Hi all! We've been on the road for only 9 days but we've made some miles.....kilometers actually. Over 1100 of them so far and the motorhome hasn't even moved since Tuesday at noon!
Saturday, January 7 was spent enjoying more of South West Rocks. It has turned into the favorite spot for Howard and me. We really enjoyed the tour of the Trial Bay gaol (even if they weren't taking....) and we didn't believe Colt when he yelled about the kangaroo blocking the doorway to the old kitchen. (Shouldn't doubt that kid....he pointed out the koala tree too!) The lighthouse walk was stunning as well and we had lots of questions but there was no one to answer them and the lighthouse itself was not open so that was disappointing. It sure was beautiful though! Our favorite "hideout" is a place called Little Bay that some guys at the campground told Howard about. It too has beautiful sand and shallow water for a very long way. It is surrounded by huge rock and is just so peaceful (or I imagine it would be without 4 running, yelling boys.....). The water is too big for my guys to swim in but they liked it all the same. After lunch, we enjoyed more swimming and boogie boarding back at Horseshoe Bay at South West Rocks and cheap ice cream...$8.60 for 6 of us! Don't find that at the beach....EVER! Reluctantly, we packed our sandy selves back into the motorhome for the trip north to Coff's Harbour.
Saturday, January 7 was spent enjoying more of South West Rocks. It has turned into the favorite spot for Howard and me. We really enjoyed the tour of the Trial Bay gaol (even if they weren't taking....) and we didn't believe Colt when he yelled about the kangaroo blocking the doorway to the old kitchen. (Shouldn't doubt that kid....he pointed out the koala tree too!) The lighthouse walk was stunning as well and we had lots of questions but there was no one to answer them and the lighthouse itself was not open so that was disappointing. It sure was beautiful though! Our favorite "hideout" is a place called Little Bay that some guys at the campground told Howard about. It too has beautiful sand and shallow water for a very long way. It is surrounded by huge rock and is just so peaceful (or I imagine it would be without 4 running, yelling boys.....). The water is too big for my guys to swim in but they liked it all the same. After lunch, we enjoyed more swimming and boogie boarding back at Horseshoe Bay at South West Rocks and cheap ice cream...$8.60 for 6 of us! Don't find that at the beach....EVER! Reluctantly, we packed our sandy selves back into the motorhome for the trip north to Coff's Harbour.
In just a couple of hours, the feeling of a town can change so drastically! South West Rocks was summer lovin', relaxed and just a comfortable beach town. Coff's Harbour is a marina. It is very beautiful in a different way. There are amazing boats at every turn and the boys liked the police boats. Shortly after arriving, we made supper and camped up high in a parking lot over looking the ocean. It had big waves for surfers. In the morning, we ate breakfast while watching a photographer play in the waves. We think he was trying to photograph the inside of the wave as it curled over. Out the back window, a couple was saddling 4 camels for riding. Last July, the first pictures the Conlan family sent us were of sea lions kissing them. Well, now we have our own 6 photos to add to that collection! We enjoyed Pet Porpoise Pool at Coff's Harbour for the morning. We watched dolphins, sea lions, and reptiles. We fed fish and little blue penguins. The boys learned a lot about snakes and Colt made sure we bought the snake book and bandages incase we are ever bitten. Also, they learned that the emergency number here is 000, not ooo....very important! To finish our stay, we bought treats and walked along the marina looking at boats, people and wildlife. Birds always gross me out in marinas! We walked along the water's edge in Coff's but never took time to play and enjoy the beaches.
Again after only a few hours, the feel of the town changed completely and this was something we have never experienced before! The Simmonds/Koebels had warned us and I'm glad they did! Byron Bay is Hippyville, NSW and I feel as though I have experienced Woodstock! I have to admit, it freaks me out when I'm buying groceries at the IGA and 90% of people aren't wearing shoes, almost as many are in bathing suits, the guy ahead of me was bleeding from his foot, people were making out....squeezing her melons....and that was only in the produce section! Seriously, we were in town 1 hour and Cody was very anxious! The feel of the town was going against all the fibers in his body. After supper and finding a spot to park for the night (we totally stuck out around all the lovemobiles) the rest of the night was uneventful. We have been rising early because of the heat and the sun so we were at the Main Beach by 7:30 am and spent the entire day there. We took a long morning walk and then settled in to play, read, eat, swim and boogie board. We took a walk up town for groceries (better than the first time but still....should grandpas wear dreadlocks??) and ice cream. The boys began a ball game using a shovel, pail and a tennis ball. They do have their gloves. People were certainly watching them. Cody was doing a little people watching too.....as he was digging in the sand, a topless lady and her boyfriend chose to wade in the water right in front of him! He's taking it pretty well.....kept his head down and kept digging. Did buy a "girly" postcard for Roy Anderson, though, because I wouldn't let him actually take a picture! We left Byron Bay in the early morning of January 10 and continued north to Surfer's Paradise. Surfer's is a city set right along the ocean and is a bit fancy, much more expensive and an all around good time! (No hippies here...)
We are camping at the Main Beach Tourist Park from January 10-16 so have showers, power, a pool, laundry and (very slow) internet. Speaking of laundry, Wednesday morning, I did 5 loads of laundry from 7:30-8:30 am and got a bit of a sunburn! It was smokin' hot! I also loved my first time using the clothes line but am not sure I will love the stiff towels, wrinkled shirts and the number of times I actually have to "handle" the clothes from start to finish. On January 10th, we hung out at the beach and boogie boarded. I finally got into the action for the first time and loved it! We checked into our campsite and headed downtown for an evening out. Bought UV shirts for everyone, groceries and supper. On Wednesday the 11th, after laundry, we hopped the bus to Wet and Wild Waterpark. What a day that was! Forgot my camera in the camper :(
Today the weather was cooler (25C) and we spent the day at SeaWorld. It is way more beautiful than the one in California. The dolphins were my favorite but the boys loved the jet ski show and the huge rollercoaster. At the end of the day, we jumped in a pirate ship and tried to attack other boats. We were soaked to the bone and loved every minute of it! The park closed at 5 so we have to go back another day to finish our tour and revisit our favorites. We all promised Kent we'll do the log ride too. There was an outdoor movie in our campground tonight complete with ice cream and popcorn. The boys loved that. Tomorrow, we are off to the chiropractor (Howard has a very sore hip...seriously...shoulder, toes, hip...my guy is falling apart!) and then it is back to Wet and Wild Waterpark. We are staying late for the Dive in Movie. You float on tubes and watch the movie! Colt's birthday is on Saturday so we're counting down to that too. It will be a great couple of days. This internet is very slow so I'll do my best to load more pictures but no promises! If you've called or texted, please tell us who you are because we don't recognize some of the numbers. Aside from the expected frustration of spending 24/7 together, we are doing great! (Read between the lines.....Cody is Killing Me/Us!) They have no IPods/e-mail/friends and are starting to miss those things! A small price to pay, but I understand. Remember to check at the top of the blog under " more/summer holidays". Ther Will update again this weekend! Love JJ
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