Day 1 at Barrington

Ohhhh holidays…. After nearly 3 years. This is the week of Paul’s birthday celebrations. We have been to many places down south and only once up north till the Hunter Valley. So we thought maybe it was time to move a little further up.  Saw this place called Barrington Riverside Cottages situated at the edge of the Barrington Tops National Park, with the nearest small town called Barrington. It looked picturesque and so we booked it.

We were leaving on Sunday morning and as usual I was packing half hour before we were due to leave. By the time I had collected a few clothes, all my medicines and chargers for phone, camera and tooth brushes as well as a cool bag with water and some bread butter cheeses I felt as if I was carrying more than half my house with me.

Filled the car with petrol and then decided might as well take some cash as we have no idea if the pay wave would work in some of the smaller places. There is definitely an issue with phone and internet connections in the countryside. Right it was 10 30 am when we finally turned off the road from our burb and thought blimey this is Sunday and where are all these people going? However the traffic was moving and we reached the freeway to find a traffic jam as there was a car broken down just 2 exits away. The left hand lane was closed further up but do you think that people would right away move into the other lane? Oh no! we have to bomb up the closed lane right up to the point of closure and then barge into the middle lane getting one up on people who were obeying the traffic rules.

Once past the breakdown the road opened up and off we went. We drove up the M1 right the motorway ends and then becomes Pacific Highway. Amazing seeing names of places from around the world as Toronto exit was just before Swansea; Newcastle and Wallsend and Cardiff. Since we were taking it easy and also like to see as much of the countryside as we can we went off the highway to take the Tourist Trail 2 called the Bucketts Way. By now it was coming up to 12 30 pm and I said we need to stop and have a break; maybe find something to eat? So next rest stop we came to we stopped and of course it was only toilets and a few seats. So off we went again after stretching the legs. The road was single lane each way and just trees and grass around. I think it was all part of people’s farms as often there were cattle chewing the cud or sitting about. There were signs along the way that were amusing, like Pony Poo $2; Piglet for sale; dog coats and so on. We also skirted the edge of Karuah National Park, past Booral to the historic town of Stroud.

Stroud is a one main road town and we were hoping there was some place to eat as Booral had all placed closed. There was a sign at the start of town that there were tea rooms and we thought at least there will be some tea. I wondered if there was Devon Cream Tea like we had once before in Victoria on the way to Ballarat. It was all the way to the other end of town and as we parked I said this does not look very open. Indeed there was no one about and the door was shut but the board outside said it was open 7 days a week. Then round the side I saw some people sitting around tables.

This was a lovely place tea rooms / café with store selling locally produced knickknacks as well as jams, cakes and biscuits made by Crepe Myrtle themselves. The menu was fairly extensive with teas, cakes, sandwiches, soups, pizzas, quiches and so on. However this was 2 pm and quiches were over. We could have nice cheesy garlicky pizza and cream tea. The scones were good and warm, the clotted cream light and homemade raspberry jam. It felt good to fill up.

Of we went happily up the Bucketts Way and the rain started. It soon became heavy and the water started flooding the sides of the road and the slightly lower areas. Soon the dips in the roads were awash with water. The wipers were going at double speed and it was still hard to see. We stopped for a few minutes by the side but then thought it might be wiser to try and get away fast. Paul was looking to the left and over to where the clouds were low on the hills and said what he thought was a small whirlwind hitting the ground. But as I turned around to look it had started dissipating.  As we went further we came across large branches across the rood, further up a couple of trees across the road. I think some 4 x 4 had driven through the branches and cleared one side. Maybe this is where that small whirlwind hit the ground. The rain had now slowed and we were trying to find small turn offs. The signs are not very big and on poles right at the edge of the road where they tend to get covered by the trees and bushes. So we were delighted that we found the Barrington W road as we thought at the end wold be the cottages we were going to. As the house numbers started going down we thought yes! we are on the right road. But then we seemed to go past the number we wanted but there was nothing in between so where did the whole place go? Should we call the place and ask? Oh yes did we have coverage on our mobile? Just then we saw the first and only man walking down the road. He said we needed to go to the end of the road turn right towards Barrington and then again first right on to the Barrington East Road!

