Our trip is over!

What a wonderful way to finish our trip - a couple of days in this lovely setting at Jervis Bay enjoying Beth Dust and the boys company! This must be on young overseas travellers 'must do list' as there seems to be quite a few foreigners in Wicked vans! Much like we found at Blanket Bay Cape Ottway. Anyway, we have 3 great sites next to each other, firwood is supplied and we have a fireplace right near us, the sun has been ensuring the solar panels are working and we have wildlife to keep the boys entertained! 

       

The parrots here, crimson rosella, king parrot and rainbow lorikeets are so tame it's tricky to eat sometimes without them stealing from your hands! At night we have a couple of possums visiting but the wallabies seem shy and stay away. 

       

                                 

The beach is glorious with lovely soft white sand and the boys love frolicking in the shallows! We've been on some nice walks and the camping area is quite large - in peak season it's hard to get a spot!

         

 

Getting here was easy on Friday as we only had 90kms to travel. We took the scenic route and can't believe how extensive the built up areas are with some enormous very expensive looking houses amongst some old quaint homes! We wonder how busy the places will be in 50 years time! Fortunately there are some pockets of State Forest and National Parks so these areas will be preserved for the public. We didn't like Nowra at all as the highway goes right through the town and that is so busy! To find a picnic park was a nightmare - and when we did, parking was tricky and to get back on the highway even trickier as lots of the roads were unmarked no through roads!! We were very relieved to leave that bustling place behind and head to Huskisson, where we met the Laverys for lunch before we headed out here.

          

       

 We did a tour of the area and found the Botanic Gradens which were really worth seeing.

So now we head to Junee where we will be kindly put up by Roger & Jenny then home to Murrabit we'll head! We have lots to look forward to - seeing the family, watching Milas concert, seeing Josh play in his Grand Final and enjoying our garden and house again. We've had a wonderful trip with great memories and thank Tops and Dennis for their great company! 

Xxxxxxxxxxx

Killalea State Park

Well, Darryl has won this weeks duffer award! It's raining, we are wanting to get going when he says "where's my watch?" Of course I know, as I know everything! Anyway we searched with no success then he remembered taking it off at the Plomer Point shower - so he rang there but they hadn't seen it! We're both pretty disappointed at this point as this is that special watch the kids gave him for his 60th and the Victor Harbor jeweller had raved about it! The rain stopped and Darryl went across to tell Tops and she looked at him strangely and said "what's that on your wrist?" A sheepish but relieved Darryl couldn't believe he was so silly and Dennis was delighted as at last I'm not paying him out! 

                             

We eventually got to leave Myall Lakes - about 2 hrs later than usual so by the time we fuelled up at Tea Gardens and got a few more supplies, it was midday. We had a pie for lunch and headed for the big smoke. We actually manouvered our way through Sydney pretty easily with only one hold up due to a truck accident. The only trouble was we didn't really know that we were travelling through Sydney as we didn't get a glimpse of the city or anything much other than freeway walls! 

At Kiama we called at the information centre to see about camp sites but they could only direct us to ordinary caravan parks that don't suit us so good old Wiki Camps (& Tops) found this place which is perfect! We even have washing machines!!  It's actually a beautiful surfing / picnic / walking and outdoor ecucation site right by the sea - plus the camping area - hardly anyone here and we could park anywhere, have our campfire, hang washing lines around and feel we are out bush even though we are surrounded by very modern expensive housing suburbs! This night time shot shows how close to suburbia we are! 

     

Evidently a lot of the land was sold to developers and luckily that has been halted or this area would be lost to the public. 

      

Today was one of those glorious sunny warm days and we had a lovely day touring the area. We drove through Woolongong over this amazing Seacliff Bridge - what an engineering feat that is! At the lookout we had wonderful views of the road and coastline - gee it's a heavily populated area but very beautiful.

      

 We drove back the scenic route and have a much better feel for the area than travelling on the freeway. At Kiama we had a bit of retail therapy looking at the shops and finished up looking at the blowhole (too calm for any activity today) and then buying lovely fresh prawns at the little fish shop on the wharf! They were delicious! 

Now it's Friday morning and guess what? It rained in the night again and we will be waiting for our canvas to dry! We don't think today is going to be as delightful as yesterday as forecast is for 16 degrees and it's rather grey looking.  We were disturbed early thismorning by the usual bird tweets as well as by a group doing exercises in the camp kitchen area - we didn't join in though! We don't have far to travel today - only about 90kms so we will be able to amble along and enjoy the scenery. We are looking forward to meeting Beth and Dust and enjoying our last camp spot together. Till later, love from us here in this lovely part of the world xxxxx

     

It's nearly over!

Our stay at Plomer Point was very good and we enjoyed some nice walks  along the beach and headlands plus we had some down time which was nice. 

        

The beach was lovely and we loved watching the pelicans who waited patiently for the fishermen to throw them a fish or two! 

       

Our trip from Minnie Waters to Plomer Point was interesting and we drove into Coffs Harbour and what a big place that is now days! We drove along the scenic route into a holiday place called Arakoon but unfortunately it was raining then and we didn't see the place at it's best. There was even a market there but we weren't allowed to stop!! We had lunch at the camp there but were turned off setting up as there was kangaroo poo everywhere - reminded us of Potato Point!! So we trundled off down the coast, called into see the Smoky Bay lighthouse then finally found Plomer Point!   

         

I think Dennis thought we'd never choose a campsite that day!! Here we are having our gourmet lunch by the sea - note jumpers are the way to go now for all of us! 

