Incredible.....

The other personality of Cudgen...

It's astonishing that a relatively non-descript locality such as Cudgen (or was it Duranbah? The Tweed Shire Council can't seem to decide) can be the gateway to a pocket-handkerchief sized area of incredible beauty. Martin and I weren't satisfied with 200km on the Saturday, so on the long-weekend Monday, we decided on a ride through Urliup, then onto Cudgen nature reserve for some exploration of that area.

The ride through the rainforest of Urliup for the second time in three days would have been worth the price of admission alone, and yet we wanted more. We detoured slightly over Eviron Road toward the climb of the Condong Range, and on to the end of Duranbah road, where the real ride would start.

The condition of the "track" meant that there was probably going to be more walking than riding. The gradients were almost as steep as the legendary Mt Buggary in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, and combined with the wet conditions and the fact that I have a 400km brevet this weekend, I simply wasn't going to take any risks. Fortunately, we didn't have to go far to observe some stunning fauna and changes in the vegetation.


We detoured along a number of side tracks, trying to find the one that might lead to Cabarita Beach, to enable a circuit to be completed. On that score we wouldn't find anything. There were, however, some other surprising finds, one being a lone Tangello tree in the middle of nowhere. Unfortunately, the fruit on it was too bitter for human consumption, but it was a notable find nonetheless.


After this, and all the dead-ends, there was little for it other than a ride home in the rain. This time we detoured through Tumbulgum and Terranora. There was some disquiet that perhaps we could have visited the John Hogan rainforest, but in the end it mattered little. Neither option would have prevented us from having to negotiate the parade of total and complete idiots on the Queensland side of the border.
Anyone who wonders why Queensland tops the national road toll in Australia year after year need only visit the Gold Coast on a day when the idiots are out. I'm thinking of turning it into a lucrative side business by charging people money to observe the imbeciles in this part of the world. I'd make a killing if I wasn't on the receiving end of one.

Southey Woods, Castor Hanglands

Led by me, with Maureen and Gordon. Grey, very occasional light drizzle, a cool wind, but ideal temperature for walking. Less muddy than usual in the woods. Just over 10 miles.



Similar to this walk August 23rd andthis walk August 30th

Ufford church, at 44 metres above sea level, is one of the highest points in the area

Another slight variation on this walk. We started at the Willow Brook Farm Shop, and tookthe footpath just across the road heading more or less north-east. The path leads across a reclaimed landfill site with warning 'no smoking notices'.

Then it continues along the side of a wood. At the corner the path should go diagonally across a field to the minor road, but we walked along the edge and then for a short distance along the road. Freshly ploughed fields are hard work until the paths have been made good.



We turned left at the point where the path meets a bridleway at the junction with the road. We walked west along the bridleway, past a pond and a few trees until we reached Langley Bush Road. Here we turned right and walked north along the road as far as the end of Hilly Wood.

We turned left again (north west approximately), following a bridleway to High Field Road. We should have turned left here (see garmin trace) and walked south eastas far as the second block of woodland, called Jubilee Wood. A right turn just south of west took us to the path into Ufford, where we turned left and soon uphill, past the hall and the church.

We walked passed Hillside Close on the edge of the village, and another 400 yards later, turned right on to the track known as 'the drift' . We ignored the inviting seat here, and walked about half a mile south to the gate leading into Southey Wood. We followed the main waymarked path until after another mile we had a break at the well-placed picnic tables.

The tiniest bit chilly today!

After that it was straight past the car park and over the road to the track towards Upton. This leads down hill past the church and we chose to follow the road through the village, past a row of thatched cottages and some houses, then turned left past Model Farm, before heading left along a bridleway marked on the map as Blind Lane. We met a man trotting on a horse along this section.

At the end of Blind Lane there are three chopped tree trunks with the letter A,S,W scratch-carved into them - useful seats, but we resisted the temptation this time, and followed a path diagonally across the corner of a small field through some woodland and out onto a shady path heading east. This leads on to the open fields, now harvested, with the two improvised horse-jumps. See this post.



We carried on towards the east, until we met the north-south path, and turned left and north towards the Castor Hanglands nature reserve.

The main path through the reserve is clear and easy to follow. Today it was noticeably less muddy than it has been. Not much visible wildlife, but we did meet these horses.





We carried on through the reserve and then took the permissive path to the farm shop and cafe, where we stopped for lunch.

map and details

My camera's holiday

One of my excuses for the lack of posts recently has been my camera going on holiday without me on a father-daughter skiing holiday to Austria. Out of solidarity with our son, who was back at university, I elected not to go with them. That skiing is possibly my least favourite activity - I would rather go to the dentist - was also a factor. Although I am quite tempted by snow-shoeing, so perhaps next time.



Above, daughter helmeted and goggled and balaclava-ed. Below, the view from the top, and then the view from the cable car.







A day's break from skiing was thought advisable, so the narrow streets of Innsbruck were visited, and much coffee and cake enjoyed.







Now that I have my camera back, I do have some Scottish snow to show you - more soon.

