Into NSW and more visits with friends and family

Friday, June 30, 2023
Corlette, New South Wales, Australia
Wednesday 28   Coochiemudlo to Brisbane  
We had such a great time at Barbara’s place it was a little sad to be heading off.  We were organised by 1030 and headed down to the barge terminal.  This time we drove forward onto the barge and backed off the barge on the other side.  
We headed to Mt. Gravatt to have lunch at the restaurant on top, meeting Fran and Al there.  After lunch we said our goodbyes and Wendy walked down the mountain and then back up the mountain.  
We then proceeded on to Joe and Vicki Gracias house.   It was great to catch up with them again.   Thursday 29  Brisbane  A serious rest day!  
Wendy went for a 2 hour bike ride in the morning.  The rest of the day was spent chatting, reading, a little shopping and not much else except for a delicious dinner cooked by chef Joe, a couple of games of Rummikub and plenty of drinks!!
 Friday 30  Brisbane to Bonville 
We weren’t in a hurry to leave Joe and Vicki’s place as we wanted to avoid the morning peak hour rush as we had to go through central Brisbane.  The traffic there wasn’t too bad but the freeway was extremely busy and we had to drive with heavy traffic all the way to Burleigh Heads where we left the freeway looking for a loo and coffee.  Failed on both accounts, massive crowds, no parks and basic mayhem!  We’ve clearly been out in the bush far too long.  We eventually found our way back to the freeway.  Traffic was slightly better but not much!  We drove on and found a service centre…there had not been any since Brisbane!!    
 With coffee in hand we moved along to Lennox Head.  Driving out of town we found a lookout…looking out over the ocean where we could see about 30 surfies riding the waves.  A great lunch spot!  After lunch we still had more than 200km to go.  
Fortunately, the traffic had thinned and driving became more pleasant.   We stopped briefly to pick up a few supplies in Coffs Harbour before heading to Bonville where we spent the night with our Servas host, Craig Melrose. 
Saturday July 1   Bonville and Coffs Harbour 
Warm bed, no rush, a great sleep in and leisurely breakfast.  This was followed by a walking tour around the 2 and half acre garden after which Craig took us touring the local area.   While driving to lots of lookouts we went through Coffs Harbour and a few other small towns in the area learning all sorts of things about the agriculture, tourism, forestry etc.  Coffs is an incredibly well laid out city and is about to have a freeway bypass built.  That will be a relief to travellers and locals alike.  
At the actual harbour Wendy and Craig walked up and over Mutton Bird Island and were treated to some great views of Shearwater burrows and whales blowing and breaching.  A fabulous fish and chip lunch at the fisherman’s coop went down a treat, then it was off to see more beaches, lookouts, forests and local developments before returning to Craig’s where we did harvesting of oranges, mandarins and sweet potatoes.  
Craig had a roast lamb planned, quite pleased his vegetarian wife was away and he had us to share it!  It was making grand progress when Craig’s phone fire alarm went off.  Being an RFS volunteer, he disappeared immediately leaving us in charge of dinner!
Craig returned after about an hour and half having not found an out of control fire.  It seemed that someone on the highway reported smoke, but all the smoke they found was from people burning off. He got home just when the lamb was cooked!
 Sunday July 2   Bonville to Corlette 
We were on the road about 8am and only travelled 20  minutes to Uranga where we went looking for manta rays from a boardwalk.   We saw plenty of evidence (hollows in the sand) where they’d been, but that was all.  There was about a kilometre of boardwalk going right out to Hungry Head and some roaring surf.  
We returned to the highway via a tourist route for a while, then it was just drive drive drive except for a stop for cheap fuel in Kempsey and a delightfully quiet lunch spot at Coolongolook. 
Mid-afternoon we arrived at our destination – Rick’s brother Paul’s place at Corlette (Port Stephens).   As always it was great to see them and we were treated to gourmet food and a new card game. 
Monday July 3.  Corlette 
Over 2 months without a haircut finally got to Wendy and she went off to snag one at the local shopping centre.  After that she was joined by the others and we all spent time in the library, buying old books and doing Choice research into possible purchases.  They were leading us astray again.    Last time it was a classy oven, this time a robot vacuum cleaner! 
Wendy spent the afternoon doing an 11km walk to a lookout and along the beach.  Everyone else amused themselves at home.  This included Paul taking charge of preparing a stunning Indian feast for dinner.  
This was followed by a few games of Rummikub and a pig out on Paul’s fruit cake washed down with whisky, brandy… Oh such bad behaviour.
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Comments

. Frosty
2023-07-04

You are heading back to the cold after a wonderful trip. We are in Rockhampton in the wet and heading to Mackay tomorrow.

Patricia Gordon
2023-07-05

Loving all of your stories. Remembering visiting some of the places you talk about. Point Vernon and the wonderful walks there. Did you get over to Fraser Is. don’t think you mentioned that. Yes cold here and not much sunshine but snow in the mountains so August will be good for skiing for you! Not me this year!

Elaine
2023-07-05

So much great hospitality!

2025-02-15

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