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We start the day by 'stealing' a shower from the service station where we stayed the night. As we paid yesterday $8 for the honour of a hot shower, and seeing as they make no effort to police it, we pretend we're truckers and wander in without paying. Yes, we feel a little bad about this, but did buy coffee and breakfast from them yesterday... And it was rubbish.
This is our silent, civil disobedience.
Our first port of call is the Forest Sky Pier lookout on the top of the Orara East State Forest. The drive up is fantastic. Wide, unmarked roads that state 'drive according to road conditions', It's the kind of road that would be perfect for a hill climb race. In fact, it wouldn't surprise us if it is regularly closed off and used for racing by the locals!
Once we'd viewed the stunning Coffs Harbour vista from on high (spotting Muttonbird island from yesterday in the process), we head to a miniature village back in Coffs for Alice. She's clearly never been to Legoland, Windsor...
Passing the big banana again en route, we note that its not even that big. #Just saying.
We arrive at the Dutch clog place, which adjoins the miniature Dutch village. It's a strange place which we make little sense of. The shop-come-clog workshop was bristling with Dutch tat, including fully authentic, made on site Australian-Dutch clogs. And the miniature village was of all the Dutch landmarks. Amsterdam, Goude, Utrecht. They were all here in their miniature glory. What excited us most however, were the miniature trains, and the Australian dragon lizards that were lounging with gay abandon in the display. They really looked like mini Godzilla's. It was very amusing.
Luncheon / proper coffee hit was has at o.p 81, still in Coffs Harbour. Squid and flathead to share, both on a bed of lettuce. This was very healthy we like to think.
Driving onwards, we stop at Bellingden for the Bellingden Butter Factory. According to the guide books, Bellingden used to be a very prosperous town thanks to the timber industry, but in absence of this industry, has fallen behind Coffs, and has reinvented itself as a arts and craft haven.
The Butter Factory was one such example. Since the late 80s, this property has been used as a melange of craft shops. It's all very pleasant, but also it occurs to us that this is a place where we could very easily part with our cash. So we make a quick exit.
So we head to a placed called the Yellow Shed. This was literally a shed, that was painted yellow, selling yet more arts and craft materials. Again, we have a quick gander, and escape with our cash intact.
Completely exhausted with all this window shopping (well, Alex was)... we spot a driver reviver on the way out of town. But because we're now terribly snooty with our hot beverage choices, instead of simply accepting the free tea bags that they offer us, we bring in our own earl grey. Yes, it's come to this. Sorry Australia.
The drive to our next stop is then completely unremarkable, save for a 7 car train (which we are at the back of), caused by the speed limit being fastidiously adhered to. Not sure I approve entirely, but the law is the law.
Oh, and Alice spotted and waved to a passing Jucy campa. They waved back. It's like being in a Jucy owners club!
Skipping Nambucca Heads, we deliberated whether or not we plump for a 'scenic route' to Scotts Head (pop 820). In the end, and after a trip to woolies for foods, we decide to head straight to the campsite. We're both a little tired, as this RV sleep debt malarkey is catching up with us.
We arrive at our golf club stop with a couple of hours to spare before sundown. It is gorgeous. The deal here is basically, buy a couple of drinks and the clubhouse bar and you've paid for nights sleep. Additionally, we spot some showers in the toilets, which we will gladly utilise tomorrow morning.
The sunset is beautiful, and we read our books in the outside bar area until it is dark. We have chicken and sweet corn soup, and plan our next few night in our camper.
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