It's 5:30 pm, dark, and I'm fed and in my tent. I'm trying to eat crackers, peanut butter, and honey for a dessert but it's so messy I have to keep them outside the tent door and carefully apply the concoction to the cracker and get it in the tent and in my mouth without dripping it worse, letting in any mozzies. Life is a challenge.
When I got to Eileen's house on Smithown it was after my longest day on the trike and I was whooped. She met me outside with the warmest of hugs, like a long lost friend and I reciprocated. I was glad to be there. Cycling up to her house, I was a bit worried about the conditions I would be staying in. I guess as a camper, I really shouldn't be conconerned...and I'm not...not really. But the town is a bit rough around the edges as rural towns can sometimes be. And most of the homes on her street have seen better days. But Eileen's house is brand spanking new. Built by her son. She moved in just 8 months ago. And beautifully designed and built. A lovely 2 bedroom with an open floor plan and a wrap around veranda (as many Australian houses have, to keep out the blistering sun and provide a delightful place to congregate). And she's even gotten gardens well established and the chook house built. Well settled, I'd say. Her husband died a few years ago, quite suddenly, and she couldn't keep up the farm they had. So she sold the place and spent a year traveling in a campervan until 1 Main St was completed. I felt like we were kindred spirits having many similar views on life which led to many great conversations. And what a wonderful cook, accommodating my vegetarian needs. Yum! Initially I said I'd be staying 2 nights, allowing time for clothes to dry and see the local sights. Arriving on Friday, we spent Saturday going down to South West Rocks and lovely shore town nearby where her son, the builder, lives. Living where she does, she's close to all her kids and grand kids. Two grandsons are living with her now because their house, up the street, is under renovation...and besides, gramma spoils them. What bright and engaging teenage boys, Luke and Toby were, one having to give up his room for me. Thanks, Toby!
Sitting down to dinner...salmon!!
I like the window under the cupboards!! Gotta remember that!
Sunday arrived having rained all night. Rain's always a hard one for me to decide what to do. When it stops I feel I should push on. And it stopped some times during the morning. I also had 2 days ride to Coffs Harbour where I was staying with a lovely Aussie couple I met on a bus in California 5 years ago. And they had a tight window because they were leaving Wednesday morning. I had hoped to get in Monday night to have 2 nights there. This rain was screwing up my plans. No worries. Eileen offered to drive me halfway on Monday morning so I could cycle in and stay on schedule. Thank you! Thank you! For everything!!
You go, Eileen!
Riding into Coffs Harbour was mostly on the Pacific Highway. This is the road that funnels all the traffic up the coast. It's sometimes 2 lanes and sometimes 4 lanes. Sometimes divided. Sometimes not. Sometimes has a wide shoulder for bikes and sometimes it doesn't. And it's always noisy. There's a loud high pitched whirring noise that car and truck tires make on a highway that is ear piercing, especially if you have to hear it for long stretches. Luckily as I got close to town I found a way around. A bit further but easier on the nerves.
And a nice steep climb up to their house:).
Another warm and tender welcome, after so many years, and such a brief meeting. Was so nice to see them again. After I got settled, David whisked me off to see the sites, most importantly, The Big Banana. I had just read about these"big" things in Bill Bryson's book, Down Under (or A Sunburned Country, as it's called in the States). And here was the original one!
Then we caught sunset at the harbor. I never tire of sunsets. Never.
I also got a chance to meet a couple that I'm Facebook friends with the wife who lives up the street. They came down and asked all kinds of great questions about my travels. Always nice to share stories. Nice to meet you in person, Judy and Barry!
And then back to the house for another delicious dinner. These meals sustain me! On the road it's a lot of salads...just salads. Nothing fancy. Anne, those scalloped potatoes made me drool. I haven't had them in years, I don't think. The ones I took away, I ate cold for lunch and they were nearly as good.
Anne had plans to got boot scootin' the next day and asked if I wanted to join her. Do I?? !!!! A 2 hour class at the community center in town. Filled with ladies of all ages including one woman 90 years old. Could she dance! Never quit. That's the answer.
The rest of the day was restful. My kind of day. David had collected maps of the area for me and had great ideas of places to consider seeing. They travelled for 2 years around OZ in a campervan before buying this house. So they were able to give me the low down on many things. Since they were driving to Canberra the following day, they wanted an early start. 7:30am!
Thanks David & Anne for a wonderful time...short but ever so sweet!!! Til we meet again...
And we got a full moon one night! (Fun with my new camera:))
So off I pedaled on my way to Yamba and meeting up with Corina and Gabby, my friends from Sidney. I feel like such a social butterfly! Here I am in a foreign country and I have a full dance card. The world really is quite small.
Livin' the life!
BagLady
