Day 2: “Throw the rope and jump on board, Love”

 

A magic day -land and sea

That had to be my favourite line of the day. No, we are not on the big boat on the way to Melbourne, that was @Peter directing First Mate @Linda in our successful launch of KkeSaam for our perfect start to a day of getting to know the highlights of Forster. It certainly was an advantage to tap into the knowledge of @Linda and @Peter who are 30 year locals here.

Tucked away in coastal Northern NSW it certainly is a gem and the fact that we dropped the “r” and pronounced it correctly as FOSTER … we were almost locals after just 12 hours.

Getting there early for a spin around Wallis Lake

Started the day with the pelicans next to the boat ramp at the breakwater and had our expert introduction to Forster by water. We travelled for two hours into and around the smooth, clear reflective waters of Wallis Bay, circling islands, exploring keys and canals, negotiating shallows, keeping our eye on the channel markers and salivating over the oysters beds. Thousands and thousands of oysters just doing their thing in the endless chain of farms. @Linda and @Peter had a constant stream of stories around the indigenous heritage, the natural landscape, the businesses, growth and development of the region. Lots of boats - plenty of successful fisherman and no shortage of bobbing milk bottles marking the crab pots luring the next mud crab.

All aboard

Take up your viewing spots

Perfect reflections 

Of course, our locals somehow summoned nesting eagles and a pod of dolphins for our viewing pleasure as well. Loved our morning on the water and with the boat expertly manoeuvred onto the trailer and winched into position (we were useless extras in this carefully orchestrated team of two activity … they have it down pat, complete with hand gestures and words of encouragement) we headed straight for the sheds of Barclays Oysters to pick up our feed of the Wallis Bay produce. 

What a team

@Peter had to dash off to work, but @Linda met us for a coffee shop breakfast before loading us up in the Cruiser for the “land” tour. Reflected and commented out loud often during this day how beautiful Australian beaches are! So many shades of blue, white sand, curving coastline, nudged by gentle rolling hills, lush vegetation, clear skies and sunshine and warmth. We had it all today.

Up, down and around - thanks for the day @Linda
Crossed the dual hump of the bridge to check out #Tuncurry, the ocean bathes and the sister cub at #Sporties before hitting the coastline. Had vantage point and beach views of Main Beach, Pebbly Beach, The Tanks, One Mile Beach, Cape Hawke, Seven Mile Beach, inland through Booti Booti National Park to eventually pop out to one of those breath taking gasping prelude views of Seal Rocks. Oh my, was worth the drive and we scored the paragliders putting on a show for us - complete with the added bonus of whales spouting in tthe background.

Blues above and below

And because we hadn’t already had enough of those sweeping views of this coastline, ventured a little higher to the #Sugarloaf Lighthouse. A 700 metre serious climb (@Linda and @Mac took in the sights at height while I managed the lower areas and was focussed on defending the area from the dingoes.) Cascading waterfalls, heritage cottages and the lighthouse were the backdrop to another picturesque view of the coastline and hinterland and you guessed it - more whales but thos time putting I n an acrobatic show of breeching. 

The goal - Sugarloaf Lighthouse 

Got three heart rate going - a steep climb

A big day rounded out with a BBQ hosted by @Linda and @Peter in their beautiful home - cathedral ceilings, floor to ceiling glass and open plan living meant we had magic views of their kingdom! The streets were buzzing with streams of children in Halloween costumes, we could look left to the ocean, straight ahead to suburbia and right to the sunset. Munched our way through three courses (yep, oysters hit the spot) solved absolutely no problems of the world - simply soaked in the company. 

Chilling ... because we can

Said our goodbyes with the hope that our travel paths will cross again and no doubt, as we headed out the door, they were scrambling to their suitcases to do their packing prep for their departure to #India on Wednesday. Um, maybe not, @Peter is a @Mac soulmate … throws a few things in the bag the day before. 

