Rosedale . . . and (occasionally) beyond

Lilli Pilli Beach

2009-12-13T23:30:00.000+11:00

Another beach bordered by tall spotted gums. The surprise at Lilli Pilli is the extensive rock platform to the south. We walked all the way around to Mosquito Bay, where we had coffee and a cake at By The Beach cafe, then walked back along George Bass Drive to Lilli Pilli.

Photos taken 10 Jan 2009

Mosquito Bay

2009-12-13T23:17:00.002+11:00

Photos taken 10 Jan 2009

The main features of this bay are the boat ramp, and a rathr good cafe. It's a great reward if you walk around the extensive rock platform from Lilli Pilli beach, the next beach north.

Tranquil Bay

2009-12-13T21:15:00.000+11:00

Photos taken 9 Jan 2009

Also known as Blacks Beach

We've been visiting Tranquil Bay since we first came to Rosedale, usually on the way to walking to Guerilla Bay. You cross two headlands.

In her book Poppy, Drusilla Modjeska wrote of a walk from Guerilla Bay:

" This morning we went for a long walk, over headlands, round rocky promontories and along beaches. We swam in still water at the curved end of the beach while surf crashed at the other. There was nothing but old-fashioned wooden boat sheds."

A walk in the opposite direction to that which we have often done.

North Rosedale : the headland

2009-04-16T16:00:00.000+10:00

Another afternoon walk, this time around the headland at North Rosedale.

Autumn blooms and fruits in the yard

2009-04-15T15:27:00.000+10:00

Banksia and callistemon:

The last of the hibiscus:

Lemons:

Gum tree:

Peach bush:

Walk

2009-04-14T15:23:00.002+10:00

Afternoon walks are one of the great Rosedale pleasures.

Rosedale Ridge

2009-04-13T18:00:00.000+10:00

Rosedale Ridge is a release of 9 building blocks on the eastern side of George Bass Drive (relatively rare now) at North Rosedale.

Contrast

2009-04-13T14:59:00.000+10:00

Sunny and warm enough to swim one day (afternoon 12 April), cool, misty and damp the next....that's the south coast!

Easter Sunday at Mogo

2009-04-12T14:34:00.001+10:00

The flowering gums in Mogo car park are magnificent at Easter. I've shown these before, but always worth a return look.

The locally made wood carvings in the main streets of Mogo and Moruya are magnificent. I was most negligent in not stopping to notice the details of the carver, but will do so next time.

This old tractor sits looking rather sculptural on a block near the car park.

Easter Saturday

2009-04-11T18:00:00.001+10:00

Easter Saturday is the traditional day for the AGM of the Rosedale Association on the log cabin lawns. I went in the morning. The afternoon we had a good game of tennis at the Malua Bay courts.

Late afternoon, Rosedale Beach

2009-04-10T18:00:00.002+10:00

4:17pm - love the colours in the rocks

4:17pm - seems like there's been some storm action

4:37pm

Always great to get down to the beach when we arrive and check out the light and shape of things.

2009-04-10T12:30:00.000+10:00

Part of the "(occasionally) beyond part of this blog. Here's Gerroa, south of Kiama, where we stopped for lunch on the way down the coast on 10 April 2009 for our Easter sojourn at Rosedale.

Myrtle Beach and Flat Rock Island Headland

2009-01-21T21:51:00.001+11:00

Myrtle Beach is a fairly secluded beach in Murramarang national park, north of Batemans Bay. You need to walk in from the car park - about 500 m.

Below: Stunted spotted gums, grown into this unusual shape because of lack of soil nutrients.

Below: Myrtle Beach from the headland walk. Clothes optional, unless there is a complaint, in which case a patrol comes around and you have to get clad for a while.

Below: Myrtle Beach is reached by this set of stairs. Making the effort reaps great rewards - it's a lovely beach for a swim.

Photos taken 11 Jan 2009

Some Birds

2009-01-20T00:01:00.000+11:00

Sooty Oystercatcher
South Rosedale
These birds with the striking red bill are found around Australian coasts, usually no more than 50 m from the ocean. They are vulnerable to habitat destruction. They feed on molluscs, crustaceans, marine worms, starfish, sea urchins, small fish, and drink sea water.

