Menozplorer (men-oz-plor-er); exploring one's DownUnder residence during meno!

Now for some different Aussie views.  I took myself up to the Hawkesbury River/Brooklyn area last Friday and another 200 photos entered the annals!!  Don't panic, you are not going to have to sit through all of them… just a select few and as always, the very best are being kept for the photo blog.  Along with these though, a bit more history and facts so as to keep up the impression this is a  wordy blog and not a picture book only!

Above, you see an image I have borrowed from Google which serves well to show you how the estuary network looks.  At the bottom where the pink begins (just above the words To Sydney) is pretty much where Hornsby is.  I drove up the red line there, through wonderful bush areas and down into the cliff-hugging, bank-besotted townlet of Brooklyn. Yes there is a bridge.  More on that later.  This is all saltwater, even though called river. The point on which I spent my day is the little white bit sticking out to the right of the name.  

`  © Yamini Ali MacLean

There is a marina and there is bathing 'beach' which, when I first visited here 20+ years ago, was nothing more than an area marked by bouys.  Now look at it!!  Fully shark-fenced, ladders to the boardwalk, there are toilets/showers behind me, full BBQ picnic facilities...  One hardy local rose from the waters as I walked up.  The wind was bitingly cold I would tell you - she told me it was warmer in than out!

`  © Yamini Ali MacLean

On that map up top, you will note two islands off Brooklyn; Long Island (self explanatory!) and Dangar Island, the little dot to the right of Long.  It is a 'dez rez' place, very bohemian.  Many folks seek to dwell there and have dinghies of their own or make use of the commuter ferry.  That's it you see to the left. One can take the tour of the waters on this, or the post boat, or purpose-made guide trips. Have yet to ever do that...

`  © Yamini Ali MacLean

`  © Yamini Ali MacLean

There are quite a few dead and dying trees in the area - but they still have their usefulness. Just ask those ants up there.  Much of the foreshore has now been revamped and made tourist friendly.  The shiny new sandstone is a bit of a giveaway against the older, established rocks.

`  © Yamini Ali MacLean

That view above is taken from the pathway looking due North up Mullet creek.  Flathead Mullet is the most prolific fish in the area.  There are oyster farms also.  Needless to say, as I share more of this place with you, there is going to be a pelican or two involved...

`  © Yamini Ali MacLean

So keep watching folks!!