December Beach Trip 10 & 11/12

[jonathan.viki]

Along for this trip were:
- Kim & Steve
- Jonathan & Viki
- Gilbert, Coby & Riley
- Tarryn, Marius, Camryn & Logan

Luckily for everybody in the group we all managed to get at least some part of the Friday off if not the whole day and this allowed everybody to get an early start on the road and to have most of the Friday to relax and enjoy the beach. Our spot was just down the road to the left of the entrance and with a hill on the beach side had us protected from any of the wind that was coming off the beach.

Friday saw everybody sitting around the tents, having a few drinks with a bit of guitar playing from Riley & Camryn and tales from Steve and Gilbert about "how things used to be". The rain was kind enough to hold off until we had dragged ourselves off to bed but within 5 mins the rain came down and it rained constantly throughout the night and into the morning.

Saturday morning saw those with kids up early and trying to keep the kids out of the rain as the insatiable desire to run through the mud and get dirty took over. Luckily the rain cleared at around 9am and we managed to head off up the beach at 10am. The drive started a little while after the turn of the tide and so it was a little slow going to start but soon enough we reached the Freshwater track and made our way up to Rainbow beach. Having reached Rainbow beach Steve guided us up to The Carlow Sand Blow which is an amazing sand dune that is slowly being blown up and over a hill inland. The kids (and Tarryn!) couldn't resist the urge to run up and down the sand blow and ensured that they would be sleeping well that night.

After a picnic stop at Rainbow beach we headed back down taking a route down the King Bore Road. The King Bore road had a fair bit of soft sand but as most of it was downhill there were little troubles. We all agreed that a trip coming up the same road would have been a bit more interesting. The drive had a great finish with a tight winding section at the end.

A relatively quick drive back down the beach and we were back at camp. Marius and Steve had a hand at fishing with neither of them having much luck. At dusk a spectacular series of lightning storms started across the area but we were lucky to only have about half an hour worth of rain and not much more.

Sunday morning was pack up time and luckily the lack of rain on Saturday helped the pack up efforts. Steve and Kim hit the road home and after a quick stop off at the beach for the kids (big and small) the rest of us were on our way.

Viki and I had a great weekend and thanks to everybody that came especially Steve & Kim for suggesting and leading the trip.

*Pictures to come...

[maverick01]

Great trip report and cant wait for the pictures

[Capella_Ben]

I'm glad the rain held off for most of the time. Looking forward to the pics! Remember you can attach them now.

[jonathan.viki]

One thing that I forgot in the report was that on the way up the beach on Saturday we came across a somewhat stuck turtle. He seemed pretty tired and while Marius walked him out to the water where he could swim we weren't sure if he was going to make it. Thankfully we didn't see him again on the way back so that's a promising sign.

Some of the wildlife around the campsite and the turtle we spotted.



On the road up to Rainbow Beach.



The Carlow Sand Blow.





The exit off the track back on to the beach.






The moon trying to hide behind the clouds on Saturday night.


The lightning display on Saturday night, thankfully holding off to the east of us.

[maverick01]

Its a real shame we couldnt of made it but maybe next time

[dipmaker]

Thanks for the trip report and piccies Jonathan. I might get a chance to put up some more soon.

[dipmaker]

And here they are

[Cheesemaker]

I'm running out excuses, oh! Hang on got one

I was packed ready to go, car, food, Anita but it was raining
or
I was packed ready to go but I only got to bed at 0300 Saturday morning
crikey how about this one
I was packed, keen as mustard to go then I woke up at 1000am Saturday morning feeling pretty crusty, I checked the weather report so I piked.