Day 33: Gerrora to Merry Beach . . Tuesday 27th November

Being about 14/16 years of age you really don't mind getting wet through all evening but at 10.20 p.m they were given 10 minutes to get into their tents which they duly did, but the talking and laughing went on for quite a while until Sir had had enough. A roar went out that frightened the life out of Keith and myself and woke the rest of the campsite "Richard get over here and bring your belongings with you, you're going home"! (Aussi accent) That was it, complete silence for the rest of the night (bless). Several were up at 6 a.m and the rest in dribs and drabs, upon our departure the with the van the kids moved from the campsite road without being told and one shouted out "sorry about that Guys, have a good holiday," we waved our good-byes. With an early start we moved onto Shoalhaven Head for a quick look around and then onto Kangaroo Valley with it's zig-zag mountain roads around the Cambewarra and Beaumont mountains . . . what an amazing place . . . but no Kangaroos! Travelled to Fitzroy Falls and then back to Barrengarry General Store for coffee . . . established 1880 and it hasn't been alterred since, the coffee was great and Keith just couldn't refuse the steak & kidney pie and for myself a chocolate chip biscuit and all this before 11.30 a.m. The shelves were full of preservatives, homemade cakes,biscuits, sweets and an assortment of useless items that perhaps you might just need one day in the outback. (see pic) Then down to Nowra and Huskisson reknown for it's white sand and boat trips to see the dolphins and whales, the sea was rather choppy so gave that a miss but spent a pleasant hour just mooching around. Driving through Vincentia I thought I saw a whole family of Kangaroos on someone's front lawn and reversed the van to have another look (I had made a mistake before when I saw two kangaroos in a garden in Esk, only to go back and realise that they were statues . . .what a ----) but this time they were real and Keith took a few photos I was so pleased, been trying to get a good photo for five weeks for the grandchildren. Finally went onto St.George's Basin, Ulladula Harbour, Kiola and Merry Beach. The newsagent where we uploaded the last blog told us to visit Merry Beach if we wanted a lovely site and we were not disappointed. The road comes over a small bridge and opens up to a great campsite with camping along a grass verge on the beach front, a beautiful cove with golden sand, blue sea and wait for it . . . Kangaroos roaming everywhere throughout the site, mothers with little joeys just sitting in the sun not a care in the world. There are a couple of large males within the group and I wouldn't trust them at all they look so powerful especially when you are taking their picture and they are advancing all the time . . . I said a few words and made a hasty retreat. In the evening Possums roam freely to discover what has been left in the rubbish bins, and a couple we met Ann and Derek told me where I could get some good photos.

Day 34: Merry Beach . . . Wednesday 28th November

Decided not to leave, just couldn't . . . what a lovely place. Met up with Ann and Derek again, a really nice couple who emigated from Doncaster in the 1960's . . . £10 Poms, and they told us about a lovely walk over the headland to another beach, the views were breathtaking with a vast expanse of ocean on the horizon. Apparently whales can be seen at this time of year migrating south. We arrived to a deserted beach and decided to take an afternoon dip the water isn't exactly warm but it's fine when you get in there, it is the waves you have to get over first I tend to get pushed back to shore each time. Once again Kangartoos everywhere you go. In the early evening we were invited to join three couples Maggie + Alan, Yvonne + d*** and Janet + Alan for "sundowners" and nibbles, enjoyed a really entertaining evening.

Day 35: Merry Beach, Can't Leave . . . Thursday 29th November

This really must be our last day. Completely relaxed, swimming, reading, a little walking to get some dinner and that's about all.

Day 36: Merry Beach to Bodalla State Forest . . . Friday 30th November

Really sad to leave Merry Beach it was really an idyllic place (that is not portrayed in the photos). There were a few more coming into the site and the weather looked as it was on the change, so Max and Paddy "off on the road" again. We followed a mainly coastal road through Durras, Bateman's Bay where we stopped for supplies*, on to Lilli Pilli (related to silly billy), Broulee (sounds like pudding) and then back on to Princes Highway where we found a FREE site at Bodalla State Forest (toilets and water, but no showers) but fine for the occasional night . . . in fact you are only allowed to stay for one night! By 6 o'clock most of the camping spots were taken and I think Maureen made everyone's mouth water when she prepared the supplies* (scallops and prawns in sweet chilli sauce on a bed of jasmine rice and a fresh green salad, followed by fresh mangoes and greek yoghhurt with manuka honey) sounds like an advert for M+S! We had just cleared away when it started to rain which persisted all night.

Day 37: Bodalla State Forest to Eden . . . Saturday 1st December

Work up to pouring rain and after a lively breakfast we got off again to surprisingly empty roads, the weather keeping everyone indoors, no doubt. We passed through lovely green valleys with houses scattered amongst the hills, they must have great views over the entire area for miles. Headed towards Norooma, Tilba Tilba and Bermagui, what a lovely spot we drove round a bend and there was yet another bay with golden sand and just a beautiful location. Modern style houses had been built in elevated positions around the bay but they had been hidden away as not to spoil the overall effect of the bays' natural beauty. Stopped off for coffee in Tathra and then onto Eden. Many years ago Eden was a whaling town and from the headland or lookouts you can apparently see when the whales are heading south from August - November during their migration. At the whale museum met a girl from Germany who was cycling around Australia completely on her own with her bike loaded, panniers everywhere the bike must have weighed so much. We had seen her out of the saddle climbing one of the hills approaching Eden. She had done about 55k today and yesterday and they were very hard and she said that she felt very tired, I'm not surprised the inclines can go on for miles and then she has to find a site and erect her tent for the night. I believe she was taking about 18 months out to see how far round she would get . . . I could only admire what she was undertaking without any support. Found a good site just across the road from the beach, so Spencer "we got ourselves settled."

Day 38: Eden . . . Sunday 2nd December

Thanks to everyone for your e-mails, great to here from you all with the latest news, we also heard from Lee and he is having a great time. Not too sure about the Ginger Wizard's remarks dissing the main man over here, "respect to Alf." Before we go on Many Happy Returns to Ella on her special 3rd Birthday, have a lovely party with your friends, thinking of you. As you can see we remaind at Eden for another day as it was a smashing day and we didn't want to waste it driving around. Found the Information Centre, they are located all over Oz and very usual open 7 days a week with lots of advice an info. Took a walk into town and along the beach and surrounding area. Found just the right house and put a deposit down . . .only kidding (see pic). A seaview property could cost anything from £250-£500,000 or a piece of land around £100-150,000. They don't appear to celebrate Christmas around the towns or in shops as much as we do in England with few decorations around. Apparently the Wardens were saying that as from Boxing Day or even before, all the campsites will be full with thousands of people taking their annual holidays as the kids are on holiday from school until beginning of February, so we will continue to enjoy empty beaches while we can.

Day 39: Eden to Mallacoota . . . Monday 3rd December

Left Aisling Beach and drove along to Princess Highway and then took a left turn to Mallacoota in the State of Victoria through zig-zag roads whereupon we came into the town quite small with a few shops. The campsite is situated along an inlet which was at one time the favoured position for Canberra. There are lots of pelicans and people fishing with small boats all very pleasant. Met Robert aka Crocodile Dundee and wife Leah who come from northern Victoria and we are having a coffee with them tonight and an introduction to Canasta, Don't know any Latin American . . . I told Keith I've got no intention of dancing all night!!!!!!