Paradise Regained
Eden lives up to its name
22.06.2011
18 °C
We finally found some respite from the cold and rain as we headed north up the coast to NSW, stopping in a beautiful little town called Eden. We had the whole caravan park to ourselves, and there was a great dining area where we able to do most of our meals. Add some beautiful sunshine to this and the result was a perfect tonic for our rain weary family.
On the way to Eden we stopped at Lakes Entrance and enjoyed another game of mini golf and fish and chips on the estuary. The town looks like it would burst at the seams during summer, but was obviously much quieter at this time of year.
Putt Putt Pirates
Ethan getting confused between his Dad and a pirate statue
Eden is a small town that is perched on top of cliffs overlooking a beautiful bay. It has a small maritime centre that we visited one afternoon, and the boys enjoyed an informal tour with one of the staff who explained about the incredible abundance and diversity in the sea around the area, caused by the meeting of the East Australian Current (EAC dude - for all "Nemo" fans) and the cold currents coming out of Bass Strait and the Southern Ocean. This makes it an important whale feeding ground during their migration north and south.
We also made a trip into the neighbouring town of Merimbula, where we bought a couple of discounted surf mats. The beach opposite our caravan park had a consistent wave breaking and I thought that it would be great to let the boys learn how to catch a wave. There had been strong offshore breezes for a couple of days which had tamed the waves to a manageable size and so into the water we went (it had to be a better option than listening to the Dockers getting flogged by Melbourne). The water was pretty cold but to their credit all four boys took turns in catching waves with me. I didn't realise quite how cold the water was until after in the shower where I could not feel anything in my feet - took about half an hour for the feeling to come back!
Christening the surf mats
Aidan and I ventured out to church Sunday night (there were no morning services in Eden) to the local Church of Christ who meet in the RSL hall. We arrived about 3 minutes late, to find about 5 cars parked outside and the door shut, curtains drawn across all windows. We walked to the door and stood listening to a quiet voice murmuring on the inside. I looked at Aidan and hoped that he would say that he didn't want to go in! After standing for a minute and not hearing any singing we decided that we did not want to bust in on the obviously quiet and intimate group and retreated to the car and back to the caravan.
From Eden we headed up the coast to Batemans Bay for a couple of nights where we caught up on a bit of school, rode our bikes and had the obligatory play in a couple of playgrounds.
We have just arrived in Canberra, and there will be plenty to write about in the next couple of days. Stay tuned for the next installment coming soon.
Footnote: the cleaner shaven face is a result of watching some video of our day in the snow,and wondering who the kindly older man was who kept assisting the boys on their toboggans. The shock of all that gray in the beard has inspired me to get the razor out again! Yes, yes,yes... too vain I know!
Cleaner faced
Posted by Phil Croot 16:10
Sounds great Philip! The warmer weather would be so attractive after all the cold down south. We are following in your 'tyre tracks' shortly. Thanks for the introduction to various places you have mentioned.
24.06.2011 by Herbert Howell