Ice, ice baby

With freshly baked bready pretzels, apple streudel and Belgian pancakes scenting the scene, a bunch of us sat with gloved hands wrapped around frothy coffees watching our offspring ice skate in the frosty open air. All perfectly reasonable apart from the fact we were on the sand at Bondi Beach. To be precise we were at the Bergstation, part of the Winter Festival that's on in Sydney at the moment.

As waves thundered down not far from us, it was quite a bizarre sight made even stranger with the knowledge that the Bergstation had been closed for a few hours the day before because the ocean was so rough that it was feared waves may come crashing over the top.

Lifesavers have been replaced with icesavers for the moment and they darted about scooping up fallen children or reversing anyone going against the flow. The one above was just checking The Child was alright before darting off like a solo Torville and Dean to avert another possible crisis.