FLIGHT OF THE PHOENIX: Succulents and Shellfish

Today was the day of making up for lost time. The Pambula markets was a great start. We chanced upon a most lovely succulents seller. Super friendly like the other locals that we had met, she freely shared all her tips for care, propagation and arrangements! Her selection of succulent arrangements were beautiful, generous and a great bargain! From the markets we moved on to the nearby Pambula River Mouth and Pambula Beach. It was still too cold to venture into the water but the walk up and down the beach and river was pleasant. The wild weather made the coastal scenery look spectacularly moody!

The adults ultra happy with succulent purchases!

The kids happy with Dutch pancakes

The rocks at Pambula Beach

We attempted to walk to Nethercote Falls but the trail was closed indefinitely due to the recent storms. Maybe it was for the best, everything looked remarkably different compared to our trip a year ago. What was supposed to look like this probably would have been brown and grey...or at least that was what we told ourselves! We made a few stops at Ben Boyd National Park that Oma and Opa would be able to do before heading back to Merimbula for a quick lunch and continuing up north.

No one else there...the carpark of Nethercote picnic area was the furthest we got. The trail was unfortunately closed

The Pinnacles at Ben Boyd National Park

Flora along the Haycock Point Lookout

Still feels strange to have a family photo without Lara :(

Elliot chilling while the other boys explored the rocks below

Our goal for the afternoon was to spend time in the Tathra region. We encountered yet another undoable activity. We foolishly hoped that we would have been able to dip into Kianinny Bay. It was not to be. The wild and wooly theme continued with the bay looking like milk churn. We consoled ourselves with Tathra oysters instead. The seller had honestly rated the standard of the oysters...it was the second lowest level out of 5!! What?!! Curse you rain!!! Nonetheless the 2 dozen that we bought got demolished in record time!

By the time we finished eating, the sun had come out! We were finally able to get into the water at the gorgeous Tathra Beach. Dinner was at the nearby Tathra Hotel. It was then time to say goodbye to the Ongs as they continue on to Jervis Bay tomorrow.