Ramblings: Snug Creek & Foreshore 2014

Wednesday, 24 December 2014

Snug Creek & Foreshore 2014

Today was our final walk for 2014 and on a cloudy, humid day, we were led by Bob around Snug & Electrona (Peggys Beach).

Starting out from the car park next to the Caravan park, we walked north and picked up the path along Snug River towards the Channel Highway. The Snug community look after this path and do a good job. The river was quite pretty and calm this morning.

Team meeting at the car park.

The weather looks dicey, but we had no rain.

Snug River looking very peaceful.

Cormorant drying its wings.

An example of the planting that has taken place along this path.

Upon reaching the Channel Hwy, we crossed over and continued on another path that took us upstream, along the river.

Starts out open, but soon gets into less cared for bush and ferns.

Walking up the path we found numerous downed trees from recent winds. Ferns of all types abound here due to the moist conditions. I suspect leeches also abound, and I'm wearing shorts....

Some of the downed trees make the path more interesting.

As I said, ferns of all sizes.

Looks like an old quarry to me.


The bird watchers.

They were actually much farther back than the camera shows. We debated whether to leave them and carry on, so I hope the bird was worth it.

Bob was, as I said, leading and found a new (up hill) track to explore. I warned him that the "Bring Back Bob" campaign from last week's walk was taking a big hit from this.

In the end we had to return despite a number of suggestions from Julie, Richard and myself about other tracks we could see.

Track? What track?

"Bwana" Bob clearing the track for us by waving a big stick.

Returning from our uphill exploring.

First sight of the river.

Soon we came back to the original track and found a spot for Morning Tea. Very little water flowing and a number of pools to sit around.

Morning Tea

Snug River, looking downstream.

Upstream.

While standing there having a break, I looked down at my left hand and found a little baby leech making its way across the back. Poor little thing, it probably still had its milk (blood?) teeth. In the spirit of Christmas, I should have felt kind and caring towards one of Nature's creatures. I didn't, and flicked the little b*****d into the nearest pool!

After our break we made our way back to the highway and turned north to pick up the old closed off section of the Channel Hwy.

It's almost always easier to climb, than descend.

Across the highway...

Onto the remaining section of the old Channel Highway.

They're getting away from me.

There are still line markings showing, which is more than the present road has in a lot of places. Work crews came a couple of months ago and ground off the centre line markings, but never returned to repaint them!

We walked behind the houses, along side the highway and through Peggys Beach subdivision to the path down to the beach.

I'm sorry Peggy, but the beach is NOT impressive. Walking along to the northern end, we climbed up to the coastal path and followed along to within sight of the North West Bay Marina, turning off to walk back through the houses and south towards the old Carbide Works site.

Down through Peggys Beach (it will always be Electrona to me.)

There is a mixture of architecture, from faux Georgian to contemporary chook house.

Down to the beach. It appears there is confusion as which way to go.

Looking south.

North is more attractive.

Now we're on the coastal path.

Obligatory photo of Mt. Wellington.

Pleasant path, there are a couple of places where seating and picnic tables have been installed.

Heading towards the old works site, making our way back to Snug.

Walking back to Snug, I had stopped to take a couple of photos when I heard shouting. The others were walking across the foot bridge at the northern end of the beach, but were stopped and looking over the side.

The shouting was from a fisherman on the beach, dragging something on his line while calling out to his mates.

The mystery was solved when his mate came along and picked up the octopus on the line. It should be a good thing for Christmas dinner, as everyone can have a leg.

The show being over, we made our way south along the beach before turning off (some sooner then others) and making our way back to the cars and lunch.