On Saturday, we left
Bright to make our way to Canberra. We had hoped to cross the Snowy
Mountains but a late winter meant that there was still a possibility
of snow chains being needed; not an option for us. Also by going via
Canberra, we could visit Robbie and Alana ( Ron and Ann's son and
daughter in law). We passed through Happy Valley which was very green
and pretty with many cattle farms leading to the Kiewa Highway.
Once on the Hume
Highway, I took a turn at driving and we stopped for lunch at
Gundegai, which is famous for the story about a drover whose dray got
stuck in mud and the bullocks broke the yoke. While they sorted out
the problem, the drover's dog went to sit on the drover's tuckerbox
(food box). This is now commemorated with a statue of the dog.
We arrived in Canberra,
late afternoon, but due to many activities going on, our chosen
campsite was full. However, we managed to get a pitch at the
Exhibition site, which was basic but gave us a free view of the
training run for the pony trotting.
Sunday 15th October
Sunday 15th October
Sunday morning, we
drove to the Anzac War Memorial, very impressive. The Anzac Parade
which runs from the Memorial down to Parliament House has many
statues commemorating the various wars that Australia has been
involved in.
From there, we stopped
at Lake Burley Griffin by the Carillon which was playing tunes.
The main bell at the Carillon was made in Loughborough. After a picnic lunch here, we drove to the suburb of Belconnen where we visited Barbara, a friend of Dianna and Mike's. She is very bright and bubbly and gave us a warm welcome with tea and cake. We had a lovely conversation with her.
The main bell at the Carillon was made in Loughborough. After a picnic lunch here, we drove to the suburb of Belconnen where we visited Barbara, a friend of Dianna and Mike's. She is very bright and bubbly and gave us a warm welcome with tea and cake. We had a lovely conversation with her.
We made our way to
another campsite, with time for a swim in the pool before going to
Robbie's for dinner. They have a gorgeous little girl who was
delightful.
Highlight of the day:
Meeting up with friends.
Monday 16th
October
The day dawned
beautifully sunny and warm and our route today was to take us to the
New South Wales Coast. We headed for Bateman's Bay where we had to
visit a dealer to repair the leaky toilet in the van. That done, we
continued south as far as Bermagui which is a fishing port.
We also visited the historical village of Tilba where we had been nine years ago. We then turned back and stopped at Narooma for the night. It was a campsite separated from Handkerchief Beach by tall trees which were home to many rosella birds. We had a late afternoon walk on the beach before dinner.
We also visited the historical village of Tilba where we had been nine years ago. We then turned back and stopped at Narooma for the night. It was a campsite separated from Handkerchief Beach by tall trees which were home to many rosella birds. We had a late afternoon walk on the beach before dinner.
Highlight of the day:
Well, it has to be the repair of the loo, doesn't it!
Tuesday 17th October
Today, we woke up
to bright blue sky again, very warm and we took the Tourist Drive
northwards towards Bateman's Bay again. We passed an old quarry site
where they had used the granite for building Sydney Harbour Bridge.
We stopped at Moruya Heads for a walk on the beach and had a lunch
stop at Mossy Point where we came across two old fishermen who were
guttung their catch for the day and feeding the local seagulls, some
gannets and a very hungry pelican!
Our stop for tonight is
Ulladullah, on the headland and we have lovely pitch overlooking the
harbour. We sat out for Happy Hour and the temperature was 31
degrees.
Highlight of the day: A
kookaburra came to join me for Happy Hour, sitting on the van door.
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