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 tidied up most of the front of the house … a lot of leaves.

Back to Glenworth Valley to pick up Jacinta.

Long day.

5 MARCH

A mountain bike ride at Kincumber Mountain. The tracks were good but some sections had deep soft sand.

A swim at the Haven afterwards was terrible with a lot of stinging jelly fish.

6 MARCH

Worked in the garden.

7 MARCH

A morning surf with Ken at Wamberal Beach. The waves had a reasonable size and some good ones were caught. We had coffee afterwards.

8 MARCH

A mid-morning surf at Wamberal Beach with Ken. There were heaps of waves and just the two of us for most of the session. Some good lefts and fast rights on the inside section. A coffee break at the end.

9 MARCH

A sunrise surf with Brett and Bryceson at Wamberal Beach. The tide was a little low and there were a few okay waves at first but the quality dropped towards the end of the session.

Met up with Jacinta at the Haven for coffee.

10 MARCH

A morning surf at Wamberal Beach. Not too good as the tide with the full moon was high with a lot of backwash.

Up to Erina Fair Mall to get haircut and other stuff.

Jacinta and I had a yummy Indian dinner at the Grand Pavilion at Terrigal and ice cream afterwards at the haven.

11 MARCH

Packed van for next short road trip. Up to Erina Fair to fit new prescription sunglasses and buy food.  Tidied inside the house and finished packing the van.

HAT HEAD - 1 TO 3 MARCH 2023

1 MARCH

We left Mylestom and drove to the Urunga wetlands.

The walk was short – 600metres – and really impressive. There were flowering lilies over most of the water and insects abounded. This whole wetland had been restored after mining in the area had finished.

Our next stop was South West Rocks. We parked at Horseshoe Bay and enjoyed the view while having lunch.

We decided that Hat Head would be a good camp for the next two nights.

We drove the backroads to Hat Head and settled into our camp site. It was very hot, so we wandered down to the beach where the creek exits for a swim and beach relax. The creek water was clear with a lot of fish. The tide makes it good for drifting along with goggles to watch the underwater life.

Later, we had an evening beach walk. Still and quiet!

2 MARCH

After breakfast, I had a fun bike ride along both sides of the creek and along part of the coastal tracks. A great ride with pretty scenery and even a group of kangaroos.

A short while after my return, we headed down to the beach for a sun laze, ocean dip and a snorkel drift in the creek.

We were a bit tired, so we headed to the local bowling club for dinner.

3 MARCH

After breakfast, we packed and drove a short distance to the other side of Korogoro Creek. I launched the kayak and Jacinta had a walk along the creek path. The water was very clear, and I was able the see the fish as I paddled along.

Next stop was Port Macquarie, where we caught up with John, Carmel and Tess for lunch. A great chat!

Back on the road and on our way home.

MYLESTOM - 28 FEBRUARY TO 1 MARCH 2023

 28 FEBRUARY

Our first stop after Lawrence was food supplies and a blood test for me.

While in Grafton, we found out that the dates Jacinta had for Chloe’s hen night were incorrect and we needed to be back by this Friday.

We decided to do a few kilometres and drive to Mylestom.

After checking the surf, we decided to stay at the river camp. We settled into a site right next to the Belinger River. Very relaxing and very pretty.

Later in the afternoon, I had a kayak along Manarm Creek off the Belinger River. It was narrow and had a lot of bird life. The mangroves were thick and in parts formed a low shaded canopy. A great paddle.

1 MARCH

Our sleep was a bit broken due to traffic noise from the close by road and the distant highway. The railway bridge was nearby and there were two late trains.

The river in the morning was like a sheet of glass.

Time to move on.

LAWRENCE - 26 TO 28 FEBRUARY 2023

 26 FEBRUARY

From Maclean, we drove out to Buff Point and caught the river ferry to Lawrence.

We stayed with Bron and Tony for a few days and were joined later in the day by Mary and Gerry. It was a good time – chatting, laughter, drinks, bonfire and eating.

27 FEBRUARY

A bit weary, we woke late and for lunch we headed to the Lawrence Tavern. It was very hot.

An afternoon of chatting, eating and less drinking.

28 FEBRUARY

I had to fast as I needed a blood test in Grafton. The breakfast did look good.

We said our farewells and were on the road again.

ILUKA - 23 TO 26 FEBRUARY 2023

 23 FEBRUARY

The clouds on the drive to Iluka from Lennox Head were gradually, getting darker. Eventually, it poured. On the Iluka Road, we stopped at Sharky Bay for a brief look at the beach. On the exit road, there was a large carpet snake on it.

We continued to Iluka and the camping area. The rain bucketed down as we arrived and settled into our camp site. Later, the rain finished and there was partial sunshine. We took advantage of this and had a long bike ride out to the beaches and breakwater and back via the river pathways. A good ride.

24 FEBRUARY

During the night there was strong wind and rain. About 1am, I had to wind up the awning.

About mid-morning, we hiked the Iluka rainforest walk. A pleasant and easy walk on level ground. We could hear a lot of birds and saw a few but they were very quick. The walk finished at The Bluff Lookout. There were good views along the coastline. On the return we came across a large black lizard.

Later, in the afternoon, we cycled into the shopping area for food and the chemist.

25 FEBRUARY

A heavy bout of rain last night.

We woke to cooler temperatures and light winds. We drove over to the Esk River where I had a kayak. Along the way I saw small kingfishers and a few other small birds. I also paddled in Jackys Gully. It was a nice kayak passing large trees and water lilies. On the return, I spotted a large eagle.

I was tired on the return leg as the tide and wind were against me.

We stopped for coffee and cake then bought some fish for dinner.

Back at camp, we set up on a different site and then I had a relax in the camp pool/spa.

The temperature increased as the afternoon progressed.

26 FEBRUARY

We packed, checked the surf and drove to Bluff Beach for a swim and sun relax. On the point, it was teeming with birds roosting and preening. The water was crystal clear.

Our next stop was Maclean for food supplies.

LENNOX HEAD - 21 to 23 FEBRUARY 2023

 

21 FEBRUARY

We arrived at Lennox Head, picked up some food and settled into lake Ainsworth camp. The afternoon, was doing nothing much. A bit weary from yesterday.

22 FEBRUARY

We woke to off and on rain and strong winds.

Later in the day, the weather sort of improved and I had a bike ride around Lake Ainsworth and the various paths leading to the point.

In the evening, we walked to the bowling club for dinner to meet up with Jacinta’s old school friends, Con and Angela. It was good company, a few drinks and nice food.

23 FEBRUARY

It rained a few times during the night.

When we woke, the weather was windy with the possibility of rain. We decided to leave for a change of scenery.