Montague Island

Well we have now spent a little more than a week in Narooma. The weather until today has been beautiful - around 19 degrees, brilliant sunshine and no wind. Even though we had a house at Kianga for four years, we had never ventured to Montague Island as I have always feared being seasick however, this time I took some tablets and we booked a four hour tour with National Parks and Wildlife. The twenty minute crossing was a delight and the sea was as calm as a mill pond. The boat circumnavigated the island and anchored just off the seal colony where a couple of hundred seals of all ages sunbaked, and frolicked in the sea as if on demand - it was wonderful. We then landed on the island and with a ranger as tour guide walked over the island, learned about the ecology and care of this place, the penguins and the nesting birds. We also climbed to the top of the lighthouse and had a spectacular view of the coastline.

Arthur and Libby Giugni have acquired a 70 acre property 10km out of Bodalla so we took the opportunity to visit them and wander down to the 750m frontage to the Tuross River. What a delightful spot - we have even offered to housesit their dogs and cattle when they need a break.

The Armstrongs from Canberra joined us here in their caravan for five days and those who know Andy will be aware that she likes to be on the go all the time so we visited Tilba Tilba and Cobargo, the Moruya markets, Bingi Beach and Tuross Heads. Several fish and chip lunches pleased Rob no end and the walks along the boardwalk helped the digestion.

The rain seems to have set in for a few days so we will be relaxing, reading etc .

Seal colony Montague Island

Crossing the Narooma Bar

Montague Island

Farm at Bodalla

Quaama Olives

We had a delightful week at Quaama - 25km north of Bega staying at the home of friends who had planted 500 Olive trees. The Hudds joined us and we visited Cobargo for its craft shops, Bermagui for the ever lovely scenery and fish lunch as well as Bega where we had not previously visited the Cheese Factory. Apart from that we got some exercise looking for the pesky fireweed and tending to the needs of the olive trees.

There is nothing quite like sitting in front of a cosy fire watching the sun setting on the hills. Then again sunrise on misty hills is also ethereal.

The next three weeks will be spent in and around Narooma visiting old haunts and enjoying delightful coastal scenery and hopefully Rob will catch a fish or two!!

Olive grove at Quaama