Saturday, January 12, 2013

The High Country - Southern NSW Coast

Adalong - Bemboka
Clear still cool. Stopped at Tumut for provisions then drove on to Adaminaby for lunch.  From Talbingo there is a steep climb from 400m to 1000m in about 6km, hard work but no problem for Dora, even on a hot day in the 30s.  The drive across the high country is one that must be done, nice.  At its peak the road is 1500m above sea level.  A step descent into Bemboka mostly in 1st gear was slow but safe, Dora did good!  Stopped for the night at the showgrounds at Bemboka, ok but nothing special, but quiet.

Bemboka - Yellow Pinch Dam.
Clear still cool, nice.  Stopped at Tathra for coffee a swim then lunch and to plan which way I would go.  Met Susan and Pete kiwi travellers.  Decided south looks good, yellow pinch dam for tonight?  Met Richard, Rose and Deb at YPD.  Had a drink with the fellow travellers and then cooked salmon and veg for dinner, nice.

Yellow pinch dam - Bellbird hotel.  Clear still cool.  Went for a walk to the dam wall down the road and up the bush track, just 1.3km but nice then walked to the top of Yurammie State Park, about 2.5km.   Stopped in Eden for coffee and veggies then lunch at the wharf before heading to Bellbird Hotel.  At 4pm had a couple of schooners with Jergen the publican and back later for dinner, nice.

Bellbird Hotel - Heyfield FC.  Clear still cool.  Headed of early stopped for breakie at a rest stop along the way, made Lakes Entrance for lunch and walk about.  Provisioned and drove on to Heyfield.  Turned very windy, south westerly late in the day.  Heyfield free camp very nice, toilets dump point water mown grass. 


Heyfield.  Cold wet windy overnight, nice change.  Windy and somewhat overcast in the morning.  Looks like a showery day on the way.  Toured around town and the lake, the place has moved along, nice place to live, pride shows in the town.  Late in the arvo all these horse floats arrived, a Jane Mcgrath charity ride from here to Locola, starting tomorrow.

Heyfield - Woodside.  Clear still cool.  Called Chris French and then drove to Woodside beach CP to stay the night with them in the CP. Chris and I walked about 10km along the beach, nice. Went fishing in the arvo Chris caught a nice flathead we all shared at drinks, nice. 

Woodside - Port Albert.  Overcast still some drizzle overnight.  Provisioned in Yarram then stopped in Port Albert for lunch and overnight.  Met some fellow travellers at the free camp, nice.  Called James Vs office re letter Sue will forward it on via email.  Had happy hour with Cathy from Cairns.

Port Albert - Toora.  Clear still warm.  Drove to Toora rest area for lunch and decided to stay the night.  Walked back into Toora for the exercise 9km return.  Brought a bottle of wine as the reward.  Quiet night at a really nice rest stop well of the road just me and one other vehicle. 

Melbourne tomorrow gunna cross, east to west in one day, non stop.