We were pretty slow off the mark this morning, after a very pleasant evening chatting with Jenny. She’d made the same trip but in the other direction about 30 years ago with her husband-to-be, Steve. It’s amazing how much has changed in that time, from the equipment they had on their tandem to the tent that was so much heavier, to the need for so much more paper - guide books and maps, now all replaced by the phone.

For us, today was a day of ferries. First, the Palm Beach to Ettalong ferry that got us off the Barrenjoey Peninsula. Then, not long afterwards, the Woy Woy ferry got us a short hop across Empire Bay and saved us a short ride up a hill. Well, why not?

Jenny, Tia and Aela waving us off from Palm Beach jetty.

We eventually got going and managed to crack off some kilometres before stopping just north of Avoca Beach for lunch. I managed to have a quick swim between the flags too.

We’ve ended our fist day on the very busy Central Coast at Budgewoi, a small town packed to the rafters with holidaymakers from Sydney. It’s getting harder to get camping sites, but still not impossible.

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Day 20: Avalon Beach to Budgewoi