Smelly brakes and scrumptous berries

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First day of Autumn and it has turned overcast and cool, with a bit of drizzle. We decided not to stay another night and packed up ready to move. The last job, once all hooked up, is dumping the black, grey and galley water from the tanks. While we were doing so, a small honey-eater came down into a grevillea right behind Barry. He had a lovely curved beak; buff underpants separated from his white breast by a black band; a patch under his chin – like a bow tie- and a red eye. After consulting my new bird book I discovered he was an Eastern Spinebill. Very sweet.

It only took 35 minutes to get to Merimbula Lake Holiday Park, our next port of call. The approach was a bit difficult as it was on the right hand side near the bottom of a steep slope, that we came across unexpectedly around a big bend and so Barry was going too fast. It is hard to stop the weight of van and ute when on a steep slope and we thought we might overshoot but Barry made it. You could really smell the brakes afterwards, though!

We set up, chatted to our new neighbours and then went into Pambula and Merimbula. In Pambula we looked around the “Oaklands Gallery/ Garden Shop/ Cafe”. I didn’t like all the art but some landscapes were gorgeous. Thankfully, this time, I did get to buy two of them (even if they were only Notelets – the picture was there for me to keep!) Outside they had a few old vehicles, including a maroon Ford from 1927 which was lovingly restored; a hay wain; an old truck and an early 1920s ute, with wooden wheel spokes, frame and running boards. It was in a very poor state and was begging to be restored. There were also two life-sized white horse statues and a sleek black cat taking his ease, stretched out, asleep on the rump of one of the horses in the sun, which had finally showed its face. He wasn’t bothered by people petting him and just ignored them. So peaceful.

In Merimbula, I briefly checked out a gift shop and found three gorgeous wooden dragons, but I was very good and didn’t buy them. My favourite was curled up with his pearl under one foot – only $488! I’ll have two, thanks!

We headed up to Merimbula Wharf and Fishing Platform, which Barry remembers from the holidays he used to have with his Mum and Dad, while he was at school. There was also an Aquarium but we decided to save our money. Instead, we ate our sandwiches watching the fishermen NOT catching fish. Finally, one landed a small mullet (“It’ll do for bait”). We looked into the deep, crystal clear water and saw two stingrays, one small and one full sized, flying through the water, wings wafting gently up and down. So graceful.

On the way out of town, we passed the oyster beds that had been exposed in the low tide. I want to get some of those for a treat tomorrow! Back at the van, I went blackberry picking on the edge of the creek, something I haven’t done since leaving England. It brought back lovely memories. I got enough for two days deserts and was only scratched a little. They were delicious with some cream after dinner. A tasty end to another nice day.

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Photos

Oaklands Gallery, Pambula
"Just the right shape and no-one can step on me up here."

Oaklands Gallery, Pambula
The early 1920s ute, begging for restoration.

Oaklands Gallery
The 1920s ute had wooden running boards and wooden spokes on the wheels.

Comments

[Snap Shot Stacey]

awww
At first I wondered why you were posting a pic of a horses bum and then I read the title. So cute!

[dragonlady]

Comfy cat
He was out of the way of the many feet, could look you in the eye if he felt like it and was totally warm and comfortable. Cats are so clever!

[Snap Shot Stacey]

Charming
Someone HAS to fix it up. What a charming old car!

[dragonlady]

Very charming
It was lovely, especially the wooden wheels! It was such a shame to see it in that condition. It should be out making someone's wedding day super special.

[Snap Shot Stacey]

Mussles
I didn't know you could just pick them yourself. Didn't they belong to someone? Are they hard to pry off?

[dragonlady]

Mussels
You can't get them from the beds. The owners do that but they sell them, freshly picked that day. We bought them from a shed where a small group of men were shelling and selling them.