Easter on the South Coast

Candice was desperately hoping to vote abroad in the South African elections but because she didn't have her green ID book was stumped at the final hurdle. So the tentative plans we had of heading to Canberra over the Easter break so she could vote were thwarted - some may say this was a blessing in disguise. Ozzie's capital city cops a lot of flack (its said to be a bit dull, really) but we were keen to have a reason to visit. Without a reason, we decided to stick to the South Coast instead.

This sudden change in plans meant that we hadn't booked anywhere and the only campsite with availability over Easter was a rather random holiday village next to the highway in Ulladulla. Nevertheless, we enlisted company via Nix and Evils who joined us for a night and great fun was had by all. We surfed at Mollymook (Candice threw a wobbly declaring her hatred of the sport after a failed paddling session) had a nice barbie at the campsite and slept without a mattress as we'd left it in Sydney!

Heading out the next day, we nearly drove over a giant carpet python, about two meters long

The next day it was raining - hard - which kind of dampened our plans somewhat. Instead of fishing or surfing we hung around the campsite playing table tennis and poker and stuffing our faces with chocolate hot cross buns and Easter eggs! Ed reckoned it reminded him of summer camping trips in Cornwall when he was a kid. Nix and Evils went back to Sydney and we went for a fish (caught nothing - Candice is convinced Ed's rod is jinxed) and then a sauna and jacuzzi back at the campsite.

Tuesday morning we awoke to sunshine, so we packed up and headed further south towards Batemans bay, checked out Pretty Beach before finally pitching our tent at Pebbly beach - a gorgeous campsite with its own sandy beach, contrary to the name, in a national park. No surf, nor fish to be caught, but we did get a fire lit and enjoyed swims on our own in the beautiful bay while roos boundered about in the dunes and possums attacked our garbage.

Heading out of the national park the next day, we nearly drove over a giant carpet python, about two meters long. Shudder! Our first snake in the bush experience - one I hope not to repeat again! Thank god we didn't see it in the actual camp site!

The surf finally redeemed itself back in Ulladulla at Rennie's beach. Ed had his best surf in Oz so far and Candice decided not to give the sport up just yet. Until the next time her arms refuse to paddle...

Back in Sydney, we're now knuckling down to save some cash for Candice's mom's visit in May, though we thought it would be rude to miss the (free) Surry Hills festival held in the park we can see from our flat. Our friend Neil was DJing and we met up with him, his wife Brooke, and Jack and Lizzie too. A fun day out.