Granny's Got a Bike: Hippy Country

I took a couple of days off after Easter to visit my friend, Linda, who lives over the border near Lismore.

at Brunswick Heads

My first plan was to ride into Roma street, hop on the train down to Kyogle then ride 30km to Linda's home in the forests. But thwarted by Country Line - bikes need to be boxed - and I wasn't planning on boxing Nellie for a 2 hour train journey - especially as the return trip was leaving at 420am Sat morning. so Nellie was tucked into the back of Rosie and we set off to the border.

The country is beautiful down that way. Rolling green hills, tufted with forest - farms along the road sides.

Linda's cottage

Morning brought bright sunshine which revealed the wonderful forest setting of her little cottage - with all those wonderful touches that Linda is so good at.

Over a yummy lazy breakfast we planned our two days together - deciding that there wouldn't really be any opportunity for bike riding.

We drove off to Nimbin for a bit of a look. Nimbin was much smaller than I thought but definitely still has the great hippy feel, happy weed scenting the air!

Nimbin Theatre - Nimbin candles around the back

The local art exhibition in the Hall was well worth a look, with some really high class art works.

We strolled out to Nimbin Candles and stocked up there. www.nimbincandles.com.au

Nimbin street

Nimbin

Vegetarian food is easy to find there and a big bowl of pumpkin soup kept us going all day.

Nimbin rainbows

Lismore clock

On Friday we drove over to Byron Bay after stopping in at Lismore to check out the Art gallery and its portrait exhibition. some really good pieces in there also.

Byron Bay has become a little commercial - but still has a good feeling with healthy food outlets. But we had brought our own lunch, which we scoffed under a shady tree - until it started to rain.

Palm Valley walk

Thankfully, the rain eased off and we walked up the track towards the lighthouse, detouring along the Palm Valley walk - a shady palm lined loop - well worth exploring, tho no-one else was.

Looking down onto the surf

The walk up clings to the edge of the cliff with great views over the sea rolling in - surfers hanging out trying to catch the waves.

Looking east

And dolphins! there was a pod of about 20 playing in the water, catching waves, surfing just under the water and popping out and leaping around generally having lots of fun. Pity I only had my little camera with little zoom!

Almost the most easterly point in Australia

We walked out to the point, wild water on one side, dolphins on the other!

We topped off a beautiful day with an hour of salsa dancing back in Lismore - and as I have never done this before, I found muscles in my legs that had been dormant for years!! Ouch!

Too sadly my visit was over and I headed back to Brisbane - and a dental appointment! a great few days down in New South Wales.

Some images of forest living!