I saw this bird between about 6:40 and 6:45 am on 29 Dec 2008.

Cormorant
Boatshed Beach
I have no idea what type of cormorant this was, drying its wings on the rocks off the headland at the northern end of Boatshed Beach around 2:40 pm on 9 January 2009.

King Parrot
Often seen in small groups, and sometimes with rosella, these King Parrots were in a small tree near the house. We get lots of great birds around the house, including the magpies and kookooburras I have shown before.
5:35pm, 09 January 2009.

Gang-Gang Cockatoo
New Years Day,

Gang gang cockatoo seen in the car park mound plantings, 7:57 am, New Years Day 2007

Kookaburra
10 April 2007

Kookaburra sits on the old clothes li-ine
Merry Merry King of the yard is he--ee
Laugh! Kookaburra, laugh!
Kookaburra gay your life must be.

He let me get closer and closer, checked me out, and stayed stock still.

Far nicer to know than the rats in the roof we have been battling this week. They come out to play in the evening, and party all night. Hopefully the poison has got them.

Magpies
12 April 2007

These magpies, with young ones, came to pay a visit on 28 December 2006
I wonder if they were the same birds who visited at Easter? :

Dark Beach, Murramarang National Park

2009-01-19T16:37:00.013+11:00

This beach, about 275 kilometres south of Sydney, and near where we go for our summer holidays, is significant for its geology.

It is here that the lip of the sandstone Sydney Basin reaches the surface at its southern most end.

The strata of the Sydney Basin, seen at the northen end of the beach, were laid down in the Permian (300-250 million years ago) and Triassic (250 - 205 million years ago) eras. They formed a saucer shape and lay in shallow water. They were lifted up out of the sea bed midway through the Triassic.The sandstone at this beach is the oldest part of the Sydney Basin, where the base rocks curve up and emerge. This is exposed in the magnificent cliff at the northern edge of the beach. To get to the sandy beach you have to climb over the sharp dark rock formation, which we didn't do.

On the southern end of the beach are rocks of the much older Wagonga formation (Ordovician - 500 to 450 million years ago). This junction is known as an Unconformity, where adjoining rocks are separated in age by 200 million years.

The beach derives its name from the dark pebbles on the southern end of the beach.

Below: Looking south

Below: Looking north towards the sandstone cliff and beach

Below: Layers of sandstone at the northern end.

Below: The sandstone cliff and white sandy beach

Below: G'day!

Below: Conglomerates at the southern end of the beach

Below: Pebble beaches are great for rock throwing Below: The southern end

Below: Walking south

Below: trees on the headland above the beach

Photos taken 11 January 2009

Home Improvements

2009-01-15T20:55:00.000+11:00

We spent a fair amount of the 17 days we were at the house painting its exterior. We started with the door and window frames at the back, that lead to the eaves under the verandah roof, and that meant the walls needed doing. The posts were done two years ago.

Posts and front and back doors: Mission Brown
Frames and eaves: Clourbond classic cream (British Paints)
Walls: Warm neutral (Dulux)

Burrawang Palms and Spotted Gums

2009-01-13T13:20:00.002+11:00

Above: Spotted gums at North Rosedale
Above and Below: Burrawangs and Spotted Gums on the track near Tranquil Bay

Burrawang 'Palms' (Macrozamia communis) are not palms at all. They are cycads. The female plant produces large cones which look like upright green pineapples. The seeds are highly toxic if eaten untreated. Aboriginal people pounded and soaked the seeds in water for a week, changing the water daily. The pulp was then made into cakes and roasted over hot embers.
In the local language of the area (Dharug) they are known as bung-gou, ib-bur : 'nut' (Gott 1995 - http://www.anbg.gov.au/apu/plants/macrcomm.html)

Spotted Gums (corymbia maculata aka Eucalyptus maculata) thrive in the shallow slate and shale soils of the south coast. It's a durable hardwood, much used in flooring and furniture.
One of the delights of the south coast is walking through forests like this, with plentiful burrawangs at lower levels, and a canopy of spotted gums.

Contrast those tall, straight spotted gums with these below. These too are spotted gums, but are on the Flat Rock Island Headland track, near Myrtle Beach in Murramarang National Park. These have grown into gorgeous shapes because of a lack of soil nutrients.

