Tues, 28th Apr, 2015 Diana’s Basin to Lagoons Beach Campground

Our baby is 22 today. Rang Jon to wish him a Happy Birthday. How the years have flown. He has made us proud with all his achievements and confidence in whatever he does. He said that the weather has cooled off and he had to put his flanny on this morning to go to work, 17 degrees. We laughed as 17 is our top temp here. It is 12.5 degrees in the van and 9 degrees outside at 8.30am with a beautiful clear blue sky.

Headed south to our next camp at Lagoons Beach. Travelling along the east coast with lovely views. Through Scamander and across the Scamander River.

Past a bike fence (something like a thong tree I suppost).

Inland around Henderson Lagoon (very big), through grazing pastures. Lovely old house stands out – bit blurry though.

Turned off to follow the coast rather than go up to St Marys. Looking across to Falmouth which is at the entrance of Henderson Lagoon.

Back to the coast looking to Four Mile Creek – famous surfing area and Ironhouse Point where there is a brewery.

Nice beach area to the south.

Looking back up north.

Large vineyard too.

Overlooking Lagoons Beach.

Pulled into the Lagoons Beach Conservation Area campground and parked. Went for a walk to find a good campspot. Chatted with a chap from Nowra and then a couple from Devonport. Decided on a spot and set up.

Steve had spotted two drips from under the front of the van so we pulled everything out from under the bed to check out the hot water system. He found a pin hole leak in the pipework. He had replaced it all in Cairns in case it was getting old. Replaced it and we had a sort out. Nothing was wet except for the join at the front of the van so hopefully we got it before too much rots sets in!!

Short walk through the camp then to the beach access.

Then a walk down past the lagoon to the beach.

Zoomed in on the mountains in the south.

Zoomed then back up along the coastline.

Then back over the lagoon.

Then around to the north.

Went back to the van and got our fishing rods etc. Put on the red fluffy thing the chap told us to buy and a little bit of blue bait (like a small pilcher) and some more on another separate hook. Was hard to feel the fish with the lines being buffered by the waves and then sucked out to sea. Eventually though I felt a nip nip and I caught one. Only a little one though so he went back in. Not sure if it was a mullet or a salmon.

Bit later I got a hard pull and had a great tussle with a nice size Black Back Salmon – dinner!

Bad hair day though!!

Steve got one but it was not a big as mine!! It was a black back too.

Then he hooked another one which was another type of salmon. Not that he is too proud of having a photo taken with a fish this size!!

Our sandy catch.

Starting to get cold so headed back to the van for a cuppa and to fillet our fish. We put out the bits and a skin for the kitten we saw.

Drove down the road and then turned off up Elephant Pass. Targa Tasmania will be going up it to St Marys tomorrow as one of their stages. There are two areas we might go and sit at to watch.

Everyone had said not to tow the van up. It certainly is a tight one but we have been on worse. Depends on who meet on the way!!

Kitty was there waiting for us by the fireplace. He had only had a little bit of fish so far.

It was 5.30 and getting cold as the sun had disappeared behind the mountain. We got the fire going and then a black kitten arrived and got into the fish. He even ate our ‘off’ pasta salad. The other one came back for some more.

Steve put the genie on to top up the batteries and put the heater on to warm up the van. When he went out to turn it off a possum was finishing off the pasta salad.

Rang Mum and Dad then Susan, Valerie and Christine as they were cross-stitching at Susan’s new place. Christine is a grandma again to another grandson. Valerie’s newest, Mia, is a very placid little girl. Great to hear all their news. Then we rang Kaylene and Rick for a chat.

Early showers then into bed to watch TV as the temperature is dropping. 14 degrees in van but it feels a lot colder.

Mon, 27th Apr, 2015 Swimcart Beach Campground, Bay of Fires Conservation Area to Diana’s Basin, St Helens Point State Recreation Area

13 degrees at 6am. Steve woke me with ‘do you want another sunrise photo’ so I then got up but it was already 7am and the sun had risen, but it still was a lovely sight.  The temperature drops as the sun rises as it is now 10.8 degrees.

Lovely morning though still cloudy but the sun was out in the north.

Packed up and headed back into St Helens. Passed a big oyster farm in the Bay. Paul and Clare were at the dump point. We dropped off ours and filled up with water – separate tap!! Unhooked the van so we could visit Kerry and Glenda. Drove up to the top of the hill above their house. Great views over Georges Bay.

An oyster farm and looking to where the bay goes around the corner and out to the mouth.

Across St Helens Point area to the ocean.

Glenda was home so we had a cuppa and a chat with her for a while. An old friend had painted this for her – Mum, you should do something like this. The frame looked like a window and was quite effective.

Went over to where Kerry was working in his vegie garden so see him. He was a cray fisherman but is now retired and enjoys travelling and gardening. He loaded us up with a huge pumpkin, potatoes, garlic, cherry tomatoes, parsley, oregano and shallots. They are so generous.

We stopped in town for fuel, gas and groceries and picked up some bait and tackle to try and catch some Blackback Salmon. A mural near the tackle shop.

Back to the van for lunch and to put everything away. Headed off to Diana’s Basin which is another lagoon area near the beach. Parked at the end of the lagoon and wandered across the beach to the ocean.

Looking north to St Helens Island.

The waves are rolling in.

Looking south to the hills around St Marys.

Paddys Island.

Drove back to a nice area beside the other end of the basin.

Walked down to the water to chat with the birds – some swans, pelicans, silver gulls and a pacific gull.

Walked around to the other side of the camp area where I had seen little fish but they didn’t want the bread.

Our campsite for the night.

Half a moon.

A raven doing the ‘crow’ squawk.

Collected some timber and had a small fire while we had a drink. The sun slipped behind the hill and shone some beautiful colour on the clouds.

Bit chilly, so back into the van where it is 19 degrees.