After a lengthy packup, we had one last dip in the Narrabeen baths before turning the van south towards Moss Vale. We had to negotiate the van through Sydney traffic which was a bit hairy at times, but we managed to get through it unscathed.
Once in Moss Vale, our destination was Shirley and Stan's place (Steve's Aunt and Uncle). As soon as we got out of the car we noticed a definitely cooler temperature.
Shirley and Stan kindly offered for us to stay a couple of nights and the temptation of a 'normal' bed, shower and toilet was too great to resist. The kids were also happy to watch 'normal' television for a while too. Here are our lovely hosts at the front of their beautiful home, (which seemed like a palace after living in a caravan)...
Day 44
A day of exploring the Southern Highlands and beyond. We firstly headed out to Shellharbour via Robertson to look at the coastline. From here, we wound our way down along the coast looking at various beaches and headlands along the way. Here's a taste of what we saw: Shellharbour beach...
...and Minnamurra Headland...
Kiama was our lunch stop overlooking the 'blow hole'. Unfortunately there was no blowing going on today so we only got to see the hole...
From Kiama we headed back inland via Berry (a great shopping spot) through Kangaroo Valley. Sometimes you just never know what you're going to find in the country, but we certainly didn't expect a brown fridge bearing yummy treats in the middle of nowhere...
Of course, we had to buy something and as I only had a $20 note it ended up being quite a few treats.
Our final stop for the day was Fitzroy Falls...
While walking towards the falls we actually got to see a lyrebird (sorry, too slow with the camera).
From the falls it was back to Moss Vale for a roast dinner. Yum!
Day 45
After homework this morning, we headed into Bowral to visit the Bradman Museum. Steve has been particularly looking forward to this for a long time...
Although it was smaller than we expected (they are currently extending it), there was lots of great exhibits and information. A favourite was a replica dressing room, complete with cricketer...
...and the chance to dress up in all the cricketing gear (even if your shoes are on the wrong feet)...
Tonight we had dinner with my Aunty Irene (my Mum's sister) in Mittagong. It was great to see her and see her house for the first time. Lots of love Irene...
Day 46 Moss Vale to Canberra
This morning we had to bid farewell to Shirley and Stan, but not before we played a spot of piano...
...cuddled our new best friend...
...and got a group photo...
Time to travel to Canberra. A lot of the journey this time was along highway roads. As we got close to Canberra however, the winery signs started to appear and we made a quick stop at Lerida Estate on Lake George (which is actually a dry lake). Here we saw the biggest pumpkins and cucumbers ever...
...and some wind turbines off in the distance...
...plus stocked up more wine.
When we finally arrived in Canberra, lunch was way overdue. We thought that we'd just stop at the first shops we saw, but in Canberra, the shops seem to all be hidden away. They don't line the roads like they do in other capital cities we've visited and the few we saw, didn't have enough room to pull up with a caravan on the back.
After driving in circles, getting very frustrated and almost starving to death, we finally found a chicken shop - it was now around 3 pm!
Once fed, we found our caravan park (we had trouble finding one with a vacancy because of school holidays) which we didn't like from the minute we drove in. Something to do with the onsite tavern and steakhouse with lots of 'workers' out the front, plus a few 'odd' characters wandering around the park.
In all, it wasn't a great introduction to Canberra, but I'm sure it will get better from here.
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