Eden Trip - 21st to 26th November 2012

Will make this one a single post, as there wasn't a lot that happened.
We left home at 20 to 10 on Wednesday November.  Stopped at Cann River, Pelican cafe, for petrol and lunch.
Arrived Eden 2:40.  Approximatley 3 1/4 hours travel time.
Bill set up the van while I restred with my feet up as ankles had swelled a little.
Went to the Golf Club for dinner.  We shared a spring roll entree and a fried rice.  I had pork with plum sauce - yummy.  Bill had curried scallops.
Spent and lost a few dollars on the pokies.
Back to the van, where Bill had a fit of the coughs.
Thursday 22nd November:
Sat outside the van after breakfast.  Did some knitting.
Had an early lunch of sandwiches.  Went to the $2.00 shop and spent over $100.  Bought some acrylic paints and paper, brushes etc.  I feel the urge to paint.

Then went to Art on Imlay - was looking for a leather dog for John, but they had none left.  However, I did buy myself a lovely pendant - Titanium Crystal.  A bit like this, although mine is more blue in colouring.  Mine is set in silver, with a silver chain.  Only $24, so very reasonable price.
We went to the Great White Bite for coffee, lime spider and chips.  Then to Bi-Lo to get a few groceries.
Went to the Fisherman's Club for dinner.  Bill had fish and chips, I had smoke salmon salad again.
Didn't waste any money on the pokies.
Salty had the runs in the car again, another mess for poor Bill to clean up. (Seem to have forgotten to mention the first mess earler in the day.)

Friday 23rd November:
A beautiful day - we spent the whole day sitting outside the van - didn't want to risk taking Salty anywhere in the car.
Bill went down the street to get a pencil and some milk.  I knitted, read, and even painted.  Bill did a painting too - neither were very good!
We had tea in the van - fillet steak, colelsaw and mashed potato.  Bill tried out the new tabletop bbq.  Seems to be excellent.
Saturday 24th November:
I felt a bit off today - just a bit nauseaous.  Stayed on the bed after I got dressed and had breakfast.  Dozed, but didn't really sleep.  Had a couple of crackers and cream cheese for lunch.

Settler's Cottage as it was before sale to new owners

About 3:30 we went into Eden to get a drink - but everything was either shut or shutting.  So we decided to go for a drive to Pambula.  Stopped at Settler's Cottage which has re-opened.  The lady was very nice.  We shared a Devonshire Tea of scones, jam and cream.
We had baked beans and left over steak for tea in the van.  I still wasn't feeling 100%.
Sunday 25th November:
Not feeling at all well today.  Bill offered to go home, but I decided to stay.  Spent the day on the bed with a sick bag.  Also got a bit of diaorrhea.
It was Brittany's birthday today.  She had let us know that she wouldn't be home until after lunch, so we left it until then to ring her.  She had texted us on Thursday morning to say her parcel had arrived that morning.  Excellent service, since we only posted it on our way out on Wednesday.
Bill packed up as much  of the van as he could so we could get away early tomorrow.
Monday 26th November:
Left the park by about 9:30 I think.  I wasn't very well at all, in fact Bill said I was as white as a sheet for most of the trip.  We didn't stop anywhere for lunch, because we were home by about 12:30ish.

Saturday 20th October - Eden

Whale at Eden

Woke early, when Bill got up.  He went fishing, but was back within a few minutes - there were whales in the bay.  I dressed quickly and we went back.  Saw a number of them - visible, (just) withiiut binoculars, but binoculars made then easy to see.  Too far out to take good photos though, but Bill got a couple of reasonable shots.  There seemed to be quite a large group in different parts of the bay.  We watched them for over an hour.
We came back to the van - I went back to bed and didn't get up again until about 12:00!  Bill went fishing again, but didn't catch anything.

