Kempsey and Crescent Head - Wednesday, 17 July 2013

The last couple of days have been overcast but dry. Today was lovely and sunny so we decided to go for a drive to Kempsey, which is only about 40 kms south of South West Rocks.

We parked and headed for the main street. The highway bypasses Kempsey now and that has made such a big difference. The big trucks that used to go over the bridge and through the centre of Kempsey usually caused holdups but that doesn't happen now. We went into an electrical store as we had been looking for a Birko water heater for the van. We have been using a kettle on the hot plate but that takes quite a while to heat the water. We didn't want a big kettle as they take up too much room. We weren't sure if they still made Birkos but inside this Bi-Rite electrical store they had one Birko left and weren't getting any more in. They were selling it for $20, down for $99. I certainly wouldn't have paid $99 for it but it was a bargain at $20. As we wandered round the store, we saw a Sunbeam Travel Iron. I didn't even think of them making a travel iron and maybe they don't any more. It may have been on the shelf for a while. It was $40. It is a steam iron and even has a shot of steam and a spray of water. I used it this afternoon to iron some of my patchwork and it works well

Ian was happy as he managed to pick up one of the Sunbeam Nutri Ovens that Bruce and I have. He got that at Big W for $99. Allyson and I found a patchwork shop and spent a lovely time there buying some fabrics.

Leaving Kempsey, we headed out to Crescent Head to have a look. I don't think I have ever been there. I didn't remember it anyway. There are about 1,100 people living there. Lovely caravan park right on the water. Would be nice to spend a few days there. We drove up to the Lookout. There was a great view in both directions. The water was a beautiful colour. While we were up there, we spent quite a while watching a hawk gliding on the currents.

From Crescent Head we took a minor road heading towards South West Rocks rather than going back to the Highway. It followed a river most of the way. It went through a little place called Gladstone which had a beautifully restored hotel, The Heritage Hotel. We tried to get a toastie or similar for lunch but they only had main meals. We ended up at a bakery instead. There was a lovely park across the road from the hotel right on the river. It looked a lovely spot.

Well, it is State of Origin tonight. Ian will be going for NSW and Bruce for Queensland so should be a noisy night. The caravan park has a big screen so we are hoping the game will be shown there. We are having pizza beforehand. Good footie food.