Hiya All,

After a relaxing Saturday night (28 April) in Cessnock - a lazy-type town which nestles in the Hunter Valley- we headed south in good weather and on a delightfully picturesque road to join the Pacific Highway. With no particular plans we ended up at the sleepy seaside village of Harrington just outside the Crowdy Bay National Park and promptly booked 2 nights. This gave us the opportunity to do what we had come to Australia for..........to holiday! We splashed in the surf, walked the endless sandy beach, explored the National Park (taking the campervan along 4wd tracks -naughty, naughty!) and followed an amazing coastal trail on foot. We saw our first echidna (a porcupine type creature which lays eggs!) -Sharon, ask George! We hunted endlessly -without sucess- for the sight of a koala in the eucalyptus forests that abound in these parts. Back on site we cooked huge mullet fillets and local green prawns (in roast garlic and lemon sauce!) and washed it all down with a local chardonnay. Are we enjoying this life.............or what???

On Monday (1st May) we were off site by 8am and stopped -would you believe- for a McMuffin breakfast aroung 10.30ish. By midday we'd arrived at Nambucca Heads, another National Park backwater off the usual beaten tourist track. Within minutes of arriving we had walked from our pitch, through sub-tropical rainforest and onto a pristine and deserted beach -heaven! Later that day -after a roast chicken dinner- at the edge of the forest under the stars, we walked (headtorches!) back to the beach. Here we watched the moonlight play on the rolling waves before they crashed in sparkling thunder onto the shore. Soon after that we crashed too!

Wednesday (2nd) involved a 250km drive (via a McDonald's-becoming a habit!) to the port of Coff's Harbour. We had intended to walk the Muttonbird Island Nature Reserve and have a fish 'n chip lunch before setting off for our evening pitch. Hell, the island was closed -completely fenced off! 2 days ago the local wardens had laid fox poison and the place was taboo to visitors for some time! Disappointment was magnified by the fact that it was too early for lunch that we'd promised ourselves and then we couldn't agree on which fish to buy for dinner. Like niggling school children (sorry kids at H/H) we drove on until we found Evan's Head -a sleepy, laid-back fishing village at the mouth of the mighty Clarence River whose population care more for their prawns and fish than anything else in life! This was our chance to wind down and 'do' domestics (i.e. washing, internet, haircut, forward planning, reading, etc.). The following day (Thurs 3rd) unbroken blue skies, beach-bum style activity (i.e. sun-bathing) and a massive dinner of local caught (just that morning) tuna and green prawns, we felt rejuvenated and set us up for a stop-start local roads (rather than Pacific Highway kilometer guzzling) drive. This took us through Broadwater National Park, across the Richmond River to Ballina and onto Lennox Head. Here we walked over the headland and onto a beautiful beach where (having not bothered bringing our swimmers -idiots!) we enjoyed the surf.......starkers!!! After a short drive to the pretty inland village of Bangalow for coffee and snacks we descended to Byron Bay and the beginning of the Gold Coast.

When we were in Sydney in dreadful weather conditions, we decided a few hours of retail therapy (indoors!) might do us good. Thus, we arrived bright and early in the Queen Victoria Mall to find that everything was shut. It was ANZAC Day (big in Oz & NZ) and shops don't open until 1pm! We were philosophical about that diary error on our part but in Byron Bay we were mortified to discover that, (1)it was Labour Day in Queensland so that 1000's had travelled south for the long weekend to enjoy, (2) the National Surfing Championships, (3) an angling competition, and (4) the Mardi Grass Festival at 'pot-smoking, aged-hippy' Nimbin! Hence, there was only one night available and we were gutted -but made the most of it. A quick swim, a 5 km walk over Lighthouse Point (Australia's most Easterly point), another swim and a wonderful meal out in town ensured that we felt relaxed.........well, actually..........intoxicated, is a better word. We sat on the moonlit beach trying to remember who we were -a good night after a great day.

Saturday (5th) bought with it the realisation that in exactly 4 calendar weeks time we will be back in Brum! What a bummer -but life must carry on and so we travelled on the coast roads to Pottsville. Here we enjoyed another great walk, another great swim and another sun-gloat! This was rounded off with an early lunch and a long drive into the northern suburb of Newmarket in Brisbane. Yes, we are now in Queensland (tell Mark Lupina) -and will be in touch soon.

SPECIAL MESSAGES:

Margot: thanks for following us, Sydney Opera House is starting to show a few cracks -do they have Barry's name on them?

Tina D: Happy belated birthday to Haden, H/H kids WILL be loving you, it's me that needs counselling (how do you go back to work after this?)

Ian & Cat: You WOULD love this!

Debbie S: en-suite camping is ACE! Straight out of your van/tent into shower, toilet, BBQ and spa pool (sometimes!)

Carol, Tori & Geoff: You've waited this long, can't you wait another fortnight? We will be thinking of you.

Tina M: Easy 6 pts for Blues don't you mean? See you soon for signing on!

Helen & Malc: Good luck with move, are you working in Salcombe yet?

Frances & John: Soon be back for Sunday lunch or some Aldi shopping!

George & Sharon: Emerald here we come!

Leah, Mark & Cerys: The surfing is almost as good as Saunton Sands!

Love to everyone, xxx