After a walk in New Zealand, where Paul managed to defeat a girl who was a bocce champion, our girls presented him with a trophy – a bit of a Dad joke. When we have been together (and remembered) the boys have often played for the trophy. The winner takes this magnificent trophy to live at their house until the next time a match is thought necessary. The trophy has gone missing on a few occasions – houses have been packed up into boxes, the trophy has been put inside a cupboard (that winner not as keen to display it)…. and discussions have raged about who actually has it. We had discovered the trophy in our house and we were having a family picnic for Mother’s Day yesterday and thought it an opportunity to get it out of our house and to someone else so they could love it.
The 5 grandchildren are now big enough to also take part so it really was a family championship. An adult and child were paired together, with Greg adjudicating throws. The object was to be the first pair to score 3 wins. Everyone had some excellent throws, towards the end the big boys were bringing in some of their “special shots” from their previous games. Amazingly we got to a stage where every pair except Paul and Dale had 2 wins (they had 1 and Dale was excited with that). The last game would most likely decide the winners. It was very close but Isla and Pete took it out. Isla was very excited to have a trophy – her parents saying they were very happy for her to keep it in her bedroom! I think Jackson was disappointed to lose as he had done some great work, but I also think his parents were very happy to not have the trophy come to live with them.
Paul called everyone together and the presentation was made to Isla and Pete. They are the current bocce champions – until the call goes out for another tournament.
We were invited to lunch on the Central Coast and as it was a 2 hour drive, we decided to stay close by rather than drive home. If we were going to stay one night, why not two? Luckily winter made for good accommodation prices and we found a lovely studio apartment at The Entrance. It was a very enjoyable and relaxed lunch with some very old friends and then a short drive to our accommodation.
The next day we decided to play tourist in an area that we have not really explored before. We set off looking at the coast north of The Entrance and fell in love very quickly with some beautiful coastline. We were blessed with wonderful weather – cloudless sky, no wind, still ocean, and for winter, warm temperatures. The sea was so flat that we managed to spot whales at Norah Head Lighthouse. For a Monday, there were lots of others doing the same thing. It was amusing that no photographs were allowed here, except professional photographers. We thought they would be the ones not allowed to take shots.
To the north of the lighthouse was the Norah Head boat ramp, but in reality it was home to a beautiful scoop of beach and a large rock pool. Ideal for young grandchildren to play and swim. To the south of the lighthouse was Soldiers Beach – another lovely stretch of coast. The café under the surf club was open and we hate to think how they cope in summer. A coffee took 10 minutes! It didn’t matter too much as it was a good place to just enjoy the outlook.
Norah Head boat ramp and beachRock pool at boat ramp
We drove into a big development at Magenta that has a Pullman Hotel and golf course as part of it. They have provided access to the beach and the villas are set back from the last dune, so the development has not spoilt the beach. The hotel was 5 star and would make a great place to stay.
I had heard about Catherine Hill Bay some time ago – in relation to the residents resisting the development of the area. The map showed that it was quite a long drive into the bay from the north. Our GPS seemed to suggest it was closer than that. When the GPS told us to turn right at the traffic lights, we realised that this was a new road into the village. The road was obviously built by the developer and there is a huge subdivision taking place. Only 2 or 3 homes appear to be being built at this stage but the roads, street lighting and some landscaping is all in. The development spreads over several hills and look either out to sea or down to some untouched beaches. We took a turn to the north and came upon the original hamlet. The Catho Pub was at the top of the hill and down the road were small workers’ cottages, mostly the same in size and design, from some older era. The road wound down to the beach – a glorious sweep of beach. You can imagine how isolated and pristine this has been and how in the near future it will be a bustling town.
Catherine Hill Bay
Lunch called and we stopped at Budgewoi. We bought wraps and took them to Lake Munmorah. We found it by accident, down a dirt laneway that opened up to a reserve around the lake. We had the area to ourselves, apart from the hungry magpies who sat on the table watching each mouthful. The lake was home to more than 30 black swans, all just lunching on the lake. A pretty place to find.
Lunch with the black swans at Budgewoi
It was then time to check the beaches to the south. We found Crackneck Lookout at Bateau Bay – another great whale watching spot and plenty were doing that. The lookout gave views to the north, right up the coast past The Entrance. There was no wind but signs indicated that it was quite a hang gliding site.
We travelled up to Toowoon Bay, past Shelley Beach. Toowoon Bay is a lovely protected scoop of bay, and home to Kims Beach Retreat. We have stayed here twice, more than 20 years ago. It did look cold in the afternoon sun and perhaps not as we remembered it.
It was time to stop and have some reading time in our unit, before a walk at sunset along the waterfront. We set off from opposite our unit and walked under the bridge and to the west. It was a lovely time in the late afternoon. The birds were flying in, people were fishing, children were still playing in the park. The area reminded us very much of Forster. Signage explained how the 3 lakes – Munmorah, Budgewoi and Tuggerah – all flow into the ocean through The Entrance. Something it did say was that the water only changed 1% with the tide. This was meant to make people aware of pollution and the impact on the lakes. To us it seemed to warn you of the quality of the water.
Tuesday – another day and we had to come home, but it was a great example of how you can find so much enjoyment without travelling far. or spending a lot of money.
It is a whole different thing to go to dinner in the country. We were having dinner at a restaurant in Kangaroo Valley for my sister’s birthday. They live on Woodhill Mountain, a 25 minute drive away. The 4 of us got into their car as they thought it better that they drive the road – a quiet country road and it was dark at 6.30pm. They warned us that they had to be careful as wombats were around on this road. Wombats!! We stopped 7 times on the way to Kangaroo Valley to allow these big boulder like animals cross the road. Some just stood on the road, reluctant to move either cross the road or retreat to where they had come from. If we had collided with one of them, the car would have come off worse for wear. After an enjoyable dinner in the restaurant, we stepped out into the 2 degree night for the trip home. They were still out on the road, ambling around. This time we stopped 4 times, but did make it home without mishap.
So different to going out to dinner in the suburbs!!
Jottings & Blottings 