A beautiful morning with sun shining and a light breeze.
The lagoon at Wamberal was filled with water so I went for a short paddle around the lagoon.
The breeze was a bit chilly so I kept to the sheltered western and southern sides of the waterway.
There were a number of birds amongst and in the trees enjoying a break from the wind.
Today, I saw cormorants roosting in the trees and diving for fish under the water, ducks massing in the wind sheltered areas, swamp hens fossicking along the water's banks and cockatoos flying in chaotic formations across the morning sky.
The water was deep enough to paddle under the canopy of the trees. It was fun meandering around the sunken trunks and cruising through the water reeds.
An early morning 5.27 km kayak at Wamberal Lagoon.
The lagoon was full so I was able to paddle in places that were usually dry land. Unfortunately, I got no videos as the go pro battery was flat and I didn't realize till near the end of the paddle.
Anyway, I took a few photos and I enjoyed paddled through the trees, between the trees and watching the wildlife.
A pair of Black Swans put on a good show and they allowed me to drift close to them.
:)
A sunny winter's morning. Not as cold this morning but I have new bike gloves with full fingers. Today my fingers didn't freeze.
in the videos, I did the whole of each track leaving out the service roads. The videos are longer than usual so be warned if you don't ride a bike you'll may find them boring. :)
It was a great ride. I went at it hard but with caution when warranted. I saw a trail on the service road that I never noticed before. I don't know who but someone made a trail that bended and twined across the ridge that went for ages - about 10 minutes. It was so good.
Another sunny and cold morning kayak. This time at Copacabana Lagoon for 4.05km.
Should I wear my fingerless bike gloves? Nah. Wrong decision! Once again, I had to stop now and again to warm up my hands.
The sun was shining on the southern part of the lagoon but a wind was blowing across the southern side to compensate.
I had fun with the go pro trying different angles for shots. I put my small canon on a selfie stick to try some underwater scenes. I thought I was clever as my hands wouldn't touch the cold water. Alas some water got into the camera and it stopped working.
No worries as it started working again when the water dried out. Luckily, the lagoons are fresh water if it was salt the camera would be in the bin.
It was fun weaving in and out of the trees and through the reeds.
There were herons slowly treading through the shallows under the trees looking for food.
Early morning 4.91 km MTB - bike ride - at Piles Creek in Brisbane Water National Park with an elevation range of 35m.
Another freezing morning. There was mist oozing off the creek and the sun was only just beginning to rise above the hilly terrain. Once again my hands were frozen.
There were a number of obstacles along the track - side slipping down the slope, rocks and overhanging trees. There were fast sections and others where caution was advised as I didn't want to break any bike parts.
The raised path was fun. It twists and turns over the swampy land.
The reflections were awesome. No wind and nothing to ripple the water surface.
My trusty bike having a rest at the camp area at the suspension bridge.
I wandered around the camp area - over the suspension bridge and rocks. The area is very mossy with a primal look to it. I expected the tree to say "Tree! I'm no tree! I am an Ent." A 'Lord of the Rings' quote.
Checked the surf at North Avoca early - it looked okay but there was nothing else to ride for the next 20 minutes.
Drove to Bouddi National Park at the Maitland Bay Centre for a bike ride. The tracks there are so good. The tracks are narrow and varied with a few spots with obstacles. I rode for 5.58 km with 24 m elevation range.
The tracks were the driest I have ever seen them.
The afternoon was warm so we went down Terrigal Beach and sunbaked ...in winter?? yes it was warm enough and it seemed tempting to go for a swim. Only tempting :)
Sunrise at the ruins at Terrigal Beach. A mono bank but clean and glassy.
Off to Avoca lagoon for a kayak. The video shows a lot of trail blazing through the reeds and water bounded trees. Such a fun kayak! :)
It was a brilliant morning but so cold. I really need gloves with a grip as my hands were frozen. I had to stop every so often to warm them up.
The reflections in the water amazing especially in the cover of the trees. This area above is dry land when the water level of the lagoon is lower.
I played with the go pro camera on the photo setting. The photos were clear with that slight side bend that comes with the go pro. I also had to crop them to wide angle as I prefer looking at photos in that setting.
There were some birds around. The black swan above slowly paddled away from me as I approached. They are so graceful in the water.
The heron was roosting at the top of the tree on the edge of the lagoon. It let me approach very close before it decided I was close enough.
A great 2.4km kayak on Avoca Lagoon full to the brim with water on a very cold morning :)
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