Another Early Ride

Yesterday I was out even earlier for my ride. Parked at the Lake Manawa nature trail. Met the same walkers at the trailhead. Was on the trail a little after 6am. Today's photo is sunrise at the Indian Creek Bridge.

Being a Monday, I knew the Trails Center would be closed. I rode along Veteran's Memorial Highway to S. 35th. Met a couple other cyclists on the trail. By the time I was back to the car, the parking lot was filling with early morning walkers and cyclists.

Groceries and back home by 8am. Nap and then phone calls about pension, insurance, and medicare. More about that in another posting.

Put upon

This poor little Trillium decumbens (Trailing Trillium) made the mistake of growing in an area with an overabundance of grasshoppers. It looks a bit frazzled. I feel the same, when thinking about everything I need to get caught up on in the coming week.
Stormy weather washed out the traditional best-sales-day of our last spring craft show Saturday. But like one neighbor observed, it could have been worse -- the tents could have been upside down. One bright spot was meeting an artist whose work I'd previously admired on her Etsy shop. I spent some more of my George money on one of her pieces similar to this one.
I'm thinking of trying Etsy myself, for one-of-a-kind soapy things, or the "bargain bars" that I normally sell only at shows. (We call them "cosmetically challenged" soaps because we hate to call them ugly.) Just one more item to add to the list of "things I should probably be doing instead of blogging"...
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If you like the creepy crawlers, check out the Circus of the Spineless!

Shooting Tournamant

This morning was the annual shooting tournament. The tournament was held at the Ozark Shooters Sport Complex.
Eleven reunion attendees took part in the tournament. Perennial shooting champion Don "Dead-Eye" was dethroned.
There was confusion following the "lead" car to the complex. But we made it in time for the tournament. After taking photos, I stopped in Branson for some shopping.
For dinner, I made it to the closest Subway. Had a foot-loog cold cut combo.

Kong Romp

Nothing like total focus to snag that kong of mine and a great day to be out too!

I've taught Avalon well... as you can see, she loves to play kong just like moi!
We tried out a new little acre of green we found and met up with our pal, Sierra.
After our fun there, we decided to take our humans for a walk on the local levvies.
Sierra's Mom held onto us for a moment, but as you will see, we have serious "dogpower." Check out this movie of us... Hope you're all having a great weekend!

Saving With An Electric Range

This Pepco ad featuring my mother appeared in 1950 in the Washington Post.

Blackie's Pasture

Tiburon = Shark!!! Today, we went to "Blackie's Pasture" in Tiburon (which translates to shark), where I've been many times before, but have never told you about how special it is. I am very lucky to have so many places to frolic here offleash - open space and other parks where doggies like me get to play. Blackie has his own website (www.tiburonpeninsulafoundation.org/blackie.htm) if you want to know more.
There is a life-sized sculpture of Blackie standing in the pasture where he spent so many years, by Albert Guibara. It was erected in June 1995 to honor Blackie.
Kids love to toss me my kong, cause I bring it back every time heheh! These siblings were fighting over who got to toss it to me!
There are many people memorialized at this "park" for the things they have contributed to their community: Tiburon.
Of course what I love best about "Blackie's Pasture" is the swimming!
C'mon Dad, I'm ready!
Note the San Francisco "marine layer" coating the City!
Again!
Here it is! Again!
That's enough! Let's take a walk!
A little kong toss on the grass now!
Okay Sammie, time for our picnic surprise - just behind this tree!
Check this OUT!!! A gazebo!
This is a very special place, I'll have you know... About 40 years ago, a Tiburon native, Barbara Meislin had a daughter Lori, aged 7, who died from a mysterious disease. She donated this gazebo to the Tiburon Foundation in Lori's honor. A very special place, indeed.
The ceiling has stars all over it.
This is what is says: "Beloved little lady Lori Margo Meislin Child of Sunlight, Child of Starlight, child of Moonlight, Grace, Shine Your Joyous Light of Love on all who Find this Place * The 25th Day of June 1994.
As we make our way south, we watch the "marine layer" dissipate until we can see the city of San Francisco - woowee!
As we are munching on our picnic, Dad pulls out a treat for me - some roast beast cold cuts! Then a new friend trots up! Her name is Samantha too! We shares our goodies together and made palsy-walsies! Too cool!

I just gotta have some more swimsies, so Dad obliges, tossing me the kong (hmmm - one of the last times, I suspect...)
And here is the San Francisco Bay Bridge, closed this weekend, causing all kinds of havoc all over the place. Still in the fog....behind Tiburon and Belvedere Island... behind all kindsa boats.
Hey! Here's Luma! She's had 26 puppers for Guide Dogs for the Blind. What an awesome woman she is! Ya gotta loves her!
One of the last tossers from Dad on the way back to the car. Whooo! Has this been a pawesome day! But veee-eery thirsty!
Look! It's Dennis! Naw... not really, but Chontsil looks like him!
And here's Alex! Isn't he amazing!
Jes checkin' things out again... oh, man. Don't wanna go home.