Friends

Off for a day's fishing.

From the green hills of Tumbarumba, we headed back up the Hume Hwy, to rendezvous with our friends Bev & Fred at Shellharbour. It is a true reflection of the wonderful life we are enjoying, when we can wake up one day in the shadow of the Snowy Mountains, and the next day be sitting in Fred's boat, a few kilometers off the coast at Shellharbour, fishing the day away! No thanks, we aren't swapping lifestyles with anyone!

We were grateful that on our first morning, the weather gods gave us a good day for fishing. Fred and I headed off shore and enjoyed a terrific day, bringing home sixteen lovely flathead. The rest of our stay didn't prove so lucky as regards the weather. We only managed one more day, and even that was pretty uncomfortable, with showers and a big swell, but we did manage to add another five flathead to the freezer. 

Apart from the fishing, we did get an excellent show from the wildlife. It is that time when the whales are heading back south, and the bay at Shellharbour is a great place for mothers and their calves to break the journey. We were fortunate enough to get a spectacular show up close, with a mother and calf breaching and rolling and flapping fins and tails only 100 metres away. In addition to the whales we also had a seal for company for a while, a penguin swam by, quite close to the boat, and our old friend the pelican landed beside us waiting for a feed. The pelicans are fantastic. They swim around the boat, and when you start reeling in, they come up close to see what you've got, hoping like mad it is under size, and therefore fed to him! Fred caught a spiny old red rock cod which we tossed to the pelican. He turned it around and around in his bill, then swallowed it, and Fred & I were thankful we weren't him at tomorrow mornings spiny ablutions!

The girls did Bingo at the club. Shopped there way around the emerging new shopping centre at Shellharbour, and generally had a good catch up. The other highlight for all of us was spending Melbourne Cup Day at Nancy & Keith's place. We had a great day. Nancy & Keith were as usual wonderful hosts, with the food and drink laid on. Bev & Fred cleaned up on the races, amidst a constant flow of champagne and laughs.

Mark & Jodie.

Mark & Jodie.

After Shellharbour it was across to Camden to attend the wedding of Cheryl & Chris' son Mark and the lovely Jodie. We are regulars at Camden, and Managers Darren & Karin give us a warm welcome. It is almost like coming home, as Darren follows us to the site and helps us get set up. 

The proud parents Chris & Cheryl.

It's all official.

Time to cut the cake.

Cheryl & her sister Deb, are well and truly up to their necks in Wedding preparations. All the planning paid off handsomely, with a really happy day being had by all. It is probably the most relaxed wedding we have attended. Everything went off like clockwork. The service was held in the grounds of Gledswood Winery. The bride looked very Audrey Hepburn in her simple elegant dress, and all the boys looked very smart in their light grey suits. I think the parents were more nervous than the bride & groom! They too looked terrific, and I'm glad to say, survived the day. The service was followed by champagne and nibbles in the gardens, then it was off to the Mount Annan Botanical Gardens where a sit down dinner was enjoyed at the Restaurant. The night just flew by, with lots of dancing and other forms of gyration, and some excellent food and wine. You couldn't imagine a happier couple. To top the night off, a bus was organised to take us all home, with our cars locked and safe in the secure car park.

Sharing the special day.

The next day, Cheryl & Chris hosted a lovely brunch. Mark & Jodie were heading off to Tahiti for their honeymoon, but not for a couple of days, so we enjoyed a lazy day sitting around looking at photos and generally having a relaxing time catching up with family and friends.

Monday we headed up to see mum. We headed for Brighton for a lazy lunch and catch up. It is always good to see mum again.

Tuesday morning we packed up and headed off again, this time heading north for Forster. We haven't holidayed there for more than 25 years, so are really looking forward to it. We plan to be there for a month or so before heading back to the Sydney region to commence Christmas festivities with family and friends.

Beechworth/Tumbarumba Revisited

We travelled back up the Hume Hwy to beautiful Beechworth, and the Lake Sambell Caravan Park. Our friendly manager Roger, had allocated us space at the rear of the park this time, where we backed onto the bushland. The site was terrific. Big and grassy, and when we arrived, the Fisschers were already in residence and setting up camp.

Lynne, Harley, Paul, Kenzie & Carolyn

After a boisterous welcome from the unruly children, i.e. puppies Kenzie and Harley, we set about arranging our campsite. This time, the fire pit was a must, and it wasn't long before young Mick arrived on his quad bike with fire pit and firewood in tow!

