I awoke early one Saturday morning and decided on a whim that the day called for exploration – time to tick off another Coastal Walk.
I hadn’t heard of this walk before, and certainly wouldn’t have expected to find a coastal walk in what I vaguely consider the mid north shore, but after studying the map I now realise that the coastline extends inland quite a bit with a series of bays and inlets south of the northern beaches.
The Harold Reid Reserve is named after a well respected town clerk who served the local area in many functions for over fifty years in the mid nineteen hundreds. It’s located in the suburb of Middlecove and consists of a circuit track around ‘The Sugarloaf’ headland.
I drove to Middlecove, parked my car at the end of Sugarloaf Cres and hit the trail.
Yeah! This was a good decision for 7am on a Saturday morning!
I think this may actually have become my favourite walk (but perhaps I will say this after each of them? Possible).
It has everything; well maintained tracks which still retain their natural bushy vibe (I don’t particularly like walking on man-made track structures when bush walking unless they make an impossible walk possible); signposts; spots to sit and admire the view; and friendly locals saying hello (two legged and plenty of four legged ones on leads).
And shadows. Always with the shadows.
I’m becoming truly obsessed with light. Early morning and dusk walks are my favourite, the light is ethereal, such a treat.
I love how this challenge has revealed more dimensions than just getting fit. Striking out on unknown tracks have awakened the explorer in me. And the artist as I snap photos and attempt to record the beauty before my eyes. And the worshipper as I experience overwhelming awe and gratitude.
On the west side there are mangroves, where the water ripples shades of blues and greens and browns, and the trees stick out of the water giving the distorted impression of a flood zone.
I found a rock to perch on and sat beside the tranquil scene.
Water rippled past. Fish appeared and vanished. Voices wafted from a nearby boat.
Laughter rang from a father and son kayaking north. The cicadas and crickets roared. The kookaburras let loose.
There is no doubt about it that the Australian bush has been embedding itself deep into my psyche all the more as the years past. I have always loved getting outside for a walk in nature, but lately more than ever I find great peace and connection being surrounded by it.
It’s my happy place :-)
Look at this bumpy tree branch, so strange, so beautiful! I hugged it – eek! I’m literally a tree hugger, goodness!
I followed the sun rays.
I drank in every view, resisting the urge to jump into the water.
Funny how the water changes colour so; the picture above and below were taken in the same spot.
Being at the water’s edge is good, but so is the climb up worth the effort.
Shadows, oh my heart…
The track circling the coastline of the headland eventually led me inland towards this roadway which mirrored the coastline loop on higher ground around The Sugarloaf.
Drape your shadows over me trees!
There’s always a reward waiting at the top.
Life on the edge. I’m not afraid of heights but I am extra cautious and move a hell of a lot slower when standing at the edge of extremely high things. I totally felt fine here until I heard the sound of paws behind me and a dog owner wildly calling two dogs to leave me alone. I turned slowly to see two Labradors bounding towards me all happy and joy! At any other moment than one where I’m perched on the edge of an extremely high rock ledge I would be all enthusiasm. Hello puppies! Let me hug you! But I could see only one scenario playing out in that situation. I froze and braced. But luckily the Labs took heed and slowed it down. The owner arrived looking a little frantic, I’m sure she also thought the two of them were going to pitch me off the edge!. But I survived, so all good.
I sat down after that. Just to be safe, yo.
Less of a threat is the log lizard that basks permanently in the sun at the lookout :-)
I followed the roadway around until I found the track to take me back to Sugarloaf Cres. The path featured this super cute mid-rock stairway which I just squeezed through.
And that was the end of the beautiful Harold Reid Reserve track – definitely one to do again (and again).
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