North Sydney to Waverton Walk

Despite the onset of cold windy weather, after a beautiful spell of dry warm days, it was still a beautiful day to head off out despite the cold.

We took the train to North Sydney and walked down to the Harbour foreshore. The Bridge and Opera House were captivating as usual, but walking in a westerly direction afforded us the opportunity to stroll by other iconic places and views.


Luna Park was in full swing and we wandered through the funfair, busy with young people and families enjoying the rides.

Leaving Luna Park behind we followed the path around Lavender Bay, always a joy. We took the steps up towards the former home of artist Brett Whiteley and wandered through Wendy Whiteley's garden. A real oasis in the heart of North Sydney where business and residences stand cheek by jowl.

After retracing our steps we made our way around to McMahons Point. Lots of families were taking advantage of the open space around the point and enjoying a picnic overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Opera House - how spoilt we are in this beautiful city.



Following the path along the foreshore (though detours up the hills to suburban streets were also necessary) we finally arrived at Waverton Park. One last climb and back along a couple of streets to our welcome lunch spot at a local cafe.

Delicious food, plenty of it from a diverse menu was a very welcome rest stop before the train journey home.

Celebrating her 93rd birthday

We have been very lucky this month with our weather. Such beautiful warm sunny days for May.


Can't say it would have been anything like this weather on the 19th May 1919 when Auntie Margaret was born in Edinburgh, Scotland.


Today though we took her from the nursing home where she is currently residing back to her home as she never had the opportunity to say farewell. She was taken from there to hospital and ultimately to the nursing home.


We also booked lunch at a club overlooking Kogarah Bay, very near to where she used to live. Some of you who watch Packed to the Rafters may recognise it from the view as it is used as a location in this popular TV show.


An extra special treat was the fact that a motor boat race was planned for the afternoon and we watched as the various craft were launched and did practice runs up and down the bay.

Click on the photos to see them full screen.


We had such a lovely day and I know Auntie M did too. We are very lucky to still have her in our lives.

Picnic lunch at West Head

Mothers' Day, always a busy day. Restaurants full of people, lots of traffic. We opted for the traffic and headed off to West Head for a picnic lunch.


Such a beautiful day, only marred by a blustery wind, was not to be missed outdoors. It took about an hour to get to West Head and although busy, we found parking very easily.


The wind was whipping up the water and yachts were taking advantage - those that had ventured out. A few hardy sailors were not the only ones. Windsurfers and kite surfers were catching the good stiff breeze in Pittwater. An occasional jet ski disturbed the tranquility we were all enjoying in the beautiful warm sunshine.




The seaplane took off and a group of sea eagles frolicked off the headland.




People came and went, some, like us, enjoyed their lunch and the unbelievably beautiful view. The seaplane returned and we decided to head off as well.


A short stop at Akuna Bay for an ice cream and a wander through the marina rounded off the day.














No need to worry about dinner tonight as Neil is cooking for me. Wonderful!

Walk from Cabarita to Rhodes

What a beautiful day it turned out to be. As usual the weather was superb for our monthly walk with our Probus Club.


Twelve of us met at Circular Quay from all points NW and spent a very pleasant 20 mins or so on the ferry to Cabarita. One of the most delightful modes of transport in the city and a particular favourite of mine.

Once at Cabarita we set off along the waterfront heading towards the new high density development of Breakfast Point. It was a really beautiful section of the walk with an open pathway following the foreshore of Kendall Bay.

Arriving at the point in Mortlake we had to revert to walking some streets which is also quite enjoyable. After leaving the industrialised area we followed some quite attractive suburban streets until we were once again able to join the foreshore walk at Majors Bay.


This part of the walk is obscured from the water by mangroves and ultimately we walked through a quite dense bushland area. 

Following the path around the next point we were surprised to encounter fields with horses grazing. It was time for a stop so we had some refreshments and a few of the walkers who had apples to eat attracted the attention of the horses, one coming down from the higher part of the field.


A good way to dispose of the apple cores!!


The path was sometimes not as well defined but we managed to find our way around the site of Concord Hospital and on to the Kokoda Memorial Walk.

After visiting the Memorial Rose Garden we were very glad to stop for lunch at the cafe.


Lunch finished, duly refuelled, we headed for Rhodes Station, a short walk away, for the journey home.


Here's the route 
 http://maps.google.com.au/maps/empw?url=http:%2F%2Fmaps.google.com.au%2Fmaps%3Ff%3Dd%26source%3Ds_d%26saddr%3DUnknown%2Broad%26daddr%3D-33.8385279,151.1116973%2Bto:-33.8445791,151.1024117%2Bto:Rhodes,%2BNew%2BSouth%2BWales%26geocode%3DFUSe-_0dMNoBCQ%253BFUGq-_0dEcgBCSlTo_sFFKUSazHhPLPlZ30BEw%253BFZ2S-_0dy6MBCSkHhMXJI6USazEwvXTmZ30BEw%253BFTLI-_0drmkBCSmnKs1046QSazFgyDIWaH0BBQ%26aq%3D0%26oq%3Drhodes%26sll%3D-33.841798,151.104369%26sspn%3D0.033613,0.029354%26vpsrc%3D6%26t%3Dh%26hl%3Den%26dirflg%3Dw%26mra%3Ddpe%26mrsp%3D2%26sz%3D15%26via%3D1,2%26ie%3DUTF8%26ll%3D-33.841798,151.104369%26spn%3D0.033613,0.029354%26output%3Dembed&hl=en&gl=au
Another enjoyable day out.

Autumn day in the Blue Mountains

One of our favourite places to go with visitors from overseas is the Blue Mountains. Especially when the visitor enjoys hiking and the great outdoors.


The weather was just gorgeous, warm enough and not too hot for a bush walk.


We stopped to stretch our legs at the lookout on the way up to Springwood, but it was still quite hazy, so we could not see the city.


Arriving at Conservation Hut near Wentworth Falls, we were early enough to find a spot to park so we could stop for a coffee. It was just lovely sitting outside looking out over the Jamison Valley.


Ian and Michael, our visitor, then headed off to walk the National Pass walking track. I went down as far as the first lookout, but took my time walking back up the few hundred steps back to the Hut.


I had decided I would be too slow to walk with them to elected to drive to Leura and spend the morning there. What a sacrifice!!


Well actually I went and did my own little walk to the lookout over Gordon Falls. Good job we have recently had rain so I could at least see the Falls. I did go back into Leura for a little wander, but as usual it was so busy I did not linger for too long. 


Can't go to Leura without a visit to the Leura Lolly Shop though where I bought some treats for us all.


I picked up Ian and Michael and we drove back to Leura just to drive through and show Michael what a mecca it is for tourists and we found a spot near Gordon Falls which was nice and quiet for lunch.


Afterwards we drove around to Katoomba and the Three Sisters, just so Michael could see what is on all the tourist brochures. It's a bit like having to go to Bondi because everyone knows it, not because it's the best place to go.

I couldn't resist this group of Airedale dogs waiting patiently for their master

At the top of Leura Cascades

 

The middle section of Leura Cascades

Lookout from bottom of Leura Cascades

As it was our anniversary we had a lovely Thai dinner out that evening.


All in all a lovely day.

The Rocks

We had a lovely day last Friday. We were on a walking tour of The Rocks, the historic heart of Sydney. About 20+ members of our Probus Club enjoyed a tour which, I think, threw up some surprises for even the most avid visitor to the area.