After having encountered some relatively unstable weather whilst in Sydney and also while travelling to S.W. Rocks we are pleased when we wake up on Wednesday morn and the sun is shining. Cling & Clang (aka Jazzy & Daisy) are in the habit of awakening at around 6.30 a.m, so by 6.45 we are up and about.
The Arakoon Reserve camping ground is set in the precincts of the now abandoned Trial Bay Gaol, which was constructed in the 1880’s. and was later used as an internment camp during W.W.1., for citizens of German descent, before being “decommissioned” in the latter part of that war. The camping ground itself is about 5 k’s from S.W. Rocks proper, at the opposite end of Trial Bay and is very tranquil with a small stream that flows out on to the beach next to the campground. The beach itself is clean and very safe. Unfortunately there was no surf as such but the kids still loved it, as the water temp was about 22 degrees.
There’s heaps to do at this spot with walks through the bush, swimming, relaxing, tours of the gaol museum and fishing.
This place is a fisherman’s paradise with a substantial number of commercial as well as recreational fisherman using the area.
I went for jog along the beach one morning at about 7.00 and there was a group of blokes with their 4wd trucks parked on the beach and they were sorting through the fish that they had netted that morning. There must have been at least 500 fish in the nets. I jogged on a little further.
On my return trip I decided to have a chat to the bloke who looked the most friendly. They had caught this lot in the bay just off shore a few minutes earlier so they were still flapping about. Anyway he gave me a few to take home with me! So I continued my jog along the beach with a mullet in each hand. Needless to say I did get some rather curious looks from others who were on the beach, but I really didn’t care…. I couldn’t eat my lollies for giggling!!!! We could only get a booking at this site for 3 days, so we decided to book 2 more days at the Horseshoe Bay C.park in town which then became 3 days.
So we packed up our gear and travelled 5 k.m’s from Arakoon in to S.W. Rocks township and set up once again.!!!
This park is right on the foreshore in front of the main street. The main beach (Horseshoe Bay), is right in front of this street also. A very pretty spot!
Our camping spot is literally 50 metres from the beach and 50 metres in the other direction to the main street. The girls are just loving it!!!
The area is “retirement central” and the “Grey Nomads” are out in force. There are probably about 100 sites in this park and I reckon 90 – 95 of them are occupied by couples over 60 years of age. Of course they love the little girls and are particularly amused when Jasmine and Daisy walk around in their “Cinderella” & “Snow White” outfits.
Went to the Surf Club for dinner this evening (Sunday 4th). No meals over $12.00… you beauty!!!
We got there at 5.30 pm after having booked a table at 7.30 this morning. There was a choice of 4 meals. Lamb Roast; Chicken Schnitzel; Lamb Shanks; Shepherd’s Pie.
At 5.30 there was only 1 meal left to choose from… Shepherd’s Pie…and they were serving meals until 9.00 pm?!?!?!?..Work that out ????..So we had Shepherd’s Pie.
We found out later that people actually “pre-book” their meals. Some one had cornered the market on the lamb shanks so I wasn’t too happy about that. It’s an interesting way to deal with your catering needs though eh?!
The only slightly negative experience that we had which was rather funny anyway, was one morning when Andrea and I dropped into a café for a mid morning “latte” and we had little Daisy with us. We left Daisy at the table eating a “Freddo Frog” that we had purchased from the newsagent, whilst we went to the counter to order. I did notice that the lady serving who was also the owner was pursing her bright orange coloured lipstick lips while staring past me, as we approached her. Bright orange lipstick is always an alarming signal at the best of times. After we had made the order the lady alerted us that there were signs situated in the café pointing out that products purchased from other stores should not consumed on the premise. She also let us now that it was disrespectful to do so, blah, blah, blah….. Andrea then very politely asked the lady if she would like us to leave. She wasn’t too happy with this question and repeated the “lack of respect” line again. To which I pointed out that “the girl (Daisy) is only 3 years old and is simply enjoying a Freddo Frog for God’s sake”. She then pointed out that I should behave like an adult. After this, having noticed that there was a sign in the shop that the business was for sale, I suggested that it was a good thing that she was selling the business because you obviously don’t know how to treat customers. I don’t like your chances of selling though, with an attitude like that. Don’t worry about the coffees we’ll go elsewhere. Which we did.
Throughout this, darling Daisy is sitting at the table quietly munching on her Freddo Frog, completely oblivious to the commotion, but as happy as a sandboy!!!!
So if anybody is keen on purchasing a coffee shop in S.W. Rocks there’s one going there and it could be quite cheap as I suspect that there is very little “goodwill” attached to the business!!!!
Anyway tomorrow we push on again up the coast. We’re hoping to get close to Ballina or Byron Bay. Here we can prepare ourselves for the onslaught known as “The Gold Coast”. I think I’ll just hold my breath and hope for the best….
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