A School in the backyard

There was a lot of action in our backyard this morning. Looks like there was a school of fish near the jetty.

Inspection

From time to time I see an inspector from NSW Roads and Maritime, the government department responsible for the oversight of Lake Macquarie, cruising around the Lake. I presume that they are looking out for illegal fishing or nets and checking on moorings and jetties.

Last Thursday they seemed to be very interested in a mooring opposite our home. It was the home of a handsome catamaran for the first couple of years that we owned our place but that we have not sighted for around six months. I often wonder where it has gone.

The absent catamaran

After doing a bit of circle work the skipper and his mates cruised off into the distance. It wouldn't be a bad job on a sunny day.

The Skipper and his Mates

Drying off

This chap spent quite a deal of time on our jetty today. While he stood still with his wings outstretched his head was in constant motion.

Peals of Pisa

On our third visit to the Tower of Pisa in June 2019 we managed to hear the bells ringing.

Rather than holding the Tower up my cheeky other half tried to push it over.

On our first visit in 1983 our children took the more conventional pose supporting the Tower.

Welcome wind at the Bay

The boats in our backyard were bobbing around on this breezy summer's day.

Bosomtwi Sam Fishing Harbour, Ghana

We had a fascinating visit to Bosomtwi Sam Fishing Harbour in Ghana, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Bosomtwi-Sam_Fishing_Harbour. I fear we got in the way of some of the people there who were trying to get their work done.

Sandy Stockton

One of our dear friends sailed into Newcastle, our regional city, yesterday on a mega cruise ship. We took the opportunity to pick him up from the ship and show him some of the local sights. As he had visited Newcastle and the Hunter Valley several times we had to think of some new places to visit.

The megaship which dominated the Harbour photographed from Stockton

As our visitor and I had never been to Stockton which is on the north side of Newcastle Harbour we started our explorations there. This suburb, which has water on three sides, is so close to Newcastle via a short ferry hop across the Harbour but is a 20km drive by road. 

The beach and sand dunes stretch for several miles north

A cargo ship entering th Harbour

The locals care for their environment

The local historical society is active

Stockton has a sheltered beach suitable for families

I was impressed by the natural beauty of the Stockton area and will put it on the itinerary for future visitors to our area. If the weather is kind we will take the ferry.