LET’S ALL SING…”BERMUDA, BAHAMA, YAMBA, PRETTY MAMA”

After the downpour of the last week I was praying I had finally made it to where the sun shone again! And I had. Although the storm of the previous week was still evident in the heavy puddles and wet tarmacs…. The sky had a sun again. I was so happy. And Yamba itself was an easy place to be happy in. One of the first things I noticed about this town was the relaxed, easy going atmosphere it had. It was a surfie atmosphere, reflected in the surfboard and swimwear shops and the laid back cafes. My type of town. And for some reason the Beach Boys song KOKOMO kept playing in my head… “Aruba, Jamaica, Oh I wanna take ya, Bermuda, Bahama, Yamba, Pretty Mama….” Yeah I know it wasn’t  “Yamba”. But that’s what was playing in my head.

Hickey Island

Although quite hilly, the town was small and easy to get around. There were only a couple of streets of shops in the main mall, all nestled together, cosy and welcoming. If you turned to the left as you entered this area, you have a choice of going to Hickey Island (which is just a little nodule of land really) where there is a lovely swimming beach, or going a little further to Wooli Park where you can walk out along the rocky Bar there (which I did- easy walk- great views,) Wooli Park is right next to the Bar and, probably, one of the most awesome places for me. At the furthest end are high rock sea walls, and on that day the sea was pounding against them, throwing white, salt spray high into the air and over the top. You can easily walk on the walls, but beware, you don’t really understand how powerful the sea is until you stand this close to it, on a day like this. And there I was, standing, not near the edge but to the back of the wall, marveling at the enormous energy of the waves rolling in, as a spray caught me unaware, hitting my face with a stinging slap, and wetting my t shirt through. I quickly moved back to the Chihuahua, to change, and hope that no-one one saw me.

The Bar

 Oh and did I mention it has…a LIGHTHOUSE! Well I told you I’m drawn to them. Actually it has a really beautiful lighthouse set on the head of a cliff above Wooli Park, in its own green parkland. To get there is a short drive up a steep hill, but there’s plenty of parking space there and only a short easy walk to the light house. I think I love lighthouses because there is always a magnificent view from them. And this was no exception. It curved around the coast in panoramic splendor taking in stunning Wooli Beach with the town at its back, just around from Wooli Park.  But the lighthouse itself was just as beautiful, a tall white spire caught in the bright circle of the sun. I sat at the seat below bathing in those ray, debating on whether to go to Wooli Beach, but everything had been so perfect I didn’t feel the need to. Plus I only had the day to get to my booked accommodation at my favorite place of all time……… Byron Bay.

So, instead, I took myself off onto the A1 again and headed North. To Lennox Head. Well it was only just after Midday. And you just CAN’T not visit Lennox Head. No, honestly, it’s a sin! Great area for surfing, lovely little street of shops and café and Lake Ainsworth there (a tea tree infused lake long thought to have recuperative powers). Oh …. And the AMAZING Lennox Head Lookout!!!

This place HAS to be visited at least once in your life. I unfortunately had no longer than an afternoon so my first port of call was the Lookout. This can be quite busy at any time, so parking is at a premium. But it is free and I was so lucky just to pull in as a camper pulled out. The view even before you start to climb the steps to the Lookout is glorious, scoping right out across the bay and rolling down to the surf beach below. You can even get to that beach from this vantage point. But its great just to sit down on the grassy area and soak in the scenery and the surfing

action below. Maybe bring a picnic and your sun hat. But I didn’t have time for that, instead, with my determination firmly in place I started up the wide wooden steps ahead. I have to say this is an easy walk with many stopping platforms, so not too arduous to do. Which.. as the sun was now blazing down on me, bathing me in perspiration and making my curls into a damp, humid, haystack… I was very grateful for. Actually the view going up the steps was probably the better view because once at the top and on flat ground the walk went into the trees and then onto a flat grassy area. The views from there were good ocean views. But not great.

Once back down I sojourned for a while in town and dabbled my toes in Lake Ainsworth. Just in case. But the two women who had boldly gone in with their bathers on and faces glowing with hope, were now stood with teeth chattering and muttering “Oooo, it’s colder than I thought Darl….. but it’ll do us good!” So I thought I’d give it a miss and get on my way.

May the sun shine on all your tomorrows, in your heart.
The Grey Chihuahua