ROYAL NP - KAYAK AND MTB - 14 DECEMBER 2018

13 DECEMBER 2018

A kayak at Royal National Park on the Hacking River.



I parked and launched from Reid's Flat Picnic Area. There is a small white sand river beach to launch the kayak.

I paddled down the river. It was very clear on the shoreline with lots of fishes doing their fish business. The shore was lined mainly with mangroves and rocks with pockets of white sand beaches.

It was all very peaceful and quiet.

Back to the start, I continued upriver to the weir. I followed the hewed sandstone shoreline and the weir wall.

A nice flat-water with striking natural scenery.

14 DECEMBER 2018

Back at Royal National Park but the weather looks like rain.



The tracks were so varied and amazing. They looped around and joined onto other tracks. The scenery changed from open tracks, main road, narrow tree lined, steep berms, rocky base, pools of water. So much fun.

The track that followed Temptation Creek was long, hard in parts and fun. Unfortunately, the camera didn't work on the best part of the ride.

On arrival back at the van, the heavens let loose and the rain poured down.

A fun and exciting mountain bike ride.

ST GEORGE NP - MILL CREEK KAYAK - 12 DECEMBER 2018

At Sydney again today with off and on showers.



I had a short time frame to play so I headed over to Georges River National Park for a kayak.

I found a nice parking spot just next to the Georges River. I launched from a small white sandy beach and paddled across The Georges River to Mill Creek.

The tide was going high so my paddle up creek was easy. It was mangroves at the beginning on both banks. After a short distance I spied a small creek on my right. I followed this very narrow waterway through the thick mangroves. A real 'African Queen' adventure.

Back on Mills Creek and I passed a group of young guys who had camped on the high rocks above the creek. It looked like a fun relaxing thing to do.

The mangroves gradually decreased and large overhanging native trees began to dominate. It was fun paddling under the overhanging boughs and around fallen trees.

I didn't reach the end as I had run out of time.

A great kayak even though it rained reasonably heavy about two times.

ROYAL NATIONAL PARK MTB - 10 DECEMBER 2018

A day in  Sydney so I visited Royal National Park.



I checked out Garie Beach for surf - very small. I checked Hacking River for kayaking - no private crafts on freshwater side of weir but okay on tidal side with a launch at Rids Crossing. I checked Loftus Loop Trail for a mountain bike ride.

I settled for the mountain bike ride. there were a lot of trails/tracks leading off the loop trail. I followed a number of them and some of them were long and flowy and heaps of fun. the Temptation Creek Trails was in part a long downhill and a steep uphill. It was very exciting with loose rocks and steep corners. I was a bit nervous on it but survived. Towards the Loftus Oval side I found lots more flowy tracks and a young guy showed me where a few off shoots of the main track was. It was great.

I'll be back there later in the week.

TUGGERAH LAKE WINDSURF - 8 DECEMBER 2018

A Saturday morning surf check … not much potential.

Jacinta and I drove to the Terrigal Haven, did a couple of walking laps then coffee on the beach. The wind was a little strong and the water was uninviting with clumps of seaweed but it was nice sitting in the sun and chatting.

Back home and did a few yard tasks then it was off for a windsurf on Tuggerah Lake.

I launched at the old fishing cooperative. I had a good time … walloped numerous times, nice smooth bigger than small jumps and a lot of speed. The wind had a number of holes in it so I lost the momentum a number of times and sank into the briny deep.

I did video but unfortunately, the camera had shifted on the helmet so the vids were of the top of the sail and sky. Haha. 

I did GPS the ride which gave interesting data about the ride... about a 13km

STINGRAYS, CATFISH AND TURTLE - 7 DECEMBER 2018

The surf wasn't encouraging this morning but a snorkel seemed worthwhile after sighting a turtle yesterday while swimming.




I waded out into the water on the Haven Beach and it was a bit chilly.

The visibility wasn't the best with a lot of sand particles obscuring vision. BUT it was a good sighting day. There were a lot of larger fish blending in with the sandy bottom but they skittered off very quickly from me.

After a short time, I spotted a small stingray. I followed it for awhile and three other small ones later. While I was following one of the smaller rays a very large ray suddenly swam directly under me. If I could jump I would have. Anyway, I followed the larger ray for a while but keeping my distance.

Later, I came across a large and small greenish catfish. They both undulated amongst the rocks slowly so they were easy to follow.

I was just about to finish when I spied a turtle. I very excited and followed it from above and below. Finally, it had enough of me and left me behind with a big smile.

