1 JULY
I woke
feeling much better.
We drove
over to North Entrance. I had a kayak and Jacinta walked along the shoreline.
The sky was
very contrasting between clouds and blue as blue skies. The water was the
clearest I have ever seen. I saw a number of fish and a large stingray swam
under the kayak. The birds were out in force around the small island north of
the old fishing cooperative. There were pelicans, cormorants, ibises, ducks and
my personal favourite Royal Spoonbills. I love the way these birds foraging so
majestically and in flight their wings flap slowly. Never in a hurry.
As Jacinta
was walking the shoreline, we caught glimpses of each other. J
4 JULY
A bike ride
on Umina and Ocean Beach.
The first
ride for awhile due to virus for both of us. We rode about 5km on the hard sand
next to the shoreline. There were a lot of people walking and a lot of dogs.
The surf was small but there was still a number of surfers out. The scenery was
pretty – looking out to box head or towards northern Sydney.
5 JULY
Spent most of the day working in the backyard.
So much to do! In the afternoon, we had a fire burning off some of the vegetation
excess and watching the sun set.
6 JULY
A check of
the surf. The conditions were perfect but the tide was low and most of the
waves closed out.
8 JULY
A mountain
bike ride at Bouddi National Park.
A ride
along the turkey and NW ridge tracks and for a change I did the whole of the
cliff track. The track was smoother than the last time I ride it but it is
still rough with a number of spots where I stopped due to boulders and thick
tree roots. One section was steeps with rocks and tree roots, haha, I walked
it. Maybe next time. It was fun doing it. The next tracks were the Strom and
ferny tracks which were more flowy and fun.
11 JULY
A bit more
rain this morning and then it lightened up. Off for a bike ride at Bouddi
National Park.
There are
restrictions regarding exercise travel but my choice for the ride was within
the 10 km limit.
The car
park was packed at Wards Hill but there was one space left. I rode the tracks
leading to the Strom Lookout. Surprisingly, the track was only damp so it was
very firm and fun. It was a bit difficult on some climbs especially, over
boulders as I lost traction a few times. Still a great ride. I continued
further across the road from wards Hill carpark and rode the narrow tracks
there. There were some inspiring views across to the north and Brisbane Water.
12 JULY
A hike at
Rumbalara Reserve.
We parked
about halfway up the hill to walk the grass tree trail. The southern side was
awesome – metal stairs, base of cliff track, huge overhangs, lots of ferns and
grass trees, the call of the occasional bird, some awesome views and even one
or two benches to rest awhile. The northern side was much drier and the
vegetation was less luxuriant. A great hike!
13 JULY
A surf at
Wamberal Beach. The waves were manageable and there was only a few surfers out.
There was an occasional good right with a bit of power.
15 JULY
A kayak on
Wamberal Lagoon.
I parked at
Remembrance Drive , Wamberal and launched the kayak. The water level of the
lagoon was high. I was able to paddle between casuarinas that were at other
times on dry land. There was a bit of wind so the birds were only in sheltered
spots. Towards the end of the paddle, I came across an abandoned swan’s nest.
There were two eggs in it but the water had reached the eggs themselves. The cold
would have killed the newborn.
16 JULY
A mountain bike
ride on Daley Point tracks in Bouddi National Park.
I parked at
the Wards Hill carpark. There were a lot of tracks on this ride that criss-crossed
the main trail leading to the rock carvings. Some of the tracks were too hard
for me in sections and I had to walk it through. Most of the tracks were free
flowing with trees and rocks to enhance the skill level. A fun ride with some
good views over Brisbane Water.
.JPG)
