DAY EIGHTY-FOUR: Mysterious Platypus

DAY EIGHTY-FOUR: Mysterious Platypus

Today was wet and overcast but it didn't bother us. We were going to the Atherton Tablelands. Today’s journey is essentially a paid tour just without paying $120 each so driving ourselves was our best option. Starting at the Boulders we drove to Josaphine falls, it was nice but the water was too rough to swim in. It would have been good in a kayak. From here we drove the scenic waterfall drive, stopping at different stops and admiring the falls until we reached Mila Mila falls is famous for being in a shampoo advert and for being the place where Peter Andre filmed the music video Mysterious Girl. We had a quick swim where being the big kid I am I swam through the falls.

            From here we drove to our spot for the night. It looked terrible with no toilets so we decided to return to Babinda for another night.

            Along the way we came across Tazali lakes which advertised itself as a Platypus Park so we stopped and went in, it cost $5 each to go on the guys land. We walked to the pond, as soon as we got there we saw them. I was made up 3 females swimming about. We took some photo's but unfortunately my camera zoom isn't great, neither of my eyes I wish I had binoculars to get a better view.

DAY EIGHTY-THREE: The bugs are back in town

DAY EIGHTY-THREE: The bugs are back in town

Today is cool and wet. For some reason the Mosquito have been out all day driving the pair of us mad they've made a mess of Vicki's legs.

            I thought it would have been a good idea to go for a swim to sooth the bites. It helped a little but the water was bitterly cold again so we didn't stay long but like yesterday I saw more water creatures, this time it was a yellow and black eel.

            We didn't do much more the rest of the day. The only sceptical was me trying to make my pen work. It was about 3 days old. So far I’ve used up 3 pens and a pencil and all I've done is type up this blog. The pens must be drying up in the heat.

DAY EIGHTY-TWO: Let there be light

DAY EIGHTY-TWO: Let there be light

For the past 37 nights we have struggles with no interior light and limited fridge power, the battery must be knackered so before left cairns we went to the Jucy depot in town and had it fixed. The trip is now heading back south to Sydney and to the comfort of Wollongong. Our first stop is to return to The Boulders in Babinda because we liked it so much.

            As soon as we got there we went straight to the creek, it was quiet, and no wonder it was freezing. Not completely deterred I put my mask on and went for a swim. I was only in for 10 minutes but in that time I caught a turtle, we took some photos then I put it back where I caught it.

            The rest of the day was spent by the van chilling. The evening we marvelled at the interior light working. I'm amazed we managed to see anything with our head touches compared to the halogen bulb.

DAY EIGHTY-ONE: Rain in Queensland?

DAY EIGHTY-ONE: Rain in Queensland?

Since leaving Calope 14 days ago there hasn't been a drop of rain, it has been great, hardly ever dipping below 30 degrees C except at night where it hangs around the mid 20's. But today it rained, it was still hot but the rain did cool us off a little.

            The day was uneventful we've washed all our stuff which will be the last time in a long time and Vicki plotted our route back. We're going a little more inland, staying in the state forests and in some places we have stayed before.

            Driving up here was great but I think it will be better going back, especially now we know where to avoid and where to stay longer.

DAY EIGHTY: Second trip to Cairns

DAY EIGHTY: Second trip to Cairns

Yesterday we had both burned so we planned on an easy day. We decided on having a second trip to Cairns, I thought we hadn't seen everything when we went to the lagoon, it turns out we had. There isn't much here. If it wasn't for the reef you wouldn't bother going, this was a little disappointing considering we had driven so far. Not to worry it's the journey not the destination.

            We were both hungry in town so we treated ourselves to a pub lunch. There is an 'Irish' bar next to the bus stop so we went in and had lunch. During the time we were there we saw three different travellers on separate occasions asking for jobs, each being turned away. Clearly it isn't just us looking for work. Only we have given up trying. We have noticed a few things about travellers who have managed to find work, the first thing is their pretty much all French who don't understand a great deal of English which makes minimal sense and second ally is the majority are tall, blonde females. If you don't have any of these features forget trying for work. 

