GRADUATION, BIRTHDAY, SURFING, MTB, HIKE - 21 APRIL TO 26 APRIL 2017

21/4

Today we all drove up to Newcastle University for Chloe's graduation in Bachelor of Architecture.

We picked my the cap and gown then walked to the Great Hall for the ceremony. Chloe sat with the graduates and we were further back.

The ceremony was very traditional. There was organ music playing as a prelude. When it stopped, we all stood for the academic staff who walked in a long precession in traditional robes. There were three speeches and followed by the presentation of the graduates.

Chloe looked very proud receiving her diploma and we were proud and happy for her. Chloe was radiate the whole day.

Outside, we met up with her friends and took photos.

Later, we drove down to the harbour at Newcastle and had lunch by the water with some of Chloe's friends and family.

22/4

We drove down to Shellharbour for Beacon's 60th.

I've known Beacon since early surfing days - 45 years. Plus we had a trip to NZ in 1976 for 3 months and numerous other smaller excursions. All good memories - past and present.

The party was sensational. Heaps of food, good music and long time friends. Beacon surprised everyone when he renewed wedding vows with his wife. Very romantic and nice.

Who was there? Beacon, Dakka, Ball, Tony, Robbo, Pluck, Fatouris, Mando, Mark... lots of bagging and good laughs.

Oh! And we drank a bit too.

23/4

Jacinta and I slept in the campervan and then we joined Beacon, Meryl, Tony, Ball and Robbo for breakfast at Beacon's home.

After a big feed and more laughs, the boys all headed off for a surf at the Farm. The waves were small and sloppy but it didn't matter. Ball, Beacon and I had a good time and the water cleared my head a bit.

It was a long drive home but what a fun night and day... we should turn 60 more often. :)

24/4

I woke feeling a bit ordinary after so much driving with a few drinks.

I checked the surf which looked very good except the tide was too high and the waves were barely breaking. There would be good surf later with the lower tide.

I drove to Kincumba Mountain for a mountain bike ride. i only did the summit track as I was just wasn't into it. Still it was a fun and quiet 3 km ride. Afterwards, I had a short ocean swim at Terrigal Haven and a cappuccino. The water was a bit brisk but the coffee was hot. A nice combo.

Later, Chloe, Kara and I had lunch at a cafe in Avoca.

25/4

A surf check at Wamberal Beach to start the day. The waves looked okay so I had a surf. In the water, I met Chris, who hadn't been surfing for five years even though he lives across the road from the beach. He had a lot of travelling stories which were very interesting.

This morning was one of those mornings where you met up with local friends you haven't seen for awhile so there as a lot of talking.

Later, Jacinta and I went for a bush walk at Girrakool. It as very pretty and quiet and a light rain started about half way through the walk.

26/4

Car in for a service and a recall repair. Did a lot of things at home.

AUSTRALIA MTB - GLENROCK SCA - 19 MAY 2015

My first time at Glenrock.  Heaps of parking right next to the start of the tracks.

Started off well on the first track but it started to become very muddy and slippery. I was a bit overconfident when bam! Over the handlebars with my foot caught. Came up with a few cuts and lots of mud. The tyres were caked in mud and some sort of vine had wrapped around the rear wheel.

After that, all was fine. the tracks are so good and varied. Heaps of fun!

 

 

distance - 13.64 km

elevation range - 104 m

time - 2h15



AUSTRALIA - KOORAGANG WETLANDS - MTB - 7 May 2014

I dropped my daughter at Newcastle University and had a bit of a wait before returning home.



I decided on a kayak or a bike ride at Kooragang Wetlands. The kayaking didn't look to inviting so I opted for the bike ride.

There were a number of tracks and trails around the island. The terrain of the tracks varied from grass, boardwalk, bridges, tarred, gravel, tire rutted, service roads, paved roads and dirt track. The tracks circumnavigated the island with only a little bit of back tracking.

There were a number of points of interest on the ride - bridges, tidal creeks, old buildings, old airforce structures, old school masters house and jetty.

It was a fun, level and interesting ride.


distance - 14.59 km
time - 1h 58m
av. speed - 7.4 km/h
max speed - 20.1 km/h

AUSTRALIA - LAKE MACQUARIE - FENNEL BAY - STONEY CREEK - 12 june 2013

 I parked at Toronto Lions Park and launched my kayak.

 

The conditions were glassy and the weather cloudy. The water was very clear at the boat ramp and remained so until the bridge into Fennel Bay.

Near the bridge there was a lot of bird life and it was interesting going under the bridge.

The entrance of Stoney Creek was a series of small islands that were interesting to paddle around.

The highlight of the paddle were a number of birds taking off and in flight.

The creek was urbanised in parts with traffic noise present in the background. Once under the three bridges the natural scenery began to dominate.

The end of the creek was blocked by a huge tree that was walkable to pass over. It was fun, especially, as I didn't fall off it.

On the final leg of the return, the rain started lightly but turned into a downpour just as I landed. Lucky hey!!!

There are two other creeks to follow in this bay.

distance     - 8.27 km
time           - 1h 5m
av speed    - 4.4 km/h
max speed - 6.5 km/h