Warriewood's wetlands & Irrawong Reserve

 

There's a nice little network of very scenic walking tracks to be explored in Warriewood. Just start near the shopping centre, and head off in northerly and westerly directions.

Bayview's Kooroowal Reserve & Flying Fox Cafe

It seems to be referred to as the 'Flying Fox Cafe', because it's next to a rather spectacular children's playground with a flying fox. But it alsoanswers to the name of 'Cat's Pyjamas'.

It's a gas! - climate activists out & about again

Today was another day of action for climate activists around the country. The schoolkids initiated it, but oldies were welcome to turn up or to organise their own events.

COVID restrictions meant there were to be no mass rallies. Lots of smaller gatherings of up to 20 were encouraged, complete with masks, sanitiser, and contact-tracing registration. 

The primary focus was the federal government's big push for a 'gas-led COVID recovery'. The fossils in charge have moved on from their previously favourite fossil fuel, coal, and now want a massive expansion of fossil gas extraction. I'm sure it's just coincidence that the panel they chose to advise them on economic recovery was heavily stacked with gas industry people! 

I used to think that gas was probably appropriate as a transition fuel along the road to 100%  renewables. You can turn it on and off quickly, and when you burn methane, it produces less greenhouse pollution than oil or coal. Trouble is, it turns out that you don't burn all of it. It's gradually come to light that fugitive emissions in extraction and handling total several percent, and unburnt methane is such a powerful greenhouse gas that it's then actually WORSE than the other fossils.

Hornsby Shire Climate Action did their bit this morning, with a spirited showing outside local federal member Julian Leeser's office. There was plenty of support from the passing motorists (and truck drivers too) on busy Pennant Hills Road, but the good Mr Leeser declined our invitation to come out and address us.

Photo courtesy Hornsby Shire Climate Action

Kamarah's Ridge, Gorge, and Gully, and the Canyon Colliery

Another excellent outing yesterday with my Thursday walkers. We explored yet another ridge on the northern side of the Grose River valley. It's called Kamarah, and it's near the upper end of the Grose. 

It was easy walking again, due to the bushfires of a few months back.

From the end of the ridge we were able to enjoy that majestic view down the valley. And to top that, right across from us were the two rival passes, named by (and after) two of my best bushwalking friends.

 

 

 

 

Down next towards Kamarah Canyon.

 

Then into the canyon proper.

Further down the gully then to the site of the old Canyon Colliery coal mine.

The mine ran on and off  for a few decades, before  closing in 1997.  It's still the source of serious zinc pollution in the Grose River.

One positive for it: it provided us with an easy route out. There's a (now decaying) road, with a gentle gradient. The coal was taken up by truck to the main railway line on the Darling Causeway above.

Through the Wormhole!

The Manly Wormhole.What's that all about?

Turns out it's a tunnel through the headland between Queenscliff and Freshwater beaches. It was built by rock fishermen to access their favoured fishing spots.

 

You pass the ocean pool, and head across the rocks towards the pink love heart.

 

 

 

And there it is!

Out the other side, turn left, and make your way along another series of rock  ledges.

 

 

 

And through the Wormhole is Freshwater Beach (aka Harbord Beach).

Spring is sprung and the snakes are out

OK, it's not a very good snake photo, but it was a very good snake. A big red-bellied black snake in fact, and just across the road.

Another signs of spring: our over-friendly neighbourhood king parrot popped in to beg for some luxury breakfast.

 

 

The azaleas are in full bloom.

And courtesy of the Council, a native watergum tree suddenly appeared out the front this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

Of course it's not really spring. That's a European concept. We have six seasons here in Sydney. We've just moved into Murrai'Yunggoray. Cool, getting warmer, gathering of flying foxes. More about the local indegenous calendar here: CNN article