The plan was a simple one, do nothing for a week but relax. Everything went according to plan beautifully. The weather was fine during the day, but cold at night, so the fire got a real workout. We just lazed around, walked the dogs around the lake to town, enjoyed coffee and/or lunch at almost every cafe in town, and generally did nothing. 

The resident Koalas in the bushland next door, were the only ones disturbing the peace. Have you ever heard Koalas mating? Maybe they know more about marriage than humans, because it sounds like murder! If you didn't know better, you would swear that wild pigs were running amok through the forest, grunting and crashing about in all directions. Yes, it was even worse than my snoring!! Glad they chose the tree next to Lynne & Paul!

Dinner by the fire.

Flaming marshmallows!

Most nights we dined around the campfire, which was a real novelty for us all. And what is an evening around the fire without marshmallows. In the morning, the ashes of the fire, were dotted with little blobs of pink and white, melted marshmallows that fell off the skewers! The game boards get a real workout as well. This time Upwords and Ratatatcat are the favourites, and it is always a load of laughs.

We ascertained that the best dinner in town was at the Hibernian Hotel. We dined here twice, and it was good both times. Sunday nights Parmy Night, was terrific value, with a choice of nine different versions of a Chicken Parmigiana, all at $14.95. The place was packed.

Coach ride around town.

Moments and Memories Tea House.

We did sneak off on Sunday afternoon, for a carriage ride around town. Carolyn felt cheated that she hadn't gotten to have a Stage Coach ride at Sovereign Hill, so this was the next best thing. We luckily found the carriage driver packing up on a slow day, but he agreed to do one last ride around town. It was all great fun, sitting up top with the driver's dog, who did every ride and seemed quite blase about it.

Traditional afternoon tea.

Famished after the carriage ride, someone had spied a traditional little tea house along the route, so guess where we headed, Moments and Memories Tea House. It was a delightful little place.Very English with lots of linen and fine china, so we indulged in traditional afternoon tea, sitting up in the window seat at the front of the establishment. Yes, we practised our best possible sipping with extended pinkie. It was simply delicious my dear chaps!

Pancakes for the puppies.

We always enjoy a pancake breakfast sometime during our get togethers. Nothing better than fresh made pancakes with fresh fruit and maple syrup. John fires up the hot plate and everyone tucks in, and I mean everyone. The puppies get some too!

Fireside chats had determined that since we were so close, we should continue our relaxation at nearby Tumbarumba, one of our all time favourite spots. So after a week in Beechworth, we broke camp and headed for Tumby. It is only a couple of hours drive up the Hume Hwy. The road was full of motor cyclists, which reminded us the Moto GP had been run and won at Phillip Island the day before, so the two wheeled pilgrims were returning home. We shared lunch at the Holbrook Bakery, with a motley looking lot of Bikies and Bikers. The staff were being run off their feet.

Tumbarumba Creek Caravan Park.

Arriving at Tumbarumba, we got a warm welcome from the owner Maryann, and settled in at a very quiet caravan park. It was so different to the hustle and bustle we were used to during our previous Christmas visits, when the park is full of all the African and Asian berry pickers.
We are still very much in relaxation mode, so we just veg out and enjoy the lovely weather. The morning walk up town along the creek, is especially lovely, with all the new growth on the trees and the blossoms in full bloom. Not a lot changes in Tumbarumba, so it has a very familiar feel.

The 4 Bears Cafe.

We stop into our favourite cafe, the 4 Bears Cafe. Owner Anthony is pleased to see us, and we enjoyed a catchup. It is four years since we first came to the 4 Bears, just after he opened up, and it is great to see how well it is going. The coffee and food is still first class and generous in proportions. We visit regularly during our stay. He has somehow managed to get even more bears into the restaurant, including a three meter high monster, that apparently came down the freeway in a combi van, half in and half out of the van! He even has a real bear that he bought from an auction house, but don't worry, it has been to the taxidermist!

It is time for us to leave Lynne & Paul. They will be staying for a couple more days. We have a booking at Shellharbour, where Fred has the hooks sharpened, the boat ready and the fish forewarned. We have had a really nice relaxing catch up, and as we head up towards Tumut, our thoughts are already turning to Jugiong, and morning tea at the Long Track Pantry.