Bondi Beach

The Swimming Pool at Bondi Beach yesterday

It was 28 degrees and sunny in Sydney yesterday (Aussies call that "autumn"), so I headed over to Bondi Beach. Me and about five thousand other people. 


When I saw how many people were on the beach, I was reminded of my favourite Diana Vreeland story.  Over a career spanning 30 years, Diane Vreeland was the editor of Harpers Bazaar and then Vogue magazine, and was an icon of fashion and style. Living in the manner to which she had become accustomed, she never used public transport until one day, after many years of being driven around Manhattan, her husband - for reasons unknown - insisted that they take the bus for the first time. "Oh look Darling!", she exclaimed as they boarded the bus, "there are other people on it!". 


I can relate. It would have been wonderful to have Bondi Beach to myself yesterday but as that was not to be, I stayed for two hours of sunbathing, which most Australians would consider more than enough sun anyway. Remember, this is a country that wears SPF30 when it's raining. So then I headed home for a nap, because is there anything more tiring than relaxing?


Despite it being many years since I lived in Australia, my sense of direction has not improved in the least and I, quite predictably, got lost on the way home. Yes, the car has a GPS system but I think we have established a long time ago that I have trust issues so I often find it hard to believe that the computer knows best. Which is how I found myself accidentally in Surry Hills.


Surry Hills is a Sydney neighbourhood not unlike London's Notting Hill or NYC's Greenwich Village. A bit cool, trendy boutiques, lots of cafes, and people hanging out. Most notably, it is the home of Sparkles Cupcakery, a glamorous bakery that sells cupcakes for dogs, so I parked up to get a little treat for Hobbsy and take a walk around. As they also do a variety of cupcakes for humans I got one for the ex-fiance too, for when he returned from his weekend in Canberra later that day. 


Note to ex-fiance:  Enough is enough. Hurry up home from Canberra else I am going to let Hobbsy eat your cupcake. And  your shoes. 

Bourke Street Bakery in Surry Hills. Expect cues around the corner for their delicious breads.

Coffee at The Book Kitchen

Cupcakes for your pooch at Sparkles Cupcakery

 Ici Et La, for great french finds

  Surry Hills Street 

 Streetlife

 Somone looks like he needs a cupcake, 

Surry Hills is home to one of Bill Granger's cafes.