DAY SEVENTY-NINE: Great Barrier Reef

DAY SEVENTY-NINE: Great Barrier Reef

Today was a day I have been looking forward to for a long time. After years of watching documentaries with David Attenborough narrating about the Technicolor aquatic world, I couldn't wait to see it for myself. It was a little over two hours to sail out to Upolu reef. During that time we spoke to the other 14 other passengers about how much we are looking forward to finding Memo. Before we arrived there was a brief tutorial of the do's and don’ts.

            Once we arrived I was straight in, first one in and the last one out. We only snorkelled because at the most it was only 4 meters deep which is easy to swim to and hang around for a while before heading back up for a quick breath and returning. The colours were amazing, blues, greens, reds and purples. It was a sight we will never forget. The colours are in fact more vivid on TV, It must because of HD TV and high tech cameras and enhanced computers to make everything even brighter. Even my photos are enhanced but the films are not.

            During the first dive everyone was given a swimming noodle, everyone except me, I swam off before they could give me one and I had no intention of sticking to the surface. As soon as we went in I saw two huge butterfly fish being cleaned by a bunch of wrasse. Soon after a little green turtle swam beneath us, I was in my element snapping away with my waterproof camera. I think Vicki was a little jealous because her camera was at Fuji being fixed and wasn't returned before we started the trip so we were limited to one camera. After a while we found nemo hiding in an anemone. There were dozens of groups of clown fish but we didn't find Dory. We saw plenty of other fish, squid, starfish, giant clams even sea pens. There was so much to see and process it was impossible for everything to sink in in such a short time.

            Both Vicki and I could have easily done a week trip but lack the money. People say a picture paints a thousand words so 173 pictures paint far more than I can write.

DAY SEVENTY-EIGHT: Cairns Lagoon

DAY SEVENTY-EIGHT: Cairns Lagoon

Today is another scorcher, we were woken up to the intense heat of the van slowly beginning to roast. I have no idea how the locals function, as soon as I have a shower and dry off I'm instantly dripping with sweat if it wasn't so nice having a shower it wouldn't be worth having one. Also today I had a proper shave which doesn't happen often I've removed the beard, to Vicki's disgust I now look about 17 but "It's purely for tomorrow" I assured her, "It's to stop the water getting into the mask so quickly. It'll be back soon enough."

            We took the hostel bus into the centre of town to go to the lagoon. The town centre was only small but packed with diving shops. If it wasn't for Vicki being there I would have probably bought all sorts of stuff I do not need.

            When we arrived at the lagoon it was packed with people, the water wasn't sea water like I expected but chlorine fresh water, neither of us liked it very much and we left shortly after arriving. Along the way back we went into Woolworths where we found  the barging of the century, a $9 box of doughnut for $1.80, we spent the day eating the box of 18 till we couldn't eat anymore.

DAY SEVENTY-SEVEN: Cairns

DAY SEVENTY-SEVEN: Cairns

We were a little disappointed to be leaving Babinda but unfortunately there is a 2 day maximum stay. Not to worry we're only an hour south of Cairns and we are going to come back and stay another day or two.

            Today we finally made it to Cairns we have driven over 5,000KM to get here but we've made it. When we arrived I was a little taken back by it all, it wasn't quite what I had expected, I'm not sure what I had in mind but it wasn't this. We drove the main strip to see plenty of take aways, hostels and car rental places but not a lot more. I must have imagined it to look more like Surfers, it doesn't.

            We eventually arrived at our hostel, It is nice and small, it looks a bit dated but we didn't mind we have unlimited internet which is near impossible to come by. While we were booking in we arranged a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. I'm really excited about going. There are dozens of companies to choose from it's difficult to pick which. For me it wasn't a hard decision, "which company’s boat holds the least amount of people?" I asked, the lady pointed at a flier. "That'll do." We paid and that was it. The rest of the day we spent threating about money and what we should do if it runs much lower. We both agreed not to eat into any of our UK accounts and stick to what we have. We thought sod it, we will go elsewhere. Vicki spent the evening looking at flights and accommodation for New Zeeland, Fiji, Bali and surprisingly Hawaii which was infect not very expensive.

            The evening was quite good I parked the van at the end of the hostel for two reasons. Firstly we're out of the way and secondly and more importantly there is an outside socket by our bumper so everything can be plugged in and charged overnight.

