the big swim

 

Last Sunday it was very beautiful, warm, sunny, stunning blue sky. Now, I live in Australia, so this isn't all that rare, but as we're now into May and heading into winter, we're all appreciating the last of the warm days. Ok, hot. I am English, so in my book, anything over 25 degrees is hot.

Walking back from a lazy brunch in Manly, I watched truck-loads of surfers pile into the water. Feeling slightly guilty in my long sleeved layers, I promised myself that I would make the most of the ocean pool in Freshwater one last time this season. Striding down to the water in my swimmers and shorts (barefoot. because I live and the beach at that's still a novelty, even if I do get stones in my feet). I'll be honest, the previous summery confidence I felt wrapped in my warm sports lycra had now reduced, along with my body temperature.

But, deterred not, I was going to get in that pool.

I arrived, and of course, the usual scene presented itself before me. Accomplished ocean swimmers cut through the green water with grace in various strokes, but mostly front crawl. The kind where the swimmer keeps their face in the water for several breaths and then skilfully turns their head to take some air from under their armpit. Yep, the regular front crawl that normal people do. But for me, this is not so regular. I usually make an attempt, swallow a lungful of water and then make a scene, coughing and spluttering. Nice.

Despite feeling a wee bit intimidated, I plunged in, bracing the cold, feeling my body slowly going numb to that lovely tingly cold that begins to feel quite nice actually. Head held high (literally), I began to swim my usual granny breast stroke. The kind where I don't really get my hair wet. And yes, feeling slightly silly amongst my fellow swimmers, I swam a length. On my second lap, the wonderfulness began to sink in. The breeze on the water. The smell of the ocean. The salt on my lips. The laughter of kids playing. The sun in my eyes.

I was swimming like a novice. It was a bit chilly. I didn't care. I was frolicking in the salt water and loving every minute.

ink + art

When I first walked past Tora Sumi (read: walked, stopped, stared in window), I knew it was a pretty special place. Primarily tattoo studio, Tora Sumi blends art and beautiful design into the world of ink. Walking into the studio, you'd be forgiven for thinking it's an edgy new art space. Part hanging pieces, part installation, sculpture and interior design. But no, this is just a visionary way to make ink accessible to a range of people that are passionate about visual creativity, on their skin or on their walls.

Taken on a chilled tour of the studio by Store Manager, Loic, I quickly felt at home in the place. It was easy to feel inspired by the beautiful art layered on bright white canvas and tattoos emerging from the buzzing needles in the immaculate studio space. Comfy leather sofas welcome guests to hang out while they work collaboratively on designs with artists. A sunburst Les Paul stands in the corner and books on body art lean against shelves. Tora Sumi, or tiger ink, is represented by its modern day tribal tiger icon throughout the studio - even in the sunshine yellow window decals on the shop windows.

Spending half an hour with Loic chatting about the concept for the space, the work they do and seeing the Tora Sumi clientele pop in and out with coffee in hand, you get a really good feel that if you were going to get a tattoo, this is where you'd want to come. Chilled, pressure free and ultimately dedicated to the art it represents, this is a beautiful tattoo space that challenges the preconceptions of the dingy tattoo studios of old. Ink tempted.

belgrave cartel

There are a million and one cool places to hang out on a weekend, or even a lazy Thursday afternoon if you are lucky enough to have one not spent inside an office. But there are some hangouts more awesome than others and I am looking forward to checking them out. Soaking up the 'sphere. Drinking a bit of coffee. Eating a few eggs. Making some barista friends.

First up, Belgrave Cafe in Manly. A little bit hipster, lovely people serving the coffee, bursting at the seams with retro cool trinkets and decor and just when you think you've seen it all, it opens up into a gorgeous little courtyard complete with coloured lightbulbs and more cosy little corners to hide and enjoy your flat white.