#Stevethroughthetrees

An adventure I did not know would be my last with Steve while here in Australia. We decided that we should probably go out and do something active as the chance of rain was low and we are both partial to binging Netflix all day so we chose to be good and go for a walk.
We met in Manly and had a lovely lunch at the Ivan Hotel before setting off on the 10km hike.

The walk led us back along the familiar route of my Dad's old flat in Fairlight which winds around the cliff edges and lands on a small sandy beach. Memories of fun times with Paige and my sister flooded my mind as I posed for a picture in front of the old building of flats. We continued on the trail coming to more beaches and impressive lookouts over the ocean before stopping for a short rest overlooking a secluded beach.

Big, gloopy puddles of mud punctuated the path and we had to tiptoe along the edges and over small stones to avoid ruining our poorly chosen footwear. Unsurprisingly, we hit a mountain of stairs because everywhere in Australia is bloody uphill! I climbed them grumpily but once we reached the top we were met by a beautiful view looking out across the Manly heads and Watson's Bay.

Feeling tired, we decided to have a break on a bench and soak up the views. I half hoped that Steve would be wanting to give in and in true Steve nature, summon an Uber. He didn't! Instead we continued up

more stairs and more hills and more vertical slopes and anything that caused me to want to cut my legs off with a chainsaw! It was worth it though! The views of the harbour were stunning and we moved through lots of different terrains, one moment being on a generic coastal footpath to the next wading through puddles and bushland. Bonus points for me too! We only almost got lost once!

Once we reached the Spit beach I was pleased to find the nearest bench and finish eating my KitKat. Steve was now having alcohol withdrawal symptoms and I knew he wouldn't last much longer. The cafe was closed. I could see up ahead that there was a yacht club but the piled chairs outside suggested that that too was closed. I expected Steve's skin to turn green and blow up like the Hulk! I could picture him in his tiny purple shorts, throwing cars off the Spit bridge onto unsuspecting pelicans! This wasn't good. We would have to get a move on to make it to the city ASAP!

The end of the walk was surprisingly short and I had been able to distract Steve by talking about random crap he doesn't care about for long enough to make it to the bus stop. "Should we have a drink at Wynyard?" He suggested. I could see his shoulders beginning to bulge and a dusting of lime green spread across his neck. I checked my watch anxiously! Not too long to the city now!

We made it in the nick of time, and with a pint in his hand, I was able to relax with my wine in the too crowded pub. We found one more pub before we needed to head to Cherik's for dinner. Playing Steve's favourite game of "Who would you do in the room." (More fun to play with James as he panics and says stupid things like "It's not about looks, they might not have a nice personality!" Scoff!) I jokingly pointed out an old man sitting at the table behind us. "Haha" I laughed.

"Na, the one with the long hair maybe." Me looking at the guy behind old man. Steve looking at other old man with long hair that I can't see.
"No, seriously!" Steve judged.
"Yeah! I mean, it's slim pickings but he's alright." It's a strange feeling watching someone's opinion of you depreciate while they stare at you with disdain. Confused, I looked around to see the ugly old dude behind me and suddenly everything started making sense!
"Should we go?"
We headed to Cherick's and Buddy's house and were greeted by the sweet smell of a vegan korma! Eric poured us some wine and I stole Buddy for cuddles immediately!

Dinner was delicious! It even made me consider turning vegan for at least ten whole minutes! We watched our favourite Fab 5 from Queer Eye on that program "Nailed it," it's like watching a mirror of me every time I attempt to bake something (Basically, they make things that have been seen on Pinterest and try to copy them...badly!) Eric and I fought over Buddy's love and attention but of course I won because I'm his favourite Aunty! We had to let them get to sleep because they're those strange types that get up early to go to the gym (shudders)... Steve and I grabbed one last drink at a swanky (I use words like swanky now) bar on Oxford street and then said our goodbyes! I would have hugged him more tightly had I known it was to be the last time I would see him whilst living in Australia (crying emoji!)