BENDALONG - SOUTH TRIP - 20 MAY TO 24 MAY 2019

20 May 2019 I left about 5am to drive to Bendalong on the south coast. The main reason was to visit my brother, Trevor, who wasn’t well. He lives at Sussex Inlet which is about ½ hour from Bendalong. It was a long drive with no chance of a rest stop until I passed Sydney. I eventually arrived at Bendalong but there was no petrol station there so I had to drive to Milton ½ hour away. It wasn’t as bad as I stopped for a good breakfast and coffee. After that I decided to check the surf at Golf Corse Reef at Ulladulla a short distance away. There was an okay wave and only a couple of surfers out. Time to test the new board. Well, I started off badly but I got better and had a few nice waves. At the end of the session I was pretty tired and stuffed up heaps of waves. Conclusion the board and new fins are going well. I need to work on surf fitness and board positioning. Back to Bendalong, I checked in to the camp area and had lunch and a rest. Later, I checked the surf and decided on another go. The waves looked okay but they were pretty ferocious. I got a couple of good waves and called it a day as the sun set. The beach at Bendalong was very pretty. A shower and dinner and a few red wines. Sleepy time. 21 May 2019 Up at sunrise. Down to the beach for a surf check. I took a wrong turn and ended on the far headland. Anyway, it was a nice view. I backtracked and finally saw the surf. It was looking okay but I was to visit my brother at 9am so breakfast and away I drove. It was good catching up and chatting with my brother and his wife Pauline. He has a terminal cancer and is under going chemotherapy. Later, I checked out the Sussex Inlet area then drove back to Bendalong. I had a small quick lunch and went for a surf. The waves were good but the guys surfing were pretty intense ... again. A rest then a walk along one tree beach. Back for shower and dinner and a glass (plastic cup) of red. 22 MAY A great sleep. Woke up feeling great! I cooked a big breakfast and took my time getting ready. I checked the surf but it was onshore. I drove to Boat Harbour Beach and had a walk along the rocks and around the point. The water looked so inviting that I had a swim. I continued driving around the bay to North Bendalong and checked out the beaches. So pretty in the morning light and the water was so clear. I drove to Sussex Inlet to visit my brother. We talked but he wasn’t doing much talking today ... tired and distracted. I drove to Barrara Creek for a kayak but the wind seemed a little strong and At the boat ramp there was a track to the north. I decided on a mountain bike ride and had a great time on the tracks leading to Walter Hood Monument. Such a hard, long and fun ride - Steep sections, loose rocks, loose big rocks, roots, dirt bike erosion, lost the track which lead to a very steep climb, awesome coast views, dry waterfall, a cascade of rocks on the dry river. Heaps of fun! Back at camp, I checked the surf again (onshore), had a shower and dinner. Great day! 23 May A good sleep and breakfast. I packed the van and drove to North Bendalong. I rode a couple of trails and the beaches from North Bendalong to Nerrindillah Creek. The tracks were short leading to the creek and the beach. The creek was very pretty. It did flow into the ocean but banked up behind the sand. The beach as an awesome ride as the sand was fairly firm and the rock platforms were relatively flat. I had a sim at the beach at North Bendalong. The water was clear and cool and it looked so nice. Next, I drove to the Cuddy Cafe at Cudmirrah. A great cappuccino with lake views. They had a deal that if you threw a six on one dice throw your coffee was free. I threw a six. I continued onwards to Berrara Creek where I had a kayak. The water was very clear. I could see the sandy and rocky bottom but there was only a few fish. Next, I drove to Oak Flats to visit long time friends Meryl and Beacon. A great evening of nibbles, drinks, chat and laughs. 24 May An off and on but long sleep. Next stop was to visit my sister Jenny and BiL Peter in Miranda. An extra surprise as My nieces Robyn and Lauren were there and their kids Beau, Kian and Litita. A fun get together and chat. At  mid-afternoon I started on my way back home.

STOCKTON, BLACK NEDS BAY, CATHERINE HILL - MTB, KAYAK, SURF - 2 MARCH 2018

1 March 2018

A one night break at Stockton.

