Saturday 15 December 2012

Forty Baskets Rock Pool

"How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean." - Arthur C. Clarke


A Splosh Tale - Part One.

Sunday started like any other for the splosh, but it was to become a day of great contemplation. It was a confronting day of sorts, as it was the day that the splosh had read their blog biographies. Obi-Wan awoke and thought, "I don't talk about birds at the pool, I have absolutely no interest in them....I just love the Ocean." Strangely, Ghandi arose to a nagging feeling, "I do not think about food 24/7, I'm far to concerned with health and fitness, the blogger has entirely the wrong impression of me, I just love the Ocean." While, Cousteau thought humbly, "Yes, I AM THE LEADER, I am omnipotent and I will select the excursion today! Oh and I love the Ocean too (coz thats what all Oceanophiliacs love!)" And so it came to pass that the splosh headed off, somewhat reluctantly, to two different destinations without breakfast.

Forty Baskets is an extremely pretty local secret situated in North Harbour looking out towards Fairlight and Manly. The access is a little tricky and the trio parked their car in a residential street above the pool, where a steep footpath of approx 50-60 steps meanders down to the pool. A highly invigorated Cousteau bounded down to the pool with ease, while Obi-Wan and Ghandi wandered about the condition of their hip and knees respectively. Obi-Wan thought, "How the hell am I going to get back up these stairs, in one piece?"..... "I'm bloody starving," Ghandi responded telepathically, of course, because they were breathless. In her wise manner Obi-Wan nodded agreement and they tumbled down the path trying to catch Cousteau...their LEADER.

Forty baskets was a treat with the water temp approx 20c and clear. The splosh encountered large fish, a very small amount of debris, which is fairly predictable considering its location and 1 'sea snake'. Wait a minute, what did you say? Well it wasn't actually a snake, on reflection it appears that Ghandi was hallucinating and it was in fact a reed. This was confirmed by Obi-Wan, who, eager to try her new super dooper anti-fog googles, duck dived to the bottom and retrieved for all to see. "I could really fancy a bit of roast duck right know" dreamt Ghandi.

"I hope that Ghandi hasn't got so hungry that she has resorted to drinking her pee, 'coz that causes hallucinations you know, thought Obi-Wan so powerfully that Cousteau responded "Roger that!" from the depths of the 50m square pool.
With that thought firmly in her mind Cousteau declared it was time to move to the next pool, as only a leader would do:) The open air shower sat quaintly on the boardwalk that meanders back to Balgowlah and the water was totally refreshing in the 26c early morning heat.

As Obi-Wan looked up the 'stairway to heaven' she pondered the distinct lack of birds around the water, but was relieved to find them nesting in the beautiful old Norfolk pines lining the boardwalk. Relieved she turned her mind to the arduous task ahead. Cousteau, took charge and led the way.....(you know the drill) as a leader does. It occurred to Obi-Wan that, if she didn't drop dead, that this excercise was a good heart stress test and far less expensive than going to the doctor.  While Ghandi thought "would it really be so bad if, hypothetically speaking, someone was hungry they could eat their fellow sploshes and if so, what would they taste like?'
.....to be continued.........


Splosh Rating ***1/2






"Stairway to heaven"
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