WEEK 2 AT YAMBA

Our second week at Yamba was spent very leisurely and we went for lots of walks along different bush tracks we found driving around. We had to ease up on the hard, long beach runs with Sally as she had a very sore hip and was on anti-inflammatory tablets from the vet. He advised us to rest her up as much as we could, nearly impossible when she’s hanging out for a long walk.  She was limping very badly for 4 days and couldn’t understand why we weren’t throwing stones for her.  She’s a bit better now and still loves her beach walks.  We still went for a walk along the breakwall every afternoon and saw lots of dolphins there every time, much to our delight.  One afternoon they were on both sides of the rocks and we didn’t know which direction to look in.

We’ve been catching up on book reading (Richard instead of fishing).  We’re rediscovering just how good a writer John Grisham is.  We both read 4 of his books practically non-stop this week (you could hardly get a word out of either of us).  The weather has been absolutely superb and we’re really taking advantage of it sitting outside the caravan whilst reading.

We went to Yamba Golf Club for a show called “60’s British Hits” which was $30 each for a meal and show – pretty good value really.  The meal was fairly average.  The band used to be in different bands In England before they joined up together.  There were 4 guys all well in their 60’s too I imagine.  Most of the crowd were in that age bracket also.  From the very first number the dance floor was crowded and it was non-stop boogying from a very lively crowd as there was a big dance floor in front of the tables.  We got up and danced quite a bit as well.  We were surprised and delighted they even did a Rolling Stones number.  There were old favourites from The Kinks, Dave Clark 5, Beatles, Jerry and The Pacemakers, Shadows and many more.  They were called The Chevrons and were a very funny, entertaining group.  We cracked up when the lead guitarist came out with scruffy hair, headband and big ears, coughing his guts up just like Keith Richards from the Stones – he really looked like him (wrinkled skin and all).  We got talking to the other people on our table and had a really nice night.  Got the courtesy bus home so we could both drink.

We were both sorry to leave Yamba as it had been so enjoyable.

 WEEK 7 TWEED HEADS

We arrived in Tweed Heads Monday 15^th August.  It took us 3 hours from Yamba with one stop for a cuppa along the way.  We knew it was a big town as there were lots of high-rise apartments from the Gold Coast coming into view and we passed Tweed City Shopping Centre.  We’re not used to big cities and loads of traffic these days.  Thankfully our caravan park is out of town.  It’s an older style park and the managers were very friendly and helpful and stopped to chat to us for a long time before we parked the van and set up.  We’re right on the Tweed River.  It’s lovely when you step out of the van and look ahead and can see the water.  We went for a lovely walk along the river path and onto the new boardwalk as soon as we’d had lunch and set up.  Richard was checking out  many potentially good fishing spots to come back to.  Half way down the road we were amused to see what must be the locals “happy hour spot” on the grass verge by the water  There are lots of tables and chairs set up in one area, surrounded by bushes and plants that they must have put there also – the happy hour oasis.  There are always lots of hopeful fishermen along the verge in the evenings.  We get a lot of airplanes going overhead as we’re only 10 minutes away from the Gold Coast Airport.

We’ve been checking out other beach areas and particularly like Kingscliff, which has been in the news a lot recently with all the storm damage there.  Most of the beach has totally collapsed.  You can see where they’re trying to rebuild it with huge rocks on the bank. You can see the diggers smoothing out all the fallen trees and debris.  It’s a very pretty town and has a lovely feel to it.  We’ve found a very nice coffee shop where the breakfast is really good – even Richard thinks so – and he’s not a café person.  We’ve been there twice this week already. 

We’re really close to Coolangatta, Rainbow, Kirra and  Greenmount Beaches, complete with all the high rises, cafes and restaurants. We’re in low season and can’t imagine how crowded and unbearable they would be in peak season!  Definitely not our scene.

We’ve been to the old town of Chinderah which is mainly an older style river town.  We then drove down to Brunswick Heads and both of us instantly fell in love with the place.  It’s practically untouched, very small and has a lovely feel to it. We wanted to check out the Ferry Park Holiday Park that takes dogs for future reference.  We found another gem there, situated on a big river.  It’s a fairly new park and only 3 minutes drive to the town and beaches (dog friendly yippee!!).  It’s ultra-modern and very clean and well maintained with gorgeous river views and very friendly staff.  We spotted dolphins in the bay and were really thrilled once again.    We loved the place so much that we’ve altered our plans to fit in a week’s stay there next week.  We both can’t wait to get there.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We’ve been having happy hour drinks with our neighbours from South Australia and they’ve given us heaps of helpful information and tips about places to visit there next year.  They’ve even given us their SA travel guide earmarked with the best places to stay.  We’ve got that many Caravan Park Directories for each state now that we won’t be lost for somewhere to set up camp during our travels.

Well John Grisham’s calling and it’s also Sally’s dinner and evening walk time.  That’s all for now.  Signing out from Tweed Heads.  Get ready for another thrilling instalment from Brunswick Heads next week.

