Saturday, April 29, 2017

WALLARAH NATIONAL PARK MTB - 29 APRIL 2017

I drove up to Hams Beach, near Swansea and checked a few places for surf along the way. The best waves were at my first stop, Wamberal Beach. Anyway, thems the breaks!


I had a mountain bike ride around the coastal tracks of Wallarah National Park.



The tracks varied heaps - wide, narrow, no path, paved path, sand, conglomerate rugged rocks, heavily eroded, heavily enclosed by bush and mud. A lot to offer.


Besides a great ride with some downhill there was spectacular coastal scenery - bays, points, headlands, cliffs and beaches.


I finished the ride with a lot scratches and feeling good.



On the way back home, I stopped at a few beaches to check the surf and ended up having a surf at Wamberal Beach.

There were some good waves but in was fairly inconsistent though nice conditions.

That night, Jacinta and I went to a friends 60th birthday - Glenn. It was a great night with good food, nice company and good laughs.

Friday, April 28, 2017

HARDYS BAY - 28 APRIL 2017

 It was windy and chilly early in the morning but the day warmed up.


Kara, Mr Archibald and I went to Hardys Bay.



We got a coffee and sat on the end of Hardys Bay wharf. It was so nice sitting in the sun, watching the water twinkle and listening to the water sounds of the bay.




Mr Archibald was very entertaining as usual.

Thursday, April 27, 2017

WAMBERAL, BRISBANE WATER NP, TERRIGAL - SUNRISE, MOUNTAIN BIKE, CAPPUCCINO - 27 APRIL 2017


A beautiful sunrise at Wamberal Beach.  The surf was bigger but randomly breaking from small to big.


I drove out to Brisbane Water National Park for a mountain bike ride.



The wind was cool so i wore my winter bike gear. Back in black!


I cycled around the quarry which was heaps of fun - grooved out sandstone, drifts of sand, loose rocks, a few ponds and sort of roads/tracks leading everywhere. The quarry is a very pretty place with its contrast of desolation and vibrant ponds.


I put my foot down to balance near one of the smaller rock pools and of course spent the rest of the ride with a cold and soggy shoe. :)


After the quarry, I followed the service road called Tommos Loop. Though this trail is wide, it is still fun with some steep downhill sections, playful sandstone platforms and great bush views.


The ride finishes with a fast steep cycle down Woy Woy Road.  The biggest risk was getting across the road as it is a 80 k/h zone where everyone drives a lot faster in both directions.



After the ride, I had a cappuccino on Terrigal Beach. It was very pretty with the wind and air coolness declaring the start of the colder weather.



GRADUATION, BIRTHDAY, SURFING, MTB, HIKE - 21 APRIL TO 26 APRIL 2017


21/4

Today we all drove up to Newcastle University for Chloe's graduation in Bachelor of Architecture.


We picked my the cap and gown then walked to the Great Hall for the ceremony. Chloe sat with the graduates and we were further back.

The ceremony was very traditional. There was organ music playing as a prelude. When it stopped, we all stood for the academic staff who walked in a long precession in traditional robes. There were three speeches and followed by the presentation of the graduates.


Chloe looked very proud receiving her diploma and we were proud and happy for her. Chloe was radiate the whole day.

Outside, we met up with her friends and took photos.

Later, we drove down to the harbour at Newcastle and had lunch by the water with some of Chloe's friends and family.

22/4

We drove down to Shellharbour for Beacon's 60th.

I've known Beacon since early surfing days - 45 years. Plus we had a trip to NZ in 1976 for 3 months and numerous other smaller excursions. All good memories - past and present.

The party was sensational. Heaps of food, good music and long time friends. Beacon surprised everyone when he renewed wedding vows with his wife. Very romantic and nice.


Who was there? Beacon, Dakka, Ball, Tony, Robbo, Pluck, Fatouris, Mando, Mark... lots of bagging and good laughs.

Oh! And we drank a bit too.

23/4

Jacinta and I slept in the campervan and then we joined Beacon, Meryl, Tony, Ball and Robbo for breakfast at Beacon's home.

