MONDAY 6 APRIL     ILUKA TO TALLEBUDGERA    216kms

I got up at 6.30, John slept on until 8. I went for an early morning walk around the caravan park, then sat for a while watching the birds. We were away at 9.30am, without any dramas.

Although there was some great scenery, today’s was not an enjoyable drive. There were too many hills and bends, requiring constant concentration. I am still very tense about the whole towing thing, so cannot really relax and enjoy.

After about Bangalow, we were on totally new ground for us. A few years ago, when staying near Coffs, in school holidays, on C’s recommendation, we had driven up to Rosebank, near Bangalow, to look at some woodworking timber. But that was only a quick day drive and I can’t say we have ever really explored much north of Coffs, at all well. Not going to right now, either!

In a section south of Ballina, where the highway runs beside the Richmond River, we were passed by two oncoming vehicles with Oversize Vehicle Following signs, and flashing lights. The road was narrow, the bends were right angles, the river levee bank was on one side. We were just asking ourselves why there were two warning vehicles, one behind the other, as we approached another right angled bend – and met a huge truck coming our way. The trailer had what we think was some kind of barge on it. He took up the entire road width, and he’d swung out even wider to take the bend. Fortunately, John was going slowly for the bend, so he was able to come to a sudden stop, as far left as we could get, which wasn’t far! The truck missed the van, but John said it was very close, from what he could see in the rear vision mirror. The driver kind of jack  knifed his load, having to pull back across at the corner. It gave us a huge fright – seemed to happen so quickly. We decided that the advance warning should have been much clearer – making traffic pull over and stop completely. Well, that was another towing experience, and something else to watch out for – Oversize Vehicles that may be extremely oversized! We had never before seen anything that big travelling roads like this before.

The road got very hilly north of Brunswick Heads. We stopped in that town to eat our pre-packed lunch, as we saw a place to park while negotiating our way through. We were able to walk to the fish co-op, where I bought some mullet and prawns.

There were several ocean-going yachts tied up in the river boat harbour there, with people living on them – practical boats, rather than up-market ones.

Between Brunswick Heads and Murwillumbah there were great views to the west and north-west, to the mountains – the Borders Ranges. Definitely country to explore one day, but from the look of it, without the van on the back!

It was flatter and easier after Murwillumbah.

At times, after the episode with the barge, I could smell something strong – almost acrid. I wondered if it was the brakes getting too hot, because we were using them quite a bit. Months later, having met the same smell in lots of other places, and sometimes when walking, I was to realize that it was some type of wild grass, but it had me anxious at the time. As the passenger, I have little to do except worry! It was just that sort of day.

We were low on fuel by the time we crossed the border into Qld, as John had wanted to wait to refuel, as he thought it was cheaper in that state, due to a government subsidy. And it is – by 9-13 cents a litre. That will make travel more economic. Filled up at Tugun – 64cpl.

Went to the Tallebudgera Caravan Park – a Family Parks one, on the southern part of the Gold Coast. Cost $15.75 a night. The park is really large. It adjoins the Tallebudgera Creek, just a little upstream from the sea. Can’t hear the sea though, due to some buildings between the coast and here. The receptionist told us there were no sandflies – good! It is booked out for Easter, and wouldn’t be so nice then anyway – too crowded. But I guess where we are going will be the same.

We set up for a short stay. John messed about with the TV aerial and the radiophone for a while.

We then walked along the creek to the beach, which was a pleasant looking one. There were some people fishing off a breakwall at the creek mouth. The waves were huge!

It was dusk when we walked back to the van. I phoned friend L. We will go there for tea tomorrow.

Tea was prawns and salad.

We were both quite tired, so it was an early night.

We are in Queensland at last! After 13 weeks on the road………