I surfaced once again at 7.45 and witnessed the usual morning departures from Horizon Drive Station. With breakfast, coffee and a bonus two hours sleep (hehehe), I took an amble up to the shops for a quick browse and on my way back, got absolutely soaked. Having dried out and changed, I realised that I forgot to sort out my Greyhound ticket to Brisbane whilst out earlier so as the weather had improved a little, I went to carry out this simple task. Simple...my foot, the woman in the Tourist Info Centre was wrong yesterday as there is no ticket office [View Full Entry]

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I woke up at eight o clock, just in time to flag the kids off to school before then readying myself for the short bus ride into Central Ballina. Upon arrival, I proceeded first to the top end of town where the Tourist Information Office is stationed and picked up a few useful leaflets of potential places to visit including Nimbin, an old hippy town fuelled by drugs and Ballina driving range to maybe help improve my far from perfect golf swing. I then took a short stroll along the riverbank which was very pleasant indeed and spent about an hour [View Full Entry]

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Today, I was awake at seven thirty which meant I got to witness the everyday spectacle of the household early morning routine which is very reminiscent of Witham Train Station as it goes with passengers departing for school and to their respective jobs...even the pets were in on the scenario!!! Having had my morning toast and numerous cups of coffee, I took a wander up to the Big Prawn Restaurant and then across the road to the West Ballina Shopping Mall where I found Farmer Charlie's vegetable shop and better still Alfredo's...yep, a bar...and yep, another opportunity to be worried!. The [View Full Entry]

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I surfaced at eight and had my morning toast and coffee before Bruce and Liz dropped me off in Byron Bay for the day. My first assignment was a short wander along the beach to the lighthouse which as it turned out, was a longer walk than I first figured! A good hour and aching legs later, I was dawdling wearily back again...before succumbing to old age and collapsing in a heap in the sand. I spent about 20 minutes watching surfers doing their thing...so I whipped out my camera and tried to get the perfect picture! Unfortunately, the Surfers were [View Full Entry]

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The rain has followed me down the coast...its pouring down outside which thus prevents any outside activity, apart from water polo that is!! We did however, venture up to the shops on a couple of occasions to pick up some household items plus Liz and I also had time for a quirky 10 cent bet on the distinct possibility of one of the kids using the phrase 'I really need that/one of them'!!! We had an awesome Roast Beef dinner tonight which was simply yummy, not sure about the X Factor which would mean it lacking something...this was very much the [View Full Entry]

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I surfaced at eight...showered, shaved and assembled my cases outside the front door in preparation for the oh so familiar walk across to the bus stop...the difference today was not only that the bus shelter crowded with people (well, 5 anyway), but also it was raining. In order to avoid getting soaked, I had a brainwave and stood under Mikes veranda and waited for the bus there...Clever Me!! On hitting the City Centre, I lugged my baggage through the precinct and was greeted by a huge crowd watching a fashion show, complete with catwalk and models. I observed this phenomenon for [View Full Entry]

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I woke up to the sound of the Doctor Who theme playing on my mobile, thus realising sleepy time was once again over and I had an urgent 7 o'clock appointment on the golf course. After a pleasant couple of hours, we returned back to base where upon I readied myself to take the now familiar journey into the City. After admiring the criminal courts (not that I have any real desire to frequent them anytime soon), I ventured across to the Greyhound terminus to purchase my ticket to Ballina tomorrow. [View Full Entry]

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I awoke to the glorious sounds of Aussie wildlife chirping happily outside my window this morning and upon looking at my phone sleepily...realised it was nine thirty!!! Two cups of coffee and a warm shower later, I was awake ready for the day ahead. Someone, somewhere is sounding a 1940's esque car horn...though upon looking outside the front window, all I can see is the postman on his 'slow-ped'...surely not hehehe. I am now very worried about Amanda back in the UK, not content a few weeks ago with scolding her finger preparing her hubbies lunch, she has really surpassed herself [View Full Entry]

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I got up...yep, that says it all pretty much doesn't it!!! I spent the morning plotting the next few weeks of my Brisbane experience checking out coach fares and accommodation possibilities in Chinchilla and also places of interest on the Sunshine and Gold Coasts. After watching Macgyver once again save the world, I watched the Aussies win the cricket for the second game in succession...it's like the old adage, one doesn’t turn up for ages...then two turn up at once!! I have toothache again tonight, nowhere near as bad as the Malaysian agony but bad enough to warrant a couple of [View Full Entry]

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Having surfaced like a mole from a mole hill...yes, I know this is getting worse, the first thing I noticed was just how stupidly hot is was, clear blue sky and a sticky 94F. I hopped onto the bus and ventured into town and within an hour, I was tired hot and bothered...so I found the nearest bar, had a huge pub lunch and then chilled out with an ice cold 'Pure Blonde'. Feeling refreshed although still pretty sticky, I returned back to base briefly before Mike and I ventured firstly over to Erics with yet more boxes and then to [View Full Entry]

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