Day 16 - Stockton dunes to Seal Rocks

Up early today after a better than expected night's sleep in the dunes at Stockton. Of course there is sand in everything but it was still a cool spot to camp. Todays plan is to go to Seal Rocks, do some sightseeing and take some photos and the weather is looking fantastic.

rather than just run up the highway i took a detour up the Bucketts Way  and back to Bulladelah and then into Seal rocks via The Lakes Way which is a nice ride, although my bike is sounding a little odd, an exhaust leak?

Seal Rocks is a beautiful place. As it was so hot the first thing on the agenda is a swim so i strip off all of my riding gear and in for a dip at the main beach at Seal Rocks. the water here is crystal clear and there's a lot to look at along the beach and rocky headland.
next i take a walk up to Sugarloaf Point lighthouse which is .....another lighthouse and then head off in search of a nice campsite.

I ended up finding a place called Camp Treachery which is one headland south of the lighthouse. $12 for a campsite right on the beach and they have hot showers and all the ammenities! Bargain!
As i'm unloading all of my gear i find the source of  the exhaust lkeak. one of my straps has come loose and caught on a lug on the exhaust and the other end has gotten caught in the rear wheel and pulled the lug from the exhaust tearing a 10 cent piece sized hole in the muffler!

It has melted the sideplate a little bit and is not far off melting into my pannier bag. A little bush mechanics with a coke can and some metal putty and were good to go again.

 Looks like i'll have a welding job to do on my first day back at work. I took the bike for a run to test the repair and it seems fine. I am amazed at how different the bike is to ride with no luggage on board though.
I also found a bolt in the pannier rack which has come loose and i nip it up with some loctite for good measure. Thats the only loose bolt for the trip so far.

The beach at Treachery is beautiful, more crystal clear water and awesome scenery. Lots of photos here today! As with most days recently, there is a storm on the way again this evening so i head back to camp early and cook up some dinner. On the way back to camp i have a close encounter with a dingo.

It turns out there are quite a few dingo's down this way and i had a pair of them follow me from a distance up the beach