Blogs from Ballina, New South Wales, Australia, Oceania - page 3

Heading out in the wilderness for 3 nights to South Ballina Beach. Not too far from home but we are looking forward to trying out the Camper and all our new camper gear. Went and checked out the campsites today and they are nice and shady and quiet. Our long weekend is going to consist of fishing, swimming and hanging at the beach.... read more

Geo: -28.87, 153.559... read more

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 at the Transit Centre which irritated me a bit but more so on the walk back where I got my second drenching of the day!!! I knew I should have packed a brolly!! It's now ... read more

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 Bookies is in the Bar...that's surely not wise is it!!! Alcohol Influenced Betting or A.I.B is a pretty common practice in Australia...but I think the idea need to be tweaked somewhat to make it more ... read more

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 about twenty minutes before the commentator announced the imminent arrival of Jennifer Hawkins, upon which everyone clapped and cheered enthusiastically...whilst I stood there and pondered the immediately more pressing question on my mind...Who Exactly Is ... read more