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June 2017
01 June 2017
June started with the 21st Birthday of our eldest granddaughter Kimberley who has grown into a beautiful young lady. So with her turning 21 and being engaged to be married, we realise more and more how quickly life is slipping by.
Today was also the day we were going to go exploring a few places and Tilba Tilba was the first. We decided that we would take a dirt road to get there rather than the highway and so after getting back onto the highway at Bodalla we took a turn off down what started off as a good dirt road, but it soon changed.
Seems that the roads through the State Forest around here have not been attended to for some time and the further we went the narrower it got, and the more over grown it became, and the wetter and muddier it became as well. Still, not to be deterred we pushed on following the track and the GPS.
It's getting a little narrow.
And now narrow, wet, overgrown and bumpy.
Joanne had to get out and hold that branch on the other side out of the way for us to get through.
Then just as we thought we had it under control the road we were following became blocked with undergrowth. But there to the side was another that looked like it was going our way, so we took it.
Then we found this small crack in the road.
Joanne was out of the car again, this time spotting the wheel placement to get one either side of the crack.
Small photo but large crack!
So after dodging all of that we made it back to a good dirt road, taking it and finding our previous road not far along. Back on track we continued until we found the track totally blocked by very strategically placed piles of dirt. So figuring that someone didn't want us to go any further we went back to the good dirt track which we followed back out to the highway.
Passing through Narooma we took another detour along the old Princess Highway and eventually came out not far from Tilba Tilba. Parking up in the main street of Central Tilba we wandered around looking at all of the small boutique shops, stopping for coffee and the largest jam doughnut (so large we shared it) before heading down to the cheese factory.
Armed with cheese and honey we investigated all the other shops, stopping to view the photographic gallery and then shopping for some nice smelling handmade soap.
Back at the car we made our way up to the lookout for a view over town and then onto Tilba Tilba itself where we enquired about the location of the River Cottage Australia (as shown on Foxtel) farm at the local store, only to find it was back on the other side of Central Tilba. Out of town about a kilometre, just past a large dam up on the hill were the instructions and so after a little looking we found it. Too far off the road to see anything properly, but at least we know where it is.
Looking towards Tilba Tilba itself from the lookout. Mt Dromedary (named by Captain Cook) on the right.
Back to the highway we crossed and made our way down the dirt road to the Tilba Cemetery which is supposed to have the best view for people who cannot appreciate it.
The best view afforded to those who cannot see it.
Back on the highway we could see the River Cottage Australia house as we made our way to Mystery Bay for a look. Named because the whereabouts of some men who arrived there by boat back on their way to the gold rush at Tilba in the 1800's was a mystery after the boat was found but not the men, it is a pretty little town on the ocean's edge. A few streets with nice holiday homes and not much else, though there is a nice shady National Parks campground nearby.
Back on the highway we were heading to Narooma to pick up some shopping and water when we decided to check out the HOneysuckle Campground which sits between the ocean and the lake. Taking the narrow 2.2 km long dirt road we were passing over large speed humps which had been placed to slow the water and erosion down when it rains.
Coming down to the campground we passed through an avenue of trees that looked quite spectacular. Arriving at the camp we found some small, half shaded camp spots and as many remains of people's fires as trees. Yes, a nice spot for a 4wd and tent, but not that great for a vehicle, so back to the highway we went, stopping to photograph the avenue of trees as we went.
The avenue of trees.
Shopping and water collection in Narooma over it as time to head home, the trip taking just long enough for us to eat some nice hot chips. Back at camp it there was just time enough to get some photo's of the bach, waves over the rocks and then some at sunset.
Our beach with clouds that could be good for sunset forming.
More wave action on the rocks.
And nearly getting a wet camera further around the point.
The clouds disappeared but the pink hues in the sky helped with the colour for this shot just up the beach from our camp.
So after one heck of a day, we settled in for the night and a big sleep as the waves pounded the beach not far from our door.
03 June 2017
Nothing much this morning except we slept in a little and then after a lazy few hours made our way over to Tuross where we spent a number of hours Alan Johnson, the last Commanding Officer of HMAS Swan, and his wife Pat. Alan saw we were in the area on Facebook and as he and Pat were coming down to their holiday/retirement house in Tuross Heads for the weekend, they invited us over for a catch up.
Finding their home was easy and it was fabulous to catch up with Alan after over 20 years since we served in and decommissioned the ex Destroyer Escort HMAS Swan. Later we took a tour of Tuross by car before spending a very pleasant time at the local boatshed enjoying fish and chips while sitting on the dock in the sun. Then it was time to take their two rescue dogs Lexy and Libby to the beach for them to enjoy a run and ball chase in the water.
Heading back to our camp we stopped to pick up some more nice cheese at the Bodalla Cheese Factory and then some fuel for the Mazda before arriving to find we had new neighbours.
