We left Kate and Trevor's around 9:00 we didn't want to get caught in the middle of the Sydney traffic. We had a reservation at Lane Cove Tourist Park, where we stayed in 2001, a very nice place. We arrived about 11:00 and tried to get in touch with Trish, were not successful so we walked up to the RSL in North Ryde, about 2km from where we were. We had dinner, won some money and got the shuttle home. We froze that evening, no heat in the van and the duvet they gave us was totally inadequate.
We left early on the 13th to head to the Royal National Park where we spent the next 3 nights, no power so no blog. The campground had hot showers but it was pretty cold getting in and out. The weather is definitely getting colder. Days are still warm though, long pants are in use.
Dalton built a house in Maianbar which is just across a small footbridge inside the caravan park, we walked over for coffee at a cute little spot with a view of the water. The coffee machine broke down so we had breakfast without coffee, which isn't unusual as the coffee here is very different than what we are used to drinking, fairly strong, so we have been drinking tea anyway.
Dalton still has some friends here, used to be neighbors but the place has grown so much there is an entire block of houses between them now. There is so little room in the area afforded for housing so they just cram them in every which way, the streets are so crowded and the driveways are so steep. There seems to be no plan to anything, "if there is room, they will come" seems to be the theme. We really had a nice time with Ian and Gail Nightingale. We spent the majority of our time with them and we used their home as a base for getting the van in condition to return and getting our laundry all done for repacking. We had a couple evenings out and a couple of BBQs on their back deck. A very nice and relaxing time. They also lent us a comforter so we wouldn't freeze our butts of while we were in the area.
We also met Gail's mother, Beryl, they say she's 93 but we think she isn't a day over 70. I have never met anyone quite like her, she is so with it, dresses really nicely, not a hair out of place, quick witted, still drives. Actually, I have seen some 70 year old people that are much older than she is in every way. What a fantastic woman. We should all be so lucky to be like her...
We also took the ferry (foot passengers only- we had to run and jump on) over to Crunella and wandered around the shops one morning. We drove over to the Ferry Terminal (Ian lent us one of their cars so we didn't have to move the van) we didn't have a schedule but the ferry was just pulling out. I think it's the only place to shop that doesn't charge an arm an a leg for everything in the entire Country. It has a lovely feel about it, but I guess it isn't the nice place it used to be. Not so long ago there were a bunch of race riots held here. You wouldn't think so to look at it now. There is also loads of surfing here, the waves were really quite high. We stood for ages and watched the surfers. Some of them are very daring.
This is where I spent most of Saturday, reading and enjoying the sun. The other half of the day I spent lying in the Van...upset tummy. Note the long pants.
Dalton took this picture from the Ferry, our van is the only vehicle in the park. It is in the morning so the tide is out. This is Thursday, no campers had arrived yet, it filled up by Friday night though and Saturday was filled with families, loads of kids on bikes and playing in the water, even though it was colder than normal. Most of them had wet suits. They come prepared.
This is the view from our campsite when the tide is in.
When we first arrived it he area, we drove into Crunella to have a look around, this is one of the views. When Dalton first immigrated here in 1971 he lived here. Moved to Maianbar in 1972.
Same place, different direction
This is also a view from the Ferry, probably the last nice beach we will be near in Australia, too cold now.
A little plover having a shower under the water tap. They have very long legs and, although they are able to fly, they run to get out of the way. They can move pretty fast when they have to.
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