Evans Head

Some things never last, good weather being one of them. The last two days have been overcast and threatening to rain and then the strong wind comes in, as usual, in the afternoon.

But I have managed to fit in some good walks and rides. Evans Head has good shared paths around town that take in the best and most picturesque areas on offer. I've become attached to the area and after 5 mornings am on nodding terms with the 6am walkers around the river.  I wonder if they will wonder where I am after tomorrow morning? Not likely. Paddling in the river is good as well. But checking the tide tables is well advised unless ever changing scenery is non issue for you, when you paddle.

It appears my goods are ready for pick up in Ballina. So some back tracking and a chance to do a major provision before looping further south.

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A nice ~5km walk each morning.

Have you ever wondered how then filled those bags. 

Evans Head and F111c

Awoken by a jet ski on the river before sun up. Yes, barely able to see your toes and some arse is hooning up and down. Needless to say won't stop another night here. And btw the trucks went all night to.

Off to Evans Head and the CP there. Another big day driving 23km. Walked around town to see what was what then rode out to the air museum at the airport. They have an F111c in perfect condition.

Then rode back to town and up to the lookout. I just can't help myself if there's a hill I've got to see over it. Had to get off and push for the last bit but smoked the brakes on the way down. Must have broken the land speed record for silly-old-blokes-on-a-bike, for that hill and that day anyway.

Evans Head is a nice little town with good facilities. Good for a couple of days whilst the weather has improved. Forecast is for sunny, high 20s and light winds for the next few, nice.

The driver's seat

18,000lts to fill the tank.

Half way up.

From the top of Evans Headland.

Broadwater - Richmond River.

As convenient as a caravan park can be its really nice to be freedom camping again. Its just not possible at or near any of the good beaches. But with the weather the way it is at the moment the beach is not the place to be. Windy and overcast.

Found a nice spot on the Richmond River about 25km upstream from Ballina at Broadwater West. The occasion cane truck breaks the P&Q but its reasonable to expect them to stop after dark?

Another big drive today 32km.

A nice camp spot.

Amazing how wide this river is upstream.

Cup Day Ballina

Thought for today:  Gambling is a tax on people who do not understand the laws of probability. Gooo Fawkner!

The managers of the caravan park here at Ballina are really nice people, generous with their time. When checking in, Rob spent a lot of time mapping out the bike paths around Ballina and then later Lee, his wife, gave me the goss on where the best of everything is in town.

Then this morning Rob comes around, site to site, inviting people to go into the Park Melbourne Cup day sweeps. They could just book people in and mow the grass like lots most of the others do.

My orchard bloom is in its final stages now. There have been over seventy flowers. Just eight, oops no seven, left and two buds that don't look like they will open?

The last of the bloom.

Lennox Head - Lake Ainsworth

Stopped at Lennox Head for a couple of days and enjoyed SUP paddling early each morning on Lake Ainsworth before the blustery wind hit us. Consistent if nothing else. Everyday from about 9am till after dark a strong north easterly. Then on the last day relief. No, same strength wind just a different direction. South east and cool. Temps down from low 30s to low 20s and overcast.

But managed to do some riding and walking through the day. Lennox Head is a popular beach resort that appears to do well in the off season. Nice beach, nice shopping precinct. Many restaurants, cafes and coffee places. Not overly trendy either with lots of local working class yobbos and surfer bums.

Packed up and headed down the coast to Ballina. All of 12km. Big day out! Will stay here a few days. Appears to be the Big Smoke compared with up the road.

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Lennox Headland looking down to the town.