Had wanted to do a longer trip during the Winter Parliamentary Recess but the weather had not been particularly warm and friendly (old Fijian traditional weather forecast). Krysia was off visiting friends and family in Europe and I had really wanted to do Wilson’s Promontory and a bit of the Great Ocean Road. Earlier attempted camping coast trip which you read about here wasn’t particularly successful with the freezing overnight temperatures.
So, I eyed off Jervis Bay, said to have some of the whitest sands in the world. I was looking at a 2 night stay, leaving Canberra on Monday and returning on Wednesday. The weather forecast said Tuesday might have a shower or 2 so I bit the bullet and booked a cabin at the Caravan Park on the Headland at Huskisson. No packing up wet tents for me.
Well, it was the cunningest of plans. Set off mid-morning on an overcast looking day. After fueling up, headed for Macs Reef Road and the back way to Bungendore. Had the delightful experience of avoiding an Echidna as it waddled slowly across the road in front of me – pity I hadn’t primed the GoPro, a bit more on that later – Nah, lets get that over and done with. As I was about to commence Push-back out of the garage at Chateau Kent St, I normally connect GoPro which is attached to chest harness, to my phone so I can check the camera’s field of view. It said the GoPro needed a software upgrade so I began that laborious process. After it had finished, I had trouble connecting the phone to camera and I was getting a tad annoyed. Bugger it, I can fix on the road.
I stopped at the scenic railway station at Tarago for a bladder break. Without looking at the GoPro (still on chest harness), I turned it on by feel. Shot some footage of the station and then continued on. Shortly after Tarago, using a remote control on handlebar, I shot a variety of footage before, during and after the rain hit. The rain hit did you say? Yes, the unforecast rain. I got drenched, completely and utterly – I had more rain weather gear in my bag but I didn’t want to stop as I thought it would clear up. When I finally hit the Princess Highway, it had stopped but I was cold and miserable. Was good to arrive at my temporary digs, WhiteSands Park.
The Cabin had everything I needed, which at that moment was a heater, 4 walls and a roof. I quickly unpacked, got into street clothes and headed into town, a 5 minute walk. Stopped at a nearby café and a lovely club sandwich later, I was feeling a tad better. Walked around the town and the parks before heading back to camp (and a nearby Geocache on the Camp’s fence line). The Campground had a lockable gate that shaved 5 minutes off the walking time to town and the Manager told me it would be locked at 5:30. So probably not that much later, I headed back to town to sort out dinner. Not quite sure how they got their name but World Famous Fish and Chips sounded like a good option. A few minutes later, I was back in Cabin, heater on gorging on some lovely Flathead.
I think by 9:30, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Further good news was after turning the heater off, my bed had a really beautiful doona that led to a good nights sleep. Slept very well indeed.
Woke to the sound of rain drops. After a horrid shower, one that ambushes you when the water temperature decides to change on its own accord, I headed into town for breakfast. 5 Little pigs seemed to attract an early crowd so I joined in. Food was great, as was the coffee but the ambience was a tad noisy. The weather today was intermittent showers but I was armed with the world’s best umbrella (seriously), so I went for a walk towards Vincentia and some Geocaches. There is a lovely walking/bike track that goes from Huskisson to Sanctuary Point via Vincentia. It’s very scenic and has the sounds of waves to accompany the walkers. All up, I think I walked about 13 km.
Headed back into Huskisson for lunch. The Jervis Bay Club did a fantastic seafood basket. I watched a whale watching boat return to the dock. Earlier, I had seen a sign that tallied the whales spotted each day. Yesterday had been 4. Maybe a bit too early in the season! Went for a further walk along the beach but the drizzle led me back to the cabin.
I decided to review my GoPro footage of the ride yesterday. Smeg ! I had somehow managed, after my upgrade problems, mount the camera so it was facing me. All of it, every last second ! Bloody Hell !
Walked back into town for dinner options. Decided on Take Away wood-fired pizza – good choice. Got back to cabin, heater on and feasted like a king. The free WiFi at the caravan park was powered by a hampster with a sore foot whose treadmill had a flat tyre. I read my e-book instead and had another early night.
Woke to semi blue skies. Showered and dressed and decided to check out early rather than walk into town for breakfast. Some how managed to miss packing my trousers despite my walk around the cabin inspection. Oh well, Caravan Park will mail them back to me. Stopped at bakery for an egg roll and coffee and then onto the highway. A bit of a traffic jam trying to actually turn onto the highway and it was quite clagged going through Nowra. A fuel stop before heading up the escarpment. As per usual for this trip, I then hit the fog, drizzle, cloud, all of the above as I made my way up. It wasn’t until I got to Fitzroy Falls that I hit the sunshine. Stopped for a quick view then back on the road. Moss Vale was looking very blossomy but I was really looking forward to getting home. Wind strengthened on the freeway but I am much more comfortable with it these days. Still hate passing semi-trailers. I did enjoy my little escape, regardless of the weather but it was good to get home. Now to see whether the GoPro footage is worthy of a Youtube !
