Destination Paradise

Well, it wasn’t exactly destination paradise.  We arrived at the riverside site late evening and the kookaburras cackled with laughter as they watched us set up camp in the dark.  It took us an hour to work out how to turn the van seats into a double bed.  The toilets were about a mile away and you had to memorise a five digit number to gain entrance.  I wrote the number on my hand but forgot to take my reading glasses with me.

riverside campsite

Saturday dawned bright and sunny and we drove to Berry, a pretty country town with attractive heritage buildings.  We had a late breakfast, Sarah and I explored the shops while Paul waited patiently outside with the dog.  

Buddy barked at every dog he met including the ‘collection dog’ for Guide Dogs for the Blind.   

Then back to Seven Mile for a walk and a paddle along the windswept beach.

The Bearded One joined us for camp supper on Saturday.  Sarah carefully defrosted and stirred the vegan chilli that Paul had prepared earlier in the week.  

“Why are there leaves in this chilli?”

“Must be falling down from the eucalyptus tree.”

Sarah plucked them out and tossed them to the ground. 

“Why are there mushrooms in the chilli?” asked the Bearded One.

“Dammit, this is my vegan bourguignon that I made for a special dinner party and those leaves are bayleaves!”

Oops, bad parents had taken the wrong box out of the freezer.  It was very nice bourguignon.

Sunday we went to the Crooked River Winery for lunch and wine tasting.  Their red wines are sublime.  I got a bit carried away with the tasting and was pissed before I even sat down to eat.  The restaurant had prepared a dog friendly table for us on the verandah. 

It would have been delightful on a warm, sunny day but sadly the weather was cool and blowing a gale.  At least Buddy was happy.  And the specially prepared vegan food was delicious.

Sarah looking like the French Lieutenant's Woman

The sun was back out on Monday so we headed back to the beach.  Sarah was keen to get out with her board so I braved the rough surf and rogue sharks and had a jolly time with my body board.  

No, not paradise but I know how incredibly lucky I am to still be able to do stuff like this.  Thank you Sarah for trying so hard to make it perfect for us, you are a star. (And thank you Bearded One for bringing beer down to the beach.)