Departing the Lockhart's on Wednesday 29th Oct after staying here on and off over the last few months it was sad to say goodbye, especially for Lotte who had a special bond. The bus cruised down the hill now that Tim has discovered the retarder (brake) with both the ute and trailer onboard.

Arriving at our Byron Bay CVP we headed for a quick walk along the beach/ lookout. Perfect weather here today with no wind and beautifully warm. Some interesting residents live here at the CVP and Tim and Melrose were treated to a small firework display by someone nearby late at night.

NIMBIN (Thursday 30th Oct)

After a windey drive we found Nimbin nestled in a basin surrounded by dence forest hills, covered in rocky outcrops. Quite a pretty area and drive.

As we got out of the car we looked in amazement at an angry looking lady with spiky hair and hemp clothes who was making a loud mating bird call as she wondered along the middle of the main road. She proceeded to be greeted in the middle of the road by her male friend who appeared to be trying to intimidate the whole town by staring at everyone very intensively.

Firstly we ventured into the local art gallery which consisted of half an old dark weatherboard cottage. We were welcomed by an elderly, earthly/dreamy weathered lady who said " it's been composed by artists, take it as is comes!!" The gallery had some fairly average local hand painted art work and several signs displayed saying "Tony Abbot voters are not welcome." After being in there for no more than 5 mins we exited to be farwelled by the same lady who welcomed us, this time saying "oh I had forgotten you were in there, you have been in there for so long, you are the best people we have had in today." We all had a little giggle at this.

Next was the "Thrifty Link Hardware" as we walked past the door the smell of incense wafting out nearly knocked us over. It had an ATM poking out of a hole cut in some netting fence with gas bottles, live chickens, water tanks and firewood for sale along side it. (See attached photo)

Following were several more hippie twisted shops, including hats, a herb shop, a tattoo studio, hemp embasey, and lots of tie- dye and Bob Marley. We were approached regularly asking if we would like any dope, cookies or medicinal cannabis. We obviously declined this and decided to sit in a park for our packed lunch. Feeling out of place we ate our sandwich between dogs weeing, men hoiking and then a local fight with lots of yelling and swearing - so much for the laid back hippies!!@##. Lotte whispered "lets not hang around here to long," so we headed off and Melrose promptly received a message from a local parrot right on top of her head and arms -at least is is supposed to be good luck. We sent some school and business letters and wondered if it would be smoked or posted. Next we found a nice coffee , just not sure what was in it??

The last stop was the free local pool - Melrose quite happy to wash the bird poop off and we all felt refreshed and cleaned from our time in Nimbin. We found the town very hypocritical of how hippie life is betrayed, an experience non the less!!

Back at our CVP site there was a large python aprox 2.5m - 3m in length hanging in the bushes. This bought a lot if interest from us all.

Tim was also aproached by a gentleman talking about how he wants to build a tree house with a built -in winch to get him up and down. Wow we have seen some interesting people in the last few days between Byron Bay and Nimbin.

Friday 31st Oct after school we spent riding, walking and swimming. Much admiration goes to Lotte and Archie who rode and walked for over 10km (some very hilly) to see Byron Bay, the most easterly point of mainland Australia and swim at some beautiful beaches.

Saturday was the move to Darlington Beach north of Coffs Harbour.