Low Tide, King Tide

2009-01-12T17:47:00.001+11:00

On 12 January at 9.48 am there was a 'king tide'....this is just a higher than average high tide (there are 2 a year, one in winter, typically at night, and one in summer. A fair few people went down to Rosedale Beach to have a look. I took photos to compare with shots I'd taken at an exceptionally low tide three days earlier, on 09 Jan.

Apparently, this tide was one in an 18 year cycle, and bigger then usual; climate specialists say that it resembles what the norm would be in 100 years if climate change isn't reversed. In which case - bye bye South Rosedale beach, and we'll all have to squeeze onto a very narrow strip of sand!

Below: Boatshed Beach 1:10 pm 9 January

Below: Boatshed Beach 9:03 am 12 January

Below: Boatshed Beach 2:16 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:17 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:18 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:19 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:20 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:20 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:20 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:21 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:22 pm 9 January

Below: Rocks area at southern end of Boatshed 2:22 pm 9 January

Below: Looking towards Boatshed Beach, 9:37 am 12 January. Many people were hoping that the tide would be high enough to break through to the lagoon and Saltwater Creek, but sadly this was as far as it got.

Below: Boatshed Beach 9:40 am 12 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 2:45pm, 9 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 2:45pm, 9 January, looking south

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 2:45pm, 9 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 2:46pm, 9 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 2:47 pm, 9 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 2:48pm, 9 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 2:48pm, 9 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 8:51 am , 12 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 8:57 am, 12 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 8:58 am , 12 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 8:58 am , 12 January

Below: Northern end of Boatshed Beach, 8:59 am , 12 January

Below: South Rosedale, 7:25 am 07 January - rocks exposed

Below: South Rosedale 9:20 am 12 January

Below: South Rosedale 8:03 am 4 January

Below: South Rosedale 8:14 pm 06 January

Below: South Rosedale 9:11 am 12 January

Below: South Rosedale 9:17 am 12 January

Below: South Rosedale 9:18 am 12 January

Below: South Rosedale, 9:18 am 12 January

Below: South Rosedale , 9:21 am 12 January

Below: Middle Rosedale - looking south, 9:40am 12 January

Nun's aka Stinky's Beach

2009-01-02T21:13:00.001+11:00

Known locally as Stinky's (due to smelly seaweed?).

Photos taken 4 and 9 Jan 2009

Rosedale mornings

2009-01-01T15:51:00.000+11:00

Every holiday follows its own rhythms, even if it's in the same place as you've been many times before. People, moods, and if it's by the ocean, the beach and sea itself are different each time.
This holiday it was time to paint the house, and we're still trying to care for our health a little more. So, most mornings, Piero and I were up early. We tended to start the day with a walk, then come home for breakfast, and then get stuck into painting the house. The 'Fibro Majestic' was in dire need of an outside paint job, and it got the works. So, lots of morning shots of the beach this time around, at least from the early part of the holiday. After the painting was done, I tended more towards later afternoon!

The Tussle
07:00 7 Jan 2009, Boatshed Beach
These gorgeous dogs were enjoying retrieving the stick their human friend, Ellen, was throwing into the sea.

The Snorkellers
7.52 am 28 Dec 2008. North Rosedale (aka Black Beach)

The Swimmers
8:21 am 28 Dec 2008. Boatshed Beach

The Paddler
8.26am 4 Jan 2009 Nun's Beach (aka Stinky's)

The Run
7:34 am 28 Dec 2008, Main Beach, Rosedale.

The Exercise
7:04 am, 28 Dec 2008. Boatshed Beach

The Bird
6:41 am, 28 Dec 2008
South Rosedale

The Fishers

Above: 7:09 AM. 7 Jan 2009

Above: 7:45am 4 Jan 2009

The Fishing Trip

A fishing trip which included my son (second from left), a friend, John, and his two sons, set out at 7:15 am from Moruya.

The Creek

Saltwater Creek, 6:17am
It reminds me of something Southern (America) Gothic ... all it needs is Spanish moss.
Taken from the footbridge, which we call 'Pooh Sticks Bridge', cos when the water is flowing, it's perfect for playing Pooh Sticks from.

