Friday, 4th March

Checked out of the Central YH for the last time and felt quite sad... On the street lots of police presence for the lesbian and gay Mardi Gras parade tomorrow.  Stocked up on provisions at the Warringah  Mall then met Charles for the drive to Jervis Bay. Some lovely scenery on the way but anxious to get on so didn't stop for any photos. Arrived at the Green Patch camping site to find it a good walk from the beach, though could just her the waves. Facilities not as good as usual despite being the most expensive site we have been to. During the Christmas holidays there is a ballot to allocate plots here!

Saturday 5th March

Went for an early morning walk along the beach,

 

then went to see the old lighthouse  at Cape St George. Built in 1860 it was controversial from its inception. The Pilots Board was not consulted and tenders were accepted despite severe reservations about the angles of visibility from both north and south. When  inspected it was found that on top of inaccuracies in the original plans, the contractor had actually built it 2.5 miles from the proposed site as it was nearer the quarry from where he was getting the stone! From 1864 to 1893 twenty three ships were wrecked in the vicinity and the light was eventually replaced by Point Perpendicular light. It was considered that two lighthouses so near to each other would be confusing in daylight so the  Cape St George one was used for target practice by the navy.

 

After coffee at the remarkably well stocked Jervis Bay Stores, we drove out through the national Park to Cave Beach. The Bordered National Park has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty and is teeming with wildlife. It has been owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal community since 1995, and the name means plenty of fish.

 

We stopped at Cave Beach where Charles went off on the rocks with his new fishing rod etc .

 

 

 Whilst I soaked up the sun and scenery.

 

 

At lunchtime he returned with a fish!

 

Of course this made his day, it was an Australian salmon, and though we didn't weigh or measure it,
 it was later to provide us with a good supper.

After lunch and fish filleting (not me!) we went to Murray's Beach which had the most startling turquoise sea I have ever seen. It was crystal clear, with very few waves and just idyllic.

 

However, no fish biting so returned to the camp to see this fellow waiting.

 

 

He would have been pleased to know we gave up the kangaroo burgers in favour of the fish, really special to eat something so fresh!

 

Sunday March 6th.

 

Up early to try our luck fishing at our "own" beach. As the water is very shallow we walked quite a long way to some rocks that Charles had spotted at the end of the beach. After barely an hour though I saw him approached by two burly sailors and we were told we were in a security zone and asked to walk back down the beach. We had seen a notice but thought it applied to the dunes.... However, they didn't spot the fish he had already caught, totally ugly thing called a red coral cod so he gutted it there and then and we went back to camp to pack up.

 

 

For lunch we went to Rick Stein's restaurant at Mollymook,

 

 

 

 

 

where we had an outrageously delicious lunch and enjoyed the view.

 

 

Then time to drive back to Sydney; my very first time through the city and I was so pleased with myself!