MOUNT ETTALONG HIKE - 10 SEPTEMBER 2017

Jacinta and I drove over to Mount Ettalong for a short hike.

There wasn't any flowers but there were a lot of birds to be heard but not seen.

Highlights of the hike included:

The distorted shapes of the trees due to a number of factors such as,  poor soils, large slabs of sandstone and salty air.

Great views towards the south over Pearl Beach, Lion Island and Broken Bay as well as view over Umina, The Box, Ettalong and Brisbane Water.

We walked to the top lookout first then meandered back taking short turnoff tracks. We sat for a while on an overhanging rock ledge and admired the view while soaking in the sunshine.

After the hike, we drove to Pearl Beach and had coffee on the beach then a snooze in the morning sun.

PATONGA - OCEAN HIKE AND KAYAK - 3 DECEMBER 2015

Back to Patonga for a hike and kayak.

It was a cloudy morning but the sun was trying to break through the light cloud cover.

I parked at Dark Corner and wandered along the beach and around the rocks. It was a pleasant walk with sea gulls screeching away due to an approaching sea eagle and an inquisitive plover, who kept a sideways eye on me.

Stepping over the rocks, there were some that were close to the water's edge covered with mollusks and patterned sandstone on the dry sections.

There was another small beach which I strolled along and took in the scenery.

I backtracked and drove to the pier to launch my kayak.

I had some fun paddling around and under the pier, then paddled to the other side of the bay.

The sea swell though small was causing my kayak to flow up, down and around. Not the best kayak shape for the conditions. I paddled along the rocky shore until the swell and the backwash of the waves made for difficult conditions.

I paddled back towards the estuary and used the swell to gain a little extra speed. That was okay until I got closer to shore and a small wave threatened to tip the kayak.

Once onshore. I wandered along the beach. The sand was soft in places so that I sank as I walked. It was a nice view across the bay and up the estuary.

I paddled back to the pier and played around some more then back to the van.

I nice 1.46 km hike and 2.95 km kayak.

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER NP - WARRAH TRIG - HIKE - 1 december 2014

Well, I was going to go for a bike ride but I arrived at the starting point a little later than expected so I settled for a short hike.



The morning light had lit up the bush. The light filtered through the leaves of the trees creating vibrant shades of green - pretty. The bark of some trees was highlighted into more vibrant colours.

There were a number of flowers blooming though not in huge abundance. They tended to stand out from the greenery with their shades of purple, white, yellow and red. A closer inspection showed the intricate and delicate detail of their form. remarkable!

The orb weaver spider were stationed strategically along the path for catching prey. Part of the way down the track, a half web indicated that someone had walked the path before me. Lucky them! The webs are so perfect and in its centre lies the spider waiting patiently for prey.

Yellow and brown coloured moths flitted on the rocks at the trig point.

The birds were too quick for me this morning but I watched a kookaburra stream through the trees and vanish. Two lyrebirds walked ahead of me but took off at speed once I was noticed.

The view at the end of the hike was over Broken Bay at the end of the Hawkesbury River's journey. The view spanned over Pittwater, Palm Beach, Ku-ring-gai National Park and Patonga. A hazy mist hung over the western view.

The striking feature of the hike was the silence. No bird calls. No insects buzzing. Just silence and an awakening sun.

CENTRAL COAST - PATONGA - 27 september 2014 - 'ENJOY THE VIEW'

It was a beautiful and sunny day on the Central Coast.

Jacinta and I drove over to Patonga for a walk and lunch.

We walked along the beach to Patonga Creek.  Small waves broke gently along the shore. The white sand rose at a sharp incline to the vegetated foreshore.

 The foreshore was covered in wildflowers. We sat amongst them where someone had placed seating and a table

 Further along the beach, the sand veered out towards the ocean at a crescent where Patonga Creek exited. It was very pretty looking at the vegetated sandstone cliffs or back along the beach or out into Broken Bay.

 The pier jutted out to deeper water. It looked inviting for a swim or snorkel

 We had lunch on the beach.

A pretty way to pass the time away!

CENTRAL COAST - BOUDDI NP - BOX HEAD - MTB/HIKE - 7 december 2013

We parked at Grandview Crescent for the start of the bike and hike to Box Head.

It was an afternoon adventure. We walked/cycled up Hawke Head Drive till it levelled out some more then cycled onwards to the track to Box Head.

Along the way there were great views over Brisbane Waters and the beaches - Putty and Tallows.

We passed through a barrier gate after which there were a number of signs leading to other trails/tracks.

The hike to Box Head had good views north along the coast and south towards Broken Bay, Umina and Pittwater. We sat on the cliff point at Box head enjoying the view and the late afternoon sunshine.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water NP - Warrah Trig - MTB - 4 december 2012

I drove over near Patonga for the Warrah Trig loop.

The weather was sunny and hot. I had bought new bike shorts and was keen to try them out. They definitely make the ride a lot more comfortable.

I parked at the parking area near Warrah Trig.

I cycled down the dirt road and onto Patonga drive. It was a fast ride downhill to the dirt service road turnoff for Pearl Beach. I followed it until Warrah Trig then doubled back to take the steep service road back to the van.

I notice a number of blocked service roads going down the road which after looking at them on goggle earth look like they would be fun to do!

4.82 km
24 minutes
av speed 13.3 km/h
max speed 29.2 km/h
elevation gain 98m