Sydney - Ku-Ring-Gai Chase - The Collins Family on the Web

Sydney, Australia

October 2011

Jim and Julie Lee, friends from Stanford days, live in Newcastle, north of Sydney. They picked us up and took us to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park for a most enjoyable visit. It was a very special occasion as we had not seen each other for more than 20 years and had much to catch up on beyond news exchanged in our annual holiday letters.

Jim and Julie Lee, friends from Stanford days, live in Newcastle, north of Sydney. They picked us up and took us to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park for a most enjoyable visit. It was a very special occasion as we had not seen each other for more than 20 years and had much to catch up on beyond news exchanged in our annual holiday letters.

Mapping out the view from the West Head Lookout.

Mapping out the view from the West Head Lookout.

Lion Island

A gum tree

The scribbly pattern on the bark of this gum tree is made by an insect larva.

The Hawkesbury limestone that is predominant in the Sydney area is often carved into beautiful shapes by the elements.

An aboriginal handprint on the limestone

Despite already having some food in its mouth, this magpie was quite interested in the snacks Jim and Julie brought for our coffee break.

Another walk we took with Jim & Julie

Some of the engravings that we saw

Jim, Julie, and Kathy examining the engravings.

We had an excellent lunch with Jim and Julie at the Barrenjoey House.

A pier reaching out into the Pittwater at Palm Beach, across the park from the Barrenjoey House