Much as it may seem that I am always out and about. The vast majority of my awake time is sat in front of a computer, if not at work then at home researching my finds and writing them up. In both screen focused situations I am a shocker for getting stuck into it. Sat down for hours of end without getting up and moving about. It’s not good, I know it, but have now been told it. This has given me the impetus to train myself to change. As part of the plan for getting up and moving about more often, I have also started to get a brisk walk in each day:
A proper walk and not a ramble through the bush, when I tend to take it very slow and steady looking for anything that may catch my eye. After work I head down the road, and back along the beach. The aim being to get a good pace on, no dilly dallying along the way. The above image was the sight that greeted me on Wednesday, as was hurried back along the beach that bit quicker. Walking into a right into a brooding mass that was coming my way at quite a rate. Sadly there was no lightening to put on a real show, but when it hit man did it pour:
Not just heavy drops, but big buckets loads. Within minutes I was soaked, and when I finally hit the tarmac to get home the road leading down the dune was a river. Water gushed down it kerb to kerb, washing over my feet. I thought I may get caught but didn’t think it was going to be quite that bad. Not that it would have stopped me. This weekend however we were forecast to be hit by a front, bigger than the usual annual early winter fronts. This is the sort we may expect every five years, which put a spanner in the wheel for a couple of trips out:
From 2am this morning, by which I mean Sunday, I lay awake as the veranda sheets rattled as a 80km/hr gusts wind battered them. So much so I decided to get up early to crack on with this post. While I said the wild windy weekend weather had mucked up my intentions, Rod mentioned that he thought things may be OK for a trip out on Friday. And having just had a 12 plus day heading to Perth and back for work on Thursday, I thought why not claw back a few hours and head out. This saw me gate crash Rod and his wife’s, Gaynor, session on rock:
In our local area the furthest crag for me to get to is Cosy Corner, which so happens to be their local crag. A mere five to ten minute drive, and where I first got out on rock with Rod. This time however we went to Bobs Hollow, still pretty close to them and a bit of a trek for me. It does however have a great 30-40min hike along the coastal track allowing me to get a good couple of walks in, as well as some fun climbing on the steep limestone walls. We even managed to bag a few lines that require self-placed protection, so it was not all bolt clipping:
On the drive down and walk in there were occasional short light showers, but on arrival they dispersed and it was a lovely temperature with just the lightest of breezes. With three fo us out, I took advantage and ran round the area, or scrambled up the rocks nearby to looking for, different angles. Taking so many images, most of which I have sadly binned. Due to past incidents my phone is now in a waterproof case, and for some time it has been telling me to clean the lens. Not that the lens is dirty, the plastic window of the case covering it is scuffed:
So much so that in darker cloud covered conditions the images are a bit too blurry. I had luckily also brought my normal camera, ensuring that at least some of the images were clean and sharp. Including the above, of a tiny spider making our efforts on rock look rather pathetic in comparison. There are three genera of Lynx Spiders, and this one is likely to be one of the Grass Lynx Spiders (Oxyopes). Although I have failed to identify the species. While there are only 15 described species in Australia, it is considered there could be as many as 60:
In trying to work all this out I came across some useful distinguishing and interesting features between Lynx (Oxyopidae) from Jumping (Salticidae) Spiders. Having seen and documented a few species of the latter more often than the former, but I’ll leave those titbits of information for another day. It was a chilled session, not doing anything too hard. In part to allow Gaynor to also enjoy moving on the rock after Rod and I had led each route. She did however decline the above line which I have to admit to being particular fond of:
A route that also offers one of the most spectacular photo opportunities IMO. Looking stupidly overhung and exposed, as shown above when Rod headed up. It is nowhere near the upper grade range on offer here, but is steep in places and makes you work. Rod came down with weary arms, and as such wasn’t sure if he was quite ready to take on his project that is several grades higher. Instead opting to have a bite to eat, and offering me the rope to head up it first. Some days everything just flows, and today was one of those days for me:
Making it up as rain drops, which had started on the previous line, started to come in a bit bigger and more consistently. All things considered Rod opted for the sensible approach for his project. Keeping the rope above him as he battled his way up the fine but technical line. The increasingly wetting rock not helping his cause, but he never gave up. With rain setting in it was time to head out. They had driven in so only had a short walk to the car. I was however happy to hike out in the rain, so left as Rod worked his way up last section of the route:
We certainly made great use of the weather window, so thanks for the invite Rod and Gaynor. The only disappointment was on the walk out when a couple walking in the opposite direction said they had just seen a snake cross the path. One of them had frozen and wasn’t prepared to walk past where it had been seen. Much to their bewilderment, which turned to amusement, try as I might I couldn’t find it anywhere. On the plus side I was able to encourage them to continue on their journey past the point the snake had been seen:
The forecast, as it often seems too, changed. The front was now not due to start to come in till later on Saturday. This resulted me in me heading up the hill for a quick solo session at the dam while Lisa planned to go in for her weekly early morning plunge on a glorious morning. In contrast to the conditions at the beach and while the drive was clear and cloudless, the bowl in which the dam sits was caked in thick mist. Laughing Kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae) did what they do, laughed. Seemingly mocking me as I arrive to the cold and damp conditions:
It didn’t stop me. Starting on the first lap as intended, at exactly the same time Lisa would have been walking into the cold ocean. The conditions made me work that bit harder, so I didn’t jump on two of the slightly stiffer lines I had in mind. But still managed five fun routes, finishing the last lap as the mist was clearing. Just fifteen minutes later, as I prepared to drive out blue skies rolled in. It was however time to get back, as Lisa and I had a bit of shopping to do. Including buying a new phone case to allow me to be able to say I can see clearly now:
Sandbagged 