Abseiling and Manly

Woke up before 5am texting a few friends then time to catch train before 6am to Central Station to go abseiling with Hisako. Met Hisako at Central Station just after 6.30am then to find the pick up point which was YHA central. Was supposed to get picked up at 6.45am but was a few minutes late and was a full coach 10 people and 2 instructors both calked James. Doing tour with Eagel Rock Adventures which had booked through Groupon. Unfortunately this was our third time booking it but at least doing it now and was only $60, which wasn't too bad. Once on the mini bus we headed to the South Coast which took 1hour and 30 minutes and stop at Bald Hill in Stanwell Park for toilet stop. Bald Hill is one of Illawarra most well known and most popular lookout situated a top the hill off that name. Not only are the views excellent, the area is also internationally known as a major hang gliding point. After a few minutes admiring the view was off to our abseiling place still in a Stanwell Park 1st get all our gear on then walk down Wodi Wodi track. Once at site first get abseiling preparation and practice thb could have practice on little wall first before doing big one. Thought might be a good idea to have a practice first went ok but went a little too the right but one person wouldn't even have a practice. Then time to abseil off cliffs off up to 30 metres did twice and felt getting better each time have Tim Tam, which provided. It was then to do it once more then time for break/lunch at 10.30am had sandwich which were homemade by instructors. Was very good for homemade was chicken, salad, feta, chilli and avocado nice that food supplied only thing didn't get drinks luckily bought with me. It was then time to go abseiling again did 3 more times and tried the other rope which was slightly faster. Ended up finishing at 12ish then get to Seacliffe bridge which is a balanced cantilever bridge, it's entire length is 665 metres. Walking across you get spectacular views which never loses sight of the sea and took about 20-30 minutes but didn't matter as a lovely day. Got picked up at other end of bridge and go to Scarborough hotel for a drink where sat in beer garden. From the beautiful gardens it has fantastic views out to sea and along the coastlines. Trust once we had just got our 2nd drink then time to go but luckily gave us an extra few minutes before we left. Was starting to fall asleep then we stopped at Southgate shopping centre for toilet stop and some to get alcohol. Really enjoyed abseiling and was definitely fun to get out off Sydney for the day, now tempted to do canoeing. Get back to city just before 4 and luckily once back didn't have to wait long for train straight to Rhodes. Once back get Xmas then chill once home and then eventually get organised and packed bag for weekend and only ended up getting to Tiago's at 8ish. When got to Tiago's he was feeling tired do laid in his room playing a game. His Dad making us tea so whilst waiting watched episode 'Homeland' and didn't have dinner til about 10ish prawns and rice. Then aim was to go to the local pub but didn't happen instead we ended up falling asleep. Woke up 8.30 but think we must off fallen back asleep and eventually got up 12ish were found cockroach in my bag which Tiago got rid off. Then eventually we got moving and got to Manly 1.30, Tiago drove and got packed quite easily. Since not eaten first stop was food ended up going for fish n chips probably not the best thing for breakfast. Went to fish shack which gave nice views of beach and good fish will definitely go again but couldn't eat all fish so Tiago finish it all for me. Was quite windy so not really beach weather so instead walk round to Shelley beach. Once at Shelley beach was nice and sunny also the busiest seen beach in a while. Where parked was only allowed 2 hours so left after 3ish and when got back had place to ourselves. So chilled for abit then watched further episode of 'Homeland' our aim was to go out but woke up 9. Then ended up falling back asleep til midnight so not really time to go out, so just ended up going back to sleep.