Sitting outside the van knitting, Bill saw a Blue Tongued Lizard.  We watched him for ages.  Bill threw out some bread.  The lizard must have been abke to smell it because he walked straight over to it and carried it off.  Over the road he did battle with an entire slice!
We went for a drive down the street.  Had coffee and fish cakes / chips (Bill) and lime spider and lemon tart (me).
We went up the hill to the lookout and saw a few whales, but just in front of the whale museum we saw some tell-tale splashes.  Went to look fir a vantage point and ended up opposite the museum.  We'd been watching numerous whales flipping and flapping for a good half hour before the whale siren went off.  We watched them for an hour all up.  Bill took a few photos.  Went back to the lookout, and Bill took another couple of photos.
Back to the van, where I had a rest.
We had tea in the van tonight as I didn't feel like going out.
All in all we spent a good two hours watching whales today.
Home tomorrow - via Lakes Entrance to pick up the furred and feathered ones.

Friday 19th October - Bateman's Bay - Eden

Nia's Birthday today. Rang, but she was asleep after a week away at camp.
Up fairly early (8:30) so we could pack up.  Left park about 9:30.
Petrol at Bodalla - cheaper, AND ordinary unleaded.  Not E10 like everywhere else.
We had an early lunch at Narooma - a fairly dry carrot cake for me, and a pear and raspberry loaf that Bill said was  more like a golden syrup loaf.  This was at the Ice Creamery again.
Arrived at Eden Tourist Park about 2:30.  Karen rang just before Pambula - we wished Nia a Happy Birthday, then Karen was on for a chat.
Went down the street after we got settled to buy a few bits and pieces.  Bought a new chair for me - a Coleman, $69, but very comfortable and nice wide seat and high back.  Not too high though.
Went to Fisherman's Club for dinner.  I had a nice smoked salmon salad.  Bill had roast lamb.
Bill won $25 on pokies and I got back my $10 stake.

Tuesday 24th July 2012 - Eden - Merimbula

Bill Roberts and Tony Sullivan 'chatting'

I knitted, and we chatted to Tony and Shirl till about 11:30.  We then drove to Merimbula.  We had lunch beside the bridge, watching the workers strengthening the bridge supports.  I had left-over poizza from last night, Bill had a pie and bread roll from the bakery.  He also had an applae and cream pie, while I had a vanilla slice.
We went down to Short Point to see if we could spot a whale, but no such luck.  Although I did say to Bill we would be sure to spot one today because we had left the camera in the van!  Didn't though.
Decided against going to look at Everything Earthy again because I would probably want to spend more money!
Back to Eden and the van.
Went back to the Fisherman's Club for dinner tonight.  Bill had a whole John Dory, I had roast lamb.  Both very nice.
Spent a few dollars on the pokies again.  I won back the $10 I had put in.  Bill lost his.

Monday 23rd July 2012 - Eden

mini washing machine

Another lazy start - that's the point of these holidays Bill tells me.  But then again, I usually have lazy starts to the day at home too.

Portable clothes line

I knitted and stitched some more.  Bill tried out the new washing machine.  He set it up in the en suite so he could run the outlet hose into the shower drain.  It worked a treat - he is so pleased with himself for buying it.  We first saw one in Aussie Disposals in Sale, on sale for $199.  Bill liked the idea of it then, but I wasn't so enthusiastic, so he didn't buy it.  But he kept thinking about it, and finally looked them up on the internet.  He found this one for $104, with free delivery.  (Have since seen the same one for $86 with free delivery!)  So we ordered it, and it arrived quite promptly.  In the meantime we had asked about them at Aussie Disposals in Bairnsdale, and were told the rice was $199.  The man photocopied the page out of the Companion Catalogue for us.  Bill was convinced they were exactly the same machine.  When ours arrived, the instructions were in Chinglish - very funny and very confusing.  So Bill downloaded the instruction manual for the companion washer  and he is even more convinced they are one and the same machine.  Bill washed a shirt, several pairs of undies, a pair of pants and a t-shirt in one load - washed everything beautifully.  He had to spin in two loads, but the clothes were very dry after the spin.  Silly man hadn't brought our portable clothes line, so he had to go over to the laundry to hang out the clothes.  His reasoning behind buying the washer is that it costs up to $10 a time to wash and dry a load in the park laundry - OK, he could hang clothes out instead of using the drier, but it would still be $6 or $7 dollars to wash.  In a few trips the washer will have paid for itself.

