MUNMORAH SCA - COASTAL TRACK MTB - 28 APRIL 2016

I wander northwards today looking for a good surf. The tide was low and it looked like the waves would be better later. Later, is unfortunately time I don't have.


In the end, I decided on a ride at Munmorah SCA on the coastal track. I had looked at it before but thought it wasn't really too good. How wrong I was....

The track was an excellent ride. I started at the lower end and basically the track was flat to gradually steep to very steep. The base of the track varied from gravel to compact dirt to stone and to sand. The vegetation was low growth in parts with sweeping views to intense thick bush. A lot of variety.

The best part was the return. It was downhill to flat most of the way back. It was was so much fun with a bit of speed.

Some points of interest...

the spider webs in the low grasses

sweeping views across the conservation area and the ocean beyond

some wild flowers mainly proteas were in bloom

And the webs across the track. I rode under one web towards the end and when I putting my gear away a large orb weaver had attached itself to my helmet. So it got a free ride. I placed it safely in the surrounding bush.

A fun 4.63 km ride. Next time, i'll video from the return leg of the ride.

NORTH ENTRANCE CYCLE - 26 APRIL 2016

JVE and I went for a bike ride along the bike path at North Entrance.

Easy ride. Nice views of the lake. A pretty sunrise.

BOUDDI NATIONAL PARK MTB 25 APRIL 2016

Time for trying a harder bike ride...Bouddi National Park.

The last few days had been wet but fortunately, the tracks I travelled were dried out.

It was a great ride. I had no problems on the turkey track and spots I had difficulty on before were a lot easier.

I followed a side track that followed the NW ridge trail. It was a lot more challenging and heaps of fun... steeper, rocky sections, turns, cliffs and pretty scenery.

I rested at the Aboriginal site at the end of the NW ridge trail. There are some nice large boulders to sit on and enjoy the bush view.

A fun ride.

PELICAN BEACH SURFING - 21 APRIL 2016

A beautiful sunny morning with a very light wind.


I drove straight to Pelican Beach to check the waves.

Pelican beach  is very pretty in a natural setting. The foreshore is sand dunes and clusters of vegetation. The beach is white sand, clear water and very clean.

I picked a left hand wave bank, which I had to myself. It was my first time surfing lefts since the hamstring accident so I was a bit cautious at first. I had a better time as I started to relax and realized I wasn't going to reinjure myself.

I had a fun time with lots of waves in the warm sunshine.

TOOWOON BAY SNORKEL - 20 APRIL 2016

Looked around for a surf but no luck.

I was nearby so I had a snorkel at Toowoon Bay.

Hadn't closed my go pro camera properly and so water got in and so the camera is terminated.

Still, the water was very clear and warm. I snorkeled for a short while as my heart wasn't into it after losing the camera.

I had a rock cod pop out in front of mw suddenly and an eel was being dragged along by the current.

MOONEY MOONEY CREEK KAYAK - 19 APRIL 2016

A cloudy morning with a good chance of rain. No rain so off for a kayak at Mooney Mooney Creek with John.


We did this kayak along Mooney Mooney Creek a few days ago but after a short distance we had turned off and followed Floods Creek

Today, we followed the creek to the headwater.

There was no wind throughout the paddle so there were heaps of glassy images and the feeling that the kayak was cutting across a sheet of glass.

It was very still and quiet. There were some occasional bird calls and the slap of our paddles in the water. The ferns grew thickly along the banks in parts and trees and bushes hang over the water.

We did paddle up a small tributary which was only separated by a narrow band of land from the main creek. There were some fun low obstacles to go under and we had a walk around the rocks and bush.

Back on the main creek and we paddled to the end. We walked through the shallow water enjoying the sound of the cascading water and the tranquility of the scene. We turned off the creek and walked inland a short distance to the great North Walk track.

We paddled back to the start then drove to East Gosford for a coffee.

We were amazed when we thought about the adventure... nice drive, quiet creek, beautiful scenery, walking through the cascading water, navigating under low logs...life is an amazing experience.

A great 5.88 km kayak.

TERRIGAL PETER'S 60th BIRTHDAY - 18 APRIL 2016

Time flies when you are having fun... so now it's my 60th birthday.

Had a great day... checking the surf, brunch with family, swim at pearl beach, favourite meal for dinner and cake :)

SYDNEY SUSAN AND JAMES WEDDING - 16 APRIL 2016

My niece's wedding - Susan and James... a pretty wedding... and the pictures tell the story...

And they all lived happily ever after...:)

MOONEY MOONEY AND FLOODS CREEK KAYAK - 15 APRIL 2016

We (John and I) drove to Mooney Mooney Creek just off the Old Pacific Highway for a kayak.


We intended to go to the headwaters of Mooney Mooney Creek but was tempted to explore Floods Creek.

It was a foggy and cold start to the kayak. It was slippery and awkward launching at Mooney Mooney Creek on the damp, muddy and steep creek banks. We managed without incident but I reckoned John came close to a tumble in the water.

The creek was covered in a light, floating mist and the sky above was obscured by a thick fog. It was eerie watching the Pacific Highway Bridge above Mooney Mooney Creek come into view as we drew nearer to it.

A few nice looking birds roosted on overhanging branches in the mist as we paddled along.

The fog was slowly lifting when we arrived at Floods Creek. It looked more narrow than Mooney Mooney Creek so we decided to explore.

It was a great decision! The tide was still high enough to paddle a long distance up the creek and over and under a number of fallen obstacles and along very narrow channels. The water was clear and the bottom of the creek gradually became white sand.

We reached a deep section of water and some very large rocks in the water. We paddled around the rocks and reached a small beach. This was as far as we could paddle.

We landed and wandered around the creek head. The vegetation was rainforest and in parts the soil was so thick with humus that we could virtually spring on it.

The 'paddle' back was fun as the tide had gone out more and in sections it was too shallow to paddle so we walked and pushed the kayaks. The water was very clear and warm and the bottom was sandy so it was a trouble free porterage.

The fog had totally cleared by the time we reached Mooney Mooney Creek with brilliant blue sky. Paddling back, we had a great view of the highway bridge and the tranquility of Mooney Mooney Creek.

A great, fun and adventurous 4.62 km kayak.

LANE COVE NP - LANE COVE RIVER KAYAK - 14 APRIL 2016

I was in Sydney and had a short time to spare so I had a kayak at Lane Cove River in Lane Cove National Park.


I parked near the weir and launched from there. It is a very pretty place. there were a few people sitting around enjoying the tranquility.

I enjoyed the kayak but I never done one in such a short time so in a way I didn't enjoy it as much as usual as I felt to rush, especially, when it was demanding me to slow down and appreciate.

I had to stop for  awhile for a water dragon that was sunning itself on a branch in the middle of the river.

A pretty but rushed 3.75 km kayak.

In retrospect, I have to drive to this area of Sydney for awhile on a regular basis so I think I will continue to kayak this river at a slower enjoyable pace over a number of visits.