A couple of days’ drive brought us to Bega and into the welcoming arms of good friends, Dave and Annie. We met Dave while hiking the Camino last year, and again, when he and Annie visited Ireland before their return to Australia. Theirs is a fascinating home. Despite both working full time, they have sheep, chickens, ducks, a horse, cat, baby guinea fowl and Oscar (Ossie), the adorable three legged dog.

How to pass the time in Bega, let me count the ways……

Trekking through Bournda National Park, now there’s a start. We head out past pirate’s cove and into a forest of trees that look dead from the ground up to about twenty feet, where they unexpectedly, burst into life and produce a green leaf cover in all directions. By times, the forest opens to reveal the deep blue of the ocean, beating against the shoreline below us. We drop down to a small, secluded cove and swim in lively, tumbling surf. On again, climbing up through the rocky, sandy forest track. The termites here are busy folk and build their high rise homes, a million stories high. The end of the trail brings lunch and, yes, another swim on the beach.

Other days are spent boating down the river, walking on beaches, along estuaries and by pools and playing golf. Yes, we go golfing one day on a course with a very large kangaroo population. They are very supportive. Yes, supportive, attentive and encouraging. They cover half the fairways and move little when approached. In fact, they move little, even when hit with a golf ball. All part of the fun. One even clapped as we passed. Clearly her expectations had not been high.

Evenings are spent chatting, eating, drinking, singing songs and playing guitars. What a wonderful few days. Too soon they are over, and we’re on the move again. Many thanks to Dave and Annie. Until next time.