BENDALONG - SOUTH TRIP - 20 MAY TO 24 MAY 2019

20 May 2019 I left about 5am to drive to Bendalong on the south coast. The main reason was to visit my brother, Trevor, who wasn’t well. He lives at Sussex Inlet which is about ½ hour from Bendalong. It was a long drive with no chance of a rest stop until I passed Sydney. I eventually arrived at Bendalong but there was no petrol station there so I had to drive to Milton ½ hour away. It wasn’t as bad as I stopped for a good breakfast and coffee. After that I decided to check the surf at Golf Corse Reef at Ulladulla a short distance away. There was an okay wave and only a couple of surfers out. Time to test the new board. Well, I started off badly but I got better and had a few nice waves. At the end of the session I was pretty tired and stuffed up heaps of waves. Conclusion the board and new fins are going well. I need to work on surf fitness and board positioning. Back to Bendalong, I checked in to the camp area and had lunch and a rest. Later, I checked the surf and decided on another go. The waves looked okay but they were pretty ferocious. I got a couple of good waves and called it a day as the sun set. The beach at Bendalong was very pretty. A shower and dinner and a few red wines. Sleepy time. 21 May 2019 Up at sunrise. Down to the beach for a surf check. I took a wrong turn and ended on the far headland. Anyway, it was a nice view. I backtracked and finally saw the surf. It was looking okay but I was to visit my brother at 9am so breakfast and away I drove. It was good catching up and chatting with my brother and his wife Pauline. He has a terminal cancer and is under going chemotherapy. Later, I checked out the Sussex Inlet area then drove back to Bendalong. I had a small quick lunch and went for a surf. The waves were good but the guys surfing were pretty intense ... again. A rest then a walk along one tree beach. Back for shower and dinner and a glass (plastic cup) of red. 22 MAY A great sleep. Woke up feeling great! I cooked a big breakfast and took my time getting ready. I checked the surf but it was onshore. I drove to Boat Harbour Beach and had a walk along the rocks and around the point. The water looked so inviting that I had a swim. I continued driving around the bay to North Bendalong and checked out the beaches. So pretty in the morning light and the water was so clear. I drove to Sussex Inlet to visit my brother. We talked but he wasn’t doing much talking today ... tired and distracted. I drove to Barrara Creek for a kayak but the wind seemed a little strong and At the boat ramp there was a track to the north. I decided on a mountain bike ride and had a great time on the tracks leading to Walter Hood Monument. Such a hard, long and fun ride - Steep sections, loose rocks, loose big rocks, roots, dirt bike erosion, lost the track which lead to a very steep climb, awesome coast views, dry waterfall, a cascade of rocks on the dry river. Heaps of fun! Back at camp, I checked the surf again (onshore), had a shower and dinner. Great day! 23 May A good sleep and breakfast. I packed the van and drove to North Bendalong. I rode a couple of trails and the beaches from North Bendalong to Nerrindillah Creek. The tracks were short leading to the creek and the beach. The creek was very pretty. It did flow into the ocean but banked up behind the sand. The beach as an awesome ride as the sand was fairly firm and the rock platforms were relatively flat. I had a sim at the beach at North Bendalong. The water was clear and cool and it looked so nice. Next, I drove to the Cuddy Cafe at Cudmirrah. A great cappuccino with lake views. They had a deal that if you threw a six on one dice throw your coffee was free. I threw a six. I continued onwards to Berrara Creek where I had a kayak. The water was very clear. I could see the sandy and rocky bottom but there was only a few fish. Next, I drove to Oak Flats to visit long time friends Meryl and Beacon. A great evening of nibbles, drinks, chat and laughs. 24 May An off and on but long sleep. Next stop was to visit my sister Jenny and BiL Peter in Miranda. An extra surprise as My nieces Robyn and Lauren were there and their kids Beau, Kian and Litita. A fun get together and chat. At  mid-afternoon I started on my way back home.