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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
Both producing and writing their own software.
Christos's 10mm mounting plate which he said was 200x300 was in fact 160x300,
ok no problem Christos had already sorted that out. After a short
deliberation as to orientation of the motor to the plate, and
positioning the slide blocks and marking the 10mm plate for cutting we
set to work. Cutting the 10mm plate on my metal bandsaw both in the horizontal and vertical positions as the plate shape required as seen in the photo with the slide blocks of the paper pattern. This photo is of us doing the 2nd cut for one of the slide blocks to fit into.
Unfortunately he has the hardest job to do yet the holes we drilled for
the axlial slide of the motor have to be cleaned up and 10mmplate thats
no going to be easy using a file. hope it holds.
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.
Some of the models they make including the Wells Fargo Coach. 
