Sea and swans

Also a short stroll away is a lake...home to dozens of waterbirds. The swans were picture perfect at sunset.
Swimming requires some bravery. The temperature seems about 10 degrees colder than our northern waters. The sea however, is crystal clear and a gorgeous azure blue.

Catch of the day

I may not be the best fisherperson but hey, a fish is a fish! I thought I had a giant fish at one point, but reeled in a great lump of rock with a huge mud oyster attached....Jackson thought he might like to try it...Eeeeew!
Sam... (the dog) thought he might have a crack at captaining the boat.

South Coasts best kept secret

This area is just superb and the week has zipped along. Across the road from the beach house where we are staying with Steves sis and family is a great walk track that goes for miles following the stunning coast line.....have walked off a few kilos of cheese there and along the beaches.
Steves first fishing expedition on the boat ended quickly as he hung off the side and fed his brekky to the fishes, but yesterday we did a trip to Montague Island and though it was rough we caught 2 king fish and had the seals diving round the boat. Also did a trip on calmer waters in the lake and had dinner off the boat...fantastic!

Crimestopper Cow and catching up with cousin

Pulled up for a coffee on a lone bush track and found a late model commodore stripped bare. Gingerly removed some paperwork, which identified the vehicle....careful not to leave prints, and looking around nervously for the perpetrators of the crime. Reported it to crimestoppers the next day and was almost arrested myself! I was interrogated by some controlling cow who demanded to know why we hadn't reported it immediately, why I had removed evidence from a crime scene and needed to know every details of the cars whereabouts. I could barely control my anger so handed the phone to the ever patient Steve. So much for doing your civic duty!
Tom Tom guided us into Sydney where we stayed with my darling cousin whom I hadn't seen in 35 years. Still the same sweet man, after all these years, minus the gorgeous curls I remembered so vividly. Stayed in his cozy unit and copped a $189 fine for parking in a no stopping area.....Happy Australia Day!
Ventured on to Kiama and were so taken with the place we may go back.
Will be in Dalmeny with Steves sis now for probably a week...time to bring out the rods for some serious fishing.....

Stunning sculptures

Steve is being enormously patient as I yell,"there's another gallery!",but these sculptures were dotted through the Hunter Valley....Fabulous!

Wine, wine and more wine

Winding through country roads yesterday we found our way to the Hunter Valley. The weather was scorching hot and after sampling the local wines we were happy to check out our B and B accommodation.....a gorgeous owner built stone house with cottage (for us) high up looking over the valley. Run by a fabulous couple, who joined us for drinks after dinner....a delicious antipasto platter with yummy cheeses and a divine red..., it was a thoroughly cosy place to unwind and rest in airconditioned comfort. We watched as the storms rolled in and find out this morning that some houses lost roofs. Sydney (our destination today) hit temperatures in the forties yesterday. This morning I'm wrapped in a woolen shawl and my feet are blocks of ice.....what the??????

Smoking Pot and Tinea Toothpaste

I know its only been a couple of days but this trip is awesome. A new vista around every corner and getting off the highway is paying off.
I sent Steve off to boil the billy (saucepan) for tea at our camping spot in Yamba while I was immersed in other things. Mr Have-a-chat started a long conversation with our lovely young neighbours, only stopping to draw breath when a strange aroma wafted through the air. The saucepan had boiled completely dry and melted the knob leaving great, smelly, black globs frying and bubbling on the bottom! He's given new meaning to"smoking pot"! We are now potless.
Spent last night in a wonderful B and B in the magical place of Belligen....an arty, gorgeous spot nestled in the hills west off the highway. Loved the galleries and could easily have walked away with a few fabulous fibre and timber artworks.
Had yummy dinner in a top Mediterranean restaurant and topped Steves smoking pot by brushing my teeth, in a somewhat semi inebriated state, with tinea cream....Uuuggghhh!!!
This morning we took the coast road stopping at Nambucca Heads, Coffs Harbours and driving through the great lakes......all simply stunning.
Tonight resting up in a motel at Bulahdelah, right on a pretty river......anyone care to join us??

Onward..

You can all be forgiven for thinking we had fallen off the side of the earth....Stick with us! The last week was a constant round of visits to family and friends, indulging in scrumptious meals, wines and lots of catching up.....great to see you all! Our "yes we can" slogan is now partially obscured by a new torneau cover which we had specially made in Brisbane to keep things waterproof.
We have finally left Queensland and are into new and unfamiliar territory. Crossing the border we are making our way down the coast trying to keep to the roads less travelled. Spent a night a Cabarita Beach near Kingscliff and watched as diehard fishermen cleaned freshly caught, huge tailor fish. The beaches are gorgeous, and we have been so far blessed with good weather which has made bunking in the back of the truck bearable. Bangalow and Byron Bay are pretty places. We did a long hike to the lighthouse and stood on the most easterly part of Australia, but last night we set up camp at Yamba. It is an exercise in patience organizing our gear but we're loving the freedom and fun in finding a new backyard daily. Our long walks have left me exhausted....hopefully we a can both shed some unwanted kilos!

Family and Feet

Ok, so in one week we have found our way to Bundaberg spending a couple of nights in the back of the Toyota. The first night was stinking hot and I nearly freaked out from clautrophobia...the second night was just stinking....Steve had been wearing leather shoes without socks and I threw him out to scrub his feet in the ocean.

We awoke to the gentle lapping of the sea at Camila Beach and walked along the deserted beach at sunrise....Aaaaaaahhhh...it's tough!

Pa's 81st brithday today so am happy to be spending it with him and other family members....quality time with family is a priority.

Will make our way to Coolum tomorrow for more family time with Steves parents, and then on to Brisbane.

Clearly Dave and Steve enjoy relaxing after a few drinks...or perhaps they were just bored with Cynthia and I belting out a few songs with the kareoke machine!

We're finally packed and ready to go.