Blogging is not Nic's passion. I can bang one off in 10 minutes and he sits and agonizes over spelling, punctuation (to avoid my nagging afterwards I'm sure) and it ends up taking him like an hour.
Herb is fan-frickentastic. Camping is so not what it was in Grade 10 during May 2-4 when it rained/ borderline snowed. The parks are immaculate. I wouldn't go eating off the floor, but I would let the 10 second rule stay. The bathrooms get cleaned regularly and the showers are really nice. The first one we stayed at had a communal kitchen which was fab- but the last 2 have BBQs. It doesn't bother us, we like using them.
We started camping during "Schoolies". Schoolies is all of the Year 12 students who have just graduated going out and getting drunk for a week straight. They have provided us with much entertainment. We went to Byron Bay the first 2 nights and it was full of them. Byron is a total hippy funky town. We pretty much just beached it along the coast the first few days. We found some huge deserted beaches that were just gorgeous.
Today we are in... I actually don't know where we are- maybe Southport? We are about 10 mins away from Surfer's Paradise. Today we went to a National Park known for it's Rock Pools. That's what the pictures are from. I was way too scared to go down that waterfall- but Nic did it. The water is freezing- I could barely handle it. Nic survived- thank god because there was no cell reception and I can't drive Herb. He's manual and the only 2 attempts I've had with that include not being able to reverse and almost tipping the water wagon on my Dad's tractor. Granted- I can switch gears, it's the people who honk when you stall that make me nervous.
We are having quite a time with the wildlife. Today a catfish tried to bite me. Yes, a catfish. I didn't realize one of the Rock Pools was inhabited by a territorial catfish. Practically as soon as I got in the water he was chasing me off. Yes, I screamed and ran out around a ton of people when a local 18 year old told me the tale of ye old catfish. It's pretty much ruined any fresh water swimming that could happen. Also, while at the National Park, that lizard thing appeared. At first he wouldn't move when I tried to startle him--- but of course as soon as the camera was on, he was a star. Then it's been all of the birds on the campsite- AND EVEN AS I AM WRITING--- they are here. Tall, ugly things with long beaks and almost come into the van. The baby ducklings were super cute though. Also, I realize I have the worst nervous laugh ever- so I apologize. A guy I used to work with said I have the laugh from Charlie Bit My Finger. You tube it if you don't understand. So yes, apparently up the coast we can kayak with dolphins- hopefully they are not territorial creatures.
Herb has been great. Other than and I quote Nic: "He has a tiny little set of nuts on him" when trying to climb steep hills. Well maybe we shouldn't have taken Herb on a almost 4 hour Mountain Drive. It was really gorgeous, but I don't think Herb appreciated the view. We stopped and had lunch at a deserted park, yet it still had BBQ and picnic tables. I've done a lot of reading and Nic has been a most excellent driver. Tomorrow we are going to something call the Tambourine Mountains and doing a hike... yay.. I am so excited I could stick a fork in my eye. Nic says there is SO much to do there.... I'm thinking hiking mainly. I'll keep you posted. This has been the best time in Australia yet. We like it so much- that we're selling Herb and upgrading our van to a 4 seater when Mom & Jannie arrive. They'll stay on the cabins on site- Nic and I are happy in the van. I've still got to shower everyday and I like meeting the people we've met (that we can understand). In fact, Nic has booked a hair appointment for 9 am tomorrow morning. A woman is cutting hair at the campsite and advertising from her trailer.
Well, I should be off. Nic and I have a thriving game of Go Fish to attend to (yes, of all games we play Fish once a night before bed--- it reminds me of my Grandma Fisher- except Nic doesn't cheat. Greg and Pat- you raised a good kid.
xo
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