It was such a great snorkel even though the visibility was poor. I was very cold though but warmed up with a coffee and a long sit in the sun.

A good morning.

MOUNTAIN, SWIM, TURTLE, WATER POLICE - 6 DECEMBER 2018

I started the day with a surf check but it was a no go.

I drove up to Kincumba Mountain for a mountain bike ride.

It was a fun ride. I rode a number of tracks in different directions and enjoyed the solitude of the ride. At one stage a loose branch on a tree walloped me in the arm … ouch!

I felt like I had heaps more energy today. I felt good throughout the ride.

After the ride, I rang a mate to meet for coffee at the Haven. While I waited for Paul, I had an ocean swim and saw a turtle in the shallows. Amazing. I was swimming beside it under the water and even got to touch the shell. A great experience.

Paul was there when I finished my swim and we had a coffee and a chat.

On the way back to the van, A large command-looking boat motored into the beach escorted by about several jet skis. It was the water police … they had pulled in for coffee. haha!

PILES CREEK - KAYAK - 30 NOVEMBER 2018

A kayak today at Brisbane Water National Park.



The main kayak was along Piles Creek but it necessitated a launch from Mooney Mooney Creek.

I parked on a side road from the Old Pacific Highway just after the Mooney Mooney Bridge.

I paddled down the creek against the incoming tide then turned into Piles Creek. From here I was able to drift a lot with the tidal flow.

It was an interesting and quiet paddle. There were the sounds of distant infrequent traffic and the song of the bellbirds.

Along the shoreline, mangroves dominated for about half the paddle with small mud crabs scurrying into hidey-holes as I paddled past. Further along the base of the creek changed to white sand and the shoreline became rocky on a backdrop of  trees and bush.

The kayak ended at the suspension bridge. A large pool of water gather at this point. Just past the suspension bridge, are the remains of the old bridge with water cascading over the ruins and large boulders.

The return journey was against the tide until I reached the junction of Mooney Mooney Creek.

A pleasant and relaxing kayak.

TERRIGAL LAGOON KAYAK - 27 NOVEMBER 2018

A kayak at Terrigal Lagoon

For a long time the water level has been very low. Too low for a decent kayak. But today it was fine.

I paddled under the western bridge and up to the backwaters of the lagoon. It was pleasant and adventurous paddling around the narrow waterways at the western end.

I paddled back and towards Terrigal Beach. I landed on the beach side and walked over the sand to the ocean shore. There were small waves breaking in glassy conditions … very pretty.

KINCUMBA MOUNTAIN - INJURIES BUT STILL HAD A HIKE - 21 NOVEMBER 2018

It is injury time for me at the moment.

Started with my lower back, then on my right lower back and now my neck. They all hurt a lot especially, the neck which is disconcertingly painful with any abrupt movement. Anyway, they all seem to be on the mend and, hopefully, back to normal tomorrow.

I have been doing short walks at Terrigal Haven. It  is okay for a semi urban walk but I needed to do something different today.

I drove up to Kincumba Mountain and walked the Kanning Trail.

It was a nice walk with lots of ferns, bird calls, wildflowers and interesting rock formations. There was also a small cave - really a rock overhang which was fun to walk around.

During the walk, I disturbed a wallaby. I didn't get to see it but I could hear it bounding away through the dense bush.

CENTRAL COAST - SURF, MTB, MARKETS - 13 NOVEMBER 2018

10 November 2018

A small but fun surf with Terry and Jim (jungle) at North Avoca. A nice shape at the beginning but after an hour the tide became too full and the waves were barely breaking and closer to shore.

Jacinta and I went to the French Markets . It was interesting but no bargains to be found in the stalls. There was nice music playing - guitar and piano accordion. We ran into a number of Jacinta's work colleagues.

11 November 2018

A mountain bike ride on the Rocky Point tracks at Bouddi National Park.

A good ride with a few obstacles - drop offs, tree roots, rocks, etc. The view at the lookout at the end of the ride is always inspiring.

13 November 2018

A mountain bike ride at Brisbane Water National Park to Rocky Ponds.

A fun ride with a few steep sections with lots of fist sized rocks scattered across the trail. A bit scary with a bit of speed but all was good. At the ponds, I sat in the sunshine and watched the water flow. I also had a wander around the many levels of the ponds,. Nice.

On the way back, I got a bit of a shock when I nearly ran over a massive brown snake. Luckily, it was paying attention to me and was eagerly getting out of my way.

footnote

Over the last week, Jacinta and I have been working heaps in the front garden - weeding, planting, tidying - a massive job.