We were staying with good friends, whom despite our best efforts, we catch up with infrequently. Whilst we try to meet around ANZAC day annually, we seem to only make it every third or fourth year. So you could say we were really looking forward to our weekend down at the coast.
With the spare bedroom (Matilda – our Aussie Swag Camper) hooked on behind Terry, we pushed off on after I finished work on Saturday morning. It was a great feeling to hit the road and coming down the hill near Sassafras we glimpsed the Tasman Sea, looking very blue and inviting.
Having done our first four wheel driving in this part of the world, we thought we would take a short cut to the Princess Highway from Main Road 92, so instead of turning right onto Turpentine Road, the GPS suggested a short cut through Wandean Fire Trail... Of course I didn’t have our topographic maps with us, the Maxtrax were sitting next to the long handled shovel in the shed at home and I was just a little tired after night shift the previous evening... What could possibly go wrong?
If we had stayed on Wandean Fire Trail, we would have come out unsurprisingly at Wandean, on the highway. Instead we ended up heading off in the wrong direction. A few moments later it dawned on us that we would have to turn around – no easy feat on narrow forest trails with Matilda hooked on the back.
A nice wide drainage culvert was chosen to do the deed, however after backing and filling to get the nose into the culvert with the trailer straight, I (driving now) felt an uncomfortable slipping of the tyres as we slid sideways to the bottom of the culvert. Attempts to move forward were met with no result. Attempts to move backwards were also met with no result. Stuck!
A dark cloud formed over us as the air turned blue and the little helpers slowly began to realise that they would not be getting lunch in 10 minutes… My mind was trying to work out a way out… letting tyres down was an option. We did have a garden spade and an axe in the car to assist in moving a bit of dirt around. We could wait for someone to pull us out. Nothing was going to be quick and we were all in ‘good clothes’.
Ah – but I had just finished two nights shifts, I was grumpy and by now a little hungry. So with a bit of right foot, and rocking back and forward we finally broke free from the mud and made our way back onto the track where there was much rejoicing! Sorry I didn’t pause to take photos - but we were by now on a mission to get to our destination and get some hungry boys fed!
We drove on another 200metres and turned around comfortably at the junction of two tracks!!! Lesson learnt.
The rest of the weekend was fantastic. Lake Conjola was beautiful and the waters crystal clear. The Little Fisherman was in his element, with whiting, flathead and puffer fish nibbling his bait under his very eyes. Despite our best efforts of putting a little bait on a very large hook to avoid catching any fish, he managed to catch his first fish – a Flounder.
The Little Fisherman patiently waits
Success!
The other little helper loved the warm waters, and frolicking in the shallows. He has little interest in fishing – much preferring to build sandcastles or play with his trucks and diggers. The coast here gives many options from sheltered lake waters to open surf beaches to suit all levels of experience and adrenalin.
The beach was glorious, the food delicious and the beer cold. We enjoyed a great game of Settlers of Catan one evening, which was hotly contested. This is a fantastic game where strategy and luck combine with negotiation skills to ensure that everyone has a reasonable chance at victory. The extension pack allowed six of us to colonise islands and build our empires with much merriment all round.
On ANZAC day we attended a very pleasant Dawn Service at Ulladulla. The Little Helpers both were given the option of attending, and both willingly agreed. They behaved beautifully through the service, and as a treat later we enjoyed some cinnamon toast at a café overlooking the harbour, before hitting the (in)famous Funland for a drive of the Dodgem Cars.
The dodgem cars were a great hit... literally!
The boys enjoy a stroll along Ulladulla Harbour... a minute later they were both in the water up to their necks!
In all it was a great weekend – with great company and we hope to do it all again soon. We must say a big thank you to Bel, Rob and little Hugh for hosting us at your piece of paradise. Thanks also to Nic and Dave for putting the gourmet into catering!
Needless to say we came home via Turpentine Road thankfully without further incident!
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