Sunday
The day started way early because of the signing (screeching) birds. We packed our gear, paid via the ‘honesty box’ for our stay and took of to our next stay. During driving we could charge our phones again and Google Maps guided us through Batemans Bay to Congo campground.
From the (semi) inlands back to the coast. Only to day away from the sea our hay fever was hitting high notes already. The ocean breeze gave us air again and the view was stunning. Remarkable (for a Dutchmen) to drive so many kilometers and and up at another beach. We have only seen so little of this vast country but it is beautiful out here.
We made camp at Congo Campground. A camping nearly on the beach, with very limited amenities, not even hot water or a shower. But we have these luxuries in our camper. The batteries should be fully charged after a few hours of driving but within hour of hardly using any power the batteries where completely flat. The starter battery of course is decoupled so driving isn’t an issue but the two big batteries for the living space don’t hold any real power. This wouldn’t allow us to camp off grid whilst maintaining some luxury. And this was kinda our plan.
Monday
We opted to move to a camping with power. Ewout called the support number to see what help we could expect. On the phone the agent already concluded the batteries where to be replaced. An hour later we got a call back that 4-5 hours south in the next power sized city the batteries where reserved and could be swapped. We decided to drive to that place with a break in the middle. We ended up at Pambula beach. Enough driving for a day. It was cold so we enjoyed the heated pool over the beach in the afternoon.
Tuesday
We kicked of the day in a slow pace. We discovered that there was a big kids play room. They had an abundance of toys. Anna could also joins some crafts but wanted to play with all these toys after entertaining herself for 4 months with the same toys we brought along on this journey. We enjoyed her focus on tall the toys and thinking up her own game as normally tends to become tense and wants us to participate. That afternoon we met another Dutch couple also taken of multiple month to travel. They has a 3 year old daughter Anna played with that afternoon. It was nice to meet up and share stories.
Wednesday
Somewhat earlier then we like the day started. What is it with these girls and there mornings? We decided to pack up and leave early then as we likely had a long day ahead of us. We where to drive 3-4 hours to the shop that would replace out batteries. Around noon we where in Bairnsdale. There the new batteries where installed. It took a little more time then expected as the batteries where not on stock but where needed to be sourced from somewhere else in town. Therefor we decided to stay at a recommended parking lot at a park entrance. A good test for the new batteries as we wouldn’t have power there either 😊.
Thursday
Well the batteries replacement seemed to have done the trick. No problems at all. We hardly made a dent in it’s capacity the onboard panel showed us.We where on to Port Alfred. A small harbour city with a parking lot known to accommodate for 1 day overnight camping. We had a nice spot with view on the harbor and out on the sea. A quite place with playground near. No 220/240V though so we needed to start the day with instant coffee. Ah, well, still better then no coffee at all. After we went on out way we kept our eyes open for a coffee shop for our fix of double Espresso .
Friday and Saturday
As we where supposed to only camp one night in the parking lot we moved on again. We ended up in Venus Bay. The camping was virtually empty and we opted for a site direct at the playground. Anna loved that and we decided to stay another day. Anna ‘free’? That means ‘freedom’ for us to.
