After a few days at Eden we decided to head towards Lakes Entrance.   We have given up on whale watching, I think they are still in Antarctica where it is warmer!!!  On the way we stopped at a free camp and there was a sign on a tree saying we can stay at the pub at Lake Tyres (6min down the road) with power and water for free (and, as it turned out, with an ensuite!!!).  We decided to give it a go - and what a great decision!!!  The Publican has just renovated the pub and behind the pub is a small old caravan park that he is slowly renovating into a back packers/cabin/caravan area.  Small but will be awesome when he has finished.

Renovated Pub

View from the Pub

We are now at Lakes Entrance and it is a bit chilly!!!  We have a site literally on the edge of the lake and it is very peaceful.  We went on a day trip to Omeo today (to see the snow).  We passed place names like Price's Downfall, Peasants Rest and Haunted Stream which did not instill confidence for our trip.  We headed off along the Great Alphine Highway up a mountain with a rugged cliff face with fallen rocks around every bend on one side and on the other a sheer drop off into the freezing alpine rapids of Tambo River.  (ok, it was a bit of a hill with a creek beside it - whatever!!!).  We got to Omeo and the nice lady in the info centre told us, yes, there is snow, however you have to have tyre chains on board if you travel past the lookout which is about 6km out of town.  So, off to the lookout we went, and yes, there was snow - way way way in the distance.  Oh well, it was a lovely drive - lots of fields of cows and sheep with their cute little lambs......   (mmmm - lamb shanks!!!!)

Lamb shanks for dinner????

The view from the van - Lakes Entrance

Snow - way in the distance

Tambo River - aka freezing alpine rapids.....

After a few days of rain and mayhem we have left Batemans Bay and continued on our way south.  We spent a few days at Tathra Beach at a caravan park co-owned by Frankie J Holden and his wife Michelle.  It was a lovely park, right on the beach.  Wayne caught a few fish, I added to my shell collection and after morning tea with Michelle on our last day, we headed off to Merimbula.

My grandparents used to live at Merimbula and it has certainly changed from what I remember as a child.  We hunted down the old address, only to find the house no longer there, it had been replaced with holiday units.  Very pretty place still.  Pambula Beach, which is 5min down the road, is also a very pretty place.  We stayed about halfway between Merimbula and Pambula, at a farm set up with power and water for caravans, in a large paddock.  Awesome place, lovely farmer - should be more of them!!!!

It is amazing to see the after effects of the big seas and the low pressure system.  Lots of debris and seaweed on all the beaches.  Unfortunately another one is on its way, so once again we are taking refuge and sitting it out until it passes.  We are at Eden which is another lovely coastal town.  Hopefully this time we will be spared the big seas and the destruction that causes.  We did manage a bit of sight seeing today around Eden and the Ben Boyd National Park.

Not long till we hit VIC!!!!

Sunset Tathra Beach

Farmers welcoming committee - Pambula

Sunrise Pambula

Merimbula Headland 

Boyd Tower, Eden.  Originally built as a lighthouse, but used as a whale spotting tower.

We moved onto Sussex Inlet (for more fishing) and then onto Lake Conjola (yep, more fishing),  Pity the fish didn't get the memo.  They must have all gone north for the winter!!!!  The weather is turning a bit chilly and we have had to dig out the jumpers and bed socks.  Still, quite pleasant during the day.

We are now at Batemans Bay sitting out this slight weather event we are all experiencing at the moment.  We are in a caravan park across the road from the bay, which is just bit fired up at the moment - not to mention the rain!!!!  Glad we didn't go for the 'water front' caravan park.  But then again, we do have the boat!!

View from the van, Sussex Inlet

Welcoming committee, Lake Conjola

Lake Conjola

The other Welcoming Committee, Lake Conjola

Batemans Bay