I go for a bikeride while waiting for my car to be serviced

 ...and on the way I saw -
a buddist temple

and all sorts of birds.

Hey, what are you two eating?

Noodles?

More urban architecure -

and a shopping trolley graveyard -

Also some lovely waterways, reclaimed from old sand pits -

Very popular with some birds -

There's also a beach -
A beach?

There are some other surprises!

Wrong way! Go back!

Across rivers -

Hello! What are you doing?

Who? me?

This little family group crossed my path and took a bit of stalking to get a photo - those little tackers can more fast!

Lots of these stunning red flowering trees - the rosellas loved then too (but they wouldn't let me get a photo)

Some days...

Some days I can't even wake up. I feel like I'm drugged...but I'm not.

Some days it's far too tempting to stay in bed for far too long. You know, when it's too snuggly and you take a cup of tea and breakfast back to bed and the cat cuddles up under the doona and you listen to the radio and can't think of a good enough reason to get out of bed?

Some days it seems as though I'm carrying problems from near and far, shouldering tragedies big and small.

Some days I need my spirits lifted.

Some days I just need to GET OUT.

Days like this when the sun is shining and the air is cool...these are the best days to get out.
These are the best days to lift my spirits.

These are the best days to get out into the bush.

Especially when these guys and gals run over to the fence to say "hello".

There were so many birds out and about today too - little flitty birds, whip birds, rosellas, sulphur crested cockatoos ripping at the tree bark.

An hour later I'm home again.

Some days you just have to get out and smell the fresh air.

Walking with Kookaburras

You know that I'm going trekking in the Himalayas in 8 weeks time? Yikes!

So I'm doing some serious training - walking, up and down hills and walking some more!

Here are some pics from todays expedition - a beautiful little spot just 15 mins drive away in the National Park in the foothills of the Blue Mountains.

The track goes through a popular picnic and camping area at Euroka Clearing which was a farm in the old days.
As I sat on a bench to have my lunch who should arrive but Mr (or Mrs) Kooka!

Then there were 2!

...and then 3!

The middle one is a bit hard to see.

The walk ends up at the Nepean River which is looking a bit brown after all the rain we've had lately.

 Not so bad close up -

It's a great time of year for doing walks around here, as the summer is normally too hot.

A great 3 hour workout - done!