We had a nice lie-in this morning waking at about 10am. The sky was overcast but the day already oppressively hot and humid. During breakfast I turned on skype and was delighted to get a call from Mum and Dad - especially since it was almost midnight at home. As we chatted the rain started and tipped down and it went on and on and on. Scott and I huddled in the front seats of the van as we tried to continue the conversation but the rain was so loud it was getting difficult to hear. Today we had the whole day at Byron Bay and didn't intend to do anything too strenuous other than some swimming, sunbathing, beach walking and people watching.

How should I sum up Byron Bay?.....The smell of jos-sticks, dreadlocked hair, shops named things like 'Tree of Life' selling floaty bohemian dresses and ethnic ornaments, surfer dudes smoking spliffs, guys walking round in tight pants and pink heart shaped sunglasses, tanned oh so cool chicks who are too cool to smile, pissed blokes sitting in the park playing the guitar under signs saying things like ' join us to plant a tree'.....that just about does it. Needless to say we don't really feel like we fit in here! Too old, too fat and too normal.

Despite feeling like we stood out like a sore thumb (Scott drew an analogy with the end scene of the film Body Snatchers when they get discovered) we walked down the main street towards the beach. Luckily the rain had finally stopped, but the humidity was broken and the day significantly cooler and still overcast. However we had planned to go swimming in the sea and I don't like to change a plan, so that's what we did, larking about in the waves and subsequently sunbathing without the sun! As we lay back on the sand we felt some more raindrops and prayed the heavens wouldn't open again - luckily our prayers were answered. Back at camp I did some lengths in the swimming pool which was pretty difficult as it was very small and curved and not really designed for proper swimming.

In the evening we headed back into town for a drink at the bar by the beach and some more people watching. As we wandered back to camp we passed a cool pub which had an open mic night and some great acoustic acts on. Unfortunately we'd spent our quota for the day ( we are now having to watch out pennies....or cents out here) so it was back to van for a dvd instead of more drinks on the town.