The Travel Thread

[horrie hastings]

G'day Horrie I'm in the next suburb , Corlette. February is probably the pick of the time of year weather wise. And the Christmas crowds have dispersed. The water is clearing up after the recent storms so it's going to plan you've timed it well ! Make sure you have an authentic Greek meal at Atmos in Shoal Bay or the Little beach Boathouse for superb seafood. Enjoy your stay in my neck of the woods mate. Up the Roosters :-)

Hey Crab, got up here this afternoon after staying with a fellow Rooster supporter mate down on the Central Coast yesterday. Where we are staying is right in the middle of Nelson Bay and Shoal Bay, the path at the back of the property leads down to Little Beach with about a 8 min walk so nicely located, had a swim at Little Beach this afternoon and then went back later and managed to sneek a drink in at the Lower Deck of the Boathouse just before closing, were planning to have a light dinner there but didnt realise they closed at 6 pm so had dinner at Wests which is close by, pleasant enough, Boathouse will be Tuesday or Wednesday now. Work mate who owns the place where we are staying recommends Atmos and he is Greek so must be decent.
Had a friend who used to live in Corlette and i remember visiting him many years ago but he now lives in WA, honestly couldnt tell you how long ago we visited him at Corlette.
I think the last time i had been to the area was in 2007 and was surprised to see how every where is metred parking now but happy Red Neds pies had survived

[Crab]

You're in a good spot Horrie . Hope the weather improves for you , February is generally the best weather but we get storms around now too, as did Sydney today. Around the block from Red Neds is 2 bobs bakery . They make great sourdough ! After Atmos and the Boathouse Sandpipers resteraunt in the main street is excellent too. As are Nigronis and Siennas for Italian. Enjoy your stay. Cheers !

[horrie hastings]

Thanks Crab, actually Sandpipers was one the places i looked at on line before coming up and thought it had a nice balanced menu overall and quite well priced too. Weather was ok when we woke up today but you could see it was going to change quickly so we drove down to Fingal Bay then walked around Shoal Bay properly when we parked a block back so we didnt have to pay parking fees, i know Atmos has a great reputation but i looked closely at menu today and just thought no not this trip, a couple of things on the menu looked good but i thought maybe some other time just not this trip. Seeing the weather was closing in we went for a drive through Corlette and up to Soldiers Point, coming back on the main road stopped and looked at the big Salamander Bay shopping centre and did enjoy Henny Penny as a treat, i usually only have it these days if iim driving back from the North Coast and i find the East Maitland store even if it is slightly off track as the perfect rest spot for the 2hr mad drive back to Sydney.
Tomorrow night if it's not bucketing down will be more time spent at the Deckbar. Siennas did look good to so Sandpipers or Siennas may be Wednesday night although we have been told if the property is not booked for the weekend in the next two days we can checck out on Friday morning instead of Thursday for no extra cost.

[Crab]

I forgot to mention Aussie Fish and Chips, up the hill and around the corner from Red Neds . The best !

[horrie hastings]

Had a stunning evening at the Lower Deck at Little Beach, cocktails, food and wine was stunning , service was excellent and so was the view and the sunset, a perfect night.
Had a couple of Red Neds pies for lunch today, not as good as i remember them but they were still decent, they didnt have any seafood one today.
Sandpipers or Seinnas for dinner tomorrow night unless we have stay the extra day and it would be back to the lower deck again tomorrow and one of the other two Thursday night.

[Crab]

You should do the coastal walk too if time permits, or part of it . A lot of effort has been put into a walking trail from Mount Tomaree in Shoal Bay all the way to Birubi Beach at Anna Bay. Great scenery and getting back to nature . It's about 26km in length so you might need to do it in sections. And no , I haven't done the full walk myself :-)

[horrie hastings]

You should do the coastal walk too if time permits, or part of it . A lot of effort has been put into a walking trail from Mount Tomaree in Shoal Bay all the way to Birubi Beach at Anna Bay. Great scenery and getting back to nature . It's about 26km in length so you might need to do it in sections. And no , I haven't done the full walk myself :-)

Still having a bit of problems walking long distances from the blood clot i had late last year but leg felt good today and actually walked down to Samuari Beach from the roadway near the Koala sanctuary along the 4WD track and part of track you mentioned. Was nice to get down to water and strip off for a few minutes and dive into the surf, walk back out was good but leg feeling a bit stiff now.
Actually felt like a cheap and cheerful dinner tonight so ended up the Hawker Inn on Donald St, lit was pleasant with 3 out the 4 dishes being really good. Leaving Friday now instead of tomorrow so going to check out the Koala sanctuary and Anna Bay and probably just have a swim at Little Beach, will probably just grab a couple of Pizzas from Sienna or dine in there. Would have gone to the Lower Deck tomorrow but seeing leaving early Friday and how good the cocktails there were i would not want to drive with a hang over, besides the place was so special i want to save it again for next visit.

[Crab]

If you walked to Samurai and back your legs going alright mate . I'm glad you're enjoying your hols . It's a great spot !

[horrie hastings]

If you walked to Samurai and back your legs going alright mate . I'm glad you're enjoying your hols . It's a great spot !

Thanks Crab. Yesterday being our last full day we ended up visiting the Koala sanctuary which was worthwhile as i always visit the one in Port Macquarie when we go there, alarming though that the first animal that we saw was a black snake slithering along the path.Headed into Anna Bay for a look around but apart from the beach i didn't really find it as destination to go to again.Went back to Little Beach for an afternoon swim., had a cheap pair of goggle in the boot so had a look around the weedy bits and the amount of bream, luderick and whiting were amazing.
Simple dinner that night, ended up going to Giannis at Shoal Bay which was enjoyable and cheap and cheer full.

Back home again to reality but really enjoyed myself and can't wait to go back to the Lower Deck at the Little Beach Boathouse.