North Tableland

Finally found the place and it is really in the middle of nowhere. The cottage is on stilts like so many places. The veranda faces west and overlooks the Barrington River.  There is a barbie, a lawn chair, a wooden bench, and wooden table and 4 chairs on the veranda. The sitting room had one 3 seater and 2 one seater sofas another wooden dining table and 4 chairs. The kitchen runs across the wall with a small hotplate and kettle and toaster. The cabinet has the heavy duty microwave and strangely the upper shelves are holding the DVD player, the satellite box and the TV on the topmost shelf. There is a fridge freezer in the other cubby hole.

River Cottage

You turn left by the fridge and it has the sink and shelves for your bits and bobs. Move forward into the toilet and shower cabinet. The bedroom lies to the right – nice comfy bed and built in cupboard, the full length glass French windows. All in all fairly comfortable but I guess it had been kept shut for a while so the inside was pretty hot. Opened all the doors and windows, made a cuppa and sat listening to the murmur of the river and wind in the trees. And then the heavens opened here as well. Sat and had some sushi (sadly found that sushi kept overnight in the fridge and then in the cool box does not fare well as the rice had become hard and chewy and it all felt a bit dry) and chocolate for dessert. Oh yea Paul managed to get the internet going and the TV so we settled in for the night.

Unexpected Cheese Fest on Holiday

The third day of the holiday dawned bright and sunny. What a glorious morning it was. My treat for the birthday boy was again taking the wheel first thing in the morning. Letting him sit back and enjoy the scenery and the gentle drive. Yesterday when we made our way back from Moruya via the Princess highway we found that it was only 26 km distance. So we decided that today we would go further down the highway and see some more places. Instead of stopping at Batemans Bay in the morning, we would do so on the return journey.

The first town that comes after Batemans Bay is Mogo. This is a small gold rush town, with a single main street, a few shops and a zoo. Next, we go past Moruya where we had stopped yesterday and you can read about it in the blog ‘Down Tourist Drive 7’. Again from here the highway runs at a distance from the coast and access to each small town or bay is via a small road that ends at the coast. After passing Bergalia and Colia we came to an exit for Tuross Head. The name sounded different and also indicated that this was a headland with most likely good views so we turned down the road. On one side of the road is the Colia Lake and on the other Tuross Lake. This is a lovely drive with pines trees around. The drive allows you to loop around the town and also allow you to drive on the coastal cliff. 

We parked the car and took a walk along the path and looked at the view out on to the Tasman Sea. It was just so peaceful, sitting on the bench and just letting the breeze gently ruffle the hair and cool the skin. There were 2 families on the beach, one just below us and one further out on the sandy beach. The children were enjoying being swept up and put down by the waves. The sunlight was sparkling on the water and that was a moment in time to be treasured and feel blessed to be allowed to be in that moment. It inspired a poetry that I had to write and can be found in my blog ‘Dancing Sunlight’.

Out to the Tasman Sea

 Tuross Head Beach

 Colia Lake

Moving on, we drove back to the highway and turned south again. We crossed the River Tuross that feeds into the Lake before joining the Tasman Sea. The next place was Bodalla. There is a lovely All Saints Church there but this time we did not wander into it. Since it was midday and we were looking to stop for a drink and maybe something to eat. There on the main road was a diary and cheese factory. So we went into see the small dairy museum and then the shop next door. They have a large variety of cheeses and you can taste each and every one of them before deciding what you wish to buy. It is such fun this cheese tasting…… cheese smoked with gum leaves, cheese with pepperberries and with chillies, cheese with sage and saltbush, with thyme, with wattle seed, with garlic and so on and so on. We bought Bushies Best, a soft cheese coated with herbs, Bodalla Heatwave which leaves a heat trail down your throat, and Gumtree smoked Chedder.

There is also an old time American diner style restaurant here and of course some homemade cakes, quiches, wraps and breads. So the lunch was a pint of strawberry milk shake for me and chocolate one for the birthday man. Along with that a slice of vanilla cheese cake and orange cake with a small pot of clotted cream. I was quite happy to have just that as lunch. We wandered around the back of the dairy to see cows grazing peacefully overlooked by a wooden eagle. There are a couple of other shops selling local handicraft and products made from lavender. It was good to talk to the shop owners and discuss the crafts being sold. Why was there are Mexican restaurant in this small place, right beside the hotel? The dairy also has 5 rooms which they let out and seemed to be popular. If I went to stay there I think I would be eating cake and cheese and drinking milk shakes all day. 

