Today is the last day of my trip. After sixteen days and 5,757km travelled, I am home again. This trip started out because I wanted to meet members of my extended family, to meet the people I have formed such strong friendships with online and to visit a state I have never been to before.
I did everything I planned and it was the most wonderful time. The people I met were all lovely. They were all welcoming and the big thing for me was I was instantly at ease with all of them. I felt I belonged. So a big thank you to my friends and family, it was you guys that made this trip the special time that it turned out to be.
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| A water feature at the All Seasons Country Lodge, Taree where I stayed |
I left Taree in the morning and started to travel home. I stopped off at Kempsey for fuel and of course coffee and a muffin at Macdonalds. I had to keep an eye on the time because I had seven hours of actual driving to do but I did get sidetracked a few times. The rivers in this part of New South Wales are just beautiful. I stopped in Macksville to have a look.
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| Who are you looking at? Seagulls at the Nambucca River, Macksville. |
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| Nambucca River, Macksville |
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| Nambucca River, Macksville |
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| For Tommy. A truck crossing the bridge over the Nambucca River, Macksville |
Then just up the road a bit further, I saw a sign to Valla Beach. As it was only a couple of kilometres away, I thought I would have a quick look. I’m so glad I did. What a beautiful beach!
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| Valla Beach just north of Nambucca Heads. It is a gorgeous place. |
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| Valla Beach |
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| Valla Beach |
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| South Valla Beach viewed from the picnic area |
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| and again… |
I then continued on my way north. I stopped at Grafton for some lunch. I called into a fast food place for a kebab however it was most definitely not fast. Twenty-five minutes later I walked out with my lunch and went down to the Clarence River to eat it.
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| The bridge over the Clarence River, Grafton. The cars cross on the top level and the railway is on the lower level of the bridge. |
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| The Clarence River, Grafton. Another pretty spot. |
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| A view of the lower level of the bridge showing the railway line. Cars travel across on the top level. |
I then kept driving until I got home stopping only for some more fuel at Kyogle. I was following the Summerland Way however I decided to take the Lions Rd across the Queensland border. This took about fifteen minutes off my trip even though it is a very narrow and windy road. The windy bit didn’t matter as the Mt Lindsay Hway is worse had I have driven that way.
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| The Queensland/New South Wales border on the Lions Road. Nearly home… |
I crossed the border at 4:10pm and right on five o’clock I was home. It was great to be back home and hold my wife Maree and see my boys again.
Hi Steve
I’m so very glad for you that you were able to have this trip and take the time for yourself for a while too. I’m really pleased that you enjoyed yourself so much and I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures.
Keep smiling – Dawn
Thanks Dawn
xox
I’m not Anonymous, it’s me your cousin Sue! Really liked your on-line diary, I don’t believe I’ve ever read anyone’s blog before, so we’re all expanding our horizons a little. Travelling is so different now when you can upload photos and record your feelings and thoughts as it’s all happening. When Mark and I travelled overseas in 1992 I kept a journal (handwritten) and I still like to look at it occasionally. Getting away from your comfort zone can have unexpected results sometimes, it’s a brave thing to do. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Sue. This was so easy to do – probably 20 minutes of a night time in the motel. If I didn’t do it then, I would have forgotten many of the finer details……