Life Trove: lizards

Showing posts with label lizards. Show all posts

14 February 2016

Manly Scenic Walk

A lovely day re-uniting with old hiking friends who I haven't seen for ages and having some special encounters with lizards.

I was inspired to learn a while ago that lizards have oxytocin in their bodies, the same "love hormone" that helps us to experience the beauty of love and connection. We hot blooded beings don't have a monopoly on such things!

24 November 2014

Hike through Shoalhaven Gorge

I spent a lovely weekend spent with South Coast Campers, hiking along the Shoalhaven Gorge. I love hiking along rivers where you can swim anytime and this was an absolute beauty.

Highlights of the weekend included ...

Lovely people as always on South Coast camping trips including the wonderful regulars; Kim, Chris, JC, Anne Marie.
My first delicious swim in the river after our hot descent into the gorge from Longpoint Look Out.
The amazing place where we had our first group swim - a huge expanse of water, so deep we couldn't touch the bottom. The only drawback of this perfect spot was the boiling hot sand that scalded our feet!
Doing several exciting river crossings. On the first day, many of us did it bare foot (ouch, the rocks hurt!) but on the second day, we wizened up and kept our boots on (much better!!)
Our great camp site in the trees on soft grass by the river.
Launching ourselves down a little stretch of rapid on Jimmy's lilo; a lot of fun!
The relief of sitting my burning posterior in the river after sitting on the top of an ant nest and being bitten to smitherines!
Great French movie recommendations from Rahima.
A great night's sleep - I don't usually sleep so soundly in my coffin of a tent!
Very wisely getting up early (6 am) to get an early start on Sunday morning to try to avoid the coming heat (35 degrees by noon!)
The beautiful reflections in the river as we hiked.
A last dunk in the river to cool ourselves down for the mega climb ahead.
The elation at the end of the steep and exhausting 90 minute climb out of the gorge in the sweltering heat.
The stupendous view from Badgery Lookout, looking down on the big climb we'd done.
A delicious (and very good value) meal at the pub in Marulan and feeling so dehydrated that I forsook delicious cider for copious glasses of orange juice.
Laid back Ben, who looked like Ryan Gosling's younger brother. Sorry, Jo, he's taken!
Some great philosophical discussions with Howard.

All in all, another fantastic weekend.

The hike into the valley from Lonpoint Look Out

Arriving at the Shoalhaven River. I was the first in!

Enjoying the river, eating our lunch.

The Spring flowers, still out in abundance

Our first group swim at a perfect swimming spot.

Hiking on to our camping spot.

Our first two river crossings, sore on the feet!!

What a great spot to camp! Just don't sit on the ant nest!

Local wildlife. The blue dragon flies were exquisite, but I didn't manage to get a great photo of it unfortunately.

The section of river where we camped was fast flowing ..

... perfect for some fun in the rapids

Beautiful reflections in the river.

Crossing the river on the second day, wearing my boots this time.

Kim wearing her yellow socks, Rahima crossing the river

The hot, steep climb out of the gorge.

The beautiful view from the top (Badgery Lookout)

Rahima, me, Sara

21 October 2014

Weekend at Barrington Tops

I spent a wonderful three days exploring the world heritage-listed rainforests of Barrington Tops, about 250 km's from Sydney. The first two days was with a Meet Up group (Sydney Explorers), the third day by myself.

Highlights included:

The great place where we stayed (Wangat Lodge) set in the tranquil forest, teaming with wildlife.
Ken, the wonderfully friendly, passionate and knowledgeable proprietor of the lodge who took us on some stunning walks, and regaled us with some great stories. Ken had a gorgeous little daughter, and their close, loving relationship was beautiful to watch.
The lovely, chilled out group.
The first day hike (22 km) to the top of Carey's Peak through misty forests and our elation when the mist magically cleared for a little while at the top so we could enjoy the vista.
The gorgeous flowers and leaves along the way and the changing vegetation as we gained altitude.
A bracing swim after the hike that felt more potent than a trip shot of espresso coffee!
A really fun game of table tennis with Maj-Britt.
An early morning hike on the second day which was a bit like a treasure hunt as we searched for bottle tops to show our way.
Ian's great navigation skills.
The beautiful reflections in the river, along the way.
A freezing, but exhilarating swim in a forest pool that I don't think had ever felt the sun. I screamed like a little girl when I hit the water!
Great fellowship and conversation around the fire in the evenings and on the tranquil patio during the day.
Some lovely heart to hearts with Elna, a fellow South African.
Adrian and Rudi, wonderful characters, who made me laugh a lot.
Great spiritual discussions and some wonderful laughs with Maj-Britt.
A fun hike guided by Ken. The highlight was the enormous fig tree in the forest, which some intrepid adventurers decided to climb.
Lying on the helipad at night as a group, and looking out into the vast night sky, filled with awe at the beautiful stars. On the final night, when I was alone, I went back and spent hours doing the same.
A fantastic discussion with Ken on my last night over a glass of port, about life and death, religion and spirituality, music and poetry, nature and wonder. Ken gave me a collection of poetry by his recently deceased friend and it's inspired me to start writing poetry again.
A fantastic hike at the Williams River on the final day, through pristine rain forest. The highlight was sighting of Regent's Bowerbird. I've only seen it once before.