Someone's knocking at the door, somebody's ringing the bell...

After 9 days of travelling inland we were heading back to the coast and the sky was a beautiful blue as if to confirm this was a good decision. First stop Port Macquire  or Port as it's known – where we parked up & strolled along the seafront, lined with rocks people have decorated with messages, memories and memorials, but it we needed to get on. We drove along Ocean Drive, stopping  along the way to admire the beaches and the views before we found a campsite in a small town called Harrington. The site had great reviews &  great facilities but as we got out of the van  I was stopped in my tracks. A HUGE lizard (goanna) about 4 feet long head to toe. It saw us & sauntered off. I told the lady on reception and her response was not what I wanted to hear. “Yes” laughing loudly  “we have lots of those…and snakes”! Why would you say that? To me of all people. I hesitated. Could I stay here with these prehistoric monsters roaming freely? We were hungry &  in need of a rest so we stayed, but I was on high alert. Thankfully there was only 2 other sightings which,  Mr L assured me was the same lizard just moving around. We had a lovely afternoon walking  along a vast expanse of pure white sand to the ocean just at the back of the campsite &, after Bob & Glynis 2 Aussie grey nomads as they call them here,  camped next to us, showed us around there tent/truck set up we were tucked up in bed by 9pm. Life on the edge. 
The following morning we continued heading down towards Sydney &, whilst looking on our campsite apps for suitable sites we found one in Booti Booti National Park – we had to stay there! As we checked in I asked if they had any Lizards & the response was “not really”. Liar!! Within 30 minutes we had seen 6 – 2 of which strolled off together and walked into the ladies toilet/shower block & another  came out of the woods not far from where I was sorting lunch. It was too much for me – I went off in search of a new camping spot. When I returned to the van Mr L was inside with the sliding door open & a v large lizard was right by the door. As Mr L leaned out to talk to it (he likes them!) it strolled under the van. We moved immediately to another spot with no shade but a long way from lizard forest! 
Rather predictably, after lunch we walked along the beach at the back of the site for miles then sat among the dunes and watched the waves & lay in the sunshine. We spent the evening with a Dutch couple camped near us, talking & admiring the hills & views around us.Up the next morning I showered with one eye on the bottom of the door, just in case the lizards decided to pay a visit (they didn't) then we were back in the Camper continuing south. 
Our final destination in the van was a Sydney but on the way there I wanted to go to a small town call Noraville. Why? Two reasons; 1.my mum & her friend Moy went there to see my dad's sister & 2. I may still  have relatives there. We found a lovely campsite, completely lizard free, where our pitch was under the shade of two trees with a beautiful lake behind us so we could, and did,  watch the stunning sunset reflecting shades of purple & blue over the water. Perfect. We also discovered that our visit to the campsite coincided with the hot rod enthusiasts annual meet so the park was full of incredible cars . We spent the afternoon washing and grooming. Mr L trimmed his beard & I tackled my hair.   It was so unruly I had finally purchased a travel hairdryer that morning  and ( my hairdresser will go mad if she reads this) Mr L trimmed my hair with some nail scissors. It had to be done. We had to look in someway presentable. 

So the following day, armed with information from my mums old address book  we went in search of a cousin I had never met. I wasn't really sure if this was a good idea. I could have tried the phone number but decided to take the full on approach. We found the address and Mr L parked up whilst I walked up the driveway,  climbed the stairs to the first floor veranda that led me to the porch door, I rang the bell and waited. A moment later a man appeared.