MUNMORAH BEACHES - OLNEY SF HIKE/MTB - HEATON, HUNTER AND MACLEANS LOOKOUT - 26 NOVEMBER 2017

25 November 2017

I drove over to Avoca Point to catch up with my old mates one more time. It was another great catch up with some drama the night before involving attempted strangulation ... ah boys will be boys even at 60+.

I had a swim at Avoca Beach then headed home for a nap before Jacinta and I set off for a night camp at Munmorah SCA.

At Munmorah, we unfortunately discovered that the camping area was full. We headed down to Red Ochre Beach and had a few swims and a sit in the sun.

Next, we tried the small camp area at Frazer Park but that was also full. We had lunch and decided to head to The Pines Camping Area at Olney State Forest about an hour drive away.

A good decision. We parked between a couple of tall pines and settled in for the evening - reading and having dinner with a few beers and wine.

26 November 2017

We had parked the van on a slight angle so I spent most of the night rolling. Not the best sleep.

When we woke, Jacinta and I had a bush hike along the tracks near the camping area. A great hike as I did this one a few weeks ago on my own so I knew where I was going. There are a lot of tracks leading in a number of directions in this area so it can become very confusing. On this hike we walked in the opposite direction to my last hike.

After the hike, we had breakfast and then I went for a mountain bike ride. I don't know the names of the tracks but I had a fun time exploring and testing myself. Most of the tracks had been highly eroded by dirt bikes so it was a challenging ride with unexpected obstacles.  I found the start of the Abbots Falls Track which I rode part way but will do more on another occasion as I didn't have a map and the ride was going to be long.

Back at the camp, we packed and then hit the road for a number of lookouts located on the dirt roads. the first was Heaton Lookout with a vista across the east to the ocean. It looked like a future camp spot as there was two walks in the area.

The next lookouts were Macleans and Hunter. They both were great views looking out over the valleys to the west. the road on this section was relatively flat and a track ran sort of parallel.  A possible mountain bike ride on a future trip.

We had lunch then drove back home.

AVOCA LAGOON KAYAK - BOUDDI MTB - NORTH AVOCA BEACH SURF - HAVEN SNORKEL - 24 NOVEMBER 2017

22 November 2017

A surf check of North Avoca Beach and Wamberal Beach were not very inspiring despite being very little wind.

I drove to the Haven, had an ocean swim, a coffee, a read and a sit in the early morning sun.

Back at home, and a group decision lead to an outting at Avoca Lagoon for some kayaking. It was Mr Archibald's first attempt at kayaking. He didn't settle to well with myself but was fine with Kara.

We had a fun time paddling the kayak around, posing for photos and being silly. We saw some kangaroos playing in the water on the small island.

It ended with a big feed from the fish and chip shop when we got back home.

23 November 2017

A surf check at North Avoca - tide too low so back later.

I drove to Bouddi NP and parked at the top of Wards Hill and rode the tracks off Maitland Bay Road.

The tracks were fun curving here, there and everywhere with some hard sections. The return ride was easier as I was able to go the steeper rocky sections.

There were a few points where the view lookout north across the Broadwater and Brisbane Water. There was a track at the base of the escarpment which I'll try hiking along on another day.

At one steep and rocky section, I got off my bike to walk it but tripped over a tree root, fell on a log, rolled over the log and into the bracken fern. Luckily, I landed where I corked my thigh on a ride a few days ago ... nah, it hurt. Anyway, I escaped with three series of scrape marks and a cut on my left leg.

I checked Copacabana Beach next. the conditions were nice but the waves were breaking only a few metres from shore.

I drove back to North Avoca and had a fun and small surf. The waves were okay and I had fun using the gopro5 as well. The videos were okay but I need to use different settings for surfing photographs.

Back home to tidying, mulching and mowing the yard.

24 November 2017

I checked the waves at North Avoca but it was too small and crumbly.

I call Paul to meet up for coffee at the Haven. I had a bit of time to spare so I went for a snorkel around the rock pool.

As soon as I was in the water, I saw a stingray. The water visibility was okay but still a little murky.

Next, there were a lot of different fish, another stingray and a Wobbegone shark. The shark was over a metre in length. I followed it for awhile and enjoyed watching it flowing low over the rocks and seaweed and in between crevices.

Wobbegong is the common name given to the 12 species of carpet sharks in the family Orectolobidae. The word wobbegong is believed to come from an Australian Aboriginal language meaning "shaggy beard", referring to the growths around the mouth of the shark of the western Pacific.

Wobbegongs are bottom-dwelling sharks, so they spend much of their time resting on the sea floor. Wobbegongs are well camouflaged with a symmetrical pattern of bold markings which resembles a carpet. The camouflage is improved by the presence of small weed-like whisker lobes  surrounding the wobbegong's jaw, which help to camouflage it and act as sensory barbs. Wobbegongs make use of their relative invisibility to hide among rocks and catch smaller fish which swim too close.

Wobbegongs are generally not dangerous to humans. However, they have bitten people who accidentally stepped on them in shallow water or underwater divers who have poked or touched them. Unprovoked, they may also bite those who swim near their hiding spots. Wobbegongs are very flexible and can easily bite a hand holding onto their tail.

They have many small but sharp teeth and their bite can be severe, even through a wetsuit; having once bitten, they have been known to hang on and can be very difficult to remove.

After the snorkel, I meet up with Paul and Chris for coffee at the Cove Cafe.

Next, I headed over to Avoca Point to join up with a number of old friends whom I went to school with, surfed with or lived in the area I grew up in. Ray arranges the get together and it is always a lot of laughs chatting about past, present and future.

Finally, I was back home and then took Kara and Mr Archibald down to the Haven Beach. By the time we left, I was feeling a bit sun-out-of-it.

