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Published: February 6th 2007
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Once again we did a rather good job (even if we say so ourselves!) of securing a bargain camper van - though thankfully this one was of significantly smaller dimensions! Just a 2 person this time. A four wheel drive yute thing with a full blown camper van on the back! After a rather lengthy palava getting hold of the vehicle we were off, heading due North following the Coast....well-ish anyway! The first day was actually a bit inland just covering some miles (kms over here) heading for a place called Port Macquarie. This was a rather twee little sea side village which we arrived at in time for dinner - though only just! Thanks largely to about 25 car park circles that had to be performed to convince Jen that driving is not quite like riding a bike, and 4 1/2 years away from the wheel pretty much guarantee some rusty gear changes! Jen however took this to a new level..........she couldn't even indicate - needless to say that this did NOT inspire much hope into an already nervous passenger! Fortunately though Jen was pretty cool about it and was the first to admit that it possibly wasn't the best
idea! So I completed the leg, arriving to a rather spectacular sunset to secure a campsite spot and head out for proper seaside fish and chips! From there it was onto the bar for a wee tipple! Morning brought about a need for breakfast which was sourced at the local supermarket (keeping it cheap.....well you'd hope so....in fact it usually costs us more than a meal for the two of us in a restaurant....what an excuse hey?!) and eaten overlooking the marina and harbour. Where a rather large pelican decided to join us!
Our only full day on the road was to be an eventful one, with some rather spectacular scenery and beautiful beaches to be stopped at. We were once again heading North, destination: Byron Bay (which is as lovely, laid back and chilled out as everyone says!). However, to get there we took some pretty cool diversions, with Jen doing an impressive bit of map reading taking us inland on to the largest island made from river channels on the southern hemisphere, to Coffs Harbour and to a series of enormous beaches where we strolled the sand, soaked up some rays and streched our legs. We also
went to a coastal lagoon which we overlooked for lunch before heading onwards and upwards to discover that there was very little camper room in Byron! That negitiating full campsites inthe dark is not much fun! And that I can get a little bit tetchy when there is a high risk of blinding (and consequently running over) a kangaroo!!! Sorry Jen!!!! After visiting 3 campsites we finally found a site and learnt that booking ahead is not a bad idea! Living and learning again!!!
The morning dawned bright and early and, given that the camper had to be returned, was a somewhat action packed affair! Starting with an invigorating yomp upto the lighthouse, we rapidly came to realise that 8am Oz sunshine is about the same as midday British sunshine, man was it hot! So somewhat flustered, rosy and shiny looking we got a bit snap happy beneath the lighthouse. The lookout point offered complete panoramic views of Byron Bay and sandy beaches that continued as far as the eye could see in both directions. Our descent was also interesting punctuated by a stop at the most eastern point of Australia, a bit of marine life spotting with some
Byron Bay -
Most easterly point of Oz HUGE stingrays and a bit of eye candy in the form of some rather impressive surfers! From there it was on to Byron's shopping street - what a place! A real atmosphere filled the air and we would have loved to have stayed on for longer! However, the camper was due back and we were facing some dodgy timings as there was yet another time change between the region, that we were seriously struggling to work out! For those of you not in the know, Oz has 3 different time zones on a normal day! However, this increases rather extraordinarily with Daylight Savings, Time of the Month, where the moon shines.......if you catch my drift....so we were travelling into the unknown! Getting out of Byron was no worries mate, and the drive up was quite pleasant stopping off once or twice to appreciate the coastal views and towns - some of which are oh-so twee! Coming into Brisbane was an ENTIRELY different story and 4 lanes of big trucks and cars were to be negotiated before safe arrival! That was done without any issues though! Although we did decide that relocations, although cheap, are not all that they are cracked
up to be. Tight time schedules, faulty equipment and being last on the list of priorities amongst them! (Our A.C poured water onto Jens feet the whole way, the fridge HEATED our food and the microwave didn't go round! Needless to say we were careful to retrieve a rather hefty deposit before mentioning any of the above) - after our 2 hour wait in the drop off office - which was blissfully air conditioned! MAN is it hot up north! I am still tickled pink by the phrase 'hot northerly winds' how odd is that?!!!!
Photos to come soon I promise - noone over here will let you plug USB into their computers!!!! Grrrrrrr!!
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