Mallacoota. Meeting our travelling companions, setting up camp and fishing begins

8th April
Departure day finally arrived. Whilst it is not unusual for me to be out of bed long before daylight, John emerged at 6 and, with all but the hitching up of the van and packing a few last minute items to do, we were able to get on the road a little after 7.
The drive South along the Princes Highway was uneventful with remarkably little traffic. There was only a brief toilet stop in Narooma and another in Eden and we pulled into Mallacoota a little after midday. With full water tanks, the tinny on top of the Pajero, and the bigger heavier van we still managed to get under 18 litres per 100kms so are pretty happy with that.
Our waterfront unpowered site was about the only place free in this section of the Foreshore Caravan park, the reason being is that it is still School Holidays in Victoria this. To level the van required digging the top side wheels into the ground a little, and running the door side ones up on the levelling blocks, and we were soon parked. I prepared lunch while John started doing the outside stuff, putting out the awning, shade cloth walls and such, and we ate outside. The weather is glorious with calm water, a slight breeze and warm sunshine and we hope to see this continue for our stay of up to 10 days.

Our travelling companions for the trip, one of John’s sisters and her husband, had already arrived and we drove up the hill to the powered sites to greet them. Then it was down to the boat ramp to unload the boat and move it to our mooring out the front of our site.
The men were very impatient to get on the water and within the hour were off, attractively attired in waders, to fish for flathead. We didn’t see them again until just before dark when they returned with a few smallish (legal) fish but seemed happy with the catch and of course determined to catch more tomorrow.
I spent the afternoon catching up with Barb, sister in law, and my sister who is also here with her husband, along with a friend who has recently become a resident of Mallacoota. He fished along the shore and returned with fish for us, so we have agreed to all have dinner together tomorrow night and share the workload.
Late in the afternoon I was pleasantly surprised to receive a phone call from Telstra wishing to discuss my recent issues setting up the wifi account and getting the modem to work. It was obviously as a result of the ‘feed back’ I left after my experiences last week and I was happy to talk about it. I have been credited with one months fees and feel that I was listened to, and all my written comments were at least read. If we all spent time answering the surveys and providing feedback then slowly things might improve.
It is a great feeling to be back ‘on the road’ and maybe I will sleep more soundly than I have been doing at home. With only minimal housework to do, the prospect of lovely walks each day, and happy times with friends plus great communication tools to keep in touch with loved ones left behind…what’s there to be stressed about! We are so fortunate.