Thursday was the usual day for a walk with Bob. With an adverse weather forecast – he suggested a walk along part of the Manly to Bondi Coastal Path. We had long planned to walk north from Bondi, and this seemed like a good opportunity.
We met up at the north end of Bondi Beach. We then headed out towards Ben Buckler and to an Aboriginal engraving –
Nearby we could see a large boulder. This is known as Mermaid Rock. This 250 tonne boulder was moved from the base of the cliffs to its present location by a big wave in 1912.
We then walked along to the Golf Course and crossed it to the cliffs. Here there are a number of interesting dykes.
And, not far out at sea, we could see the plug of a long extinct volcano.
We then descended down a ladder to a small quarry.
Here, we could observe some interesting columnar jointing. This isa rare phenomena in sandstone. Due to contact metamorphism, some of the sandstone had changed to quartzite.
On this pillar, was a Nankeen Kestrel –
And not far way was the famous “Poo Flue” – perhaps Bondi’s most significant landmark.
Close to this was a large rock covered with Aboriginal engravings. These have been “deepened” apparently.
Next, there was a short section of road walking to the Raleigh Reserve. This park is well used by professional dog walkers.
The Raleigh Reserve joins on to the Rodney Reserve. This was the site of the first radio telescope in Australia. Both Bob and his wife, Jess, worked in Radio Astronomy, and it was jess who was responsible for these installations at the reserve.
The Yagi antenna above is a mock up of part of a larger array that used to be on the site.
The next stop was the Dudley Page Reserve. In contrast to the other parts of the walk, this provides views to the west – towards the city, Opera House and Harbour Bridge. But the views were rather limited on our visit.
Some of the bus stops near here are rather quant. I can remember sitting out a storm in this one na previous coastal walk.
Then we walked down Lancaster Street back to the coastal cliffs.
Here we saw a Peregrine Falcon cruising past.
Then another short section of street took us to Diamond Bay.
We then intended to deviate of the path a bit on a side trip down Rosa Gully and then climb up this fisherman’s ladder to access a long ledge that is easy to traverse.
With the damp conditions it was quite slippery descending Rosa Gully.
But before we could get to the ladder, we decide the sea was a bit high and rough.
So we climbed back up and continued on the path.
We soon passed there Macquarie Lighthouse.
And also passed some old batteries –
The we arrived at The Gap.
We walked up to the bluff above The Gap, but new high fences have been placed that prevents photographs.
So we continued to Camp Cove and a side trip to South Head.
Then back to Camp Cove and we continued on the Coastal Path, but now heading south and in the harbour. At Green Point Reserve we stopped for lunch.
Back at Watsons Bay are some nice fig trees. It surprising they have not been chopped down by the present government. A few that have survived hopefully.
We then continued to Parsley Bay with its suspension bridge.
Then here is a really nice section of the Coastal Path through Neilson Park.
And this took us to Rose Bay. Here, I farewelled Bob, and caught a ferry to the Quay.