Replete, we drove on a little further south as there was a nearby place called Potato Point. Intrigued by the name and since he likes potatoes, we decided to have a look. Indeed the road took us right up to the coast but on top of a cliff but unlike Tuross Head, nowhere to park and wander about taking in the views. 

We turned back from here to return to Batemans Bay. This time we stopped in the car park by the bridge and took a walk along the promenade. Being a Sunday there were many people about, walking or sitting with kids playing. There are a few restaurants including an Indian on the bay front. Just past the restaurants, are the lamp posts on which the pelican gather and today there were quite a few. Mostly sitting with one or two standing and all were asleep. Will who can blame them it was a fairly hot afternoon. 

Bridge over River Clyde from carpark

In the evening, walked over to the restaurant in the resort thinking we would be sure to get a table today as many people would have left after the weekend. Surprise! The restaurant and the takeaway are both shut on Sunday. So we walked back, got into the car and drove back to Batemans bay. The first big restaurant was the one we had a drink at before so went in there. Thought it’s a lovely evening and we would sit outside. But soon it got chilly in the wind and we had to retrieve out jumpers from the car. But as the sun dipped over the horizon we moved into the restaurant and it was so much nicer without that cold wind. The road back through the forest in the dark always appears unfamiliar so a slow drive back and a good end to a thoroughly enjoyable day.

Down Tourist Drive 7

Oh dear! I meant to write the blog of all the holiday one after another but the best laid plans. I had a rough Wednesday and Thursday. What with the shopping and mowing the grass (I swear the garden feels as big as a cricket ground some days) I just got too hot and exhausted. I suddenly realised I was mouth breathing – something I have not done in ages. So now the mouth and throat are dry as dust and I guzzle more water. The air and water mixture is not good for the tummy which blows up like a balloon. By evening I have fever too and headache and nausea. I thought I would not be able to get up for a long while now. But wonder of wonders I am at least up and about, so here goes the second day of the holiday.

The wake up on saturday was gentle but cold as it was drizzling. By now we had worked it out that our mobile network was maybe half a bar when you stood in knee deep water on the beach. But still Paul decided to try and ring mother as we were supposed to meet her on Skype. Yes you have guessed it right about the lack of heat in the Wi-Fi hotspots too. However, all he got for his efforts was wet!

A hot bowl of porridge just hit the right spot and we decided to go out and be tourists. The first stop was Batemans Bay. This is a lovely town on the mouth of the River Clyde. It is a popular place for boating and fishing.

 Crossing River Clyde to Batemans Bay

 Bridge over Clyde

 Batemans Bay

Boats in the Bay

There is always a pelican or two about besides the usual gamut of those pesky sea gulls. As we were keeping a lookout for the pelicans, we found a couple sitting with cormorants on the lamp posts. So the car was stopped and I trotted off in the drizzle to get a shot. A man walking towards me stopped and advised me against standing under the lamp post to take the photo, as I might get pooped on. It made me wonder whether he thought I wanted picture of the birds’ bottom. We decided to leave the Princess Highway here and go on to the tourist drive 7 along the coast up to Moruya.

The next place we went through was Catalina situated on the Corrigans Beach and Batehaven -small places ideal for tourism. There are a string of hotels and motels along the sea front but Thank God none of those high rise blocks. Then, we moved through Denhams Beach to Surf Beach.

 Surf Board Sculpture at Surf Beach

By this time the drizzle had stopped and though the sun was still not blazing the sky was clearing. We had once before stopped at this place and had chips for lunch while trying to avoid being dive bombed by the sea gulls. Boy! Are they in competition for the chips or what? The air was feeling warmer by now. The pines stood green and tall with the glimpses of grey blue skies always gladden my heart.

Though this is the coast road, it is up on the cliffs and to reach the beaches and small towns dotted on the coast you have to travel down the side roads. Despite that, the scenery and hilly road was good to drive on. Yes I had taken up the option to drive first today as after lunch I feel lazy and drowsy. The names of places we passed were Lilli Pilli, Malua Bay, Rosedale, Guerilla Bay, Tomakin and Mossy Point. Well we did try a foray into Guerilla Bay as it intrigued us. However, the town is up on the cliff and the way to a lovely beach is a narrow path. The views were fabulous from up there. The houses are lovely and the place very quiet. It makes you wonder what is up, as there were many houses up for sale all along these coastal towns. Lovely to live, very very peaceful but what would one do for a living? Maybe own online business or some sort?

