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October 19
Port Macquarie
A quiet start to the morning. Breakfast, a little work and some clothes
washing. I must remember to bring it in from the line this afternoon.
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About 12k South of Port is Lake Cathie, a small lagoon blocked off from
the sea by a sand spit. It is an ideal swimming spot, particularly on a
beautiful sunny Sunday morning. It has picnic areas, trees and lots of
sand.
I sat on the beach for a time, enjoyed the view and wrote up my diary.
A little exploration in the car took me to the sand spit where I had another
look and took some more photos.
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I then drove South again, reaching Camden Haven. This, and the adjacent
settlement of Laurieton, are about another 12k from Port.
Lots of pelicans provided some entertainment and the bright sun shone on
the water. All in all, a lovely day.
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Pelicans, Camden Haven
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North Haven
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The Cricket Club was hosting a Sunday Market, featuring stalls selling
almost everything. There were lots of people and dogs studying the arts,
crafts, food and junk that was on offer.
I was most entertained by the doggy with a handbag. Where else could it carry
it's money?
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Pretty beaches ...
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... rivers ...
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A ginger beer, not as cold as it might have been, at a café was elevenses
and I then set about finding lunch.
Driving backwards and forwards, I found lots of pretty beaches, rivers
and swamps but nowhere suitable for lunch. I had eaten here before but
couldn't find what I was looking for.
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... and swamps
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Feeling suitably aggrieved, I returned to Port, parked the car at the motel
and walked into town. There I visited a bar, which I had last entered on
Melbourne Cup day many years ago. This time it was much quieter and I was
able to have the plate of oysters that I fancied, accompanied by a glass
of cold Verdelho.
From there, I walked round the corner, to the Fisherman's Co-operative,
where I purchased a small bag of prawns, which I ate on a bench overlooking
the water.
Oysters - at last!
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Port Macquarie at play
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Lunch was completed by an ice cream from a shop on the edge of Town Green.
Being mid afternoon by this stage, I returned to the motel for a rest.
At tea time I emerged and drove over to meet Ann. We departed immediately
for the car park at Shelly Beach.
From there, we went along a small walkway and onto Miner's Beach. This
used to be the nudist beach and Ann's Father had taken me there years ago.
She was busy telling me that it was no longer for nudists when we encountered
a tall and naked man with a very large
.dog (an Alsatian,
I think). Not wishing to embarrass it, I didn't take a photo. At the far
end of the beach, we scaled a steep path through the undergrowth, then
crossed to the road which leads up from Lighthouse Beach.
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Shelly Beach
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Miners Beach
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From there, we climbed back to the main road and walked back to our start
point, managing not to get run over as there was no footpath for most of
the way. A good walk, taking about 80 minutes. Suitable training for Clare!
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Through the undergrowth
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Once back at the motel, I had a much needed shower and a change of clothes.
I even had a lie down whilst watching the cricket on the TV.
Earlier in the day, I had spotted a smart looking restaurant just down
the road from the motel. When I returned there, it was completely empty,
although others arrived shortly afterwards. The wine list looked good so
I started with a Bimbadgen Verdelho to accompany the belly pork with apple.
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Belly pork ...
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... and seafood pasta
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The wine was good, the pork was outstanding. It was full of flavour, moist
and tender and exquisitely presented. The waiter said the chef marinated
it in milk overnight. I will have to try that. Half way through, I had
a glass of Binbilla Riesling. Very minerally. The main course, a seafood
pasta, was very good but not in the same league as the starter.
All in all, the meal was well above average so I walked home a happy man.
October 20
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