Merimbula vs Bermagui

I arrived in Merimbula at lunchtime yesterday with the intention to camp but was totally underwhelmed. The town was ugly and all the locals looked like Alf and Ailsa from 'Home and Away', in fact I wouldn't be surprised if they filmed the dreary soap here. The ladies in the touristo information office were very unfriendly to say the least, that seemed to happen when I asked them about free camping. Maybe they own a camping franchise or something but their reaction seemed a tad OTT to this Adilady:(  Anyways in desperation I booked a whale watching expedition for the following day then hopped in the snail house to find somewhere better to rest my weary bones.

It didn't take long to rid myself of the grumps as the scenery whilst driving was stunning. To my right the gleaming white of the gum tree trunks; ivory towers with turrets of foliage...

To my left the lush, green rolling hills which remind me so much of Derbyshire and the drive from Buxton to Ashbourne.

I arrived in Bermagui at around tea time and checked into the local campsite, another 20 dollars. The Australian leg of trippingtons is proving costly, on top of the hire of the snail house it is costing about 50 dollars per day in fuel and campsites. Still, it is worth it as I have the freedom and flexibility to go wherever I choose, that makes me very happy indeed:D

This is the view from my snail house at varying times of the evening.

I took this sunset and boats picture for Kirstypops, I know you love the sea darling and I'm glad you had a fantastico holiday in the mountains (my first love).

Same view as the one before the boat shot but later on.

The woman at the campsite was lovely and gave me some great advice. She agreed that Merimbula was a dump, told me to avoid Bateman's Bay and gave an alternative stop off before Sydney (can't remember the name but I have written it down, mustn't lose that precious scrap of paper). She also said I would be able to climb the mountain visible from the campsite. I just need to go to Tilba Tilba (so good they named it twice) and ask at the general store where the track starts. Apparently the Aborigines dedicated the mountain to womanhood.

This morning I was rudely awaken by the squawk of parrots. I have come to the conclusion that the beauty of a bird's song is inversely proportional to the vibrance of their plumes. I packed up the snail house and hit the Sapphire Coast Road back to Merimbula, which I can't decide deserves the title of Hickstown or Rudesville. I took a detour down a dirt track to explore and have a nosey and found this stunning lake.

I'm now sitting in the library making use of the free WiFi and spotted this chap. Is he a pelican?  A very clumsy looking specimen. In Mallacoota I saw some beautiful birds of prey, they could have been sea eagles but alas too elusive to photograph.

So now my hour is up and I'm off to whale spot, Bermagui won hands down. Much love as always, over and out xxx