Ok so firstly sorry for the lack of contact recently, but as most of you are aware, we've been on a road trip with Dale, Ian and Russ this past week. So here goes...

3rd January saw us leave Dale's house in Gosford. With the car packed up (and I mean packed, a surfboard, bodyboard, camping gear, and 5 bags ps 5 bodies) we left at 9.30am and headed up the Pacific Highway. First stop was Myall Lakes National Park to see the biggest tree in NSWcalled the Grandis but being half asleep still we weren't very enthusiastic (Dale wanted to show us it). Dale then continued to drive until getting pulled over for a Random Breath Test, all clear we then went to Seal Rocks Beach which was really pretty. We then headed to Port Macquarie where we weould be spenfding our first night. Dale and Russ set up there tent (yes, we were camping) and seeing as though Steph is absolutely clueless, Loz and I assembled our tent. We then headed out for some drinks and food before having a relatively earlyish night.

On the 4th we left the campsite and got some breakfast from the supermarket before hitting the road once again. We briefly visited Lighthouse Beach for a great view but then it started raining which we were gutted about. So we were now on our way to Coffs Harbour and decided t ring up before arriving for some accomodation. Russ rang around and we found one and booked ourselves in. Due to the rain the normal 2 hour drive took 6 hours which wasnt much fun. When we got there we rang up the hostel for clearer directions to find out that we were actually staying in a place 15km outside of Coffs Harbour, a place called Woolgoolga (yes it really was as redneck if we were in america as it sounds). Ian joined our trip at this point so our team of 5 tuirned to 6. It turned out to be agood night though, tehre was a pub/bistro just behind the hostel so we went for some food and drinks and there was a band playing.

On the 5th we headed to the centre of Coffs Harbour and booked ourselves in accomodation there for one night. After droppig ourbags off the girls went shopping to a place which was supposed to be the biggest shopping mall between sydney and brisbane (and it was rubbish!!!!) so after spending 5 minutes there we jumped in a taxi back and looked around the shops in town. It was raining heavily by this point and so we jumped in another taxi to an internet cafe. The boys came back from surfing and then we went out for some food. We attempted to teach the boys some drinking games in the bar until a BigBertha Security lady (and i mean BIG and she looked like Miss Trunchball from Matilda) came and stared at us to stop. Then we went bowling again, and then the biys had a big night out whilst us girls were tired and had a book club evening instead.

On the 6th, we got up and packed up the car. Dale knows some people who own a pub in a place called Woodburn so we were going to try and stay there the night. We got up there only to find the river was about to burst its banks - it was really high and almost coming onto the road and all the shops were preparing with sand bags. The guy told us that if we were going to stay there for the night we would more than likely be flooded in and have to spend one more night. So we decided against this option and drove to a little place close by called Evans Head. We booked intoa motel, and decided to head to the beach. Steph stayed behind and slept as she had a bad migraine. When we got to the beach it wasn't very nice as the rivers flooding had brought in alot of debris and dirt. it then started to storm pretty bad so we retuned to the motel. While everyone else slept Loz, Ian and Iplayed Presidents and a*******s (a card game) and then we went out for food and came back and chilled in front of a film befor ehaving an early night.

It was Dales birthday on the 7th. After leaving the hotel we stopped briefly in a place called Ballina to get some breakfast. The sun was out so we were happy. We then carried on up the East Coast. We stopped at a place called Lennox HEad beach lookout point and had some group pictures taken :) The boys then surfed on Lennox Head Beach while we read and sunbathed. I then attempted surfing. It was so much fun. It is hard work though. Ian and Russ were to be my personal instructors and to be fair they did make me feel safe.However they shoved me out on the board without any instruction to begin with and I was clueless. However towards the end I got abit better, I even was able to push myself up on my knees whilst "riding the wave" but it was so tiring and I didn't have any strength to pull myself up onto my feet. It was alot of fun though. Steph was a muppet though and fell aslewep on the beach and got reeeally badly sunburnt on the back of her legs. We then headed up to Byron Bay where we would be spending 4 nights. We were staying in a cabin - however when we got there they'd messed up so had to put us in a deluxe cabin which was really nice! We went for food shopping for the 4 days and had a couple of drinks before going to bed. We also bought Dale abirthday cake and put sparklers in too :) and had a singsong for him.

On the 8th Loz an I and the boys went to the beach at Byron Bay (Steph decided a few days astaying out of the sun would be the best option) however after lying in the sun for 5 minutes the clouds turned black and Loz and I decided to head back to the cabin before we got drenched whilst the boys carried on surfing. We then had a few beers in the afternoon and played a game of keepy uppies and Bums before heading back to cook and have some more drinks. Steph, Loz, Ian, Russ and Dale all headed out about 10pm to a pub and club but I was tired and had tummy ache so stayed behind.

On the 9th the wetaher wasn't too bad but wasn't sunny enough for the beach so we headed into town for a shop while th eboys surfed...again!! We ended up going into a travel shop and booking the rest of our Australia trip which we are now very excited about as it sounds really good :) We then had a BBQ and got some games going before heading out into town for the evening. We ended up in a place called Cheeky Monkeys which was a quality place, dancing on tables etc... Had the one of the best nights out. I did manage to lose the back to my phone though and my English Sim card :( Steph and I left abit earlier than the others though and got a taxi back.

The 10th saw us hoping for a relaxing day due to the previous big night out, we headed into town briefly where Steph broke my fingers after getting her self "inked" so to speak - yes she got a tatoo finally after moaning about wanting one since the days of Bangkok. So she got one which actually looks pretty cool, and we headde back to rest. However with everybody in a giddy mood after a little siesta I found it hard to believe that was about to happen!! So when I woke up I found the others playing cards and havinga few drinks. They were happy to see I had yet to open my first beverage though and I was teh designated driver to pop into town and get them some more beer. So Steph and I borrowed Dales car. On the way into town was fine until we saw police on the other side of the road randomly stopping people so I really was nervous about heading back after we collecte dthe beer. Steph was quite drunk at this point and was not making me feel any easier with teh police issue even though she tried bless her! So on the way back everything was fine until that stupid police officer stepped out in the road and beckoned me to pull over for a random breath test. Even though I had nothing to drink at all, my heart was about to explode and Steph's obsenitries were not making me any calmer. Obviously I passed with flying colours but as I handed my driving licence over my hands were very sweaty and shaking so I must have looked suspicious (hey - the police have that effect on everybody!!) When we got back to the cabin the others found ithilarous, and needless to say I needed to pop open the strongbow to calm my nerves (thats my excuse anyway)We ended up playing drinking games and poor Ian who is absolutely ridiculously ruibbish at the drinking games we had taught got a little worse for wear as did Steph (agaain!) It was a good night though, our last one together :(

So today (11th) is our last day in Byron Bay and boy its been an awesome road trip!! We've had ups and downs but it has definately been a great trip. The boys left fo rthe 9hour journey south home to odford while we wait around for a Greyhound to take us and hour and half up the coast to Surfers Paradise. Will update you in Brisbane.

Hope everybody is ok, having an amazing tiem still regardless of the weather. Hoping it gets better. Speak soon guys... xxxx