Eden to Mallacoota

Hi all,

We have had a really nice time driving from Sydney. Reece was very keen to see Bega the cheese town in the Bega Valley. Yes the valley is beautiful and lots of black and white cows grazing. The town a lot bigger than he thought... It has Priceline and Macdonalds. We had a drive around and went to the Bega factory, or I should say tourist shop where they had a video running to show the process. It is completely automated, as you would expect. The cheese is very disappointing. I'm sure you have all tasted the cheese available from every supermarket. Only good for cooking unless you get the vintage. So onto Eden we went. That was a surprise , it is much smaller than we imagined. One Main Street of shops most of which were very ordinary. It had the feel of a small country town. But the port is interesting. Two big tug boats tied up. And many big fishing , trawler boats. Spoke to a shark fisherman who had been out fishing since 0200 and it was lunchtime and he was preparing the bait for the next day. He is after gummy shark. Pretty hard work . There are mussel farms right in the bay. The most interesting was the Eden Smokehouse, where they specialise in smoked fish. Ooh yummy.. We bought smoked mussels, prawns, salmon and even garlic. The smoked garlic beautiful on a cracker with a bit of cheese. He supplies the sea fresh shop in claremont. A drive down to Ben Boyd National Park to see Green Cape Lighthouse. Stunning spot. We were thrilled to see many whales frolicking in the water very close to our viewing place. A family of seals not too far away lolling around on their backs clapping their flippers. Beautiful.
You meet all sorts of people .... We were just sitting outside the other night and this bloke comes along and admires our caravan .... A many people do.... Coz it is a pretty good "rig"..he nearly gave his life story. He is here with his missus for two weeks, Stepdaughter won the second singing competition she is casey Donovan. Her father is an aboriginal... His daughter lives with a bloke in Gin Gin, WA. Her Partner was in jail and she has four kids under five. Oh god he went on...Reece and I just looked at each other when he finally left!!!!!!!!
Left Eden this morning via the smokehouse to get some more garlic...and now in a lovely spot called Mallacoota, now in Victoria. This has a lovely holiday spot. Like Denmark the population swells in the holiday. The caravan park is on the foreshore, and the river mouth. We have a fab spot with magnificent view over the lake and rivermouth. We have just been down to the ocean boat ramp and watched the abalone fisherman arrive. They have a processing plant here for the abalone. Quota system but better to dive for them in the cooler months rather than after in summer as the shellfish are bigger. Will stay at least two nights here, then on to Lakes Entrance.
BBQ out tonight for a roast beef...
Life is good.
Hoping you are all happy.
Just had a phone call from Toby Cocks... He and Zan are to be parents next May!!!!
Mmm time for a couple of smoked mussels with a glass of something before dinner..
Lots of love to you all.

Keep up the emails... Love to here the gossip

Penelope