Eden, NSW

Green Cape lighthouse in Ben Boyd National Park, just south of Eden. Aslings Beach over the road from caravan park.
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Merimbula

Foreshore lunch at merimbula. On our way to Eden. Slate sticks in the water are oyster farms.

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Narooma

We couldn't be much closer to the water

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Drive to Tilba and Bermagui

Weather pretty crappy so we have just returned from s drive to the historic town if Tilba. The main street is heritage listed. They are all weatherboard. Very pretty gardens all on a lovely hillside. We bought some yummy cheese and milk from the ABC cheese factory where you can watch them making the cheese. On to Bermagui a pleasant coastal town with plenty of fishing boats. Scallops, tuna boats.we drove by huge lakes. So much water and wildlife...indulged in some delicious flathead and chips at the fisherman harbour.

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Narooma

Toady we left Depot Beach which is approx 280 km south of Sydney and had a coastal drive to Narooma. This morning I had a nice walk along the beach and along a rainforest walk. Had a chat with new best friends the kangaroos which are very prolific in the area. The campsite is in yet another National Park of which there seems to be an enormous number. our site backed onto the bush, which was very lush with very tall trees. We left about 0930 and are now set up at the Big4 in Narooma. We chose to come here rather than beach camp because we have our favourite tv shows tonight Homeland and tomorrow NCIS..... We haven't been around the town yet, but so far it is really pretty on a river. This is oyster country so we must have a taste.
I have chosen to be without an iron all this time. I have ironed twice since we left last December.. Once at Mums last week and once in Buderim......but today I bought an iron!!!!!!!!

Love Pen

Friends at Depot Beach

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Depot Beach ,NSW

Beautiful scenery at our campsite. Plenty of wildlife and great beach. On our way now to Narooma.just stopped by the river and Reece making coffee.

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Smoke

It's all smoky at the southern gateway near woollongong. Usually there is a fantastic view over the ocean

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Leaving Sydney

Today is Sunday and we have just left Lane Cove Rive tourist Park at 0900 hrs. We are very slick at packing up now ... I had done a couple of videos of the children but unfortunately they bounced back and I am unable to put them on the blog. They were so cute of us playing footy with Lucas and Emily. Laughing and falling over....I will miss them. We are taking the coastal route to Melbourne then Mornington. We do not have to hurry as Vance'vs birthday is not until Nov 12 .. Just out of the tunnel and the sun shining . A great day for a drive. A little bit hazy maybe due to the left over fires in Blue Mountains.
I had my last cuddles with Emily and Lucas last night. Playtime, dinner time, bath time and bedtime...and some beautiful time with Jo, rich looking really well, he went of to a footy ( we would say soccer) game last night at Moore Park. I then got caught in the 10pm traffic coming homve. standstill until I got onto the Eastern Distributer tunnel... Thank goodness for the e tag that sits on the windscreen and buzzes when you go through a toll. Money magically comes off your account. Reece tells me we have spent $700 in tolls since July 1st. This includes all the big motorways. Sounds a lot but a lot of tolls!!!!
Reece looking so much better and more energetic so the iron tabs have done some good. Now I need to take a look at the map and think about where we will spend the night.
I loved my trip to Perth. Poor old Mum had her house and garden blitzed!!!!!!! The garden is so pretty. Miss you all. But not ready to finish this journey just yet. Keep up the emails.....

Lots of love Pen

Treats with Pappy

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Swag

While I was in Perth Reece and dear friend Keith came over from Perth and they had boys adventure. They had a big drive to broken hill, Tamworth . All good fun. Keith tried out the Swag as I preferred to sleep in my bed. We had a drive on Wednesday along the coast. Fortunately no one jumped at the Gap where this pic is. Then we had lunch at our favourite Malaysian restaurant in randwick near to Jo. Keith now home and I am sure he will have had a game of bowls.already

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High tea

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High tea

Lucky us. Mum took all the girls to high tea at the revolving restaurant overlooking Perth. A beautiful day and yummy arvo tea. Slightly weird feeling with the moving restaurant.

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Mums new chair

Hi all. Now back in Sydney after my holiday home in Perth. It was soooo good to catch up with my beautiful family and friends. While I was home mum was able to choose a very comfy chair and footstool to be supplied by vet affairs. Mum look very comfortable. It will be in a very dark navy ...more steel grey.

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Dinner tonight.

