CENTRAL COAST KAYAK - DOWN MOONEY MOONEY CREEK - 10 march 2015

The tides were better for a down creek paddle at Mooney Mooney Creek.

It was a quiet kayak with the mangroves very exposed and the small tributaries were navigable as the mud was exposed.

It was interesting how the roots of the mangrove trees which grow up and out of the mud for oxygen have a definite line for their growth (like a tree line) along the water's edge. In among these roots were numerous holes which were the homes of small crabs, some with very bright nippers. These crabs didn't stay long to be observed, any movement and they were gone.

Along the way, I came across two houses in very isolated positions. They were surrounded by the bush and the only access was via the water. One had a new pier and the other pier was very dilapidated. I'm sure there was a good story behind the decision to live with no electricity and people with limited tank water but the signs clearly said 'keep out'. I met one of people living in these isolated conditions off Mullet Creek - his story wasn't sad just interesting and full of knowledge on a local history that was once flourishing but was now declined.

There were two mangrove islands that I circumnavigated on the way down and back.

A quiet and isolated-feeling kayak.

distance - 7.62 km

CENTRAL COAST SURF - WAMBERAL BEACH - 8 MARCH 2015

A nice morning but hazy.

Down at the beach the conditions were glassy with a smooth swell. The sand banks were a little flickle with some good waves mixed with some close outs and mush.

There were  only a few guys out. Some were a bit kamikaze.

Bryson, Tim and Micheal were out so I sat around and took a few photos.

A young surfer copped a board to the nose and I looked after him till some one arrived to take him home.

CENTRAL COAST KAYAK - PATONGA CREEK - 7 MARCH 2015

I did this kayak a long while ago but it was so much better this time.

The kayak was about 3 hours with photo stops and a rest/walk at the end of the creek. The distance was 8.75 kilometres.

Patonga is a very pretty town with the beach surrounding the whole area. There are lots places to launch.

I started opposite the mangroves and tried for a paddle amongst the tree but the water was too shallow. I continued on past oyster leases and the occasional bird. The big highlight here was the sea eagles. One of them circled and then swooped down into the water for a fish but it came up empty clawed. Still, it was so nice  watching it in flight.

The creek remained wide and slightly monotonous for a while until I reached a section where the creek narrowed considerably. Last time, I was here I couldn't past this point as the water was too shallow and there was a long stretch of sand/mud. This time was different.

The paddle was a lot more exciting with the banks of the creek changing from mud, to mangroves, to grasses, to rocks, to rain forest. The waterway became shallower and narrower as I progressed and the  water changed from muddy to clear with a bottom of white sand. Finally, I could go no further so I beached the kayak and walked around. It was still and quiet and the vegetation thick and lush.

On the way back, I tried to paddle through the mangroves again. The water was heaps deeper and it was so much fun zigzagging around the trees, the overhanging branches and spider webs.

A great but long kayak.

CENTRAL COAST HIKE - WATERVIEW PARK - 6 march 2015

I had a short amount of time this morning so I went for a short hike at Waterview Park.

I have looked at the hill a number of times over the years and was surprised by the pleasant view from the top. In sections there are views of Brisbane Water and Gosford.

The road up is short and steep and the short track follows the top of the hill and ends in huge rocks with a long drop over the edge.

It isn't the cleanest spot but it is still pretty and a good spot for a coffee while enjoying the view.

CENTRAL COAST KAYAK - AVOCA LAGOON - 5 MARCH 2015

I went for a kayak at Avoca Lagoon in the early morning. It was a good 1 hour kayak.

Highlights included :

an early morning fog across the water.

very small fish in small schools jumping in the shallows.

large fish breaching the water.

birds roosting in the trees overhanging the water.

birds in flight - fast and slow

birds kicking on the water for uplift to begin their flight

the sand bank between the lagoon and the ocean.

the sunrise lighting up the scenery and bird life.

a black swan up close slowly entering the water as I paddled around a corner.

an egret as I paddled around the Bareena island. it just sat there on it's log perch and watched me from only 3 metres away.

the low water level exposing sand banks and shore lines that had been eroded deeply by wave action. there's quite a few trees ready to come down.

A relaxing easy going kayak.

CENTRAL COAST BIRDS - 'ARCHIE ON THE MOUNTAIN' - 3 march 2015

My daughter and I drove to the top of Kincumba Mountain Reserve to take Archie her new 'dusky lorikeet' on it's first day outing.

We sat on the rocks and watched the bird grow in confidence to explore his new world.

A relaxing afternoon.

CENTRAL COAST - BEACHES - SPOON BAY - 3 March 2015

I parked at Spoon Bay and went for a walk along the beach and rocks.

There  was a great lookout platform a few metres on the left once entering the path. There was a view across most of the bay with rocks and cliffs to the left with the sparkling water of sunrise. The view further extends to the right across the beach and rocks which jut out into the ocean forming small crescent shaped beaches.

The path to the beach is thick with vegetation and winds its way to the steps that lead onto the beach.

It is a great beach for snorkelling and swimming on calm waveless days. Today wasn't that sort of day.

I walked around the rocks where the waves were smashing and spraying upwards towards the sky.

The beach walk was nice with gulls, cormorants and terns on the edge of the sand and water.

There are a lot of rocks in the water making it an unsafe swim when a swell is running but I have had good swims and snorkels on waveless days and three are great rock pools exploring at low tide.

There are surfable waves in the right conditions.

CENTRAL COAST - BEACHES - WAMBERAL BEACH - 28 february 2015

I went for a slow walk along Wamberal Beach.

There was a lot of activity on the beach an the water.

On the beach, there were people walking, walking their dogs, carrying gear to surf, picking a nice spot to sit.

In the water, there were people, swimming, surfing, sups and trying out new cameras.

It was quieter towards the rocks at the northern end. There were people walking and fishing.

CENTRAL COAST - WAMBERAL BEACH - SURF - 'GLASSY MORNING' - 28 february 2015

Well, I'm out of the water for at least a few weeks due to right ear operation.

Yesterday, I got some footage of some friends surfing and added to the video above.

This morning it was smallish but glassy. Some good waves amongst the total.

CENTRAL COAST - RIGHT EAR OPERATION - 25 FEBRUARY 2015

I started the morning with a surf check then a bike ride around Kincumba Mountain Reserve.

It was a good ride. I have been watching MTB videos to improve my biking skills and they feel like they are paying off.

In the afternoon, I had my right ear drilled. 

Back at home now and recovering. No surf for about a month.

CENTRAL COAST - RED OCHRE BEACH - 'MISTY MORNING' - 20 february 2015

I drove up the coast this morning to check a few surf spots.

I didn't have much luck with the surf except when I got back to my home break.

Still, I caught a misty morning at Red Ochre Beach in Munmorah SCA. It was so pretty.

The sun was trying to peep through the clouds, birds were dancing in the sand dunes, the sea salt formed a mist over the beach, headland and the distant Bird Island.

I walked along the beach and stood near the edge of the sea while the water lapped over my feet.