So, I eyed off Jervis Bay, said to have some of the whitest sands in the world. I was looking at a 2 night stay, leaving Canberra on Monday and returning on Wednesday. The weather forecast said Tuesday might have a shower or 2 so I bit the bullet and booked a cabin at the Caravan Park on the Headland at Huskisson. No packing up wet tents for me.
Well, it was the cunningest of plans. Set off mid-morning on an overcast looking day. After fueling up, headed for Macs Reef Road and the back way to Bungendore. Had the delightful experience of avoiding an Echidna as it waddled slowly across the road in front of me – pity I hadn’t primed the GoPro, a bit more on that later – Nah, lets get that over and done with. As I was about to commence Push-back out of the garage at Chateau Kent St, I normally connect GoPro which is attached to chest harness, to my phone so I can check the camera’s field of view. It said the GoPro needed a software upgrade so I began that laborious process. After it had finished, I had trouble connecting the phone to camera and I was getting a tad annoyed. Bugger it, I can fix on the road.
I stopped at the scenic railway station at Tarago for a bladder break. Without looking at the GoPro (still on chest harness), I turned it on by feel. Shot some footage of the station and then continued on. Shortly after Tarago, using a remote control on handlebar, I shot a variety of footage before, during and after the rain hit. The rain hit did you say? Yes, the unforecast rain. I got drenched, completely and utterly – I had more rain weather gear in my bag but I didn’t want to stop as I thought it would clear up. When I finally hit the Princess Highway, it had stopped but I was cold and miserable. Was good to arrive at my temporary digs, WhiteSands Park.
The Cabin had everything I needed, which at that moment was a heater, 4 walls and a roof. I quickly unpacked, got into street clothes and headed into town, a 5 minute walk. Stopped at a nearby café and a lovely club sandwich later, I was feeling a tad better. Walked around the town and the parks before heading back to camp (and a nearby Geocache on the Camp’s fence line). The Campground had a lockable gate that shaved 5 minutes off the walking time to town and the Manager told me it would be locked at 5:30. So probably not that much later, I headed back to town to sort out dinner. Not quite sure how they got their name but World Famous Fish and Chips sounded like a good option. A few minutes later, I was back in Cabin, heater on gorging on some lovely Flathead.
I think by 9:30, I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Further good news was after turning the heater off, my bed had a really beautiful doona that led to a good nights sleep. Slept very well indeed.
Woke to the sound of rain drops. After a horrid shower, one that ambushes you when the water temperature decides to change on its own accord, I headed into town for breakfast. 5 Little pigs seemed to attract an early crowd so I joined in. Food was great, as was the coffee but the ambience was a tad noisy. The weather today was intermittent showers but I was armed with the world’s best umbrella (seriously), so I went for a walk towards Vincentia and some Geocaches. There is a lovely walking/bike track that goes from Huskisson to Sanctuary Point via Vincentia. It’s very scenic and has the sounds of waves to accompany the walkers. All up, I think I walked about 13 km.
Headed back into Huskisson for lunch. The Jervis Bay Club did a fantastic seafood basket. I watched a whale watching boat return to the dock. Earlier, I had seen a sign that tallied the whales spotted each day. Yesterday had been 4. Maybe a bit too early in the season! Went for a further walk along the beach but the drizzle led me back to the cabin.
I decided to review my GoPro footage of the ride yesterday. Smeg ! I had somehow managed, after my upgrade problems, mount the camera so it was facing me. All of it, every last second ! Bloody Hell !
Walked back into town for dinner options. Decided on Take Away wood-fired pizza – good choice. Got back to cabin, heater on and feasted like a king. The free WiFi at the caravan park was powered by a hampster with a sore foot whose treadmill had a flat tyre. I read my e-book instead and had another early night.
Woke to semi blue skies. Showered and dressed and decided to check out early rather than walk into town for breakfast. Some how managed to miss packing my trousers despite my walk around the cabin inspection. Oh well, Caravan Park will mail them back to me. Stopped at bakery for an egg roll and coffee and then onto the highway. A bit of a traffic jam trying to actually turn onto the highway and it was quite clagged going through Nowra. A fuel stop before heading up the escarpment. As per usual for this trip, I then hit the fog, drizzle, cloud, all of the above as I made my way up. It wasn’t until I got to Fitzroy Falls that I hit the sunshine. Stopped for a quick view then back on the road. Moss Vale was looking very blossomy but I was really looking forward to getting home. Wind strengthened on the freeway but I am much more comfortable with it these days. Still hate passing semi-trailers. I did enjoy my little escape, regardless of the weather but it was good to get home. Now to see whether the GoPro footage is worthy of a Youtube !
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