Covespot 4 - Wallaby 3

about to cross Sydney Harbour Bridge as we leave Sydney

South Durras and the NSW Rally

After threading our way out of the North Shore via the road toward Manly, then up through Middle Harbour and Mossman it was not long before we were on the Pacific Highway heading toward Sydney. Our left turn onto the Pacific Highway pointed us toward the Sydney Harbour Bridge which was not my first choice exit but my number 1 rule was applied, that is, go with the flow, so over the bridge we went with the caravan in tow. Our exit on the south side went to plan and we ended up on the Eastern Suburbs freeway past Woolomooloo out toward the airport where we took the left turn toward Woolongong.

By now (some 2.5 hours on the road) at our age we were both pushing it a bit for a pit stop with nothing in sight we had to push on until we were out of the southern Sydney suburbs and on he highway to Woolongong with not a road side stop in sight. Phew! there were road works and being Sunday we could pull over for our much needed pit stop, one inside the van and me in the bushes, you would think NSW Roads and Infrastructure would know that the aged travelling from the North Shore to the end of the South Shore would have a need for a pit stop and provide a road side stop. We might have to write to them!

Following this, we set off and decided to do the Southcoast coast road into Woolongong. This is new since my Surf Life Saving days of doing the south and north coast beaches, but it is a stunning drive and one that we strongly recommend to all who travel that way. Once over the new Sea Cliff bridge we settled for lunch at Coal Cliff beach in the Lunagazer watching the surf roll in whilst we lunched, just stunning. We then drove along the coast through Woolongong until we made it back onto the Princes Highway. Given the time of day we then decided there was no more time for sight seeing and pressed on to South Durras (close to Batemans Bay). We arrived at the Murramarang NRMA Resort at 5.00pm and although the sun was going down we could tell this was a very special part of the NSW South Coast an area which I have always said is most under rated. We dined in the caravan park (resorts) Bistro which was a delight. We opted for an entr’e of duck pate’ and cheese followed by mains. Dallas had a vegetarian pizza whilst I had pork belly with roast parsnip and roast potato, both just delicious. We could not resist the apple and rhubarb tart served with custard so shared the same.

In the morning we walked along the beach and spotted two massive sea eagles surveying the coast, quite a sight. We needed to try and catch up with Chris so set off for Bateman's Bay. Chris did not think we could catch up with him as he had to still do his rally pace notes with his navigator who arrived late due to flight delays from Perth. So we drove south along the Princess Highway looking for his turn off to Surf Beach. We should have been on Bateman's Bay, Beach Road. However, we came across the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens and decided to take a closer look. The Botanic Gardens include native plants from sea level to sub alpine. The Garden is also home to a diverse array of fascinating local wildlife and birds (twitch, twitch!). So after arranging to meet Chris at 9.00am next morning we went through this very interesting garden and then did tea and coffee with scones, jam and cream!! It was a true delight!

Next morning we met with Chris and his crew at the beach road in Bateman's Bay and readied ourselves for a dusty NSW Rally event. Chris, Damon (his young navigator) and his crew put in an outstanding performance to finish 4^th overall. Needless to say, my heart was in my mouth most of the day! We chose not to do the last leg which was the night rally, too cold and too tired after chasing off to spectator points morning and afternoon. Well done Chris, Damon and crew!

Next morning we packed up and set out for Jindabyne via Tuross Point after having met a couple from there whilst in Cloncurry NW Central Queensland. We discovered the day before they were not back from their trip after having mechanical trouble in Cairns, but we still wanted to take a look. We were not at all disappointed and again had lunch in the Lunagazer while we watched the surf roll in at One Tree Point lookout in Tuross Point.

We decided after lunch we would have to make a B line for Jindabyne so we could arrive before nightfall. This we did after some more stunning coastal and hinterland scenery before arriving in Cooma. From here to Jindy we had to battle bumper to bumper oncoming traffic as the weekend skiers and borders were making their way back to Canberra and Sydney. We arrived in Jindy at approximately 5.30pm, just before dusk. Chris had bought back form Batemans Bay fresh flathead, prawns and oysters which we enjoyed at home whilst Chris was on closing duty at the Brumby Bar and Grill.

On the Tuesday evening we went to bed after helping Ashton with his science homewark and all was quite calm. About 2.30am I was awakened by the van shaking violently. The wind had picked up considerably with a cold front passing over the mountains and dropping down onto Jindabyne. We found out in the morning that at times it gusted at 85 kms/hr. This wind kept up for all of Wednesday and most of Thursday. We have not experienced wind like that in the Lunagazer before so now know what its capabilities are, However, we do not look forward to that windy experience again. Thank God we had no trees hanging over the van.

On the Wednesday we drove into Cooma for a look around and some shopping. Despite the wind still being up! On Thursday I helped Chris fix some tables in the Brumby and then had dinner there that evening. Dallas had Thai Beef and Rice and I had Malaysian Stew, both just scrumptuos. A highlight of the day was to have a luncheon date with Miranda, Marra (the children’s Au Pair) and Dallas, on the lakeside in Jindabyne.

Friday morning we departed Jindabyne for Tathra once the pipes connected to the van thawed out.