We had rolls agin for lunch. Then we went down the street to go to Art on Imlay.  I bought another leather sculpture - a boy and a girl with a dog.  Quite expensive at $80, but very clever and exquisitely done by Sue Spink.  We also bought a dog coat for Salty for $18 - it is a lovely thick (two layers of polar fleece) with a tiger stripes print on it.
For dinner tonight I had a lovely Hawaiian Pizza and Bill had a Baked Spud.  We bought them in the town, and took them back to the van to eat.  Also had a herb Pizza Bread between us - very nice also.

Sunday 22nd July 2012

Another lazy start to the day.  I knitted and stitched bears.
Made rolls for lunch at the van.

Wrapped scarf

Unwrapped scarf

Went down the street again to have a sticky - looked at the ethnic shop (can't remember the name) - some lovely, but expensive, pottery and bead work items.  Bought a silk scarf made in India.  it is bright tie-dye colours - wrapped into a rope-like bundle.  It took quite a while to unwrap, but looked very pretty when it was unwrapped.

Great Southern Inn

Went to Essentially Eden at the Great Southern pub for dinner.  Bill had fish and chips again.  I had crumbed prawn cutlets.  Both were very nice.  No luck on the pokies, although the lady next to me had nearly $700 up when we left.

Saturday 21st July 2012 - Eden

Great White Bite cafe

A late start to the day (for me anyway).  We went down the street and had lunch at the Great White Bite - food lovely as usual.  I had wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce. Yum!  Bill had fish and chips.
Went to the $2 shop again.  Bought a square cushion for the seats in the van, and a few other things - as usual.  We always manage to find something in this shop, no matter how many times we go.
I knitted, Bill pottered around the van to see if anything needed doing or changing.
We went to the Golden Ocean Chinese restaurant for dinner.  Yummy spring Rolls, so-so Thai Noodles.  Bill's T-bone steak was good.

Friday 20th July 2012 - Bruthen to Eden

Our new Regal van

Well, owing to the fact that we bought a new caravan we are on the road again.  Just for a few days this time. Got away from home about 11:00am.  Stopped at Cann River as usual for petrol and lunch.  Had lunch at the Pelican again - not really impressed with their food.  Bill had a pastie again, which seemed to be nice.  He enjoyed it asnyway.  I decided on scones with jam and cream - the scones were huge but they were cakey rather than like a real scone should be.  I could only eat one, but as they came spread with jam and cream it made it difficult to take the other one with us.  However, I put the two sides together and the lady put them on a plastic plate and wrapped them it in foil.  As it happened I didn't end up eating it.

We arrived in Eden about 2:45 and made our way to the Eden Tourist Park at Asling's Beach.  Bill picked up a business card and noted the name of the owner? / manager? - turns out he is related to people knew in Wonthaggi.  And I noticed that a recent guest book entry was from Ken and Bron Siacci, brother and sister-in-law of our friends Col and Wyonne Siacci.  Then, when we went to ur site (en suite site 4) I noticed that the van next to ours had "It's a SULLI-VAN" painted on the back.  Of course, my maiden name was SULLIVAN.  The couple were Tony and Shirl Sullivan, from Wynyard in Tasmania.  Beneath the Mk6 there was a quote which I presumed, but didn't ask, to be Welsh.  I meant to ask Tony about it, but didn't.  I wondered what signifigance it had.  I've just looked it up on a translation site, and seems it means "No More".  In other words, this must be the last van he is going to make!
Bill was convinced that another van in the park had an annexe of the same configuration as ours would be when we put it up.  Even took a picture of it.  But I disagree - from my memory of the photos of the annexe that came with our van it's nothing like the one in the park, but is just the same as the one we had on the Roadstar.
We went to the shops to get some coathangers as Bill thought the ones we'd had in the other van were too bendy.
The van is lovely.  It towed well, the couch is comfy, there is plenty of storage.  TV reception was good, using the aerial left int the van byu the orevious owners.
We went to the Eden Fisherman's Clubh for dinner.  Very nice lamb roast for Bill and a yummy char-grilled pork cutlet (huge) for me.  We put a few dollars through the pokies.  Bill didn't do too bad for a while, but ultimately lost it again.