From Mossy Point we took the small road to Broulee, then back on to the tourist route 7. We came up to this scenic point and decided to stop and stretch out our legs. This is on the outskirts of Moruya. Here is a quarry  from which the granite for the Sydney Harbour Bridge was dug up. It is right next to the River Moruya. There is a small museum of the quarry and a walk way at the edge of the water. The trees are green, the rocks are blue grey and covered in barnacles, water blue with a boat or two, people fishing and gentle breeze. Out comes the sun and now I am regretting putting on that warm top this morning. Out comes the sun screen and arms and face gets covered as sleeves have to be rolled up if I am not to faint with heat stroke. Yes, I was also sent to stand in the middle of the road in order to take pictures of the quarry. Keeping an eye in each direction, to avoid being run over, it is a little difficult to take directions for good shots. However, here are the fruits of dangerous photography.

 River Moruya

The tourist trail ends abruptly as we hit the Princess Highway at the edge of Moruya. As we crossed the river, we saw there was a market in town. We parked behind the shops and walked around the market. It was typical small town market with local produce of fruit and veg, honey, jams, olives fresh bread and snacks; and local craft work as in jewellery, woodwork, clothes and pot plants. But, the sellers were packing up as it was lunch time and later we found that we had just made it in time to see it. A walk around the high street and the shops does not take long. I was surprised to find a Nepalese restaurant there. Nearly went in, but did not want to eat much as I needed something to drink more than food. So we had an ice cream to cool off and a fizzy drink. Something I regretted as I later found that the milkshakes are the thing to go for.

It was time to make our way back with a quick stop at the shops in Batemans Bay as I wanted my own tea and coffee. A walk around the shopping mall and car park was the end of this outing. It was a good one. A walk on the beach and a view of what definitely was a shark out in the water was next. It was a triangular black fin with every now and then a black expanse of the back as it rose to dive down. The guys at the bar and takeaway confirmed that they get sharks in the bay. I have seen dolphins here before so a shark was a first. The evening dinner was ordered by the pool bar and the entertainment of the wedding reception was free. It was good to relax and let the evening flow over me with bird songs. 

 Man in a Boat going towards the Shark

At Murramarang National Park

Another short break was fun to plan, especially so soon after the last one. However, I reminded myself that I have not had a holiday in 2 years, so 2 short breaks one after the other were a good idea. The plan was to go down the south coast of NSW and spend a few days exploring. The day started of pretty grey with drizzle. This time we had been smart and bought a nice cool box. We were staying at Murramarang Nature Resort. This place has chalets with cooking facilities. While I had no intention of starting a kitchen, it was handy to take some milk and porridge for breakfast. Also the cool box allowed us to take some cheese, fruit and drinks. By the time all this, and of course clothes, was packed it was 10 am and we were ready to roll out.

We decided to take the Hume highway and cut across towards Wollongong and then take the Princess Highway, which is aminly a coast road. As we sped off down the highway and came up to the Wollongong exit, my husband who had googled the route says not this one. He says there is one that says Mittagong and that’s where most probably we exit. However, that exit still did not show Princes Highway, so we carried on. By now I am checking the map to see where this mythical turn off is! The one we should take was exit to Moss Vale on A48 or else we would be right into Canberra and then go down to Batemans Bay. 

As we turned off the exit, we realised this was the Southern Tablelands. Also upon reaching Moss Vale we could continue on the A48 and go towards Wollongong (in the opposite direction for where we wanted to go) or take the smaller road towards Nowra. This is fairly high and lovely views all around which were not seen at the start, as we were actually among the clouds. The visibility was pretty poor but as we started going downhill the beautiful green colour spread out, as far as the eye could see. The road was hair pins bends going down into the Kangaroo Valley and then up the next hill to get to the coast. Sadly, not a single kangaroo was sighted. Very much like nil kangaroos in Kangaroo Grounds near Melbourne. The tall trees reminded me of the Dandenong ranges in Victoria. The trees were not as thick and therefore old as those in the Dandenongs, but there were more ferns here. Since we were following a lorry and only doing about 10 km per hour, it was nice to be able to look around. I was enjoying it so much that I forgot to take any pictures. I am not sure how good they would have been any way as it was raining and windows had to be shut. 

