Untitled-in-sydney

We've been in Sydney almost a year and with the exception of two visits to Melbourne to visit frieds, I've yet to venture outside of the Sydney Metropolitan area.

So, this weekend we fixed that by heading up the coast a bit to a place called "The Entrance" and Australia's self-styled Pelican Capital.

Finishing work on Friday saw us heading north on Pacific Highway and despite the heavy traffic, found us arriving at our destination in the two hours that the NRMA website predicted. Even the journey up there is quite interesting as you head out of the inhabitated parts of the Northern Beaches and through Ku-rin-gai Chase National Park towards and over the Hawkesbury river before passing Gosford. Keep going form about another 10 hours and you'll probably get to Brisbane.

Ku-rin-gai has a large highway and the main North/South railway ploughed right through the middle of it but at nealy 15,000 hectares you could quite easily forget it was there I suppose. There are miles and miles of thick tree cover stretching into valleys and over hills for as far as you can easily see.

Resisting the lure of the Reptile Park near Gosford we got to The Entrance just after dark, found our B&B (the rather pleasant Annabelles - who we say no sight of the entire weekend). A bit of a trot around and we found an Italian place for a very pleasent, if overly large dinner.

Off to bed, rising in time to go for a walk along the lake side. Within a few minutes The Entrance's reputation as home to a great many cough, majestic Pelicans was quickly established. More exciting though was the respectable sized Octopus mooching around in the weeds. Pelicans I expected. Dr Octopus wasn't on the list of things to see so was a pretty nice suprise.

As was the size of breakfast. Massive, and prepared by John who whilst looking a little like Lurch was a very aimiable host. No sign of Annabelle though.

Spring has come early this year and Saturday was clear, bright and about 26c. We walked around the peninsula before stopping off for a bit of a splash in the sea and half an hour or so to dry off in the sun while ready.

The walk back worked up a thrist and we headed to the pub for the first of a few cold beers and a somewhat uncessesary lunch. I sensibly asked for no chips with my steak sandwich.

At 1530, the Pelicans get fed. Boy, are there a lot of them (almost as many as spectators). They're not what you'd call glamourous birds, but they're majestic in a large, clumsy sort of way. It's clear they like fish too :-)

There's more. Lots of Pelicans, everywhere. No more Octopusesesesses but a thoroughly enjoyable short break away.