From Shallow Crossing to Mystery Bay and Eden - plus Clergyman's Knee

Our last camp-site was beside the Clyde River at a place called Shallow Crossing. If anyone was wondering why it was called this the picture below should explain all. The crossing marked the tidal limit of the river and it was interesting to note (and taste) the water to the left of the photo was fresh whilst the water down stream to the right was salty.



Why Shallow Crossing was called Shallow Crossing
Probably easier to go to a car wash!

Without any definite place to go we meandered down the coast stopping at will until, with afternoon advancing, we had to find a new place to camp.

 

 

We stopped at this sleepy little village called Central Tilba - Pop 30 

 Noting a place with the intriguing name Mystery Bay where there was camping we arrived to find what appeared to be a small, rather scruffy looking site that was pretty well packed out with the only attraction being it was right by the beach. It did not appeal so we started looking for other options which were few and very far between and decided to give the Mystery Bay site a closer look – and we were glad we did. Parking the car on one of the very few available sites we had a walk around – a course of action which I can recommend. We discovered a track at the back of the site leading to extensive wooded areas at the back of the beach – which were virtually deserted. I don't know what it is with campers but they often seem to want to congregate together exhibiting some sort of herd instinct – our idea of camping is to get away from people not to pitch you tent as near to others as possible.

Paddling on Billy's Beach

Is this a mermaid or perhaps a water nymph?

Alone at Mystery Bay

Mystery Bay was home for two days. At the other end of the site we came across Billy's Beach – I don't know who Billy was but he could certainly pick his beaches. A small bay with about 100 metres of golden sand bounded by small cliffs, rocks and rock pools on either side – and it was deserted. We lugged a couple of chairs and our swimming gear down to the beach and spent a very relaxing day reading, paddling, rock pooling and eating grapes.

 

In tent - catching up with emails

That night it bucketed with rain, so not wanting to pack away a wet tent we decided to stay for a third night and I was dispatched to Narooma up the coast to get some more supplies. Arriving back in the early afternoon I found that Sandra had changed her mind - the tent was now dry, so she had packed up and was waiting for me to return with the car. So an hour later we were on our way south again this time ending up in yet another attractive seaside town called Eden.

Unloading all the gear we had packed up just a few hours before – we decided we had too much with us but couldn't think of what to ditch – Sandra is about to go into another of her re-organising phases – I can feel it.

Too many goods and chattels - I feel a rationalisation coming on!

However, as I write, she has disappeared into Eden to look for a chemist to track down some anti-inflammatories. Unfortunately I have developed a problem with my right leg and can't walk – I think it is a dose of Clergyman's Knee, an ailment closely related to Housemaid's Knee (Google it!) I blame all the time I spend on my knees rolling up sleeping mats and the tent! Ironically I lost my trekking pole at Mystery Bay.