CENTRAL COAST - 21 TO 26 MAY 2022

 21 MAY

A hike in Bouddi National Park along the Rocky Point Track with Jacinta.

This hike was along the tracks with a return along the trail. The tracks were quite eroded from the recent rains and muddy in spots. It made for a few obstacles to work around. The view at the lookout was superb over Hardy's Bay and surrounds. The return along the trail was easy as it is mainly along a dry service road.

24 MAY

A hike on the Cabbage Tree Track at Strickland State Forest with Jacinta.

A narrow up and down track that passes huge boulders, cliffs, soft ferns and cabbage trees. The track was muddy in parts. Watch out for the leeches!

26 MAY

A cycle from Long Jetty to The Entrance with Jacinta.

An easy cycle with great views over the lake. the tracks passes through parkland, picnic point and the lake foreshore.

CENTRAL COAST - 1 TO 7 AUGUST 2021

During this time, I worked heaps in the yard - steps, fill, planting, retaining walls, etc. There were also a number of great and fun surf days in the morning at Wamberal Beach.

2 AUGUST

A mountain bike ride at Bouddi National Park.

A fun ride along the turkey, northwest ridge, cliff, strom and ferny tracks. There was also a new track running west off the turkey track. I followed it for awhile before the going got a little too tough.

A surf check at Killcare Beach. The surf wasn't good but it was nice viewing the beach.

6 AUGUST

A cycle at the Entrance waterfront.

Jacinta and I started at Picnic Point and cycled along the waterfront to The Entrance Beach. A pleasant ride with great ocean and lake views. There were a number of people about doing their exercise and their version of exercise.

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.

SURF, SNORKELS, HIKE - 13 JANUARY 2018

11 January 2018

Very small surf today.

A snorkel at Toowoon Bay in the morning. The conditions were excellent - light wind, smooth water, low swell - leading to very clear water.

Highlights:

A lot of fish and a few large ones.

Under one rock crevice was an octopus.

At one section the water was shallow and the sea weed thick and I had to snorkel though it. It was like being brushed all over as I moved.

Clear water.

12 January 2018

Very small surf.

Jacinta and I drove over to Blue Bay. It was a beautiful white sand small crescent shaped beach. The swell was small so we walked along the beach towards the north until we found a good spot to sit.

I went for a snorkel along the northern point. There was reasonable visibility, a lot of seaweed, glimpses of large fish and a few stingrays on the sand bottom. I followed a couple of stingrays for awhile. They are so fluid and graceful in the water.

Back on shore, I had a hike around the rocks while Jacinta continued to bake and read. The small swell allowed me to walk safely along the rocks close to the water. There were lots of mollusks, light seaweed, rock pools and interesting rock formations.

Back to Jacinta and we decided on going to The Entrance for coffee. We picked a nice cafe on a wooden boardwalk and took in the view while we drunk our cappuccinos and cake.

13 January 2018

A surf at North Avoca. Looked okay but only had a few nice ones. Most waves were steep and short.

Down the Haven for a coffee with Jacinta.

About mid day, Jacinta and I drove to Copacabana Beach. A little windy but had a few fun waves.