Quality Inn And Stes Port Macq Port Macquarie

... storm sails, etc. <br>Also Don did some sail and navigation training which brings us up to basic competence for the job. In addition we fitted a GPS chart plotter, linked with a new VHF radio and an automatic identification system which tracks all the commercial shipping and warns us when they are likely to enter our 'ring of confidence'. We also have a life tag system which involves each crew member (including our pooch Minnie) wearing a wristwatch - sized tag which ...

... the beach then up to the viewpoint at the top of muttonbird island. I settled down at the far end of the island and got my book out, when a guy also sitting there got up and told me that there was a storm approaching from the west so my book was gonna get wet. When someone tells you there's a storm approaching from the west, you trust them cos it sounds ominous. 2 hours later, and not a drop a rain had fallen, I began to doubt my judgment of the man. I was only supposed to stay 1 ...

... moreish VB (Victoria Bitter) we sat for a while on a bench overlooking the water before heading back to our van and a few hands of cards.<br><br> <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br >Port Macquarie was a lovely place and could have imagined spending more than one night there, but there was more for us to explore further North. Maybe we'll come back one day ...

... it got too late. We took the bus into the city and explored the CBD for a while we started exploting the botanic gardens but it was getting dark by this point. We headed back to the caravan park. The next day we left Brisbane. It was a shame that we could not explore more city but we ralized how rushed we are now. We drove to surfer's paradise where we alloted 2 hours. We walked the beach and rented surf boards. The waves here were ...

... bloke. It was a little chilly and some light misty rain, so I guess we know what we will be in for when we get home. We really loved Port Macquarie as the caravan park was just so beautiful, and we were able to walk everywhere - shops, beach, out to dinner etc. We had another delicious dinner at the Mercure. Also watched the final State of Origin at the Town Green Hotel and had a really lovely meal in a small intimate room with just a few ...

... year when my relatives weren't in town. However, every cloud has a silver lining, and this cloud had a big'un; they said we could still stay in their house and use their car. We jumped at the generosity, and after arriving in town, took a short, scary taxi drive (the driver was honestly mental) to the house which is frankly lovely. Sea views, a swimming pool and a hundred other lovely things make it a brilliant place to stay (the free internet is especially useful :P), and ...

... food and had a walk around the shops. The second day here the weather wasn't too great so we decided we would go to a koala hospital that was near by. Was really good as they give you a tour and tell you lots about them. They are ssssssoooooooooooo cute and really do look like teddy bears, they sleep for 20 hours a day so have cute sleepy eyes. Unfortunately we didn't get to hold them as they were all sick but managed to get really ...

Alex: Our next stop up the coast was at Port Macquarie about 6 hours from Sydney. The main attraction for us was the Koala hospital for obvious reasons. We got in, checked in and then took a walk along the front. The beach is pretty and was full of surfers (it also made Dean sing the Home and Away theme tune) and a little bit further up is the break-wall, every single rock of which has been painted by anyone and everyone, we didn't see one that wasn't covered. Mostly it ...

... was down to it being the weekend and most of the schools had broken up by now. I found somewhere about 15 minutes away on bus from the center but I wanted to stay where I wanted so I decided that I will visit Byron when I come down the coast to Brisbane. Evelyn had told me that she would be in Newcastle over the weekend which was a bonus, not to mention all the other people that I had met there the time before! I also found out that Kim from gap year was there ...

... a BBQ tonight, so I went downstairs to sign up and then watched the cricket until it was time to eat! As I was one of the last people to grab the food I got two extra steaks and sausages! It was Russ's birthday so him and Jen bought some goon which I contributed for before they headed off for a meal at a restaurant. Once they were back we cracked on with the goon. It was a really enjoyable evening which ended around 1ish because the day had caught up with me so it was off to the land of sleep.