The week that was!

Sunday 17 March to Sunday 24 March

Returning from Yamba on Sunday, we visited Frank's sister at Tweed Heads. It was St Patrick's Day and Mags provided a delicious Irish lunch of potato, bacon and cabbage, cooked to perfection. Very small guiness's as Frank was the driver.

My March Charge continued. In the first 2 weeks I had walked 244 km and received a wonderful $2682. The Cancer Group promoted a 10 k a day challenge, which I accepted and pushed.

Monday - 11k

Tuesday - 15k

Wednesday - 12k

Thursday - 9k

Friday - 14.5 k.  I pushed this distance as I didn't want to go home a couple of k's short of my 300k target for the month! 300 k done, but the donations had dried up. I felt quite down in that regard. Then Friday evening and since, I have been overwhelmed.

After a summer of rain, everywhere we explore, has a wondrous beauty.

Tuesday saw the Gaiter Girls walking at 6 am, beside the Albert River. Light rain had fallen overnight  and the raindrops caught on plants and spider's webs, were glistening like diamonds. 15 km walked.

Further on, the wetlands were alive with birdlife and reflections.

Wednesday morning the Hungry Hikers travelled across Brisbane to Lake Samsonvale for a 10 km hike along its shoreline. After the stress of early morning commuter traffic, we quickly found ourselves relaxing in the peace and tranquilty of this parkland.

The Blue Gang arive!

Wattle - first of the year.

A happy spot in my garden.

I'm keeping up my daily charging and am hopeful, that perhaps in the next 8 days I will reach 400. There is no need, except for personal satisfaction.

I am thrilled to write, that as of this afternoon, my donations have reached $3173! So wonderful to be able to help KICK CANCER'S BUTTE in this way!

A very tired body is now off to bed, resting up for another 10 k plus. Hopefully this afternoon's rain will have pushed further on.

I would love to read your comment.

A Perfect Weekend

 14 - 17 March

Destination - Yamba, New South Wales. 

Route -  via Coffee Camp to visit my brother and sister-in-law. It was a glorious drive through lush countryside.  A delicious morning tea, with marvellous valley views, was quickly organised on our arrival.

11.30 am saw us back in the car for the 2 hour drive to Yamba. We were unable to get into our cabin on arrival so bought sandwiches and enjoyed this view.

Cabin view.

Once settled, I set off to cover some kilometres for my March Charge. We have visited Yamba a number of times with our children and with friends. I loved being back and headed off on a familar path. 

We went out for a meal and this is the river, late sunset, and quarter moon scene, that greeted us. Alas my phone didn't take a great image.

New South Wales is still on daylight saving time. It was a surprise to find it totally dark at 6 am. It was a cooler morning, so I delayed my walk until 7am. 

Stepping out from our cabin - view. 

The caravan park is situated on a backwater of the mighty Clarence River.  I turned right to walk to its mouth and its 1km long breakwater.

The beautiful sunrise glow gave me a burst of energy, as I started walking. 500 metres further along, dolphins were frolicking beside the breakwater  and accompanied me all the way to the river mouth. Wow!

This might help give you a clearer picture of my journey.

View of the Clarence, upriver.

Time was wasted watching the waves endlessly rolling into the small bay.

The sun was having difficulty showing its face.

Its sunbeams were spectacular!

I love this cliff section, and have spent many happy hours mesmerised by the waves crashing on them, but I am 'charging', so had to keep going!

As I climbed higher, another view of the sunbeams.

Our cabin is the 1st on the L.

After lunch the day turned terribly wet and miserable. 

Wonderful to catch up on some reading, but I still needed to add to the day's 'charge'. At 4 pm things had settled a little and I managed another 5 k before the heavens opened again. Fortunately I love walking in rain.

Saturday 16 - 18 km

It was another day of showers, sunshine and beautiful Yamba. I was headed south along the 7 km beach to Angourie at 7.35 am. 

The familiar route initally.

Midway, the cloud cover became threatening but quite spectacular. After a selfie shoot, I had to quickly take cover under my umbrella and behind a boulder. The shoreline was littered with bluebottle jellyfish. [Portugese Man of War Jellyfish] The sting from their tentacles can be very irritating and painful.

Looking back to where I had come from.

Still to go.

Refreshed from a coffee and deliciuous pastry from the local Angourie coffee shop, I continued south, hoping to stay on dry land. My destination, Durrangan Lookout on the Yuraygir Coastal Trail.

I found the trail head. The path was pleasant.

Something went wrong, as 500 metres on, I was back on the beach. There had been no other option. 

A kilometres later, I was able to climb steps to the actual traail.

Looking back.

Onwards.

The coastline was stunning. My steps were slow as I was mesmersied by the ebb and flow of the crashing waves. A pod of dolphins also kept me entranced.

View south from Durrangan Lookout.

Steps have been retraced, and I can see Angourie in the distance.

The boardwalk and trail I should have arrived on.

Midway along this section I followed a sign back to the beach. It seemed the safest plan, given some of the helpful assiatance from a fellow hiker on the trail.

I love the anticipation of this image. What is over the crest?

Strava put itself on pause early in the hike. Fortunately my apple watch gave me the final distance.

A very fast 6 km on my final morning. The sky was ominous, but I stayed dry. The journey home though, was through constant rain.

It had been an absolutely perfect weekend enjoying this sensational  coastline. Fingers crossed I can return soon. 

This is a rushed post, as I have very little time for blogging as 'charging'  is of number one importance this month. 

I would love to read your comment.