Sydney

Port Macquarie

Byron Bay

Our final hoorah today.  How quickly the end has arrived.  And how lovely to be spending it in Byron Bay, one of our favourite destinations.  So Ricky boy woke with a huge hangover, after stumbling in at nearly 4AM stinking of a kebab and too much booze.  Thankfully he didn't snore but all attempts at sleeping were gone as he hogged the bed and I couldn't wake him.  I rose with a raging throat as this bug that's been plaguing the boys has finally made its way to me.  Not a great way to start the final day and it was made all the worse by the fact that we had to relocate sites as our lovely site was booked for the weekend.  Not that we're complaining as we could have been turfed into the streets looking for alternative accommodation.  Rick masterfully moved the van to the most tricky of spots, and proudly boasted about this caravan parking skills, even in his intoxicated state.  All too late sunshine.  Scarlett caught up with Justine the french girl today and they attempted to play again. Maxie got on his scooter and started hooning around with her little brother in tow. I exchanged details with their parents and gave them our trusty bible of caravan parks to stay at as they make their way north to Cairns.  When all was done we headed out for a drive as the weather wasn't great.  Over to Lennox Head for a look which was pretty and busy with lots of lunchers and holiday makers.  On to Allstonville for a much anticipated look at what I was expecting to be a small town full of crafty shops and picturesque scenery.  It was a lot bigger than I imagined and gee its beautiful countryside with rolling hills and greenery everywhere.  The farms were lovely as was the real estate, with many pretty old weatherboards and country homes.  Very nice.  The rain set in so we headed back through town to the caravan park.  The streets were packed and there were traffic jams everywhere.  Obviously everyone decided to go shopping and coffeeing given the beach was so grim.  We all piled onto the bed back at the van, jumped under the doona and put ABC2 Kids on and the kids were happy.  And so were we.  An easy dinner and early to bed for an early start in the morning.  To where?  Maybe Sydney, maybe Port Macquarie.  We'll just have to see where the wind blows us, but the kids and parents are finally getting excited about going home.

Byron Bay

On to Byron Bay today as we farewelled our beloved Noosa and of course QLD.  It was a sad moment as we crossed the border back into familiar territory filled with yellow number plates.  We all cheered when we saw the "Welcome to New South Wales" sign, but I must admit it was pretty sad to say good bye to such as beautiful state.  And almost instantly we felt the cold weather and shivered over the border.  The kids travelled beautifully colouring in most of the way and singing and grooving for the last hour as we hit civilisation.  We've come to stay at the caravan park on Clarke's Beach again and this time we're backing on to the beach which is pretty special and a fitting end to a splendid holiday.  We took our time getting organised this afternoon and hung out meeting the neighbours and other people staying at the park.  We headed into town for a drive and then stopped in at the famous Byron Bay Hotel for a few beers before venturing down the road for some Thai.  It was lovely and just as good as the last time we were here.  The kids ate till they could eat no more and happily coloured in as Rick and I scoffed everything in sight.  Home to bed with full belly's and to listen to those gorgeous waves crashing just outside our window.  What a magic way to end the day.  Cooktown feels like a million miles from here, and it is.  What a shame Lindfields so close.

Noosa

A quiet day today.  We headed out to Mick and Arianne's place for morning tea. The kids had a ball playing with Toby and Hamish's toys, who were both at school sadly.  We barely heard a peep out of them, which was very pleasant given how full on they've been of late. The weather was OK, a bit cloudy but not cold so we sat outside and admired their handy work in the garden.  They bought acreage just outside of Noosa on the way to Kev and Sarah's house.  Its a lovely area and they have been madly landscaping and making some updates inside.  It looks great and I am very envious of the work in the garden.  We left early afternoon and headed to Belmondo's for an easy lunch, which is a bit like Jones the Grocer so I was in heaven.  The kids were feral unfortunately so so much for that. On to the Doctors to take Maxie and Zach for a check up as both have been coughing and Maxie can't seem to shake his green nose.  Antibiotics as expected for Max but all good for Mr Zach.  A couple of jobs and a stop over at a few homeware shops and they day was done.  We had planned to go walking along the beach and out around the headland, but it started raining and cooled off quickly so we thought we'd make the most of hanging out in the caravan while we still can.  TV for the kids, a power nap for Rick and I got on the net for a quick surf of more homeware shops.  Early to bed for the kids and we weren't far behind. No pic's again today.

Noosa

Goodbye Sarah and Kevie.  It was good while it lasted but sadly we must move on, to just down the road at the caravan park in Tewantin.  Another good park and its packed.  Given that there's only three to choose from in the whole area, I'm not surprised.  So our move took up a good park of the morning.  The day started with farewells to our friends, then Rick took Scarlett and Max into Alfie's school to drop him off and show the kids around, while I packed and ran after Zachie. Across to the caravan park and there was more organising, this time unpacking outside and trying to get some order inside after living between both the caravan and upstairs at Sarah and Kev's place.  There was lots of washing, beds to be sorted and sheets to be cleaned after Maxies endless snotting all over everything.  Lunch beckoned and then it was time to head out and enjoy this splendid place.  The weather was gorgeous and perfect for a nice stroll. We went across to Noosaville and the kids scootered from one end to the other to the playground and then back again.  Zachie was too cute and bedazzled other walkers as he zoomed past desperate to keep up with the others.  I caught a couple in a restaurant across the road pointing at him in amazement.  He truly is clever and particularly gorgeous on that thing.  And he kept saying "ello" (hello) to everyone that he passed, again too cute and a big hit with the grey nomads and young ladies.  What a smoothie.  A quick trip to the supermarket and them home for dinner.  Taco's tonight, again, at the request of the children.  A nice relaxing day which ended with one of the last meals to be made in the caravano.  Boo-who.

Townsville

A low key day today that started pretty late, although there was a lot of movement early as Miss Scarlett woke to $2 in the glass we had left for the the tooth fairy.  She was beside herself with excitement and dragged the money around all day telling anyone who'd listened that the tooth fairy had given it to her.  Max was in awe all day and eagerly added to Scarlett's story that she had seen the tooth fairy in the flesh by promptly adding "yeh, he came in the middle of the night".  Too cute, and they were both on a high and bouncing off each other all day.  We had a cooked breakfast this morning and ate it outside.  Pretty much everyone around us was packing to move on so we had many farewells, all with grey nomads telling us how lovely our little family was or how the kids reminded them of their grandchildren.  On to The Strand for a play in the water park for an hour or so.  Max and Scarlett had a ball running in and out of the water while Mr Zachie chased the birds and kept me busy.  Maxie befriended a little aboriginal boy and was devastated that he had to leave his new "best mate". We headed out to the main shopping centre for lunch and to do a few chores.  The kids had an ice cream and we stopped in at a bargain basement shop to buy some travel bags in preparation for our trip to Hamilton Island on Wednesday.  Home for spag bol for dinner and minestra fagoli for us. The kids were in bed by 7pm and passed out shortly thereafter. A quiet day but nice all the same.