Another Gorgeous Sydney Day! - Boating on Pittwater

Another gorgeous winters day in Sydney. Today we are with Caitlin's best friends family for a relaxing day of boating on Pittwater. We set out from Church Point up past Lions Island and around. We stopped for lunch in a quiet bay, turned off the generator and just listened to the quiet of the surrounds.

Our host BBQing off the back of the boat!

                                                          Kevin makes himself comfy in the Skippers chair!
After a bit more boating, we stopped at another cove for afternoon tea...very civilised! After some skylarking, which the kids thoroughly enjoyed, we arrived back to shore just as the sun set...what a wonderful day! Thank you to our friends.

Holy Mackerel, Is that a Whale?? Cruising Pittwater...

Our wonderful boating friends invited Caitie and I for another day of fun and excitement on the Sydney waterways. This time, we put in at Baywater, up the coast from Mona Vale. Quaint place that even has a little dog beach, good to know!

Guess we should have checked the weather report because it was pretty scary being out in the middle of the Pittwater with lightning and thunder crashing around us...I would not recommend it...however, I do like how we zoomed speedily north away from the storm!

We found a cove called Great Mackeral Beach where we tied to a buoy and swam to the beach. Later we checked and there are no shark nets here...eek! Next time we'll use the wharf.

Look who washed up on Mackeral Beach!

We explored this beach community (only accessible by ferry, boat or a 3km bush trail), and it was pretty quiet and not much happening so we hopped back into the boat and headed south toward The Basin.

At The Basin

The teenage girls got out here and during their exploration, came across a family of kangaroo wandering through the campground...too cute.


The Basin is part of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park which hosts this popular Campground, also only accessible by ferry, boat, mountain bike or hiking a 3km trail!

The rain persisted but we still got to zoom around and out to the heads, passed Lion Island where we were joined by either a pod of whales or a shiver of sharks. Given the number of shark attacks at this time, I would be given to believe it was the latter. Sadly, I didn't see them 'cause a huge swell rose up and I needed to stay seated! Next time...

Contemplating the Sharks, i think!

To Do In Sydney - Hiking - Two Creeks Track

Ah...thanks to my friend, Siggi, I was delighted to discover this fabulous walking track not too far from where we both live. 



We joined the track just behind the playground on Carlyle Road in East Lindfield, which is around half way along the 6km trail that begins on the corner of Slade avenue and Tryon Road. 


We followed the Middle Harbour waterways for 3km, under the Roseville Bridge to Echo Point where, just before the picnic area, is a lovely little beach.


Along the way, nature provided us with many fascinating specimens to sustain our interest. Blackbutt Forests, Grass Trees, sandstone caves, wildflowers and wetlands.


It is a popular trail with many happy a hiker! We had a lovely morning followed by a well deserved ice-cream...

One of the many sandstone caves...

Happy dog...

Beach before Echo Point

Happy Hiker!

Mangroves and Sedges

 The Mangroves and Segdes, which line the waterways, survive by excreting salt from the glands on their leaves. Crabs, cockles, oysters prawns and fish call these Mangroves their home.

Do you think they are magic??

Grass Tree

 The Grass Tree shoots out a large spike which, fixed with Eucalypt barbs makes a fabulous spear. Aboriginal men used these for fishing whilst their women were out in paperbark canoes fishing with lines made from the Stringy Bark Tree!

Things to Do in Sydney - Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA)

One of the things I just love about Sydney is that there is a whole lot to do that costs very little. We spent the entire day out for $7.50. Love it!


How did we do that....well, lucky for us, it was Sunday which means Family Funday Sunday in Sydneytown. For $2.50 you can catch a Train, Bus and Ferry just about anywhere in the city which I find relaxing and definitely saves the hassle of parking.

Knowing how much the kids enjoy modern art, I decided to take them to MCA for their first visit. Based at The Rocks it is easy to access and of course, free to enter.


The kids were most excited about the exhibits blend of technology and creativity as well as the interactive nature of the pieces.


"Recorders" is the first solo exhibit in Australia by the world famous, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer. Here we are in The Pulse Room.

The Pulse Room - Pat is transferring his pulse to the light bulb.

The pulses from previous people - it was fascinating to see at how many different rates the bulbs pulsed.

People On People

"Microphones" - This was my favourite exhibit. After you speak into the vintage microphone, the previous persons voice is immediately played back. We had a load of fun here.

                   

At this exhibit, your pulse is recorded then imprinted on the wall. The wall displays the previous 10,000 or so participants imprints....pretty cool.


There were many other fascinating exhibits including "Tape Recorders" which was favourite for my kids. Mechanised tape measures sense your presence and immediately start to  go upwards until 3m when it crashes to the floor, recoils and starts again.


I cannot wait to visit MCA again and take the other kids.

Things To Do In Sydney - Luna Park Fun

A terrific location, my kids really enjoy this day out. A few rides and sideshow attractions entertain them whilst I get to take photo's of Sydney Harbour! Today we are here with the Lane Cove Swim Club with whom the kids swim.

Brandon is on the farthest left

Caitie and Pat are 2nd and 3rd left

Caitie and Pat having way too much fun!

Whilst the kids had fun, I had a little fun of my own. You can view the images on my photo blog...