If I could turn back time ha ha
Tuesday, 30 December 2014
21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th ,27th, 28th, 29th, December, Hawks Nest Port Stephens
On the road again looking for the sun and fun. Heading south we stopped in at Port Macquarie for a quick look and found it to be a very pleasant place, it is a city of approximately 50 thousand, a large river and of course lovely beaches. We went to the river mouth onto the picnic area we noticed that there wasn't a sandbar across the mouth that made it a lot safer for the boats coming and going, the pressure wave formed well away from the mouth.
We set up camp at the hawks nest holiday park then took adrive around the local town and the adjacent town of Tea Garden, both are small town but overflow this time of year.
Port Stephens is a large bay and river system with little towns all around the real estate prices are huge as people from Sydney buy holiday and retirement homes here, there is also a lot of investment properties that are rented out during holiday periods, the price for caravan parks are also inflated, big4 charge over $100 a night for a camp site.
Next day we picked up some bait and ice and thought we would give the fishing a go the ramps are good so that wasn't a problem, , it was too rough to go out even though it was quite safe to get in and out the weather out was pretty bad we have had rain wind and storms every day nearly for weeks. We tried to fish an old wreck but the wind was howling so we came back after a couple of hours.
While we were at Hawks Nest we walked the beaches, both sides there is a surf beach and a sheltered beach in the bay, they are both great walks up around the headland out to the mouth.
We took the boat out again on another day and went out through the heads, the weather wasn't too bad but it was threatening so we joined all the other boats and fished around the heads, it began raining so we went in a little to try for a whiting as we had only caught a shark, it rained quite a lot and we only caught undersized pink snapper and whiting but we stayed out as it was better than being in the caravan park.
We went fishing twice on the beach at night and had better luck, no size but a least flathead and tailor along with the shovel nosed sharks. A guy fishing down there one night we were there caught the biggest salmon I have ever seen and nice bream.
Christmas day when we got up we went to the beach for a swim, because we had been getting bad weather the surf was too big for me to chance but Merv went in for a little while, then back for breakfast and down to Jimmys beach, a sheltered area where we both went for a swim.
Late lunch was prawn cocktail, roast chicken and ham with gravy, roast potatoes, beans and carrots, to finish christmas pudding with brandy custard and cream and of course a couple of drinks.
One of our days of exploring was to drive around to the other side to Nelson Bay, another really beautiful area it was a bit hard to find parking, while we were there we were talking to a marine and fisheries guy who told us that we weren't likely to catch anything size in the bay.
We walked to the top of the headland to a lookout, quite a walk but worth it what a veiw, then back down to lunch at the RSL, you really can't beat the RSL for good food and great quiet atmosphere.
The day before we left we went up the Myall Lakes National Park. This park has a huge lake and river that runs up adjacent to the coast.
Our first stop was Dark Point, we walked up the path, which was a sand dune, only to be faced with what looked like miles of sand dunes, there was a number of people sand boarding. We walked over the dune to the beach that was very close to Broughton Island a large marine park. We stopped off at hole in the wall a picnic area near the beach and several other camping and beach areas on the lake. We had our canoes with us but it was hard to get parking and the lake didn't do much for us it seemed very shallow even though people were in it, the water had a green look around the edge like algae not very inviting.
We stopped at Boomeri camp site and walked out to Johnsons Beach approx 8 km return walk, very nice but the lake was no better, there is a campsite there but if people want to camp they have to carry their gear or as most do, bring it in in their boats, the lake is used a lot for water skiing and sea biscuits.
On the way out Merv was pulled up and breath tested then everywhere we seemed to go the police was there, on the way back the police followed us all the way back to town, all we could think is that there must be a lot of drunken carry on out there.
I will be glad to leave as the park is one where people go year after year for their annual holidays so theyare packed in, all around tv blaring, people talking to the top of their voices when drinking and the kids shouting and screaming, lucky if you get 5 hrs sleep, the trick is go to a tourist park not one where people go for annual holiday.
Saturday, 20 December 2014
19th, 20th, December 2014 Belligen
19th, Great day for a game of golf today we had noticed that the local course looked pretty good very green and no water holes. When we got down there we decided to do the 18 holes it was pretty hot and we were walking not taking a buggie, the locals said to make sure we had plenty of water.
