Birds of a Feather

View From Bedroom Window

Pottsville Beach 25 August 2010

After a short drive through lush green countryside, we turned off the highway and set off along a coastal road, hoping to visit some of the isolated fishing villages Peter remembered from his youth. Alas the developers beat us and have erected a series of ‘Shellharbour’ hamlets that have devoured many of the little fishing villages, complete with interchangeable Lego shopping centres. Thankfully there are still a number of nature reserves that separate the expansive developments and we enjoyed walking along some deserted beaches. Camped at Pottsville Beach on the Mooball Creek that meanders along the coastal sand dunes.

Elijah - The Youngest Truckie in the West

Rhubarb Girls

Lismore 23 August 2010

We woke up to steady rain on the roof – so different from the sunny days over the weekend. Said goodbye to Bellingen (and the uncertain election results)and set off for Lismore. Had an uneventful drive and settled into the showground for the night. Heather caught up with Natalie and her new boyfriend Brendan for dinner.
The next morning it was bright and sunny and we strolled down to the organic market to catch up with Natalie, Brendan, Miriam and Nathan for coffee. Got some fresh vegetables and fruit and then did the rounds of the op shops. Peter had to do some work on the motorhome and got new house batteries as well. Camped just outside Lismore on the road to Bangalow.

Jazz and Blues

Bellingen 18 - 22 August 2010

Drove onto Macksville for morning tea. Peter remembers the floods that isolated the town, but there was no evidence of the destruction now and today Macksville seems a prosperous farming town. A short drive saw us at Nambucca Heads, a hilly but beautiful spot, with many attractive beaches and a wide river scattered with sandbars. Vowed we would come back and spend more time there. Drove onto Bellingen and camped at the showground. Bellingen was another area where Peter has vivid memories of the dramatic floods that literately tore the town in half. We both enjoyed Bellingen and found it a relaxing town with a variety of services. Went to the pub to hear some local jazz - heard some excellent standards. On Friday morning we wandered up to the park to listen to some local jazz by the Blue Pegs and the Manouche Allstars – both good bands. Had a walk around the town and it reminded us of Berry – lots of old weatherboard cottages with magnificent gardens.

Bulahdelah

Kempsey 17 August 2010

Stopped for morning tea at Bulahdelah, a pleasant spot leading to the Myall Lake region. Drove straight on to Kempsey for lunch. Wandered around the town, but little had changed since our last trip – a few more vacant shops and more people drinking in the park.

The Faded Rock

Ayers Rock, Tea Gardens 16 August 2010

After spending all day looking around Newcastle, we set off late in the afternoon for Ayers Rock – no not Uluru but the mock rock built by Mick and Mal, the original croc hunters. Unfortunately one of the iconic ‘big things’ is now a shabby relic that is slowly falling apart. Still a good overnight stop.

Everybody Sing - "On the road again!" 16 August 2010

Well after a long break we are back on the wallaby. Headed up to see Heather's family and morning tea at Colins with all the family. After 12 weeks of our liver cleansing diet, we felt like a conspirator co-opted into a mad hatter’s tea party, as the food kept appearing on an already groaning table. Bundling Laura into Jimmy, we set off to visit her friend Jen and her family at Cooks Hill in Newcastle. In the morning we went for a long walk around the foreshore. Although there are many ugly high-rise apartments springing up, there are still plenty of lovely Victorian buildings scattered around the beaches. Surprised at the number of vacant shops and offices in the CBD - everybody seems to have moved out to the shopping centres.