ORBOST - POP: 2,452/MARLO - POP: 340 (VICTORIA)

FRIDAY 25 - MONDAY 28.11.2011: Friday evening was spent at Thurra River Rest Area. With no mobile reception and only one other vehicle in residence we spent a considerable amount of the night on "evacuation standby" - the watch dogs slept! Next stop - Orbost. 'Orbost' has a Scottish heritage, derived from the name of the large pastoral run selected by squatter Archibald Macleod in the 1840's. The town of Orbost developed from 1881 as the population increased with many new settlers coming to clear, drain and farm the rich flood plain. The slab hut was built in 1872 by settlers living upstream from Orbost. It was reconstructed in Orbost in 1987 using the original slabs and building techniques. We planned to take a trip on the paddle steamer PS Curlip "along the rich and varied ecosystems of the Snowy River estuary".....BUT, the Curlip only sails when the 25 person quota is reached and that will be on December 18. We will be in Tasmania! The original PS Curlip was built by the early pioneers Sam Richardson and his sons. Constructed out of Southern Mahogany she was launched in 1890, but in 1919 a flash flood washed the steamer ashore and she broke up. The local community rebuilt the paddle steamer and she was commissioned as a tour vessel in 2008.    

NEWLY COMMISSIONED PS CURLIP

"There was movement at the station, for the word had passed around......", yes our latest stopover has been the Snowy River Rest Area. Whilst we are far from the infamous "up by Kosciusko's side", you still feel a sense of the legend that is the Snowy River. We are midway between Orbost and Marlo. Marlo is a small village located near the mouth of the Snowy River where the river meets and flows into the Southern Ocean. The first settler was James Stirling around the year 1875.   

"T-H-E" SNOWY RIVER





GREG GECKO - FISHED WITH
US ON DAY ONE



EDEN - POPULATION: 3,006

WEDNESDAY 23 – THURSDAY 24.11.2011: Stayed at Discovery Caravan Park, Eden which backs onto Twofold Bay. This provided Madison with yet another opportunity to run on the beach off lead “with the wind through her ears”! Eden is a seaside holiday township set on the shores of Twofold Bay, surrounded by Ben Boyd National Park. Began our sightseeing at “The Pinnacles”, which is a natural cliffs formation of multi-coloured sands and clay located on the edge of Terrace Beach.  

THE PINNACLES



LOVE A GOOD
TERMITE HILL!

SNUG COVE, EDEN

Next stop – Snug Cove, this is where three wharves unite. It is the hub for vessels to call into when entering the waters of Twofold Bay – one of the deepest natural harbours in the world. Quick stop at Calle Calle Beach.

Finally a visit to “The Seahorse Inn” located south of Eden at Boydtown. The inn was built by Benjamin Boyd in 1843 using convict labour and named after his steamship. Brick cottages, a wool store, salting down works and church were part of Boyd’s grand style empire on the shores of Twofold Bay until 1849.

THE SEAHORSE INN



CENTRAL TILBA - POPULATION: 223

TUESDAY 22.11.2011: Opted for the coast road - mostly winding, but a beautiful drive. Travelled through Narooma, with the first stop at Central Tilba. The area was originally inhabited by the Yuin Aboriginal tribe. Tilba is said to mean 'wind' in Yuin language. The town was settled during the Australia gold rushes of the nineteenth century. Central Tilba is located south west of Narooma and the entire village is classified by the National Trust. So many arts, crafts and food delicacies to choose from! Onward to Bermagui for lunch, then Tathra. Surprise - pitched a tent along with "Miss B - Avan" at Yellow Pinch Dam, a Freedom Camp South of Bega.

BERMAGUI

BRAIDWOOD - POPULATION: 1,108

 

BRAIDWOOD'S MAIN STREET

MONDAY 21.11.2011: Spent the morning at Braidwood, a service town for the surrounding region which is based on sheep and cattle grazing and forestry operations. European explorers reached the district in 1822, with the town settled in the 1820's and surveyed in 1839. Saw some beautiful buildings - lovely atmosphere. 

COFFEE AT 'PARK & WALLACE'



BRAIDWOOD COURTHOUSE 1901

Drove through Mogo, a quaint village with many restored buildings. Passed through Batemans Bay and Moruya - again another enjoyable drive. Pulled in at Bodalla Forest Park Freedom Camp - have to say that it would be close to our most scenic stopover so far - stunning.  It was as though we had taken up residence in the Botanic Gardens. A couple from Cherrybrook (NSW) came over and introduced themselves - had stayed next to us at Emerald (QLD) in September - remembered "Poodle Palace". They travel in "Miss B - Avan" - small world in "Grey Nomad" land!

MITTAGONG - POPULATION: 7,460



B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L SUNSET!

SUNDAY 20.11.2011: Made our way down to Goulburn - stunning countryside through villages such as Lake Bathurst, Tarago, Boro and we even drove through Doughboy! Pulled in at the Warri Reserve Freedom Camp which is situated beside the Shoalhaven River north of Braidwood.