Big big thank you @Linda and @Peter - definitely “doing it with locals” was the best. 

PS Empathy shot. Not sure if this is Little Red Riding Hood or Dracula's Toothy Assistant - but a definite party girl for Halloween  

Day 1: Giddyup road trip start for the Cup

 

First leg of the trip - arrived in Forster

Without a doubt - the hero of the day was @Mac. Daisy Hill to Forster - left at 7.20 and arrived at the QLD time of 2.40. Only needed one stop at Ballina for brekkie (rookie mistake - ordered McDonalds) and “comfort.” The word from the driver’s seat is that I had 5 nanna naps (I am legal now )  but was awake enough to take in the two little showers of rain and the endless green countryside that flanked the dual highway all the way. Seems a little rude that the non driving passenger gets to comment that “It was an easy drive” -  but the divided highway, two lanes, no towns (except Coffs) did seem to suit be a dream run.

McDonalds vs Wild Bean - very sad

The only hold up was the drive from Daisy Hill to just south of Nerang. It was bumper to bumper all the way - what a nightmare daily commute for those impacted - and the traffic north was equally stacked up. No worries, I was able to introduce @Mac to his first listen of tracks 1-12, without pause or skips, of “The Life of a Showgirl.”  For the other 6 hours 50 minutes of it was his eclectic playlist which, amongst its highs and lows for my ears, strongly features his favs from Led Zeppelin.

Destination today was Forster the home town of fellow travellers @Linda and @Peter. We didn’t even know this little gem existed. Left the highway to head to the coast and have to admit that the bridge, coastal sand and the squillion variations of turquoise of the lake was absolutely stunning. 

Rewarding the driver

Welcome to our home for 2 nights - water everywhere and so beautiful

We are staying in a “cabin” in the Holiday Village and it was beautifully presented - immaculately clean, spacious and comfy couches and beds.  Just a short walk to the river and we took the opportunity to stretch our legs after a day in the KIA. Had a chat with a few locals - she had a crochet hook making earrings so it was the perfect point of connection - and we were able to glean some heads up on local highlights.

Not that we needed them because @Linda and @Peter had us covered. They collected us for a night out at #Club Forster. What a venue. A massive community club that wraps around the edges of a golf course - it had everything - including the biggest children’s play area I had ever seen in a licenced venue. The usual climbing frames and slides, but also crazy swings, a flying fox, mini basketball court and even a purpose built hill for the children to roll down! I know, not the reason that you seek out a club … but was so impressive. As was the entire venue - massive ceilings, glorious glass windows in some area, stone and wood panelling, spiral staircases, sports bar, pokies rooms, stunning tiles, carpet and lighting, nooks and crannies hosting lots of regulars and EVERY staff member operated with a smile and as appropriate a warm, familiar engagement with the “community members” who made up the regular clientele.

An intro to #ClubFoster - a big hit

We settled into a bar area, were joined by fellow travellers from the same Japan trip @Lynne and @Steve and as a group of 6 we revisited our past trip and caught up on the latest news and planned travel options. All with background hubbub of a buzzing community centre and accompanied by a walk down memory lane of music delivered superbly by the blind pianist!

Dinner was special - @Mac’s pork knuckle fell off the bone and he was so focussed on getting every last morsel he didn’t even notice that he was surrounded by the Asian delights of chilli prawns, soft shell crab and a pad Thai. Generous servings, very reasonable prices and mouth-wateringly delicious - all whipped up and delivered with smiles and a warm inclusive sense of “welcome” by the #ClubForster team.

More drinks and conversation in another bar (resisted the pokies) and as a close to the evening we hatched plans for tomorrow. The daylight savings time snatched away an hour on the clock, but after an early on the road start this morning, we were happy to fall into the comfort of our “boutique” holiday accommodation and call it a night as the clock showed it was already tomorrow.

PS Empathy shot - how we felt at the end of the day.