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Showing posts from October, 2014

Moonee Beach and Coffs Coast

Traveling further down the NSW coast, we discovered towns even more stunning that offered relaxed beach lifestyles. We decided to stay at Moonee Beach overlooking the bay and one of the Solitary Islands which has a beautiful big lighthouse and homestead standing on it. Being a huge lighthouse fan, I could have stared at it all day.  The big grassy headland was unusual and breathtaking and we walked up there everyday ... Through the rainforest  track ...  To the massive green lawn headland (no trees) overlooking the Coffs Coast and Solitary Islands.   ... And a walk back down via the beach where all boys would have a splash before freezing in the wind ...  Soooo colourful and picturesque, Moonee Beach and nearby headlands all the way along the Coffs Coast. We drove to most of the headlands ... And played in cleverly designed playgrounds ... ... and swam at a few beaches, too. It would take a few attempts for us to get the right beach where dogs were permitted. But luckily the dog-friend

Ballina, Lennox, Byron and Mullum

It's amazing the way our perspective has changed since we haven't had a house, a job, a 'base', to go back to. Everything is more beautiful, and we really give ourselves to the experience.   Dusty took the photos above after we arrived in Ballina, he's getting good at operating the camera! We parked our caravan in my cousin Geoff and Nadine's front yard and they were amazing hosts - to have us, welcome us, enjoy spending time with us and the kids, to encourage Dusty to get more familiar with the drums ... ... To teach Dusty how to crack a real whip... ... To let Maxie bathe in their front yard ...  ... To show the boys how to catch yabbies with sand pumps...  ... And to take us on a guided tour of South Ballina, where we crossed the river in the car on a ferry. We had a ball driving down the beach. Geoff taught Dusty and Maxie how to catch pippies in the sand.  When we climbed a sand dune, a very excited Dusty discovered he was actually afraid of heights and it

A little stay on the Gold Coast

We returned to our home town, the Gold Coast, and stayed with my parents for just over a week. We had a lot of stuff to re-think in the caravan as we were carrying 150kg more than we wanted for safe caravan towing on the road. It's harder than it sounds to find 150kg of homewares, clothes, books, kids toys and tools/hardware to leave behind, but we felt heaps cleaner and lighter when we were done. Tim also worked on the caravan while we were there (re-did wheel bearings and seals, fitted new spare wheel rack, power and stereo improvements etc.)  The little boys had a ball catching up with aunties Kylie, Lisa, grandma & pa and nanna & poppy, plus  spreading grandmas toybox across every square inch of her home and  swimming in the pool ...  ... Picking a few mulberries off the tree, and visiting the horses next door ...  ... Having a picnic, romp in the bamboo and walk with treasured  friends at the botanical Gardens in Ashmore ... Story-time, gem-discovery, clay-moulding, mu