Later, Jacinta and I had a few drinks and dinner at the Beery at Terrigal and listened to a pleasant two man band.

RILEYS BAY HIKE - ROCKY POINT TRACKS MTB - OURIMBAH TRACKS MTB - KINCUMBA MOUNTAIN TRACKS MTB - 21 NOVEMBER 2017

 18 November 2017

Today, I had a hike at to Rileys Bay.



It was an undulating hike that pasted through areas of mangroves, pockets of narrow and slender trees and large tree growth. 

There were spider holes where the pine needles of the trees formed a spongy ground cover. My guess was funnel web spiders. The ground was also quite bouncy to walk upon.

At the northern end there was the remains of an old sandstone house. Apparently, the owners collected shells for the making of lime. It would have been a hard life, especially, the mosquitoes. The place was swarming with them

There were a number of wildflowers in bloom and the bird songs were abundant, especially the bell birds.

Later, I had coffee with Jacinta at Terrgal Haven.

In the evening we had dinner at an Indian restaurant in Wamberal.

19 November 2017

A surf  check at North Avoca Beach was a no-go.

I drove to Bouddi National Park for a mountain bike ride on the Rocky Point Tracks. The tracks were challenging and fun.

The flannel flowers were in bloom and the view from Strom Lookout was amazing as per usual.

I tried a very steep and loose track that would lead to Rileys Bay but about half way down I just went over the handlebars, walloped my knee on a rock and got all tangled up in the bike. All good but I was very sore. I decided to skip this track until next time.

Another track took me to a waterfall which was only mildly flowing. A large culvert drain lead under the road so I played in the drain for awhile. It was fun.

I chatted to a few other bikers at the end of the ride who pointed out a new track along Maitland Bay Road.

After the ride, I drove to Terrigal Haven for an ocean swim hand coffee with Jacinta. The water was  icy cold. We ran into Ken, who had heart problems but over them now.

20 November 2017

An early morning surf check at Wamberal Beach. Maybe better later.

I drove to Ourimbah for a mountain bike ride along the challenging tracks. Well, some tracks I reckoned looked potential fatal to me; some other sections I could do with difficulty; and the rest were fun and challenging. I liked the graveyard and rollercoaster tracks the most.

I met a fellow rider at the end of the ride - Ian - and we chatted about retirement and mountain bikes.

I drove back to Wamberal Beach and had a really enjoyable surf with good waves with Mark, Glenn, and Rob then coffee at Point Cafe, Wamberal.


21 November 2017

An early surf check lead to a mountain bike ride at Kincumba Mountain.

I parked at the top of the mountain and spent 15 minutes cleaning up the rubbish strewn all over the place. As I was cleaning, I met the local council ranger, who told me there was a mob of Potteroos in the reserve.

A potoroo is a kangaroo-like marsupial about the size of a rabbit. It is a macropod. All three species are threatened The main threats are predation by introduced species (especially foxes) and habitat loss.

It was a fun easy ride along a number of tracks.

I tried riding today concentrating on body positioning. I found that a bit more tiring but the flow and control of the ride was heaps better.

I had some extra fun riding down a series of steps at the start of the Glasson Trail.

Afterwards, I drove to Wamberal beach for a surf. The current as pretty strong and the waves so-so. I lasted about forty minutes.

Over to the Haven for a coffee, sit in the sun and a read.

I'm currently reading a series of books on my kindle - The Dresden Files by Jm Butcher - I'm really enjoying them. They are about a modern day wizard doing his thing to protect humans from the perils of the magical world.

WAMBERAL BEACH SURF, TOOWOON BAY SNORKEL, BOUDDI NP MTB - 16 NOVEMBER 2017

14 November 2017

Surf check at North Avoca Beach. No one out but that isn't surprising as there was a shark attack on the beach yesterday.

Next stop, Wamberal Beach. The waves looked okay so out I paddled. The current was very strong and the crowd though small was aggressive. I got a few waves then paddled down to the next sand bank. The current wasn't as strong but the waves were very bumpy. I caught a few waves then came in.

Jeckle and his son Bryce were at the viewing platform. We chatted for awhile.

The waves seemed to improved and the crowd had dropped to two. I paddled back out and had a great surf on good waves. The current was not as strong and the waves were better. I surfed until the wind started to change.

15 November 2017

A morning surf check at Wamberal Beach - a bit small and not as good looking as the last two days. I had a chat with Mark and Brank, then headed over to Toowoon Bay for a snorkel.

The wind was a blowing ripples across the water and some small waves were breaking on the outer rocks. The water was a little turbulent and so visibility was only okay. There were a few fish and it was nice watching the seaweed swap with the water motion.

I was a bit chilled so I had a wander around the beach then a coffee at the surf club.

Back home to a number of inside chores then up to the local mall with Kara to buy a few things, then back home to the chores.

16 November 2017

I checked the a number of beaches for surf - Wamberal and North Avoca Beach were messy and Copacabana Beach was protected from the wind but the surf was flat.

Next stop was Bouddi National Park. I parked at the top of Wards Hill and rode along the informal tracks to Stroms Lookout. There were a lot of wildflowers in bloom near the carpark.

It was a fun two kilometre ride with a narrow track, small drop offs, sloping sandstone boulders and sharp burrawangs (a plant). The view from the lookout over Hardys Bay and other parts of Brisbane Water was panoramic. I always enjoy this view. It's nice to have a ride with a reward like a view, waterfall, etc.

Afterwards, I drove to Killcare Beach for a coffee and sit in the sun before heading home.

The rest of the day was frantic and busy. My daughter has chronic fatigue and its associated problems. She is currently on a new treatment. The treatments are sort of like one step back and two steps forward. Today was the definitely the step back.