DELICATE NOBBY - 15 to 17 FEBRUARY 2023

 

DELICATE NOBBY

15 FEBRUARY

Our first stop was Crescent Head. We pulled into the point carpark and ran into Ian, a surfing mate from home.

I had a surf at Crescent. The waves were a bit sluggish with long lulls and a small crowd. I had a few okay waves towards the end of the session. Getting into to shore, I slipped on a rock and cut both legs on the barnacle shells and dislocated a finger. A lot of blood but more annoying than painful.

We continued onwards along the back roads to Delicate Nobby. We settled into a great site with shade and calling birds.

Later, in the afternoon we had a wander along the beach.

16 FEBRUARY

A rough sleep due the cuts and finger from yesterday’s fall on the rocks at Crescent Head.

We woke to a clear blue sky and birds’ calls.

I wandered down and along the beach to watch the later moments of the sunrise. It was a nice walk along the beach watching the bird life, the sun rising and the swell dropping.

After, breakfast, we wandered down the beach and lazed in the sun or under the beach umbrella. Jacinta had a few dips in the ocean.

Back at camp, there was loud base music playing. Very annoying! The office was closed so it was quite a while before camp staff arrived and quietened them down.

Back at our camp site for a relaxing afternoon.

17 FEBRUARY

I walked down to the beach pre sunrise and watched the start of a new day.

Back at camp, breakfast and off on the road.

GLOUCESTER - 14 to 15 FEBRUARY 2023

 

14 FEBRUARY

At Gloucester, we made a few calls and decided to stay there as the drizzle had turned to heavy rain.

Later in the afternoon, the rain lightened so we had a bike ride around the district park. A pleasant ride past a variety of sporting facilities and gardens.

15 FEBRUARY

We woke to heavy fog. After breakfast, we decoded to head back to the coast.

BARRINGTOPS NATIONAL PARK - 13 TO 14 FEBRUARY 2023

 

13 FEBRUARY

BARRINGTON TOPS NATIONAL PARK

At Gloucester, we had coffee and decided to head to Polblue Camp in Barrington Tops National Park. The drive was longer than we expected with a lot of ascent and 30 km of dirt road.

We selected a nice campsite under the trees with level ground and a fireplace.

Later, we had a hike around the Polblue Swamp. About 2.7 km on a loop track. It was an easy hike along a good track with great views over the swamp. Along the way, we saw a lot of flowers, birds and butterflies. Halfway along, we met and chatted with another travelling couple.

The rest of the afternoon was resting around the campfire while enjoying food and wine.

14 FEBRUARY

We woke to a fog shrouded morning with a very light drizzle.

We left the camp for Gloucester. The drive was 25 kilometres of steep dirt road in heavy fog. We took our time and it was fine.

WOKO NATIONAL PARK - 12 TO 13 FEBRUARY 2023

 

12 FEBRUARY

The day was getting hotter. 

We drove to Woko National Park camp. We set up camp in the partial shade overlooking the river. We spent the afternoon having dips in the river (only waist deep water) and chatting with the only other campers.

Late in the afternoon, we had dinner and enjoyed a wine fest.

13 FEBRUARY

A good sleep.

We woke to a cloudy morning and much cooler temperatures.

Jacinta slept a little longer while I hiked the brush turkey track. We did part of this track a few weeks ago. There were a lot of birds at ground and tree level. I got fleeting glances of willy wagtails, wrens and fan tails as a walked. The vegetation was mainly eucalypt with sections of dry rainforest. A good easy track.

Back at camp Jacinta was awake and after breakfast, we headed back to Gloucester.

GLOUCESTER TOPS NATIONAL PARK - 10 TO 12 FEBRUARY 2023

 

10 FEBRUARY

We decided to head to Gloucester Tops National Park as the weather prediction was for strong onshore winds for the next few days.

It was time for an early lunch and coffee at Tea Gardens. Next, was groceries and petrol and we were back on the road.

About two hours later, passing through lush green countryside and over six weirs, we arrived at Gloucester River Camping Area.

After setting up camp, we walked down to the river and had dip in the waters. It was very cold which was great because it was a very hot day. We relaxed through the afternoon.

11 FEBRUARY

A beautiful day.

After breakfast we drove to the top of Gloucester Tops for some hiking.