The course was very pleasant to play but by the time we had done 9 holes we had to stop at the club house to get a gatorade. We both had a good game and after 4 hours returned to camp for a rest, no storm tonight.
20th, There was markets in town today that was supposed tombe the best markets down the east coast, after breakfast we walked in to have a look, not that I can buy much, no room. The markets were good a lot of locally made things and produce as well as one of the best recycling ideas I have ever seen, it was furniture, pots for plants, mirrors a large variety of things all made out of old tyres, the items looked great, furniture so comfortable to sit in I had to look twice to realise they were made from tyres. The young couple that sells them came up with the idea and design and has them made in Indonesia. The Belligen area is really big on recycling and have won awards for the amount that goes to recycle not landfill.
At the markets they had a live band on stage as well as all the usuall food stalls, we only bought one thing that was Dananas, I haven't misspeld that as that is what the grower called them, they are a banana that is a cross between a ladyfingers and Cavendish bananas, they taste so good and apparently keep better than any of the others, unfortunatly they won't be sold in the supermarket.
After the markets we head into Coffs Harbour, the breakwater and marina, there has been a great marina built with such a good breakwater it makes a good safe swim beach as well as a large protected area for small boats to fish in if they wish. The breakwater is also connected to mutton bird island which is a reserve and has a paved footpath over the top that allows people to observe the colony without damaging the burrows, they have problems with rats over there getting the eggs and it is easy to see all the rat traps made from pvc pipe. I did see an egg out on the ground and was surprised at the size of it after looking at it I could see that one side of it had been eaten out, I also saw an adult bird not far from the entrance of its burrow, I would suspect that it was dead being in the middle of the day.
It was now time for something to eat so we went to Sawtell RSL, it is no wonder why RSLs are popular over here, it is quiet clean atmosphere where it is possible to get a great meal and drinks so cheap, and entertainment I would not go anywhere else if there was an RSL about.
Once we had eaten we thought we had better walk the food down a bit so we went down to Sawtell beach, a lovely beach, the surf wasn't too big today as the weather is settling, I was tempted to go for a swim as the water was nice and warm, the trouble was my belly was too full of food, so I just walked.
Looks like a storm tonight.
Thursday, 18 December 2014
16th, 17th, 18th Belligen
On our way again in the search for some sunshine, we went down past Coffs Harbour to Belligen and set up at the Belligen show grounds.
After looking around we found Belligen to be a yuppie alternative lifestyle expensive town, reminded me of Margaret River without the wineries.
The weather wasn't too bad but in the afternoon along came another storm.
The next day we decide to head to Dorrigo to the national park, the road up the Dorrigo mountain was a bit of an experience very narrow and windy most of it 50kms there are 3 sections that are so narrow they have been turned into 1 lane, vehicles coming up give way to vehicles coming down. There are a lot of trucks using it mainly big tippers with a doggie trailer button there log trucks, semis and milk tankers.
By the time we got to the top I wasn't feeling so good we stopped off at the lookout for a breather, the lookout is away from the main road through the pasture land there wasn't another sole about the scenery was amazing but the it was so serene with the quite and all the greenery.
We went to the national park, they only charge by donation $2 per adult $1per child and for that they have a great skywalk and a trail that has been sealed to give access to most people and so you can walk, look around without stumbling. The trail is 6km long and winds down through a valley with waterfalls with picnic areas and more boardwalks, one of the areas if you are lucky you may see a lyre bird, I didn't but there was an awful lot of other birds, 2 beautiful king parrots was one of my highlights.
The walk was wonderful thick sub tropical rainforest, the best walk trail we have been on anywhere in Australia.
After a picnic lunch we left there and went down to Dangaran Falls that was basically in the town centre and used as a local swimming pool, the water didn't look very clean so we never went in.
We started back down the mountain after having a bit of a look around the little town, the trip down didn't seem as bad as the trip up there was a bit more shoulder to the road to allow trucks to pullover and let vehicles past.
When we got to the bottom we went out to never never creek in the promised land and had a swim in beautiful cool clear water.
Afternoon came and so did another storm, not very big today.
We have been up the hills so today we are going visiting some of the town,beach areas south of Coffs Harbour.
