GRAFTON - 11 TO 14 JUNE 2021

 11 JUNE

It was only a 40 minute drive from Lawrence to our Grafton homestay.

The BnB was called Andavine. We were impressed straight away – great view over paddocks with horses and kangaroos, a large bedroom, sitting area, bathroom and huge deck.

We had dinner at the Clocktower Hotel.

12 JUNE

We eventually got out of bed and wandered into Grafton. We visited the huge Anglican Church

 and the Catholic Church 

which use to be a boarding school that Jacinta attended. We had a reminiscing conversation with one of the retired nuns and it turned out she knew Jacinta’s oldest brother and her mother … small world. Next stop was the regional gallery which had an interesting exhibition on photography.

The afternoon was enjoying the homestay before I dropped Jacinta into Grafton for her class reunion. This was why we were where we were.

 Jacinta had a fun night!

 

13 JUNE

We joined a few of the reunion revellers for breakfast.

I dropped Jacinta back at the homestay so she could have a sleep. I drove to the boat ramp in Prince Street, Grafton and had a kayak around Susan Island which is a nature reserve.

It was a pleasant kayak around the river island fringed with steep banks and reeds. I stopped at one stage and walked a path to the other side of the island almost. The track was too overgrown to get to the end.

 

14 JUNE

We woke feeling ill – a virus. Not covid but we decided to head back home rather than start camping! A good decision in retrospect of the following day J

LAWRENCE - 9 TO 11 JUNE 2021

 

9 JUNE

A road trip north.

I was awake early but for some reason or other we never left till 8:30am for Lawrence. The day was suppose to be rain but it was sunshine all the way. A good drive. We arrived at Lawrence at about 4:30pm so it was an 8 hour drive with a few stopovers to rest and eat.

The sun was sinking over the cane fields at B/T home (relatives). A very pretty sight and a good omen for the start of a trip. We settled in chatted, ate, drank and sat around the fire.

10 JUNE

I woke early and watched the sunrise over the sugarcane fields. 

Jacinta slept on and I drove to the Everlasting Swamp NP for a bike ride.

It was only a short drive to turnoff towards the park on Weir Road. The road is okay after the weir it greatly deteriorates. I pasted through two road gates and parked near the national park sign. The main swamp which is expands south of the sign had no water in it and no birds. I unloaded the bike and followed the trail/track towards Woody Creek. The track was deeply rutted in parts or covered with grass. The latter is difficult to ride upon. The scenery was awesome – a creek running beside the track, heaps of waterways and billabongs, old stockyards, irrigation sluices and an amazing amount of birds. I spent a lot of time admiring the birds in this remnant of coastal wetland.

Back at B/T , we wandered around Brom’s garden. There were lot of variety of vegetables and fruit. She puts so much effort and love into it and it certainly produces bumper crops. 

While Brom is attending her garden lady Tony is in his shed either fixing things to sell or working on his latest boat project. Tony is a boat builder by trade and like Brom his work is a labour of love.

11 JUNE

After breakfast, Jacinta sat around with Brom and Tony rested as he wasn’t feeling well. I drove to boat ramp near the Lawrence Tavern for a kayak to Munro Island.

I paddled over to a small beach and wander around on the soft fine sand. The interior of the island was thick with trees, overgrown sugar cane, reeds and various other plants. Add possible snakes and it was best to look from the island’s shore. I continued around the island moving quickly with the current until eventually, the wind and current were against my route. Still, it wasn’t too strong. There were a number of small beaches on the north–east side of the island.

After lunch, we headed off for our stay at Grafton.

HOME - EARLY JUNE 2021

 1 JUNE

A hike to Brooklyn Dam.

We drove to Parsley Bay at Brooklyn and walked a short distance to the start of the dam hike. It was a very steep uphill beginning with a lot of rest stops. At the top, the trail meandered up and down until another steep descent to the dam. There were some views of the Hawkesbury River and there were a lot of birds calling in the trees.

The dam was very pretty with reeds, lily pads and fish. The dam wall was walkable in parts. We picked a stony edge of the dam to soak in the ambience, watch the fish and rest.

The hike was about 6km with directional signs.

2 JUNE

A mountain bike ride at Bouddi National Park.

I parked at Maitland Bay carpark. The ride follows the road north and onto the Turkey Track, which has a few rough short downhills and some smooth runs. At the end, I turned right to the top of the hill to the start of the North West Ridge Track. This track varies with some flow, tree root and rock obstacles, spiky burrawangs and short ups and downs. It joins onto the main trail which leads to rock carvings which are hard to see. I sat around here awhile admiring the bush outlook. Back in the saddle, I followed the track off and on in reverse. Back at the start of the track there is another track which vers to the right. This is the Cliff Track. It is rough and fun with of course a long cliff dropoff. Apparently, Some guy went over the edge (8m) a month ago when he was hit by a wallaby. I followed this track a short distance then veered off onto the road. I followed the road to the start of the Strom Trail, which is wide, long and flowy. After some distance, I veered to the right on the Ferny Track, which is lined with ferns and burrawangs and is flowy in sections. This track joins back onto the Strom Trail and leads back to the carpark.

Afterwards, I checked the surf at Killcare Beach and wandered up to the surf club for coffee. There was a jazz band playing so I stayed a lot longer than I was going to.

A fun morning

4 JUNE

A kayak at Copacabana Lagoon (Cockrone Lagoon).

A relaxing paddle. There was a very light wind and the sun was warm. The birds were out and about – Black swans, Swamp Hens, Cormorants, Darters, many species of ducks and Herons. At one stage, I paddled over a large eel in the shallows. It was a pleasure to watch it undulate its way along.

The shoreline varied from grasses to reeds to trees. The trees stood like sentinels with the tidal marks on their bases.

The western end of the lagoon is fed by a waterway that follows Cockrone Gully. The eastern end is blocked from the ocean by Copacabana Beach. I grounded the kayak on the beach and wandered down to watch the waves breaking.

A pleasant kayak.

Afterwards, I drove to Terrigal Haven and had a cappuccino and stroll on the beach.

5 JUNE

A check of the surf and and I ran into long college friend, Ian. We both talked each other into a surf. It was fun chatting and catching a few waves together. The waves were short and some had a reasonable wall. The water was also a bit cold … the winter has begun.

Jacinta and I had lunch at the waterfront at Gosford. It was pretty and quiet. A large aggressive pelican approached us and we think it had Jacinta in mind for its next meal. Haha. She backed off and it was the encouragement it needed to chase her its wobbly way.

6 JUNE

A surf at Wamberal Beach. The waves were good being lefts with a fast wall and heaps of fun. The water/wind was very cold. Maybe need a new wetsuit. Brrr

7 JUNE

A hike at Brisbane Water National Park.

I drove to the carpark on Warrah Trig Road, Brisbane Water NP for the start of a short hike to Warrah Lookout. The walk goes up a number of steps to the Warrah Trig marker. There are some distant views of the Hawkesbury River through the thick vegetation. The walk follows a rocky path and steps with a few short turnoffs to get more into the bush or a better view. There were a large number of birds flittering in the trees and the banksias were in abundance. Very pretty! The hike ends at the lookout with absolutely awesome views of the Hawkesbury River and it entry into the ocean.

A short hike and there is so much to see along the way and at the end.