Byron Bay March 2015

Hugo flies in on days off. After 17 long days in the NSW Central West, he is in dire need of all things coastal. Sun, sand, sea, surf, socialising. So, Byron here we come..

It's an easy drive down to the beautiful North Coast of NSW from Brisbane.. We veered off the beaten track a little and found a small local market in Pottsville. And the most expensive tea bag I've ever bought... $ 7 for a small,chunky, chipped cup with a tea bag... Hmmm, and the locals wonder why business isn't booming in this area. I understand that there is a commercial principle that reasons that food and beverages can be dearer in tourist areas... But....

Onward through the green valleys and hills toward Bangalow and Mullumbimby. After a quick wander round 'Mullum', we stumbled upon the Poinciana Cafe. The eclectic style of decor, the multicultural wait staff, the delicious food, the whole bloody package. I felt almost transported into another world. One where life slows down, judgements cast aside and universal acceptance abounds. A peaceful but warm welcome to the area. 

Onward to Byron Bay and after a quick drive up to the Light House, we sourced some waterfront accommodation, close by the CBD, but far enough away to experience the serenity of the beach out front. 

What I love about Byron the most, is the sign welcoming all to town. CHEER UP, SLOW DOWN, CHILL OUT.  And that feeling has permeated the whole coastal community. From the laid back wait staff, to the surfers, the locals have a casual friendly approach to life. Cars give way to pedestrians on busy main streets, buses stop and let kids on bikes cross the road, backpackers ride skateboards in traffic without a care in the world. Street dining and beers on the balcony. It's cool, it's hip, and it's happening.

I also had the great fortune to meet a beautiful 78 yo local called Feather. She showed me some wild Irish Dance moves, on St Patrick's Day. This lady is amazing, she surfs, she runs, she lives life according to her rules. I wanna be her. To be 78 and rocking the green top hat and matching sequin vest, the tap shoes and black stockings with shorts, the whole outfit screamed ' this is who I am, and your opinion of it makes no difference' It's the epitome of the Byron Bay lifestyle, the whole no judgement, acceptance, calm, peace and serenity, it's actually the way the whole bloody world should live.

We cruised out to Nimbin, which was almost a deflating experience, it seemed to me to be so stereotypical, it was exactly as I thought it would be, right down to the overuse of tie dye, the lack of underwear or deodorant use, the dreadlocks and obligatory offer of Hash Cookies on the street.. Ho Hum. The drive up through the The Channon was the most exciting part of the journey. Narrow, windy roads through some of the most beautiful scenery.. We weren't in a hurry and we were glad we took the time to choose this route. The countryside is so lush and green, when compared to our home lands of late. Still in the grips of a crippling drought, the area of Western Qld is such a stark contrast to this country. 

Thursday morning saw an early rise and walk up to the Light House to watch the sunrise. Spectacular sight. Many morning walkers, runners, and tourists make the steep trek up to the Lighthouse which I think was established in 1903. It's well kept and within beautifully preserved gardens, a coffee shop and a scenic walkway will get all the way around the headland. Amazing photo opportunity amidst the tourists, the lovers, the up all nighters, the grey nomads and the health nuts

After breakfast we headed south, to Lennox Head and along the coastline toward Ballina. Walking along the Lennox Headlands and watching the surf at the Surfers Park, beautiful weather, beautiful veiw. Perfect place to once again give thanks for this experience, for my good health and my agility to climb the lookouts to see such grand natural beauty. 

Sitting in my fave Adelaide Street Coffee Shop writing this blog, I am already missing the lifestyle of the North Coast. The Brissvegas CBD seems frantic today, chaotic and unfriendly.. But that may also be because I'm missing my partner in crime. Hugo has flown out for his next work stint, so I'm in the city on my own, researching and people watching.. Getting some background info for my new book. 

Yes, you read right. A new book. Fancy that?

Stay tuned. 

The difference between being grateful and being smug.

Travelling Makes Me Laugh was set up originally for two purposes. One to let our ever increasing family keep up to date with where we are, and to know we are safe on holidays. And two, for me to have some kind of electronic version of our travels in case ever the situation occurs that I need reminding..

It was never set up with the intention of flaunting my ability to travel, to 'rub it in' to those amongst us that cannot afford yet to travel much, and it saddens me to think that there have been murmurings of this here. 

For many reasons, I feel grateful for the life I have now. My kids are healthy and happy, my partner loves me to death, my life is my own, full of choices and opportunity. But on the other hand I feel I've worked bloody hard to get here. We are successful because of the choices I have had to make in the past. 

Yes, there are people who I have become recent friends with, who will never know the struggle, the hardship and disappointments that we, as a family have gone through. They will never understand the heartache and pain at seeing a child unconscious in ICU, and the rawness of wondering whether he will ever survive. In saying that, I don't feel like I should be made feel I should explain my hard times to justify my good times now.

I am sorry for those who feel that my blog is smug, but not for the reasons you think. I feel sorry for them as they have not yet had the opportunity for hardship to teach them the lessons of life. They have not yet had a teacher appear in their great time of need to light their way. They have not yet come to the realisation that the money they spend on alcohol, cigarettes and pokies is much much more than I would spend on two OS trips a year.  I feel sorry for them for they are yet to get that women are supposed to build each other up, not tear each other down. Support not criticise. Help not hinder.

But ultimately, this is my personal blog. I write to relax, I write because it's my job, But I write because I love it. I write to amuse myself and for my kids to know this stuff.  I am the keeper of my grandmothers diary of her travels to the UK, and one day I hope my grand kids will read this and become a dreamer as well, just as I did. 

I don't write with the intention of making you feel inadequate, and I don't write to make you jealous or angry. I write to make me happy, your reactions to that are your own business. 

Most importantly, I write to tell the world how grateful I am to have landed in this fabulous life, one where I can work my own hours, take responsibility for my own actions, set my own goals and live according to my rules.

So, to be brutally frank, nothing is keeping you here. If you are amongst the people happy to criticise me, my life and my family... Just head on back to the pub, and read the next chapter of my blog whilst waiting for change for the pokies.. Me, on the other hand, will be in Byron Bay, travelling, laughing and giving thanks for the opportunities I've been given.