Sunday 24th June 2012 - Tathra - Eden

Sunny for most of the day.  I didn't get up until 10:00.  Had breakfast and then we went to Eden to look at the van again.

Inside Jayco Heritage caravan

We soon changed our mind about the Majestic.  Despite being described as in excellent condition we soon saw that there had been patches added to the pop-top vinyl, some unrepaired tears where the vinyl meets the wall, and quite a few spots where there had been water leakage and the ply was actually soft.  We looked at a Jayco Heritage which was quite nice, for $22,990 - no reasonable offer refused.  We still hadn't had a phone call from the man who checked out our van on Wednesday, and when I rang yesterday to see if they were open today the man I spoke to said he would see the other man that night and ask him about it.  Yet when we arrived today he didn't even acknowledge that I'd been speaking to him the day before (definitely the same man though!) and even when I asked how the work Christmas party had gone last night he didn't say anything about having spoken to his off-sider.  He tried to ring him while we were there, but he had to leave a message so we waited for a while, and had a cuppa with the man (John).  Eventually we left because we could have been waiting for the rest of the day.

Paintings at Great White Bite

Went down to the wharf and had lunch at the Great White Bite - our favourite food place in Eden.  This is a great place with lovely food.  Plenty of it too.  Bill had a Mega Burger and chips - the chips were the best ever, really yummy and crisp - and I had a baked potato with coleslaw, sour cream and bacon.  Yummy!  I also had a delicious hot chocolate while Bill had the usual latte.  Saw some lovely paintings for sale - at $495 or so.  The one I really liked was only $850 - so we passed on that.  It was a painting of the big red and white fishing boat, with a number of other boats including the Pilot boat, at the wharf.  A nice bold, bright painting.
We went up to the lookout - but no whales even though they are being seen in Sydney at the moment.
We then stopped at the $2 Shop as usual.  They have a lovely display of their wools - all stacked neatly in colours so it looks like a kaleidoscope - the colours are gorgeous.  We bought a few bits and pieces, including some wool!
Finally got a phone call from John - $15,000 changeover on the Jayco van.  Only about $5000 more than the maximum we are prepared to outlay.  It means they were only allowing about 6 or 7 thousand for our van - if that.  Not near enough.  So we gave him a resounding NO!
Because it was Sunday we didn't get to go to the Art Gallery in Eden.  I would have liked to look to see if there were any more leather dolls.
Tea was ham sandwiches in the van because we'd had a latish and big lunch.

Wednesday 20th June 2012 - Bruthen to Tathra

We left home about 10.15.  There was lots of evidence along the road of where the trees blew down in the storm a week or so ago, especially between Orbost and Cann River.

We had lunch at Cann River, as we usually do, this time at the Pelican.  The Caltex across the road has closed down.
Bill got petrol next to the Pelican, at $151.9/lt.  The lady was nice though, and even filled the tank rather than Bill having to do it.
We went on through Genoa and then into New South Wales.

