FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD-AND FIND A FRIENDLY STINGRAY!

Well that’s what getting to Jervis Bay felt like! For some reason Jervis Bay has always held some sort of ‘draw’ for me. Yes, I associate it with dolphins and whales, which I love to see- but other places have those too. I suppose I also associate it with nature, which it has in abundant diversity. But that’s not it. I don’t know what it is but I’ve always wanted to go there. And here I was, almost there.

OK maybe NSW roads are not quite this bad.

But, somehow, getting from Maloney’s Beach to Jervis Bay became arduous and full of twists and turns. For one thing, although there are signs all along the main A1, to take it slow, rest and revive, there is practically no-where you can turn off the highway to do so! No little stops like in Victoria right up to Eden in NSW where there are picnic tables and toilet stops. No, here, there just this huge long winding highway with steep hill and treacherous curves and a speed limit of 100km per hour, which means if you do less you are swiftly holding up a huge backlog of irate drivers. And after Bateman’s Bay it was as if everywhere had a price on it. There were more caravan parks, less camping sites and even the camping sites began to have charges on them. By the time I reached Shoalhaven district, where Jervis Bay is, it was almost impossible to find a free camp. And the nearer to Sydney, the higher the prices!

beautiful Ulladulla

However, although I could not for the life of me find Sunburnt Beach, which was going to be my next free camping spot, near Termeil, I did visit several little beauty spots along the coast. Ulladulla, is gorgeous. Quite big for a coastal town, but the harbor was beautiful and I found  the old lighthouse, on the outskirts awesome.  Set above the dark, grey slabs of rock, protruding from the headland , on the migration route of whales, and swathed in storm swept scrub, it had a bleak but fascinating presence. Mollymook, a little further was also to my liking. Behind the long green lawns and picnic tables or the beach reserve lay a wide sandy bay, pretty and somewhat English.

An outdoor GYM at Mollymook! Every town should have one

Mollymook

But, the weather was turning. I had had such glorious sunny days up to now, and although the weather was still warm, it was now overcast and spitting of rain. I had also begun to worry about my battery. The lack of sun in a couple of days, plus me not staying in one place long enough to charge up meant a significant drop in the voltmeter to 11.9. Not enough to really be a worry, but with dark days looming, I thought now was the time to find a powered site.  I knew that a powered site at a Caravan Park would cost $30 per night minimum. But I managed to find one nearby at Milton Showgrounds for $19! And although it was a pretty basic place, the power was just what I needed. Especially when it rained that night! And when I left the next day I found that Milton is actually a lovely country town. Very bustling and full of historical sites.

A wet and Windy Milton Showgrounds

I was now almost at Jervis Bay. The next stop at Wandandian would allow me to visit the area the next day. But on the way to Wandandian I made two more detours. One to Bendalong. Which was one of the best excursions I have ever made. . Small and hidden it held the treasure of endless white sand beaches and aqua green,clear water. And in those waters- a meeting with a friendly stingray. Yes- I said friendly! This giant black orb swam close to the shore, lifting its’ black

wings up from the water, as it neared, as if to say hello. And people patted it gently in awe and amazement as it slowly passed. It did this not once, but several times, moving to and fro across the bay. I am always humbled by how trusting and awesome other species can be with humans. I wish humans could live up to that trust and understand our role as guardians.

And the other trip was to Sussex Inlet. Very English- but not in a good way. Very pricey. Enough said.

Aww c'mon- don't be afraid. Pat me!

And so to the stop at Wandandian. The tennis club there are wonderful keeping this well kept stopover going for travelers. I fear it won’t always be so, as there are people who will always abuse good nature. Like the selfish, self centred idiot who hooked up to their water to fill his enormous tanks, then buggered off for the day, still leaving it hooked up. What a…..

And so, after an oddly unsettled few days, of both highs and lows, I huddled down under the bedclothes, listening to the gently falling rain, and waited for tomorrow and the end of the yellow brick road.

May all your paths lead to your hearts destination.
The Grey Chihuahua