CENTRAL COAST - BRIBANE WATER NP - MT WONDABYNE - MTB/HIKE - 28 november 2013

Jacinta has a new bike. Time for a road test.

We cycled to the base of Mount Wondabyne and then hike the track to the top.

It was hard going as the trail was step for 2 kilometres and the weather was hot. We had a number of rest spots. The hike to the top was relatively short but easy.


The summit has amazing view over the central coast. Looking to the east, there are pockets of settlement  amongst a sea of green islands. The breeze was cool on this side which was a relief. The western side was green as far as the eye could see in a range of 180 degrees. Amazing!

The ride back was downhill and quicker and so more fun!

distance - 7.7 km
time - 2 hours with rests and hike
av speed - 7.5 km/h
max speed - 26.5 km/h
elevation difference - 122 m

CENTRAL COAST - MOONEY MOONEY CREEK - KAYAK - 27 NOVEMBER 2013

Jacinta and I went for a kayak up creek on Mooney Mooney Creek.

It was a great paddle. Sections of the creek were very glassy with amazing reflections. Towards the end of the creek, we had fun manoeuvring around the rocks. The end was a series of rock pools with water cascading over the rocks. Nice!

distance - 6.42 km
time - 1 hour 27 minutes
av. speed - 4.4 km/h
max speed -7 km/h

CENTRAL COAST - KINCUMBA MOUNTAIN - MTB - 26 november 2013

A cycle today with Jacinta on Kincumba Mountain.




We tried out her old bike. It did the job but it was fairly rusted and the gears wouldn't change properly. Time for a new bike!

It was a fun ride. We stopped at the various views and had some fun doing rock hopping and dancing.

Jacinta went pretty well on the service trails but on the tracks she excelled!

distance - 4.34km
time - 26 minutes
av speed - 8.9 km/h
max speed - 21.9 km.h

CENTRAL COAST - STRICKLAND STATE FOREST - HIKE - 25 november 2013

Early surf... rest on the beach with coffee... off for a hike.

Jacinta and I drove to Strickland State Forest in Narara. We parked at the bottom car park.

The hike was great through rainforest, narrow dirt track strewn with leaves, suspension bridge, fallen tree bridge, creek, thunder, lightning, rain, leeches then lunch.

A great hike!

distance - 1.49km
time - 23 minutes
av speed - 4 km/h
max speed - 5.4 km/h

AUSTRALIA - SYDNEY HARBOUR NP - HIKES - 24 november 2013

Sunny day... Off to Sydney

We drove to North Head at Sydney Harbour National Park.

There was a short walk with a number of places to view the harbour. Along the way, we had great views, sea plane, helicopter, old observation posts and a blue tongue lizard.

Next, we drove to Shelley Beach. We had a swim, sat on the beach and relaxed.

Later, we drove to Dobroyd Head, which is another part of Sydney Harbour National Park. Once again there were great views of the harbour and Manly. the walk was along a narrow dirt track was it was more fun. We encountered an Eastern water Lizard along the way.

A great day with great hikes and nice beach.

CENTRAL COAST - ERINA CREEK - KAYAK - 23 november 2013

The morning was excellent, the sun was shining but not for long.

We started at near the 'punt bridge' boat ramp. The water was glassy and the tide was still going low.

 

Along the way, we saw birds and water dragons. We paddled under some low branches and had fun videoing each other.

Towards the end of the paddle, there were a few sprinkles of rain. About 1/2 hour after we finished it bucketed down.

distance - 4.75km
time - 1 hour 17 minutes
av speed - 3.7 km/h
max speed - 5.3 km/h

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER NP - ROCKY PONDS - MTB - 21 november 2013

I parked down the road from Staple Lookout.

I decided on Rocky Ponds as I hadn't been there for while.

The service road was good but in parts the recent rains washed away a lot of soil covering the road with small rocks. a bit of a hazard on the downhill runs.

The water at Rocky Ponds was crystal clear. Should have bought swimmers. I sat there for awhile watching the water cascade and walking around the ponds.

distance - 15.06km
time - 1 hour 14 minutes
av speed - 12.1 km/h
max speed - 28.1 km/h

CENTRAL COAST - KINCUMBA MTN - SID PULSFORD TRAIL - MTB - 13 november 2013

A very steep ride in a number of sections. at one stage.

I came close to taking out a goanna on the track.

Great views over Brisbane Water at the end of the ride.

distance - 7.57 km
time - 1 hour
av speed - 7.4 km/h
max speed - 27.3 km/h

CENTRAL COAST - COPACABANA - SURF - 13 november 2013

After the cycle ride, I checked out Copacabana beach. One guy out, reasonable shape, a bit bumpy. I'm out there!

Fun good sized waves for about an hour before it just finished. I took some photos when I got out of the water.

CENTRAL COAST - KINCUMBA MOUNTAIN - MTB - 5 november 2013

A quick ride before the Melbourne Cup.

In parts of the ride there were blooms of wildflowers. Nice!

distance: 4.84 km
time: 21 mins
av speed: 13.47 km/h
max speed: 25.6 km/h

 

CENTRAL COAST - TUGGERAH LAKE - WINDSURF - 4 november 2013

The wind was howling from the south all night. Time to test out the new 4.2 metre sail.



The new sail was easy to set up. The wind was in gusts with slight changes of directions. It was strong enough for the new sail but there were times when the wind backed off and I came to a stand still. some fun fast runs with bump and jumps out the back.

Overall it went well but my back was very sore from the twisting and contortions to keep the board and me afloat when the wind backed off.

AUSTRALIA - DORA CREEK - KAYAK - 1 november 2013

Off for a kayak along Dora Creek.

I parked at Kelbrae Street, Morisset. At the end of the cul-de-sac there is a path that leads to the creek. There is a large grass area and a viewing pier on the water.

It is a good launch spot for Stockton Creek, Dora Creek and Sandy Creek.

It was a good paddle starting with perfect reflections as there was no wind. During the trip there were heaps of birds roosting on branches over the water and skipping over the water to gain flight. Lizards were abundant basking in the sun along the shore and on logs above water then diving into the water upon my approach. There was a great-looking walking suspension bridge and two road traffic bridges to guide under. The bell birds were belling and the cicadas were in rubbing their legs to deafening decibels in places.

A great peaceful and pretty kayak!

distance - 8.63km
time - 1hr 43mins
speed - 5 km/hr
max speed - 8 km/h