DAY SEVENTY-SIX: The Boulders

DAY SEVENTY-SIX: The Boulders

Parking in the shade was genius, we managed an extra 45 minutes in bed which was much needed. The morning went very well, we made pancaked which actually worked. During the time we cooked breakfast we had another invasion of insects, March flies. These are blood suckers like mosquito only massive and they hurt a lot more.

            Other than the flies the day started very well and only got better. We spent the day swimming in the creek, going back to the van to eat then returning to the creek.

            It was lot quieter today it being Monday. It was tranquil at the most there were 5 other people in the water. This mode it a lot more likely to see any animals although all we saw were a few Cormorants. That was until about 10 minutes before we got out of the water. I found turtles 3.5 meters below the water I took pictures then we left.

            During the day we had adopted a third, Duncan, he was from Newcastle NSW and had cycled all the way here. He was very nice and kept chatting to us. In the evening we made another friend from the north of England but had lived here for 35 years.

            As we went to brush our teeth I saw something hopping in the distance I took some pictures but it is carp in the dark so I can't tell what it was but I'd guess it was a wallabies. But as I walked back to the van I saw a Quol a large possum.

DAY SEVENTY-FIVE: One month

DAY SEVENTY-FIVE: One month

Wow it has been a month already, so much seen and so much done, I'm glad I've written it all down otherwise I'd have forgotten parts of it. Today we left Jackeroo, not for any reason other than the bugs in the evening. Vicki has been eaten alive, some of her bites look very painful.

            We left and mobbed onto The Boulders in Babinda for an overnight stay. I was excited about coming here, with a name like The boulders I brought my climbing shoes expecting climbing. We arrived at one of the best sites we've been to and managed to get a spot under a tree for morning shade. Exploring didn't take long there is a beautifully crystal clear lake full of people swimming, "This must be the place where people from cairns come at the weekend" Vicki said while looking at the water, "Will there be Crocks in there?" I assured here there wouldn't be.

            We went for a short walk along the rivers bank stopping at all the viewing platforms then we returned to the van. I was disappointed that there isn't any climbing but was more than happy to go swimming instead. We returned to the water with our snorkel and masks, The water was cold but we quickly became used to it, because there were so many people around we didn't see any fish.

DAY SEVENTY-FOUR: The Jungle

DAY SEVENTY-FOUR: The Jungle

Today started a lot like yesterday had ended, not very well. Breakfast of fried egg and beans, although usually very simple ended badly everything was overcooked. The intense sun was beginning to affect us, so was our ever increasing amount of bites. That seems to be the only problems we've encountered, nowhere to hide from the sun in a campervan neither is there anywhere to escape the mosquitos.

            Even though both factors were driving us mad we were determined they aren't going to spoil our good time. I drove to the next place, it was a great location, Jackeroo hostel overlooking mission beach. It is great sitting on the tree high terrace overlooking the beach, its paradise here.

DAY SEVENTY-THREE: Disaster after disaster

DAY SEVENTY-THREE: Disaster after disaster

None of our 'disasters' were particullaly catastrophic but combined added up to today being pretty crappy indeed.

            Our first issue was an inclining after yesterday’s showers, the water bowsers had run out of water. So no showers, when I enquired about a shower a reception the woman looked blank and suggested the showers but the lagoon. This wouldn't do, we had paid to stay there and use their facilities so we had a shower next to the hostel pool. I'm sure people stared at us as we looked daft shampooing ourselves in an open shower. But as soon as we left others quickly moved in on the only working shower in the camp site.

            I wasn't feeling very well today so Vicki drove, our drive wasn't far and fairly uneventful but when we arrived at Holme hill I wasn't feeling so great, I drank some water and started wrenching. What made things worse was there wasn't much shade and the bit there was, was on top of an ant hill. As soon as I sat down I was attacked. We couldn't stay here.

            We moved onto the next stop, along the way we went through Townsville. We're not far from Cairns. We stopped for a bit and had a swim in the rock pool. It was massive but not as nice as Airlie Beach's. I liked it there and planed on coming back tomorrow.

            Eventually we arrived at the camping spot, It was amazing, A tiny spot right on the beach I was looking forward to staying here, unfortunately it was full, nowhere to park, the inconsiderate bastards had parked in such a way we didn't fit in the spaces. If they parked properly another three cars would have fitted.

