Mirror the Burn

A nice calm day for a paddle. Out to South Durras, where the lake was up after all the rain and a launch off the grass next to the boat ramp.

The lake was like black glass under an overcast sky.

 Perfect.

The fire had burnt down to the water all along the northern shore and the rain had flooded over the Durras Lake Trail in places.

Epicormic regrowth has started. 

On the south side of the lake I'm sure I had walked through some of the area I paddled through today in my  Punt Arm, Durras walk

Another nice morning on the water. 

Yaragee to Wamban Creek

High tide put in at Yaragee for a 10.4klm paddle to Wamban Creek and back.

Still a big River at high tide.

The Araluen Rd

Rural onlooker

Back under the bridge

Steep ridge at a turn in the river.

Lovely swimming beaches.

Clyde Paddle

First paddle since moving down here. Launched from the boat ramp next to the bridge on the southern side and did a short loop around Budd Island.

Through the oyster leases in a mirror calm river. 

So many Jellyfish. I just sat, mesmerised,  for ages. Like a graceful ballet, the jellyfish dancing in all directions and different depths.

The Clyde Bridge. A new bridge to be built soon and the old demolished. 

Fagans Bay, Greystanes Aquaduct

I hadn't been out in the kayak for a while and was looking for a short paddle close to home. I find that on my first day off in the week I am tired and haven't got a lot of energy. I put in at the boat ramp at Gosford and paddled across to Fagans Bay and up Narara Creek till just after the road bridge. Short but at least I was back on the water which was nice.

The next day was bike riding day. I drove down to Prospect Reservoir as I wanted to see the Greystanes Aquaduct. From here you can do a full loop, all on dedicated bike track, of about 29klm. I decided that this might be a bit too strenuous, so just did a quick 16.5klm out and back.

Prospect Reservoir. This was at the end of the ride. I strong wind had come up and put a good chop on the water and the end of my plan to have a picnic lunch at the reservoir where all the tables are rather exposed.

The bike track follows the old water canals which they have filled in and put the path on top.

In places the path dips down to go under bridges and you get more of the canal feeling.

Crossing the aquaduct on the way out.

Great signage on the way. I even found one that hadn't been graffitied  and could still read

I trn around just past the pumping station where the canal finished and the pipes started.

Old pumping station at the aquaduct.

The Greystanes Aquaduct

5 Deserted Beaches

I hadn't been out in the kayak for ages. I had been nervous about longer paddles as I have been having pain in my glutes when sitting in both the kayak and the car. Some exercises and possibly a new car with a better seat seems to have made a difference. 

I put in at Parsley Bay and did a loop around the back of Broken Bay or the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. An 8.5klm route which covers 5 beaches where I could stop if needs be to stretch.

The 1st beach on the north side of the bay opposite Parsley Bay is Croppy Beach.

Some nice rock outliers 

Then also on the north side is Spring Beach (Shown on Google Maps as Rhino Beach?)

Then across the Bay to Eleanor Beach. 

The view out through the Heads. 

Then, my favourite, Gunyah Beach. 

I stopped here for a stretch and a walk out on the rocks, not because I had any pain, but because it was a beautiful day. 

The creek behind Gunyah Beach. 

Then past Little Gunyah on the way home. 

Bouy it was good to be back on the water again pain free.