Mon, 8th Sept, 2014 Broke to Forresters Beach

Nice sleep in. Packed up and headed off, back past the coal mines. Lots of big trucks today working. Out onto the M15 Hunter Expressway – smooth, dual lanes and concrete. If this was the main highway around Australia, everyone would be on the roads!!

Turned off into Maitland to find a park for a cuppa and to find a Post Office to post the lost camera back to its owner. What a difference – little country road with lots of road works. We did a block around the city but no obvious Post Office but found a lovely old church.

Found a great park – lots of war memorials, huge playgrounds with a flying fox.

 Fabulous tree with its smooth bark.

  There is a water fountain and Transvaal Avenue to commemorate 

the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902).

 The park originally was made by Richard Alexander Young (the Mayor) and he had copper boilers to boil water so everyone could enjoy their tea whilst enjoying their picnics. There was also a bandstand. He died at a young age and as he had down so much for the community they built the water fountain in his memory.

 Sporting area too – pool, net ball, bowls and bistro 

and the original Cricket Club with pavilion.

The war memorial was for the First World War and then they added walls for the Second World War and subsequent wars etc.

A plaque to commemorate all the Australian who completed their National Service training. Steve’s dad, Terry, did this.

Gallipoli Lone Pine.

Interesting sculpture showing the route of the Death Marches 

between Sandakan and Ranau in 1945– will have to look it up.

Past a great Speedway mural on our way back to the Motorway. We can’t get over that they allow cyclists on the motorway and then the M1 freeway.

The M1 is great and is surrounded by trees. Steve enjoying the easy towing.

Turned off at Morisset and found a Post Office so got the camera sorted. We are near the southern end of Lake Macquarie (largest saltwater lake) – will come back and explore. Following the Scenic Route through Whee, Doyalston (the bottom of Lake Macquarie). Passed some power stations with their tall towers.

Crossed the bridge separating Lake Munmorah to the north and Lake Bugewoi to the south. 

Stopped for lunch at the park near the bridge. The water was brackish and there were ducks, water hens, seagulls and pelicans. We sat by the water and they all came for a visit – should have brought some bread down.

Top shot of the seagull pushing the duck off the tree.

Followed the narrow spit with sand dunes and sea to the left and Tuggerah Lake to the right. Stopped at Lakes Beach and walked out over the sand dune to the sea.

Lots of big ships waiting to go into Newcastle.

Over The Entrance bridge at the mouth of Tuggerah Lake.

 Out to sea

Tuggerah Lake

Into Foresters Beach to my cousin, Peter’s place. Parked the van on the footpath and set up for a couple of nights.

Great to see Pete (my surfie cousin) again. The house is on top of a ridge looking down towards Terrigal. The weather is just beautiful and I only needed one layer of clothing!!

Climbed down the mountain side to the beach and Steve had fun throwing the thong for Peter’s dog, Elle and we watched as Peter practiced with his kite he uses for jumping off cliffs and flying. Too much work for me!!

Looking back up the hill to Pete's house

Little blue bottle jellyfish everywhere.

Climbed over the rocks and Steve got a good shot of the sea spray coming up the get me.

Terrific little blow hole too.

Climbed back up – exercise ticked for today!!! Then found another walk out onto the ridge and looking back north watching some surfers.

 Then south again to Terrigal

Even found at State Survey Mark on the top of the ridge.

Sun setting with a drink and nuts on the verandah listening to all the different birds and I am now looking for another coat to put on. Full moon rising – looks lovely.

Down to the Terrigal Pub for 2 for 1 steak night and even better you cook it yourself on huge BBQs indoors. Great set up and very popular. Great value and lots of salad, vegies & chips too.