terms with the loss of their granddad, you might find it helpful for yourself or someone you know who has lost a loved one.
Join the subscriber list and Once Upon a Time… A story of a Grandad : e-book will be sent to you via email for you to download.
I have recently joined a 30DC creative clinic with the author John Williams it’s been on my to do list since June 2016 when I posted the cover on my Instagram account to remind me. So on the 1st of May 2017 to coinside with my turning 50 i started the course. I was inspired to read his book Screw Work Lets Play and Screw Work Break Free when I found myself yet again needing to reinvent myself and do something new.
I was so enthused by the book I told lots of people about it especially those in jobs or situations that was slowly draining them of their enthusiasm for life. Well, here I am not only doing his online course and feeling totally inspired by the community he creates around it but working on creating a new life and freedom for myself.
The free e-book Once upon a time.. will be emailed to you after you have subscribed to the mailing list below.
Love and magical new beginnings,
Alice x
Postcard from the Northern Beaches, Sydney – Wish you were here!
