Before dropping my sister and brother in law off at the airport to fly back to Brisbane, we visited Nelson Bay’s Lighthouse for coffee. Driving up the North Coast we had lunch at a very basic fish restaurant hidden down a country lane known only to the locals and my brother in law! The meal was delicious but I can’t remember the name of the restaurant or where it was!
My husband and I had decided to drive up from Sydney to Brisbane! We had achieved a staggering 7,000 kilometres in New Zealand but weren’t satisfied! An opportunity to follow the coast up to Brisbane was too good to miss! So, later that afternoon, we drove from the airport to an apartment we’d booked in Shoals Bay. Unfortunately the evening was a washout so we bought a pizza and had a quiet meal looking out onto a car park or, the other choice, staring at the television!
The next day was long, wet and not very exciting! We drove through many forests and saw lots of trees on our way to Sapphire Bay. We didn’t seem to be following the coast because there was no sea view! My husband blamed the sat nav and decided to use a map the next day. When we arrived at our apartment a workman was in our room fixing the patio table! Not ideal but he was very amicable and told me that dolphins had been sighted earlier. We had a spectacular panoramic view of the ocean but unfortunately the dolphins must has moved on. We never did see them!
The next day we headed for Byron Bay but stopped at Coffs Harbour for a very substantial brunch! After the meal we walked to Muttonbird Island nature reserve past a marina. The wind was so strong that the noise blowing through the rigging of the boats was deafening! By the time we reached the point I was frozen and found no enjoyment looking out across the mighty Pacific Ocean! I just wanted to get back into the car and thaw out! The promise of abundant bird life was unfounded, probably because the birds had all blown away!
Byron Bay was a lovely, picturesque town although our ‘stroll’ along the beach to get to the fish restaurant for our evening meal was a real challenge! The gale force wind mercilessly buffeted us as we struggled to walk along the beautiful coastline. Sand stung our bare legs and my hair blowing around my face made visibility almost impossible! I dared not open my mouth for fear of swallowing hair mixed with a healthy dose of sea sand! Just managing to keep upright I battled through the howling gale, eyes down, barely open to prevent the stinging sand from blinding me. The three miles to the restaurant felt like ten! Or twenty …..
At lunchtime on day three we arrived at my sister’s house. She had arranged for her family, with the two new little additions, to meet in the evening for dinner. I couldn’t wait! And the wait was worthwhile! Meeting up with the family was a real joy! My niece and nephews and their partners have grown into lovely, caring adults and my great niece and nephew, absolutely adorable! I wouldn’t have missed this reunion for the world! So sad that we can’t meet up regularly but WhatsApp, videos and photographs are the next best thing. That’s life!
A visit to the Glasshouse Mountains the next day, in temperatures of 40 degrees plus, resulted in a sad Fitbit who finally gave up begging me to feed it and went to sleep! The air conditioning in the car was set to maximum and the only stops we made were for comfort breaks and cold drinks. That evening we caught a ferry to the Wharf and enjoyed the wonderful ambience of a thriving city filled with joggers, sightseers and inhabitants all out on the town and having fun! The atmosphere was electric! The meal was delicious!
Two days later we landed back in Manchester. It was -3 degrees and felt bitterly cold. Our taxi was waiting as prearranged. As we walked into an ice cold house I made a beeline for the heating switch! Six wonderful weeks after leaving England we were back, rejuvenated and with a multitude of wonderful experiences to mull over and share!
So, let’s see what the New Year brings …..👠
Jenny Burrell 