FEB -MARCH-APRIL-MAY-JUNE 2015
End of Jan we leave Guyra traveling through Armidale down the range to Dorrego and hit the coast at Urunga.
A little south of
Macksville we head off the Highway into Scotts head. A park located
right on a lovely beach in a small beach side community, the park
has a good number of resident goannas that are quite used to foraging
in the unsuspecting inhabitants bins.
From here we explored north to Urunga, Bowraville and Nambucca heads. South to South west rocks, Cresent head, Delicate knobby (yes it's Dinkum), Point Plomer and west to Kempsy.
Watch the water supply there old fella
Smoky Cape light house, near South West Rocks, good walk to top
Light house keepers cottage available for rent.
The keepers would have lived in a remote locations back in the day but
the outlooks from their cottages are usually spectacular not
withstanding the odd storm or two to contend with.
Blue seems to be developing some romantic attraction to light house cottages.
Back to north from Light house, pictures just can't do it justice.
Remains (restored) of old Trial Bay jail near of south west rocks, interesting history.
From look out at jail to north, Convicts took years to build the rock wall,
it was washed away in a single storm, I believe they were not impressed.
There is an expensive camp site at the location.
Cresent Head a little further south, nice spot, popular and busy.
From Cresent Head south to Delicate Knobby and Point Plomer.
We left here on the 6th Feb for Diamond Head national park camp just
south of Laurieton. An excellent spot, again right on a magnificent
beach spoiled only by the local rabel from Port Macquarie who invade on
the weekends.
From here we explored Port Macquarie, Wauchope, Laurieton, Combyne, Kendall, Old bar, Harrington
We stayed here for about a month leaving on the 4t March.
The split rock at Diamond Head next to camp area
On the beach looking back to split rock. Walk North for 6k to Dunboggan.
Regular visitors at Diamond Head
Visited Timber town at Wauchope. This is the log out front , big bugger.
Train at timber land.
Blue got to ride in the caboose with the driver and pull the cord for the whistle,
Shoulda seen the grin on his head
Laurieton from lookout. Diamond Head camp is about 8ks south of here.
This about 30k south of Port Macquarie, a delightful area.
Laurieton foreground, Camden Haven north of river, Dunboggan south of river.
And here is a cute wee working light house at Crowdy Head.
A very attractive area but no camp or park facilities.
CLICK HERE for Goat races at the Combyne show we had our money on #1
Next stop is Sand
Bar, 25k south of Forster Tuncurry. A basic camp with power and water
right on Smiths lake which is separated from the sea by a sand
bar. Here we are able to put the boat in the lake and enjoy
exploring and fishing.
From here we explore Foster Tuncurry, Nabiac and surrounds.
Next stop the
Myal river bush camp just out of Tea Gardens / Hawks Nest on the
northern side of Port Stevens. This is a great camp site again the boat
is utilized. We arrive here just before easter and get a nice spot
right on the river. The place is quite full over easter and despite
some rain most showed resilience and stayed to the bitter end.
From here we
explore Nelson bay, Newcastle, Woy Woy, Patonga. The closer to
Sydney more congestion and driver attitudes, rush rush rush. Tea gardens is possibly the last relaxed coastal village before the madness.
Just across Port Stevens at Nelson Bay there is a marked change in the population density and culture.
Our spot on the river at Myal bush camp.
Only about 5k from tea gardens and Hawks Nest. Handy for supplies.
Not so big but legal size and tasty.
Bridge over the Myal river between Tea Gardens and Hawks Nest.
Water front area at Tea Gardens.
Goss and Bernie called in on their way back to Brisbane from Tassie.
We had a good day touring, looking to Port Stevens
northern head land from beach at Hawks Nest.
Coast side of Myal camp area looking out to Broughton Island
Ferry over Myal river 25k north of our camp.
There is a coffee shop on other side to left, a nice setting for a stop
with Goss and Bernie.
Bernie had a new hat that Blue had to try.
Wendy has fascination with the wild life, arsey to get a shot like this.
