It is good to be back in Manly!!  Although it did rain a bit at first, it was still 75 degrees out and rained in bursts.  It was quite nice actually!  Now the sun is out full force and it is absolutely gorgeous.  Our “holiday flat” looks out over the ocean so our days are full of sounds of the surf.  Many, if not most, of our friends are still here, and it has been fantastic catching up with everyone.  Stephane has been playing as much beach volleyball as he can, and when he isn’t doing that he is running on the beach.  Sophia loves it here, and keeps talking about this being our “new house” and also talking about “our old house where we don’t live anymore”.  She is quite taken with the beach, and loves running into the waves.  I had my first surf lesson this week as well!  Got a bit beat up by some tall strong waves, but I did get onto my feet a few times!  (quite gracefully of course)  Yesterday morning we had a brekky barbie (translation breakfast barbecue) at Shelly beach followed by a bit of a snorkel along the Cabbage tree reserve.  We then swam in an ocean fed pool at Fairy Bower beach before checking out a few of the native lizards on the walk back to Manly.  It was lovely!  I hope to post some photos soon as well.  Take care!!