Happy Christmas!

Yes, I know I have been slack... part of the last few days we have been out of internet range. The other part, I have been lazy. Trial Bay continued to get better and became our favourite campsite. Amber’s friendships with the camp kids continued and over two days I don’t think I heard a cross word. There was Jasmine and Cody from Canberra, and whose parents were very warm and friendly. Then there was Sarah who Amber connected with straight away and Lane who is taking a year off starting in March and travelling around Australia with his parents.


Out second day at Trial Bay Amber played with these buddies until about 10am then we took off to investigate the gaol. Built in the late 1800s, it is the only Australia prison designed purely to built capital works... namely a seawall which self destructed shortly after it was finished. During WWI this gaol became an internment camp for German Australians who were considered a risk to the war effort. They had a live theatre, grew their own veggies and many learnt a trade. At the end of the war, instead of releasing these model citizens, most were shipped out to Germany which seems really strange.

Next stop was Smoky Cape lighthouse which is very pretty, but without the tour (these run only twice a week) it wasn’t particularly engaging because you can’t go in the lighthouse itself.

Back at camp, Amber played more and I relaxed. Then, around 3.30pm we put the kayak in the water and headed down the creek to a lake. Our new friends (Jas and Coby and parents) rented a canoe and joined us, but it wasn’t Jas’s scene and we found ourselves alone paddling across a wide expansive lake towards pelicans and black swans. How beautiful it was... even though the thick pond weed made the smell rather unsavoury.

That evening we headed back to gaol (do not pass go...). The Lion’s Club carols was on and the skies cleared for the event. The carol book didn’t have many that were actually sung, but the idea was good and one local primary school boy stole the show on stage. The sun set in a orange fire and the walls of the gaol changed from cold grey to warm amber.

It was hard to leave this place the next morning but we were heading to a place previously loved: Nymboida Canoe Centre. On the way we stopped at Nambucca heads, bought paints and left our mark on the Vee Wall! This was so much fun!! And hunger making so we ate at the RSL for lunch.

It took a couple of hours to get to our destination and we listened to the book on tape we bought with us as we drove. This has proved to be a very good activity which engages us both. Once arrived we went searching for Rob the manager and when we couldn’t find him we grabbed inner tubes, helmets and jackets and did a run down the river before it got too cold.

Next day (Dec 21) at 9am we met Dan from NRG Rafting, next door. He was going to take us on a half day white water paddle down Goolang Creek, starting just below the power station. After a brief and practice on dry land we were hurtling downstream trying to keep in time as we paddled. I think Amber is hooked since she squealed with excitement at every opportunity. Dan takes kids from six up on this river because it is pretty tame, but fun enough for parents to get a thrill too. Dan also runs platypus paddling tours further up river and guarantees a sighting.

Back at camp, and pretty tired, we had a rest before heading 4km up the road to the Coaching House Inn. Owned by Russel Crowe, this lovely old pub and quality accommodation place is also home to the Museum of Interesting Things... all from Russel’s collection. As you might imagine, there are numerous movie memorabilia and sporting souvenirs. This is such a kid-friendly museum because there is very little reading, it’s small, yet well organised and stroller-friendly. Quite a find.

Now, I sit tapping away at Woody Point in Bunjalung National Park near Iluka. This is a lovely campsite with beautiful sites, clean amenities, right on a beach (not particularly attractive because of green slime) and friendly staff. It’s quite expensive for a National Park, and you still have to pay extra for showers, but you get the impression many people book here and come back year after year. Just as the sun set Amber and I took a walk to the tide pools and watch the fishing fleet heading out to sea. We learnt about port and starboard lights...

This is our last night on this trip and I feel quite sad this evening. Off to the Goldie tomorrow for family Christmas. Merry Christmas everyone!