It was another overcast morning so we read for while before getting up to make breakfast. By the time breakfast was over the clouds had blown away and the sun was out.

We decided we’d do the walk to Long Cave which is past the Dam Wall that we walked to the other day with David and Anni. We set off at 11.15am and walked to the main beach area where the walk commences. There was a group of lady artists set up near the boat ramp each with their easels out and pencils in hand. They were sketching the gorgeous view.

Southern Cross Kayaking crew were not there as they only come out on weekends and school holidays and it was Tuesday. A few cars were parked so we assumed there were other walkers on the track.

It was a lovely morning to be walking through the bush. The bush around Dunns Swamp is sandy dry woodland with a great variety of native plants and animals. We passed a couple of other hikers and they told us they’d just seen an echidna waddling across the track and down at the dam wall they’d seen two tortoises. We’d keep our eyes out for those.

We’d almost arrived at the dam wall when we came across our 79 year old neighbour, Alwin. He’d walked all the way on his own as Anna wasn’t feeling well. A bit further on we met more people. Goodness it was like Pitt Street!

We didn’t see an echidna but we did spy two tortoise in the pond at the bottom of the dam wall. It was too far away to get a photo. While watching the tortoise a very large lizard ran up the dam wall. It only went about half way then stopped, sunning itself against the old concrete.

Continuing on from the dam wall towards Long Cave the track became a rough gravel road and we surmised that this was the way maintenance crews come to the dam wall. The road follows the Cudgegong River which is not very wide at this point although there is evidence of higher flood waters with debris piled high against trees. In a few places the river burbles over rocks into large still pools. Perfect platypus habitat but we didnt see any of those either.

We came to Long Cave and we think it should be called Long Overhang as it is not really a cave but a very long overhang of rock. It was cool in the shade of the overhang so we stopped for a lunch break. We could see lots of birds flitting about in the trees and hear their calls to one another. It was a peaceful spot.

Back the way we came and it was 1.8km back to the beginning of the track. It had taken us two hours.

By the time we arrived back at camp we were both hot and sweaty. Rich went to have a shower in the motorhome and I came up with a bright idea. I was thinking of going by ebike to the main beach for a swim to cool off when I had a lightbulb moment. We had plenty of power but only one tank of water left so I couldn’t do any washing because we needed that tank of water to last us until Friday, another three days. BUT if I took our collapsible container on the bike I could fill it up while I had a swim. What a great idea!

I set off on my bike dressed in my kayaking clothes and water shoes, which had already been worn and could get wet, with the collapsable container in the basket on the back. It was lovely and cool in the water and I enjoyed soaking in it. Certainly helps you feel cooler and washed all the sweat off. I filled the container about 3/4 full, placed it in the basket and set off back to camp. It was heavy and the water sloshed about a bit but I was able to get back to camp with no problems. I emptied that water into my two buckets back at camp and went back for a second one. That should be enough water for one load in my little washing machine.

After putting the clothes in I poured all the water into the machine, added some Woolwash, plugged it into the inverter and turned it on. Away it went. Fantastic! And no water from our tank was used in the process. I set the machine on wash (14 mins) and when that was finished I set it on wash again. When that was finished I set it on spin (7 mins) and the washing was ready to hang out.

Richard settled in with his book for the afternoon. I enjoyed a cuppa outside under our awning and updated my blog.

The family next door to us had left while we were on our walk but then two 4WD’s with rooftop tents arrived and set up on that site and the one across from it. It’s a popular camping spot with campers coming and going all the time. I imagine that school holidays would be very busy.

Rich has discovered a flaw in the fire pits that are provided at each site. They have no air holes around the sides so it takes a bit to get the fire going because the fire can’t breathe. Out comes the trusty blower!

Our neighbours in the Jayco van next door came over and joined us for drinks and nibbles and we had a lot of laughs and good conversation before they left for dinner. We had Southern Fried Chicken Burgers and, boy, were they good.

After dinner we sat around our little fire, enjoyed a cuppa and reflected on how blessed we are.