Monday 28th July Coffs Harbour

Breakfasted on the balcony of ‘Upperdeck’ at Coff’s Marina in the sunshine with Louise, Craig and automotive Dessie. ‘Bellbowrie Car Hire’ does excellent rates on posh motors for aquatic grey nomads. Service includes pick up, delivery and a voucher for the ‘Pier Hotel’ titty-bar on a Wednesday night; a fine opportunity to meet and mingle with tradesmen, tattooed locals and people wanted in other states.
Headed out towards Des’s favourite town, Woolgoolga. It might be the vast expanse of golden sand that attracts him or perhaps it’s his abiding love for the local 'Sikh' population and the contribution they’ve made to the local street-scape. On to Corindi Beach where we happened upon a pub. Several things then occurred in quick succession. The owner, Peter, turned out not only to be the uncle of Cleon, hard working client schmoozer at Standard Pacific, but also Curvy’s ex hairdresser. Dots were connected and 2 of the ‘Disappointed Superannuants’ tried out for jobs (see pics.) We await the prognostications of the HR dept. The pub dates back to Henry the Eighth’s time, unusual in Australia, and is named after one of his many unfortunate wives, ‘The Amble Inn.’ Eventually we staggered out of the Amble Inn and turned our sights on the Fisho’s Club on the hill at Coffs. Here we supped on fish and fine white wine. Some of our compliment then walked off the meal, strolling back to the marina while those with ‘Gammy Legs’ shouted their familiar cry ‘more wine for my friends’ sadly paying the penalty by attracting the attention of a very boring and smelly local who felt it his duty to point out in infinite detail the many museums in the Coff’s Harbour region, their contents and the names of the curators and their children. A hasty retreat was beaten (there was still wine in the bottle for God’s sake) and a hangover fortuitously dodged
The marina is a good place to be as boat after boat comes into the Harbour to shelter from the stormy blast outside and tomorrow will see us attempt an exploration of the inns and hostelries of the hinterland.