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

Five Lands Walk 2014 - Photography Contest

5 Lands Walk Photography Contest
Secondary Student Winner
Clara Smith

Please allow me my bragging rights as I announce to the world that my daughter, Clara won the 5 Lands Walk photography competition in the Secondary School category.  This year's theme was "Dreaming" which Clara's photo captured according to the judges.

Clara with Federal Senator Deborah O'Neill
& her photo

It was a stunner of a day for the annual Five Lands Walk on Saturday 21 June.  Sunny winter day, perfect temperature.   The walkers were energized and moving well from MacMasters Beach to Copcabana when Neo and I walked with them.

Neo with his Chinese fish

Copacabana Primary School students performing
at 5 Lands Walk

Neo found his art work on display along the way.  Artwork created by students from Copacabana PS and Kincumber PS lined the beach walk.
There were 2 dance performances by students from Copacabana Primary School, and Neo took part in both.  Zoe was at her soccer game so could not join in.

In addition to the photograph at MacMasters Beach surf club, Clara had artwork on display at both Copacabana Surf club and North Avoca surf club.  Clara and her friends walked to North Avoca Beach (and back) to see her art.  Along the way they enjoyed the beach art on display in Avoca Beach and the kites flying over North Avoca.

Breaching whale

In the water, moving along with the walkers, were numerous whales - at the height of their annual migration to warmer waters.  

Kites over North Avoca

New School Year 2014

It's a new school year.  Many changes from last school year.

Clara wearing her Senior Uniform
She's painting on the surfboard.

Evening of Excellence
for Top Ten Awards Night

Clara is in year 11 at Kincumber HS.  She is considered a "senior" and there's a uniform change.  Seniors wear white shirts (juniors wear blue shirts).  Seniors have additional priviledges on the school grounds, including certain bathroom and break areas.  In years 11 and 12, she begins preparing for the Higher School Certificate (HSC).
Clara was recognized as being one of the Top Ten GPA in her year from Year 10.  I was proud to be in attendance in February when Clara received her certificate and award for this achievement.

Clara's award for Academic Achievement

Clara @ Central Coast VISION
with her Winning Artwork

Clara's skim board was also chosen for Central Coast VISION art competition which was held at Gosford Regional Art Gallery.  It was a pleasure to attend the opening night with our artist.

Tristan started High School @ Gosford Selective.  This school is open by invitation only, so we are very proud of Tristan.  The commute is 45 minutes each way via bus plus 2 minute walk from the station to his school.  He leaves each morning at 7:30 and returns at 4:30.

Tristan wearing his Gosford HS uniform

Tristan and the entire Year 7 went on a 3 day overnight camp to Morisset.  It was a chance for the students to bond with each other and staff.  Tristan went on the giant swing, ropes course, sailed, swam, hiked and more.  

Tristan is taking English, Science (which he loves), Math, Woodworking, and Food Tech.  He is happy and seems to be thriving.

Zoe and her class told "Survival" Stories

Zoe is our other "Senior" as a Year 5 student in Copacabana PS.  She also has a uniform change from the full dress to a skirt.  Zoe seems to be doing well in school.  She is playing soccer with her team again this year and loving it.

Zoe entered a national art competition and was chosen as a finalist.  Her entry is below - or this link.

Zoe's artwork was chosen as a Finalist in National Contest
http://www.aussievault.com.au/vault/entry/15397/australia-is-fun

Neo was chosen to Present
during school Assembly

Neo is a lively and happy boy.  He is in Year 2 this year.  He's an independent reader and reading chapter books.  He is also playing soccer this year.  He is on a new soccer team this year made up of Copa school friends.

Zoe and Neo walking home from school

Because we live in MacMasters Beach now, Zoe, Neo and I get to walk home across the beach some days. It's a nice way to walk home from school.

Zoe's bunny, Silver

Storm

Our House for 12 months

Our view from 2nd floor windows.

Here it is, our house for the next 12 months. These pictures are from the Realtor's website.

The house in in MacMasters Beach - the same community we lived in previously. It has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. There is a lot of living space over 2 floors. The lower level has the entrance and the rumpus room. It also has north facing windows overlooking the backyard. North facing is important to collect the sun's heat in winter. The 2nd floor is the main living area....see photo.

Pool, flat yard, and cabana

The back yard is flat - even though the property is on a hill. That was a feature we really wanted so the kids can play in the backyard. There's a cabana (gazebo) with table and chairs. There is also a pool. The Ocean view is wonderful. It's an easy walk down to the beach, but the walk back is 15 minutes uphill - a definite burn on the leg muscles.

Kitchen, living and dining area

Some of the furniture was left for our use - like one of the living room chairs, some TV tables, and 2 beds.

We bought an HD TV for there - the rest of the furniture was included.

We moved in on Monday, 30 August. Our first night we slept in the 2 beds and on cushions from the couch. The 2nd night was more comfortable as the mattresses I had purchased had been delivered. By Wednesday, we had two tables (one upstairs and one in the rumpus room downstairs) I bought 2 TVs - the HD for living area, the tube TV for lower level for video and game play.

2nd floor bathroom.

