Mountain Climb and Snorkelling

Off to Tilba Tilba, meet up with more friends and headed off for a 3.5 hour hike, climbing Little Dromederry mountain. It was a challenge for everyone. We had to climb over, under and through things, we had to scramble up rock faces and even had to climb one rock face but using vines that were hanging down them. We were all covered in scratches, but the view at the top of the mountain was worth the effort! We even got to see a giant eagle flying around below us.

To cool off we went down to Mystery Bay where we went snorkelling, investigated rock pools and swam in a great swimming hole. Our friend Wazza, who is an experienced snorkeler and scuba diver, taught us all how to use the swell of the ocean, to jump in off the rocks to explore the water around them and then how to use the swell again when wanting to get back up onto the rocks without getting hurt. It was a bit scary in some places, but Aidan and Cody soon learnt that when they stayed calm and relaxed in the water it was very easy and you didn’t get hurt. The coolest thing we found was an octopus which was eating a crab! Wazza took his snorkel off and put it close to the octopus, which grabbed hold and did not want to let go!

Narooma (Cow Tunnels and Swim Club)

Headed to Tilba Tilba and climbed up a hill to the “cow tunnels”. This is where there is a massive area of bushes which are similar to lantana but without thorns. They covered an area the size of a two of houses, and inside the bushes are a whole lot of tunnels created by cows. It is like another world inside the tunnels and it was great fun exploring them all.

That night we went to the Narooma Swim Club who were having their race night, so Aidan and Cody joined in and raced in the 50m races for all four strokes – they thought it was great fun . You raced both boys and girls of numerous ages – there was a lot of brotherly competition too! This was followed by a BBQ dinner with all the members of the club.

Narooma (Beach Day)

Aidan and Jaime were up early in the morning and headed off to see some friends down at Tilba Tilba, where they saw a big Red Belly Black snake on the road. This was one of Aidan’s hi-lights of the day as they pulled over and got a very close look at the snake.

The rest of the day was spent with friends down at Dalmeny Beach, playing in the mouth of Mummuga Lake, followed by a BBQ in the park by the beach and then Aidan and Cody had a surfing lesson from our friend Brad.

Left Orange - Exhausted

Opening odometer reading: 4600031
It was a very exhausting few days packing up our house but we locked the doors and left home around 6pm on 25th January and headed to our friend's property on the other side of Bathurst for our first night. Aidan and Cody are very much looking forward to the fact that they do not have to mow the lawn for 12 months!

Just before we head off from Bathurst

We headed off early from Bathurst on Australia Day for the first true leg of our journey, a 6 hour trip down to Narooma, where we have a holiday house booked and plan to spend a week with friends. Closing odometer 460540