Sun, Sea and Sand

We only stayed one night in Eden, the weather wasn't great and the camp site was deserted so we decided to get some mileage covered instead. We headed along the coastal road and stopped at a very small town called Tathra, again there was very little to do there but we were right on the coast and about 100 yards to the beach. The sun managed to break through too after 3 days of showers so we were more than happy.

On our second day there we decided to drive to The Mimosa Rocks National Park which was about 5k from where we were staying. We took the camper van "off road" onto a little winding dirt track, which we shouldn't have done really as our insurance only covers us for sealed roads, but you know what Backpackers are like. We weren't really sure what to expect as we had only seen the name place on the map, after a while we started to see lots of tents pitched in the trees and caravans and then people milling about, and we realised we had stumbled upon a little metropolis of campers. It isn't a camp site as such and is really only for the hard core of outdoor people, in that the only facilities that are available are two outdoor toilets, so you have to be fully self sufficient. But that is not a problem for Ozzies 'cos they are into their camping BIG time.

So we parked up next to what looked like a football team of male campers, there was camping gear and fishing rods strewn everywhere, it was obvious that they had been there a while and enjoyed themselves judging by the amount of stuff they were surrounded with. It was almost like an expo for camping and fishing. We caked ourselves in sun cream and headed off to find the Mimosa Rocks. Well unbeknown to us the rocks are on the beach and we found them by chance really as we ambled for about a mile along the most stunning piece of coast line. The sea was the colour of something you would expect to find in a cocktail glass and the sand was like gold dust, it was lovely. It was also a great spot for surfers (apparently(?)) although we did only see the one.

The rock formations were great too, I think Matt is uploading the pics now, lots of jagged edges and different colours, which against the green sea and golden sand back drop was amazing. By the time we got back to the van about an hour and half later the campers we had parked next to had gone, as if by magic, they had left without a trace, unbelievable. I don't even think a decent forensic team would have found any trace of their having been there.

After that we headed back to the camp ground for some R&R, it's hard work all this ambling about and lazing around on beaches ;o) and spent a lazy afternoon in the sun.

The next morning we got up and I headed to the toilets (we hate not having our own like we did in the "posh camper") as soon as I walked through the door I saw it, as my sixth sense kicked in. It was a cricket or stick insect on the door frame of the toilet, the only thing was it was the size of my hand!! I let out a gasp and a few expletives and didn't know what to do, obviously first thing in the morning I was desperate to use the loo but I was gripped with a fear that this "thing" would vault over the toilet door and land on me (as if) Anyway I braved it and went in, I left the door ajar ready for a speedy getaway, should we find ourselves occupying the same cubicle. I have never pee'd so fast, I never even washed my hands I just shot out of there and back to the van to tell Matt. By this time the insect was twice as big as my hand, ( needed a bit of sympathy ;o)) I sent him back to have a look for himself, but as always when you see something big etc,it had gone! Needless to say I never went back for a shower!!

So we had breakfast and headed along the coastal road (towards Sydney) and are now staying at a place called Batemans Bay, it's a lovely little seaside town with lots of fish and chip shops and fresh fish from the locals who go out on their boats. We've got some Ozzie cod for the BBQ tonight so we're looking forward to that.

Oh one last thing, JH never won the election, he was defeated by the labour leader Kevin Rudd, every radio station we tune into now is about politics.