CAT AND BOTTOMS JOIN THE NAVY....

Well, Cat and Bottoms actually joined the Navy a long time ago.  They've have been on several trips together and the latest was a Wrans Reunion at Nelsons Bay in NSW. They would meet up with quite a few of their old class mates, former colleagues and probably make some new friends too.

Deciding not to fly but to drive (road trip!!!) they set off early one morning, Bottom's small car packed to the roof with their baggage. They spent the first night with Kezza, a friend of Bottoms who lives in Valla Beach, which is a beautiful part of the world. 

From there really, it was an easy trip, the roads in NSW being very good. Bottoms did all the driving; it was her car after all but Cat has previous for falling asleep at the wheel, which was extremely worrying (and not to be repeated). They managed to get lost anyway, naturally, blaming Google Maps which instructed them to turn right off the main highway due to some roadworks.  It didn't feel right as Port Stephens is on the coast and they were travelling south.  Nevertheless, Bottoms did as instructed. After bumping along a rutted, gravel road for 10 mins heading ever westward, an executive decision was made to turn around and get back onto the main highway.  They arrived in beautiful Nelsons Bay without further drama and, incidentally, no sighting of any roadworks.

Staying in a caravan park, they set off after arriving to pick up Duckie (their cabin mate for the weekend) from the Newcastle airport. After getting back to the park they then met up with the girls in the adjoining cabin, also ex-class mates. They headed over to register for the Reunion and picked up their packs of goodies which included some local wine.  Typically, it turned out that Cat and Bottoms had somehow neglected to put their names down for the meet and greet that night so stayed home and sulked. Well not really, they partied on their own consuming their wine and caught up with the others when they got home.

Next day, was a bus trip with Duckie where they visited a couple of wineries, with lots of tastings (and subsequent buyings) of Hunter Valley wines. 

Luckily, they were passengers on a bus so no worries about being over the limit. Tamburlaine Scarlett Bubbles was a standout! And surely was the reason there was so much giggling up the back on the trip home.

Lunch at a local tourist spot where Cat and Duckie made friends with some locals...

 Morning tea  next day at the Lighthouse Cafe which is above the Caravan Park they stayed at...

The advantage of having their own vehicle was the ability to go where they wanted to, so a bit more sightseeing was on the agenda. This is some of the view off Soldiers Point.

They really liked Fingal Bay too...

The big Reunion Dinner was a bit of a disappointment. Their table was second last to be served so they were still waiting on their entrees while others were enjoying their main. Then LOUD band music started up and was not exactly conducive to reunion conversation so that really spoiled the night for them and most of their mates. Could it be they were just getting too old for LOUD music? Round tables would have been good too so they could have easily converse with everyone (should the music get turned down). Notes were made for the next reunion. Mumble, mumble, bitch, moan, complain.

Aren't they gorgeous?? Smiling because the music wasn't as LOUD out there...
(photo by innocent bystander...)

Breakfast at the beach was a fizzer due to being unable to park within two kilometres of the designated meeting spot for participants. Sunny (and hot) Sunday mornings are apparently the most popular time for people to go to Shoal Bay Beach. Instead Cat, Bottoms and Duckie enjoyed breakkie in a nearby (air conditioned) cafe. After dropping Duckie at the airport (having already had a teary farewell at the Van Park with their other chums), the two girls did a bit more sightseeing and shopping. What a quiet evening it was after the wonderful camaraderie they'd enjoyed all weekend.  Monday they set off for Valla Beach carrying delicious fresh seafood for Kezza to enjoy with them that night. Farewell, Nelsons Bay you were fabulous...
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Back to Valla Beach!

Yummo!

 Some of the Valla Beach locals enjoying Deep Creek...

 Beautiful Valla Beach...

 Spotted this elephant croc at the creeeeeeeek! Then of course realised it was just a log... but you can see why they thought that (some artistic licence taken).

Kezza took them for a little more sightseeing too, specifically to see this osprey in its nest atop the tallest pole around. Amazed to be able to see it...

Next day after a restful evening gorging and drinking, they farewelled Kezza and set off for home.  They can't wait for the next trip...

No animals were harmed in the production of this article, some names were changed to protect the innocent and poetic licence was liberally used. Due to the consumption of alcohol, some occurrences may be out of order or misremembered. Unless stated, all photographs were taken by sandyiamg and owned by snapshotsofbeauty.blogspot.com