Stage 4/5 of Eileen Pilgrimage Completed

 After two very wet Saturdays I finally got an okay Saturday for more pilgrimage.  

I left a little late and with 2 hrs train travel to return to my launching place, it would be early afternoon before a pedal was trod in anger.  Alighting at Ourimbah I was pleasantly surprised with steep rocky little hills conferred with thick vegetation.  Recent rains made them sound absorbent and extra lush. This is the first time I thought of a place I could live in this part of the world. As many locals commute to Sydney for work,  are chronically unemployed or aged, much of the coast has a neglected feel.  But today it looked lovely here.  

With lights and hi viz or little red bike made its way north east y cross or path home at Chittaway Bay Road. Going east bound I discovered a cycle path that had a green tunnel thing going on.  So traffic noise was dulled and the risk of being run down in heavy day tripper traffic was reduced.  

The green tunnel effect. 

We hit the coast at Foresters Beach.  Not that I  could see the beach,  but a salty breeze cooled us and sent us south on a roadside cycleway of smooth texture and generous proportions.  The traffic was so noisy with the number of chopper motorcycles seeming to equal cats.  Motorcyclists like to give the throttle a blat as they pass,  and after fifty an hour out just gets annoying.  But it was good to see people "out". Actually it wasn't until Terrigal that I saw my first proper walker,  a nut brown little old lady in a walker frame of all things.  She dragged her left foot, but was setting a cracking pace and sounded very happy to be having a go.  I was very happy to see her too. I hope I never let the Grim Reaper take me without a fight.

On that theme,  I was getting perish for banana on wholemeal,  water and licorice and pulled into the wonderfully scenic Wamberal Cemetery.  This place was quite amazing with sea views on the distant horizon and surrounded by acres of forest.  A peaceful place fire a snack and to refill the water bottle.  

A scenic place to rest. 

After Terrigal's tannin coloured lagoon we headed away from the seaside.  There are various lagoons and swamps further south,  sho west me must go.  Google Maps wanted to send we far inland to Gosford,  but I wanted to visit Kincumber, so we ducked off south between the sea and the large body of Brisbane Waters. When I was a kid my grandparents loved in Kincumber and just before my tenth birthday I stayed on their farm over the Christmas holidays.  It was a significant moment in my childhood. The place still has a cosy feel despite the level of housing development. 

 Terrigal lagoon's tannin waters

Nearing Kincumber. A bit skinny but ok. 

On southwards on similar roads,  we began getting water glimpses off to our west.  Rolling hills, more trees and get cars, I was feeling the love.  Before Ettalong Beach we shot out onto a bridge with lovely views all about.  This had a beach feel,  the current flowed fast and would soon mingle with the Hawkesbury River near Barrenjoey Lighthouse.  

Brisbane Waters, Ettalong. Looking south towards the Hawkesbury

Veering north west towards our final destination,  Woy Woy, we skirted the Black Wall, a stone face rising tall beside the roadway.  It looked like sandstone and I thoughts,  a good place for climbers to play.  Woy Woy was an easy reach,  flat,  smooth roads and there was a fried chicken joint at the end of the rainbow.  Little Red Robyn, still grubby from our last wet ride needing a scrub.  She probably needs a service too, but spending $90 to service a bike I paid $100  for,  about three years ago,  just doesn't add up . She hasn't let me down, in fact she had impressed me at every turn. 

The next stage features two ferry rides across to Pittwater and Sydney Harbour, she must look her best.