A surf check - too small, then a drive to Kincumba Mountain Regional Reserve for some mountain biking.
I pulled into the car and three guys (same age roughly) were about to hit the tracks and trails. Usually, I see no one on the weekdays!
I started along the summit track. There were a few spots with deep and soft sand but apart from that the tracks were firm though a little eroded since my last ride.
I cycled around a few smaller tracks then followed the summit track in the opposite direction. I turned up the yellow path and joined on to another track that wounded its way downhill over a few small drops and rock obstacles. Fun!
I drove down to the Haven and had a short swim - still very brisk and a read of my book in the sun.
Kara joined me about 1/2 hour later for coffee and breakfast at The Cove Cafe.
I decided on a north meander. I checked the surf at a number of beaches. North Avoca beach wasn't looking good. Shelley Beach had potential but didn't look too good. Soldiers Beach had a reasonable looking surf.
I paddled out at mid beach. There were a number of surfers out but luck was with me and I got about five good waves and a number of so-so waves. I enjoyed myself.
Back on shore I got a cappuccino and took surfing shots.
Next stop was Munmorah SCA. I had a look at Red Ochre Beach but the surf didn't look good and the wind was strong. Frazer Park was more protected from the wind. The surf wasn't good so I had a swim and a wander along the beach.
A quick breakfast and a final pack of the van and we were off to Hawks Nest for an overnight camp.
Our first stop was the ocean beach at Hawk. We bought cappuccinos and sat on the beach. The wind was a light onshore. I braved the water and had a brisk and quick swim. The water temperature was okay and the sun was shining. Nice!
We drove to Tea Gardens for lunch. We sat by the waterfront and ate while admiring the views over the Myall River.
Next stop was the Myall River Camp. We set up our camp close to the river's edge. A narrow white sand beach fringed the water's edge. It was all very serene and peaceful.
I took the kayak for a paddle around the mangrove channels of the river. It was an adventurous kayak along the channels and the mangrove islands. Sometimes the water was very clear with a sandy bottom. There were a number of birds foraging and flying.
We had dinner and a few drinks and sat by the river to watch the darkness enfold.
29 OCTOBER 2018
I woke and took the kayak out for another paddle around the river. The wind was stronger and there was some light rain. Still, a beautiful float on the water.
We spent the rest of the morning lazing around. The weather wasn't improving so we drove to Tea Gardens for coffee.
The next stop was Seaham Nature Reserve. It was only a small area with pretty views of the swamp at times. There was an old building there called Tom's Cottage. The door planking as missing so we were able to go inside. It was an experience. The cottage had four rooms and the furniture and some fixtures were still there.
I went exploring for surf. Even though the conditions had improved the waves were very small.
I sat at the Haven drinking a cappuccino while looking at the ocean view. I decided to check out Bouddi to see if the tracks were dry enough.
The tracks were good and mainly firm and damp.
I started on the Turkey Track. It was pretty exciting riding a long track again. There was a bit of erosion making some of the drops just a little harder.
I started at the very top of the NW ridge track and had a ball winding my way through the bush. I love the variety of this track - downhill, narrow obstacles, drop offs, hard turns, sheer drops over the escarpment and spiky bushes - which all adds up to fun.
I returned via the NW trail and rode it till the end. I followed the road to the trackhead on the Strom Trail. The trail was great with speed, control, small obstacles and beautiful scenery. About half way along there is a narrow track that winds its way through ferns and grass trees. It was very pretty.
The last section back to the start was very steep. I walked this part. :)
I did my best time on this run, yet I felt like I was riding calmly. :)
I checked the surf at North Avoca and Wamberal but it was pretty small on a high tide.
I drove up to Pelican Beach, which had a few random okay small waves but noone was out.
Next stop, Soldiers Beach. The surf was small with a random okay wave but there as quite a few sups and mals out. Most of the time they were sitting/standing. I got a cappuccino and headed further north.
I stopped at Red Ochre Beach at Munmorah State Conservation Area and wandered down to the beach. The sun was shining warmly and the beach was near deserted. I sat don near the water's edge and gazed around, took photos and read. Amazingly, a pod of dolphins undulated past at about 20 metres from shore. They were following massive schools of fish. The fish were closer to shore and I could see them clearly on the face of some small waves as the wave reached its peak before breaking.
As I was lying on the beach a chill came over me and a fog bank had moved across the beach. I couldn't see the south end of the beach or Bird Island.
I left the beach and drove to the trail head of the Snapper Point Trail. I set up the mountain bike and had a ride along the trail. The trail as relatively short but there was a fun side track that meandered downhill through the thick bush. I followed until just before reaching a dense steep overgrown gully.
A great morning with a short sort-of-swim, dolphins, schools of fish in the waves, a rolling fog bank and a mountain bike ride.
I drove to the top of Kincumba Mountain Region Reserve for a mountain bike ride.
I was hoping that the tracks would be drier but alas another biker said that the longer tracks were rutted, wet and soft.
I stuck to the service roads mainly and took a few side tracks that I thought would be relatively dry. Luckily, the short tracks were dry and fun to ride.
I spied a new track and followed it a short distance before it abruptly ended.
Another new track that joined onto the Sid Pulsford Trail was steep and difficult in parts but was doable. There was one part where the track dropped straight down about a metre and a half. Beyond me. :)
I parked at the track head along Ourimbah Creek Road at Palm Grove Nature Reserve. This road was lined with pretty horse properties.
I planned for a hike along the sole track in the reserve which was a section of the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle.
It was a pleasant hike through dry forest and rainforest. the hike started off uphill then leveled out for a while before continuing further uphill. The track intersected with a service road which I followed for a short distance before there was a turnoff to the left and downhill. The downhill stretch was steep in parts and ended at a small creek. The track continued on and uphill. I followed it for a short distance but decided to turn back around and retrace my steps.
Along the way -
I heard many bird calls but only saw a few as the foliage was very thick and dense.
There were many leeches also and these tried to get a hold on me whenever I stopped and rested.
There was one massive strangler fig tree that soared into the sky. I felt the tree and it's bark was very rough.
Being a rainforest, there was of moss and lichen covered rocks and logs.Very green and pretty.
It was an enjoyable hike with a lot of bird calls.
.JPG)
