Tag Archives: Narrabeen New South Wales

Sun, Surf & Sydney!

It all started in 1985…… Thirty years ago, Bev and Mark travelled around Australia. It was BC (before children) – the trip took 5 months. When plotting the trip, it was decided that we would not “do” New South Wales as it was close to home,we could do that in our normal annual holidays. WELL, thirty years later it was time to do the “CLOSE TO HOME” stuff!!.

Continue reading Sun, Surf & Sydney!

Nelson Bay – Week 2 – Then Melbourne

Relaxing - Nelson Bay style
Relaxing – Nelson Bay style

The second week at Nelson Bay was great also.

Beach to ourselves
Beach to ourselves

Weather perfect. One very hot day (35) the remainder were all in the mid twenties.

Yacht towed to the slip
Yacht towed to the slip

Whilst out cycling one morning we observed a yacht being towed (bow and stern) into the inner harbour and then slipped – or rather – lifted up to do some maintenance.

Disabled yacht on Slipway
Disabled yacht on Slipway

We discovered that it had been rescued from out at sea overnight.

Broken rudder and engine stopped. You can see the headsail is in shreds. Glad we were not aboard.

Jim and Bette joined us for brunch one morning.

Brunch with Bette and Jim (inspiration for our trip around Australia in 1985)
Brunch with Bette and Jim (inspiration for our trip around Australia in 1985)

In 1985, Bev and Mark resigned their jobs, put tenants into their home and with a car and camper traveled around Australia for six months. Jim and Bette had done a lot of travel in a caravan and inspired us to do the same – not just the normal touristy places, but travel on a strict budget, research, look around and find different and interesting places.

Mount Tomaree is a local landmark. Highest point in the area and makes a great lookout.

Nelson Bay from Mount Tomaree Lookout
Nelson Bay from Mount Tomaree Lookout

On the walk there was a large goanna sunning itself on the track. It made a run for it when we approached.

Goanna on Mount Tomaree walk
Goanna on Mount Tomaree walk
Bartlett Cycleway ?!?! Not named after us, but Mark did cycle it.
Bartlett Cycleway ?!?!
Not named after us, but Mark did cycle it.
Cherie of AllSail (Church Point on the Pittwater)
Cherie of AllSail (Church Point on the Pittwater)

Our friends at AllSail ww.allsail.com.au in Pittwater (Sydney) were having a Christmas Party – as we were in the area, we dropped in and said hello.Had a great evening. Stayed in the camper at the Sydney Lakeside Caravan Park sydneylakeside.com.au– in Narrabeen (Northern Beaches area of Sydney).

Crochet Seat Cover ?!?!?!
Crochet Seat Cover ?!?!?!

Sydney Lakeside Caravan Park - Sydney Northern Beaches. Large grassed sites - but not many trees.Sydney Lakeside Caravan Park – Sydney Northern Beaches. Large grassed sites – but not many trees.

Then it was the long drive to Melbourne. The GPS said it was 900km door to door. We left at 7am and arrived at 6:30pm. Whilst driving, we saw a young family out cycling. This does not sound too unusual, however it was on the Motorway – about 300km from Sydney. Mum was on the first bike, panniers all over the front and back, with a  baby in the baby seat behind her. Then dad came along. Panniers all over his tandem bike too – no passenger on his bike, but enough luggage that it looks like a long term trip!!

Sabrina and Ryan had dinner cooking when we got there. How lucky were we!!

Trent, Luke, Jack and Tim - CONTIKI here we come!!
Trent, Luke, Jack and Tim – CONTIKI here we come!!

Trent and his three friends from the Army are off on a CONTIKI tour over Christmas – so we had a farewell at home for them.

Look-out Europe – The Australian Army is coming.