The windy city (mighty pretty)

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  Jervis Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Phew, it's a big one today. Where had they got to last time we heard from the travelbuds? Could have been heading to the Conga campground in the Eurobodella Nat Park for a couple of nights. What a peaceful and perfectly placed spot this was, except for when the rabbit spot-lighter came through in his ute at 1am one night - sure got the short shrift from the activity lunatic freak who burst from his tent with his own spotlight in hand screaming out "Are you right there mate?!!!!"  Could have been a bit concerned about the welfare of his wife and kids. Dicko couldn't hear any gunshots above his own snoring. But an interesting bloke, the freak. He'd ride a bicycle backwards (sitting on the handlebars) off down the track with a surfboard under his arm and crash helmet on his head to go surfing. A couple of hours later he'd be spotted running full belt up the beach with a bucket in one hand and a surf rod in the other, fully decked out in waders, bucket hat etc. Dicko was exhausted just watching him. And Louise, being a lunatic magnet was careful not to make eye contact!
Good spot for whale watching too. Our 2 cuddlepots watched a whale and her calf (identified as Right Whales by Capt Ahab Dicko) sploshing around not more than 100m from shore. The mother (cow for the record) appeared to be feeding the baby (calf, ditto). She would roll over onto her back with her tail in the air for some minutes at a time and the calf would float over the top of her to suckle. Amazing. This went on for probably an hour or more.
And then there was Kerry. Now Kerry lived opposite the entrance to the campground and she was responsible for collection of the fees. The usual - $10 pppn. Dicko was told by his adoring partner that he was not to call her a nazi (especially while the maladjusted Israeli psychotherapist and family, who thought it might be ok to run his generator all day so he could keep his fridge cold - until he and Dicko had a little chat - was camped next door) however she (Kerry) was always there when anyone came in, day or night, marching up to introduce herself, her role (fee collector), and provide a receipt. No 2 for 1 offers here.
The creek had not been open for years according to frequent visitors but had burst through the sandy beach just a few weeks ago and the outgoing tides were a thing to behold. Not a strong enough tide to wash the dozens of dead short tailed shearwaters away though! But, a great place to camp.
Oh dear and then there was Batemans Bay (Easts Riverside Tourist Park) for a couple more nights. Now Dicko always gets moist and a bit edgy when BB is mentioned. He reckons that it's a piece of heaven. Deary me, he appears to have changed his mind a little. Perhaps it was the company on previous trips? Those bikers: PK, Stevie et al. Well he reckons it doesn't shape up at all any more although that bag of 40 oysters he bought for $16 at Pearly's Oyster Bar did quieten him down a little. But they didn't quieten down Larry who was camped right next door which is very close at Easts!. Larry (65 and just retired) is from New Zilland and so is Trish (75 and similarly unemployed). Larry doesn't mind a few freshly shucked oysters. He doesn't mind a chat either. They are now both Louise's best friends and one of her first jobs for when she gets back to Melbourne is to book 2 cheap seats to NZ to be welcomed and escorted around the north island by the hospitable and cheerful couple. But Larry has provided something significant, another guiding light to show Dicko the way through this dark and dismal life. As you might know the one flickering flame that keeps him on track is his mantra of "Less Is More" - perhaps a tattoo one day? Well Larry has landed another one in his lap. Trish says quietly over a glass of wine "Oh Larry won't let me put anything in the camper van unless it has at least 2 uses". Now Dicko was over the moon with this one. There are still a few things left in the van; the laundry detergent can wash dishes and serve as shaving cream, his jocks can be worn in the traditional way and also as a beanie on a cold night, the barbie mate can flip chops and also cut string. Got the picture? If it doesn't do 2 things it's out! The hair curlers are gone but Louise has got a big box of stuff in the back of the Nissan that's marked "Do Not Touch".
Huskisson. Should be in Trivial Pursuit. Who ever heard of that? Not the happy campers, that's for sure. But it's in Jervis Bay and that's where HMAS Melbourne sliced HMAS Voyager in half 30 or 40 years ago. The hordes go there from Canberra, Woollongong and Sydney for weekends and school hols. It's the first place that accommodation has been an issue. Couldn't get into the National Park so it's 2 nights in a van park again - the Huskisson White Sands Tourist Park, more boom gates, ablution block keys etc, ho hum. The wind belts across the bay most of the day and night but its bonza first thing in the morning. It's close to Sydney so arrangements were made to "do" lunch with brother Geoff on his day off. Fish and chips overlooking the bay in Kiama (sort of) half way. On the way from Husky (that's what we locals call it) to Kiama (that's what their locals call it) if one takes the tourist route which is slower but much more interesting than highway 1, one passes through a place called Coolangatta. Shoalhaven Shire has township signs with the township name and a brief descriptor underneath. Many of them are about the Koori origin of the namei. On the Coolangatta sign the note says "Coolangatta is aboriginal for splendid view". I can see it now: It's 1780. Jackie and Bruce are standing together at the top of the hill with their spears and one leg hooked behind the other. Jackie says "Coolangatta". Bruce says "Yeah bro, splendid's the word!" What sort of a local government speech writer produces these things?
Went to the final night of the Husky film festival. What a stroke of luck. It was the "short film" night. There was a good dozen people there - and plenty of party pies, dips and cheese and bix for everyone. Also a cask of red AND white with adequate tea bags and Pablo Caterers Blend. All attendees were required to vote for the best film (mostly hand held video jobbies shot through car windows or down at the beach). The local kids' surfing film won of course, although not with the help of Mr Grumpy's vote, or Louise's (who unkindly stated on the way home that they all had their heads up their own arses!) for that matter! The do was held in the Lady Denman Centre. The Lady Denman is a Sydney ferry which has been restored and placed in a massive purpose built "shed". It's a great museum and not to be missed if travelling through Husky.
EDITOR'S NOTE:  One member of the travelling duo who happens not to be the author of the incredibly informative blogs coming through wishes to have it noted that one needs to be mindful when travelling of the risks associated with becoming an obsessive blogger - two people old enough to know better grappling over a Macbook Pro in public WiFi hot spots is not pretty!!. 

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A short break at Moruya   Comments!	Fish and chips at Tuross Heads   Comments!	Batemans Bay - ho hum	Lunch in Kiama   Comments!

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