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.

Lake Cathie

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.

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.

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?

Pretty beaches ...	... rivers ...
	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.
... and swamps

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!
	Port Macquarie at play

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.

Shelly Beach	Miners Beach
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!
	Through the undergrowth

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.

Belly pork ...	... and seafood pasta

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