NYE in Bangalow

For once I wasn't in Sydney for NYE. Instead I spent a lovely 6 days in Northern NSW with Maxine, Dirk and the delicious Skye in a house lent to them by friends.

I almost didn't get there. The Jetstar craft flying up around the same time as me couldn't land because of poor visibility and returned to Sydney. The trusty prop plane of Rexair made it, albeit a bit bumpily, and to the accompaniement of teenage girls screaming every time we hit a tiny airpocket. Such sooks!

 Fortunately the rain held off for the next 3-4 days so we could get out, exploring downtown Bangalow's 2 streets on day 1 and lunching at the pub;



lunch at the pub 





we call this pose 'Hello Boys!'

 the next day re-visiting Byron Bay. It was like arriving in the middle of 'Schoolies' week. The place has lost its charm I'm afraid. Skye had her first encounter with the ocean, not that great but let's face it, it takes a while.



on the road

 Day 3 we shopped in Ballina, nice wide streets full of people nearer my own age, many of them in electric buggies!!! Not yet please!

We had some success with Skye in the pool, splashing arms and legs very seriously. One day I'm sure it will be with joy, all she needs is more exposure. Dirk is not so sure.

The grownups behaved like children when the scrabble board came out in the evenings, Maxine fiercely determined to put down the best possible word every go, and taking her time about it (Dirk and I worked on the cryptic crossword while she ruminated!) Dirk claiming he didn't give a s.... but still keen to play, and me, well of course I was perfect!

The beer and wine flowed, Maxine cooked some super meals and Skye was an angel... except for the early rising. The latest was 5.45 am, the earliest 4.45am . When she's awake that gal is ready to party, to the extent that she doesn't realise she's hungry. It's like she's afraid of missing something if she stops to eat. Another determined girl in our midst, what could we expect?

And what would a holiday be like without Maxine and a bean bag?

On New Year's Day it was too wet for Skye to go on the grass, the cat was too lazy to entertain her, the cows didn't visit and the chooks had lost their novelty. She missed the lone wallaby hopping along the bottom of the garden. The kid was getting cabin fever. We headed for Bangalow in the misty rain. Our favourite cafe was full, we ended up at the bakery; they had to give us free food to get rid of us!

I left Bangalow glowing in sunshine and arrived in Sydney in a storm. Picked up late delivered Christams cards and reflected on my lovely break. Thank you for making it possible Maxine and Dirk.