            We moved to stop three, that too was full we're not having a good day. Stop four, this will do there is plenty of space here. We made dinner of chips, kebab and cheese burger. But while we were eating we became a meal for the Mosquito. We have been suffering them from day one but it is really beginning to wear us both down. The mosquitoes have got larger in size and greater in number the farther north we go. It's starting to depress Vicki and myself, we're covered in bites some are very painful.

DAY SEVENTY-TWO: The Lagoon

DAY SEVENTY-TWO: The Lagoon

Today was another scorcher so like Emu we planned on going to the beach, this time I'd wear a t-shirt. Before we went the beach we intended on booking onto a trip. We walked up and down the main strip following the directions from a member of hostel staff who clearly didn't know their left from right.

            Along the way we found the way we found the local pool 'The Lagoon'. It was a huge pool, it looked as though it belonged to a holiday resort. We're going to there instead of the beach, especially since you're not allowed in the sea.

            We found the company that runs the trip but unfortunately it was booked up for some time after we had left.

            It wasn't the end of the world we can always do the trip on the way back. The lagoon was our next stop. We sunbathed for a bit and swam in the pool to cool off. It was a lovely day with equally great weather. We were only there for a few hours because we were beginning to burn so we had to leave. We must be the only people with sense to get out of the sun once we began to burn whereas others had burned, bright crimson bodies everywhere, some were so badly burned they were purple.

DAY SEVENTY-ONE: Airlie beach

DAY SEVENTY-ONE: Airlie beach

Unfortunately we had to leave St Lawrence. If we could have stayed another day we would have. The only reason we couldn't was that we have run out of food.

            Today we drove to Airlie beach to spend another night at a paid location. When we arrived we saw it was a beautiful town. It looks more like a clubbing town full of bars. Fortunately we are camping and appear to be out of the way. The evening was pretty uneventful but our evening meal was good. We managed to make pan fried pizza. All we had to do was cover the pan in tin foil.

            Tomorrow we are going to look into going on a boat trip for the following day and spend the day by the beach.

DAY SEVENTY: ST LAWRENCE

DAY SEVENTY: ST LAWRENCE

Today we left Emu Beach. There wasn't much to do there or we would have stayed another night. We're only about 1,000km from Cairns with only a few stops to go.

            Today's stop is a free site about 200km north of Emu beach. We didn't have much fuel as we set off we thought there would be a petrol station nearby. A turn out there wasn’t. I was starting to panic as the fuel gauge was on empty and the red light had been on for quite a while. I had a horrible feeling I would be walking to the petrol station. Eventually there was a sign for fuel. Thank God. It was obscenely expensive compared to anywhere we had stopped but we needed it but I put only a little bit in. After another 3km a Caltex emerged which was significantly cheaper. I filled it to the top. Good job we could fill up because the van had drank 58l from a 60l tank.

            When we arrived at St Lawrence we were both amazed and disappointed, amazed at the fact it was so nice abut disappointed because we were hoping to come across a supermarket since we only have soup and eggs. Guess what our dinner was.

DAY SIXTY-NINE: Sunstroke

DAY SIXTY-NINE: Sunstroke

Two days of sunshine, this deserves celebrating. We're going to the beach! Because it is so hot I thought it would be a good idea to not bother wearing a T-shirt. Both covered in factor 50 and carrying a bottle of water we began our 1km walk to the beach. The sun is that intense that half way there we had to stop and put more sun cream on. By time we got to the beach Vicki felt faint and had sunstroke.

            Our trip to the beach was unsuccessful, having retreated back to the hostel almost immediately. We stayed in the shade near the pool. Later in the day sunstroke kicked in for myself. This is what happens when English go to warmer climates.

DAY SIXTY-EIGHT: Emu Beach

DAY SIXTY-EIGHT: Emu Beach

We woke up this morning to an intense heat, alas the sun is out, which is great news but it was beginning to cook us in our van 42 degrees C and it was barely 10am.

            The day was spent driving to our next paid location, Emu Beach Resort, I was a little concerned that it was going to be like the one in Brisbane. It turns out we had nothing to worry about, this place is fantastic, it looks more like a motel than a hostel and best of all it is practically empty. No fighting for a stove, no queuing to use the shower, it is great.

