NORAH HEAD HIKE - 30 MAY 2017

28 may

A great sunrise through a thin, wispy cloud bank at Terrigal Beach.

29 May

A flat ocean on this morning but sunny with a light but cool wind.

Today's adventure ... Norah Head.

I parked near the lighthouse and wandered down the path to the lighthouse.

The lighthouse is very imposing and pretty. I wandered around the base and periodically looked back upon it as I walked. The beacon was rotating and sparkling as it reflected the morning sunlight.

At the end of the path, I descended the stairs to the beach and rocky shore platform.



There were a number of people fishing in such a pretty setting. I wandered around the rocks enjoying the brisk breeze and exploring the small rocky crevasses. The water in the crevasses looked nice, especially, with small waves running along them in the narrow space.

On the far promontory, I watched the waves push in over the rocks filling in the hollow then drawing back making a wild cascade of seawater. Not a good place for a swim though.

I continued walking along the rocks and beaches. There were one or two birds foraging and the sunlight was twinkling across the ocean surface.

Near the rockpool, I spoke with a group of landcare people who were removing bitou bush from the cliff edge. They cut the bush near the base then coat the stem in round-up ( a nonresidue poison) to kill it permanently. the bitou dominates the landscape where it becomes established killing native plant species.

At the top of the cliff, I followed the Norah Head Nature trail back to the carpark.

The trail was well looked after and there were a number of plant species along the route. Small signposts indicated what some species were and their human and animal usage. Very interesting.

I drove to Soldier's Beach for a coffee and to watch some very small waves breaking and a few guys surfing. I met a guy Grant who had a very unusual canoe made of light timber and fiberglass.

POPRAN NATIONAL PARK - MTB - 28 MAY 2017

27/5

I had such a good sleep last night and I actually slept in to 6:30am. I decided to make it a take it easy day.

Later in the morning, I met Jacinta for coffee at Terrigal Haven. We sat above the beach and enjoyed.

In the early afternoon, I got a haircut and a few things that I needed to buy ... aqua ear plugs, snorkel goggles with gopro attachment and some surfboard wax.

At home, I serviced my bike and cleaned up inside and outside.

28/5

POPRAN NATIONAL PARK

After another good nights sleep and a flat surf, I was ready for Popran National Park.

I parked on Ironbark Road, about a 1km before the picnic area. There was room there for four cars.



The ride started with a steep climb, then a long easy section to the start of Popran NP. Then, it was around the gate and onto to 248 trail. This was a long, rough, fun and in parts steep downhill until Donovan's Forest.

The forest is a relatively wide glade of ferns with well spaced trees. It was pretty and relaxing.

It was then up the hill on the other side of the glade and there was a small flat sandstone platform to ride around then it was downhill till the turnoff for the Hominy Creek trail and the narrow part of the 248 trail which became a dead-end track.

I rode along the 248 track but it was very difficult due to the high number of trees blocking the track. At the end of the track, was a large tessellated sandstone area that was covered in vegetation giving it a maze like appeal. I followed the tracks and was rewarded with views down to Mangrove Creek.



I backtracked and then followed the Hominy Trail. This trail followed the ridge and was well maintained until the last downhill section which was unbelievably eroded. It was very difficult getting down but the challenge was fun.

At the base and a little to the right was Emerald Pool. This pool really was emerald in colour and so clear and pretty. I was thinking of a swim but the wind was a little too cool today.



I scrambled around the pool then it was a  long steep walk up the track to Mount Olive trail and then it was a much longer and steeper ride/walk back to the start of the park.

The last section back to the van was long and fast. A great way to end a ride.

A challenging, fun and long 10.77 km ride.

BOUDDI NP MTB - HARDYS BAY AND OLD WAGSTAFFE TRACKS - 26 MAY 2017

The surf was very flat but the weather was sunny but cool.

I drove to Bouddi national Park and had a ride on the old Wagstaffe and Hardys Bay trails.

This ride stats off on a long steep service road . Once at the top, there are pretty views over Brisbane Water. Some wildflowers were beginning to bloom. All nice.

I rode and decided to ride the Old Wagstaffe Trail. It started off wide and well graded but it soon deteriorated and became heavily eroded and wet, in other words 'fun'. At one stage, I came off the bike on a small but wet drop off. The trail became a track and continued on towards Tallow Beach.

Halfway on the above trail, I turned off into the dead-end Hardys Bay Trail. It was steep and fun and ended in some partial vies over Hardys Bay. On the return, back uphill, I found a few bike side tracks which I'll ride down another day. Also, I had heaps of fun walking and climbing around the various rock formations. There was one large boulder that was weathered by the wind underneath making it look like a large breaking wave. I easily fitted under it and climbed around inside it.

The final leg of the ride was along Hawkes service road which was a fun and fast downhill back to the start.

A great 6 km ride.

SUNRISE, SURF, TWINKLES - 24 MAY 2017

I started the day checking the waves at Wamberal Beach and was rewarded with a pretty sunrise. The waves were a bit small so I drove around to North Avoca Beach.

The sun was still rising and looking good. the waves were also looking okay but once amongst it, it turned out much better. The waves were great with nice rights and lefts and hardly anyone out. 

After thee surf, I drove to Terrigal Beach for a cappuccino. I sat out of the light wind and enjoyed the warm sunshine and the twinkling of the sunlight on the ocean.

Later, Kara, Mr Archibald and I sat around Wamberal Lagoon. It was nice sitting in the sun and soaking in the pretty scenery.

SUNRISE, MOUNTAIN BIKE, OCEAN SWIM AND RELAX - 23 MAY 2017

An inspiring sunrise over Wamberal Beach for the start of a new day. Puts me in a feel good mood.

I checked the surf at Wamberal and Avoca beaches but it was a no go.

Still feeling good, I drove up to Kincumba Mountain and rode a few of the tracks.

A fun ride, especially, since I've been losing a bit of weight and bit up a bit of riding advice. It surprised me that leaning forward with your chin over the handle bars when going downhill leads to better control and a smoother ride. Works!

A few of the steeper inclines were a little punishing. Maybe, I was going at them a little harder for a bit too long. Anyway, my legs were on fire a few times!

After the ride, I got a cappuccino and sat on the beach at Terrigal Haven. Always such a nice relaxing view.

Still feeling good, I had an ocean swim, saw a large stingray then it was back home for the daily chores.

Later in morning, Kara, Mr Archibald and I had an outing at Wamberal Lagoon. The sun was warm and the scenery relaxing. Of course, Mr Archibald wanted a photo shoot.

BEACHES, NATIONAL PARK AND BIRTHDAY - 18 MAY 2017

A pretty sunrise at Avoca Beach - looked a bit Monet-like.

I drove over to Umina Beach. There was a bit of an infrequent wave but I didn't feel tempted enough.

I settled for a mountain bike ride at Bouddi National Park on the turkey and NW ridge tracks. It was a fun ride and I definitely felt that my riding technique had improved. I was getting over rocks and small drop-offs  a lot easier and smoother.

After the ride, I had an ocean swim at Terrigal haven and saw a large blue groper in the water. Nice surprise.

Today is Kara's birthday. She opened her presents when everyone was finally home. Then off to dinner at the 'Thaiger Temple'. Nice. :)