All sorts of critters...

G’Day, All!

We are coming to realize that one of the necessities for subtropical rainforests is – yep, you guessed it! – RAIN! And boy has it been coming down! Fortunately, being from Tucson, it is an unexpected pleasure – just a bit damp-making.

So, started out our Wednesday with another nice drive. As Marg & Norm hadn’t been to Dorrigo or its National Park recently and wanted to go to the Rainforest Center, we headed out about 8:30 a.m. LOTS of rain coming down; seemed to come in waves! Did another turn around the visitor center, and watched the video about Coffs Harbour and surrounding area – so tell me, why do these videos ALL take place on sunny days?? Hmmm…

We decided to take the Wonga Walk, which went from the visitor center into the rainforest, 5.8 km…Only problem with the walk (other than a bit slippery underfoot; the canopy of trees was so thick in places, that it didn’t matter if it was raining at all, as it didn’t really reach the floor) were leeches. UGH! And they were EVERYWHERE! We had sprayed our shoes and pant legs prior to starting, but we still picked up some “friends” as we went along! (Oh! Also a stinging kind of tree, but that was much easier to avoid, as most of the leaves and branches were WAY over our heads! As Bill Bryson says, all sorts of things down under can get you!) At any rate, to say I am NOT a leech person is quite an understatement, let me tell you!!! So, as we hiked through this absolutely beautiful forest – incredible trees, lots of ferns, vines and tree roots hanging everywhere (made me feel like Tarzan and Jane there for a while!) we were also constantly watching for leeches; stomping our shoes and trying not to pick things up or to shake off what had grabbed on. One tried to crawl through a seam in my shoe; another got between R’s shoe and sock. YEK!!!!! Marg asked how or if I would include this information in our blog, and when assured that I would, she came up with the slogan --
Come to OZ – we like your tourist dollars and your blood!! How about that for a new nationwide campaign? The walk was a long one, and unfortunately led straight down to the forest floor – meaning quite a climb to get back up. We passed two incredibly beautiful waterfalls along the way, one of which the path actually passed behind! Finally made it back to the Visitor Center, and had a good hard check of pants, shoes, socks and feet to make sure that no little critters came back with us! Whew…..much prefer my animals of the hoppy sort, I must say!

Ate lunch at the visitor center’s café, and had my first OZ pie! It was minced beef, and excellent! R had another steak sandwich – this time without the beet root! This one came with “wedges” which are new to us. They’re sort of like French fries, and are cooked the same way, but rather than in slices, like fries, the potatoes are cut into wedges instead. Really good! I finished off lunch with a Magnum Classic ice cream bar, and R had a scone with strawberry jam … each to their own!

We stopped for another amble through the Old Butter Factory … got to see the table again; also a wonderful blanket chest, which would probably cost as much to ship home as it costs to buy … oh well; it was lovely! And it definitely wouldn’t go as carry-on!

Then back to the condo for a nice afternoon nap (always welcome!) We went out for dinner, to an Indian restaurant in Coffs Harbour. Quite good, and a nice break from cooking! Had an assortment of things, including a lentil dish and a curried beef – I do like Indian restaurants that serve beef, as many of them don’t! Tonight, our last night here in the condo, we are invited to some friends of Marg & Norm’s for dinner; how nice!

Today we’re going to stay a little closer to home. Thought we’d walk around Coffs Harbour, and there is a walk from the botanic garden past the zoo which we thought we’d try (weather permitting!). Also have some laundry to do (last load before heading to Brisbane, and not sure of a washer for 5 or 6 days!!) and some packing up. It’s about 400 km to Brisbane tomorrow, so want to get an early start. Hoping that it gets a bit warmer as we go further north, as it has been a bit chilly with all the rain; rather dank, and, while there is a/c in these units, there isn’t any HEAT! Imagine!

So, that’s the story as we know it! Take care all, and more tomorrow!

Love,

m