The first hike was the Gloucester Falls track. Easy to follow and steep in some sections. The first event was a lookout with a great morning view across the mountain ranges in the direction of the coast. The next, was a lookout over Gloucester Falls, A good view but parts were obscured by vegetation. A little further along, we diverted off the main track and down to the falls. A nice place to sit, eat a snack, watch the water flow and the skinks darting out between rock cracks. We continued to follow the track back to the car park.

Feeling like a bit more, we drove to the first carpark and followed the beech track (short loop). It stated off in an open area, but we were soon enclosed by the rainforest. The upper canopy blocked most of the sunlight and the ground level was mostly ferns and moss-covered logs. A small creek bubbled along part of the track.

Back to camp for a late lunch on the edge of the Gloucester River. The water was very cold. Excellent for cooling the body down.

12 FEBRUARY

We woke to clear skies and warm temperature.

I had a hike along Sharpes Creek. A great 3 km return hike through dry rainforest, a number of shallow creek crossings and a lot of bird calls. All of this with morning sunlight filtering through the trees.

We packed and left for Gloucester, where we had lunch, made some calls and stocked up on food.

HAWKS NEST - 9 TO 10 FEBRUARY 2023

 

9 FEBRUARY

We did the final packing for the van, and we were off north … petrol …oh, the bike rack does not seem to be standing upright … back home … a bit of adjustment and all was good. We were off north … again.

We stopped at Bennetts beach. On shore winds and crumbly small waves. Around to Jimmys Beach, where the winds were also unpleasantly strong. Decision! Camp at Hawks Nest. A good decision, as it started to rain after we finished setting up.

Later in the afternoon, when the rain stopped, we walked over to the Bench Mark Hotel for a few drinks and dinner.

10 FEBRUARY

A beautiful morning with clear skies and a light wind.

I wandered down to Bennetts Beach, watched the sunrise and strolled along the beach and back to camp.

About mid-morning, we drove to Jimmys Beach, which was magical with no wind. I had an ocean swim and we lazed under the beach umbrella.

CENTRAL COAST - 26 JANUARY TO 8 FEBRUARY 2023

 26 JANUARY

We drove back from a two week road trip while we had the wooden floors being restored. The floors looked great! Now to put everything back. This will take a few days. Haha!

27 JANUARY

An early walk around some of the tracks at Kincumba Mountain. Very quiet. Down to the Haven where Jacinta continued walking and I had an ocean swim. Coffee on the beach.

Back to getting things back in place at home.

29 JANUARY

Cooler day.

A walk around the Haven with Jacinta. Coffee on beach.

Finally, got everything back in place in the living room. Now to get on with other things.

A few visitors. Haha

30 JANUARY

A windsurf at Canton Beach. The wind had just a bit too much east to it so it wasn’t very good. The first run was the best but I hit a shallow section and wham the knee into the boom. A few cuts and a lot of bruises. The rest of the session was off/on wind.

2 FEBRUARY

An ocean swim at Terrigal Haven

3 FEBRUARY

A kayak on Terrigal Lagoon.

There was enough water in the lagoon to paddle to the western backwaters. Very quiet amongst the mangroves and casuarinas. I paddled to the beach and had a wander as well. 

4 FEBRUARY

So hot, so busy lately, so many things to sort out. 😊 We got in a coffee and apple muffin on the haven beach.

5 FEBRUARY

A surf at North Avoca Beach. It was fun with a very strong rip. Had a few nice waves and quite a few nose dives. It got better as the tide got higher.

6 FEBRUARY

Hep B first shot.

Later, I had a kayak at Kincumber Creek with Angus. A different sort of kayak starting at the Kincumber boat ramp - past mangroves, houses, a mixture of overhanging trees and ending at large drainage pipes.

7 FEBRUARY

Surf check North Avoca Beach.

Decided on a mountain bike Kincumba Mountain. A short fun ride of about an hour.

Another surf check of North Avoca Beach. A fun surf on the rights. Much better than two days ago. A lot of good waves till the wind increased.

Blood tests for cholesterol and prostrate checkup.

8 FEBRUARY

A surf North Avoca with Terry. Not so good (bumpy, random) but there were a few good waves. A lot of jellyfish.