Thursday January 14th
Wide awake and at the beach in Byron Bay by 6 a.m.
At 7 o'clock we had a substantial breakfast at Dip in Byron Bay then made our way to our chosen camp site at the far end of the bay. We were lucky to get a space, pitched the tent within sound of the sea then repaired to the beach. A relaxing and quiet day, mostly on the beach.
Friday 15th January.
Although windy the threatened rain didn't arrive and we went into Byron Bay to see the town. I was somewhat disappointed as it wasn't at all as I imagined. The guide book describes it as " It is here that coastal surf culture flows into the hippie tide washing down from the hinterland, creating one great barefooted, alternative lifestyle mash up." I'd say it was more like Ibiza.... James Cook named Cape Byron after the navigator John Byron, grandfather of Lord Byron. Later civic officials assumed it was named after the poet and planned out streets with names such as Shelley, Johnson, Marvell and Burns to name just a few.
After our wander round the town we went up to the lighthouse,
and saw Captain Cook's lookout from Australia's most easterly point.
We then went up to some of the hippie communities inland from Byron, Mullumbimby, with its cute wooden church
Brunswick, where we saw a log splitting competition,
Wide awake and at the beach in Byron Bay by 6 a.m.
At 7 o'clock we had a substantial breakfast at Dip in Byron Bay then made our way to our chosen camp site at the far end of the bay. We were lucky to get a space, pitched the tent within sound of the sea then repaired to the beach. A relaxing and quiet day, mostly on the beach.
Friday 15th January.
Although windy the threatened rain didn't arrive and we went into Byron Bay to see the town. I was somewhat disappointed as it wasn't at all as I imagined. The guide book describes it as " It is here that coastal surf culture flows into the hippie tide washing down from the hinterland, creating one great barefooted, alternative lifestyle mash up." I'd say it was more like Ibiza.... James Cook named Cape Byron after the navigator John Byron, grandfather of Lord Byron. Later civic officials assumed it was named after the poet and planned out streets with names such as Shelley, Johnson, Marvell and Burns to name just a few.
After our wander round the town we went up to the lighthouse,
and saw Captain Cook's lookout from Australia's most easterly point.
We then went up to some of the hippie communities inland from Byron, Mullumbimby, with its cute wooden church
Brunswick, where we saw a log splitting competition,
and Bangalow, all quaint , pretty little villages definitely very hippy and laid back, lots of arty shops, alternative medicine, eateries and, most of all, bookshops! In nearby Nimbin in May 1973 there was a festival which attracted many students, hippies and devotees of sustainable living and alternative lifestyles and some who attended stayed on and tried to live out their ideals. It certainly has good vibes!
Back at camp it was time for a walk on the beach and then supper.
No comments:
Post a Comment