Up in the rain again although did manage a bacon and egg BBQ for breakfast :-]
Head off again and call into Grafton to pick up supplies for a couple of days in the bush and as we approach the supermarket the knob came off in my hand!
The gear stick knob that is.
Well it wasnt too much of a surprise to me as ive always had reservations about that knob since the day i saw it, i didnt like the look of it and now these fears had been proven.
A loan of an allen key from a helpful cycle shop owner and were off again heading ever North, a quick detour (quick being a 40KM round trip with a few wrong turns to bump up those KM's) to Yamba which Would have been a nice town in the summer but a bit of a ghost town in the winter although did have one of the smallest lighthouses i have ever seen.
A short drive to Woody head camping ground in Bundjalung National park and safe in he knowledge that its 20c for a hot shower we check in for two days and can relax.
Wood fires and marshmallows provide tonights entertainment.
Day 9
Without the daily pressure of having to pack up and move on we took our time in the morning, set the solar panels up, had a nice breakfast, put on our walking shoes and headed off around the headland to explore the rocks and neighbouring beach.
Came back in the afternooon and encoraged by an earlier paddle i thought it was high time i got my swimmers on and had a swim.
So on they went and i headed down to the beach brimming with confidence about this first swim.
As soon as i got to the waters edge, put my towel down and started looking like i was going in i noticed this huge Pelican a bit down from me starting to look a bit menacing.
As i entered the water he obviously took offence to this and he was off, heading straight for me at a rate of knots, i tried to ignore him but this thing was like a bear with wings and all i could do was back out of the water and sit down with my towel feeling sheepish. But he wasnt done yet, oh no, not happy with me just getting out of the water he wanted me off the beach and so came up out of the water and started towards me.
We were on my turf now though and i was much more agile than he was with his webbed feet and all so i stood up and briskly waved my towel in his direction and i had got him!!
He returned to the water and i returned to the van, victorious (sort of).
More wood fires and more marshmallows.
Day 10
(Well day 9 and 3/4 really)
Awoke in the night by a crash and a bang and look out through the rain soaked window to see Polly has a broken leg!
We had left the awning out and its pissed down in the night filling it up, the weight of which has been too much for poor Polly and she's given way.
A hasty awning retreat in the rain and back to a wet bed for a bad sleep.
great start to any day!
At least its stopped by the time we get up and we pack up, damp around the edges and head on for Byron bay.
Drop the rubbish off and its nice to see they have gone the extra mile and provided my own, personal rubbish bin.
Call in at Ballina and Lennox head on the way, dissapointed to learn that our secoond 'big' thing is now closed! The big prawn, once a haven for travellers is now just a shell of its former self and to soon be demolished.
Slightly downhearted we continue to our first proper holiday destination, Byron bay.
Look at both campsites in town and decide on the luxury Clarkes beach park, a stroll from the town,
Day 11
Raining, a stroll up to the lighthouse and round the headland (4.4 KM's, steep inclines, howling rain) and Australia's most Easterly point (not much cop in the rain).
Brightened up in the afternoon and we were treated to a lovely sunset.
Day 12
Short sleeves, shorts and opened toed shoes (no entry into Palms then) strolled along the beach and had a go on the bodyboard and finally my first proper swim (No Pelicans in sight (it should also be noted that at the time of writing Carmen has not yet had more than a paddle)).
Day 13
Surfing lesson in the morning.
By the end of it the bloke was saying i should probably turn pro.
Cycled to the pub and had our first 'Stone and wood, a local brew that is preservative free (Davey) and very drinkable. Had our bugetary allowance of two beers and headed home.
Day 14
2 weeks on the road already! Went to Byron bay markets over the railtracks, not that impressed as we had:
a) No money to buy anything
b) Nowhere to put it even if we did have.
Had a great donut and cycled home, lots of surfing in the afternoon, i pretty much am a pro by now :-]
Cycle back for more stone and wood and fish and chips on the beach.
Day 15
A day trip to Nimbin, a great road for driving (Carmen didnt think so) lots of twists and turns and steep drops off the side. The town itself was quiet (on a Monday morning) stopped for a proper coffee and did a lap around the high street (Twice to make sure we didnt miss anything!) the museum was, well, interesting.
Drove back via Lismore and wished we hadn't. Theres nothing wrong with Lismore but its not really got anything going for it so continued home back to Byron and settled in with a glass of wine.
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