Repton

It is so calm and peaceful here - most of the time. Being Christmas, there were a lot of Grandparents here and their families came to visit!!!! They were noisy. Almost - ALMOST - lost the Christmas spirit on Christmas evening with the kids karaoke!!! Parents - don't give your kids s karaoke machine in a camping ground - just saying!!!

 Anyway, most of the time it was lovely ad peaceful.

Santa on a firetruck came to visit on Christmas Eve.

Our campsite.

Santa came by boat on Christmas Day.

We went down to Mylestrom North Beach for a look.

Our van Christmas tree.

On Thursday, we went up to the hinterland. I just love the architecture in Bellingen.

We were told about the Rainforest Centre by some other campers, so decided we would head there.

This rental car was in the car park.

 The park has a $2 entry fee per person, but it was well worth it.

There was a really good history of the area display, a video presentation, an art display and a skywalk.

All for $2!! Good value.

There are a number of walks long and short - Peter and Jonnie did part of one.

The weather was a lot cooler up there, and we had lunch in one of the many picnic spots beside the centre.

Next stop was Dorrigo - this is the old pub built in 1925. In front is the Soldiers Memorial, built in 1921.

This mural was built in 2001 to depict the history of Dorrigo. The building it is on was the old Metro Theatre, which closed in 1967. The mural is outside the toilets and next door is the information centre.

A few shops up is a quilting store - Misty Threads. Of course one has to visit!!

The lady working there was filling in and she was ever so lovely. Had a good look around - it's not that big - and admired the lovely landscape wall-hanging. BUT .. I didn't buy anything. Nothing really took my fancy.

Across the road from Misty Threads was a restored 1910 building. It is heritage listed and has some very ornate ironwork.

We then turned around and headed back to Repton along the Waterfall Way.

Newell Falls is one of the larger waterfalls and has a big rest stop area for picnics and plenty of parking.

We were expecting to see a few more waterfalls, especially after the rain last night, but there seemed to be less that last time we were here.

Driving through Bellingen again, Jonnie wanted to buy something at The Yellow Shed.

Friday, I spent the day catching up with Easy Street Mystery Quilt. I love my sewing view.

We went to the local Recreation and Bowls Club for dinner - Chinese of course.

My drinking view - my drink pink moscato.

Only a few days left here, not sure what we'll be doing after we leave - we're playing it as it happens.

Allison

Long time between holidays

At last we are on holidays again. Peter has worked 6 days a week for the past 6 months so we have had no time to get away.

We got a late start and it took us nearly 2 hours to get out of the city - we dropped off little Miss Cooper and headed south. The traffic was not too bad. We planned on staying the first night at free camping, but when Peter checked the battery it was flat, so we were not sure where we were going to stay.

We pulled in at Yatala Service Centre to fill up and get lunch. Peter wanted a pie! Yatala is famous for pies - from the Yatala Pie Shop - we were at the service centre!! No pies here Peter!!!

Next stop was for Peter's lunch - at    Peter had cold pizza. He checked the battery and it was ok - so off to Halfway Creek we go.

At Halfway Creek we parked near the fence and sat and relaxed, having a drink and watching the other campers set up. As the sun started setting, we saw many galahs and kangaroos. So relaxing and free. Dinner was at the Service Centre. Our battery was almost full, but it ran the LED lights and he TV - bonus. We have our own water and toilet so free camping was pretty good.

So glad we are on holidays.

Holidays end :-(

After a week here, we are heading home tomorrow :-(.

It is a lovely place and not too far from home. 

We discovered the van park is missing a camp kitchen on the van side of the park. The only camp kitchen - and it is great - is on the far side in the tent section. We only realised this when we wanted to wash our big electric frypan in the camp kitchen. Our van sink is not big enough.

After all the massive waves we've had this week, we were not surprised to find the waves had deposited all the stones, shells and broken coral.

Each day I came down to the beach and the 'danger' sign was there. Today it was for the large amount of rocks on the beach. The surf was very loud last night and I guess it was because it was full of rocks!

The wreck of the SS Dicky - this is what the beach is named after.

Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club in the background. This is where we went for dinner - twice!

The van park had vouchers :-)

Beach Art :-)

We walked all the way to the other end of the beach - well almost. 

There were so many dogs on the beach - more dogs than people.

Most owners picked up their dogs 'business.'

Heading back to the caravan park.

Until next holidays.....

Back up the coast at Dicky Beach again.

We are spending the Queen's Birthday weekend at Dicky Beach again. This time we got to take Miss Cooper.

 Here we are about to leave.

 Going down the driveway at 4.30pm.

 We hit the highway and all this traffic.

Luckily it was only local and although a lot of traffic it was moving.

 This weekend is all about Miss Cooper.

 Having breakfast.

 Lunch

 Cooper was so excited to see the beach.

 Collecting sand for a sand castle.

 Miss Cooper just saw a sea-gull.

Next stop - the playground - before the next storm hits.

Found this at an op shop - brand new with six napkins and only a slight watermark on the napkins.

We are next to the Dicky Beach Surf Life Saving Club, so went there for dinner. 

I had coconut prawns with banana and rocket salad - yum.

Peter had roghan josh curry.

Jonny had chicken parma

The food is great at the surf club.

We've been coming here for over 25 years, and I knew there was a wreck here, but never knew the history of the wreck or the name. I'm sure this sign is new!!!

The seas were very rough on Monday - this photo doesn't show how rough the surf was.

We've had rain and wind so far. I hope it clears up tomorrow.

Allison & Peter.