ALONG THE RIDGE MTB - KOOLEWONG - 18 JUNE 2019

A mountain bike ride at Brisbane Water National Park.

I followed the tracks that lead off from the Koolewong firetrail.



There were some very steep sections which were a fun ride downhill but a slog uphill.

There were a number of spots with views across Brisbane Water which was steeply far below.

Along the way there were a few disused trail that were steep and littered with fist sized stones. It was a challenged getting down them in one piece.

The ride ended at a microwave tower. I circumnavigated part of the fencing that surrounded the station and the immense tower.

A great ride.

BIKE AND HIKE - HAVEN, COOKS RIVER, PUTTY BEACH - 16 JUNE 2019

13 JUNE


A trip to Sydney for a medical appointment for Kara.


While at the appointment, I had an hour to spare so I had a bike ride along Cooks River cycle path. It was a fun ride with lots of bridges to cross and a few narrow spots to navigate through.


14 JUNE


It was a bit windy today so I was thinking of a sheltered spot for a hike.


I hiked around the rocks south of Terrigal Haven.

It was a fun wander around the rocks – waves rolling over the rocks, multicoloured rock pools, steep cliffs and huge rock falls.


15 JUNE


I enjoyed the hike so much yesterday I decided on another at Putty Beach.


I walked along the beach and out to the point. There were small waves, rock pools, long crevices and the occasional bird.

At the end of the point I turned inland and scaled the sandstone cliffs. It was an easy climb. The sandstone was very colourful with some amazing patterns and shapes.

At the top was a glorious view along the coast.


16 JUNE


A cloudy and chilly day. 


We had a walk around the Haven and the beach and settled down for a coffee on the beach.

ON THE WATER - WOY WOY - 12 JUNE 2019

A kayak at Woy Woy with Kara and Mr Archibald.

It took us awhile to fit the two kayaks in the van but where there's a will there's a way.

The kayak was fun.

Mr Archibald slipped into the water briefly then spent most of the time hiding under Kara's ponytail.

I took the sit-on kayak. It was so heavy and a little complicated to get the fin and foot pedals right. It went well but a little more sluggish than the other kayak.

Highlights of the kayak included:

starfish under the water

heaps of birds

water reflections

great company

wake waves from the local ferry

shallow fast moving water between the two islands


After the kayak we had coffee on the waterfront at Ettalong.

highlights:

bacon and egg burger

nice view

my seat collapsed - haha

THE QUARRY MTB - 6 JUNE 2019

A mountain bike ride at the quarry in Brisbane Water National Park.

I spent an our riding around the quarry. It has so much variety.

There are a number of man made ponds. One pond looks like it has been there forever being complete with reeds and birdlife. The other  ponds look on the verge of being natural. Apparently, the ponds are swimmable!

The tracks vary from riding along old quarry roads, expanses of sand, small climbs and drops over roughly grooved sandstone, narrow tracks through the bush and tracks along the edge of the waterways. Heaps of fun!

I was there over an hour following tracks and challenging myself to do harder sections.

A fun morning!