I’m in no rush to get home and on this final part of the trip I’m winding down and taking it easy.
Freshwater to Little Beach
I had company for two and a half days and that was a nice way to leave Sydney. Then it was onwards by myself which really was back to my comfort zone of the last couple of years.
The first couple of days were a mixed bag. I met with Greg and Graham and we all had coffee with Peter and Jann at Mona Vale. Then it was onto the bikes with Greg and Graham and up to Palm Beach for the ferry to Wagstaff. It was nicely uneventful and beautiful as we left Pittwater, went past Lion Island and Pearl Beach before stopping at Ettalong and finally Wagstaff.
We rode around the front (no hills) to the Kilcare shops where I finally had some lunch. We got some bits and pieces for breakfast and the obligatory beer (Yes, that bottle shop is still going Dennis !)
After the shops is an uphill, which would have killed me, had it not been for our destination of Little Beach. It’s probably the most beautiful campsite I’ve been to and well worth the effort of getting there.
We had a walk around the area then made out dinner at a table at the campsite. It was definitely cold and seemed to get colder very quickly. An early night was in order, and it was so nice to crawl into my tent and warm up. It’s been a familiar lodging over the last year and a half and I love it.
Little Beach to Swansea
In the morning, I felt something drop onto my head, but I assumed it was just some condensation – not that I could see any. I thought nothing of it and carried on getting organised until I felt a cut on my neck. I didn’t remember inflicting anything like that on myself so I got out of my tent and asked Greg if he could see anything.
He saw a tick, so I got my tick removal tool that I’ve carried for nearly three years and never used, and he removed it. I’m glad I was with others because I could never have seen what it was, let alone removed it if I was by myself.
Today was going to be a strange one. After making our way to the road at the top, I wouldn’t see the others until Swansea. I rode to Woy Woy Station, then got a train to Morisset so I could visit my former mother-in-law. She’s amazing, inspirational and at 89 has a sharp sense of humour and plays golf a few times a week. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with her and PJ.
Next, I had to ride around the lower half of Lake Macquarie to Swansea. There was a shoulder most of the way but it was never comfortable with the drivers. I’m still getting used to the different level of driver aggression here. Also, I don’t enjoy the ride along the old Pacific Highway into Swansea. It just feels relentless. It’s not overly difficult but I always hit this section when I’m already tired, so I guess it’s a mental thing for me.
I arrived at the campground to meet Greg and Graham and half a million sand flies.
Dinner was at the pub up the road where there was an amazing two piece band playing punk-ish covers of old standards.
Swansea to Shoal Bay
We started out and were very soon on the Fernleigh Track which brought us into Adamstown. We found a coffee shop but Greg & Graham had to leave before any food arrived. No problem, I scoffed the lot.
Then all of a sudden, I was on my own again. This coming home is going to be an interesting time.
I’d arranged to meet up with Nick Ogle, another old workmate who has followed my trip and has always offered encouraging words and comments along the way. Those of you who do that don’t realise what a lift it gives me. Thanks Nick !
After coffee with Nick, it was just me and the road to Maroochydore. I set my sights on Shoal Bay camping ground where I planned a rest day to simply catch up with what has been happening recently. It was sorely needed and it was nice to have some “me” time for the first time in a couple of weeks.
The ride to Shoal Bay was a bit tedious. It was Sunday afternoon and everything seemed slow but Port Stephens is a nice part of the world so it was nice just taking my time.
The campground was fairly empty, so I got sorted out and spent the next day looking around, doing washing and organising my stuff for the next few days.
Shoal Bay to Lizzie
Tea Gardens to Elizabeth Beach
I was up and away early – caffeinated and muffined and on the 8am ferry to Tea Gardens. There were only three of us on the ferry so it was a simple trip. Afterwards, I went to the bakery to get food for the day, and then took off towards Mungo Brush.
It’s an unexciting ride. It’s flat and straight but almost mesmerising with dunes on one side, sometimes trees on the other, but generally it’s open and today it was nice and warm. As a result, at Hole in the Wall picnic ground, I left the road and had a quick swim. The coastline is fantastic and there’s simply nobody around now. This will change next week with school holidays about to happen.
I continued up to the Old Gibber Road as the tree cover steadily increased. This track and the Old Mining Road would take me through the National Park.
I loved every metre of this section. There were wildflowers and native trees and shrubs in full bloom – none of which I’d seen in the last year and a half. I felt like I was finally back home. I also saw four goannas and plenty of snake trails on the track but thankfully no snakes.
I left the track just south of Bungwahl and joined the Lakes Way for the last part into Lizzie Beach. I love the beach and the area, but the campground is a dump. My plan for another rest day was changed quickly and I only stayed one night before the short ride to Forster.
Lizzie Beach to Forster
This was a short day, so I went to the beach in the morning, had a swim and sat around. There’s rain coming over the next few days but the forecast seems to be done by paranoid meteorologists. It kept changing, so I stopped trying to plan my movements and decided to simply accept whatever was dished up.
It was a flat 20kms or so and I was still pretty relaxed and so had another swim just south of Forster.
I went to the campground near the main beach. It’s on the expensive side but very central and was nearly empty today. I went to my allocated site and got attacked by Minar Birds, so they gave me another site – it was the windiest site at the campground so later in the afternoon, I moved to a more sheltered spot and had a great night’s sleep.