South West Rocks

Cruised thru lots of roadworks to get to South West Rocks on Wed. Beautiful spot. We came via a quick look at Scott's Head. It looked good as well. Girls found some kids to play with as soon as we pulled up to camp, so not much help for the set up this time! Takes us about 2.5 hrs. Something we r determined to improve upon. Kangaroos in the camp ground and fat kookaburra's that I am sure have cholesterol problems!!

Checked out the Trial Bay Gaol (a ruin since 1922) and tried to put the girls into solitary 4 not helping the day before!!!

We also checked out the local beaches and Smoky Cape complete with operating lighthouse. They had keepers here until 1997!   

Awesome views from the Cape south to hat head as well as north. You can now stay in the keeper's cottage as a b&b. Would be a great w'end away. This would b the view from the front verandah...

The wind calmed today and clouds moved in, making it perfect to try out canoeing. They have a brackish water lagoon and creek to the sea adjoining our campground, plus canoes to hire. Very pretty with Hat Head national park backdrop. We swapped seats a couple of times so the girls had a good crack at paddling. The grown ups had more fun tho I think! 

 The rain has set in now so we have done a few adjustments to the lodgings and are settling in 4 a quiet afternoon....

Sure is windy

Not great beach weather today unless u like sand in your eyes. J and E still persevered tho to fit in some more wave riding. Seems a popular surf spot 4 locals - especially long board riders. Then we visited the local lookouts and beaches largely owned under reserve by the local Bundjalung nation (with a bit 4 the defence force for firing practice!); the Bundjalung reserve was one of the first bits to be given back. And here's a picture. It's from the lookout looking over the town and away from the reserve. The beach in view stretches all the way to Cape Byron. We plan to head south tomorrow, past Coffs at least. C how we go...

Evans Head

We shied away from the Darling Downs given the serious storm action out there over the last little while. Instead we have driven straight south and r camped at Evans Head; just past Ballina. 

Being the first time this car has pulled this camper trailer, we think they must b trying a little too hard on their relationship. Could not get them to let go when we arrived! Being a little rusty at this stuff we were obviously trying too hard ourselves.....broke the winder to the jockey wheel in our exuberance. U' oh. ... what do we do now??? 

We were nervous; girls starting to get worried.... We called the folks for advice....However, lucky 4 us our neighbours had obviously been itching to give someone a hand all afternoon. They were over the moment they saw us scratch our heads and start digging 4 the car jack. 

In comes Ted the neighbour with his mate Graeme and a super sized jack that made our car jack look like it was not up to the job. We were unhitched in no time, then levelled and wedged. I was disappointed they did not have dinner ready for us!! So good of them - we were in a spot of bother all right. But all fixed now.  Got to luv that. Cherie bear said to say hello to Cutie. We will all check out the beach tomorrow. Catch u later...

Getting ready

We have picked up the camper trailer, given the car a serious going over and are readying our gear for packing. Here's a pic to test out and hone my blogging skills! C if u can guess what it is...

Saturday 23 November we will be heading off in a westerly direction to Girraween National park for the first two nights of our 9 week adventure. Haven't been there for a while. Looking forward to introducing the place to our girls. 

We then plan to take 3 weeks to get to Tasi, spend 3 weeks there including Xmas, and then take 3 weeks to get home again.  I will try to keep this blog posted of our discoveries along the way.....