Winter on Lake Cochrane

Clara sitting on the rail of the Mac Masters Beach Rock Pool.

The kids and I arrived at Sydney airport on Saturday 21 August at 6am. We had no waiting in the immigration lines. We gathered our luggage but could not find 1 bag. As we were looking, the crowds grew. The bag was recovered and we made our way to the long line to exit. Fortunately, a customs agent took pity on me and reviewed our declaration documents, and sent us through the exit from the back of the line!

Dave met us with a rented mini-van. We were very glad to see him! All the luggage and passengers fit and Dave drove us to MacMasters Beach and our holiday rental just up the street from where we lived previously.

Our Holiday House as seen from the walking path near the Lake. This is how we saw it whenever we would walk by. The house is on small stilts, in the event of flooding.

Lake Cochrane is literally outside the sliding door. Within 4 hours of arriving, I saw our neighbor from last time! It was great to see her and be welcomed back.

This holiday house is great for the kids. They love feeding the birds and ducks. A pair of kookaburra have the tree out back here. It's in close proximity to the beach, and we have been at the beach everyday - several times a day, even though it's winter. The nights have been cold, but the days warm up beautifully. Since we've arrived, there was one wet and rainy day.

Interior of the Holiday House. As you can see, the Lake is right out the door. The full wall of windows is amazing to view wildlife.

Our days have been spent getting the cars registered (rego). The registration process has 3 parts: insurance (called a Green Slip), Proof of Road Worthiness (Blue Slip), and a trip to the Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA) for fee payment and licensing.

Livingroom of Holiday House.

Yesterday I went to rego Dave's car, but they would not allow me to do it since his car is registered in his name. Shortly after he arrived, the computer system went down, so he had to wait until that recovered so he could get his car's license plates.

The Trajet is looking worse for the year in the sun. We are going forward to repair it, only because it will hold the entire family. We'll consider looking at a replacement family vehicle in 6 months or so.

We needed to get some electrical work done on the Trajet and the tail light replaced. The rats had chewed the wiring. The rego on that vehicle went smoothly at the RTA.

Kookaburra eating bread. Another kooka stole Clara's sausage roll out of her hand as she was about to take a bite. He just flew past her and grabbed it away from her.

We signed a 12 month lease on our permanent rental. We will take possession and collect the keys on Monday 30 August. Dave is the only one that has seen the inside of the house. Having said that, I have seen the house from the front and the back. I've also walked around the backyard and looked at the pictures from the estate agent.

The red arrow marks our Holiday House location. Our permanent rental is on the left above the trees - which is part of the Bouddi National Forest.

The house is within walking distance of the beach - but it's a steep climb through part of Bouddi National forest. We'll be on the other side of MacMaster's Beach - not close to Copa as we've been in the past. We are excited about moving in on Monday.

Lake Cochrone Update - 8 days after drain

Lake Cockrone as it refills after being drained 8 days prior.


8 days after the drain, the lake bottom is still present - but more of it is covered each day. This is the section where Zoe was standing on the previous pictures.


If you compare this picture with the same one taken 4 days after the drain, you'll see how much water has been filled in.



This is a new family of black swans. We saw them swimming the day before. Here they are sleeping on the edge of the water with their parents. It's surprising since they are sitting in a highly visible, popular area. Many people with dogs come along here. These are the youngest cygnets I've had the privilege of taking a picture of.


This Cormorant or "shag" is called a "white" cormorant - but I cannot find a reference for it. It's truly amazing. This bird swims with water covering his body up to his neck. Then he dives under the water coming up after 15 seconds or longer quiet a way from where it submerged. Later, it stands on the edge and raises it's wings and tail feathers like this - possibly to dry? We haven't seen this cormorant prior to the draining of the lake and lagoon.


This is the black cormorant. We've seen it plenty of times around the lagoon.

4 days After Draining Cochrone Lagoon

Zoe and Neo walking in the lagoon bed

Four days after they moved the sand between the ocean and the lagoon/lake, we walked down to see how things are recovering. It was a lovely winter day. Sunny and bright.


Bed of the lagoon

The bed of the lake and lagoon are exposed. There are dead fish everywhere, which has brought in the pelicans. Pelicans don't mind eating dead fish. It's amazing to watch them gorge on the bounty that is now available to them. This area has attracted more sea type birds then have lived here before.

Pelicans on the lagoon

Even though there are many dead fish, there thousands of new fish hatch lings everywhere. It appears that even though the draining was initiated by humans, that it might be a natural process.


Sand that divides ocean from lagoon

The ocean has already naturally moved the piles of sand back into place. There's a strip of sand that connects Macmasters beach to Copacabana again.


This pier was submerged just 1 week ago

Macmasters Beach and Copacabana Beach Surf Pictures

My friend Jennefer took these awesome pictures of the surf from Macmasters Beach and Copacabana Beach yesterday (May 13, 2009). She has given me permission to share them with you. These pictures are stunning...in part because of the skill of the photographer and because of the beauty that surrounds us here. Jennefer took 39 pictures of the beach. To see the rest, just follow this link http://picasaweb.google.nl/BartenJennefer/Surf?feat=directlink#5335264784841144802 Enjoy!