ERINA CREEK KAYAK - HAVEN SWIM - HAVEN HIKE - 2 FEBRUARY 2017

I checked the surf this morning but it was very small so I decided on a kayak.

I drove to Erina Creek and launched towards the navigable headwater of the creek.

I didn't get too far before I was blocked by fallen trees. I backtracked and paddled past the bridge.

It was a slow paddle as I was observing the effects of erosion on the creek banks. there are a lot more trees that will be falling soon. The banks were undermined in parts by up to two metres.

The nice part of the paddle was the number of large lizards basking on the shoreline rocks and the birds feeding amongst the casuarinas.

A pleasant 2.66 km kayak.

I still had some more time so I had an ocean swim at Terrigal Haven. The water was smooth and clear even though the wind had greatly increased.

The girls and I had lunch at one of the restaurants near the waterfront at East Gosford. Pleasant.

Later in the afternoon, Jacinta and I did a few walking laps of the Terrigal Haven.

AUSTRALIA - CANBERRA - THE JOURNEY AND THE A.C.T. - 27 to 28 december 2013

27^th December 2014 Friday

 We loaded the campervan, filled with petrol, picked up a coffee and we were on our way on our ‘South Trip’.

We arrived at Canberra and camped at Cotters Camping - $12 per night.

In the afternoon, we drove to Tidbinbilla – entry fee. It is a great place for walks. We drove to the refuge section of the park and walked around the wetland areas. There were a number of different types of b birds. The brolgas were the highlight.

Distance 2.71 km

The sunset on the way back was awesome across the kangaroo dotted grasslands with mountain backdrop.

28^th December 2014 Saturday

The first stop was Stromlo Mountain Bike Park. I started the ride at the top and Jacinta picked me up at the bottom. It was a fast and fun ride from beginning to end. One stack at the beginning with a slight chunk of flesh missing.

Distance - 2.62
Time - 14 minutes
Av speed – 17.2 km/h
Max speed - 24.8 km/h
Elevation range – 146 m

After the ride, we drove back to the top for the café and the great views towards the west.

CENTRAL COAST - Brisbane Water - Kincumber Broadwater - kayak - 11 november 2012

I launched from Sorrento road in Empire Bay to kayak around Kincumber Broadwater.

The tide was with me so it was an easy paddle along Cockle Channel towards the entrance of the Broadwater. There was an interesting small mangrove island which divides the channel into two. The water was shallow along the island shores making for clear viewing of the underwater world.

The entrance to the Broadwater was relatively narrow with a number of boats, houses and places to launch. I veered to the eastern side where there was a variety of birdlife. I just drifted with the current and enjoyed the show.

Further along, I came across to small tributaries and one larger one. I paddled up all three. The smallest was shallow and difficult to paddle due to the mangroves. I tended to pull myself through rather than paddled.

The second one passed a mobile home area.

The third was wider and much longer. I passed houses, industrial areas, jetties in the wider section. The narrower section passed between mangroves with closely encroaching urbanisation. Still, there were lots of ducks and lizards and unfortunately dumped rubbish. It is amazing how plants and animals survive under these conditions. Despite the rubbish it was still pretty.

On the journey back, I stopped at a small island in the Broadwater and rested and watched the world go by.

It was a good kayak with pretty scenery and birdlife.

 

Distance               9.12 km

Time                      2 hours 51 minutes

Av speed             4.4 km/h

CENTRAL COAST - Spring Creek - kayak - 27 october 2011

It was a cloudy day with the chance of rain. i drove to Emu Drive, San Remo which is ner the mouth of Wallarah Creek and launched the kayak.

The creek starts off wide and passes under a bridge. There are a few dwellings along the creek's northern bank. The southern bank is natural. Eventually, I reached the junction of Wallarah and Spring Creek.

I took the turn into Spring Creek. for a long while it was crowded with dwellings on the east and northern banks. The south and west bank remained natural. After a time the dwellings stopped and the landscape was more natural with bird and lizard life.

I came to another bridge which had a rubble strewn crossing just before it. I continued on for some distance until the creek branched off in to two opposite directions that was strewn with branches and logs. It wasn't passable.

The return journey took a total of 3 hours with a strong wind against me on the return leg.

A good paddle with a variety of landscapes.

CENTRAL COAST - Ourimbah Creek - kayak - 16 September 2011

A sunny day with a light wind. Off for a kayak.

I decided to try to launch from a dirt road off Tuggerah. It looked good but unfortunately, the car became stuck on the high side of crest. I rang the NRMA, and and hour later I was on the move again.

I parked and launched near the bridge on Wyong Road. Luck was with me and against me as I lost the oar then the kayak then the oar again on launching, then nearly capsizing. i figured it couldn't get much worst so away I went.
The creek began to surprise me after I went under Wyong Road. There were lots of birds to be seen and heard. Further along, There were a number of water dragons on the shore and in overhanging branches. even a turtle was basking on a group of floating sticks.

At the weir near the railway bridge, I had to carry the kayak over the rocks. From this point on, the creek started to fill with fallen trees and branches. These were fun to find a way to pass - some i went over and some i went under.

Eventually, the water became shallower and a large tree put an end to the journey. i walked around for awhile enjoying the solitude and eating lunch.

It was a great kayak!

time: 3 1/2 hours