A weeks R&R Port Macquaire

 Taking a drive north of Coffs Harbour to Woolgoolga which has a large Sikh population. Lunch and then back to Emerald Beach for afternoon tea and a walk along Moonee Beach Reserve headland. Thanks Meri for the heads up a wonderful walk.  Coffs has an abundance of markets weekend and the Thursday fresh produce market which we head to just prior leaving. Picking up 3 ks of Honey and some fruit for on the road.

 Mal from Boutique Timbers has always said about dropping in when passing. Always call before hand just in case he's delivering  or at a show. However his son was at home. A nice drive so I thought, Sue will be speaking to Mal on her feelings about his driveway. A word of caution if its raining DON'T visit.

 The main reason for a 2 night stay at Port Macquarie was The Hastings Woodworkers via the Woodwork Forum had announced they were holding their annual woodshow. Also in Port at the same time a Photographic conference and car show unfortunately we could not make the latter two. I have to hand it to the Hastings club for an excellent show its layout, the members works and support by such as Artizan's Retreat incorporating Trend Timbers, Helen Harris Scroll Saw supplies and New England Woodworking supplies.

Treadle Lathe

Raffle Prize

Some of the models they make including the Wells Fargo Coach.

 Sue took all these photos in both the previous and this post using her Lumix digital camera. I took along my trusty yet to be developed Canon EOS 100 film SLR and video camera.

 
 Port Macquarie as the sun was setting.

 Thanks Sue for a wonderful trip.

19th October update to this post.

I finally picked up 4 rolls of developed photos today from the Canon EOS100 which I reckon through threat of being replaced by Digital produced some great photos. A new battery may have helped.

A weeks R&R

A weeks R&R away from care and woe ............not so.

Last Saturday we headed north to Coffs Harbour (approx 600k's) calling in at Tinonee in particular Artizans Retreat to see Peter and Christine Calabria and the magnificent retreat they have set up. Peter and Christine are great hosts that was not just to us as we sat back and watched how they looked after 3 other families for lunch, a gallery walk and Christine and Peter with a young boy and girl making kites. A tour of the workshop/shed which is huge, the view while having lunch tranquil, the Artizan Retreat Pancakes and Banana and the Anitpesto plate very nice. The gallery has is not just Peter or Christine's work but other local artisans also. 3hrs later we had to head off, we will return for a full weekend of activities and R&R.

The Pacific Highway is still going through upgrades but the hassle is worth it its been 2 years since travelling the route and Kew is now bypassed the single lane bridges along the Taree bypass all gone, Bulladelah bypass is in full swing.

A late arrival in to Coffs after another 1hr in Taree seeing a friend and quick cuppa.

Nothing was planned good job as Monday morning I was not feeling to bright and after a Macca's pancakes we headed off to Coffs base hospital for 5hrs in emergency waiting room. The triage sister picked it when I saw her when entering. I had picked up a server stomach bug, chills etc as things eased we decided as the waiting room was filling with cases worse and needing more attention headed back to the motel. A day ruined

Coffs has a large Botanic Gardens not far from the motel or centre of town. The walk or for me roll around the gardens is easy the forest walks and swamp/wet lands fantastic. We saw more rare timbers than I thought possible with examples from around the world exotics I drooled over. Some wild life such as Land Mullets, Water Dragons, Scrub Turkey and Bower birds. The gardens are constantly going through upgrades a Japanese section is having a Tea House style built.

Old and New

Coffs Jetty & Harbour

 Water Dragons one has been injured either in a fight or falling out of the tree just after passing under it.

Land Mullet

Clavia

Iris

This fellow showed up one night at the Motel.






Monee Beach Reserve and walk.













Update 16th October 2 of the photos taken with my EOS 100 film SLR. The Botanical walk at Coffs Harbour.