More rain than you could dam in a lifetime

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Minnie Water was exactly as we remembered it. Sadly our memory of the road in was somewhat eroded by the time we spent camping above the beach and breaking waves. I have come to the conclusion that National Parks do not want people driving into the camps they boast about providing for the common person. It was only about 800 mts into the first camping area, but we lost sight of the horizon 3 times when we disappeared into some of the potholes, and when we were on the ‘road’ they has used chunks of blue-metal the size of bricks in making the surface. Needed a trip to the dentist to have our fillings refitted after that. Fortunately the camp was not busy and we found a nice grassed site to park up not far away from a pair of free s/s gas bbq’s. We spent 3 days here to see what the weather was going to do. We managed a campfire the first night and used our heavy camp oven and made a lovely casserole. When time permits we are going to do a roast in it. It was fortunate that we got that out of the way as the weather deteriorated after that and by the time we chose to depart it was raining fairly consistently.

During our time at Minnie Water, we did a short day trip down to a little town called Wooli. Not much to say about that except that it was raining (yes, again) and nowhere really looks the best in drizzle/rain. We did however pick up a dozen local oysters which were consumed that night – nothing like roughing it.

Next stop was a place about the same distance north of Grafton as Minnie Water was south. It was another N.P (in fact the same N.P called Yuraygir N.P), just another campground called Woody Head. You know I am going to say it was raining when we arrived and while the camping area looked large and well laid out Geoff quickly realised that all is not what it seemed and finding a site that was accessible with our rig was easier said than done. We had been given a list of sites that were available (as opposed to others that were vacant but not available), with instructions to find one we liked (read could fit into) and return to the office and advise them. After some considerable ploughing using the chunky 4wd tyres and trenching using the caravan wheels we got into a site and Marg trotted off in her overcoat to the office. It was raining quite consistently by then (like pouring cats and dogs) and Geoff was left to unhitch and set up the van. One thing with our rain coats is that they are very good at keeping you dry where they cover you, but what in fact they are doing is channelling the water onto your trousers and shoes. It was not long before Geoff was cursing and swearing (fortunately no-one was close enough to hear him, or were not inclined to venture out in the rain), but he did eventually get it all done. The caravan boot was getting its fair share of rain as well and by the time the job was finished everything was soaking. Gallantly he got in the car to drive back to the office as Marg had not returned, but she was nowhere to be seen there. He turned back and shortly found her standing in the rain waving her fist in the air - it seems I should have seen her on my way to the office... Both of us were soaked and unhappy, so it was early to bed.

It was time for a stop in a caravan park, mainly for mains water and electricity so we headed for Byron Bay. You won’t believe this but it was raining again, but at least we were on the Princes Highway and therefore a decent road. That was certainly to be of great value as the weather became the nastiest we had experienced all trip, and it bucketed down. Water covered the road and even on ‘fast’ the wipers could not keep up. At one stage the rain was so heavy that even at 60 KPH, it was not possible to see the white lines on the road. Driving conditions were not made easier with the B-double trucks throwing up water and spray from their 34 wheels. Eventually it eased and the GPS told us to turn onto the “Old Byron Bay Road”. We had only travelled 150 mts on this 1½ lane road heading into a corner when a local came barrelling around the corner in the opposite direction. When he saw the 5 ½ tonnes of Pajero and caravan taking up all the available bitumen, he found the brown corduroy trousers would be very useful after all. There was nothing we could do but follow the road – there was simply no place to turn around, but we did draw the line when the GPS suggested taking a turn down another road that disappeared very quickly and looked to be even more narrow than what we were on. Eventually, we found our way back onto the main road and managed to get to Byron Bay.

It is a country town that has grew into a hippie/surfer commune in the 70’s and 80’s and continues to this day to be a mecca for the young – mostly back-packers. Everywhere you looked there were groups of young women drifting from shop to shop. Geoff wished he was 50 years younger, but couldn’t remember why! Now anyone who has been to Byron Bay will attest it is not a village laid out for the efficient flow of traffic. Our position was certainly not helped by not knowing where the caravan park was located, so we managed to pull up on the side of the road and ring the park. Now only 2 women could manage to think the next part had any part in logic; the instructions were to turn right and follow Shirley St! We didn’t know where we were or even which way we were pointing, so how did the lady in the caravan park know? After failing to point out the lack of logic that existed in the instructions we headed off down a tiny road that did say “No Through Road”, and got further and further from any semblance of a town. And of course there was nowhere to turn around. We eventually got to a T intersection, and after detaching the anti-sway bar, Geoff backed the caravan around into the leg of the T and then continued back on the road from whence we had come. Back into town, we took another option that did make sense when we saw it and shortly ended up at the gate to the Caravan Park. What a mission. Boy was he ever grumpy!!!

We were given a very impractical site, but it did have some good points so we set up and headed back into town to have a walk around. Oh, did I say it was raining? Back at the C.P we were not thrilled to find that we had neighbours (with a ‘P’ plate in the window of the car) in the on-site cabin that we had parked next to. We were even more concerned when another ‘P’ plate turned up with 4 more young folk in it. They had their ‘primers’ and left for town at about 10 pm on the courtesy bus. Marg said there was noise when they returned, but Geoff cannot comment having been severely traumatised going down a “No Through Road” with no obvious option to turn around, he was fast asleep.

Two days(nights) there was enough for the floods to clear in Brisbane, and although the weather was not perfect we made the call to Marg’s sister in Tewantin (QLD) to let her know to expect an invasion of in-laws. She was expecting us later in May, but was happy to see us anyway. Since being here we have had beautiful weather and gone to the beach twice for a swim. This morning we went to Eumundi market (which is a mandatory excursion) and managed to spend some money and WIN a PRIZE. One of those ones where you have to turn up and listen to a presentation before you can claim your prize -very similar to those early time share prizes. However we have been guaranteed at least a $2000 holiday at the very least with no obligation to buy anything. Marg is going to put a gag on Geoff and have his hands tied behind his back so he is not tempted to do any “deals”. We think we will be leaving here on Thursday morning to head further north. The weather now looks as though it is going to behave as it should at this time of year.

Sorry for the delay in getting this post out, and having to use photos from earlier in the trip – didn’t think you would be excited with shots of the rain!

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Photos

Candelo town Inland from Bega
A nice little town making the most of being old

Sign on the dunny door
Munbulla Falls north of Bega

Comments

[Eug]

Everywhere you looked there were groups of young women drifting from shop to shop. Geoff wished he was 50 years younger, but couldn’t remember why!
I laughed so much!!!!!!