CENTRAL COAST - 19 NOVEMBER TO 16 DECEMBER 2021

We arrived back from our trip - cleaned travel gear, storage stuff and tidied the house. 

About a day later it rained and rained and rained for over a week causing massive floods in the state. No much outdoor activity, especially, with a strong onshore wind.

On the November 26, I had my eye operation. A blocked tear duct on my left eye. The operation was successful but I was a bit limited in things I could do over the next two weeks.

I was able to hike and do things around the house.

Unfortunately, my storage drive broken and I lost info and photos from this time. Usually, I store on a second back up device but for some reason I didn't. Ah well, I did mange to retrieve some photos from FB.

When I got home from the operation.

The next morning with the patch off. No pain just discomfort.

A hike around Warrah Trig in Brisbane Water National Park.

A hike at Avoca Point. An easy walk around the rocks with a backdrop of massive cliffs.

A hike on the Strickland Falls and Cabbage Tree tracks in Strickland State Forest. I was able to drive myself to this one. Only a few people at the falls but generally, no one there.

My first try at Mountain Biking at Bouddi National Park. No problems with the eye - no excessive watering or blurred vision. A great ride though it got pretty hot towards the end.

A hike at Mount Ettalong with Jacinta. Only a short hike but the views were amazing, the trees twisted and gnarled and the flannel flowers were blooming.

A hike at Strickland State Forest on the Bellbird track with Jacinta. We didn't hear any bellbirds but there were a couple of pretty creek crossings.

A kayak at Waterfall Bay in Brisbane Water. A good paddle surrounded by big rugged hills, small sandy beaches, interesting rock formations and a pretty waterfall.

A not too successful windsurf at Canton Beach, in Tuggerah Lake. I had one good run and heard a crack on the return leg - cracked a mast. Well, that was the end of potential fun session.

A swim at Terrigal haven but never before lice were biting.

A number of surfs at Wamberal Beach all in fun waves with surprising few others out. Heaps of waves from chest to shoulder height. 

Well, that sums things up over the last month. Time for Xmas - presents, decorations, family, friends, great food. Merry Christmas world :)
 

CENTRAL COAST - END OF JUNE 2021

 We returned early from our Grafton trip as we were both feeling unwell. A virus but not covid. Anyway, it knocked us about so we did really do much for a couple weeks.

23 JUNE

I’ve had a virus for ages. It wasn’t too bad but I really didn’t have any go to get going.

This morning, I woke feeling like crap but less crap than lately.

About mid morning, Jacinta and I had a short beach walk at The Entrance.

The sand was level with the boardwalk and extended for about 30 metres. Usually, this area was underwater with a two metre drop from the board walk to the water. So there was a lot of sand. We walked on the sand and followed the channel around to The Entrance Beach. The water was deep and fast moving towards the ocean. The sun was shining and all in all it was good to outside. J

24 JUNE

I woke feeling not good and not too bad.

We had a hike at Strickland State Forest.

We parked at the bottom carpark and followed the track to the Arboretum Loop track. It was a pretty walk with white sandy creeks running with little water. The vegetation was thick and moist with cabbage palms, huge trees, twisting vines and ferns. The sounds of whip birds gently pierced the silence and small birds made a fleeting appearance in the foliage. A nice morning. J

27 JUNE

The Central Coast is in lockdown but going out for exercise is permitted

A morning kayak around Terrigal Lagoon.

My virus came back with a vengeance after the hike two days ago but I’m feeling better today. The kayak was fun. I started in the middle section of the lagoon and paddled to the northern end. There were reeds, mangroves and other trees lining the shore and a small island to paddle around. A small number of birds were foraging in the shallows. The water reflections were pretty as the area was protected from the wind.

Down to the southern end, where I paddled under a bridge and then towards the beach. I disembarked on the beach and wandered down to the shoreline to watch the small waves break.

I was going to paddle up the western side of the lagoon but after passing underneath the second bridge the wind was a little strong so it didn’t look like a fun thing to do. Back to the van next stop.

28 JUNE

A short walk around the Terrigal Haven and the Haven beach.

A lot of people about but most are exercising. The beach was nice with hardly anyone on it though the paths were crowded.

30 JUNE

We drove to Brisbane Water National Park for an easy hike to Bulgandry.

The walk was short and level with many types of plants edging the path. There were flowers in bloom on some of the bushes – acacias, banksias, boronias, epicurises, and grevilleas. All very pretty in clumps or scattered at random. Due to the recent wet weather there were droplets of water clinging to various leaves and flowers. So magical.

The carving were surrounded by a walkway and are in good condition. The wet weather made it easier to discern the carvings.

STRICKLAND WATERFALL, PATONGA CREEK, KARIONG FALLS - 9 TO 13 MAY 2020

9 MAY 2020

An early morning hike along the Cabbage Tree and Strickland Falls tracks at Strickland State Forest with Jacinta.

These tracks are accessible from the top car park forming a loop track.

The hike started with gymea lilies along the track edge. A change of scenery with some rock formations and the vegetation changed to grass trees.

A short descent lead to Strickland Falls. I never seen the falls with a great deal of water. The water drops in parts along a semi circle of cliffs. The area seems to be always dark and this reflects in the tall trees and sparse ground cover.

The track follows along the creek and joins onto the cabbage tree track. The vegetation is of a drier type and there was more sunlight.

A well trodden but narrow track with some interesting rock and vegetation features.


10 MAY 202

Happy Mother's Day Jacinta :)

11 MAY 2020

An early hike around the rocks at Terrigal Haven.

The tide was low, the swell smallish, the weather clear, the temperature crisp. Heaps of good ingredients for a hike.

I took my time. soaking in the view and the smaller things in life.

A late morning kayak along Patonga Creek.

I timed this with the tide just on high. This worked out well as I had the tide in my favour going up and down the creek.

It was a good paddle. The wind was blocked, the sun was shining, the water was mostly clear and there were a lot of reflections on the water.

The creek starts wide but narrows considerably about half and winds in and around the mangroves.

There were fewer oyster leases than I previously remember which made for an easier kayak.


12 MAY 2020

A short mountain bike ride at Kincumba Mountain.

I wasn't feeling the best so I just did a few tracks close to the car park.


13 MAY 2020

A mountain bike along along Tommos Loop with a hike to Kariong Falls in Brisbane Water National Park.

An easy ride along Tommos Loop on the bike with a couple of steep downhills.

I turned off the main trail and on to the track to Kariong Falls. I rode a short distance and hid the bike in the bush and continued by foot.

It was a steep eroded hike down to the falls with some views and some interesting rock formations. It was so quiet around the falls which tumbled down into a clear pool of  deep water. I wander around the pool edge and eventually sat on a comfortable rock in the sun and soaked in the tranquility.

I had my time there in seclusion and passed four people along the track back to Tommos Loop. I retrieved my bike and continued my ride along the loop till the main road. It was a fast and quick return to the van.