Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay

Mon Feb 20

Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay

We wake early determined to hit Byron Bay in the early afternoon.  We all pile in, with Sharon now in the middle seat, so as to referee, and I have been promoted to DJ riding shotgun.  Shortly into the trip we realize we will be going inland for a bit and decide to take an excursion to the shore at Corindi Beach.  On a hillside over-looking a beach cove with a rocky shore, Hudson, Sam and I while away the time trying to throw and un-nameable fruit, that resembles an oval piece of corn, into the water.  Back on the road we stop in a town called Woodburn for lunch, a mixture of grilled ham and cheese’s, fish & chips and calamari & chips.  On the way back to the car Sharon notices a multitude of bird feathers in the grass and most of us help her gather a handful of beautiful feathers that will surely become a creative masterpiece.  We reach Byron Bay in the early afternoon and it appears to be a really neat little town.  We have decided to make this home for a couple of days and as the grown-ups get info on the lodging options, the kids wander into a few of the many shops Byron Bay has to offer.  I have no doubt that before we leave Sharon and Annie will be on a first name basis with most of the merchants.  The prices are a little out of budget, but we decide to check out a little 3 bedroom condo that seems perfect.  Along the way Sharon decides to stop at a “vacancy” sign because she is not convinced we have found the best deal.  We are quoted a price well above the condo, so we continue on our way.  Upon arrival at the condo we proceed to tell “our story” and the lady says if we stay 4 nights she will knock $60 a night off the price…SHARON IS INTERESTED…..AND we negotiate a side deal if we only stay 3 nights. The condo is perfect with 3 separate bed rooms, a nice kitchen, a dining area, a decent sized living room, covered porch, laundry facilities, flat screen, internet access, etc….SOLD.  We unpack and can’t get to the beach quick enough.  It is a little hike to the beach, but well worth the effort.  The beach is amazing with about 50 yards of beach to the water and rocky cliffs guarding the cove on each side with about mile walk in each direction.  The tide is coming in, but the crystal blue waters are very inviting and we discover the water temp has changed dramatically in our journey up the coast.  We practically have the beach to ourselves and the water is extremely refreshing.  The thought crosses my mind that…..NOW…I’m on vacation.  We spend a couple of hours on the beach and head back to re-group for dinner.  Paulie, Sharon, Sam and I venture back into to town and they honor me by letting me drive for the first time.  I am a quick learner and we arrive at the local Woolworth’s with only a couple of fresh dents…I kid.  We grab our supplies and head back to enjoy a wonderful dinner of fish over rice with a delicate cream sauce with a hint of garlic, corn on the cob and a salad.  Yummy!!  The internet is intermittent and somewhat frustrating, but we can get the perfect signal by standing in the middle of the street…The kids enjoy a couple of hours of TV as we catch up on e-mails and blog posts and then crash for the night.