Nelson Bay (20.03.16)

Our next destination was Newcastle but after finding out Coffs Harbour was not we expected we thought we might have a similar experience in Newcastle so we opted for what we thought might be a smaller coastal resort - Steve just doesn't think he's on holiday unless it's by the sea! - so we headed for Nelsons Bay. As it was situated on a small peninsular it meant backtracking slightly on our route down the coast but as we were travelling on the motorway we thought that we we would be making good time so it wouldn't matter.

How wrong could a person be?  The Australian government have deemed it necessary to improve the road network in this area and add extra, much needed, lanes to the existing motorway. Mile after mile or should I say km after km, queues after queues of traffic and in our car lots of moans, groans, huffing and puffing. Neither of us could believe the extent of the roadworks, they are obviously getting the job done in one go rather than one segment at a time but it must be costing billions of dollars. In desparation and because Steves throat was dry from all the muttering he had been doing we pulled into a McDonalds for a drink, mind I wasn't complaining as it meant I was able to have a slushie.

After our short rest I was charged with finding somewhere to stop for lunch. I found somewhere I thought might be ok and which would pander to Steves fetish for being by the side of  the sea,  so we headed for Harrington. Did I do good? I most certainly did even if I pat my own back. Despite having had a couple of large, exclusive 'retirement villages' built on its outskirts, it was basically an unspoilt, old fashioned and  unpretensious town. It stretched quite a long way along the seafront which was protected by an impressive breakwater formed by rocks. Beyond this was a sand bar which made for an interesting view, it was odd to see the sand and the breaking waves at the back of what was a full tide

We had a delicious roast lamb with a difference,  lunch outside on the terrace at the hotel, sharing it with a couple of pelicans!

Not much to say about Nelson Bay apart from the fact we had torrential rain while we were there which completely ruined any photo opportunities. Oh and we had a delicious steak at Hogs Breath Cafe I wonder who thought that one up and why it didn't cross his ( bound to be a man ) mind that such a name might put people off!