Day 24 - Half way home (return of the Portuguese Man of War)

Smashed out another long day on the road.  Now in saying that 500 odd Kms in our modern, cruise controlled, air conditioned sedans is really nothing. But our 2003 Vanie takes a little more out of you. We mainly use the old school 2 x 100 A/C system (you know- windows wound down at 100kph) , as using the actual A/C is like having an asthmatic 90 year old blowing out the vents at you (I know that doesn’t sound good but you get the idea). Also the A/c takes about 10% off the engine grunt so going up inclines on the freeway at 110 becomes a Nigel Mansell style run thru the gears to keep pace with traffic.  We also take going in a straight line for granted in our modern chariots. Not so in Vanie, where a strong gust of wind can cause an involuntary lane change !!!!! Anyway I wouldn’t change a thing about Vanie Mc Van Face as it is all very much a part of the experience of getting back to basics. My point is,  remember long road trips in your first car and that will give you some idea of the experience.

So we drive about 370 kms from Forster to Bulli, which is just North of Wollongong (just under 5 hrs driving). It also took us right thru Sydney where as a side bar the fuel prices can vary from as low as $1.10 cents to $1.41 cents per litre within a few hundred metres.  That is for regular 91 RON unleaded (when you can find it).  Apparently NSW is leading the way introducing E10 ethanol mix fuel, which unfortunately is not great for older cars like Vanie. Anyway stay clear of Shell (who seem to always be the very last to reduce their prices (if at all).

By the way we loved Forster,  it is an awesome little place that we highly recommend if up that way.  Also massive fans of Bulli.  The drive in was magnificent with steep down hill runs from over the mountain range to sea level. The Bulli Beach Tourist Park has an unpowered site for $43. It is nestled right on the beach adjacent to the towns cemetary.

Quiddy and I had bacon sangas for dinner then took  a long stroll along the beach to watch a magnificent blood moon rise from the ocean.  The photo from I -phone simply couldn’t do it justice. Suffice to say we were both blown away.

Woke up this morning to sounds of an incredible thunderstorm and spectacular lightning show.  It passed from South to North, just off shore with us copping the fringe rain.  I was in my absolute happy place, enjoying an early morning coffee (good ol Nescafé instant in a tin mug) under our awning in a rain storm.  

When I finally wheeled Quiddy out of bed about 7.30, I insisted on a dip in the ocean whilst it was still raining (still a balmy 25 deg C with 83% humidity).  Swimming, or better still surfing in the rain is one of my all time favorite past times. Anyway he agreed and we raced the short distance to the beach.  Quid was literally a foot from the sea when the emptinesss of the beach struck me (despite it pouring with rain).  I then got a feeling I imagine you would get when you realize you have inadvertently wandered into a mine field.  I called for Quiddy to freeze and look down.  We were literally surrounded by thousands of beached blue bottles with hundreds more being washed towards us with every wave.  Their metre long stingers strewn in every direction.  We tiptoed out of the jelly field and this time fetched the camera. A very close call indeed.  

Will break camp shortly and head off to Pete’s place on lake Conjola (about 2 hours south) where we hope to get out in Soylent Green (Pete’s ski boat). Plan is then to head inland to visit Canberra and then my sister in Wodonga before a quick blast homeward on the Hume.