My enforced grounding due to an attack of cellulitis was driving me a little stir crazy. The weather had been so nice and yet all I could do was sit inside with my foot up and watch it.

It was therefore fantastic to be taken out by Jonesy on Sunday to visit Port Stephens. Port Stephens is situated about 60km (37miles) N.E. of Newcastle and is a large natural harbour, bigger than Sydney harbour. It was named in honour of the then Secretary to the Admiralty, Sir Philip Stephens by Captain Cook as he sailed past on 11 May, 1770.

We drove first to Soldiers Point, the narrowest point of the harbour. This bay got its name after a garrison was established there in 1820 in an effort to catch escaped convicts. Close by we came to Salamander Bay and guess what? You're right, it was the name of the first ship to enter the Port in 1791.

From here we moved onto Nelson Bay, which is the main tourist centre in the Port Stephens area. It is popular with holiday makers and offers a myriad of water based activities, including Whale and Dolphin watching cruises and sport fishing.

We caught up with an old friend whilst here, Peter Shiner, and promised to meet up again properly soon.

Just a little further around the bay is an area known as Shoal Bay. This has a narrow band of sandy beach,which shelves gently into the Tasman Sea. Being relatively sheltered it is ideal for swimming and we took advantage of such glorious conditions for a lovely dip, followed by a late lunch.

Soldier Point

Shoal Bay

Salamander Bay

Gan Gan Lookout

Gan Gan Lookout

Gan Gan Lookout

Finally we visited the highest and most accessible lookout called the Gan Gan lookout. At 160m you have superb views over the whole of Port Stephens and on a beautiful clear day like this one we could see as far as Newcastle.