Lunch down by the beach
Wattamoola, Royal National Park, Sydney
Our holiday in New South Wales
September 2007
After our walk in the Royal National Park just south of Sydney, we drove on through the park for about half an hour. We were looking for a good spot to stop for lunch. On the map I had it showed a picnic ground at the beach at a locality called Wattamoola. We had never been there so we headed there to find a lovely spot on the headland overlooking the river estuary and the beach.
While we were having a very pleasant lunch my memory was jogged. I seemed to remember coming here after all, but a very long time ago. I seem to remember our children playing in the sand at this point. They are now adults. I must have been sometime in the mid-1970s. The memory cells are a little rusty. Somewhere I might even have an old photo or two.
Great place for a picnic. Or a swim. Or just to while away the hours on the beach.
We decided that the next time we come to Sydney we need to spend more time in this area, not just drive through it over about three hours.
Wattamoola, Royal National Park, Sydney
Along the coast south of Robe, South Australia
Coastline south of Robe, South Australia
On our last afternoon in Robe on our recent holiday we went for a drive along the coast south of the town. There are a number of rough tracks from the main road leading towards the coast. From time to time one gets a glimpse of the beach and the waves, like in the photo above.
Along the main road the traveller also encounters a series of lakes. Some of these are salt lakes and others contain fresh water. The lakes vary in size from the area of a tennis court through to some that are many kilometres around the perimeter. Most are very shallow.
Old Man Lake, south of Robe, South Australia
These lakes are part of the Little Dip Conservation Park. Camping and picnics are allowed in designated areas near some of the lakes and beaches. We stopped at Old Man Lake for a short picnic. Some home made biscuits and a cup of tea was very welcome. We were entertained by some Superb Blue Wrens and Red Browed Finches hopping around us as we had our picnic. Unfortunately none of them came close enough for a photo. By then the shadows were making it too dark for good photography. (Click on the names of the birds to see photos taken elsewhere.)
Old Man Lake, south of Robe, South Australia
Even though the light was failing as we finished our picnic, I managed several good photos of the reflections on the still water of the lake.
Watch your back
Guichen Bay, Robe, SE South Australia
While on one of my walks on my recent holiday in Robe, South Australia, I took many photos of the beach, the waves, the general scenery and some of the historic buildings in the town. I enjoy observing the patterns made by the wind and waves around rocks. I also enjoy looking at the rocks and the various shapes and textures of the rocks and the sand.
Rocks on the beach at Guichen Bay, Robe
Rocks on the beach at Guichen Bay, Robe
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More photos can be viewed on my photo gallery here.
A day trip to Christies Beach, South Australia
Yesterday we drove from Murray Bridge through the Adelaide Hills and the southern suburbs of Adelaide and then down south to Christies Beach. This southerly suburb of Adelaide is about a forty minute drive from the Adelaide CBD but this time can vary due to traffic conditions.
We were unable to use the Southern Expressway because we were going in the wrong direction. This can cut five to ten minutes from the journey. This freeway is unique in the world I believe. It is a reversible freeway. In the morning when there is heavy traffic heading into the city CBD, the freeway operates in that direction. Around lunch time the expressway is closed for a time before the traffic starts flowing in the opposite direction. This caters for all the traffic heading home in the evening.
While the local people enjoy the quick drive into work or for shopping in the morning and a quick return home in the afternoon and evening, I still think it’s a crazy system. I am sure that it would not have added greatly to the overall cost to have built four lanes instead of three, with two lanes in each direction open at all times. Common sense in government circles is not too common it seems.
The purpose of our day trip was to visit relatives. We had a good time with them despite the poor weather. It was blowing a gale, showers came late afternoon and it was quite cold. It was not a suitable day for a walk – especially on the beach. I took the camera but took no photos.
Views of Guichen Bay, Robe, South Australia
Town Beach, Guichen Bay, Robe, SE South Australia
One of the things I enjoyed while on holiday recently in Robe in the south-east of South Australia was having a chance to take plenty of photos. My main interest is photographing birds, closely followed by shots of scenery and plants with flowers. Occasionally I come across a beautiful setting for a plant with no flowers. The above shot of rushes growing in the sandhills along the Town Beach at Robe caught my eye.
Guichen Bay, Robe, SE South Australia
I am also intrigued by the constantly moving water at the beach. I can sit for extended periods of time just watching the waves come in to the beach. It seems very soothing just to watch this constantly changing scene.
Guichen Bay, Robe, SE South Australia
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I invite you to visit my photo gallery here and view many hundreds of photos I’ve taken on a wide range of subjects. Don’t forget to give them a rating.