Moruya beginning of Feb 2016

It was a long drive from Paddy's Dam to the coast, though it was a great drive through the mountains. As we got closer to Canberra it started to rain. We were going to stay near Canberra but when we got to the site we didn't like it so we continued on. I (Philippa), then had to search for a place where we could at least just sleep the night, we found this place on the road from Canberra to Batemans Bay. These were taken the next day when the rain had stopped.

We decided to stay at Moruya in NSW right on the coast, in fact the campsite was just about 20 metres from the beach on the outskirts of the town. It was next to a small airport which was very interesting as they did skydiving and you can see them all coming down. We meant to take a picture of one of the road sign which said beware of falling people! The town itself is small but it had everything there that you needed. They had a very good ice-cream place and we had great trouble eating it in the heat.

Here are some shots of the beach!

You can just see me fishing if you look very hard. Didn't catch anything it was too rough!

These were at Mossy Point, just north of Moruya, the river runs into the sea, there was some very soft sand, most weird to walk on.

We are not sure where this was exactly but it was somewhere around Mossy Point!

Paddys Dam Bago State Forest

(End of Jan)

So on from Wagga Wagga to Paddys Dam Bago State Forest, we decided we would go via Gundadai and see the Dog on the Tuckerbox statue. We wandered up and down the high street twice but couldn't find it so continued on our way to the dam. A little tinternet research would have revealed that the statue is 8 km out of town, never mind next time. Paddys dam is quite a few km into the state forest, the drive is gravel road to track and was a it of fun in places. When we were deep into the forest we came across our first Brumbies (wild horses). Majestic creatures there were also a few foals with their mums. Once again we were too busy enjoying watching them and forgot to take a photo.

Paddys dam as you can see by the photos below was like a millpond and very picturesque, we would recommend it to anyone, they even have picnic tables and long drop toilets.

The Titanic Incident

We wanted to for a kayak round the dam and rather than leaving the muppets on shore we decided to take them with us. I put my sunnies in the dry well and the four of us headed out on the dam. We had left out the four bungs which haven't been a problem before but due to the seating arrangements and me not doing up the dry well hatch properly it did become a problem now. Water was running into the dry well and into the body of the kayak and we were soon resembling the Titanic bow up in the air and me paddling underwater Scoobie was nervous and so was Phil who was holding the camera aloft. I paddled to shore and the dogs and Phil disembarked. I paddled the submarine back to camp and siphoned the water out. We now have a two point kayak checklist, bungs in and dry well cover on properly.






Our journey out the forest was via a different track which was some off road fun, next stop Moruya.

















































These are taken from Wee Jasper Road on the way from Paddy's Dam to Canberra through the mountains.

Wagga Wagga

We stayed at a campsite in town that had its own beach and great bbq areas.

Wagga was a great town, very clean and lots of good coffee.

If you plan on a visit make sure you check out the Glass museum, it has two floors of some amazing art glass, I didn't realise that Australia had a thriving community of glass artists, Phil and I spent a good while checking this place out. Have a look http://www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/art-gallery

For some reason we didn't take any photo's which was a shame. There was a great statue of a Swagman made out of bronze in the remembrance garden. We had a great chat with a local couple who recommended where we planned to camp next. He was telling us a bit about the area too which is always useful.

The Dogs

A few of you have asked how are the dogs? How are they coping?

Well apart from Shaggy eating something horrid which got stuck in his throat, he coughed it out in the end. Scoobie got a fishing hook in his lip, also from scavenging round and an upset stomach for about four days! They are good! Very funny in fact. 

Some of you will know Shaggy likes to patrol our perimeter, which is fine but when we started it was about 1000m2. He quickly learned that when camping, particularly on campsites, this wasn't going to work. It is now down to about 300 m2.

We have also learned that when we get up in the morning to put his lead on straight away, otherwise he is off looking for left overs in all the other camps. This was particularly bad at Christmas when about 20 men each night cooked up this huge BBQ and left all the bones lying around. We have these long red leads so they are not too confined and Shaggy was told that he would have to go on his lead if he didn't come back, but the bones were too good, so he really didn't care, when he returned he jumped into the trailer and put himself in solitary.  He quite happily stayed there for about 30 minutes then re-appeared, with this look of, I have taken my punishment! He has now resigned himself to the fact that he spends most of the time one his red lead. He is very good at going in and out of the poles and chairs tying himself in knots. But he can untie himself unlike Scoobie. We try not to put Scoobie on his because the two of them together look like they are doing Maypole dancing round the poles, which becomes even more of an issue if another dog comes passed and we end up with poles, tables and chairs flying everywhere! Here are some pics we have taken so far -

Hiding from the rain

Which way? At Paddys Dam

In the water

Where ever you lay my bed that's where I'll be!

Simon with the dogs going underground!

Scoobie has a new habit of digging holes to sit in. It wouldn't be so bad but when he does it, sand or dust goes everywhere. On this occasion he filled Simon's fishing bag full is sand.

Shaggy's new travelling spot. He is on the head rest area at the back of the cab, rather than on his bed with Scoobie. He likes to look out and given the chance he will press the button to open the window. We now have put the window lock on! 

Simon and the dogs chilling.

Rocky Holes

Rocky Holes was our next stop again on the Murrumbidgee river, situated a few kms outside Narranderra. There was some great swimming in the river and fishing too. We saw our first snakes on two consecutive days swimming in the river and on a food hunt in a tree poking out of the water.

We also saw our first in the wild koala which was great as we were thinking they were a figment of people's imagination. Photos have been put up of both these in Phil's birds and beast 2 post. 

We had deluge of rain one evening and an incredible thunder storm, there was literally a river running under the camper, thankfully we have an above ground floor or we would have been washed out. It has to be one of the best camps so far on our travels.

Very wet times and an incredible light display care of Thor.

Lots of carp and turtles

A damp camp

 

You can just see the rainbow that was just outside our tent but we didn't find the gold!

Darlington Point

This is the Murranbidgee River. It flows from the Snowy Mountains inland rather than to the sea. It is fairly big and flows later into the Murray River which flows through Victoria. It is home to the famous Murray Cod. Simon had a very good fishing session here.

 

This was an amazing tree, we think the river must have washed away the soil from its roots.

Lots of fish caught you might notice Phil hasn't said how the fish tally is going, cheese was the magic bait. Darlington Point also had the best butchers ever, the home smoked bacon was awesome and sausages were great, I saw him making them by hand.

Griffith

Griffith I rename the land of glass! Unfortunately some Australian's seem to like to smash glass bottles in places where it really would be quite beautiful.  Griffith itself was a great little town and we went there primarily to buy a new fridge. It is the most amazing area. The vineyards are the largest I have ever seen, see the last couple of pics and you will get some idea. And the cellar doors we visited were fantastic. The prices were so good you just had to buy a bottle or two ...three.....four!

I have to say they are missing a bit of a trick with the tourists and I think they could make much more of the area, with all the produce they grow. We did buy some pissed prunes (prunes in port) which I have been enjoying on my breakfast cereal. However, after a couple of mornings I did decide that alcohol for breakfast should perhaps be reserved for the weekends only! 

Above is a picture Phil and the boys in a chapel created by an Italian hermit who became a bit of a celebrity.

He made use of the natural rock shelters to live. He also had an immaculate garden some pictures of which can be seen on the walk around the area.

Vineyards that went on and on and on.

 

Orange trees that also went on and on, that is a lot of marmalade!