Essex Boy turns Barbi

Arrive at Sawtell, that is near Coffs Harbour. We stay at a Big 4 that is within spitting distance of the town and beaches. Our plot is great as it overlooks a village green and the local croquet club. We nip down to the beach through a side gate and it is really lovely. The beach is completely empty and has many rock pools, where wonderful small blue coloured crabs are scuttling about. The sea is quite rough, but great for the surfers that we can see in the distance. The sun is warm on our backs as we clamber over the rocks along the beach.

Later, a stroll into town, with a quick beer and cocktail at Marley’s Beach Shack, then a great authentic curry at Indian Cottage.

The next day, we join the many locals who breakfast in the numerous cafes here, having scrambled eggs on toast at Split Cafe. Then off to find the man-made rock pool, that we do locate, but by now the weather is turning with rain in the air. But that does not dampen our enthusiasm to walk along the cliff top and back down onto the beach, to admire the great views.

So back to the park and lunch. In Australia, nearly everywhere there are public barbecue sites and certainly every caravan park has them plus a kitchen. We have seen on many occasions cars pulling up in a car park, the folks then getting all their food and stuff out and using the barbecue sites. All very sociable, in fact. So, time for us to do it, especially as the sun has come out again. Our van is parked right next to a barbecue site, so we decide to do some beef burgers. We start the barbecue, which is effectively a giant heated metal plate and get to cook. And it’s very effective. In no time two homemade beef burgers, with onion, mustard, chilli, tomato and cheese. Afterwards, a bit of cleaning and we are done. We now feel quite Aussie!