A Sandy Beach Almanac

You've landed at Sandy Beach, NSW, Australia: Lat. -30.15331, Long. 153.19960, UT +10:00 – local map & zoom Google map. I live in a cabin on this beach, 25 kilometres north of the traffic and shops of Coffs Harbour, 600 km north of Sydney. My intention is to post observations of Nature and life within 1 km (1,000 paces) of my South Pacific home.

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Saturday, August 26, 2006

Evidence of gold mining long ago

Evidence of gold mining long ago,
originally uploaded by Pip_Wilson.

A close look at this shot shows two bolts in the rocks. These, I am told, were placed there for a flying fox in a gold-mining operation. At the top of this headland you can still see mullock heaps from diggings. This point is between Back Sandy Beach and Emerald Beach.

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Aboriginal midden

Aboriginal midden,
originally uploaded by Pip_Wilson.

This Aboriginal midden, or place for domestic waste disposal, is on the south headland of Back Sandy, which is the beach immediately south of Sandy Beach. The biew is looking north towards Sandy Beach, which is beyond the headland. The midden is composed of shells discarded over long periods of time.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Sand ripples at dawn

Sand ripples at dawn,
originally uploaded by Pip_Wilson.

The sand that disappeared from the south end this week showed up at the north end, changing the nature of the rocks there. Because of all the sand, where a week ago there were rick pools, it's easier to walk around the large rock which I call 'Cormorant Rock' and I've heard referred to as 'Submarine Rock', because of its shape.

Sunday, August 13, 2006

This morning's sunrise

This morning's sunrise,
originally uploaded by Pip_Wilson.

It was especially beautiful on the beach at dawn today.

Saturday, August 12, 2006

Sandy Beach eroded

Sandy Beach eroded,
originally uploaded by Pip_Wilson.

High winds, high seas and possibly high tides have stripped Sandy Beach of thousands of tonnes of sand this week. This is what remains of the south end. I suppose that in a year or two things will return to normal.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Out for an "early"

Out for an "early",
originally uploaded by Pip_Wilson.

Two surfers out for an "early", at dawn this morning.

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Spring is sprung?

Spring is sprung?,
originally uploaded by Pip_Wilson.

It's only August 1, but in this neck of the woods the jasmine is bursting with Spring beauty and fragrance. In Sydney the jasmine -- harbinger of Spring -- usually starts blossoming on about August 25, but here, up north, we get our first signs of Spring a little earlier. Today has been a perfect Spring day in the middle of Winter, but not quite as warm as both days of the weekend just gone, when it was T-shirt and even swimming weather.