04 June 2017
Well, we just cannot seem to get enough of this place and so used the excuse of our tv shows being on today to stay another day, but we are definitely leaving tomorrow.
05 June 2017
With almost everyone else gone last night there was only three of us camping last night. Waking to a cloudy day we reluctantly packed up and headed off, but not before Joanne captured the sunrise scene.
Looking towards Tuross Heads as the sun came up.
Heading off down the highway we passed through Narooma and then past Tilba Central and Tilba itself. Not far after that we turned off the highway and made our way through more beautiful countryside until we were on the outskirts of Bermagui.
Taking the turn off to Camel Rock we followed the short gravel road to a parking area. Joanne was going to take the cliff top walk and I was taking the shoreline to Horses Head Rock. Carefully selecting just enough camera equipment for the shots I wanted it was a case of scrambling over the rocks and dodging the occasional wave as the receding tide made this trek possible. There is absolutely no way you could make this in the dark or at high tide, and if you were there before high tide you would be stranded as the tide came in. Of course you could probably scramble up the cliff somehow but...
Joanne's view of Horses Head Rock from the cliff top walk.
Horses Head Rock (long exposure to get the ocean misty).
A lightly wider shot of the Rock.
The horses head rock is only visible from the Northern Side and with a slightly higher tide would make for great long exposure shots in both colour and black and white. All through this area there is plenty of colour in the rocks, some of which are like piles of slate. It would be very easy to spend a lot of time here getting all sorts of photos - maybe next time.
Clambering back over the rocks was an interesting venture and with the sun and warmth rising it was not the place to be rugged up like I was. The clamber and walk back gave an interesting perspective on the area and there were frequent stops for more photo's, and to work out which was a red bellied black snake was going to go after I surprised it while it was basking in the sun.
Camel Rock from the North Side as waves still crash in.
Camel Rock looks more like a camel from the beach, and there is a Head Rock which if you look at the right angle looks like an Aboriginal Woman's Face. Mind you there are other shapes that can be seen but the sign and pictures nearby help with the shape of the Camel and Woman.
Rock scrambling and photo's over it was time to head into Bermagui. We followed the scenic drive up around the headland and stopped at Blue Pool for morning tea. The small carpark, toilets and showers sit at the top of the cliff with the tidal pool below. Originally the pool was just a rock pool but with the help of a local person a concrete ledge and surround was added and the dirt track down made into a set of concrete steps. The local community used it for picnics and also for aquatic sports for many years. Morning tea and a chat with a local over it was time to head back into town and then out again.
Heading off through more very scenic and beautiful countryside with it's rolling green hills, we arrived at Cobargo where we took up residence at the rear of the Cobargo Hotel. A large(ish) grass area with enough room for about six rigs (if everyone parks properly) the parking and overnight camp is free, but for $5 each you can have access to the showers and toilet which are in the laundry building. We paid our $10 and while Joanne roamed around the town I spent the afternoon processing photos and relaxing.
06 June 2017
Apart from a few people leaving the pub last night our camp was a quiet one, quiet enough even to hear the bell birds ding, ding this morning. We packed up and headed out back towards Bermagui, grateful for another good camp at a pub. Back through town we were following the coast road with it's winding but nice easy drive occasionally crossing small one lane bridges as we went.
Joanne had mentioned Gillards Campground on the coast so we turned off the bitumen and straight onto a slick, muddy road through the forest as it wound it's way past trees and following the contours of the land.
The road in/out.
Dropping down the hill we were grateful for no oncoming traffic. Arriving at the coast we took the circular track around the campsites which were nothing more than a fire pit, long drop dunny and of course a view of the ocean and all for the price of $12 per person, per night. With the weather due to close in we decided we didn't want to wait for the track to dry out and so headed out, back up the slippery hill and onto the bitumen again.
Tathra was the next stop and we found a place at the top of town overlooking the historic jetty and the Lions Club Memorial Park. OF course the rain began to fall around now and so it was a case of a quick walk to see the view.
With the weather teasing us we moved around to Chamberlains Lookout which overlooks the boat ramp and what turned out to be the stingray garden. There we were enjoying morning tea and the view when four or five black blobs in the water began moving. Joanne remembered that wikicamps mentioned the stingrays so she went down to the water and got some shots while I took a pano of the area.
The view from Chamberlains Lookout.
One of the rays.
And a little closer.
Leaving Tathra we made our way over the hill and into Bega where we grabbed a spot at the showgrounds as the rain really began to fall and the use of an umbrella was required during setting up. At $15 a night for CMCA members it is a good deal compared to the normal $20 and includes power, water, dump point, toilets, showers and a free washing machine and dryer.