After a big feed and more laughs, the boys all headed off for a surf at the Farm. The waves were small and sloppy but it didn't matter. Ball, Beacon and I had a good time and the water cleared my head a bit.






It was a long drive home but what a fun night and day... we should turn 60 more often. :)

24/4

I woke feeling a bit ordinary after so much driving with a few drinks.

I checked the surf which looked very good except the tide was too high and the waves were barely breaking. There would be good surf later with the lower tide.

I drove to Kincumba Mountain for a mountain bike ride. i only did the summit track as I was just wasn't into it. Still it was a fun and quiet 3 km ride. Afterwards, I had a short ocean swim at Terrigal Haven and a cappuccino. The water was a bit brisk but the coffee was hot. A nice combo.


Later, Chloe, Kara and I had lunch at a cafe in Avoca.

25/4

A surf check at Wamberal Beach to start the day. The waves looked okay so I had a surf. In the water, I met Chris, who hadn't been surfing for five years even though he lives across the road from the beach. He had a lot of travelling stories which were very interesting.

This morning was one of those mornings where you met up with local friends you haven't seen for awhile so there as a lot of talking.

Later, Jacinta and I went for a bush walk at Girrakool. It as very pretty and quiet and a light rain started about half way through the walk.

26/4

Car in for a service and a recall repair. Did a lot of things at home.

Thursday, April 20, 2017

SURF, BIRTHDAY, MTB, SNORKEL - 20 APRIL 2017

It has been a busy week with end of Easter holidays, birthday and great weather.

Monday - 17 April

An inspiring sunrise being blood red with a bank of clouds above it.


The surf was looking good also. I went for a surf with just a few guys out but in a short time it was very crowded and a hassle. I forgot that people go slightly insane on public holidays. Anyway, I had a few waves then I had coffee with a few friends at Terrigal Beach.




Tuesday 18 April

My special day today - sixty one and still having fun :)

I had a fun and good surf at Wamberal Beach.

Coffee at Terrigal Beach

Sat on the shoreline at East Gosford with Jacinta eating fish and chips.

The night was great with my favourite meal and a custard tart for my birthday cake. Unusual, but I liked it. Presents were opened and I was feeling good.



Wednesday 19 April



I watched a pretty sunrise at Wamberal Beach. The surf was poor so I journeyed over to Shelly beach which wasn't much better.



I continued onwards to Toowoon Bay. It was sheltered from most of the wind so I had an ocean swim, a cappuccino at the beach café and admired the view, a snorkel with a lot of fish and a walk along the beach.



Later, Jacinta, Kara and I went to the Haven for fish and chips and a sit in the sun.

Thursday 20 April





I checked the surf but was keen to have a mountain bike ride at Strickland State Forest. There were two tracks I have wanted to do and Jacinta came with me to drive me back to the top of the hill after each ride - along steep road



The tracks were soooo good. The first ride was the Cabbage tree Track that joined onto the Stony Creek Track. They were both steep and fast and narrow in parts.


The second ride was on an unnamed track that was very long and heaps of fun and very exciting.


Sunday, April 16, 2017

UMINA BEACH MTB - WAMBERAL BEACH SURF - 16 APRIL 2017

Over the last few days, I've had a few walks, sat in the sun and caught up on some overdue tasks.

A beautiful crisp sunny morning.

I checked the waves at Wamberal Beach but the size and direction of the swell was too much for the beach sand bars.

I drove over to Umina Beach. The waves were smaller but mono. Not worth paddling out but the tide was low so I had a bike ride along the beach.




It was a nice ride - sun shining, small waves foaming up the beach, pretty coastal views.



Amazingly, I ran into a few mates on the beach who were about to paddle out. We had a quick chat then in they went and along I went.




A pleasant 7 km ride.

I had an ocean swim  at Terrigal Haven then met Jacinta for a cappuccino in the sun.

I rested and did a few chores. In the mid afternoon, I had a rough surf at Wamberal Beach. There were some good lefts amongst the wild ones.






A great day.

CENTRAL COAST - 4 TO 11 MARCH 2023

 4 MARCH I woke and unloaded and tidied the van. I drove Jacinta to the Hens party for Chloe at Glenworth Valley. Back home and I tidi...