SURFS, LONG REEF POINT AND THE EASTER SHOW - 31 MARCH 2018

25 march 2018

An early surf at North Avoca Beach. There were some good and hard breaking waves but it got a little crowded towards the end of the session.

26 march 2018

A surf at Wamberal Beach. A bit of a lull between the waves but some nice waves when they finally came. I surfed with George, Aldo, Steve, Bryce and Chris.

Later, I had coffee on Terrigal Beach.

27 march 2018

Kara and I drove to Sydney for the Royal Easter Show. It was mainly to see the birds on display. We did a lot of walking and were pretty tired by the end of the day.

My highlight was going inside an old double decker bus. Years ago, I was a bus conductor on these types of buses collecting bus fares. Bit of a memory lane trip.

28 March 2018

I surfed at North Avoca. There were some okay waves.

After, I joined Jacinta at the Haven for coffee and a sit on the beach.

29 March 2018

Surfed at North Avoca. Some okay waves but with some long lulls between sets.

30 march 2018

I surfed North Avoca just after the high tide. There were some good waves but it was very full and lulls were long.

31 march 2018

Down to Sydney with Jacinta.

We drove to Long Reef to buy some windsurfing gear - new boom and some small replacement parts.

After, we hiked to Long Reef Point. The view from the top of the point and at the base were the best part of the hike.

BULLS HILL MTB - JOHN'S FIRST PROFESSIONAL FIGHT - 24 MARCH 2018

A very bump eroded ride at Bulls Hill in Brisbane Water National Park.

It was a  short ride with some great views over Umina and Box Head.

There a a number of diversions - riding along the edge of the rock platforms - heaps of water to skirt around or through - some rocky outcrops to scramble up and over and around - heaps and heaps off loose rocks to add thought to the ride.

Later that night, we drove to Sydney toi watch John's first professional fight. He didn't win but it was a grueling encounter and the scores were very close.

SOMERSBY FALLS - A SHORT HIKE - 22 MARCH 2018

It had been raining the past few days so a hike seemed the best option.

I drove to Brisbane Water National Park and did a short hike at Somersby Falls.

There was a lot of water cascading over the falls and it was all pretty and serene. At one stage it started to rain. Luckily, the bush gave enough shelter to keep a little dry.

PORT STEPHENS - 18 TO 20 MARCH 2018

18 march 2018

Packed the van for a trip north. I decided on spending some time at Port Stephens.

It was a very hot day and everywhere was crowded. Eventually, I got to a quieter area. and felt better. I stopped at a small bay near Boat Harbour and had some okay waves in a pretty bay.

After, I checked into a rustic camping area called .... I had a late lunch and a nap ... the sun was still belting down.

Late afternoon, I had a walk and swim around Birubi Beach. It was nice with rolling sand dunes as a backdrop and pools of water in the sand.

Back at camp, dinner and a hot sleep.

19 march 2018

A surf check in the morning but it was either too flat or blown out with an onshore wind. One mile beach looked pretty.

I had a hike to the top of Tomaree Headland. An easy path to follow with metal steps at the steepest sections. The view at the top was expansive - south across the beaches to Fingal Bay sandspit and north to a group of islands and Hawkes Nest.

Back at the van, I took a short stroll to Zenith Beach. I sat at the north end and gazed at the scenery of beach on a backdrop of old vegetation covered volcanoes.

Next, I had a snorkel at Fly Point - a very pretty spot. The water was a bit chilly and there were heaps of different types of fish.

I drove back to Tomaree Headland for a mountain bike ride along the coastal track to the south end of Fingal Bay. I took some turnoff tracks to see Wreck Beach and Box Beach - both were pretty with cliffed headlands at either end of the beach.

The track itself wasn't one I would recommend for riding being up and down with a loose surfaces in parts that my tyres wouldn't grip onto on the uphill and irregular sections of deep sand.

After the ride, I headed back to Fly Point for another snorkel but the tide was too low and the tidal rip was very strong about 10 metres from shore. I settled for a swim and wander along the beach west of it.

The water as cool and clear. I met and chatted with an American mother/daughter - Mimi and Taylor, who were doing an Aussie tour. Both nice people.

Back at camp - snack, shower, dinner and sleep.

20 march 2018

A fun bike ride around the track at Fennington Island.

The track was sandy in parts and skirty the edge of the water and the wetlands. It was sandy in parts. it would have been better to start from the top of the hill on the road leading out of the camp area on the left.

Next, a surf check.

The wind was strong but One Mile Beach was protected. Unfortunately, the swell was too small.

Next, I drove to the top of Gan Gan Lookout to admire the view.

I drove on to Fly Point for another snorkel at high tide.

There were heaps of fish and underwater plants. The water was clear with good visibility in the sheltered corner.

I had lunch and rested in the back of the van.

The weather was getting worse with a prediction of stronger winds and heavy rain to come.

I decided to head home via Catherine Hill Bay. The surf there was too small so I continued onwards.

NEW KAYAK - TERMINATOR 10 - 17 MARCH 2018

14 March 2018

A surf check at Wamberal was a no go.

I had coffee, an ocean swim and a walk at Terrigal Haven.

I drove down to Sydney for a hearing appointment for a hearing test and adjustments to my hearing aids. My hearing hadn't deteriorated but some adjustments were made to the aides. Working better than before.

Afterwards, I drove over to Central in the city centre and picked up Jacinta who as there for a work conference. We had dinner at a restaurant at Newtown, then a wander around the streets.

Back at the hotel, we went to a bar and had a few drinks.

15 March 2018

I woke early and drove back home from Sydney.

I brought a terminator 10 sit-on kayak. I took it down to Avoca Lagoon for a test run. I tried the seat and foot handles in different positions. I couldn't quite get it right. Back on shore, I was thinking about going to the store for advice when I met a guy (he just got out of the water with his kayak) who gave me great advice on adjustments. I took the kayak back out and was a lot happier.

16 March 2018

An ocean kayak at Patonga on the new kayak followed by a swim off the end of the Patonga pier.

17 March 2018

I had a kayak on Avoca Lagoon on the sit-in kayak and had a fun time capsizing it and trying to reenter it from shallow to deep water. No problems getting in but residue water in the kayak affected its balance. I will need some system to bail the excess water out.