Stage 9 - Batemans Bay to Moruya

Friday 13th May 2011

After meeting up at our townhouse in Malula Bay we drove north to the Bantemans Bay Marina at Catalina and started our walk.

This is an amazing stretch of coast with a perfect mix of civilisation and natural beauty - all of it conveniently threaded together by George Bass Drive - unlike the settlements further north connected only by dead-end roads from the Princes H'way. Modern architect designed homes hug the rugged granite cliffs topped with mighty eucalypts and the white sandy bays of a breathtaking shoreline made more beautiful this Friday by perfect sunny autumn weather - blue water, white surf and cloudless skies.

We passed by numerous beaches each with their own character, all of them beautiful with names such as Corrigans, Caseys, Sunshine Bay, Denhams, Surf, Wimbie, Circuit, Lilli Pilli, Mosquito Bay (where we had a late lunch at the By the Beach Bakery Cafe) and Garden Bay - across the road from our place. That is a lot of beaches in a 16km stretch of coast.

This was the first outing for our new T-shirts and it was warm enough to wear them. Fellow lunchers at the Bakery Cafe asked what we were about and were amazed when we told them we were walking to Melbourne.

First impressions of our new home were for the weekendd were very favourable - modern, luxurious, beautifully appointed with an awesome view of Garden Bay and the wild ocean beyond. Unfortunately not everything was right. We soon discovered the bathroom sinks were blocked, water from the shower was gong everywhere but down the drain, the TV wasn't functioning and we had no hot water! Hard to find kiddy switches overriding the stove and oven and lack of instructions didn't help either. It took us the whole weekend after numerous calls to the agent and visits by different tradesmen to sort out all the problems.

Anyhow, Johnny went fishing at Garden Bay and we all enjoyed a hot curry dinner when he returned. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) we were unable to watch Eurovision live from Dusseldorf as we found it impossible to tune the TV.

Saturday, 14th May 2011

Today we walked from our home at Garden Bay past Malua Bay, Pretty Point, McKenzies, Beach, Nth and Sth Rosedale Beaches, Guerill Bay and Barlings Beach to Tomakin - a distance of about 16km.

The weather was a bit cooler and windier than on Friday but still sunny and beautiful. The scenery did not disappoint with a continuation of yesterday's beautiful beaches, forest and houses to please the eye. We were all delighted that out intended travel along the coast was enabled by walking tracks btween the houses and the sea (probably set aside for the sewer). This made for a delightful walk, especially the section from Guerilla (not Gorilla!) bay westwards to Tomakin where we found a great cafe - part of the General Store in Sunpatch Parade and enjoyed another late lunch.

We had left the car at Mossy Point on the other side of the Tomaga River so had to walk the 4kms along the road and over the bridge to collect it.

Returning home, Johnny went fishing again trying his luck at North Rosedale Beach and this time reeling in 3 good sized Bream and an Aussie Salmon. Meanwhile a technician came to fix the TV - the device to amplify the signal was hidden behind a big wooden box and had been switched off - Voila!! Eurovision!!! We also had an electrician turning up and in the freezing dark by torchlight enabled the hot water system and Voila! We can shower now! Fried rice for dinner...

Sunday, 15th May 2011

Today was a relatively straightforward walk from Nth Broulee Beach along the beach and around Broulee Island Nature Reserve, then a tramp along the 5km length of Bengello Beach past Moruya Airport to Moruya Heads. As on the previous days, the tide was in our favour and we were able to negotiate the ;perimeter of Broulee Island with ease, which would not have been the case with hight tide. A couple of us walked to the end of the breakwater at the north end of the heads past many fishermen trying their luck. We had a good look at the bar at the Moruya River entrance - there were large breakers over the sand bank and not really a nagivable proposition at low tide. We then drove into Moryua to have a look around, not much to see on a Sunday afternoon. Even the Princes H'way throught the middle of town was quite. We lunched (at lunchtime for a change) at Louie' Place in the main street.

Returning home Johnny went back to Nth Rosedale and caught 2 fish. Meanwhile, back at the ranch we fired up the barbie and steamed yesterday's catch in lemon juice and olive oil wrapped in foil. Tasted yummy with chips and salad.

With hot water and TV in working order and sink drains running (after a few sessions with the Draino) all was well. We even got to see the final of Eurovision!

This weekend we walked a total distance of 50km.