The Lagoon

6:23 am, 7 Jan 2009

The Wave

6:35am 7 January 2009. Boatshed Beach.

The Trees

7:25am, 7 January 2009. South Rosedale

North Rosedale Part 4 - Rocky Beach

2008-12-31T21:58:00.002+11:00

Above: approaching from North Rosedale down the track

Above: The magnificent spotted gums

Above: From the bottom of the track at North Rosedale, looking towards the beach

Above: Across the rock platform - beach at the left

Above: Approaching the beach

Above and Below: Heading off for a spot of morning snorkelling

There are only a couple of ways to get to this beach, known to locals as Rocky Beach - round the headlnad and past the "Pirate Cave" from Boatshed Beach, or down the track at the end of Yowani Rd in North Rosedale (or via direct access from properties that edge the beach.

It's one of the numerous hidden beaches and coves that make this part of the coast so attractive, particularly with the trees reaching the shoreline.

North Rosedale Part 3 - seams of quartz

2008-12-30T22:10:00.000+11:00

North Rosedale Part 2 - the "Pirate's Cave"

2008-12-29T06:35:00.002+11:00

As you round the headland between Boatshed Beach and North Rosedale, a large fiisure in the rock platform looms. We always call it the "Pirate Cave". You can walk around it, carefully. One day it may break through onto Boatshed Beach ceating an arch, or the rocks may cave in from above and block passage along the rocks.

About here is where it would break through:

28 December 2008. North Rosedale Part One - Rounding the Headland.

2008-12-28T19:55:00.009+11:00

Photos above: The point between Boatshed Beach part of Rosedale Beach, and North Rosedale.

Drove down yesterday; one of the longest trips ever - Saturday after Boxing Day. Saturday is also traditional "changeover day" for holiday lettings, which makes things busier. Drove through hot sultry temps (and the aircon in our car is kaput), then driving rain and thunderstorm, and finally pulled over when hail set in!

Still, got here safely, and this morning dawned bright. Up at 7 for a walk and photography session. This morning I concentrated on the North Rosedale Beach, around the headland from Boatshed Beach.

The next few entries are dedicated to North Rosedale.

Eurobodalla Regional Botanic Gardens

2008-04-24T19:48:00.001+10:00

A really nice, free garden. Features Australian natives, and is awealth of information (an dplant sales) for locals wanting to plant local species in their won gardens.

More information.

Spiderweb, Nun's Beach

2008-04-23T17:20:00.001+10:00

Late afternoon, 23 April 2008

Rosedale Beach. Late afternoon 23 April 2008

2008-04-23T17:00:00.004+10:00

Nelligan

2008-04-23T16:11:00.004+10:00

Nelligan, 0n the Clyde River, 10 kms upsteam from Batemans Bay was a thriving metropolis in its heyday in the mid 19th century and early 20th centuries. It was a port servicing the hinterland, where timber-getting and gold mining were the main activities.

These days it's a very sleepy hamlet which attracts fisher-folk, day cruisers from Batemans Bay and the odd passing motorist looking for a cup of tea.

Clyde River & Batemans Bay from Holmes Lookout

2008-04-23T13:48:00.004+10:00

23 April 2008, 1:48pm

Batemans Bay - the Clyde River and bridge

2008-01-12T11:22:00.000+11:00

Nathaniel Bateman was the commander of the Northumberland, and as a young naval officer, Captain James Cook sailed as master under Bateman's command, charting the St Lawrence River in Canada.

In 1770, Cook sailed along this coast, past tall cliffs broken by inlets lined with white, or golden sandy beaches. In places the trees almost reached (and some still do) the waters edge. Then this bay, its entrance guarded by two small islands, and the mouth of a large river. Cook remembered his commader on the Northumberland, and named the bay after him - Bateman Bay. In time it became Batemans (no apostrophe these days, though it once did!)

The river was named the Clyde (probably after the Scottish river of that name) by another explorer, Robert Johnston, in 1821. The bridge, which opens to allow taller vessels through, was built in 1956. Before that you had to wait for a ferry to cross the river.

