Newcastle

All these years we've been driving straight past Newcastle, and I never realised that so much lovelieness was just a short drive off the main highway. It's certainly on our list of stop offs now.

The circular wading pool at Newcastle Ocean Baths
The wading pool used to have a map of the world in the base a local told us

...getting a bit arty with my photography don't you think?

The view of Newcastle Beach from our room

Ocean Baths - art deco buildings - how gorgeous

Ready for our morning coffee (really nice coffee)

AND... a doggie friendly cafe too! (we loved that - always on the lookout for poochie friendlies)

The Bathers Cafe had lots of lovely treats for a light lunch and affordable too and a lovely view and dog friendly - how great is that - and really NICE staff (a big five paw rating from us).

We were fascinated by the little dome structure at the end of the baths and came up with all sorts of fantasies about where it led. Underwater cave entrance that leads to the nearby fort... or this, an underwater cave entrance that leads to the nautilus... much more interesting than a pool drainage pump don't you think?

We had a lovely wander around the foreshore and managed to stay dry as the ocean bumped up against the retaining wall...

Sculpture by artist John Petrie to commemorate the grounding of the Pasha Bulker br>

Video footage of the Pahsa Bulker aground - the waves certainly pound in at this beach - as this boat and it's crew member's discovered.

The street art is amazing...

...Art by Matt Adnate
the sheer size of most of the works alone is a bit awe inspiring

This is a video of Matt painting in Hosier Lane in Melbourne, but it will give you an idea of the scale of Matt's murals

Hit the Bricks brought some of the top street artists to Newcastle in 2013

More info about Hit The Bricks click here

We had a great wander around looking at the art

How would it be if there were certain spaces where street artists could legally paint? Do you think that would work? Would it help to curtail tagging and graffitti? Or is it the forbidden aspect that is enticing?

Wandering around Pittwater - Stowaway Cafe Bayview

Peaches and Toby have their daily walks and swims at Rowland Reserve dog beach at Bayview. It's a leash free area, and the dogs have a great time playing and swimming there. Peaches had a great time swimming after fish, and Toby even joined in the fun. After their play, we decided to have a wander around the foreshores of Pittwater. Not far into our walk, Toby spotted Stowaway Cafe, so we wandered in and to all our delights discovered it is pet friendly.

The people are so welcoming and the food is fabulous - we had a delightful little treat made especially for the cafe, and there were the most darling little angel cake forks (I want some). The view at Stowaway is very beautiful... we gazed along the marina at the gorgeous yachts nestled in Pittwater, and watched billowing sails as yachts slid away on their journeys into morning sun - so relaxing. Click here to visit Stowaway Cafe Bayview's site.