Foiled Again

Freshwater Sea Baths on Sydney's Northern Beaches was the one remaining pool of my original swimming jaunt that I had yet to swim in (I'm discounting those that were completely closed and drained, and Coogee Ladies Baths). I hadn't been able to come up to Freshwater until today, so I had my bathers and towel ready for the winter dip that would complete my suite of sea pools and tidal baths. And, after all that..............

Pool closed for cleaning! The same thing that happened to me way back in April 2010 (can it really be over five years since I was on the Northern Beaches?).

Council had just started to pump the seawater back into the pool.

A similar story in April 2010.

Some Spring Swims in Western Australia

Bunker Bay

A smaller version of Canal Rocks, near Smith's Beach

Prevelly

Pemberton Pool under the Karri trees

Luckily, no venomous snakes observed while I was swimming

Walking down to Green's Pool

Green's Pool, William Bay National Park

Middleton Beach, Albany

Pontoon for lap swimming at Emu Point, Albany

Some Winter Dips

Kariong Falls, Brisbane Water National Park, in July

I chose the term 'Winter dips' especially to describe Kariong Falls. Though there was plenty of water, and I immersed my body up to my neck and moved through the water by breaststroking, I couldn't really call it a swim. I was in the icy water for a couple of minutes at most. It was a cold July morning, and, even though I was warm from walking 4 kms, the pool had been in the shade most of the day and felt bitterly cold.

Jellybean Pool, Blue Mountains National Park, in July

Another dip rather than swim, Jellybean Pool had been in the sun for most of the morning, but was still bitterly cold. I'd warmed up on a long bushwalk by this point, and thought I'd be in the water for a while. Once again it was a matter of minutes.

Jervis Bay in July

Beach in Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay

At least I could stay in the water at Jervis Bay for a good long swim (even if I did shiver for quite some time afterwards). The sea was not much cooler than back in Sydney, probably around 17°C. 

Uloola Cascades, Royal National Park, in September

Probably a Spring dip, by most people's reckoning, but still a dip rather than a swim. There's enough deep water to wallow and use a few strokes, but the real attraction is sitting under the various cascade falls. The water is still pretty cold at this time of year, but that's half the thrill. Luckily, this was on a sunny day.

Karloo Pool, Royal National Park, in September

Karloo Pool

This, however, is an amazing place for a swim. No dipping here. The water is deep, and the pool is long enough to really stretch out. It's one of my favourite ever swimming holes. I love the way that, unlike the tannin-stained pools of nearby Heathcote National Park, Karloo Pool is incredibly clear.

Watching Whales from Wylies

I've spent some glorious winter afternoons at Wylies Baths recently. After swimming my lengths with the fishes in the cool clear pool, I usually stand on the high decking with a cup of tea and my binoculars. I'm looking for whales, and, most days, I see lots. Humpback whales travel up the NSW coast from the Antarctic Ocean to the Coral Sea at this time of year. Usually, the spray from the blowholes tell you where the whales are, and, then, you can look through the binoculars to see them at the surface. Often you can see some tail slapping. One day, I was lucky enough to see one breach. On the odd day that I couldn't spot a whale, I watched dolphins in the bay, or gannets soaring above the sea and suddenly diving into the water to feed.

They're out there.

A Little Night Swimming (at Coogee)

A great place to be on a hot, humid night in Sydney. The beach pool under the Surf Lifesavers Club is lit by street lights and a floodlight.

Okay. Not the best photos. Just from the mobile phone.

Bit of seaweed in the pool. From a recent storm.

The water looks cool.

And it is cool. Exactly what I needed.