Lockleys Pylon – Blue Gum Forest Walk – 27-28 October 2012

It was Su Li’s birthday celebration and she chose a great place – Blue Gum Forest. We walked there via Lockleys Pylon from the Leura to Mt Hay Road. In the party were Martin , Col, Mark, Disco Stu, Albert, Su Li and myself. At the campsite at Acacia Flat we were joined by Rik and Wendy who had walked in via Evans Lookout.

On the way out to Lockleys Pylon the wildflowers were magnificent. Particularly in the heath country near the Pylon. One interesting plant we spotted were a couple of white fringe lilies (Thysanotus tuberosus) – the flowers are usually a mauve – purple colour.

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Homebush Bay – A Nice Afternoon Ride

This afternoon, the weather was prefect for a ride out along the Cooks River to Homebush and then a loop around Homebush Bay.

From my place the ride is about 50km. Continue reading →

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Surefire and Galah Canyons – 20-21 October 2012

It was time to visit two classic South Wolgan canyons. Dan was bringing a group up from Canberra and Rik and Rob were keen to come along too. We met at Barcoo Swamp campsite on saturday morning and there decided our plans.

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Storm on Thor Head

Last weekend I returned to Thor Head on the Asgard Plateau at the head of the Grose Valley. Previous visits had revealed that it would be a good place to get some photos from – particularly at sunset. I walked out to the head from Mt Victoria on Saturday and spent the greater part of Saturday on the head scouting out photo spots. On Sunday I was joined by friends – Stu, Enmoore, Martin and Kath and we did a bit of exploring.

Thor is the Norse god of thunder and storms. As it turned out – just as the good photographic light was just turning on – a big storm came over and my photography was curtailed. Photographers call the period of time before sunset (or just after dawn) the “golden hour” when the light is soft and warm, bringing out the relief and saturating the colours. Continue reading →

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The Birthday Canyoning Weekend – 6-7 October 2012

A few of us had recently had birthdays and we normally head out into the bush to celebrate. This year, with a few babies in the group, we set up a fixed camp in the headwaters of a dry canyon in Wollemi National Park. Both days of the weekend were spent visiting dry canyons.

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Anvil Rock and Blue Gum Forest – 3-4 October 2012

This was a short trip to some nice places close to Blackheath to get a few photographs. Train to Blackheath and then bike the 8km to the Anvil Rock Lookout. This lookout is a great vantage point offers excellent views looking up the Grose Valley. I arrived there a little after 3pm and stayed till almost sunset.

It was nice wandering around with a camera and tripod. Continue reading →

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2012 PBT

The “PBT” is the SUBW President’s Bludge Trip to the Kowmung River on the October long weekend. The first PBT was in 1974 and they have been held every October long weekend since.

This year, club president, Chantal, organised the walk to Hatchers Hollow, a large grassy flat near the river and its junction with Red Cliff Creek. Continue reading →

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Illawarra Coast – Photopfaff Day – 26 September 2012

I spent a very pleasant day on the Illawarra Coast with Digi Dave yesterday. We got up very early, in time for sunrise at Stanwell Tops.

Next, we headed to Coledale and spent quite a few hours wandering around with cameras, lenses and tripods on the rock platform north of the beach.


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Splendour Rock Walk – 22-23 September 2012

The weather forecast was good. Wendy and Rik were keen for a walk. Wendy hadn’t been to Splendour Rock before so it seemed like a good place to go.

Splendour Rock is the Bushwalkers War Memorial. It juts out from the south end of Mt Dingo in the Wild Dog Mountains. Its a great place for a high camp. A great place to enjoy sunset and sunrise. A great place for magnificent views over a large chunk of the Southern Blue Mountains. Continue reading →

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Hawkesbury River Loop – Bike Ride – 16 September 2012

A beautiful day! I joined Sarah for a nice ride out from Windsor along the Hawkesbury River to Wisemans Ferry and then up the big hill to Maroota and then back to Windsor. The total loop was about 92 km.

The bulk of the ride was on very quiet roads. Perfect for cycling. The weather was excellent. No wind, not too hot or cold. Great views along the way. Only two hills. Cycling magic! Continue reading →

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