Next town was Eden, where we stopped at the ARV caravan yard to see what they had.  Saw a nice Majestic for $22,00 - no reasonable offer refused.  The man had a look at our van so he could work out a trade-in price, and said he would ring us.  As we drove away I realised I'd given him a wrong mobile number.  Would ring him later when we got the number from a phone book.
We arrived at Tathra about 3:30.  We'd been given site 6, just opposite the amenities because their two en suite sites were out of action at the moment due to renovations of the sites.  However they gave us a separate key to the Disabled Bathroom, which as it turned out I had virtually to myself.  They also gave Salty Dog a dog biscuit wrapped in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon, and two heart chocolates also in a bag tied with ribbon for us.  Very welcoming.
Bill started setting up, then got to the point of putting up the television antenna.  Oops, he'd lost part of the connection to the aerial.  Lots of frustration as he tried to search for it, but then managed to get it to work.  We had intermittent reception though, although it did get better after he adjusted the direction of the aerial a few times.  Didn't put up the annexe as it was getting too late thanks to our later than usual start to the day, and our stop in Eden.
Decided to go for tea at the Bowling Club.  There are new owners, and the adjacent outdoor area has been closed in and made  part of the restaurant proper.  The result is a nicer looking restaurant.  Meals were quite a bit dearer overall, but Bill had a nice Blue Grenadier and I had an entree Asian Nibbles Plate.  Very nice.  Tried the pokies, but no luck.

EDEN to BRUTHEN via LAKES ENTRANCE Sunday 6th November 2011

Up early this morning – to thick fog!  We didn’t have too much to organise before we headed off, so we took our time, but still left just before 9:00am.  The fog just disappeared while we were getting ready.  One minute I stepped into the van and it was foggy, a couple of minutes later I stepped out to beautiful sunshine.

We stopped at Cann River as usual, but had morning tea at the Pelican Point café and filled up with petrol at the United service station.  The Caltex was still operating, but Bill decided not to go there this time.

We arrived at Mum and Jim’s in Lakes Entrance about 1:30.  Had lunch there.  Gave Mum the pottery ‘love birds’ I had bought for her at Fitzroy Falls, and the chocolate ginger I’d bought (as thank you presents for looking after Salty Dog) and handed over the leather dog I bought on her behalf.  She liked the swaggie I bought, and liked the sound of the two girls which I didn’t buy, but am now wishing I did.

Left Mum’s at about 3:45 to head for home.

This holiday is now officially over – it was a good holiday, and we did lots of new and different things.

Next holiday won’t be until next year now, as it is getting too close to Christmas.

EDEN and MERIMBULA Saturday 5th November 2011

We went for a drive to Merimbula today.  Bill wanted to see if he could get a spool for the Penn fishing reel that the man from Metung gave him because the spindle was bent.  Unfortunately he didn’t give him the spool too, because he gave that to Craig, because Bill got the spindle straightened and the reel working again.  Doubly unfortunate that the man in one tackle shop told him it would be cheaper to buy a new reel than just the spool, and triple unfortunate because the man in the other tackle shop thought he had a spool that would fit which Bill could have for $20 – but it turned out to be the wrong size!  (Update - 16.11.2011 - Bill found the spool from a spare parts place on the internet, sent for it last Friday and picked it up from the PO on Monday morning!  Only cost $50 with postage, so much cheaper than buying the same reel new.  Reel is now completely re-assembled and working like a treat.)   Anyway, I went to Everything Earthy and bought three Christmas presents.  Won’t say who for, or what, in case they read this.

We had lunch at Poppy’s Courtyard café, then went around to Short Point to see if we could see any whales.  We were there for about an hour and a half and were just thinking about leaving when Bill suddenly declared “There’s a whale!”  Sure enough, right under our noses so to speak was a whale flapping its tail in the water.  We only saw the tail, but boy could we hear it too! It made a real ‘whoompf’ as it hit the water.  Great excitement among the other people watching from the car park but the spectacle only lasted about five minutes before the whale disappeared.   
We waited for a while to see if it reappeared, but no such luck.  Drove around to the wharf to see if we could see it there – everyone on the wharf was looking at something, but they soon gave up so I’m guessing they might have seen one and were waiting for it to return.

