Uncouched Potato

We were visiting the Hanging Rock and Baltzer Lookout today, somewhere I wanted to go for a while now, and it didn't disappoint. We started the walk from Blackheath train station and headed north to Burramoko fire trail on Ridgewell Road. Most of the walk was on this fire trail, which was very open and easy to walk on. There were slight ascends and descends, but people with general fitness should have no problem on this walk. The fire trail may become a bit boring and the walk will feel a bit lengthy as there were not much changes in the landscape. There were a few spots where you can peak and look out into the mountains and cliff faces in the distance, however most of these spots were closer to the end of the walk. I didn't mind the fire trail, and once you get to see the wonderful views from Baltzer lookout and the Hanging Rock you will soon forget the boring fire trail that you had just been on. On...

We started the walk from Stanwell Park Station, climbing gradually uphill through a narrow track, Wodi Wodi Track. This is a historical trail through the rainforest.   The ground was very wet due to the heavy rain we had the night before. Not long after the walk, we headed steeply down to the creek crossing. Looking at how wet and muddy the ground was, of course, we had visitors. A lot of visitors. LEECHES!! Along with many female screams.... We got down to the creek and the water was probably over knee height. Usually the rocks in the creek are quite slippery, but the leap to the opposite side was a bit of stretch for short legs like mine. Luckily, with the assistance of some longer legged bushwalkers, I got over without getting wet. A few people slipped or fell into the creek. Usually that person is me, but not today. It's all part of the fun of creek crossing.   I am glad I was wearing long pants. People who got the most leech bit...

We began the day with watching the sunrise from Box Beach. Although it was tough to get up so early in the morning, especially I am not a morning person, but the view was worth the effort. Just check out the photos yourself.... We then headed to Fingal Bay, hoping to cross the spit to Fingal Island and Port Stephens Lighthouse. The track started with a walk in the bushland on a firetrail. It led us up a very steep sand hill to the top, then follow the sand down to the spit. The view was beautiful on the way down to the beach while the sun was still rising at the background.     Unfortunately, the spit was not exposed at low tide today and we cannot cross to Fingal Island. The wave was coming over the spit at opposite directions and the current was strong. Fingal spit, or sometimes referred to as the death trap, has claimed at least 15 lives of people who attempted to cross and got swept away by the sea. Anything ab...