Our first stop is Urunga another nice little town sitting right on a river, the river is split into 2 and there isn't any vehicle access to the beach or sandbar so the locals started building a boardwalk in the early 1900 and over time is has been extended and upgraded to over 1km of boardwalk to the beach, once again another beautiful clean surf beach, it was avery good walk which allowed us to look at the bar, Merv said he wouldn't go out of it even on a good day.
Up the road further to Mylstom, Raleigh and Repton, these were just small towns on the river, Mylstom is on the opposite side of the river to Urunga.
Next stop Sawtell this was much bigger and on a inlet and beautiful surf beaches, there is a park and picnic area where we had lunch this overlooks the beach and a swimming pool that is made into the rocks so that the water is changed with the tides. We stopped and had an icecream on the way back to camp, when we got back the worst storm we have had for quite a while came through.
Wednesday, 17 December 2014
Tuesday, 9 December 2014
9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, December Yamba
Down the coast looking for sunshine so we went into Yamba a beautiful little town at the mouth of the Clarence River.
The Clarence River is a huge river system that flows through Grafton and has many small islands, on one side of the mouth is Illuka with Yamba the other. This entrance also has a coast guard tower with warning on the dangers, because of the huge flow of water that goes out with the tide it causes very large pressure waves accross the entrance, coast guard recommends to go out on the incoming tide but they say if in doubt don't go out.
We went into town after setting up to see what is available then we went for a walk along the break wall which was approx 2 kms, we were half way along when one of the afternoon storms that we have been getting hit, it didn't rain so we kept going but the thunder and lightning really set in it was right overhead I decided it was time to sit down by a big rock for safety I didn't want to be a lightning rod on the wall, Merv kept going then the storm passed as quick as it came I rejoined Merv and continued walking to the end.
The water condition at the river mouth was pretty awesome, there was a big swell coming in with strong wind and the tide rushing out, I am not going out of that. We went back to camp the storm came again, it rained very heavy for most of the night.
Next morning it wasn't raining so we took the boat out in the river, we did see a photo of a flathead that was caught in the river that weighed 61/2 kg, they are dusky flathead apparently the biggest breed, but I also think that the big ones are few and far between, the size for them is 37cm and for whiting 27cm we caught an awful lot none of which were size Merv caught a small pink snapper and we got a couple of small cod, the estuary cod are protected in NSW. We got back to camp just before another storm, I am starting to miss the sunshine even when it's not raining there is heavy cloud and a lot of wind.
The rain had stopped by morning but the wind was still very strong so we decided to go into town up to the lighthouse lookout to see what the ocean looked like, while we were on top of the cliff we could see a swimming pool down near the beach by the surf lifesaving club, these are popular as you can swim in the saltwater without being in the ocean. There was a trail that led down around the cliff to a lookout area when we got to it we were both horrified, we saw why so many parents loose there sons young. There was a young guy approx 15 climbed down the cliff with another boy approx 12, the older boy walked back and forward then suddenly jumped into the water, the waves were huge and he was pushed up onto a rock ledge only to have another wave knock him over and drag him when he stood up when he did stand he dived back into another big wave coming in so he could be pushed around on the ledge, while doing this he was enticing the younger boy to join him, he did jump in, we didn't know if we should contact authorities as if they got into trouble there wasn't any way we could get to help. It wasn't long before another young guy approx 18 came up to us and ask us if they were our kids, he was also upset watching it, thn another boy approx came up to us and we watched as 3 more boys walked to the top of the cliff which was approx 10 metres, they jumped in to join the others all being washed about as though they were in a washing mashine, the last 3 were climbing another cliff only to have the waves wash them back in. The last boy that joined us said that they were his school freinds and they wanted him to join them but he wouldn't, he told us they do it every weekend, we had to walk away it made us feel physically sick watching wondering if someone would be mourning their child over Christmas. I think we often have to protect young men from themselves till they reach a reasonable age.
From there we went down to Angourie, once again beautiful beaches with one side protected from the wind and the other great waves. There are 2 holes that was made by removing stone to make the breakwater, 1 they call the blue hole the others the green hole, they are both very deep popular swimming holes that the locals climb up the rocks and jump in, the holes are right near the beach.
On the way back to camp we went to one of tbe many beaches Merv had a body surf I just cooled off a bit.
The wind was stronger this morning so we headed off to do a bit more exploring down to Broom Head via Maclean.
