BYRON BAY TO THE GOLD COAST

Day 16
Our final day in Byron. Started packing the van up for our departure but managed to have a good surf in the afternoon and cycled in to the pub for our final (?) drink of stone and wood, our new favorite beer!

Day 17
Packed up in the morning and were off on the road again aftera week long restbite.
First stop Bangalow for a coffee, an altercation in a coffee shop with some very well to do ladies and we thought we were back in Double Bay!! We ended up outside with our coats pulled up and necked the coffee, which was a very nice all the same.

A milestone approached and we were off to cross our first state border into Queensland, a disappointing affair, standing in the middle of a roundabout trying to look like an explorer somehow didnt feel right.

Just into Queensland and we stop at 'Point Danger'. This is more like it i thought, must be good to be called point danger. We looked over the cliffs and up to the glitz and glamour of Surfers Paradise 30Km away and saw the surfers in the sea but, to me it didnt really seem that dangerous.

Lunch in Burleigh Heads was lovely and on to Carmens family home in Mudgeeraba for a quick hello to Dad and Nora but Mum has just gone to hospital and is having both knees replaced today! Lets hope they connect the right legs to the right feet.
On to Carmens sisters house for a weekend of house (and dog) sitting whilst she (Tonia) was off on a motorbike adventure!
Yogi (the dog) is brilliant, not quite an oil painting but very affectionate.

Day 18
Woke up in our first proper bed since we left, Polly parked on the street outside. Hitched up the bikes and we were off to start our ocean way cycling challenge. We plan to cycle from the Spit, at the Northern end of the Gold coast to Coolongata at the Southern end.

Not in one go mind were not stupid, small sections of about 6Km (knowing that we have to turn around and cycle back to the van). So in fact we are cyclying from one end of the gold coast and back again!!
We set off and it seemed a bit nippy but we later found out this was the coldest day since 1916 and we didnt even have jackets. Saw another very small lightouse and am beginning to wonder if they take these things seriously in Australia.

Called in to see the patient and the operation was a success although, understandably a little painfull.

Day 19
No cycling today. Friday night so we are off to tear up the gold coast, well the Ashmore tavern anyway, a few drinks are drunk and we head home for our fist take away pizza in weeks (2 1/2) and another night in a proper bed, starting to miss polly...

Day 20
A fishing expidition along the spit. The cold weather continues and seems to have shrunk the fish as well. Tonia struck first and we were both lucky although Carmen retreated to the van to read a book and make a cup of coffee so didnt have quite as much success.

A night at the casino was planned, we all got dolled up and we were off, $5 budgets in hand we headed straight for the high rollers room, but when they wouldnt let us in we sat at the pokies for an hour until our money was first doubled and the lost, we toyed with the idea of playing for Pollys keys but the stakes were too high and so we retired home.

Day 21
Coolie Rocks (even in the rain). A festival in Coolangatta, 1950's classic cars and classic haircuts. There was even a bloke doing haircuts and i so wanted to have a quiff for the day but its difficult with a skinhead.
Popped into see Mum again and shes up and walking down the corridor already and seems on the road to recovery.
Off to bed contemplating the next section of our bike ride tomorrow.