The Loft at Bungendore

 Tuesday 6 April

We are heading over the mountain to Bungandore today. We were reflecting on how good this part of the trip has been. We both like beach holidays, having grown up with annual, long beach holidays at Piha – one of the best beaches in the world, and Manly, also pretty good on world standards. In our travels we have also found some of Australia‘s and Europe’s renowned beaches, so what made Mollymook so enjoyable? There was a friendly vibe about the place. The beach was not crowded but there were plenty of people, especially families enjoying the sunshine and a mix of surfers, young and old and many Dads teaching their your sons and daughters so all in all this happy combination left us with a good feeling about the future of the next generation. Sadly, it appeared that COVID had resulted in the demise of the Surf Club culture as although there were daily patrols and little yellow and red flags to be seen, the clubhouse itself was locked up with no chance of a cold beer to be seen. 

So, we clean up our little studio, farewell our delightful hostess Jessie and baby Kobe and head an hour south to Batemans Bay, where Lady P’s coffee stop is scheduled. This we have at a delightful little place, Surf Café right on the beach at just around the coast from the shopping hub that is Batemans Bay. We decide BB is a bit like Harvey Bay in Qld with a large population of retired poms, did I mention grumpy poms. Driving along minding our own business right on the speed limit and a little grey haired lady toots us, overtakes on the inside lane and subsequently waves her fingers at us!! Flashy responded but it wasn’t with two fingers. Then we head inland on the Kings Highway, climbing high into the fog draped mountains with silhouettes of burnt out eucalypts for kilometres. The traffic is heavy and there are road works but we are not in a hurry. We finally arrive at our lunch destination the picturesque town of Braidwood and low and behold on the first corner is Providore, a French café serving crepes and galettes. O la la, the French connection again. We explore the town thoroughly first, including a midi in the top pub, and a tattslotto ticket along the way and then stop to enjoy our raclette, potato and bacon galette with a glass of rose from, off course, the Languedoc Rousillion region. Tres superb. A bag of ice into the esky to chill the GnT down and we drive onto Bungendore to the Loft. This stunning Air BnB is located 10 mins out of town on the edge of Lake George. Purpose built it is a designer’s dream with wonderful artwork, quirky coverings, colourful cushions and a perfectly planned little kitchenette with the BBQ on the deck. Simply stunning. The high gable roof is also great for our exercise as there is plenty of bending to be done under the low gable sides and to date, 12 hours in I can report there hasn’t been a major collision as yet. We grazed on smoked salmon and a delightful cheese and home made quince jelly provided by the host, soaked in a deep hot bath and retired to bed. The borders to NZ will open in mid April so plans are afoot to visit for Christmas. What a reunion that will be.