Dee Why Lagoon

Today (Friday 21 November) was forecast to be one of the hottest November days in Sydney. 40 degrees centigrade. Fortunately it didn’t peak that high, but at 10 am it was 38 degrees and warm enough. By 3 pm I was fed-up of being indoors so set out for the beach at Dee Why, a mere 5 minute walk away. I took a book and headed for shade near the sea swimming pool at the south end of the beach. After an hour, I decided that it was cool enough in the breeze to head off for a walk along the beach. Walking on the sand is very good for rough heels. 🙂

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I kept to the edge of the surf as I headed towards the metal pole featured in my previous post, stopping occasionally to see if I could spot a surfer. At the post I headed up into the sand dunes which were apparently once 20 metres high, and found a trail that led to the lagoon, once home to black swans, but sadly no more. Within moments the roar of the ocean was left behind and only birdsong could be heard in the stillness surrounding the lagoon.

A trail leads around the lagoon to Long Reef Beach where a couple of weeks ago I watched school-kids learn to paddle surf. When the sea is cut off from the lagoon, as today, you can walk over to a boardwalk and up the Dee Why headland for 360 degree views.  I opted to give this a miss and made my way back to the edge of the surf to walk back along Dee Why beach back to the Strand, letting the sea breeze caress my skin.

It did occur to me to put my sandals back on and also keep an eye out for snakes. I have no idea if there are any around here, but since Australia has the most poisonous snakes in the world it makes sense to be careful.

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I’m still amazed to see so many Aussies lying out in the sun without shade. Hardly anyone wears a hat, even children! I feel like a right tourist in mine!

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‘Slip, Slop, Slap! It sounds like a breeze when you say it like that Slip, Slop, Slap! In the sun we always say ‘Slip, Slop, Slap!’

Slip, Slop, Slap! Slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen and slap on a hat Slip, Slop, Slap! You can stop skin cancer – say: ‘Slip, Slop, Slap!’

What happened?

Has the ozone hole healed up?

It certainly doesn’t feel like it.

Perhaps they need to reinstate this advert!

Arrived back to a very warm flat, but a nicely chilled New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc that I had popped into the freezer before I left.

If you enjoy a walk, short or long, then you may enjoy visiting Jo’s Monday Walk where you are in for a treat.

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Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

40 thoughts on “Dee Why Lagoon”

  1. Looks like a beautiful place from your photos Jude, and very few people in the shots give it a nice sense of isolation too. I have seen on the news that Australia has very high temperatures, and bush fires too. Be careful!
    Regards as always, Pete. x

    1. I didn’t see a soul around the lagoon Pete, they are all on the beach side! Storm today, but still hasn’t cleared the air, if anything it is stickier than ever. Heading south tomorrow where temps are a bit cooler. Can’t really complain though, it is so nice to wake up to sunshine every morning 🙂

  2. I’m surprised you could walk on the sand with out shoes on. It can cook the soles and make you hop like a kangaroo… 🙂 You have captured some lovely sunny beach photos Jude. They should warm the cockles when you look at them back in UK

    1. I stayed along the water’s edge PP, put my sandals on around the lagoon and until I got back across the sand to the edge again! Yes I know about hot sand!! Caught out once or twice before 🙂

  3. Looks like a very beautiful walk especially as we are covered in snow here in Minnesota! Love that you had the Sav Blanc waiting too! My favorite wine on a hot day!

    1. I’d stopped drinking white wine, but got hooked again last year on holiday in Cornwall where I had the most delicious NZ Sav Blanc. Nothing better on a hot day 🙂

  5. I did so enjoy that, Jude! Thank you so much. Your sunhat comment made me smile because it tied in so well with my reply to you 🙂
    Bestest wishes to Meg!

  6. I was in a reverie on my walk with you until you shocked me with the snake!! Love ‘slip, slop, slap’ 😍

  7. Loved this gorgeous, hot stroll Jude. As always the variety of the photos you take intrigues me. I really liked the use of the paths and the wooden fencing drawing one in to the scene. I’d be with you with hat and scads of sunscreen.

    1. Thanks Sue – the shadows of the railings drew my attention. And I wanted to try and capture the solitude of the lagoon side opposed to the busier beach. Hope that worked.

    1. I’m too self conscious to swim in public, need to get over that, as a dip would have been nice. Between the flags though or in the pool can be quite crowded.

      1. I always head for the quieter spots! Simon really helped me to overcome some of my self-concious issues, but I only ever wear a full swimming costume. Bikini’s are awkward when you’re overweight with an ostomy :-O Earlier this year there was a huge campaign with ostomates all over the UK “Getting their bellies out” but I couldn’t actually find a bikini to fit me while we were in Greece!

  9. Oh, we are Sydneysiders, Jo – WE don’t need protection ! Much. Well, only when melanoma catches up with us and we need the protection of hospital care …
    Lovely post, m’dear !!!

  10. What a fabulous walk Jude, its heavenly there. I’m not a lie on the beach girl but the dunes and lagoon suit me fine!

    1. Peaceful at the other side. What is the bird Gilly? Some kind of heron? Quite small compared to a Blue Heron.

      1. Goodness I’m no bird expert, it does look like a small heron – as does and egret but I’ve only seen white egrets?

      2. Of course I had to come back and remind myself and you’re right this is like the Warren on a bigger and sunnier scale 🙂

        1. Sunnier would be nice, but I wouldn’t want these temperatures all the time. Thanks for drawing my attention to the Warren 🙂

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