After a history of timber-cutting and milling, and fishing, and a small, isolated population through much of the 20th century, Batemans Bay became a popular tourist and holiday resort, at first mainly for Canberrans - it's sometimes called "The Capital Coast" in reference to the number of Canberrans and ACT number plates; and latterly more Sydney-siders (though at 4+ hours drive, it is a bit more than a weekend destination for Sydney-siders). The permanent population is 16 000, and the summer and easter hordes many times that. Yet, it's still a pretty calm and tranquil place, the crowds in the shopping centre on an overcast January day (stopping them going to one of the fabulous beaches in the area) notwithstanding.

Mossy Point - the catch

2008-01-10T17:35:00.000+11:00

Broulee Public School

2008-01-09T17:57:00.000+11:00

The pitch

2008-01-08T15:10:00.000+11:00

Taking up my favourite backyard position

2008-01-08T14:39:00.001+11:00

Facing The Waves

2008-01-08T14:07:00.001+11:00

Biggish seas - not too bad though, and doesn't daunt these kids though.

On The Beach again

2008-01-08T13:33:00.000+11:00

2 Jan 2008

5 Jan 2008

Water was quite cold, but warmed up between 2nd and 5th. Largisgh waves, but nothing like further north. Beaches in Sydney have been closed, and northern NSW has been flooded. A low pressure system off Qld the culprit.

Boatshed Beach, 12 April 2007

2007-04-12T12:35:00.001+10:00

Another good day at the beach.

Archie's Rock sometimes sticks out prominently at the northern end of Boatshed, but this time there had been quite a lot of sand build up.

Magpies

2007-04-12T09:28:00.001+10:00

These magpies, with young ones, came to pay a visit on 28 December 2006
I wonder if they were the same birds who visited at Easter? :

Rosedale Beach 11 April

2007-04-11T21:06:00.000+10:00

Just a perfect day on Boatshed Beach.

Around the house 11 April 2007

2007-04-11T16:00:00.000+10:00

Bikes and sarong

2007-04-11T15:42:00.000+10:00

Rosedale dune

2007-04-11T15:02:00.000+10:00

Coastal dune systems are really important environmental features. The stabilised dune at Rosedale is a beautiful example. Find out more about coastal dunes.

Casuarinas

2007-04-11T15:00:00.002+10:00

This stand of Australian native casuarinas - Casuarina equisetifolia - (sometimes called she-oaks) between the car park and the dune at Rosedale Beach is a treasure. In many beach places, such vegetation has disappeared under the relentless creep of development. It's one of the things which makes Rosedale VERY special. Casuarinas are superb native-bird attracters.

Apparently, the name Casuarina is derived from the Malay Kasuari and alludes to the similarity between the drooping foliage of the genus and that of the feathers of the cassowary bird. More here.

Below: taken 16 April 2009:

Drought turns off the water

2007-04-11T15:00:00.000+10:00

Lots of people with houses around Rosedale have outdoor showers for washign off after the beach. For visitors, and those of us without such amenities, the shower at the beach has been a great facility.

However, drought and water restrictions have seen the council cap of the taps.

Easter, 2007

Saltwater Creek from footbridge to beach part 1

2007-04-11T13:05:00.000+10:00

Saltwater Creek is another very special feature of the Rosedale environment. To read a study of this (and other similar brackish creeks in the area), see here. The study looked at water levels and openings to the sea.

Let's take a trip along Saltwater Creek, starting at the footbridge which joins South and North Rosedale, and heading to the beach.

The footbridge serves a very important social function by uniting the two parts of the Rosedale community, without having to either go out on to the road, or down to the beach.

It's also been the venue of various games of "Poohsticks" , and we usually refer to it as "Poohsticks Bridge" in our family. You can find out all about Poohsticks at this site.