            We spent the day relaxing, even though we hardly physically move it is still exhausting and stressful driving on these roads especially in a van that has a 0-100kph in nearly a minute. So a day by the pool was in order. When the sun is out there is nothing better.

            The evening was spent on the internet, precious wifi to catch up on this blog, trip advisor and looking up trips.

DAY SIXTY-SEVEN: Rain Rain Go Away

DAY SIXTY-SEVEN: Rain Rain Go Away

                     

The three of us had another restless night, we think Eric snores. Morning finally came round and it was raining it has rained more than it had been sunny it is driving us mad. We have come to the other side of the world to be rained on.

            All we have done today is drive to Calliope which is another rest area. When we arrived we both said the same thing ‘what a shit hole’ all the Queensland stops haven’t been as nice as the NSW ones but at least they have loos. I avoided going yesterday because in one corner there was a red back spider, in another there was a funnel web and on the floor was a huntsman. I thought this rest area would be the same but I was surprised to find dozens of geckos on the walls and ceiling, at least it would be bug free.

            The evening was pretty uneventful expect we tried to use the solar shower again which was as hopeless as the first time. Also the path of madness continued to making an instructional video on how to eat a macadamia nut. Then we started to cook tea it started raining yet again. We’re pretty sure the rain is following us. 

DAY SIXTY-SIX: Finally lost the plot

DAY SIXTY-SIX: Finally lost the plot

The stop at Gympie was a council owned rest area similar to Thora with uneven ground and flush toilets. We were used to this by now but what neither of us liked was that it rained hard all night from the moment we got there so we were pretty damp after cooking tea.

            In the morning we set off to Rainbow beach according to the lonely planet book it has lovely beaches with lots of shades of sand. When we arrived it was like Bendalong with buger all to do. However, we have been inspired by the 4wd rentals for Fraser Island. We were disappointed by the beach but right next to it was a shower block that we made the most of, you would understand this if you lived in a campervan. Along the way back we stopped at Seary Creek it was quite good, there were steps to the water which was full of catfish, yabbie and eel.

            We were staying at Apple Tree creek which was a lot like yesterday’s spot. After tea the final threads of my sanity had snapped. I started singing at random after that  started talking to Eric the echidna. We have been talking to him for a few days I think it’s the sun driving us a bit mad. After that Eric and I posed for a few photos of him giving me directions.                  

         

DAY SIXTY-FIVE: Underwater World

DAY SIXTY-FIVE: Underwater World

After such a good time at the zoo we decided to continue the animal adventure to the waters. We planned to go to Underwater world and get up early like the day before however we overslept due to a noisy night. We were both exhausted and could hardly keep our eyes open the drive was tough. Eventually we arrived at Underwater world it is a large aquatic centre of fresh and salt water fish. They all looked really good a lot of the fresh water fish could be bought at a pet shop but never this big.

            The main attraction was a seal show we both really enjoyed it they made it very entertaining. The show involved bringing two children up from the audience one who got to feed the seal and the other was brought onto the main stage for a photo. The big male seal over twice my weight came over and pushed her in the pool I found it hilarious, we’re not sure if it was an accident or very well staged either way we both enjoyed it. After there we stopped off at Gympie for the night.  

DAY SIXTY-FOUR: Crickey!

DAY SIXTY-FOUR: Crickey!

I’ve been looking forward to today for years, Steve Irwin’s Australia zoo. I use to watch his shows when I was little and on Saturday afternoons the ‘Crocodile Hunter diaries’ use to be on featuring the zoo. In the morning I was like a child at Christmas, I could not wait.

               It took about an hour to get there so we got up extremely early. It was exactly how I imagined and more. We went to a talk about a giant tortoise which was interesting. Then we went to the elephant enclosure where we got to hand feed an elephant this was great, we both really loved doing this. Whilst at the zoo we went to the main show it was superb, it was all timed perfectly the birds flew around to Metallica, then the Lorikeets charged to ACDC. The main attraction was the Salties this part had a lot to live up to from watching Steve on TV and they did a fantastic job of it in his memory.