Caught up with Rod and Kim again after last meeting in Port Lincoln.
They now live in Nabiac and came down to check out the fishing spots.
Cellito beach just north of Sandbar.
The coast from Scotts Head to seal rocks has been stunning.
View from Cellito rocks to Blueys beach.
And this is Blueys beach , a great spot if you have a couple of mil to buy a house
Blueys beach, That might even be Bluey ?
We decide on
Morisset as a base to check out Sydney. The show grounds provide power
and water at a reasonable fee and there is a train station close by on
the Sydney Newcatle line that is 1hr 45 min ride to the big smoke.
We discover on arrival the Sydney caravan and camping show is on and
spend a couple of days wandering around there. Then the east coast low
develops and provides us with three days of heavy rain and wind. We
were somewhat unaware of this development and late one evening there
was a mad scramble to pack away our awning and shades while the
wind did its best to carry it all away. Three days hunkering down
in the van, checking for leaks and watching the vegetation sail past at
high velocity. Today the wind has died but still the odd shower,
hoping for a dry out soon. The Air con is dead and there are a quite a few dings in the sides of the van from the flying debris.
A break in the storm, plenty of moisture about.
Drying day after the storms Morisset
Anzac
day attended the dawn service and we were able to move the van from the
bog it was in and catch up on the laundry while Sydney is battered by a
hail storm.
Next few days we spent exploring the Lake Maquarie area, the damage to
property is extensive and still a few thunderstorms about in the
evenings.
When the train service to Sydney was restored we spent a day wondering
around the city, Opera house, rocks, Darling harbour and took the ferry
to Manly.
View from Staples lookout over Woy Woy .
Checked out camping here but very expensive as still school holidays.
The grand old lady, the bridge of course
And the opera house
29th
May we depart for Blues teaching commitment in Townsville, first night
out is in a rest area near Grafton. Next Day we arrive in Brisbane to
spend a couple of days with Goss in Deagon. It's his birthday and we
celebrate with some fine wine and humor.
The next day we spent catching up with some shopping for the trip north
and watching the weather which is becoming gloomy and predictions are
for heavy falls to the north.
By 7pm that evening the creek is rising and we decide to move the van
just in case. By 7.30pm the water is entering the house and the van
which we are frantically trying to hitch up in the rain and dark.
By the time we had moved the van to a safer location there was about a meter of water through the house.
The rate the water rose was unbelievable and took everyone totally by
surprise. By the morning the water was gone as was Goss's boat which
had been tied to his jetty. It was still tied to the jetty but just not
above the water, a write off.
The neighborhood is stunned suffering extensive damage, Insurance company phones are busy including ours.
We stay with Goss assisting with the clean up for a few days before departing for Townsville.
Over night at the Boyne river rest area first night and Home hill
show grounds second night then into Townsville Rowes Bay caravan park
6th May.
While Blue works Wendy gets
involved with a bunch of crafty ladies, this is some of the wearable
art produced as part of a larger exhibition in the region.
This is piece in the regional exhibition at a gallery in Townsville.
Blue starts on the 11th May and finishes 3rd June. Wendy goes to
Cairns for some dental work while Blue chases up the insurance company
who have decided after checking the repair quotes to write the van off.
The insurance companies are exceptionally busy after recent events and
the van is delivered to the salvage yard on the 12th June and Blue
drives to Cairns.
Wendys dental treatment is finished on 19th June and we drive to Moranbah on the 20th to Catch up with Kris, Ally and the boys.
It's a bit strange not having a van and we are assessing our options.
The plan is to house sit Lauren and Ryders house in Cairns, July Aug
Sept while they tour around Europe, we will catch up with them in
Vietnam in Oct. There is a strong rumor that a family Xmas is on the
cards in Cairns. There is no great urgency to get another van and I
guess time will tell how we roll from here.
The sun sets in Townsville heralding a major change in our now caravan less Nomadic life style.
Is it to be resumed or will it result in a place of fixed abode?
Will let you know when we know.
