87 Northbridge - Clive Park, Minimbah Road

At the end of Sailors Bay Road in Northbridge  we set off to explore Clive Park and surrounding area.  Unexpected surprises presented themselves the first being Clive Park itself.   Although small, it has excellent picnic tables, benches, BBQ area well set apart in a couple of little glades under  trees looking through to Sailor Bay and across the water to Castlecrag.   It felt quietly secluded even though a few children with attendant adults were enjoying the  beach below.   Our path led around large boulders skirting  the beach. Right there in front of us was, allegedly,one of the the smallest sea pools in Sydney.  See photo.     

From Clive Park we turned into Minimbah Road to walk along its entire length  passing the Marina before ending up at the Swimming Centre.   Again families were enjoying the new found summer weather.  

En route down Minimbah  we looked  for and found Bob’s and Blanche’s house.  

A friend of ours (the three walkers today)  lived on the cliff above B and B’s house.  She deliberately and crossly grew  bamboo to avoid having to watch the  PM putting around the roof-top Putting Green.  From where we were below on the road we could see that bamboo higher up on the cliff.

Further on we found the beautiful Italian style house where we three once attended a memorable party.   Peering over the high wall was pointless as all we could see were the terracotta roof tiles   Too steep, too far below.  

Minimbah Road  proved  to be an interesting road with houses strung hung down the steep cliff with two, three or more floor levels needing mechanical movers clinging wherever possible.  Stairs and stilts and railing and steps of every description.  A glass mosque like dome on one home, another with a stunning glass roof the shutters of which created floor patterns two stories below.  Architecturally interesting, sometimes very pleasing.  Gardens likewise. 

 Pippa noticed  iron supports on the cliff face - woe if ever a tremor sends rocks skidding down.  One can only admire architects and builders who have won the odds agains the slope, the cliff and the rocks.

After an hour and a half of good walking we visited Tram Expresso on Sailors Bay Road.  The owners/staff were interested in our choice of coffees, teasing, laughing - pleasant place.  We all  agreed it was a relaxed, comfortable venue