It is just about 6.00 am the sun is shining and I have been awake since 5 am. The sun rises very early in Queensland! yesterday was grey and humid with a massive tropical storm. From my bedroom window I can see rain over the mountains on the horizon. I have decided after careful deliberation and research to go to Ballina to camp at Flat Rock by the sea. I was hesitant because of the CoVid outbreak in Sydney which was growing and spreading beyond the north shores and Greater Sydney. The complications of needing a border pass to return or find ourselves in a hotspot which would require quarantine on return was ever present in my mind. Added to the variables is the fairly wet weather that has been forecast for the area of which yesterday’s storm was just the beginning.
Leaving the relative safety of the Gold Coast and the comfort of an apartment, for a tent by the sea needed a lot of thinking. The family here think I am a bit nuts but I will take the bus to Ballina this afternoon and remain flexible. What was the old saying? Alert but not alarmed. I had my first surf yesterday-delicious. The northerly wind had blown in the stingers but not where I was so I am seeing that as a good omen. I relish the lazy time by the sea and ever the optimist, hope all remains safe.
It has been great to see my family and in all honesty I probably should stay longer, but after the year of lockdown I want to be out in the open, free to swim in warm water and breathe in the sea air for a piece.
NSW has been touted as the gold standard of contact tracing and containment yet not as restrictive as Victoria so I will trust they are on top of it and carry on with the expectation that I can return to Victoria without a problem when my holiday ends.
I will be arriving quite late at 6 pm and we have a New Year Dinner at the Thai restaurant in Lennox head at 8.00 pm so it will have to be a quick tent installation so I have somewhere to sleep tonight. I am quite excited by the prospect of the bus trip. It is something I might do overseas where having a car is less usual for me. It is different and very inexpensive although much slower. An adventurous way to end the year! My brother usually very kindly drives me to Flat Rock, but with the complications of border passes and consequent traffic delays it was not something to be considered this year.
Happy New Year to everyone and let’s hope it is both Happy and Healthy and Prosperous in 2021!
fleetfootkath 