Love this Place!!!

Pod of dolphins, Copacabana NSW

This morning, I dropped the kids to school in Copa then drove to the shops.  When I pulled up, people were on the whale watching platform.  Went to see what the locals were gathering to look at: A Dolphin Show!  Apparently there were 50 - 100 members - several pods - all hanging out in the Copacabana/MacMasters Beach bay!  When the locals say they've never seen anything like it, it's truly amazing!

MacMasters Beach Rockpool

 It's been 5 years since we moved to Australia.  As we prepare for a visit stateside (20 days and counting) to see family and friends, I have been thinking a lot about "was moving to Australia a wise decision?"  I can honestly say I'm counting my Blessings this morning.  Very few places on earth....

Wattle Flower in bloom
NSW state flower

Aftermath of SuperStorm

Life is back to "normal" following the SuperStorm.  Our high school kids went to school on Monday 27 April.  School buses operated normally.  Classes were in session.

Copacabana Primary school was partially operational on Wednesday, 29 April.  There were several trees down on the school grounds, with barriers surrounding them.  The back steps exit is closed due to downed trees.  And the school was using a generator to power the classrooms (which is the noise reference on the sign).

Generator and Trees down at Copa School

Tree that washed up on the beach.
You can also see the lagoon let out naturally

The fallout from the Cyclone 2 Storm

Beach erosion

Trees uprooted

Sea life tossed to shore

Debris and octopus washed in

Stroms Lookout - Daley's Point - Tristan's 14th

Bouddi National Park
Rocky Point Trail
Stroms Lookout

Lighting Tristan's 14th Birthday Cake

I love these Spear Plants

During these school holidays, we bush walked on a couple of trails we haven't been on before.  One of these was the Rocky Point Trail to Stroms Lookout.

Snake on Rocky Trail

Spring Flowers on way to
Stroms Lookout

Tristan and Zoe
Looking out over Brisbane Water
and Pretty Beach

 Just as we started on the trail, there was a snake under our feet!  It was traveling as quickly as possible across the path.  By the time I had my camera out, it was moving into the grass.  The picture above, left is blurry.  The snake was a nice Rust color with good pattern.  Clara thought the tail had been lost.

View from Stroms Lookout
Hardys Bay and Pretty Beach

Pretty Beach and Wagstaffe

Ettalong Beach (Right Point) by sandbar

 Beautiful day, nice walk, awesome lookout.  We enjoyed the time together and in nature.

Zoe with Flannel Flowers on path

Cool Notch in Tree

Heart-shaped bark

Spring Wildflowers on Daleys Point Fire Trail

Sign at the beginning of the Daleys Point Fire Trail

 It's the school holidays here in New South Wales.  The weather has been warm and sunny, perfect for bush walking.  I've been wanting to walk the Daleys Point Fire Trail for some time.  The Parks Department has been upgrading the car park, sparking more interest on my part.  Finally walked it this week, and it was beautiful and enjoyable.  The walk ends with views over the Brisbane Water. Here you'll find some of the Spring Wildflowers we encountered and a few views.  Enjoy!

Wildflowers on the Daleys Point Fire Trail

Brothers on the Daleys Point Fire Trail Walk

White Flannel Flowers.  These flowers are very soft and velvety.

View of Brisbane Water from The Daleys Fire Trail

Another view of Brisbane Water from Fire Trail

Small cave in the rock formation

Tristan thought this was a blood tree....
I don't think that's correct, but the sap is amazing

Minke Whales migrating past Captain Cook Lookout

Minke Whales in close

Minke whales close to shore in Copacabana bay motivated Dave and I to go up to Captain Cook Lookout with the binoculars this morning to get a better look. We saw 6-8 whales. Some were further out and more difficult to see/identify. They were traveling north swiftly on this brisk winter morning. The ones closest to the Lookout were Minke whales. They seemed to be traveling in pairs. I managed to get a couple of snaps with my Iphone camera.

The Rip Bridge over Brisbane Water

This picture shows the "blow" -  which is what we look for

Somersby Waterfall Pics & Video

Somersby Falls Photos and Video (on YouTube)

We recently went to the Somersby Waterfall. While the kids were busy exploring, I took many photos and a couple of videos. Here are some pictures of the afternoon.

I uploaded one video to YouTube - click for link.

Wonderful, peaceful place. Also great place to play.

Putty Beach Boardwalk

Rocks below the Gerrin Point lookout

We have walked most of the paths in the Bouddi National Park and areas surrounding us. One of the major exceptions was the Putty Beach Boardwalk. Many have recommended it to us, but we were slow to take them up on it. We finally went on a recent Sunday in July and this is what we saw.


Tristan in front of a small cave on Bullimah Beach

Upclose look at the beach materials


Bullimah Beach

Our family

Rocks and waves below the boardwalk trail

Boardwalk stretches from Putty Beach to Bullimah Beach


Trolling for a sliver ?

Boardwalk

Dave

Along the way, Neo and then Zoe picked up slivers in their hands. Even so, it was a wonderful family walk and great views!