HOME - EARLY JUNE 2021

 1 JUNE

A hike to Brooklyn Dam.

We drove to Parsley Bay at Brooklyn and walked a short distance to the start of the dam hike. It was a very steep uphill beginning with a lot of rest stops. At the top, the trail meandered up and down until another steep descent to the dam. There were some views of the Hawkesbury River and there were a lot of birds calling in the trees.

The dam was very pretty with reeds, lily pads and fish. The dam wall was walkable in parts. We picked a stony edge of the dam to soak in the ambience, watch the fish and rest.

The hike was about 6km with directional signs.

2 JUNE

A mountain bike ride at Bouddi National Park.

I parked at Maitland Bay carpark. The ride follows the road north and onto the Turkey Track, which has a few rough short downhills and some smooth runs. At the end, I turned right to the top of the hill to the start of the North West Ridge Track. This track varies with some flow, tree root and rock obstacles, spiky burrawangs and short ups and downs. It joins onto the main trail which leads to rock carvings which are hard to see. I sat around here awhile admiring the bush outlook. Back in the saddle, I followed the track off and on in reverse. Back at the start of the track there is another track which vers to the right. This is the Cliff Track. It is rough and fun with of course a long cliff dropoff. Apparently, Some guy went over the edge (8m) a month ago when he was hit by a wallaby. I followed this track a short distance then veered off onto the road. I followed the road to the start of the Strom Trail, which is wide, long and flowy. After some distance, I veered to the right on the Ferny Track, which is lined with ferns and burrawangs and is flowy in sections. This track joins back onto the Strom Trail and leads back to the carpark.

Afterwards, I checked the surf at Killcare Beach and wandered up to the surf club for coffee. There was a jazz band playing so I stayed a lot longer than I was going to.

A fun morning

4 JUNE

A kayak at Copacabana Lagoon (Cockrone Lagoon).

A relaxing paddle. There was a very light wind and the sun was warm. The birds were out and about – Black swans, Swamp Hens, Cormorants, Darters, many species of ducks and Herons. At one stage, I paddled over a large eel in the shallows. It was a pleasure to watch it undulate its way along.

The shoreline varied from grasses to reeds to trees. The trees stood like sentinels with the tidal marks on their bases.

The western end of the lagoon is fed by a waterway that follows Cockrone Gully. The eastern end is blocked from the ocean by Copacabana Beach. I grounded the kayak on the beach and wandered down to watch the waves breaking.

A pleasant kayak.

Afterwards, I drove to Terrigal Haven and had a cappuccino and stroll on the beach.

5 JUNE

A check of the surf and and I ran into long college friend, Ian. We both talked each other into a surf. It was fun chatting and catching a few waves together. The waves were short and some had a reasonable wall. The water was also a bit cold … the winter has begun.

Jacinta and I had lunch at the waterfront at Gosford. It was pretty and quiet. A large aggressive pelican approached us and we think it had Jacinta in mind for its next meal. Haha. She backed off and it was the encouragement it needed to chase her its wobbly way.

6 JUNE

A surf at Wamberal Beach. The waves were good being lefts with a fast wall and heaps of fun. The water/wind was very cold. Maybe need a new wetsuit. Brrr

7 JUNE

A hike at Brisbane Water National Park.

I drove to the carpark on Warrah Trig Road, Brisbane Water NP for the start of a short hike to Warrah Lookout. The walk goes up a number of steps to the Warrah Trig marker. There are some distant views of the Hawkesbury River through the thick vegetation. The walk follows a rocky path and steps with a few short turnoffs to get more into the bush or a better view. There were a large number of birds flittering in the trees and the banksias were in abundance. Very pretty! The hike ends at the lookout with absolutely awesome views of the Hawkesbury River and it entry into the ocean.

A short hike and there is so much to see along the way and at the end.