Maclean is a lovely little town set on the banks of the Clarence River, it has a big Scottish background and all the different tartans are painted up the bottom of power poles, they are all named and go up the pole for approx 180cm. The hotel has been well restored and looked after, the building is great and the atmosphere inside is even better.
We went out to Brooms Head and need I say it beaches that seem to go forever, we went up to a lookout so I could try to get a photo, the wind was blowing so hard I was trying to hold the camera steady and hold a railing so I wouldn't be blown away then my t-shirt got blown up around my neck, the wind had to be seen to be believed, Merv asked where the blue for the ocean was as it was all white, the waves were spectacular I never get sick of looking at the ocean when it is like that. We noticed that the people in the caravan park was having a hard time keeping things tied down, the parks were in the most fabulous locations.
While there we went down through the northern end of Yuraygir national park, there is camping allowed at the Sandon end but what we saw I would never stay there the place looked as though it was full of long term campers most of them looked ferral, the camp area was cramped and dirty it would appear a lot of people who go there are chasing the mud crabs. As we went back through the park we stopped off at another camp area it was near the beach on grass beautiful and clean and full of huge big kangaroos.
On the way back to camp we stopped at the Maclean Hotel had a couple of beers and their fish and chips for dinner.
The next day still wasn't the greatest so we decided to go to the town of Grafton. We caught the ferry across the river and went the back way through the hills. The country side up around Grafton is very pretty and the town itself is very nice, they have new shopping complexes and everything is neat and tidy, we drove around checking out the housing and the streets, which are lined with Jacaranda trees, South Grafton turned out to be the lower social economic side, very poor housing with nothing looked after, very old and dirty.
The weather was a bit better the next morning so we decided to go down to Minnie Waters and Wooli Wooli.
Once again the drive down was through lovely country, some of the most amazing pasture land with beautiful fat cattle. We went to Wooli Wooli first, they have a sizable river there with breakwater to get in and out but because of the bad weather we had been having it was pretty spectacular coming in there, we walked out to the end of the wall and watched dolphins playing in the waves, therenwas some people trying to fish with not a lot of success, there is also a big beach at Wooli Wooli. Just up the road is Minnie Waters a nice little town houses on the banks with veiws to die for, they have a natual lagoon that boats can be launched in when the weather is ok, great place to swim as well. We went for a walk along the beach to a headland and watched the nippers lifeguard training. After leaving the town we drove down tnrough the national park which had great camping areas and it surprised us that all the caravan parks were virtually full but the national park had heaps of space. There are some great areas in the national park with walks around beaches and headlands, there are some camp areas that you have to carry your gear quite a distance, designed for people who really want to be by themselves.
Yeah nice weather so we grab the canoes and hit the river, we were out approx 31/2 hours Merv caughr 2 flathead that we could keep so we headed back to have lunch and put the fish in the fridge. After lunch we took the boat out as the wind had come up a bit too much for the canoes with the boat we could go a bit further over the other side near Illuka. We were on a pretty fast drift but was being hit by small whiting constantly, it was frustrating trying to hook them, bite bite bite, I had large hooks on hoping to catch a flathead Merv had smaller hooks he caught quite a loti but they were all just undersized, I caught 1 and in the process broke the tip of my lightweight rod, I had a very small sinker but just striking at the whiting it snapped, it is the second one we have broken I reckon they are useless unless its for squid, no doubt they are made with the light tip to work plastic lures but what is the point if you get a decent fish on it would break anyway, I would never have another one.
We had a nice dinner of battered flathead.
After the storm
We were at the beach I couldn't get back in time to catch all the wonderful colors after the storm
2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, December 2014 Ballina
Here we go down the coast to look at all the beautiful beaches that we hear about. We are on the way to Ballina but decide to stop off and have a look at Tweed Heads and Coolingatta. Both these areas have amazing beaches I believe all the highrise buildings near the beach spoils the look. Not far from Ballina is Lennox Heads we have to pass through here a nice little town so we stopped had a look at their beaches, had a pie and icecream.
We arrive at Ballina and book into the big4, there are so many beaches we head staight down after setup for a look. Merv tried off the beach with a rod both night and morning without any luck.
There is a large swell running and the surfies are loving it, there is a lot of wind on the water but it doesn't seem to worry the surfies, the beaches seem to go on forever, there is one beach, seven mile beach up near Lennox Heads that the council allows 4wds on with a permit that can be purchased, with that they have access to approx a half of that beach, we walked a large portion of it, people can also take their horses and dogs here.