Eventually we emerged on to the Princess Highway near Bomaderry in Shoalhaven. At last we were near the coast. The air changed for clear but damp mountain air to salty sea breeze. We were looking forward to reaching Nowra as we remembered it from the past visit. We had taken some photos when we stopped for lunch there. The view from high up on the hill of the coast was beautiful. 

 

View from top of the hill Narooma (not Nowra)

Narooma  and not Nowra high street

Alas both our memories proved wrong. We did remember the Woollies we visited but the view from the lunch place certainly did not belong to this town! The lunch stop was Woollies as we also had to pick up some porridge which after all the fuss I had forgotten to pack. Veggie burger and chips were for lunch at Oporto’s. Please people! do not get them to add chilli sauce as this is just a plain burn in mayo which killed off my taste buds. I was done before the burger was! 

Back to the road and onwards to the next place, Milton after passing though the Conjola National Park. We bypassed the Jervis Bay which was reserved for the return journey. Going through Milton the coast fell away and we were higher on the cliffs. A we came into Ulladulla, we felt the area was familiar but it turns out that we were still wrong. It was actually Narooma, a lot further south.

The road is fairly quiet and mostly through the various forests till we get to Batemans Bay. The place we were going to is 8 km off the highway to the village of South Durras. The nature resort is situated within the Murramarang National Park.

The resort was new when we had first visited it in 2009. They now advertised as having wifi hotspots and phone network top. This resort is pretty isolated except for the village. There are good walking trails behind the resort going into the forest. We arrived just as many guests belonging to a wedding party were checking in. There was going to be a wedding tomorrow so the restaurant would be closed to public, we were told at the reception. But the take away hatch and the bar would be open as normal. Our chalet was among the gardens and one of 6 set in a circle. There is a lovely veranda with table and chairs shaded by a net awning to sit and relax. There is a big lounge with a kitchenette on the side and two bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. The sofa can be converted to a bed and thus the chalet sleeps 6 people. Having put away the food in the fridge, and had a cup of tea, we decided to go for a walk on the beach and reacquaint ourselves to the place. 

As we walked back towards reception (to ask for more tea bags and coffee) there they were…. the kangas were lolling about, nibbling grass in the gardens. The beach beyond the next line of chalets is still pretty with clean white sand. The sky was still grey with clouds and the water dark blue. The waves were rolling in and first time I saw my husband actually wandering in the water without having to be coaxed in. I, however, did not wish to get cold so stayed out. 

 Geologist on the beach!

 And his best freinds

 

 Rock Strata of the cliffs

 Cliffside coming down to the beach

We walked along the beach and stopped to look at the sea birds. This place has got so many birds and animals about. I took a few photos of cormorants both black and pied, seagulls, oystercatcher and kookaburra.  I was hoping for pelicans but then they are on the other side of the mouth of River Clyde. 

 Sea Gull Convention

Pied Cormorant watching for its mate out at sea

 Oystercatcher

We walked over the side of the rocks and on to the public beach of South Durras. This side of the beach we found shells. Not the usual bivalves and broken bits of various shells but actually whole small ones. Now have a look at the link I have made with the word shells and you can see the pictures of all the ones available in NSW. I started a new shell collection. I was most upset when I had to leave my old collection behind when I moved to Australia. In fact my niece gratefully inherited it.

Walking on the sand seemed to set off my sciatica. So it was time for dinner and rest. It was nice watching the birds flit about and kookaburra laugh while we had a drink and waited for the pizza from the take away. 

 Kookuburra does not always sit on old gum trees!

We carried that pizza back, to sit on our veranda and enjoy it in the quiet, with a bunny and a kangaroo nibbling at the grass in front. The idyllic was broken when the kanga decided to visit the opposite veranda and drive the lady reading peacefully, on to the lawn. She was shushing it to move on and looking towards us for help. HAHA, I thought, you are looking in the wrong direction. My husband would be the first to run in if the kanga was to turn this way. My leg aches and so I am not happy to even stand up right now. By the time we finished the pizza the kangaroo came to explore our side of the grass and we bade a quick retreat to watch TV. A nice end to a coolish but lovely day.