FEBRUARY 2021 : SOUTH COAST, NSW : Brou Beach Walk

We have friends, Michelle and Ciaran,  staying at the coast and ventured to an unchartered  (by us!) section of the coast

Brou Beach and Lake, south of Bodalla

We parked at the end of the dirt road and walked along the pristine beach.

We saw some surprising wildlife - a brown-faced wallaby and a flock of emus on the edge of the bush on the sand. They were introduced many years ago by a resident of one of the islands on Lake Tuross, unaware that emus could swim and they all all escaped into the neighbouring bush land.

At the Lake, we returned by a bush path. We were fascinated by the fire damage to so many trees and to the remarkable recovery of the general area.

Quite a lot of interesting vegetation!

Back to our starting point.

We are looking forward to returning to investigate the area further.

To complete the weekend we had lunch at the zany Quarterdeck Cafe in Narooma.

M&M

FEBRUARY 2021 : JINDABYNE,NSW : MAIN RANGE TRACK : Charlotte’s Pass return : 22 kms : 7 hours

A weekend with our brother and sister-in-law’s walking group staying at one of the original 1960s lodges on Lake Jindabyne in the NSW Snowy Mountains.

After much discussion the group decided to walk to The Sentinal, an impressive peak on a knife edge ridge, a walk departing from Charlotte’s Pass. An expected 14 km round trip.



We assembled at Charlotte’s Pass. We headed off done the steep path and crossing the  Snowy River over stepping stones, less precarious today as the river was not as high as in September.





It didn’t take long - maybe an hour - until we reached the fabulous Blue Lake.

 

Then the mist blew in and the temperature dropped considerably. Fleeces and windproof gear were at the ready.(An sober reminder about how important it is to be prepared for every weather contingency, as conditions can change so rapidly). This turned our plans upside down. No point walking to The Sentinel with no possibility of the impressive views expected. The group decision was to continue on the Great Range Walk via Mt Carruthers and Mt Kosciusko and return to Charlotte’s Pass, completing the loop.

Fascinating wildflower display along the way



Suddenly the mist parted, we entered the Lake Albina Valley on a flat walkway with spectacular views west. We enjoyed lunch by the lake.



We skirted around the Kosciusko turnoff - very popular today - and continued on the path, past Seaman’s Hut and crossing another section of the Snowy River over a cement bridge. Unlike on a previous walk in May 2018, when there was still a lot of snowy sections to navigate, today it was dry and dusty.



The long winding track back to Charlotte’s Pass. A tedious 9 kms - although the accompanying views of the valley and the changing vegetation were a distraction from our increasingly weary feet.



A relaxed evening with delicious food, wine and music on a perfect evening.

M&M

FEBRUARY 2021 : CANBERRA : Koby’s 7th Birthday

 

Happy celebrations at a local park for Koby’s 7th birthday!
 

M&M

FEBRUARY 2021 : SYDNEY : Harbour walk and birthday dinner

A fleeting visit to Sydney to visit family.

Our sister-in-law, Jenny, invited us on a walk on Sydney Harbour.

Taronga Park Zoo - Balmoral - and return

About 12 kms

Parking at Bradley’s Head was $8 for a day ticket

As soon as you enter the track, as we passed the historic Athol Hall, we had spectacular views of the harbour and the Sydney skyline.

Fearless lizards and bush turkeys along the path.

Well-maintained track, shaded and bordered by native trees and creative gardens.

Impressive Sydney sandstone and angophora forests

Taylor Bay

Coffee at Chowder Bay. 

Tempting to stop at one of the restaurants along the way. 

In the 1890s Chowder Bay was developed as a Submarine Mining Corps to defend the new colony. Then in 1922 it became an army barracks. Today it is a popular recreational reserve and the buildings house marine research.

Picnic shelters that my grandparents probably used in the 1920s.

George’s Head. A military facility since the nineteenth century to defend against possible French invasion and was in use until after WW2. Fabulous views to North and South Heads

A steep walkway down to Balmoral Beach.

And return.

A family birthday to celebrate.

A delicious meal at Barenjoey House in Palm Beach

Fabulous to see our beautiful grandchildren after three months..

M&M

FEBRUARY 2021 : CANBERRA : Mount Ainslie

One photo because it says it all. An hour return walk on a perfect summer’s day. A busy walking track with chatting friends, enthusiastic Boot Camp groups, mum’s with baby pouches, dog lovers, young families, multi-cultural groups speaking a range of languages - Chinese, Hindi, Korean- all enjoying the climb and the beautiful views of the central basin of Lake Burley-Griffin.

I never tire of it!

PS An Autumn Walk (7/3) up Mt Ainslie with the walking group

A sunny winter’s morning (6/6/21)
   

M

FEBRUARY 2021 : CANBERRA : 90th birthday celebrations

Our mum is 90! 

Joan Laurice Chynoweth (nee Wilson)

1931 

Born in Sydney, childhood at the beach in Manly, evacuated to Bingara,

 in country NSW, during the WW2, attended North Sydney Girls’ High, 

where she was captain in 1948. 

She married Neville Chynoweth in 1951.

And had four beautiful children .....

And the rest is history...

M