After being couped up  in Sydney for the ALSO course we took the ferry from Circular Quay to Manly then embarked on the walk to Palm Beach and Barrenjoey lighthouse. We were lucky enough to get perfect weather .Just at the north end of Manly we met up with a girl who became our tour guide to Dee Why. Lil soon found they had plenty in common , Croation origin. The walk is a mixture of paths , trails , rocks and beaches – lots of walking in the sand actually. With a much heavier pack , my speed in the sand was way behind Lil’s , who had also prepared herself with a walk from  Sydney to Maroubra a couple of days before – but I have the map! We continued past our original intended destination at Narabeen lakes making Mona Vale just before dark and finding self contained apartment for the night.  A home cooked meal of flathead fillets and veges was a welcome relief from eating out. The great thing about this walk is you don’t realize while you are walking alongside the Pacific Ocean that you are actually still in suburbia !