Day 107 Friday 25/9/20 Mylestom, hot northerly 29 The Prado’s anxiously await the arrival of the man from ABCO Caravan Repairs. He should just put a tracking device on us we always have something in need of repair. He quickly fixes the leak replacing their old hose with a shiny new red one. It’s great service and a fair price and so good to know whenever we’re on the Coffs area. El Prado goes down to the RSL Club to buy a box of beer (the Club doubles as the local pub in a small town like this). He’s met … Continue reading Banned on the Run, Day 107 – Chances are

Day 106 Thursday 24/9/20 Mylestom, sunny 24 Shopping in Toormina and strolling around Sawtell I spot a blouse on sale. It’s a perfect chance to grab a bargain before going home and without risking a busy shopping centre. We all take walks on the beach at various times, though I doubt that the others talk to the birds. No, rethinking that I think El Prado probably would as we’ve sprung him chatting to quite a few furry and feathered friends on this trip. We have new neighbours and they tell us that they were touring Tasmania in March. They spent … Continue reading Banned on the Run, Day 106 – A Mess of Musings

Day 104 Tuesday 22/9/20 Mylestom, hot 30 Needless to say, it was a hot night with some rain and by 9:00am it’s already 20 degrees. It’s hair colour day again. Have I mentioned the state of the internet and phones here? We take a short drive down to Macksville for another of their great lunches before we leave this coast. Sorry VeeWee you missed out on a return visit, this time. Elle is hanging for one of their Mexican Parmies and can’t stop talking about how good the last one was. We arrive to find that the menu was changed … Continue reading Banned on the Run, Day 104 – Finding peace

Day 103 Monday 21/9/20 Mylestom, hot then wet 29 We drive into to Bellingen for fruit and vegies, I slyly check the case moths hanging in the trees. As the Prado’s are cooking dinner tonight we buy cakes for dessert from Hearthfire Bakery, the one down the lane beside the Federal Hotel. By the time we return the strong sea breeze is playing havoc with the Prado awning. The warm wind becomes most unpleasant to be outside and the roof hatches can’t be opened as they bang and clatter with the wind from the wrong angle. Inside the van it’s … Continue reading Banned on the Run, Day 103 – Roasting in the rain

Day 102 Sunday 20/9/20 Mylestom, overcast with a few drops 24 The topsail schooner familiar to many Melburnians, the Alma Doepel was built here in 1903 and named after the builder’s youngest daughter. This graceful ship was a coastal trader … Continue reading Banned on the Run, Day 102 – Nature’s beauty

Day 100 Friday 18/9/20 Mylestom, sunny 24 The internet is poor here. Mostly one bar and it often drops out. Our best option is to use it early in the morning. Funnily enough we get two bars of reception on the beach. Perhaps we should park the van above the high tide mark. In the afternoon we drive around Repton and find the “Old Coast Road”. A gravel road crosses a narrow wooden bridge and winds into the tall timber of the Bongil Bongil National Park. I wonder if this is the original Sydney Brisbane road? Next there’s Raleigh to … Continue reading Banned on the Run, Day 100 – Is it 100 days already?

Day 99 Thursday 17/9/20 Mylestom, warm 24 There’s no point in rushing home, there’s no AFL Grand Final in Melbourne, no hype and hoopla. Hairdressers in Melbourne won’t be opening until late October at the earliest so we book appointments with Anthony at A Flair for Hair in Urunga to get trimmed up. Anthony is a nice bloke and he tells us that the town is busier than normal. We’re not the only ones ‘locked’ in NSW. Back at camp it’s time for another long walk on the beach. Bugger! I just squirted lemon juice on the bed while marinating … Continue reading Banned on the Run, Day 99 – Trimming