Rain after the drought

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After a pleasant day's drive down the coast from Byron Bay, we arrived at our friends' home on the Myall River at Bulahdelah (about 2 hours north of Sydney). They have built a lovely home here overlooking the river. The birds and wildlife here are most interesting. In the 4 days we have been here we have seen (some up close!) eagles, penguins, cookaburas, a dingo, a wallaby. The beaches are incredible here--long stretches of white sand with ideal surfing waves.
The weather has not been the best for tourists--pouring down rain, much needed after drought conditions, so we could not complain. We just carried on the best we could. It did not deter us from a lovely day's drive into the Hunter Valley to sample many of the wonderful wines produced here. (Also bought a few.)
This evening, we had an idyllic experience down on the jetty by the river. Our friends had bought some fresh caught prawns from a local fisher. We shelled them and threw the shells into the river as we sipped on a local Chardonnay.
I've been poaching some pears in red wine for dessert tonight.
Just to say that we have not only been decadent. Last evening, I attended a yoga class locally with our friends, just to keep me in touch with some fitness.
I'm still jet lagged after 7 days. It still feels like the middle of the night, so I can drop off to sleep at the least suggestion.
It's hard work being a tourist, but we're doing the best we can!

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