We had a lovely Japanese meal tonight. Rich loved his smoothie.

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Back in Sydney

Hi all,
Well after all my bagging of the Hawkesbury caravan park, It was actually really nice. The place was full of the skiers and their very expensive boats. Seems that most of them are from Bathurst and go there every weekend to their converted caravans. They were a very friendly bunch and interested in us travelling around. Big night for them last night as it was the NRL football finals, so many a drop was drunk in the evening and much cheering when scores etc were made. All very quiet after the match. Yesterday was lovely and warm so I spent some time lying on the grass on the banks of the river reading some rubbish, then over to the pool for a dip.
We left this morning and a very quick run into Lane Cove River Tourist Park. We are all settled on our site. We have a good system in place and it takes us no time at all to get hoses attached etc,
Weather today very cool so will have to change from my shorts.
Off to see Jo and family later today and go to the Japanese restaurant for an early meal. Tomorrow evening we will see Sal Melocco. Early spag bog at her place in Mosman. It is her 60 th birthday on Nov 7. Unfortunately I won't be able to go to her dinner as we will be on our way to Mornington.
I am very pleased with myself today. We have a TV connection outside which we have never used as we didn't know ow to connect... Well I have done it so Landline is on now.....outside. Smarty pants aren't I...
Yesterday was the start of daylight saving so we are now 3 ours ahead of you.....

2 more sleeps and I will be in the plane to Perth. Tomorrow is clean up and pack day. I leave early we am and Keith arrives later in the day. Reece and Keith will leave straight away heading for mildura. They are booked at Stefanos restaurant to have the degustation.

The Navy celebrations continue today, public holiday and last day of school hols here.

Seeyou all really soon

Lots of love

Penelope

Pitt Town

Pitt Town is the name of the town we are. It is about 10kms from Windsor only an hour from Sydney.
Windsor full of convict history as with all this area. We had a drive to Wisemans Ferry which has a lovely old pub made by the convicts in sandstone. This area was a big vegetable growing area along the river flats, but alas, no money in cabbages so the big agriculture in Pitt Town area is turf farming.. Acres of them.. One right next door to us. They irrigate from the river. The long weekend starts and there are huge Naval celebrations in the harbour with tall ships and warships. A busy place. Fireworks sat night .Hawkesbury is a very very popular water ski area. We drove back from Wisemans Ferry ( it is the name of the town but there are ferry crossing too) along the lovely windy river road. We are surprised by the number of really really large houses and gardens in this area. Most of which seem to be on small acreage without livestock or agriculture. Beautiful scenery overlooking the river. It is big looks deep and many many ski parks members only. The ski boats very slick . Smart black canvas coverings then brightly painted boats. We re sitting here in the shade after lunch. This little park will be full, so much activity before all the guests arrive. Ride on john deere lawn mower buzzing about.cabins being cleaned, leaves raked toilets cleaned. And the place is filling, the boats have started and now we are grateful to be off the riverfront coz the engines buzz really loudly. All good fun . there are 30 permanent residents here in a variety of " houses" one is 2 Dongas together. Like the fly in fly out sleep in. They have five children and pay $350 per week.
Cuppa now ready
.

Fringe

Emily has had her fringe cut. Isn't she sweet

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Ugly neighbours

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Macquarie Arms Hotel, Windsor

Thus is the oldest purpose built hotel in Australia. Built in 1811 and still operating as a pub. Quite dark inside. Big bar area. Somewhat spoiled by the poke machines.
We are at the very operated Hawkesbury river tourist park. Yes right on the river but we are well back and there are some very ugly permanent caravans here. However, there are nice grassy areas on the river. Cooler today and even a spot of rain.
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Hawkesbury River

Just arrived here from Narrabeen. Unfortunately we don't have a view of the river. Park us actually a bit disappointing. Cool and thunder in the distance. The manager has just told me it will be busy this long weekend with boating and skiing here.

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Fire

Update
Oh dear terrible. A petrol truck lost control coming down mona vale rd and two people dead. Sorry for bad news.

Fire

As I look out of my window I can see smoke billowing . Not too far from us I think it might be the Warriewood shops. Sirens blaring....the day is very unpleasant. Huge westerly winds and quite hot. I have just returned from a walk and the ocean looks lovely, clear and nice surf, but the sand whipping across the beach so no one there except for the odd surfer.

Now must go to find out where the fire is. But don't worry we are quite safe here.

Fire