There has been some confusion about the accommodation we have booked for Byron bay – we’re not sure if we have definitely gone to the right hostel! Eventually we make arrangements for a Double room in an apartment for our first night, unfortunately we are sharing with 3 unfriendly guys (or rather, boys), who have taken ownership of all the communal areas - Not a great start.

We quickly dump our bags and head out to explore the area. Fortunately for Andy our hostel has free Boogie Board hire and we are only a 5 minute walk from the beach – that’s his entertainment sorted for the next few days!

Whilst scoffing our dominos pizza dinner by the beach we are lucky (not sure if thats the best word to use..unlucky could also be used?) to be entertained by a group of teenagers doing what can only be described as flame throwing. Sort of circus-like, sort of haphazard..... When they get a little close for our liking, we hurry up, finish our pizzas and head off to meet Luc and Rick (from cairns) for drinks. We end up going to the Railway Bar (the old railway station now serves as a quirky drinking establishment) complete with live music from a hillbilly band! Quite a bizarre experience. The average age of the musicians is about 70...yes the average age of fans seems to be about 20!

14th December – The big 2-6

We are relieved that we are able to move to our own private room today – with ensuite! (such a treat!) We start the day with a phonecall from Mother Wong, wishing me happy birthday – This is a momentous occasion for numerous reasons. 1) I am turning 26...past the point of mid twenties. 2) it is boiling hot outside – not typical December birthday weather and 2) This is my first birthday away from home in 26 years!!
The husband treats me to a slap up breakfast at a cafe round the corner – pancakes, with maple syrup and strawberries! Yum!

To make the most of this unusual ‘hot’ birthday, we of course head straight to the beach – armed with a boogie board! Andy eventually convinces me to get into the water (after much reassurance that i wont be greeted by a jellyfish) and i manage to catch, ooh, 1 wave! It is such great fun, that later that day i head back towards the water for another attempt, however my eyes focus on.....jelly fish on the shoreline! There goes any ideas of heading back into the water

Lunch comprises of a nice mish mash of nibbley food on the beach, then after a shower, de-sanding and a change of clothes we head into town for a delicious birthday dinner at Byron Fresh – a little restaurant down near the beach.

After we’ve finished eating the waitress presents me with a cake, complete with candle and sparkler – im suitably impressed! (it was the poor girls second attempt, by impeccable timing for a toilet break resulted in me missing the first batch of candle and sparkler!) To top the day off – Andy presents me with a lovely Fossil watch! It really is the perfect birthday. After a drink at the local ‘Beaches Hotel Bar’ We decide to call it a night – 26 really isn’t so bad after all

The next day we decide to walk to the 1901 light house which entails about a 2 and a half hours round trip. En route we pass by the Captain Cook Lookout, Little Wategos – another patch of paradise-like sand next to the rocks, then 300m east of this is the most easterly point on Australia’s mainland! Walking to the lighthouse is exhausting, in particular, it’s extremely demoralising to have people jogging past when we can barely walk it! We’re chuffed that we manage to spot some turtles bobbing around in the water. The views are stunning!

After the hard days walk, we arrange to meet Olly and Laura in the evening for some well deserved drinks! We are also joined by Luc and Rick. Whilst discussing our travelling experiences so far in oz, we realise there is a common factor amongst all of us. We have all been in each others company previously without realising and its all thanks to the Australian BBQ we went to back in Cairns. On reminiscing about who took part in the didgeridoo contest...it turns out we all have the same memories! It is such a small world.
Whilst sat chatting - Andy manages to end up with a cockroach running up his arm (he’s not too impressed) then is convinced something has bitten his foot. The bar (somewhat unsociably) closes at 10pm, and we’re all told quite abruptly to, well, leave. In search of somewhere to move onto, we end up back at the railway bar, minus the hillbillies this time.

Byron Bay has been great fun. The beach is gorgeous and there are lots of nice shops/cafes/restaurants/bars (again, too much temptation). It has been the perfect place to spend my birthday - the hubby did a good job of creating the perfect day. It has also been great fun to meet up with familiar faces again.
The next morning, our little gang are reunited again at the greyhound bus stop. It’s onwards to Port Macquarie for us (via Coffs Harbour for Olly and Laura) x