Off to Port Macquarie.........

It has been just over seven weeks since we moved in to our house in Euroa.  During this time we have finished all of our list of bits we wanted to do.  Or should I say the wonderful tradesmen have.  The last job was completed on Friday when 18 solar panels were situated on our roof.  After years of paying horrendous electricity bills in the city we will now let the sun power all of our appliances.

The other very noticeable fact now, is that winter is setting in and the nights have been dropping down to below 2 deg.  This must mean that it is time for us to hitch up the van and head northwards for the warmer weather.

This years 'frogs' reunion was being held at Port Macquarie and so we decided that this would be the starting point for what will be a trek further north to Cairns and then across to Darwin to see Josie and Nolan.

Our good friends Cheryl and Shane have also bought a caravan from JB and decided to travel with us to the reunion.  They arrived on Saturday afternoon, spent the rather chilly night with us and we all left on Sunday for a week on the road.

Our first night was spent at Holbrook where we discovered that both air conditioners work very well
and we survived our first 0 deg night.  The next day saw us travel to Cowra, stopping for a quick look
at Tarcutta.  Another cold night saw the air con cranked again as we all stayed toasty warm inside.

Setting off again the next morning we stopped for lunch at Geurie where we found Dave's Jams, a
stall full of the yummiest jams and pickles etc.  We all found something we just had to try and left
Dave with his biggest sale of the day I think. 

We continued on to our next destination which was Dunedoo and arrived just as the sun was setting.  Bill found the cute sign the next morning.

The next day we made our way to Port Stephens where we stayed at One Mile Beach C'van Park.  We decided that we had checked out enough camp kitchens and after our biggest day on the road so far went to the Pub at Anna Bay for dinner that night.  The steaks were great and well worth the effort. The next day we had a look around Nelsons Bay, Salamander Bay and Soldiers Point.  The blue and sky and sunshine made the lovely beaches look very inviting after the cold nights we had experienced on the way.

After lunch we had a look at the shops and finished the afternoon at Gan Gan Lookout where the view is just superb.  That night we ate outside for the first time as the evening remained very mild.

          

Leaving the next morning we continued on our way to Port Macquarie and arrived around lunch time.  Flynns Beach C'van Park is a nice little place to stay and other than being a bit soggy underfoot from all the recent rains we have enjoyed being here.

And so let the reunion begin....we met the other members of the group that night for dinner and drinks at the Westport Club.  There were about 10 couples that had made the pilgrimage from all over Eastern Australia and we had a fabulous night catching up with everyone and enjoying their company.

Saturday lunch was enjoyed at Cassegrain Winery where we had a lovely meal followed by wine tasting in their fabulous cellar.                     

That night we all reconvened at the cruise terminal where we boarded the old Junk and spent the next few hours cruising the harbour and enjoying fish and chips for dinner.  Lots of food, wine and chatter and a great night was had by all.  Leaving the Junk we made our way back to the club where we continued to enjoy ourselves for another hour or two.

The next morning we drove into town and all breakfasted together before Bill and I took a walk along the waterfront finding a number of Port Macquarie's 'Koala Sculpture Trail' Koalas.  Very cute!

For lunch that day, the few of us that were left, joined Jenny and Peter at their home at Lake Cathie for a barbecue before saying goodbye once again until the next time.  Destination to be confirmed still.  Later that night we joined Cheryl and Shane and enjoyed a lovely Chinese meal at Lotus Gardens before retiring to recover after a fabulous but full on weekend.  Must be getting old, three days in a row does me in now!

Staying for one more day Bill and I spent a restful day exploring the Sea Acres Rainforest Walk and were surprised to find the beautiful Regent Bowerbird and the Green Catbird as we wandered along.

A little later a walk along the Kooloonbung Creek saw us discover a huge colony of  bats which we have since identified as Grey Headed Flying Foxes.  Very noisy and active so we didn't hang around too long.

So with just one more night together here it is time to say farewell to Cheryl and Shane as we continue to head north and they return home.  It has been great to spend the week with you both and look forward to doing it again one day.  Take care and enjoy the trip back.

For Bill and I it is time to continue north as we make our way to our next stop Brisbane.

until next time.........