Bellingen is a quirky little place, a cross between Nimbin (alternative) and Bangalow ( trendily hip!). For such a small place it has a large variety of eating places, of which we tried a few. It has a population of around 3 000 and came to fame in the 1950s with the birth or the 'Sara quadruplets'. Other notable residents are Davis Heldgot who is honoroured by a sculpture in the park and George Negus. Michael was heard to make the comment that he could even live there...if he was interested in a plot of land to poke around on. He would have to have a reasonable amount of cash as the real estate certainly isn't cheap.
After checking in to The Federal Pub and stocking up with a few supplies we travelled out to Cate's place about 20 minutes out of town...if we had a 4 wheel drive it would be about 5 minutes plus a river crossing. It was great to be so close to the river as by the time we got there it was about 38 degrees so a quick dip in the creek was very welcome. All the family were looking well and the house is great for 2 interdependent families...each able to have their own space but close enough to help each other out. Cate prepared a tasty baked dinner as an early Christmas celebration. When we returned to the pub at 9.45 we couldn't get a drink, despite closing time being 10.00 so we visited the Bellingen Brewery where I was happy to see a Bird Exhibition displayed on the walls.
We spent Monday morning poking around in the large number of quirky shops and Bianca made a few last minute Xmas purchases, before lunching at Number 5...recommended by Cate as a good spot for Bianca, as she is vegetarian. Sitting at a table next to us was one of Duncan's Uni lecturers with his family so they had a bit of a chat. In the afternoon, still very hot, we went back to Cate's and spent the afternoon laying around in the creek. The family, minus Bella and kids, came in to our pub for dinner as it was ' snitzel and parmie' night. I have never seen such an enormous meal, fortunately Michael and I had made the wise decision to share one!
After arriving home we had time for a short rest before sprucing up for Sue's 60th birthday dinner. It was held at The Manor, where I had mine, and it again proved to be a winner. It was great that Sue had her three girls home to help her celebrate, Rachel from LA and Lauren and Sarah from Brisbane. Duncan and Bianca came along as ' faux' siblings and it also gave Duncan a chance to catch up with his old mate Nick, who happens to be Lauren's partner. It was a fun night but as I had a 'birding' appointment at 7am we didn't kick on to the Youngs afterwards.
While Michael slept on I headed out early to meet Rob and Robyn at their home in Lennox head at 7.00am. It turned out that Robyn had only recently had surgery so decided it was safer not to walk on the sand and rocks at our first stop, so Rob and I visited Flat Rock and the Spit near Missingham Bridge. It was high tide so the shore birds were gathered in a constricted area and we sighted 20 different varieties. I still find shorebirds a bit confusing but Rob has a keen interest so he was very good at identification. After going back to collect Robyn we went to the Heath behind Lake Ainsworth. Robyn is more of a photographer than a birdwatcher and was keen to get some shots of the variegated fairy wren. We also saw the red backed fairy wren and 8 other bird varieties taking my mornings total to 30+...not bad for a few hours. I had to be back mid morning so Michael could have the car. Rob and Robyn were a very nice couple who also like to travel a lot so I expect I will catch up when I return to Australia.
 |
| Top has little tern, ruddy turnstone (orange legs) , sanderlins. (I think) second row...pied cormorant and little black cormorant, whimbrel, pied oyster catcher. |
 |
| Rainbow bee eater, red backed fairy wren, Variegated fairy wren.Photos not mine. |
Christmas morning dawned wet and wild, but we still managed to enjoy the view over breakfast. Duncan thought he had made a wise choice buying Xmas jumpers after all! After breakfast Bianca headed off to have lunch with her mum and brother in Byron, while I introduced Duncan to the joy of Five Crowns card game. We had a very tasty baked lunch followed by Xmas pudding...and a rest. Duncan went to Byron in the afternoon while Michael and I took a wander along the beach, where I again saw the red backed fairy wren ....and of course I hadn't taken my camera. Despite such unpleasant weather for most of the day the full moon over the sea was quite spectacular.
Boxing Day could not have been more different than Xmas Day. It was a perfect day on the front deck and Bianca's family were impressed that we had turned on such great weather when they came for a lunch of leftovers. We had a fun-filled afternoon playing a 'murder' game ....the rules seemed to evolve as we played....then an hilarious game of Pictionary and Snappsie!
Sunday's weather had reverted to Xmas Day so Michael didn't even go for a swim....an indication of how foul it was. Pauline and Sue came for lunch followed by the christening of my new Trivial Pursuit, my Xmas gift from Duncan. David was at home wrestling with the server at the surgery, a problem that seems to arise every time he does an update.
Bianca spent the night in Byron with her mum so the three of us played Trivial Pursuit with Michael being the victor.
Monday was spent doing a few last minute must-dos before our early departure on Tuesday. We had dinner at the Shaws Bay Hotel where Bianca felt some sort of ownership...her last name is Shaw! After dinner we had a game of teams Trivial Pursuit with Duncan redeeming himself after last nights loss when he and Bianca beat us oldies...it seems to need a knowledge of the Mario brothers, and video games, in the Entertainment section.
Posted with Blogsy
No comments:
Post a Comment