The wind was up early in the morning. I waited to make
sure it had settled in then I was off to Tuggerah Lake for a windsurf.
I got there and well, the wind didn't look that strong. I
had a coffee, Craig turned up, I rigged up and was out on the water.
I used my 6'3" sail and was having a fun time. The
wind steadily increased so I came in and downsized to a 5' sail. All as good.
At times the wind backed off a little too much and I
wished i kept the 6'3" sail on but then the wind would increase and I was
glad I had downsized. It was a fun windsurf though it was one of those days of
up and down wind.
My fastest speed was 38km/h and I clocked up a total
distance of 28 kilometres.
I checked the surf at Soldiers Beach but was too small.
On the way back home, I stopped at the big house at Wamberal Beach. I chatted with a few
friends and decided on a surf. It didn't look too good but it actually got
better and better before it became a non event with the lowering tide. A fun surf with Craig.
30 January 2018
I started the day with an early kayak around Pelican
Island at Woy Woy.
The rising sun was vibrate and powerful, setting off twinkles
across Brisbane Water. Nearing the shores of Pelican Island my first sights
were a cormorant drying its wings on the beach and a pair of plovers just
standing there looking over the water channel.
As I paddled around the island,
I passed mangroves, small beaches and oyster farms.
I spotted a number of birds
such as pelicans, Australian pied oystercatchers, a sea eagle and an eastern
great egret.
The water was very clear in parts and I managed to get a
few underwater scenes. I liked the scenes with the small fish curiously
wondering about the camera.
A relaxing and fun kayak with the tide in my favour most
of the way.
Next, I drove to Wamberal Beach and had a small fun surf
with Chris K. We paddled out into waves that steadily improved until the
lowering tide turned them into small closeouts. We had some okay waves for about
40 minutes.
After the surf, I drove to Terrigal Haven for a ocean
view relax and a cappuccino.
Jacinta and I drove to Soldiers Beach in the morning.
It was a great morning. Jacinta sat on the beach and baked and I had
two surfing sessions. the first was small but fun and the second was bigger
with a few nice waves.
Surf check at Pelican Beach, Red Ochre Beach and Frazer Park Beach.
Finally settled on a mountain bike ride on the coastal track at Munmorah SCA.
It is one of my favourite rides. It starts as a gradual climb until
Wybung Road. At Wybung Road it is just about downhill all the way back - steep
sections, eroded spots, thick bushed, narrow track, wide track, soft deep sand,
steps and a short winding boardwalk. So much variety.
I finished drenched in sweat and in need of a swim. I drove to Soldiers
Beach and ended up having a small but fun surf.
Drove to Canton Beach on Tuggerah Lake. Had two great sessions out in
the wind. I used the 4.3 sail to start and it was perfect. After an hour, the
wind backed off so I went in and changed to a 5.3 sail. That was also excellent
with better direction control. After an hour,
the wind increased again to ballistic levels. I did one more run then
came in.
I did some windsurfing bonding with Lance, Mark, Craig and Bill. We had
coffee and chips at the Canton Cafe while Bill, the late starter today, kept on
sailing.
A totally awesome day - great wind and friend bonding. Very feel-good
tired.
15 January 2018
Down to Sydney to visit our cute grand niece Harper and Rhiannon and
Ian.
It was a great day. Their new apartment was nice with great views. We
had lunch at Bondi and visited the beach (my original surfing stomping
grounds).
16 January 2018
Another day of howling wind.
Drove to Canton Beach at Tuggerah Lake.
I used the 4.3m sail and had such a fun time - speed runs, catapulted a
few times, total distance 35kms and maximum speeds of 40 k/h.
I was doing better with my gybeing (turning) by being more in control.
I next have to concentrate on exiting the turn with speed.
17 January 2018
Chloe in hospital to get tonsils removed.
18 January 2018
Chloe back home and recovering.
A short late afternoon mountain bike ride on the Rocky Point tracks at
Bouddi National Park. A bit difficult as the sun was in my eyes on the best
part of the tracks.
20 January 2018
A surf check but my timing wasn't good as the tide was too high for the
waves to break well.
A drove to Kincumba Mountain but it was closed due to a high fire
danger.
Next stop, Bouddi National Park at the Maitland Bay carpark. I rode the
mountain bike along the turkey and NW ridge tracks. I was feeling more in
control than the last ride. The morning was so hot, I felt a bit of heat
exhaustion at the end of those runs. I rested and rehydrated.
I kept riding taking a rough track towards the start of the Strom
Trail. the last time I rode this, I had a lot of difficulties but it seemed a
lot easy on this run. Still, this ride is a bit unnerving in parts as it passes
very close to the cliffs.
I rode the Strom trail and track on
my return run. I finished drenched in sweat and feeling overheated.
I drove home picked up Kara and we had a swim at the Haven.
21 January 2018
Surf dismal so up to Brisbane Water National Park to ride around the
quarry.
I took swim gear as well but the quarry pools were very low and
greenish so I passed on that one. The rise was fun - riding over the rough
sandstone and trail blazing but it was so hot.
I met Jacinta at the Haven after the ride and we had swim in the cool
ocean.
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