            We saw elephants, tigers, giraffes, zebras, komodo dragon and much more. We managed to stroke a koala and wombat and a kangaroo. My favourite there was the echidna. The only downside to the day was that it rained none stop and we couldn’t stay for longer. We also paid a visit to the animal hospital where they care for injured wildlife twenty four hours a day. We also gained a third passenger a small fury echidna who we have named Eric.

DAY SIXTY-THREE: Brisbane

DAY SIXTY-THREE: Brisbane

We had to move on from Surfers because of the cost. It was a shame since it was nice there. We set off to Brisbane I was expecting it to be a lot like Melbourne I was wrong. It isn’t very nice and was a bit scruffy and the roads were a nightmare to drive even with the sat nav. Eventually, we arrived at the hostel it was a dive we weren’t impressed so we decided to only stay for a few days. We spent the day looking for wifi we took the hostel bus into the city this was a terrifying ordeal. Then we went to the tourist information which was less than useless so we wandered around until we found the state library which had free internet and power. We made full use of this. 

DAY SIXTY-TWO: Hard Rock Café

DAY SIXTY-TWO: Hard Rock Café

After such an interesting evening seeing the possums we set off towards Surfers Paradise. After a few minutes of driving we stopped to sort something in the back, I could hear screeching in the trees, so armed with my camera I went to investigate. The trees were full of bats, hundreds of fruit bats hanging in the trees. We had seen lots flying over at Byron bay but not seen any roosting.

            Driving to Surfers didn’t take long, when we arrived I was amazed at how it looked. It was full of highrise buildings nit what I was expecting. This was the most expensive place to stay on our trip so we made full use of the day. First we went to the beach we hadn’t been to the beach since we got the van. It was beautiful and hot and so we basked in the sun for an hour and had a paddle in the sea.

            In the evening we met one of Vicki’s friends from college who had been here for three years at the Hard rock café. Whenever I go away I have to go there because I collect the t shirts. We had a lovely meal and plenty drinks. Then we moved on to where Vic’s friend works, a pancake house we stuffed our face there too. All in all it was a great day.      

DAY SIXTY-ONE: Tropical Fruit world

DAY SIXTY-ONE: Tropical Fruit world

Today we left Byron Bay and headed off to Beachmount to spend the night.

            Along the way we went to ‘Tropical Fruit World’, we must be the only travellers who pay to go into a fruit plantation and not work. It was a nice afternoon we sampled a few fruits we had never heard of, went on a tractor ride and a boat ride. In all a nice day just ridiculously overpriced.

            After there we drove to our camping spot, we had to pay which was disappointing since there were the same facilities as there are at the free sites. We didn’t mind too much, the evening made up for having to pay. Firstly the sky was clear so we could see hundreds of stars which was breath taking. Suddenly we heard rustling in the trees near the van. I went to investigate, there were about 10 possums’ eating the leaves, I quickly grabbed my camera and started snapping away.

My camera isn't very good in the dark but the light blob is a possum

DAY SIXTY: Surfing Lenox Head

DAY SIXTY: Surfing Lennox Head

Today was our induction to the world of surfing we were both looking forward to it. We were picked up from the hostel and after a short drive we arrived at Lennox Head. We had a short tutorial of how to look for rips, how to handle the surf board and how to stand up. Then we were off into the sea….. Needless to say I was rubbish I either nosedived into the sea like a submarine or I’d jump on one side and slide off the other. I was convinced I was too big and heavy for my board. Vicki on the other hand looked like she grasped it as I saw her standing more than once, it must be because she is light. As soon as I shuffled further back with my feet in the sea I was off, the wave picked me up, I hurled myself onto my knees and I was partially surfing, hopping onto my feet I crashed into the sea disaster. After about two hours of fighting with the board I finally managed it, I was elated so much so I crashed into another learner and wiped us both out. Over the three hour lesson I managed to stand up about six times. I don’t think I’ll be taking up surfing any time soon. 

Vicki showing me how it's done

DAY FIFTY-NINE: Lessons in jewellery

DAY FIFTY-NINE: Lessons in jewellery

Turns out I was right. Today Vicki wanted to go ‘The Bead Shop’ and attempt to make more jewellery. Most of her ideas were relatively simple all I had to do was twist them together, however, one I had to make a loop. It kept us entertainment all afternoon.