Take care and have a good week also.

love Marian, Richard and Sally

WEEK 1 AT YAMBA

 

One of the banners flying off the flag poles throughout the town


A brightly painted tartan pole

Another tartan pole

A  view overlooking The Maclean River 

Brooms Head

The Shanty Shack 

The lower tier where campers set up their tents on the grassy area shown here (wow)

Brooms Head

Panoramic view from the hilltop at Brooms Head 

We’ve been at Yamba a week now and it’s an absolutely beautiful spot, very pretty and picturesque.  There’s a boardwalk all through the Marina into town going out onto the breakwall  It’s a coastal town that’s got character with many retirees living up here.  It’s a popular spot all year round.  There are many new houses here since our last visit 4 years ago, but it’s basically unchanged. 

Our caravan park Yamba Waters is centrally located, about a 10 minute walk up to the marina and about 20 minutes walk into the main part of town. The sites are all very large.  We got a drive through sight which is better for parking (and saves many domestics trying to back a huge 25 ft. van between trees etc).  There’s a river at the back of the park,  a heated pool, big chess set (never seen anyone – yet – playing it) and a second pool.  Everyone here is very friendly and helpful.  There are other caravan parks buy they don’t allow dogs.  This park has only just started to take dogs. It’s pretty full as there is a big golf tournament on next week.  We can’t believe how fast this first week has gone by.  The dog friendly beach is about 10 minutes by car and we take Sally there twice a day which she absolutely loves.

The weather has been really warm every day.  We feel like its summer rather than winter.  We’ve been going for lots of long walks and driving around the various beaches.  We’ve seen dolphins off the breakwall every time we’ve walked there.   Richard’s  been checking out the fishing spots and chatting to the locals on the breakwall and rocks off  of the beach and has decided  to try his luck out tomorrow.  Will let you know how he goes in the next blog.

On Thursday we went to the Scottish town called Maclean, 20minutes from Yamba. Coming into the town we immediately saw the power poles on both sides of the road painted in the brightly coloured clan tartan colours with the clan names above them. They’re really bright and striking and quite unique set amid the sugar canes. We weren’t really sure what to expect as we’d vaguely heard about them.  The town is really pretty with huge material banners with Scottish themes flying off the top of the power poles.  We drove up and down the town a few times and stopped at Ferry Park Tourist Information Centre with a café overooking the river.  This town has become very RV friendly and the car  park was filled with cars and caravans stopping to enjoy the sunshine and have lunch.  We stopped off at many beauty spots all overlooking the huge MacLean River, visited the Scottish Shop and the Scottish Cairn (a huge rock).

We then headed to Brooms Head a sleepy coastal town a further 30 minutes drive from Maclean. I really only wanted to go there because of the name. On the way there we saw a sign saying “Caution emus on the road” and I cracked up it really tickled me.  I’ve never heard of emus being a danger to motorists before.  Apparently they run wild across the roads and can be as hazardous as kangaroos!!!  Well, I’m glad to say even though our eyes were peeled looking out for feral emus we only spotted one lone kangaroo in the paddock going and coming back.  When we got to Brooms Head we were totally blown away by the beauty of the place – crystal clear, turquoise water with spectacular views.  The caravan park is at the top of the hill and overlooks some stunning beach scenery.  It’s a tiered layout and campers have got the perfect deal there as the allocated camping spots are on grassed areas on the bottom tier right next to the rocks of the breakwall and the beach literally within arm’s reach of the camp spot. We had lunch at the “Shanty Shack” right on the beach.  It’s only open from 11 – 2 during the winter but its really busy as there’s only that café or one at the service station to chose from.  There is also a bowling club but that’s it for cuisine and/or entertainment.  That apart, I would love to stay there, but it’s in the middle of a nature reserve and dogs aren’t allowed there, alas.  But keep that area in mind if you ever want to stay somewhere quietly spectacular.

On Saturday we decided to go to Yamba Cinema to see Red Dog.  Boy oh boy what a cultural experience that turned out to be.  Admission was $7 each (sorry no eftpos!!).  They show one movie at a time in an area that seats about 200 people maximum.  The cinema is closed on Thursdays.  The last session on Monday and Tuesday afternoons is 1pm and the last session on Friday night is 8pm.  The actual seating area is a step back in time, old musty original red carpet, blue wooden painted seats with red velvet upholstery (really uncomfortable after about 5 minutes).  The ceiling fans are covered with at least 20 years of dirt and dust!! The actual movie was hard to hear with no surround sound (eat your heart out Gold Class and 3D).  That old saying you get what you pay for!  All in all quite a unique experience.  The actual movie was fantastic, really enjoyable – a real heart-warming, entertaining, feel-good movie.  Definitely up there with the classic Australian iconic movies Man From Snowy Mountain, The Castle and Strictly Ballroom and should scoop all the rewards when they’re dished out.

Last night we went to Yamba Shores Tavern located on top of a pontoon attached to the tavern right over the water.  It’s a lovely place and the food was great with large serves.  It’s a popular venue for weddings and functions and recently refurbished and very modern.  A lovely relaxing and casual atmosphere.  We’re going there for lunch next week to take advantage of the water view, which was hard to see at night.

We’ve had a lovely, relaxing week and are looking forward to more of the same next week.

Signing off for now. Stay tuned for the next exciting instalment next week.

Take care

Marian and Richard (and Sally)