Sunshine on Nobbys

Nobbys Lighthouse, Newcastle, New South Wales

Well today was the day. All the training. All the early mornings. All leading to this point. A Nobbys sunrise.

I was up at 4:45 to meet Jenny and head down to the beach and it didn't disappoint. Not for the first time I was rebuked for my near nakedness. The tee-shirt only approach was too much for Jenny who was wrapped up warm for another "chilly" morning! The tripod was set up along the waterline and the remote attached to the camera as the darkness gave way to morning. The lightening and cloudless deep blue sky gave way to a band of orange as the sun ascended towards the horizon. I was an absolutely gorgeous sight and well worth the early start. A wee trip around to the rock pool before heading up to a nice wee outdoor cafe on the front for breakfast. Toasted Sandwich and hot chocolate. Well, it was cold remember!

Then it was off on another tour of Newcastle. This time to the industrial north and to the roots of the city. Like many old towns, Newcastle has done a lot to shake them off. Beachfront properties with $1.4 million price tags are testament to that, but you just can't ignore the vast presence that still exists. Giant coal handling facilities line the aptly named Industrial Drive and stretch a third of the way along Kooragang Island. Just like its namesake in the old country, a once mighty steel industry is now struggling to survive and Jenny thinks the Orica chemical plant, which has had a few run in's with safety over the years will explode one day.

On the other side of the island lies the suburb of Stockton, home to another huge, long sandy beach (with obligatory shipwreck) and what has to be the shortest ferry journey in the world. I timed it. Just under five minutes, for the wee passenger boat to cross the mouth of the Hunter River from it's wharf at Newcastle. A wander along the northern breakwater before heading back from our lazy Sunday morning drive to pick up the dogs, we bumped into some parachutists and a cycle road race. Weekend pleasures.

For us, it was back to Nobbys, which opens its doors to the public on the third Sunday of each month. The lighthouse itself is very short. Sited as it is on the tall promontory, there was no need to build a tall tower for the light and so it sits at the end of the complex of keeper's buildings and signal houses on a stubby base no taller than a two story house. The keeper's house has been converted to a museum of sorts. Mostly pictures hanging from the walls, including the story of the bulk carrier Pasher Bulker, which ran aground on Nobbys Beach in 2007 during heavy storms. Interestingly, the ship, which was salvaged and renamed the Drake, has returned to Newcastle several times since.

While Jenny took Hannah and Hamish round to a stretch of beach that allows dogs to use, I wandered along the southern breakwater. While I was walking back there was some excitement from some of the other Sunday strollers who has sighted some dolphins. I took a look out and was eventually rewarded with a sight of a pair of rolling backs cutting through the water. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted another and before long another. As I followed them make their way in I must have counted at least seven or eight in the pod. My first sighting!

It was back into the car as we turned southwards once more and headed inland. Yesterday we travelled down the east side of Lake Macquarie to The Entrance and Norah Head. Today we travelled down the western shore, firstly to Toronto for a spot of lunch and then on to Morisset to meet up with some more of Australia's iconic kangaroos... with a difference. You see, these Roos roam freely through the grounds of a psychiatric hospital! They are obviously well used to being around humans though and weren't bothered with the several visitors that wandered the grounds. In fact, as we got out of the car a couple of groups approached quite close, I assume in the hope of some food. No such luck but as we turned the cameras on them they seemed quite content. Before long, one of the more curious males came bouncing over to take a closer peek at my equipment. Standing almost as tall as me, he was quite intimidating and at first I was really unsure. The claws on his forepaws were massive and sharp. But he was more interested in the camera than me and after a quick sniff of the lens he decided it wasn't really going to satisfy his hunger and hopped off again.

Leaving the hospital behind, unfortunately it was time to head back to the big smoke and so Jenny dropped me off at the station, armed with a piece of pavlova for the journey. Heh, it didn't make it out of the station, never mind Sydney!

In writing this up, I've just realised how much driving you did on those two days Jenny. Wow! Thanks so much for a brilliant visit. It was fabulous to meet you and the H's and I had a great time wandering your neck of the outback! :-)