CENTRAL COAST - 14 TO 16 MAY 2022

 14 MAY

A kayak at Wamberal Lagoon.

A beautiful day! The water level was high and there was only a light breeze blowing. Forresters Creek at the north end of the lagoon was a narrow magical paddle.

15 MAY

A hike to Bullimah Spur with Jacinta. The track started off wet and muddy but turned dry for most of the hike. 

Great views to Maitland Bay and south over Putty Beach, Box Head, Pittwater and Sydney.

 Along the way, there were huge trees that were bent and twisted in very strange and fascinating shapes.

16 MAY

Surf at North Avoca Beach with Ian. 

Just before high tide there was some size but it dropped after the peaking tide. Still, the waves had a good shape and it was fun. There were only two of us out on a left bank. Near the end of the session, I walloped my ribs on my surfboard ... Ouch x 10.

Over the following week, I didn't do too much due to the sore ribs.

CENTRAL COAST - 1 TO 16 JULY 2021

 

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.

SHELLY BEACH AND WAMBERAL LAGOON - 'SUNRISE HAZE, YELLOW TAILED COCKATOOS AND DOLPHINS + KAYAK - 6 DECEMBER 2019

I checked the surf at Shelly Beach but it was a bit ordinary but a pod of dolphins frolicked near a couple of surfers in the water. Also,  there were glossy black yellow tailed cockatoos roosting in the carpark trees as I was just about to leave. To nice sights to start the day.

I drove for a kayak on Wamberal Lagoon.

It started so well. There were ducks, pelicans and cormorants right where I was launching. The ducks put on a brilliant flight show and the cormorant dived repeated for fish.

The kayak was enjoyable – cruising past the shore line of reeds, trees and flowers. The wind was light so the water was reasonable smooth. At the far end of the lagoon, towards Forresters Beach, I paddled up the creek until I was blocked by a fallen tree. It was very quiet on the creek as it was surrounded by dense vegetation which blocked the wind.

My first long kayak and the ribs had no pain but my muscles were a bit sore haha!