After an hour's driving, I realized that I forgot the paddle for the kayak. Luckily, Jacinta hadn't left for work so she took the paddle to Toukley where she was working and I drove back to pick it up.

At Stockton, I settled into the camping area then unloaded the bike for a ride around the area.

It was a fun 15 kilometre ride.

I cycle along the breakwall for some good views to the north and of the exit of the harbour at Newcastle. It was very different watching large ships coming and going being escorted by tugboats up close.

The next stop was a coffee at Lexie's. While I was drinking my coffee near the beach, I met Des, who was 92 years old. He had lots of good stories - WW2, stationed in New Guinea, fishing, his brother and coal mining. He was riding his bike around. A great inspiration - fit and sharp as a tack.

I continued on along a few ocean sandy tracks then I veered over towards the river and followed the cycle path to the Stockton sand spit nature reserve.

At the very end of the rough road, I met Dave, who was camping there with his dog. Dave and I talked about his trailer setup, fishing and doing things in life. A nice guy.

The Sandspit was a small saltmarsh but it was fun to cycle along the tracks and watch the bird wildlife.

I followed the cycle path along the river and back to Stockton.

After a rest, I wandered along the beach and had a swim and did my stretches and exercises.

The tide was now low and the sand as very firm so I got the bike down the beach and cycled along it. Nice.

I rested some more and headed into town for pizza.

Back at the camp, I kept hearing a very loud horn sound. It was coming from a massive cruise ship that was leaving the port.

2 March 2018

I woke to the sound of rain but it was short lived.

I walked the short distance to the breakwall and watched the sunrise. Very contrasting with the wall, clouds and shipping.

I wanted to have a kayak at Fullerton Cove but I couldn't find a decent place to launch so I decided to gradually make my way back home.

My first stop was Hams Beach but the surf was windblown so I had a kayak at Black Neds Bay at Swansea.



The bay was reasonably protected from the wind and I had a lot of fun paddling through the mangroves and over the clear water.

I stopped in at Catherine Hill Bay and found that it was quite protected from the wind. I had a fun surf on a sandbank to myself with good rights and an occasional left.

SURF, KAYAK, MTB AND NEW MAL - 28 FEBRUARY 2018

19 February 2018

I had a MTB at Kincumba Mountain - a short ride on a couple of tracks. A  huge lace monitor dive off a tree. The tracks were good but a little soft in parts.

A late afternoon kayak with Kara and Mr Archibald at Avoca Lagoon.  We looked at the Black Winged Stilt chicks. I was able to get very close to four of the chicks. The parents were a bit freaked out at first but calmed down when I remained still in the kayak.

We paddled up the west end of the lagoon to look at the Stilt eggs but couldn't find them - very good camouflage.

21 February 2018

A MTB on Kincumba Mountain. I followed an old track but it was blocked most of way and in the end I had to bush bash my way out of it. After that, I rode along the summit track.

After the ride, I had an ocean swim at The Haven then caught up with Paul H for breakfast.

22 February 2018

I called up Spot for a MTB ride at Moonie Moonie Nature Trail.

A fun ride. I had two stacks and Spot had three. There were a number of sections where the tree trunks bent inwards across the track, large rocks jutting up, loose edges on steep embankments and overhanging branches. The obstacles increased the fun.

23 February 2018

A bike ride along Umina, Ettalong and Ocean Beach.

Such a pretty morning. A lot of fun riding along the firm sand of the beaches. At the far end of Ettalong, the area started to become mud flats and there were a lot of blue soldier crabs on the move.

25 February 2018

I visited long time mate, Sojo. Just back from hospital.

I Sojo gave me a Mal surfboard. very colourful.

26 February 2018

I took the Mal for a surf at Umina Beach.

The first three aves the board had a mind of its own. Towards the end of the surf, I as taking off and cutting across the face okay and cutting out but not too gracefully.

27 February 2018

A MTB at Kincumba Mountain.

28 February 2018

Down for a surf at Ocean Beach. A small okay right with an occasional left.