After the wet ride up, it really didn't get any drier for the week that we were there. It didn't stop us having a surf everyday at Kingscliff though - incredible loss of the beach here with some 5-7 foot high cliffs of sand down near Cudgen Creek groyne. We heard on the news after we got home that a child had been buried by one of the cliffs collapsing on top of him - I think he had been digging a tunnel behind the edge of it though! Also had the usual great swim at North Burleigh beach - it has the most consistent and strong body surf waves here. Well worth a visit if ever you are up that way and need to be pounded by some solid surf!
I took the iPad along and Lochie and Mihaiela came down for a visit and gave it a test drive - Puppet Pals in particular - made stories, videos, read. For 5 and 8 year olds, they were brilliant! I don't think Adrian and Leslie will appreciate me giving the kids another toy to lust after!
On the Wednesday we rode up to Buderim for lunch with Raphael, Lyn and the girls as well as Una (Lyn's mum). Great new house they've got and they are loving life up there which is of course quite different to life in Winmalee. Also met with Martin and Jill who we used to teach and go camping with up until about 20 years ago - they have 2 children now as well - Rianna and Hadyn. Then down to Oxley to stay with Vicki and Neville after detouring via Beerwah and Glasshouse Mountains where we used to live in the early 80's.
Down to mum's in Beaudesert for more rain and catch up with mum, Cathy, Anna, Kathryn and Matt. Tania cooked Thursday (Honey Mustard Chicken) and Friday (Coral Trout) and Cathy cooked up a huge Lamb Roast and veg for our last night on Saturday. Did some trimming of mum's garden with the battery-powered hedge trimmer -from Aldi and does a great job. Detailed mum's car with a wash, polish and Armorall - looks really shiny and new again.
Headed off early on Easter Sunday (6.00am) and went over the Lion's Road into Kyogle by 7am for coffee and croissant at the bakery. Onto Grafton to fill up (406km for 17 litres at 23km/l) and then down the Orara Way to Coffs Harbour. Excellent bike roads and deserted as well. Stopped at Coramba near Coffs for a big brekky and more coffee at about 10am. Off into the rain which thankfully stopped by Kempsey. Into Nabiac for a drink by 2.20pm (338km since Grafton) and then a fill up at Buladelah (363km for 16 litres at 23km/l) at 3.10pm. Rolled on into Belmont at Ali's by 4.30pm - 727km for the day from Beaudesert. Bike ran like a clock the whole way. Chris and Julie were staying as well and we had a wonderful dinner from the new BeefEater BBQ!
It's worth taking a basic bike cover for trips like this. I used it every time we stopped to keep the rain off and also at night since it was parked outside in the rain. It also means that you can leave the helmets on the seat and they are out of site when you stop for a bite to eat.
Finished off to home the next day in heavy rain and traffic on the F3 but we were home in a little over two and a half hours for the 190km. Great trip - good time had by all.
Found the next day that I had ridden home with metal on metal on the rear disc - must get better at checking brake pad conditions!
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