Looking from south to north across the bridge:

Looking east, downstream, along the creek from the bridge:
Reflection, taken from the bridge:
Lookign west, upstream, from the bridge:
Reflections:
I even captured myself taking pics from the bridge:

Saltwater Creek - from footbridge to beach Part 2

2007-04-11T13:00:00.000+10:00

Continuing our look at Saltwater Creek

I've now crossed the bridge to North Rosedale, and am following the track along the northern bank. Looking towards the beach:

Lookign across the creek, and upstream:
The plank placed across a swampy section:
From near the plank, looking upstream:
Across the creek towards Jimmie's:
Upstream from close to the beach end:
Looking south across the creek, with a good view of the stabilised dune behind Rosedale Beach:
This shows a panorama of the beach and the berm through which the creek occasionally is open to the sea (see the study linked in the previous post):

From the beach to, in the distance, the end of the creek, not open to the sea at this time:
The end of the creek - water level quite low. Occasionally it is quite deep here, and kids can be found playing in it (see pics here) :
The creek open to the sea, 2 August 2001:

Late afternoon, Rosedale Beach 10 April 2007

2007-04-10T21:05:00.000+10:00

A beautiful soft and still late afternoon (4.18 - 4.20 pm). No afternoon breeze.

Kookaburra

2007-04-10T21:03:00.000+10:00

Kookaburra sits on the old clothes li-ine
Merry Merry King of the yard is he--ee
Laugh! Kookaburra, laugh!
Kookaburra gay your life must be.

He let me get closer and closer, checked me out, and stayed stock still.

Far nicer to know than the rats in the roof we have been battling this week. They come out to play in the evening, and party all night. Hopefully the poison has got them.

Jimmie's Island, late afternoon, 10 April 2007

2007-04-10T18:15:00.000+10:00

Blooms

2007-04-10T16:43:00.000+10:00

I'm not sure what kind of plant this is (a malaleuca?), but it's gorgeous.

Around the house 10 April 2007

2007-04-10T16:00:00.000+10:00

Banksia flower

2007-04-10T15:50:00.000+10:00

Rosedale beach 09 April 2007

2007-04-09T21:05:00.000+10:00

Superb mid-afternoon at the beach. Warm, not too hot, beautifully formed waves, and sea temperature a good deal warmer than it was last summer!

Flowering gums, Mogo carpark

2007-04-07T16:36:00.000+10:00

These gorgeous grafted eucalypts grace the car park at Mogo. I am desperately trying to wotk out where to plant one at our place. They're developed by Tarrawood Nursery at Bega.

Rosedale Association AGM 7 April 2007

2007-04-07T15:37:00.000+10:00

The major topic of conversation was the housing development west of George Bass Drive at

Barlings Beach. It was resolved to put in a joint submission with the Guerilla Bay Association. It is actually closer to Guerilla Bay, but includes the catchment for Rosedale's Saltwater Creek.

Of more immediate interest (as in the immediate vicinity) is the proposed development of Rosedale Farm, right opposite the intersection of Rosedale Parade and George Bass Drive. Which reminds me I had better take some "before" pics before too long!

Link to The Rosedale Association.

Tennis at Malua Bay Jan 2007

2007-01-25T17:00:00.000+11:00

I love the setting of the tennis courts, surroundd by a stand of spotted gums.

Moruya market day 6 Jan 2007 and 30 Dec 2006

2007-01-06T22:04:00.000+11:00

6 December 2007
30 December 2006
30 December 2006

Every Saturday is market morning at Moruya

Guerilla Bay

2007-01-06T19:00:00.000+11:00

Above: Looking north past Tranquil Bay to Rosedale and Jimmie's Island.

Cunjevoi

2007-01-06T17:00:00.000+11:00

Thanks to Nola for these photos of cunjevoi on the rocks separating Boatshed and the main beach at Rosedale.

Cottage Moruya

2007-01-06T12:00:00.000+11:00

Camels at Moruya

2007-01-06T10:00:00.000+11:00

Market day at Moruya, and this camel ride operator was doing great business.

Last day of surf lessons

2007-01-06T07:59:00.000+11:00

Getting the hang of it

Ammunition Supplies

2007-01-05T16:18:00.000+11:00

I find it reasonably ironic that the ammo supply sign is posted on a tree right outside the local cemetery.

Sunrise, Rosedale

2007-01-05T08:09:00.000+11:00

5:29:
5.33:
5.41:
5.43:
5.45:

5.51:
5.52:
5.58:
5.58:

5.59:
5.59:
5.59:
6.02:

6.03:
6.03:
6.03:
6.03:
6.04:

6.04:
6.05:
6.05:
6.05:
6.05:

6.06:
6.06:
6.08:

Tracks In The Sand

2007-01-05T07:51:00.000+11:00

Broulee Beach 5 January 2007

Moruya River

2007-01-03T20:00:00.000+11:00

Looking west

Mangroves at low tide, looking east
Mangroves

Looking west at Moruya Bridge

Sunset big sky, looking west.