     

Today we had a later start as our canvas was wet after a heavy dew, so we enjoyed a quick beach walk then set off down the Pacific Highway.  We went through Tuncurry / Forster where we were last year and did a spot of grocery shopping then found our way here. We chose this camp as we can have campfires - the National Parks here don't allow them which is a shame. It's good here though very damp around and it was closed for 6 weeks due to being too wet. We have the prime spots by the river with a lovely sandy beach which would be great for kids.

    

         

Now it's Wednesday morning and it's raining!! We wanted an early start too! Sometime in the early morning there was a terrific crack of thunder that seemed to be just over us. It's our big day travelling through Sydney so hope we manage that ok. I think there is a ring road that will make it easy.  It's hard to imagine that this time next week we will be home! Our itinerary from here - if we ever get to leave as the rain seems to have set in - is to find a place the other side of Sydney for a couple of days then Friday we'll be heading to Jervis Bay and meeting the Laverys. We will have 3 days there then head to Junee and finally home! We have had such a wonderful trip but it will be lovely to catch up with everyone again! 

So from a wet Myall River Camp we send our love! 

Minnie Waters

We've had a lovely break here in this quaint place which is typical of so many NSW coastal villages. You wouldn't believe we are in a caravan park as we are tucked away in the bush:

   

        

We actually didn't like the look of the place from the road as it's mainly a hotch potch of permanent vans & sheds so thought we'd pop in for 1 night, do the washing (again!) and move on! But it's so good here - we have the best of both worlds - bush camping with all amenities - that we are staying 3 nights! We even have our own little toilet block which saves trecking over to the main block. Hardly anyone is here although a few more are around thismorning (Saturday) The beach is pretty rough with signs warning of sharks, rips, uneven surfaces, rocks  ...... not the ideal swimming beach but must be good for fishing. 

       

Yesterday Darryl took us on a tour around the area. Another morning tea this time at Wilsons Headland - note Tops is bravely still wearing shorts & T shirt whereas I have gone jeans & jumper & shoes! 

        

The Yuraygir National Park which surrounds us, have several campgrounds which we checked out and they look pretty good - and pretty full too! Because they have a beach frontage, I guess they would be popular - but also pretty exposed to the elements. The day deteriorated yesterday and a heavy shower of rain went through about 3pm and water collected in our annex roof. We weren't here as we went into Grafton to see the bridge over the Clarence river - which is double story - train underneath and cars on top. It's very narrow with a bend at each approach which makes it difficult for long vehicles - and at peak hour it's rather slow! 

      

We had lunch at the next little village called Wooli - Darryl was keen on fish 'n'chips so the Sao biscuits stayed in the basket and we lashed out. It was pretty cold and windy for a picnic anyway and this was a nice spot. 

     

Today is a rest day - before we head off again tomorrow. Darryl and I went for a walk along the beach and spied some different birds - and were also attacked by a pair of Lapwings who were protecting their baby!  Poor Dennis went to a Dr again in Grafton as he's getting no better and is tired of coughing! He was very impressed with this Dr who gave him a thorough check and prescribed different antibiotics and a puffer. Let's hope this does the trick. We had wanted to go for another beach walk but it's raining!! Let's hope it clears soon. 

Phone service is not good here and we have to climb up on a hill behind our site to get reception - so that's where I am and it's pretty cold!! Hope all the footy goes to plan! 

Love till next time xxxxxxx

Mr Bean in action!

Life travelling without Dennis would be so boring! This morning he was cooking his baked beans and because it's windy he had a few issues with the gas, which saw him drop his beans in the sink, drop the butter on the ground then the coup de gras was burning his lovely towel which was acting as a windshield! Tops was not happy!  

     

Unfortunately, as we travel south we are losing our lovely weather and last night had to fish out coats, beanies, jeans and scarves! Tops and I are refusing to put our shorts away just yet but might have to give in soon  ..... We had our last Queensland morning tea at Stanthorpe and headed to Tenterfield in NSW. Of course we had to put on Peter Allen's Tenterfield Saddler! 

         

We are now out of contact at a place called Mulligans Hut in the Gibraltar National Park off the Gywdir Highway which goes to Grafton.  Our altitude is about 1000 metres so expect it's chillier than by the coast - but we have a big fire going (using their wood) so should be ok. The shorts are off now too! It's a great spot with excellent amenities (except for only cold showers) but smart us used the buildings and took a bucket of hot water and little portable shower. Lovely!  If wealth was measured by the amount of hot water one had, we would be millionaires here as we have 2 buckets always on the fire plus the billy and kettles! Dennis and Tops love hot water! Darryl is getting into chef mode again and cooked us afternoon tea - scones! Camp fires are just the best. 

                     

    

There are heaps of lovely walks and birds abound so you - know - who is very happy. A beautiful stream runs over granite boulders and the whole area is well maintained with picnic tables and toilets aplenty. 

           

It's the first time for ages I've been able to have a decent walk without worrying about crocodiles and snakes - far too cold for snakes here now! This forest walk was just beautiful:

      

Last night we even had hail and it came in pretty awful but we were snug in our beds. We had a visit from a bandicoot and a marsupial mouse tried to eat the bread and tonight we are going to look for sugar gliders as they supposedly frequent this spot. 

         

It's pretty cold when Darryl needs work gloves to hold his beer! 

         

      

It was nice to have another rest day and tomorrow we'll head to the coast and maybe find a spot by the beach. Hope everyone is well and happy. Life continues to be great for us! 

Till next time xxxxxxx from the travellers