Nigel says.... Set off from Jenny's place at 0730hrs smelling 'lemon fresh' in our clean kit. The forecast was for light showers. Thank you Jenny for feeding us so well and for the bottles of excellent wine.
We followed Jenny's directions to the Stockton ferry and crossed the river heading north east towards Nelson Bay. The plan was to catch the 1200hrs ferry (one of 3 per day) from Nelson Bay across to Tea Gardens and then on to another ferry at a place called Mungo Brush before rejoining the Pacific Highway and cycling ontowards Forster. By using the ferries we could keep off the Pacific Highway and also save some miles.
Everything went really well as we pedalled along the good flat road towards Nelson Bay. Then, because Nigel and Gordon are on a bike ride with clean kit on, it started to rain.....and rain and pour. It rained all the 40kms to Nelson Bay. Still we arrived in good time and were able to have an early lunch and catch the 1200hrs ferry. The crossing takes an hour, so it was good to have an enforced rest. Got to see a dolphin off the side of the boat which was good too.
We then had a dry flat run along the coast through the National Park towards the ferry at Mungo Brush. About 5 cars passed us the whole time. When we got to the ferry the ferryman firmly directed us to use a bush track which would enable us to save about 20kms by cutting out the Pacific Highway. The track was approximately 20kms long. It started so well......
We cycled quite briskly along a good track. It was wet, so the going was not as quick as it would normally be. Then we got into a whole stretch of sand which was a pain. Then we got into a whole long stretch of....mud. I decided to cycle on ahead as I could not bear to hear Gordon complaining about the lack of tarmac. We trudged on....and on....and on. It was a good test of self confidence, as questions were raised by Gordon around "Are you sure this is the right road?" Are we nearly there yet?" "Was the ferryman taking the piss?" etc. Then it got dark.... This was Gordon's introductory familiarisation to travelling at night in the bush. He scored 6/10 - let down by attitude!
We eventually got to the end of the track and Gordon kissed the tarmac. It was now 1800hrs so we decided to cycle towards Forster and stay in the first place that didn't look like it belonged in a scene from "Deliverance". We got as far as Elizabeth Beach (15kms short of Forster - 128 kms all up) and have been accommodated in a lodge in the smart Pacific Palms Resort. It is raining hard again. We have been to the local club for athelete's food and beer
Thoughts and comments:
Gordon asleep - photos tomorrow.
Gordon says ...
So normally, after Nigel has finished writing his nightly masterpiece, it's so late that I'm either half asleep, or already gone. Today was no different ...
A long day, good in parts, awful in others. We made some good time early, then we (read Nigel) decided to go 'off road' on a long shortcut. It turned into a predictable nightmare, where, three and a half hours later, we we wandering through bush in the dark, by now utterly unsure that we were going in the right direction. When we eventually emerged covered in mud, we decided to go to the nearest motel - of which there were none, of course. Two hours laters, we finally found this one - with no idea of where were are. All in all, quite a masterpiece of miliitary planning. (Nigel's planning score: 6/10 - let down by that innate attitude lots of British senior army officers seem to have - that since they thought of it, it must be right)
A shortish day tomorrow - only about 130 kms. Hooraaah (irony) ...
We followed Jenny's directions to the Stockton ferry and crossed the river heading north east towards Nelson Bay. The plan was to catch the 1200hrs ferry (one of 3 per day) from Nelson Bay across to Tea Gardens and then on to another ferry at a place called Mungo Brush before rejoining the Pacific Highway and cycling ontowards Forster. By using the ferries we could keep off the Pacific Highway and also save some miles.
Everything went really well as we pedalled along the good flat road towards Nelson Bay. Then, because Nigel and Gordon are on a bike ride with clean kit on, it started to rain.....and rain and pour. It rained all the 40kms to Nelson Bay. Still we arrived in good time and were able to have an early lunch and catch the 1200hrs ferry. The crossing takes an hour, so it was good to have an enforced rest. Got to see a dolphin off the side of the boat which was good too.
We then had a dry flat run along the coast through the National Park towards the ferry at Mungo Brush. About 5 cars passed us the whole time. When we got to the ferry the ferryman firmly directed us to use a bush track which would enable us to save about 20kms by cutting out the Pacific Highway. The track was approximately 20kms long. It started so well......
We cycled quite briskly along a good track. It was wet, so the going was not as quick as it would normally be. Then we got into a whole stretch of sand which was a pain. Then we got into a whole long stretch of....mud. I decided to cycle on ahead as I could not bear to hear Gordon complaining about the lack of tarmac. We trudged on....and on....and on. It was a good test of self confidence, as questions were raised by Gordon around "Are you sure this is the right road?" Are we nearly there yet?" "Was the ferryman taking the piss?" etc. Then it got dark.... This was Gordon's introductory familiarisation to travelling at night in the bush. He scored 6/10 - let down by attitude!
We eventually got to the end of the track and Gordon kissed the tarmac. It was now 1800hrs so we decided to cycle towards Forster and stay in the first place that didn't look like it belonged in a scene from "Deliverance". We got as far as Elizabeth Beach (15kms short of Forster - 128 kms all up) and have been accommodated in a lodge in the smart Pacific Palms Resort. It is raining hard again. We have been to the local club for athelete's food and beer
Thoughts and comments:
- It is surprising how quickly the hands go crinkly in the rain.
- Why are there so many retirement / easy living complexes for the over 50's?(Over 65s - I can understand)
- Why did Gordon want to take up residence in an easy living complex for the over 50s this afternoon?
- Snack of the day: Chicken, bacon and avacado wrapped in filou pastry (posh pie) - Nelson Bay
- Tune of the day: Anything by the Bueno Vista Social Club
- Fact of the day: It takes a long time to cross dirt tracks after it has been raining.
Gordon asleep - photos tomorrow.
Gordon says ...
So normally, after Nigel has finished writing his nightly masterpiece, it's so late that I'm either half asleep, or already gone. Today was no different ...
A long day, good in parts, awful in others. We made some good time early, then we (read Nigel) decided to go 'off road' on a long shortcut. It turned into a predictable nightmare, where, three and a half hours later, we we wandering through bush in the dark, by now utterly unsure that we were going in the right direction. When we eventually emerged covered in mud, we decided to go to the nearest motel - of which there were none, of course. Two hours laters, we finally found this one - with no idea of where were are. All in all, quite a masterpiece of miliitary planning. (Nigel's planning score: 6/10 - let down by that innate attitude lots of British senior army officers seem to have - that since they thought of it, it must be right)
A shortish day tomorrow - only about 130 kms. Hooraaah (irony) ...
Sounds like you have learned a lesson: don't listen to anyone about 'cycling' shortcuts unless they are actually riding a bike, or at least in close proximity to one. Ferrymen and taxidrivers (who may well have a tremendous stock of knowledge of a local area) are used to boats and cars. Ignore them.
ReplyDeleteHappy pedalling,
Hugs, Nikki xxx