Candlagan Creek, Mossy Point

2007-01-03T19:07:00.000+11:00

Low tide

Practising

2007-01-03T14:42:00.000+11:00

If you're going to successfully learn something, then it's a matter of practise, practise, practise

An arty farty shot of foam

Surfing at Broulee Day 2

2007-01-03T10:00:00.000+11:00

Down to the beach again
Sit and check the surf
Warm ups
The support group
Group tactics are discussed

here we go...
Look Mum, no hands!
Oops, maybe not

More drill

Another successful moment
Tired and happy
Hey, we're missing the best waves!
There's quite a few oops moments in this game!

Rain is no deterrent (though most of the support crowd vanished!)
Phoooooooooooo...that's it for today

Broulee beach

2007-01-02T09:00:00.000+11:00

Surf school begins!

2007-01-02T08:30:00.000+11:00

Broulee beach, morning 2 Jan 2007

2007-01-02T07:50:00.000+11:00

Ben started surfing lessons at Broulee this morning. This is what it looked like before lessons began.

Burial site sign

2007-01-01T17:00:00.000+11:00

Controversy over a housing development at Barlings Beach. It is claimed there is an Aboriginal burial site there.

Moruya River

2007-01-01T15:36:00.000+11:00

New Years Morning, 2007

2007-01-01T09:00:00.000+11:00

8 am
8.02 am
8.02 am
8.20 am
8.20am
8.22 am
8.25am

This summer was not a great one for swimming (in my view). The water temperature was unusually cold, though that didn't stop some hardy souls. I took a walk on the beach around 8-9 am, and here are some of the photos I captured.

Boats, Boatshed Beach, New Years Day

2007-01-01T08:35:00.000+11:00

Gang Gang Cockatoo

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Gang gang cockatoo seen in the car park mound plantings, 7:57 am, New Years Day

On the beach 30 Dec 2006

2006-12-30T20:30:00.000+11:00

Spotted gum, South Rosedale

2006-12-30T19:50:00.000+11:00

My favourite tree.

It says on this website:

"From 1844 until recently Spotted Gum was known as Eucalyptus maculata, but after years of discussion and argument botanists finally agreed to change the name to Corymbia maculata. Along with a few other closely related trees in the Bloodwood group, Spotted Gum was separated from the Eucalypts and put into their own genus."

Rosedale Beach from South Rosedale clifftop

2006-12-30T19:30:00.000+11:00

Went to visit an Open House of a house for auction, and this was the view from the clifftop.

Native bush orchid

2006-12-30T19:22:00.000+11:00

On the clifftop at South Rosedale, above Knowlman Avenue

Tomakin

2006-12-30T19:19:00.000+11:00

Horse, Moruya

2006-12-28T20:34:00.000+11:00

Reflection, Moruya

2006-12-28T20:18:00.000+11:00

Reflection of Vulcan St (main street of Moruya) and your intrepid photographer, in the glass of the now lamentably closed Mylott's - they made GREAT pies!

Hangin' Out November 2006

2006-11-19T19:59:00.000+11:00

A really pleasant weekend away with some friends.

Auction!

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November 2006. A local auction brings out all the locals on a sunny spring day.

January 2003 - tennis at Malua Bay

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November (?) 2002

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July 2002

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May 2002

2002-01-05T08:42:00.000+11:00

We took Mum and dad down for a long weekend. Fortunatley, Gordon and Judith Bray, owners of the cabins and lawn by the beach were happy for us to use the area, which was great for accessibility for dad, whose mobility wouldn't have allowed him to get any further. Dad had made and brought a kite for ben to play with.

Dad was a fantastic kite maker, and made many when we were kids.

Lookout over Batemans Bay:

Easter 2002

2002-01-04T15:34:00.000+11:00

Annual General Meeting of the Rosedale Association, on the lawns of the log cabins at South Rosedale.

December 2001 - January 2002

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We moved in on Friday 21 Dec, and returned to Sydney on 23rd for Christmas. had our first Rosedale holiday in the new house from 28 December to 9 January, and again Jan 22 to 27th.

