Pastries & Pool

It was a low key day to end our time down south. Malcolm and I had to get covid swabs for our trip to South Australia so the whole family set off nice and early for the 30 minute drive to Bega, as that was the only state testing centre that would do the swabs without a charge. The lines were decent but the staff were efficient and it moved quickly. Before long, we were off and on our way to get some delicious breakfast from HonorBread. We needed sustenance before we plunged into the icy cold waters of the ocean pool at Bermagui. Google Bermagui blue pool and you will see why it was on my to do list. The last time we came, it was cold and stormy and we bailed. This time, the weather was only marginally better...but in we went as there was no guarantee we would come back here a third time! After burning many calories shivering...we got out feeling rejuvenated and ready for a nap 😂 We meandered back towards Merimbula along the coast admiring the views and settled for a simple lunch at the local cafe before enjoying our rental home for the rest of the afternoon. Tomorrow would be a long drive back home to Sydney. 

We were a little late but fortunate to grab the last of the cinnamon buns!

We bought a selection of sweet and savoury buns

As well as hot options!

Eating at a nearby park fighting for our buns of choice

Bermagui blue pool

Yes it was cold despite being in the middle of summer!

Proof that I went all the way in...

Oma was content to explore the rock pools instead after a very brief dip in the water

She was looking for crabs. I'm sure the thought of cooking them entered her mind at some stage

Goodenia Rainforest Walk

Our activity of choice today was the Goodenia rainforest walk. We chose it because it was only 1.2km return but it was steep!!! Oma made it all the down the temperate rainforest full of fern life and all the way back up in reasonable time. Opa opted out! There was surprisingly nice open picnic are near the start of the walk and it was empty. We were the only ones there and did not meet any one else while we were there.

Lunch was a simple fare at the Longstocking Brewery and the rest of the afternoon was spent enjoying the good weather and water views back at our rental house.

The only ones there. Goodenia Rainforest walk carpark

Picnic area complete with bbq!

Beautiful array of ferns and moss

Who wouldn't want pretzel and cider for lunch!

Oma and Opa enjoying fruit and wine

Merimbula River with blue skies! View from our backyard

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. 

Kianinny Bay

Seriously...

Still looked good!

Where there are things to climb...

And...this is what happens when a child insists on wearing shorts that was 2 sizes too small

Go Oma! She was really into the exercise equipment...

Tathra Beach

The sunglasses are out again! And no we didn't build the teepee

We looked like squatters outside the surf life saving club. We waited for the sun to come then hid from it 😂

Our beer flights at dinner

The historic Tathra Hotel

Ocean views with a playground

Walkin' and Eden

The weather was not likely to improve dramatically temperature wise so we forged ahead! The rain thankfully was only intermittent, although the cold wind was somewhat unrelenting...

The group walked the Merimbula boardwalk to get our step counts up and then headed down to Eden. We learnt about the town's whaling history before going to Aslings Beach Rockpool. It was enough of a mini adventure to keep the children happy, clambering up rocks and playing chicken with the rough waves...Lunch was a simple affair at Fry Daze. Unfortunately the coffee man from our last trip had moved on. And just in case you were interested, Oma reported that the toilets at the Eden Visitor Centre was super clean! Upon speaking to the staff, we decided to abandon our plan to go to the Ben Boyd Tower. We headed home for coffee, wine, cheese and chocolate instead! 

The adults dined at Valentina's. The food was excellent and it was nice to have some children free time. Tomorrow will be our last day with the Ongs so let's hope the weather co-operates!

Blue skies!

Merimbula Boardwalk

Selfie time!

Tiny crabs everywhere

Dramatic coastline at Eden

Aslings Beach Rockpool

The rockpool in the distance

Fish and chips in the cold! It is supposed to be summer in Australia!!!

Dinner at Valentina's

Pambula oysters

Kingfish sashimi

Scallops

And...the skies have cleared again! Sheesh!

Merimbula Not Via Mogo

Today we discovered that Google Maps was smart enough to know when roads were closed, in our case, due to flooding. We had planned our route from Shoalhaven Heads to Merimbula, and braved the cold, wind and rain to get to the Oyster Shack at Bateman's Bay. The lady at the counter kindly informed us that the Princes Hwy further south at Mogo was flooded, and was only recently reopened to 4WD. The oysters were promptly abandoned as we reconvened at the nearby McDonald's to formulate a new plan that would see the Mazda 3 making the journey south. To our delight, Google Maps had red dashes marking roads which were closed. Trusting Google, we started our drive, hugging the coast briefly before detouring inland and re-joining the Princes Hwy at Moruya. It was a close call at Moruya with the road being closed just as we got through and crossed the river. 

We made two short stops at Bodalla and Tilba. These stops should be avoided at all costs by the lactose intolerant. For a family who lives on lite milk, full cream, non homogenized milk was heavenly. Both were essentially devoid of tourists on account of the weather. We continued on to Merimbula and arrived uneventfully. Oma delighted in trying to take photos of flooded creeks and rivers along the way. We were relieved that our lakeside rental was NOT flooded! It was otherwise as advertised although one bathroom was a bit dodgy. It was well situated near the shops and was comfortable and spacious. 

Our first planned stop

The Clyde River nearly bursting

Bodalla, ice cream and milkshake anyone?!

Very enjoyable lemon myrtle and christmas pudding ice-cream

Amazing milk says the children

The very picturesque Tilba

Interesting find...

Our rental

The view from our backyard