SHOALHAVEN RIVER

SATURDAY 19.11.2011: Visited Sylvia and Ralph Watson in Mittagong, Sybil used to work with their son John Paul when she was at BCS - beautiful drive through Bowral and Mittagong. We stayed the night at Moss Vale Village Caravan Park - little more expensive, but well worth it.

KINGSWOOD NSW - POPULATION: 8,717

JUDY & CAROLE AT THE MARKETS

TUESDAY 15 - FRIDAY 18.11.2011: Travelled down the highway to Sydney and Carole had her Nullarbor practice drive - all systems go with no mishaps! Thank you to Judy, John, Buffy and Holly for absolutely spoiling us - as usual the puddles took over ownership of the house with Madison ensuring all the dog beds were OH&S approved. Visited the Wednesday Penrith markets (huge) and managed to support the cause. Celebrated "Christmas in November" and relaxed!

"CHRISTMAS IN NOVEMBER"

BLACKMANS POINT

FRIDAY 11 - MONDAY 14.11.2011: Yes, we know what can we say - Blackmans Point. One has to stop somewhere! We are seriously "back on the road again....." and are about to make our way down south. Headed off from Blackmans Point with our first stop at downtown Raymond Terrace - Bellhaven Caravan Park, not one of our better stops! Considered the Freedom Camp at Medowie, but felt a little insecure.

COFFS HARBOUR

TUESDAY 8 - THURSDAY 10.11.2011: Dropped off and picked up Poodle Palace from Jayco - all systems go! Went fishing at Toormina and visited Sawtell RSL. Important point is that we won the obligatory meat raffle - bonus, tickets are free!

RON, CAROLE, ANETTE & SYBIL WITH
THE SPOILS!

BLACKMANS POINT

SATURDAY 5 - MONDAY 7.11.11: The honourary permanent residents of Blackmans Point returned once again. Went fishing of course and whilst Sybil was in the throws of reeling in a bream a rather large sea eagle perched in a tree above swooped down and took the fish between its' legs. The bird proceeded to fly off, whilst Sybil endeavoured to reel faster - Sybil won! The fish was undersize and had to be returned. New experience for both human and fish - just imagine Billy Bream relating the tale to his family about not only being caught, but also airborne!

BROKE

FRIDAY 4.11.11: Visited Cessnock Millers Warehouse to replace clothes that have suffered due to the use of laundromats. Then to the Hunter Olive Shop to replenish supplies, and a final stop at McNamara Park Freedom Camp at Broke where we stayed what now seems like years ago. Amazing what knowledge and experience can provide - last time round we were so focused on the functioning of the motorhome and the novelty of Freedom Camps that we struggled to "see the view"!

TANILBA BAY/LEMON TREE PASSAGE

LAURIE, STELLA, CAROLE, SHAYDEN,
SYBIL AND MADISON

MON 24.10 - THURS 3.11.2011: Big thank you to Laurie and Stella for allowing us to camp out in their backyard. Stella (Laurie's Papillon), was so excited to see us exit having had Madison (alias Dyson the vacuum cleaner), assume ownership of her bed, regularly come through and consume any food, dismember stuffed toys, plus take up residence on the lounge and seats. Then we have Shayden - he persisted in taking all of Stella's balls. Nothing like making yourself at home! We took many "self portraits", but 90% ended with Stella's ears covering Laurie's face. Finally took a photo of faces, but the exposure is poor! Notice Madison and Shayden had almost nodded off by the time the photo shoot was over. During our stay we have visited the dentist, doctor, surgeon and had our mammograms. Sybil was advised that her knee was progressing well and the bend is up to 105 degrees, only 15 degrees to go! Visited friends Denise & Terry Davies, June & John Clark and Carole's sister Helen & Ross.

THIS IS WHERE WE STARTED!

BLACKMANS POINT

"THE CATCH!"

WEDNESDAY 19 - SUNDAY 23.10.2011: On the road again.......and back to our favourite haunt. Weather was perfect so we went fishin'! As one would expect, no expense was spared when venturing out on the Airlie Beach and Cairns Charter Fishing Trips, with no results. Threw the line in at Blackmans Point and Sybil caught her biggest e-v-e-r bream at 38cms. The Armidale men's fishing troop staying at the park insisted we measure the catch and were suitably impressed - nothing like a little credibility! Carole had to descend the cliff face to rescue the fish, with major line tangles ensuing - so professional! Carole also caught a decent sized flathead - good day's fishing.

COFFS HARBOUR

FRIDAY 14 - TUESDAY 18.10.2011: The rains came and lasted! We visited Simmone (Carole's niece) and her son Madigan at their beautiful home, plus went sightseeing and supported Sawtell RSL. Picked up "Poodle Palace", but there are still a few items that require attention, SO there will be a return trip to Coffs Harbour. 

SIMMONE, MADIGAN & CAROLE



SIMMONE'S LOVELY HOME