            Whilst we were making the jewellery we were approached by a hostel staff member who invited us to have a crafts lesson. I’d had even with the earrings but Vic wanted to try it, where she made a caged pendant. I’m a bit disappointed we didn’t have our petrified wood to cage as it looked pretty good. 

DAY FIFTY-EIGHT: Two weeks later still not killed each other

DAY FIFTY-EIGHT: Two weeks later still not killed each other

It must be monsoon season here in Byron bay because since six o clock last night it has rained none stop accompanied by a thunder and lightning storm. The lightning was like nothing I’d ever seen before, flashes none stop that lasted all evening.

            There wasn’t much improvement in the morning, heavy rain seemed to be set for the day. Every now and again blue sky would tempt us away from the van but then it would rain again this was driving me mad as there is nothing to do when it’s raining. What made things worse was that we had planned to go to the beach which we were both looking forward to.

            Eventually we decided to leave the van to stretch out legs we walked up and down the main street, along the way Vicki saw ‘The Bead Shop’ a like a moth to the flame she was drawn in. There was thousands of different beads and dangly things to make jewellery with, eventually Vicki settled with peace symbols and decided to make her own jewellery. My job was to put them together and it was quite easy. I think I’m going to be busy making more tomorrow. 

DAY FIFTY-SEVEN: Exploring the town

 DAY FIFTY-SEVEN: Exploring the town

After being woken up by some idiot trying to spend over an hour to close a car boot which was clearly broken the day hadn’t started too well. It turns out some travellers are somewhat inconsiderate, as I was getting up I heard a cracking sound on our van someone had decided to pull out the electric mirror so she could put makeup on. Things could only get better.

            The day did improve we went into town for a wander it was over 30 degrees Celsius so keeping in the shade we went into all the shops. Byron bay is Australia’s version of Cornwall only warmer. Along the way we went to the beach which was really nice we’re going to go tomorrow, we walked back along the road continuing looking in the shops. We came across a brightly coloured shop ‘The Rainbow Shop’ in there Vicki got a dream catcher to decorate the van, the cashier said, ‘love & peace to you both’. Then we went into the Hippie shop where I bought prayer flags, I thought it was appropriate because people hang them at the bottoms of mountains for safe travel, I decided to hang it in the van. 

DAY FIFTY-SIX: Byron Bay

DAY FIFTY-SIX: Byron Bay   

We left Thora today to go to Byron bay we took a detour along the way to Lismore to go to a koala research centre. We thought it would be big but we were sadly mistaken so we didn’t go in. We continued onto to Byron bay, the streets were teaming with people and the shops were all ‘hippie’ themed, tie dye, beads, dream catchers, etc. It looks nice we look forward to going tomorrow.

            When we arrived at the hostel it was packed with people from all around the world. It was a shock because we had become use to our little environment of the van in the middle of a field. It was very difficult to make dinner in the busy kitchen and it was difficult to move full stop. In the evening we watched the hostel talent show. 

DAY FIFTY-FIVE: April Fool & Three Spiders

DAY FIFTY-FIVE: April Fool & Three Spiders

We had a late start today which is typical of us by the time we got up all the other camper vans had gone, not to worry we had nothing much planned. I thought it would be nice to go to Coffs harbour but Vicki wanted to do that tomorrow. So today we went to a little farm shop and bought fruit and vegetables at a fraction of the supermarket price. During the trip there Vicki April fooled me and I was not amused haha.

            The rest of the day we went to Dangar Falls and Dorrigo National Park for a walk. It was nice there but we didn’t see any wildlife. We went back to the campsite Thora were we stayed yesterday. A jucy rolled up and it turns out it was the same as yesterday a German couple got out and we chatted for a bit. Throughout the evening more campers arrived, mainly all German speaking couples. Vic wanted to go and photograph a sign why she wanted to go in the dark was beyond me. As we walked over to the sign we saw a massive web which I nearly walked into it. Arhh it scared me….. Then to see a huge white spider in the middle which was about the size of a golf ball. Then something tickled my foot a small huntsman spider. After this we made a hasty dash back to the campervan and yet another spider was waiting for us, luckily this one was much smaller.