Delicate Nobby's

There had been the long-discussed camping trip, which, to be honest, as it became ever-closer looked as though it was meant not to happen. At every stage of the planning and execution, it looked much more sensible and attractive to cancel or turn back... it all started by key members of the gang being called away on business or to the corners of the earth for one reason or another... We tried a night of concerted planning efforts with maps and travel guides and Dan on the web, which all went down hill after we ate a particularly nice Lamb Tagine (Dan's) and several bottles of Red.
...and then came the weather reports... One of our more wise and well travelled mates made contact mid week (prior to the departure) suggesting we 'check the weather', and maybe 'consider going south?'... it looked pretty bad, with a huge storm hitting north of sydney... Our dreams of rides 1/2 of Kilometer long and nights out roasting marshmellows (or marsupials?) on the barbeqcue began to fade. People were dropping out...Further calls and frantic web checking later, we decided to ignore all advice and stick with the original plan. We thought that driving through the worst of the storm could leave us drier and happier than we would be in Sydney.

Crescent Head here we come!

Then the heavens opened, sat at work wondering why I had booked the afternoon off to be steadily drowned?! The journey that followed was plagued by quite possibly the worst conditions we have ever encountered (whilst driving), and most people know what we have driven through! The solid rock ravines we were driving through became gigantic waterfalls, and when the water began to lap gently over the bonnet it was tempting to close your eyes, then it was clear that the visibility was probably better through ones eyelids than through the windscreen. Still, the bogun-mobile (a bogun is like an Aussie Chav) did us proud in every bit of it's 3.9 litre style... yee haaa!! We nearly turned back when we stopped to refuel and the garage had no power and all around us smaller, newer, but somehow inferior cars where floating by. The garage forecourt was an olympic-sized soggy mess!

Anyway, things improved and the rain just seemed to stop. We made it up there a few hours later and made the bumpy journey down the 8km track to delicate nobby's camping site.

Next day we woke up to blue sky, having had a night of dark and stormies (Bunderberg Aussie Rum,50% proof and giner ale). This is a popular Aussie (& bogun drink, befitting of the car). We had a great day teaching our friend to surf, eating lots and barbeqcuing everything that moved.

We saw plenty of wildlife. Tony the Pony, star of previous camping trips in Wales, has now been joined in the animal hall of fame, by Kevin the Kangaroo, William the Wallaby and Pete the Peacock... other characters also include Craig the Cookaburra and Sally the Sea Eagle. (See Pics)

We had another wild night on the Saturday night, wrapping up at 4am once Sarah had decided that she had thrown herself over every available sand dune/bush in the style of a monkey. Sunday we sat back and watched real surfers ride amazing waves... the storm had caused massive swell to hit which must have been up to 10ft. Surf of 17 metres had swamped a 30 metre boat/tanker locally.

Monday, more surfing followed by an amazing display of surfing by the real experts... a pod of 10-15 dolphins came to ride some waves. Sadly there are no pictures of this, but on an empty beach with miles and miles of surf and sand, we were privy to one of the most spectacular shows I have ever seen and will never forget.

Drove back on Monday, stopped en route at Port Macquarie where we went to the Koala Hospital where they treat and rehabilitate these cuddley creatures after bush fires and RTAs. We actually saw a wild one too (he was bl~~dy furious!!). Also saw more dolphins playing in the rivermouth and took some very unsuccessful photos.

Anyway, made it home. lots of love Sarah and Dan