AUSTRALIA - SYDNEY - CLOVELLY - 20 JANUARY 2015

We drove down to Sydney for an appointment for my daughter. While she was at the appointment we drove down to Clovelly.

We hadn't been to Clovelly for a long time and it hadn't changed all that much except for a few concrete cosmetic changes along the water's edge and the path around the beaches.

In nostalgia, I use to walk around the beaches via the cliffs and shore platforms. It was very exciting but now it is easier and safer.

We walked along the beach path admiring the changes and the manicured beach.

We stopped for coffee and a late breakfast at a cafe overlooking the beach.

I had a swim at Clovelly. It was refreshing and nice to swim into the incoming swells.

I also checked out Tommos Bay for future snorkelling. A definite 'must'.

A great day

CENTRAL COAST - TERRIGAL HAVEN - SNORKEL - 18 JANUARY 2015

I went for a snorkel at Terrigal Haven.



It was a brilliant, sunny Sunday so the beach was crowded and the water was crowded with swimmers, sups, boats, fishermen, snorkelers and divers.

Still the water looked inviting and no one was out near the point.

The water visibility was poor inshore but improved further out. There were schools of small colourful fish and some larger fishes which blended in with the sand, rocks or weed.

As I was coming into shore, a pelican did a skid landing on the boat ramp. I thought it looked pretty cool.

It's been awhile since my last snorkel so it was enjoyable.

CENTRAL COAST - TERRIGAL BEACH AND LAGOON - KAYAK - 16 JANUARY 2015

A look at the surf and the sunrise on Wamberal Beach.

Off for a disastrous kayak at Terrigal Lagoon.

1 Video camera fell in the water - kaput!

2 Mounting for go pro on kayak broken - no spare on me!

3 Paddled to the feeder creek at the west of the lagoon - someone had chopped down a tree and blocked the water way!

Still, it was a nice sunrise and it is always pleasurable guiding across thee water.

Hmm... now for a new video camera!

CENTRAL COAST - WAMBERAL BEACH - SURF - 12 JANUARY 2015

A fun glassy surf at Wamberal Beach.

I was out just before the photo sesssion.

Heaps of fun but hard breaking waves.

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER NP - SOMERSBY FALLS - 15 JANUARY 2015

A beautiful morning.



I drove up to Somersby Falls for an early morning short hike.

Basically, there are three levels to the hike. Top of the Falls, the Falls and the bottom of the falls.

The top of the falls is relatively flat with water intertwining over the rocks forming small pools.

The Falls has a pretty waterfall that then flows over flattish rocks.

The bottom of the flats is the last cascade. It is not as grand as the falls above but it is a pretty area with cascading water, and a lot of ferns.

That is officially the end of the track but it does go on ruggedly to join on the Great North Walk.

I sat for awhile in the bottom area of the falls, enjoying the solitude and sound of gurgling water and the occasional bird call.

CENTRAL COAST - 'BIRDS OF AVOCA LAGOON' - KAYAK - 9 JANUARY 2015

The surf was messy but the wind nil and the sun was shining, so off for a kayak.

I paddled around Avoca lagoon. I paddled casually and enjoyed the shades of morning light, the reflections on the water and the numerous birds.


A pied cormorant put on a great show. I was so close and the sun was shining through the wings. The bird seemed to strike a number of poses for the camera.

A great kayak.



BIRD INFO







The Purple Swamphen has a resplendent purple-blue neck, breast and belly, and a gaudy, oversized bill and frontal shield, both of which are bright red, as are its beady eyes.

The Black-winged Stilt is a large black and white wader with long orange-red legs and a straight black bill. It has black on the back of the neck, a white collar and a red iris.

CENTRAL COAST - KINCUMBA MTN - MTB - 6 JANUARY 2015

I went for an afternoon ride at Kincumba Mountain Reserve.

I had just got my bike back from a service and I was keen to try the harder run. The ride was good but the rear brakes need more adjusting so I didn't tackle the harder run.

distance 5.09 km
time 26:43 mins
av speed 11.4 km/h
max speed 24.8 km/h
elevation range 44m

CENTRAL COAST - BRISBANE WATER - FAGANS BAY - KAYAK - 4 JANUARY 2015

I had a kayak with John at Fagans Bay at West Gosford.


It was a nice kayak - warm sunrise, clear water, different birds in flight or foraging for food (spoonbills, cormorants, ibises, egrets) swirling water, increasing tide movement, quiet, 'tank rocks', bridges (railway and old railway bridge remains) and fish breaching the water.

A good kayak with good company.

5.04 km

1: 58 hrs

CENTRAL COAST - WOY WOY TO WATERFALL BAY - KAYAK - 3 JANUARY 2015

I parked at Woy Woy and launched from a small beach opposite Pelican Island.

I got a surprise with a group of ducks crossing the road in single file - as they do. The last duck was reluctant to cross but was looking quite anxious so I stopped and waited for it to make its move to go.

I paddled along the channel towards thee wharves, then around to the bridges.

After the bridges, there were a number of houses in a small bay with wharves. On one of the wharves there was a group of  'Sooty Oystercatchers' which were parading up and down it.

Soon the landscape changed to bare sandstone and eucalyptus trees.

Waterfall Bay has a cascade rather than a waterfall but today it was a mere trickle.

I paddled in and around the mangroves near the falls.

The paddle back was great in sunshine.

At the end of the ride, there was a lady and her dog running in terror as I landed. A swamp of bees was responsible for this reaction.

8.08 km
2:16 hrs

CENTRAL COAST - KINCUMBA MTN - MTB - 31 DECEMBER 2014

I tried a track at Kincumba mountain the other day that I had never noticed before. It started off great with a few challenges but still fun.

So I decided today to continue following the track. Well, I was doing alright until I reached the section of the track I hadn't ridden before. There were drop offs and steep sections with heaps of random rocks. A lot harder than I thought it would be and it was also raining. I came off a number of times with one over the handle bars and a roll along the dirt. All good!

I will try again but not in the rain.

3.63 km
elevation range 21 m
av speed 13 km/h
max speed 25.2 km/h