GRASSY HEAD - 17 TO 19 FEBRUARY 2023

 

17 FEBRUARY

We drove south to check out the surf at Plumer beaches. There were some wave but very random. Next, we stopped at Crescent Head for coffee and continued driving north along the back road to South West Rocks. We pulled into the beaches which were glorious. No waves, mirror surface, various colours of blue, clear water … Jacinta went shopping and I had a swim around the rocks.,. so many fish and so many types.

We continued onwards to Grassy Head campground. We settled in and had a walk to the beach. Spectacular! Back at the van and old friend Paul and Ingrid passed by. They were staying a few sites down from us.

I had a mountain bike around the area and along the beach south of the camping ground. A short ride but pretty.

Later, we had drinks and nibbles with Paul and Ingrid.

A great day full of surprises.

18 FEBRUARY

I woke early and wandered down the beach to check the surf. It looked okay with no one out. I went back for my board but returned to five guys just about to paddle out. Anyway, I had a few okay sets and some mid-sized waves. The crowd increased to over thirty by the end of the session. Time for breakfast.

We booked another night here but had to move to another site. The new site was better. Once we settled in, I went down for another surf. Once again, a few okay waves but no crowd.

Later, I had another mountain bike ride along the beach at Grassy Head.

Jacinta came down to the beach. I joined her and after enough sun, we walked back to our camp.

19 FEBRUARY

A dawn ocean dip, breakfast and we continued onwards.

HAWKS NEST - 9 TO 10 FEBRUARY 2023

 

9 FEBRUARY

We did the final packing for the van, and we were off north … petrol …oh, the bike rack does not seem to be standing upright … back home … a bit of adjustment and all was good. We were off north … again.

We stopped at Bennetts beach. On shore winds and crumbly small waves. Around to Jimmys Beach, where the winds were also unpleasantly strong. Decision! Camp at Hawks Nest. A good decision, as it started to rain after we finished setting up.

Later in the afternoon, when the rain stopped, we walked over to the Bench Mark Hotel for a few drinks and dinner.

10 FEBRUARY

A beautiful morning with clear skies and a light wind.

I wandered down to Bennetts Beach, watched the sunrise and strolled along the beach and back to camp.

About mid-morning, we drove to Jimmys Beach, which was magical with no wind. I had an ocean swim and we lazed under the beach umbrella.

CENTRAL COAST - 26 JANUARY TO 8 FEBRUARY 2023

 26 JANUARY

We drove back from a two week road trip while we had the wooden floors being restored. The floors looked great! Now to put everything back. This will take a few days. Haha!

27 JANUARY

An early walk around some of the tracks at Kincumba Mountain. Very quiet. Down to the Haven where Jacinta continued walking and I had an ocean swim. Coffee on the beach.

Back to getting things back in place at home.

29 JANUARY

Cooler day.

A walk around the Haven with Jacinta. Coffee on beach.

Finally, got everything back in place in the living room. Now to get on with other things.

A few visitors. Haha

30 JANUARY

A windsurf at Canton Beach. The wind had just a bit too much east to it so it wasn’t very good. The first run was the best but I hit a shallow section and wham the knee into the boom. A few cuts and a lot of bruises. The rest of the session was off/on wind.

2 FEBRUARY

An ocean swim at Terrigal Haven

3 FEBRUARY

A kayak on Terrigal Lagoon.

There was enough water in the lagoon to paddle to the western backwaters. Very quiet amongst the mangroves and casuarinas. I paddled to the beach and had a wander as well. 

4 FEBRUARY

So hot, so busy lately, so many things to sort out. 😊 We got in a coffee and apple muffin on the haven beach.

5 FEBRUARY

A surf at North Avoca Beach. It was fun with a very strong rip. Had a few nice waves and quite a few nose dives. It got better as the tide got higher.

6 FEBRUARY

Hep B first shot.

Later, I had a kayak at Kincumber Creek with Angus. A different sort of kayak starting at the Kincumber boat ramp - past mangroves, houses, a mixture of overhanging trees and ending at large drainage pipes.