Sydney was surrounded by bushfires, but Rosedale Beach was a perfect boogie boarding haven that year. In the latter part of January, a bluebottle infestation. Ben got a sting - exceptionally painful.

August 2001. What happened next...

2001-01-08T15:03:00.001+11:00

...Our friends fell in love with Rosedale.

For years I had been receiving real estate agent blurbs about houses for sale, but it always seemed an Impossible Dream. A bad photocopied page arrived one day, and I sent it off to our friends with a large question mark...next thing I knew we were off to have a look at the little fibro cottage for sale at a rock bottom price. It was badly presente inside, but look past the surface, and a 3 bedroom house 400 metres level walk from THAT beach revealed itself. And it's much more affordable to buy a half share in a house than the entire thing yourself.

The lagoon was open to the sea (relatively rare event):

Easter 2001

2001-01-04T14:57:00.000+11:00

For the first time ever, we stayed at North Rosedale, as guests of some friends who had rented a house there. This was a very propitious trip, because it became the catalyst for what happened next...(see next blog entry)

January 2000

2000-01-01T15:40:00.000+11:00

Boules at Rosedale Beach:

The lagoon - great water flow this year:
At Boatshed beach:
Beach cricket, South Rosedale:

Nola on the deck at 31 Cooks Cres:

A hole is dug, Congo:

January 1999

1999-01-01T15:17:00.002+11:00

A new address, 31 Cooks Crescent, right on the cliff overlooking Nun's (or Stinky's -depending who you are / what era you came to Rosedale) Beach. We spent most of our time on Nun's as the prevailing winds and conditions favoured it this year.

On the deck looking over Nun's:

View of Nun's Beach from the house:

View of Nun's Beach from the house:
Rock collecting between Nun's beach and Rosedale:
Evening beach cricket on Nun's:

Catching some zzzzzz's:
Abearssynia:
Looking towards the house from Tranquil Bay:
Looking towards Guerilla Bay from the house:

We were joined by Jenny and Clive, Caitlyn and Jaime. The kids played in Saltwater Creek (the lagoon) at Rosedale Beach:

and on Nun's Beach:

Throwing rocks at Tranquil Bay:

Tranquil Bay:

January 1998

1998-01-01T15:13:00.000+11:00

We moved on from 15 Tranquil Bay Place - either we outgrew it, or the owners wanted to use it. Anyway, we found a place further up the hill (further from the beach!) - a very strange place, with bats in the garage, a goanna out the back, and a snakey track to the beach! And Frank gave Ben some face paint for Christmas!

January 1997

1997-01-01T15:02:00.000+11:00

Surfing at Boatshed Beach, Rosedale:

Beach crisket:

Digging and then bridging:
Nola and Ben at Boatshed Beach:
Nola and Rod:
More sand castles:
Day trip to Narooma:

Mossy Point, with its calm water in Candlagan Creek was popular:

Sleeping at Mossy Point:
Ice creams at Mossy Point:

This was the third year we stayed at 15 Tranquil Bay Place.

"Surfing" on the deck:

Jam session on the deck. This was the year Ben was a HUGE Wiggles fan:

January 1996 - a lot of digging!

1996-01-01T14:49:00.000+11:00

Ben is now turning two, and not keen on going in the water. But he's a master of digging.

At Congo Beach:

and at Rosedale:

January 1995

1995-01-01T14:33:00.001+11:00

Piero and I were overseas from September 1989 to July 1993, so missed holidays at Rosedale January 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993. Nola and Frank mainly kept the Rosedale Spirit alive, with various others from time to time. All the while they stayed at 27 Miller Avenue.
In January 1994 I was about 6.5 months pregnant, when I got very ill. The result was a mad dash back to Sydney, and the birth of Ben.
In Dec 1994 - Jan 1995, it was time to go back to Rosedale. We stayed at Miller Avenue for a week, before we realised it was difficult with a young baby and the number of people. There were quite a number of centipedes in the house as well. The estate agent helped us find a new place, and so we settled into 15 Tranquil Bay Place, where Ben , now 12 months old, learned to crawl up stairs to the loft bedroom, and pull himself up onto his feet and take his first steps.