Tuesday, March 27

Today was a good day for a ferry ride out to Manly – clear skies, warm temperature and some swell from the ocean to give the trip a little excitement. We try to picnic for lunch whenever possible, to make the most of eating al fresco, so it was a good opportunity to do just that. Manly’s ocean side has a nice beach and also a walking path that goes south to a sheltered beach. As we were sitting on a bench enjoying our lunch, we were joined, rather abruptly, by an Eastern Water Dragon lizard. He had obviously been sunning himself on the wall behind us, saw the food, and decided to make a mighty leap to the ground right next to me. He was about 20 inches long from nose to tail. For those of you who have read our travel journal in the past, you’ll know that Tom DOES NOT LIKE LIZARDS!! As I shared my lunch with him, Tom kept up a constant commentary about not encouraging him, and every time the lizard would come closer, Tom would shout LAUR!! (As though I had any control over what the lizard decided to do) I really like lizards of all kinds, so I was fascinated that he came near enough to be able to observe him “up close and personal.” They are quite beautiful creatures, and somewhat prehistoric looking.