There is lots of river and waterways for us to explore, we checked out the bar at the entrance, very dangerous, there is a coast guard watch set up in a tower out near the breakwater, we definitely gave it a miss.
We did end up walking to the beach every evening for a look, the big swells coming in and breaking against the rocks and cliffs sending beautiful white spray into the air it reminded me of home in Tassie.
While we were here we had storm after storm the rain doesn't seem to want to let up and the thunderstorms wow.
We took the canoes out on the river one day, not long out and a storm moved in, we looked like a couple of drowned rats when we got in, I don't like being out somewhere like that with lightning about.
Next day we took the boat out in the river, same thing happened but this time we had a jacket on and stood under the bimmie until it passed, when we were in the car going back to camp it came again with a vengeance, I have never seen rain so hard for so long.
On one of the days we decide to head inland to Lismore, on the way we pass through Alstonville which was a lovely little town set up in the hills.
There is always a joke when I say I am from Tasmania people laughing and wanting to know where the second head is, well when we got to Lismore and was walking around the steets I was expecting to see someone with two heads around each corner, I have never seen so many down and outs and people hanging about that have obvious brain damage from drug use, the streets and shop fronts looked dirty and this is a BIG town, their Christmas tree is the most hideous thing I have seen, a photo of it has gone viral around the world, even into Peru, as the ugliest Christmas tree ever.
On the way back we went via Evans Head, once again more beaches but the wind was blowing 50 barstards, the entrance to the river is supposed to be one of the safest ones to go out of, mad freddie would not go out in it the day we were there.
Our best day was we went to Teven a small town up in the hills for a game of golf, the beauty of nature here is wonderful, lots of birds, platypus in the creek and green everywhere. The course was a great little par 3 we played 18 holes it started to get very hot and humid as we were finishing, by the time we got back to camp another big storm, we still went for a walk to the beach.
Tuesday, 2 December 2014
1st December 2014 Brisbane,
Lake Wivenhoe is on our agenda today, this is a large lake and we are hoping one that would make a good canoe experience.
We make our way up over Glorious Mountain the roads are very steep, narrow and windy but not scary even though the gullies are very deep as there are plenty of railing and big trees along the edge of the road. We did laugh, one of the roads leading off was called goat track. When we got to the top of the mountain we branched off onto another road it was wider but just as steep and windy, one area the sign said all vehicles had to use low gear but most of the areas only trucks and buses had to.
The bush was fabulous sub tropical rainforest I could see where the mountain got its name as Mt Glorious, unfortunatly the there was only one lookout to safely stop for photos and the lookout platform was fenced off for maintenance, as soon as we got out of the car in the car park we were mesmerized by sound of bell birds, it sounded like there were hundreds of little bells ringing in the trees, these birds are only small and not very colorful but make the most beautiful sounds. I got my phone and recorded for awhile but I can't put that on my blog.
When we arrived at Lake Wivenhoe we found lots of great picnic areas, there were places people could camp there had been a lot of money spent on infrastructure the lake was quite large even though the water level was down.
The lake is stocked with fish for the fisherman but we never bothered, we did want to take the canoes out some areas they were permitted some not, we never bothered as around the lake was very dry just like looking at dry paddocks no bush or interesting stuff to look at so we headed back decided to take a different way which ended up going down around the mountain and almost into Brisbane through lots of suburbs, I think the mountain road was better.
Liza had been sent to Brisbane for her work for a couple of days so when we got back we picked her up from her office when she knocked off, went to the railway station and left the car and caught a taxi into the city to the hotel Liza was staying at. Liza checked in and we went up to the room, what a room, full size fridge, stove, kitchen bench, sink, large tv, 2 large leather couches, dining table, table and chairs on the patio, washer and dryer definitely a home away from home, the veiws were fantastic, it was the Oaks security tag to use the elevator all this for $200 a night.
We walked down along the foreshore where there are numerous cafes and restaurants that overlooked the river and the bridge and the beautiful lights of the evening, we went to an Italian restaurant and had the most delicious meal, I had scallops, the service was first class, this was our early Christmas lunch with Liza as we won't be with her for Christmas.
After we walked Liza back to her hotel we caught the train back out.
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