After we left the wharf we headed back to Eden, but stopped at Yowaka River where Bill had a bit of a fish, to use up the bait he still had left.  I knitted.  Bill didn’t catch any fish – oh, hang on yes he did, he committed child abuse and caught a tiny bream about 6” long if it was lucky!

Back at Eden we drove up to the lookout so see if we could see a whale there.  No such luck.  There were a number of other people who came to the lookout.  One lady was busily taking photos over towards Boyd’s Tower.  Beneath the tower there was an outcrop of rocks which obviously continued out under the water, because the waves kept breaking over it.  I must admit that it looked as if it could be a whale – except that it was always in the same spot.  As she turned to leave the lookout the lady said “She’s not coming any closer” and I realised she thought the splashes were from a whale.  I mentioned that I doubted it, because the splashes were always in the same place, but she was quite adamant she had watched it travel from in front of the yacht (which we could also see) to over near the point.  Oh well, I guess some people just can’t be told.  Bill was sure he could see something near the yacht, but I was blowed if I could see it. We finally went back to the van after what had been a lovely day – the weather was quite warm.

Went to the Golf Club for dinner.  Bill had fish and chips again, and I opted for Chinese pork and plum sauce.  Very nice, but I got a container to take half of my dinner home.  Had a last flutter on the pokies, but did our dough this time.

GERROA to EDEN Friday 4th November 2011

We were up fairly early this morning to finish packing the van before we headed off for Eden.

Left Gerroa at about 9:00.

Stopped at Mogo to go to the loo, then at Moruya for petrol.  We stopped at Narooma for lunch.  Had it at the Montague Coffee shop.  I had a piece of date and honey loaf, Bill had a ham and cheese croissant.  We both had a coffee.

Arrived in Eden about 2:30.  Got the van more or less set up and then headed to the art gallery, Art on Imlay, to get a little leather dog for Mum.  I also bought a swaggie with a little dog for me.  I was keen on what appeared to be two little girls together, (appeared as in I think they were part of the same sculpture, not separate and just displayed together) but Bill liked the swaggie so that was what I bought.  This photo is of another swaggie, by the same artist - Sue Spink.

We went to the Eden Fishermen’s Club for dinner. Bill had fish and chips, I had roast pork.  Bill’s was OK, I was a bit disappointed with my roast.

Had a small flutter on the pokies again, and this time Bill won $45.

BRUTHEN to EDEN 25th October 2011

The visit to John Scarlett was as usual – a somewhat higher CA15 reading, but John not concerned at this point.  We grabbed a cheeseburger at Maccas on the way home for lunch. 

At home we put the last few things into the van and we were on our way.  Left Bruthen at about 2:30pm.

Drove to our usual stopping point at Cann River.  Surprised to see the Caltex Service Station had half their pumps removed and the area barricaded off.  Then saw a sign on the door to say that they would be closing for good on 25/11/2011 – due to circumstances out of their hands.  Don’t know what the circumstances are.  Got fuel and went to the loo and continued on our way.

Arrived at Eden, Fountain Caravan Park, just after 5:30.  Told we were on site 10 – but there was already a campervan on site 10.  Bill went back to the office.  The lady was a bit bemused – seems the campervan people had been asked if they wanted 8 or 10, opted for 8 but must have changed their minds and decided that since they’d been offered 10 they’d just take it.  But that means that all the en suites must be keyed alike, as their number 8 key presumably opened ensuite 10 for which we had the key.  Upshot was we were given site 6.

Sorted out the van, had a little rest and it was soon time to head for tea.

Decided on the Fisherman’s Club, despite being told by the man at the park office that the pub was a good meal.  I had linguine carbonnara, Bill had “the works” veal schnitzel.  His meal was huge!  So was my plate of carbonnara.  Bill managed to eat most of his; I left quite a bit, as usual.

Decided to waste a few dollars on the pokies.  Between us we put in $20, and I pulled out $20 when we went home, so our entertainment for the night cost us zilch.