Chowder Bay to Balmoral Walk

Nick walking along the track through at the top of the hill
Fortifications

Row of colonial single story terraces that have been restored

Which way now?

Charlotte and Jon

It was Charlotte's last visit with us before returning to the UK, so we took the walk through Headland Park to look at the old Forts. The walk is really well maintained and many joggers use it every day. Fort 1801 looks down through the heads straight out into the ocean and was originally created to support defences for the growing colony against possible other invading European naval forces. This never eventuated and as there was a lot of difficulty in maintaining these remote sites outside Sydney they were eventually disused. However they do remain early fortified constructions that show what a widespread geographical location Sydney Harbour is. With its multiplicity of bays and foreshores.

We live on the animal planet

Tom has always taken photos since he was very young. He is surprising at times, focusing on details that the rest of us have simply walked by without noticing. Here are some of his zoo shots from today. One day Tom will travel out into the world with his camera and send us his wider views.

Zoo Visit

Tom
Nick

Jasper

Alex

Today the boys and one of their friends and I went to Taronga Zoo. Though it is the school holidays the zoo was not too crowded. We went to several of the keepers talks and some of the wildlife shows. Tom was our official photographer. His first job was to take headshots of the kids in case we were separated.

The Retreat Reserve Year Diary Entry 1

The track down from our backyard is covered with ferns
Shade loving plants grow well on this side of the Reserve

The Willoughby Bush Care flying crew has been working hard across the creek

Fallen coachwood after recent storms in Autumn

Watch out for native jumping ants

Black plastic is the basic weeding tool for bush care regeneration

Most of the homes on this side of The Retreat have windows into the bushland

The tree house in the reserve

Natural setting homes built using pole house design

Light well in the original Glass House by Bill and Ruth Lucas 1957

The winter ocean

Tom loves the winter ocean. If there are waves and sunshine he will be out there in his wetsuit bodyboarding. He has salt water in his veins and also enjoys Sunday sailing in winter on Middle Harbour. But if I want to get some photos of him sailing I will also need my own boat.

Kirra Beach

Queensland, Queensland, Queensland - Now you are in Queensland with north facing coastline and aquamarine water. What's not to like about it.... Tom went surfing and while the lifeguard called over the loud hailer for him to move back into the centre of the beach I quickly got into my wetsuit and went into the water with him. The water temperature was around 21 degrees. It was a great swim and we surfed the white water three sets out for an hour.

Byron Bay in Winter

28'39'0"South - 153'37'0"East = Byron Bay, NSW

Northern Rivers Markets

Groovy waistcoat in a wraparound three button style
Crystal sun fairy for a window

Juice anyone

There are lots of buskers and musicians

Fudge in five different flavours at $2.50 a slice

Byron Bay Artscape

Alex, Nick and Tom at sea

Byron Bay Artscape Biennale of Sculpture is on. The walk goes along Main Beach to Clarkes Beach. It was a sunny afternoon and we enjoyed walking among and interacting with the art.