Day 22 - the rain has set in, cyclone Olga is to blame. Drove around the Bellingen river. Started at Mylestom, as we had heard good things about it, a lovely spot with beach and river frontage. Then down to Urunga, to the mouth of the Bellingen river. Great river, hope to kayak in it. Lunch at Bellingen, then deicded to check out the Bongil Bongil National park, south of Sawtell. Approached it from the Sawtell end, found the picnic area and boat launching area. Only drizzling now. Planned to come back tomorrow for a kayak, even if it is raining, cos it is warm. Then watched the surfers at the heads at Sawtell, wild seas, the surfers climb down the hill, then paddle out. Back home, and cooked roast pork for dinner - a nice change from a barby.
Day 23 - it has been bucketing down. storm and flood warnings current, so no hope of kayaking today. The roof is leaking through the smoke detector, which has been beeping for hours. I booked the accommodation at Coffs, as I expected we would get some wet weather at this time of the year, and may like to dry out for a few days. I timed it perfectly.
Still went out kayaking, in the Bongil Bongil National park, a nice easy paddle up the bonville creek for a bit. Friends from Woolgoolga came down with their 2 boys, and we spent a pleasant afternoon swimming, drinking and eating.
Day 24 - headed off to the pier in Coffs for Peter's fish and chips. He had been hanging out for them, then walked around muttonbird island, and drove around the foreshore a bit. Checked out the local Aldi, and did some shopping.
Day 25- the car went in for service this morning, first thing, and Peter waited for it. We then went for a drive up to Dorrigo via some mountain tracks. Lovely forest/rainforest drive. Water flowing over the falls at Dorrigo, still generally wet everywhere. On way back home bought a tray of mangoes to take south with us. The mango season is coming to an end, but we sure enjoyed them.
Evening- dinner at the Game Fisherman's club, the flashest building on Coffs foreshore. Should have gone for lunch or an early dinner to enjoy the view, but still good.
Day 25 - headed south to Forster (to our friends house at Coomba Park). lovely drive down via Port Macquarie. Maz had prepared a feast for us, and it was great to see them again.
Day 27 - picnic at Wallis Lake, with plans to go kayaking, but the wind came up, so it just became a picnic of prawns and sandwiches, with some liquid refreshment. Another pleasant day.
