CENTRAL COAST - 17 TO 31 JULY 2021

 On the Central Coast, we have been on lockdown. We were allowed to exercise only 10km from home but that was incorrect after I rang the health service it was clarified to the local government area. That leaves a much more fun scope for exercise. On the plus, I have just about finished remodelling the front, side and back garden of our home. 

17 JULY

A walk around Terrigal Haven.

The wind was howling today so it was a bit difficult to do outside things safely. We decided on a walk around and haven and along the beach. A windy walk with clean ocean views and not so many people.

Highlights

Admiring the views from the many lookouts.

The sunshine.

18 JULY

A hike at Rumbalara Reserve.

We parked at the top of the hill and followed a variety of tracks. At the top, there were a number of bigger than life-sized statues of Charles Kingsford-Smith, Joseph Banks and Matthew Flinders. The views over Brisbane Water were partly obscured by trees. The tracks were easy to follow and there are a lot of steps in sections.

Highlights

Standing still and listening.

Chatting with the statues.

Occasional views over the water and land.

19 JULY

A mountain bike ride at Rumbalara Reserve.

After the hike, I decided to try a ride along the same tracks. Most of the tracks were free flowing with a few steps. The southern side of the flannel flower track was good in parts but there were lots of steps to climb at the end. The northern side of the track dipped in the middle so it was a good downhill for half of it.

Hightlights

Adventurous feeling of a new ride.

Speed in flowy sections.

Scrambling over rocks to get under an overhang.

 

20 JULY

A surf check ... flat but pretty.

A kayak at Avoca Lagoon.

The water was high in the lagoon. I was able to guide through the trees that were semi-submerged. The birds were out and about in the sheltered areas. Mainly ducks. It was also very peaceful in the sheltered sections. The wind was strong and increasing throughout the paddle.

Highlights

Guiding through a maze of trees

Gazing at the ducks preening and dipping under the water as they drifted across the still waters.

Gracefulness of a black swan as it paddled across the water and into the reeds.

 

21 JULY

A walk at Terrigal Haven.

I caught up with Ken and we chatted as we walked around the Haven. The ocean swell was on the increase.

23 JULY

A surf check Wamberal and later at Copacabana. The latter was more sheltered from the wind.

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

I only rode a short distance before I had a fall. My foot slipped forward on the pedal just as a rock gave way. No injury. The rest of the ride was flowy and fun with a short stop at the view over Hardy’s Bay. I rode back in the same direction which was a little harder.

Highlights

Stacking with no injury.

Increased heart rate going down steeper sections

Accomplishment on difficult challenges

24 JULY

A hike at Berry Head on the Gwen Perry track.

We parked at end of Belina Ave for the start of the track. The track was up and down circumnavigating a gully. The vegetation was thick and dark in parts with vines and cabbage trees. It looked very rainforest-like. The sounds of birds was prolific, especially, one with a shrill single whistle. We came across no other people from start to finish. A good walk.

Highlights

Oscillation of a cabbage tree leaf when struck by the wind.

Crunch of cabbage tree leaves underfoot

Calls of birds – short and long, warbled and shrilly.

Leaves lit bright green by rays of light on a dark background

30 JULY

A fun surf at Wamberal Beach.

The waves had been flat for awhile but there was a bit of swell in the morning. The waves were a bit weak but fun. The session ended as the tide got higher.

31 JULY

A surf check at Wamberal Beach revealed too small to surf waves but a brilliant sunrise.

A kayak on Terrigal Lagoon.

I drove past the lagoon on the way home. The water was glassy and reflective. I loaded the kayak in the van and headed back for a glide.

I paddled to the western end of the lagoon. It was quiet and I had it to myself except for a few ducks, herons, pelicans and cormorants. The water was the clearest I have have ever seen. The western channels were totally out of the wind and sunlight. Next stop, was the beach. I wandered around for a short while. The wind had increased from the north. Back to the kayak, then breakfast.

CENTRAL COAST - 1 TO 16 JULY 2021

 

1 JULY

I woke feeling much better.

We drove over to North Entrance. I had a kayak and Jacinta walked along the shoreline.

The sky was very contrasting between clouds and blue as blue skies. The water was the clearest I have ever seen. I saw a number of fish and a large stingray swam under the kayak. The birds were out in force around the small island north of the old fishing cooperative. There were pelicans, cormorants, ibises, ducks and my personal favourite Royal Spoonbills. I love the way these birds foraging so majestically and in flight their wings flap slowly. Never in a hurry.

As Jacinta was walking the shoreline, we caught glimpses of each other. J

4 JULY

A bike ride on Umina and Ocean Beach.

The first ride for awhile due to virus for both of us. We rode about 5km on the hard sand next to the shoreline. There were a lot of people walking and a lot of dogs. The surf was small but there was still a number of surfers out. The scenery was pretty – looking out to box head or towards northern Sydney.

5 JULY

 Spent most of the day working in the backyard. So much to do! In the afternoon, we had a fire burning off some of the vegetation excess and watching the sun set.

6 JULY

A check of the surf. The conditions were perfect but the tide was low and most of the waves closed out.

8 JULY

A mountain bike ride at Bouddi National Park.

A ride along the turkey and NW ridge tracks and for a change I did the whole of the cliff track. The track was smoother than the last time I ride it but it is still rough with a number of spots where I stopped due to boulders and thick tree roots. One section was steeps with rocks and tree roots, haha, I walked it. Maybe next time. It was fun doing it. The next tracks were the Strom and ferny tracks which were more flowy and fun.

11 JULY

A bit more rain this morning and then it lightened up. Off for a bike ride at Bouddi National Park.

There are restrictions regarding exercise travel but my choice for the ride was within the 10 km limit.

The car park was packed at Wards Hill but there was one space left. I rode the tracks leading to the Strom Lookout. Surprisingly, the track was only damp so it was very firm and fun. It was a bit difficult on some climbs especially, over boulders as I lost traction a few times. Still a great ride. I continued further across the road from wards Hill carpark and rode the narrow tracks there. There were some inspiring views across to the north and Brisbane Water.

12 JULY

A hike at Rumbalara Reserve.

We parked about halfway up the hill to walk the grass tree trail. The southern side was awesome – metal stairs, base of cliff track, huge overhangs, lots of ferns and grass trees, the call of the occasional bird, some awesome views and even one or two benches to rest awhile. The northern side was much drier and the vegetation was less luxuriant. A great hike!

13 JULY

A surf at Wamberal Beach. The waves were manageable and there was only a few surfers out. There was an occasional good right with a bit of power.

15 JULY

A kayak on Wamberal Lagoon.

I parked at Remembrance Drive , Wamberal and launched the kayak. The water level of the lagoon was high. I was able to paddle between casuarinas that were at other times on dry land. There was a bit of wind so the birds were only in sheltered spots. Towards the end of the paddle, I came across an abandoned swan’s nest. There were two eggs in it but the water had reached the eggs themselves. The cold would have killed the newborn.

16 JULY

A mountain bike ride on Daley Point tracks in Bouddi National Park.

I parked at the Wards Hill carpark. There were a lot of tracks on this ride that criss-crossed the main trail leading to the rock carvings. Some of the tracks were too hard for me in sections and I had to walk it through. Most of the tracks were free flowing with trees and rocks to enhance the skill level. A fun ride with some good views over Brisbane Water.