The occasional disadvantage of the road less travelled

We managed a good week at home getting everything in order before heading off again for the last week of the school holidays.  This time I couldn’t get the grin off my face as I pointed Terry, this time with Matilda the camper in tow, on a southerly heading.  Our destination was near Cann River, Victoria, at the end of the Monaro Highway. By the end of the trip the grin was gone and a very very dark cloud was hanging over the passenger seat.

We enjoyed a leg stretch at Nimmitabel , a good half way point.  The bakery was popular with the kids – who enjoyed the outdoor playground and the Elephant.

We were staying with friends on their 40 hectare (100 acre) slice of paradise.  Their property backs onto the state forest down that way – so it felt a lot bigger.  We took the kids for a bush walk around the block – a good slog indeed rewarded with some great views.

The boys enjoy the walk

The Little Fisherman found a walking stick

Whilst the Little Helper kept stopping for snacks

In fact we had a fantastic few days.  We took a dip in the ocean near Cape Conran.  We went to Sydenham Inlet to give the tinny a run, however the wind was making conditions fairly choppy so we decided to give the boat a run further up the Bemm River. 

We will get one when they can swim

Bemm River near Sydenham Inlet

Of course sitting alongside a beautiful river was too much temptation for the Little Fisherman, and even his brother decided to try to catch a fish…. again to no avail.  At least we were able to enjoy a great Australia Day picnic.

Still no luck

Australia Day Picnic

Terry got a bit of dust on the tyres following the Old Coast Road from Bemm River to Cann River.  We enjoyed the diversion from the back top, except the Little Fisherman had a fairly major melt down and for a moment thought he would be left on the side of the road. 



Old Coast Road over Bemm River

Another day or two of entertaining kids on slip’n’slides and tyre swings under old oaks was enjoyed by all.  It was very pleasant in the shade of the old oak, but I think the highlight was the slip'n'slide.  The kids spent hours sliding down the lawn trying new tricks - and boy they slept soundly that night.

On the morning of our departure we had planned to catch up with friends for morning tea at Bombala.  As we were staying closer to Club Terrace than Cann River, I decided that it would be a good diversion to head north, through Combeinbar, and then come back onto the highway via the Buldah Road.  Following the Far East Gippsland Back Road Tours map (you can download a copy for free) – I thought I would have no problems!

Well the map was great – and we were going really well albeit a little slow to make our morning tea at Bombala.  We took the optional side trip to Three Sisters Lookout.  It was tight getting Terry and Matilda turned around in the car park at the end of the track, but we appreciated the diversion.  It was then that my troubles really began.

The carpark was a little tight

 

The Three Sisters Lookout (Don't know where the sisters are though)

After clearing one fallen tree from the road, Jo and I exchanged a look.  You know the kind.  It was getting close to morning tea time.  We were about 2 kilometres from the turn off onto Buldah Road, a well serviced dirt road.  The track we were on was getting more and more overgrown. The clock was ticking on, and whilst we were close to the highway it was becoming apparent that we were going to be late for our appointment.

It was then we saw it.  The track was descending down the side of a hill, with an embankment on the right and a steep drop off to the left.  We came around a bend and there it was, one of the biggest gum trees I have ever seen.  Unfortunately it was not majestically towering above the canopy, providing a refuge for birds and other animals.  No, it was lying across the track with no hope of a track around.  The trunk was a good two metres in diameter, solid and firmly blocking our way.

I wasn’t even game to glance across to the passenger seat, let alone suggest a photo for the blog.  Until now I vaguely knew that I was in deep poo, but being male thought the best way to redeem myself was to dig my way out.  As I saw the tree I had to acknowledge that there was no way out of this mess.  I was up to my neck in it.

“Don’t worry Dad” said a little voice from the back.  “I know you didn’t bring the chainsaw, but you’ve got the axe!”

I silently eased Terry into reverse and slowly reversed about a kilometre or so to a track junction where we turned around and backtracked.

Two hours after our departure we drove past the front gate of our friends place from where we had left. Four hours after our departure we pulled into Bombala for lunch.  Five hours after departure we finally caught up with our friends for a cup of tea.

It was when we finally got home and started unpacking that we were able to laugh about our day. 

The weirdest thing was that Jo was frustrated we hadn’t taken a photo of the tree to prove its existence. Sometimes it is amazing that men and women can live together at all…