On the way home we drove along through Roches Beach and the Northern end of Lauderdale, hoping to have a little beach walk before heading home.
It has been many years since I was in that area and the dune work performed to reduce erosion along the beach, it is a residential area, has resulted in wooden stairs being the only public access points. I am not complaining...these are very necessary to prevent the dune area being damaged by walkers, bike riders and worse...However, my stairs competencies being what they are these days, I simply took a couple of photographs of the very enticing scene below me and we headed back to the car.
Mind you, not without a fleeting thought of all the years when I would have been lithe enough to run down the beach and into the water without a though for back injuries, arthritic joints or knee prostheses...sigh
She reminded me of a wetlands walking track very close by, where she sometimes walks her dog, that I have never visited. We drove off to locate the track and decided, as it is not very long, that we would go for a stroll there, instead of finding a better beach access.
These man-made wetlands were established by the Clarence Council to trap and treat storm water from it’s surrounds in Lauderdale. The wetlands consists of a series of channels and bioretention basins which allow water to be filtered by planted native rushes and sedges. It would be a wonderful place to photograph grasses, rushes and birdlife, as we saw many birds in the area, although being so dry we didn't spot any waders or water birds.
It is reported to be a vibrant wetland community which hosts a variety of insects, birds, native mammals, fish and other fresh water aquatic biota.
The walk connects to the Tangara Trail at the southern end of Roscommon Reserve.
A good variety of native trees provide shade around much of the track. It was a warm, sunny morning when we visited. The tracks are level, finely gravelled and easy to traverse. Several seating areas are cleared and well maintained and spaced at intervals around the track.
There was quite a lot of evidence of rabbit activity in the sandy soil beside the track in a couple of places where the wetlands reserve adjoins the larger Roscommon reserve bushland.
I look forward to another visit during the winter, when there should be more water in evidence, hopefully some water birds.
This would be a great place to bring ones dogs for a walk as there are a couple of quite large open grassland areas as well as the tracked areas. Of course, they do need to be under good control at all times while in this shared space.
As we got back to the car a couple with a very fluffy "sidewinder" Pomeranian followed us out of the reserve, although we saw no-one else during the time we were there.
The nectarines needed to be cooked promptly. Tree ripened, and at their perfect best when ready to drop into ones hands from the branch, does not leave them with much leeway in regard to shelf life. If I had left them until tomorrow, many would have already started to deteriorate as they bruise so very easily. The wonderful fruity scent of them as they bake in the oven, just beyond my door as I write this, is so very evocative of childhood summers I just want to sit here and breathe deeply! Roasting them concentrates the flavours and produces a thick claret coloured syrup from the juice. They will make a gorgeous pudding for supper tonight, served plainly, maybe with just a little Greek yoghurt and at room temperature...I can't wait! Thanks so much, Ann for this heavenly treat. |
Di