Can you recommend a diet?

The cossie still fits and for someone nearing 40, I thought looked pretty good. But what is it with Byron and ‘thin people’? Everywhere I look are tanned, slim guys and gals- and not just the young ones. I am beginning to feel like one of the whales that every second person seems to want to save.


Brunswick Heads

Dave and I ventured to Brunswick Heads and discovered a protected beach, just near the breakwater. We nestled into a corner and laid out our towels for a spot of reading in the sun. My idea of bliss, even if here as well I was surrounded by ‘thin people’- and most of them mothers with bubs! Still these people were more delectable to the eye than those in the Mullumbimby Pub- I now know what kind of people hang out in pubs during weekdays.....
After a glorious day exploring the hinterland of rolling hills, lush and green dotted with cows content with the knowledge that most of their human neighbours are ‘vegos’, we arrived home to meet our new neighbours. A lovely couple- Scott from Narrabeen and Deb from the North of England. They soon discovered we had not had a ‘housewarming’ and therefore we promptly set up chairs, table, nibbles and some chilled wine. They had travelled around Oz and regaled us with stories of characters met on the way, and how they came to choose Byron for their impending wedding next April.
Awaking to a new day, we planned our activities. First we took in the sights of Lennox Head, through Lismore to Nimbin. Within 2 minutes of arriving we were offered marijuana and by the end of our visit ‘cookies’ as well (no we did not buy either). I felt I was in some European country as we ate Tofu Burgers in the Rainbow Cafe next to a group of ‘young-ins’, who promptly made a bong out of a water bottle and smoked cones. The haze of smoke only matched by the haze most people here seem to walk around in. We were impressed by the local artists and Dave bought me a beautiful necklace with a shimmering blue pendant.
After lunch we took off to Protester Falls back in the 70’s this was the first sight of ‘Tree huggers’.

Protester Falls walk

Now on the World Heritage List, it is easy to see why protester’s linked their limbs, to save what was to become logged. Arriving at the Falls, it was quite surreal to find Ian Cohen- the Green MP there, marvelling in what he had such a great part in protecting. We had just read a quote from him at the start of the walk!
Today we are off on a walk to the Byron Lighthouse, our last day here. Sad to leave somewhere so full of life and beauty, but we know we will discover more truly magical parts of this wide brown (and green) land. Dave also hopes to see some whales off the coast (not the one lying next to him).

Camper Envy

The Big Banana, still the same from childhood

I have just awoken from my afternoon nap, here at Byron. Now before you groan, it is the first afternoon nap I have taken since we began our frolic around Oz. Our days have been filled to the brim, our eyes feasting on the sights, our legs getting more use than the pistons of our BT-50. And a damm fine nap it was too. I am still amazed at how comfy our home is. Here at Byron, I feel far superior, as we are surrounded by flimsy tents and tiny huts made from a cloth material. The age group is a little more in our range too...........
I was beginning to feel ‘Camper Envy’ at our previous camps. We were clearly the smallest on the block, and lacking many home comforts, such as a table cloth and doily. I kid you not- one camper I was invited into was decked out with a table complete with cloth, doily and fake plant, blow heater, microwave, juicer, scones baking in the oven (they were delicious), wall pictures and teddy sitting proudly on a bed the size of a small nation, among many other trimmings!
Therefore I promptly went out and bought two placemats, so we could also be ‘civilised’ at dinner. Now everytime we eat, we can think of our visit to the Big Banana (yep our placements have the ‘Big Banana’ on them). I plan to get some kitsch coasters from the next tourist spot to match- look out the ‘Big Pineapple’!
We are here at Byron for a week- a time to really relax and let the stresses of city life melt away in the warm sun. It is also nice not to be on the move. It is easy to see why the Grey Nomads have made such a name for themselves- caravans, motorhomes and campers truly own the Pacific Highway between 10am and 2pm, Monday to Friday. We find ourselves nodding at every second vehicle, fellow travellers who have also discovered the secret of life- LIVING!