East Coast

We stayed in Ballina for 3 days and used one of them to explore the surrounding area. We drove up to Byron Bay and visited the light house which is on the eastern most point of Australia. Apart from the historical aspect of the light house, you can look through the fully restored,100 year old light house keeper’s quarters. A big thrill for me was my first sight of a whale pod (5 hump backs) heading past on their way north and then there was a pod of 15 dolphins frolicking in the surf - a wonderful sight.
We then drove out to have a look at Nimbin. Having grown up in the hippie era the name of Nimbin and its surrounds is iconic. We found the countryside on the drive there very beautiful, lots of large trees but the town and its inhabitants are looking a little tired and a bit sad. Flower power seems to be fading away.
We are now in Brisbane, more later.

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Ballina

Had breakfast this morning sitting in the sunshine - lovely blue sky, palm trees, lorikeets - a bit cool but pleasant - sunshine at last!!
Yes we are in Ballina, talk about from the sublime to the ridiculous, Tuesday night we spent in Glen Innes, our overnight stop between Ballina and Moree, where it was so cold there was light snow.
We had become very comfortable in Moree, friendly with the people next door who had recommended that the best drive to Ballina was through Glen Innes but to beware, it could get very cold there, and they weren’t wrong. We had decided that as we were only staying one night and because of the weather we would stay in a cabin, and we are so glad we did, there was light snow and so we enjoyed a night with warm electric blanket heated bed and room heater.
Glen Innes is known as the Celtic capital of Australia, the landscape is very rocky and the early settlers planted lots of deciduous trees which had their colourful autumn leaves. The first settlers were mainly from Scotland and there are aspects of the landscape which would have reminded them of home. Major Archibald Clunes Innes, one of the original settlers, gave his name to the town which was gazetted in 1852. There is a Celtic festival each year, a ring of standing stones (installed in 1988 a la Stonehenge!**!) and the area is also popular for fossicking for sapphires.
The drive from Glen Innes goes through the heavily wooded World Heritage Gibraltar National Park, quite steep in places and then drops down near the coast and runs through sugar cane plantations and past the Clarence River which at present is running fast and a chocolate brown colour, due to the recent flooding rains. We leave here Saturday for Brisbane via Byron Bay.

Birthday in Moree

Yesterday was my birthday - 67 - and I had a lovely day, thanks for the texts, emails and good wishes. The morning dawned overcast so we had a hot breakfast of bacon and eggs - a bit of a luxury for us, then off to the shops for a birthday present, I had asked for a new lamp, we have two but somehow they are not very bright, probably because they were el cheapo, and I have been getting frustrated trying to cook etc in the gloom. The new one is just great and I know I will enjoy using it every day.
There is a Chinese restaurant in town advertising it has won several awards for regional NSW so we decided to go there for dinner. It is quite a large establishment and to our surprise was very nearly full, everyone seemed to know everyone else and there was a lot of across table chats and waves.
The menu was a little disappointing, but then we have been spoilt with Adelaide’s fantastic Asian restaurants, and although we found the dishes a little bit bland the serves were fresh and plentiful and the staff very friendly. We had bought a bottle of Yellowglen earlier so came back to our rig and had a glass or two. A lovely end to a very good day.

Birthday in Moree

Update from Moree

Moree is in NSW close to the Queensland border and until a few weeks ago we had never heard of it! but we have been here 4 days and plan to stay until next Tuesday morning, we have found it to be a restful place and a good opportunity to stop and take stock. We are also happy to avoid the busy roads as this weekend is a holiday for their Queen’s birthday, plus my birthday and that of child 1 and several other friends as well, you will know who you are so happy birthday, - so all in all a time of celebration, perhaps a chance to try the local champers if there is such a thing and there are several Thai restaurants in town.

Moree’s main attraction is artesian springs and there are 4 hot pools in this caravan park - all occupied by those of a similar age, hardly a young one in sight. It is a strange sight in the morning to see shadowy shapes of all sizes wrapped in towels or clad in dressing gowns, feet in Crocs (the footwear of choice!) shuffling off to ease their rheumatics in the hot water - the pools are open between 7am and 10 pm and are popular at all times, needless to say we watch the early morning parade from our bedroom window and tend to be late starters. However we have found that the minerals in the water have eased our aches and pains and are great for skin condition.

Last night we had barramundi which we bought and cooked for our evening meal (with garlic, chilli, coriander, lime juice and snow peas) - today L bought a bucket of worms - the fishing around here is supposed to be pretty good so who knows!

Moree

We are in Moree and will stay here 4 days = there are artesian springs here and in the camp site there are 4 pools with heats of 35, 36, 37 and 39 degrees, so lovely warm swims. The weather is still quite cool and some rain and more forecast. We will also catch up on domestics, we have had a visit to the local Woolies and this morning plan some time in the laundry. L has also for the first time put up our canvas annexe which gives a verandah over the door and a cover when we want to sit outside, unfortunately not yet for the sun. Another bonus is there is a good free WiFi connection so I am making the most of that with this blog. I have found up loading photos takes ages so will have a try this morning with one from the Warrumbungles with two blokes having a sit in the sun.