My Memories Of Manly.
Manly, N.S.W. Australia Is A Part of HOME for Me.
Welcome to Denyse Whelan Writes Here.
My Memories Of Manly.
I just have to share more about Manly, New South Wales, Australia from my life’s experiences and perspective.
It is a place well know around the world for its lovely beach (3 in one actually) and harbour, and ferry rides to and from the city. I saw Manly first as a 6 year old that way, not knowing ( nor did my parents) that some 4 years later we would be living in a suburb called Balgowlah Heights (10 minutes from Manly) after Dad’s work offered him a promotion he could not refuse.
Mum found it harder to leave her familiar base of Wollongong but she adjusted.
Us kids? We loved how close we were to the water of Sydney Harbour at Forty Baskets Beach, a walk over to a bus stop would take us to Manly…and later, me to high school, and my part time job going through teachers’ college and then driving Mum’s car when I got the chance.
But wait…not that there is more really..but here I am telling you, my readers, about last Thursday 29 May. Already mentioned in this substack post too.
Motivated by Manly!
I’ve been unwell since around January 2025 with a health issue causing burnout from a very challenging decade.
I used ‘getting to Manly again’ as a kind of yardstick for improvement.
I just could not even think about it I felt so ‘flat’ and ‘fearful’.
Awful feelings.
I had not been to Manly since early September 2024 when I met my brother at our late Dad’s fave coffee shop.
BUT..May 2025 brought me some health improvements ( I did work hard!) and I decided even though the weather was grey and cloudy last Thursday it was time to go…solo…and give my ‘new’ car a drive on M2 as well.
I even got to draw a heart…and it was lovely. I walked to the end of the beach at South Steyne to see ‘the water temp’ on the tank that is a ritual most days for an instagram account holder called WaterTemp Guy.
I was so pleased for the personal challenge to be met. In fact HAPPY but also not overly excited. I did not stay for a coffee, as I had my physical limits to remember and got home after 3 hours, and with memories of ‘being in a place where I call home’ again.
Manly Iconic Scenes.
Now for some photos from other (and better weather times!)
Sentimental Me and Manly Memories.
Dad loved Manly and once he was retired and not busy at golf or his volunteer work he would come to Manly - when he was younger and fitter - to swim and then to walk along the beach. As the years went by, and after Mum died in 2007, he was limited to walking on the beach or on the walkways.
By the time Dad was living in Dee Why (after selling the family home in 2011) he decided to hand his licence in, he was so physically uncomfortable being taken by car anywhere, a trip to revisit Manly, was not something he wanted to do.
And Dad would sit in one of the seats to view the water and the people ….where I sat last Thursday and made this little video. For Dad.
My trip to Manly last Thursday was a trip to better health and making connections again.
Loved it.
Very grateful to be feeling better.
Where is HOME for you?
Denyse.
I am linking up with Min and friends too here for WWWhimsy and am grateful for that kind place in the world of blogging.
I am so inspired by you, D. I'm so glad you were met with such a gorgeous day when you were challenging yourself, well deserved.
I also love all the photos you shared, especially the older ones. I love that you always have such beautiful, rich history to share with us.
You were definitely rewarded with a beautiful day for your efforts. There's something so rejuvenating about the beach. Come July, let's organised that catch up - long over due.