Sunday 8th December - Laurieton
A mild 15.2 last night and upto 29.7 today. A nice pleasant day again. Clive decided he would like to go out and do some sight-seeing at the lookouts, as I don't like the look of them. I stayed here and read and off he went. First he went to Dooragan Nation Park. The look out here is up a very steep road, so I'm glad I didn't go. It's called the North Brother Lookout. The three Brother Mountains, North, Middle and South, are named after a dreamtime story of three aboriginal brothers who are buried where the mountains stand after they were killed by a witch. This National Park is Named Dooragan after the youngest brother. At an elevation of 487m, there are some spectacular views and various lookouts in different directions. As you can see in the photos all have different names. There is also a memorial to Simpson and his Donkey and Anzac Cove. In addition there is a memorial to Captain James Cook, who also named these Brothers Mountains as he thought they all looked very similar. There is also a pleasant wheel chair friendly rainforest walk. This walk looks out the other side of the mountain and the viewing platform offers completely different views. Back down the mountain and then to the Historic Camden Haven Pilot Station. First opened in 1878, there was a need to be able for vessels to safely navigate the Camden Haven and for improved access to the river. The pilot station was closed in the mid 1970s, and is today used as a guest house. From here he went to the Kattang Nature Reserve. This rutted track climbs to the Hamey Carpark. You can then go on foot if you like, but the views from the car park are just great. Looking along the point you can see the ocean and beaches one side while on the other is the river and oyster leases. He did go to another national park, but this was closed due to the bush fires. Meat and cheese pie for dinner for me while Clive had a pastie and four bean mix.Saturday 7th December - Macksville to Laurieton
Must be the wide open plains, as it got down to 13.8 last night. It's going to be a cooler day, as it only reached 29.8 today. A couple of hours driving today as we head for Laurieton. It's about 123km from where we are. We left just after 10 and arrived just after midday. An easy drive along the double lane Pacific Highway. A lot cooler today too, as I didn't even need the van AC on. We are here for two nights at the Laurieton Lakefront Caravan Park. It's only $25.00 a night too. We're allocated a spot at the very front of the park, which can only house about 6 vans. It's in between the main road and the rest of the park. Clive went for a walk around there and lots of vans and cabins. The place looks a bit run down and could do with a tidy up. Clive discovered that it you want a shower then you must pay for it. Still, where we are is not too bad, clean and tidy and there is only us here. Still a lot of smoke around, and they are predicting high 40's for Tuesday. Not looking forward to that. The local Chinese Take Away does Duck in seafood sauce and also egg and ham roll with plum sauce. Looks like Chinese for tea tonight. Clive went to the evening Mass and then got tea on the way home. It was delicious. Duck for me..YUM.