7 FEBRUARY

Surf check North Avoca Beach.

Decided on a mountain bike Kincumba Mountain. A short fun ride of about an hour.

Another surf check of North Avoca Beach. A fun surf on the rights. Much better than two days ago. A lot of good waves till the wind increased.

Blood tests for cholesterol and prostrate checkup.

8 FEBRUARY

A surf North Avoca with Terry. Not so good (bumpy, random) but there were a few good waves. A lot of jellyfish.

HAWKS NEST, TEA GARDENS, MYALL LAKES NP - 15 TO 19 JANUARY 2023

 HAWKS NEST

15 JANUARY

Hawks Nest – Reflections Bennetts Beach - $316 4 nights powered site.

We woke, had breakfast, packed the van and were off for Hawks Nest.

The drive was easy with only minor traffic. Before we knew, we turned off the highway for Hawks nest/Tea Gardens. Our first stop was groceries then we checked out the waterfront at Tea Gardens and the Bennetts Beach in Hawks Nest. It was very windy. We checked into the camp area and drove over to Tea Gardens for lunch at the pub. The fish, chips and salad were good especially as they were washed down with a couple of cold beers for me and wine for Jacinta. We drove back to camp, settled in and I had a short sleep.

Later in the afternoon, I had a mountain bike ride around Hawks Nest. A few short tracks and some great views. Jacinta had a few walks to nearby Bennetts Beach even later in the afternoon.

 
After sunset, we had a walk along the beach.
 

A great first day.
 
16 JANUARY
 
Hawks nest - reflections Bennetts Beach
 
A great night’s sleep. Woke just before sunrise.
 
A walk to the beach along the track from the camping area. The wind was a moderate on-shore so it wasn’t very inviting for a swim.

 
Back at camp for breakfast. Afterwards, we drove to Jimmys Beach. The wind was much lighter and the water looked very inviting. We spent the morning there. I have a short snorkel and a couple of swims.

 
Next stop was Tea Gardens for coffee and cake. We sat on the waterfront, ate and enjoyed the view.

 
We drove over to Mungo Brush in Myall Lakes National Park. We did a short hike on the Rainforest Track. It was cool under the shade of the tree. 

Afterwards, we had a swim in Myall Lake. Well really a dunk. While there we saw a juvenile goanna and a number of ducks and lapwings.

 
Back at camp, we swap sites for a shader position and settled in for the afternoon.
 
A late afternoon walk along Bennetts Beach.

 
17 JANUARY
 
Hawks nest - reflections Bennetts Beach
 
I woke early and rode around the Hawk Nest tracks. I stopped for ..awhile at the surf club to watch the sunrise but he cloud cover on the horizon was too thick and high. Still, it was nice to watch the changing of the light. I followed a great track to Jimmys Beach and saw two groups of XXXX. Further on I followed another track to the bridge over the Myall River. There was no wind and it so pretty watching a fishing boat motor under the bridge ccausing small waves on the glassy surface of the water.

 
Back at camp and we drove to Tea Gardens to meet with an old college of Jacinta. We had breakfast at the Boathouse. Such a great view!
 
Next stop was Jimmys beach where we enjoyed the sunshine and had a few dips in the water.
 
18 JANUARY
 
Hawks nest - reflections Bennetts Beach
 
Windy day. We drove over to Tea Gardens where I had a kayak and Jacinta a walk. It was very windy on the unprotected side of the river islands. I paddled upriver then put on the kayak sail and had fun going down wind. There isn’t much control of these sails. They pick up the wind and I use my sail as a rudder. A bit of a balancing act.

 
Afterwards, we had a swim and a laze on Jimmys Beach. The wind had picked up stronger, so we headed back to the camp.
 
19 JANUARY
 
We woke to light cloud that gradually thickened and turned to a light shower, drizzle and rain.
 
We dropped by to see Rolf and Kerrie before we left Hawks Nest. A nice catch-up. Groceries and petrol and we were on our way north.