The rain has arrived but not the dangerous winds that were forecast, so hopefully that's it all it will be.
08 June 2017
Yesterday was just a wet old day so we managed a trip to the shops and the Bega Cheese Factory for the tourist information centre and a cheese tasting. Then it was back to the rig to wash both and then settle in while the drizzle fell.
Today we took a trip up the Snowy Mountain Highway to visit the David Piper Lookout. Passing through some beautiful Bega Valley countryside and the small town of Bemboka we climbed the numerous hair pin bends and eventually stopped at the lookout.
The view back towards Bega from the David Piper Lookout.
David Piper was the bus driver who used to travel the Bega to Cooma route six days a week for 28 years and who died in 1947 from a heart attack while clearing snow from the road not far from the lookout that now bears his name.
Back down the mountain we stopped for a pie at the Bemboka Pie Shop and a check of the small Lions Club camping spot and then it was time to head back to town.
11 June 2017
Leaving Bega we made our way towards Bemboka where we had intended to camp but after calling the number on the sign and not getting an answer we left a message and wondered what to do next. Well, we changed our minds on camping there and headed off towards Candelo along a pleasant drive.
Coming into Candelo it was apparent that the town was almost back in yester year with the buildings looking more like a historic village. Crossing the bridge and passing the Two Blokes Food cafe, old service station and other shops we pulled into the recreation area and found a spot down the back near the oval and where we would be out of the way and at the same time get the best of the light but cloudy sky.
A walk along the creek under the trees as they shed the last of their leaves was pleasant but with a cloudy cool day the best place was inside.
Looking back towards the bridge from our camp.
One other camper came in and they, like us enjoyed a quiet night in the small town, waking to a very cool morning. Not wanting to hang around in the cool we made our way out of town and up Myrtle Mountain, but not before stopping for a photo of the town covered in smoke from peoples house warming fires.
Looking back at Cendelo sitting in the morning fog and smoke.
The view from Myrtle Mountain.
Coming down the mountain we arrived in Eden and stopped for morning tea before heading off down to see Boyd Town and then, after crossing into Victoria, we stopped for the day at the small RV stop at Genoa. Once a caravan park on the busy Princess Highway the place is now a free camp and the only residents are travellers and some roosters. The highway now taking a new route means there is nothing passing the front door or going over the old wooden bridge so apart from the occasional crowing from a rooster and the constant ding, ding of the bellbirds it is very quiet. We pulled up in a sunny spot near the only other rig there and where we though we would get good sun for the rest of the day, but it had other ideas after about 3pm.
Waking this morning to a cool 2.4 degrees we, and seven other campers were all looking for the sun to warm the place up, and quickly. Then the lady in the van next to us fell down the ice covered steps and hurt herself, the end result being an ambulance trip to Bega with a back problem and a broken thumb.
Two motorhome's from Tasmania had come in yesterday and we bought some Leatherwood Honey from one of them. Straight from the hive to the 1kg container and then to us with no processing meant it was not thinned out or changed in any way and the taste sure reflected that. The man telling us he always brings some of his honey over when he comes over and usually has it all sold by the time he gets to Qld. Blackberry was the other flavour and apparently it is very sweet.
Sitting in the sun again we were enjoying it's warmth as the motorhomers left in their tow car for a look around Mallacoota, leaving their rigs and the liquid gold honey in our care, the Ambulance left for Bega with it's patient followed by the husband towing the van, and most of the others left leaving us almost on our own.
15 June 2017
It's been a few days since we were at Genoa and now we are in Yarragon with family. But since Genoa we have been to and spent a night in Mallacoota, a nice little seaside town. We stopped in the Foreshore Caravan Park which has hundreds of sites. It is a nice little town and a good caravan park with reasonable off season prices, but the sites are on bit of an angle and rather small. It would be our kind of nightmare in the summer and popular times.
The sunset sky put on a small show for us at the end of the day right opposite our campsite.
Leaving next morning we made our way along the highway to a small camp at Cann River. Once the local caravan park the council have closed and turned it into a free camp (for the moment). The sites are all as they were when the park was operating except the power does not work, but there is water and sullage. The amenities also work and if you want a shower it is a cold one, which, considering the cold weather here at the moment, was not an option.
We spent a pleasant night with three other campers and then left in the morning just as the sun was burning off the fog. The highway runs through thickish forest for some distance here until you come out at Bairnsdale. Sometime later we turned off towards Maffra where we checked out the free camp in town, once again in the old caravan park. We didn't stay but moved onto the donation camp at Heyfield where we have camped before. One other camper in so we settled near them and where we could maximise our exposure to the sun.
Leaving Heyfield this morning we passed through diary farming countryside and then past the Latrobe Valley Power Stations and eventually arriving in Yarragon. We will be off the road for a bit while we visit with family.
Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.
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