On Monday November 21 2020, Lillian and I left Sydenham for the long drive to Karuah.
We stopped at the El Rancho Hotel, near Macquarie University for a coffee. I had not driven past this hotel for a few years, and was surprised at the extensive development in the area. Lunch was at Wallsend RSL, Newcastle and then we drove to Karuah Big 4 Caravan Park. I have stayed here at Big 4 Karuah on previous trips to Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie, and find it to be a convenient place to stay.
Karuah RSL had now opened to visitors from Sydney. On my visit in early September 2020, en-route to Port Macquarie, Maria and I had to order our food by phone, pay on a card, and collect it at the front door of the Club. The bistro food is excellent, so Lillian and I ate here each night.
On Tuesday November 23 2020, Lillian and I dropped my rug kit off to Sue. Sue lives in Tea Gardens, and she is working with another lady on hooking my rug. This was a skill she had learned when she lived in North Carolina, USA. Sue is associated with the Myall Lakes Arts and Craft Centre in Tea Gardens. This is a busy craft centre, which has a great shop attached to it. Do check it out if in the area.
Lillian and I left Tea Gardens late morning, and drove to Stroud for the day. Gloucester was that little too far, so we stayed in Stroud for a number of hours. We lunched at the Hotel and admired some of the convict built buildings in the town. Some of the shops caught our attention. Afternoon tea was at the delightful Crepe Myrtle Café.
The next day, we decided against the ferry from Tea Gardens to Nelsons Bay, and decided to drive. We drove through Medowie to Port Stephens. Nelsons Bay was very busy, so we drove on to Shoal Bay instead. Then, a quick visit to Fingal Bay and we returned to the Country Club at Shoal Bay to have a cold drink. Shoal Bay is a beautiful as ever, and we were told that accommodation in the area is heavily booked on weekends for the next 6 months.
Then on to Corlette and Salamander Bay, where we had lunch. A quick detour into Anna Bay, and we returned to Karuah through Raymond Terrace.
We left Karuah on Thursday November 24 2020, for 3.5 hours in Newcastle before driving back to Sydney. Lillian had not visited Newcastle for many years, so I showed her around the attractions. I was born in Newcastle and grew up here, so I know the area reasonably well.
Highlights I showed Lillian were Honeysuckle, Nobbys Beach, Ocean Baths, The Hill with its stunning heritage homes, King Edward Park and Fort Scratchley. I showed Lillian where my parents lived in Newcomen Street, Newcastle during the 1940’s, and the Church in which I was christened in Hamilton, Newcastle. We saw the new tram in Hunter Street.
Whilst at Fort Scratchley, we were taken on a tour in a small vehicle to the top of the Fort. This affords stunning views over Newcastle, and is often used for wedding photos. My late father had been a cook during the early 1940’s, in the Officers Mess at Fort Scratchley. He later joined the Coastal Artillery in Darwin, where he stayed until World War 2 ended.
We had lunch at West Leagues Club, New Lambton before driving to see my old house. We pulled up outside, and I explained to Lillian where my father’s extensive vegetable and flower garden had been, along with his beloved hyderangeas in the front yard. The Flood children, who lived 2 doors away, were banned from going near the hyderangeas! I had dinner with Heather and Douglas Flood at Heather’s house in Glebe maybe 10-15 years ago. The subject of my fathers’ hyderangeas was raised over dinner! We all had a good laugh.
A man came out to ask Lillian and I if we were lost. “No” I replied” i grew up in this house.” He said that “he was Craig, my former neighbour and that his parents, who are in their 80’s, still lived next door.” He said that “he was now 54.” I last saw Craig in late 1971 -49 years ago, when he was aged almost 5 years of age. I still have a photo of Glenn, Craig and myself, which was taken in 1971. We talked for a short time before heading off back to Sydney.
We covered some kms on our 4 day road trip! Staying at Karuah allows you to visit either Tea Gardens, Forster, Stroud, Gloucester, Dungog, or Taree. And Big 4 Karuah is dog friendly, which is an added bonus.
Anne Field
Kogarah
January 22 2021
