Grafton and Yamba

Well, the Sunday market in Coffs did not disappoint - it was just as bad as the Friday Twilight market (which was on Saturday morning.) So we quickly pulled out of Coffs and headed to Grafton. Then we found out that the Grafton market had been on the previous day, and apparently this was a really good market.

Grafton is a beautiful town on the mighty Clarence River, with wide, tree-lined streets, and many majestic old buildings. It is the home of the Jacaranda Festival, which is on every October when the jacaranda trees bloom, as one of its streets is covered with jacaranda trees. This is the first flower festival ever held in Australia apparently. It is also the home of the leaping fish - mullet. Apparently it is normal for them to leap out of the water, but we had never seen it before. Very entertaining to watch while having a picnic lunch on the river.

We looked through their galleries and museum, and found out the history of the area, especially the red cedar logging, and the many floods they have had over the years.

Spent the night in the showgrounds, which was actually very nice. We met a few fellow travelers and compared notes. And they had a shower block! Missed that the last few days.

The next day we headed off to Yamba, which is actually at the mouth of the Clarence River, where it empties into the sea. A nice sleepy town, with a small shopping centre, some surf beaches, and a lovely bay beach. By about 2 o'clock in the afternoon the sun was searing down and it looked too inviting. We got into our togs and jumped in, for the first time in our travels. The water was refreshing (cold) but very pleasant.

We then drove out to nearby Angoury Beach, which had some rock pools formed when they were quarrying rocks for the breakwall at Yamba. These pools seemed to have become disconnected from the sea and the water was getting a bit green and fetid. There were signs about how they were preserving the ecological balance, but all we could see living there were algae.

Heading back, it was almost sunset. As we were planning to head to Ballina the next day, we set off onto the highway and stopped at a rest area on the way.

The rest area was very close to the highway, with no big trees to shield us, so we had a very noisy night. Got very little sleep. Early next morning headed in to Ballina, and found a beautiful caravan park on the outskirts of town. As we pulled in, the lady was just removing a sign saying "No van sites available." Apparently a van had just left, and there was just one site available. We grabbed it happily. So the plan is to stay here a few days and use it as a base to explore both Ballina and Byron Bay, which is not too far away.

More on these areas next entry.

GeorgeY's bit

At the showgrounds there was a massive pumpkin that I thought would be going after the Sunday show (dog show mind you), but it was left there the next day and I wonder if they will manage to move it at some stage, because the market was on Saturday.

Grafton is designed by the same bloke that did Melbourne. That explains the lavish wide streets and the square grid-like set up. People here are very friendly and laid back and the town has a nice atmosphere. Did not take any pictures on my camera. Actually took one, and the camera made a funny beep and told me i forgot to put the SD card back in after the last download. Bummer. Good excuse to come again later.

At the ice cream parlour they have a life size statue of Betty Boop (don't know her real size, but any way). Took a selfie with her (check my other hand is on her head).

Apart from the historical buildings and the Castle now owned and being restored by the Myer family, the local historians are obsessed with recording flooding events. Yes the Clarence river is mighty and massive, and Grafton is flat as a pancake, and on bad ones the whole town goes under. But looking on the bright side, there was more droughts than bad floods, so you got to take the good with the bad I guess.

First dip in the water was nice, but got eaten up by mozzies in the picnic area during lunch. Still, swimming weather doesn't come easy in Melbourne even during summer.