STORMS, A STRANGE LOVE OF LIGHTHOUSES AND KARMA

It was touted on the news as the worst storms in New South Wales in over a decade. Huge areas like Newcastle and parts of the Hunter Valley, in fact all along the East coast suffered extensive flooding. 110mm of rain falling in places, instead of the expected 10mm, caused lush green fields to become muddy mires or shallow lakes. The poor farm animals clung atop the highest hills, forlornly surveying their shrinking acreage as rain continued to lash down on them still. There were even human deaths as the destruction took its’ toll. And the winds waged war on the trees, ripping them out by their roots, then savagely hurling their lifeless trunks to the ground. The verges of the M1 and A1 were virtually strewn with such carnage from Newcastle to Port MacQuarie.   And still the storms raged, causing driving along sections of roads to become like driving through an endless waterfall.

And where was I?  Driving in waterfalls, of course! Trying to make my way from Wollongong to safe, clear skies.  But someone that day was NOT on my side. Everytime I reached somewhere that seemed to be having reasonably nice weather, it would last for an hour, then turn into Noah’s dream day. Rain, rain and more rain.

The first time this happened was at Port MacQuarie. Which is such a lovely place, by the way. Easy to get around, and some amazing places there. My first port of call was… the lighthouse.  I’d been noticing this strange craving for a while now. Me and lighthouses.  Wherever I go, if the place has one I feel this overwhelming urge to visit it. Port MacQuarie had one. And it was awesome. The seas were rough and full of anger, spitting white foam onto the rocks and shore. And I LOVED it. The wind lashed against me as I stood at the safety rails to take my photos, yet it seemed to soothe me at the same time. I stayed there till the grey skies threatened me with lightning, then happily retired to drink my hot chocolate in the snug warmth of the Grey Chihuahua, still watching the waves. And this is where Karma comes in. Smugly, I posted my photos on facebook, saying how I loved storms and rough seas and how it had a calming effect on me.  Which, effectively, turned out to be like asking Karma to bite me in the.....

The Rotohouse

But I couldn’t stay there all day… well I could have if it wasn’t for the fact that I wanted to see a very special place in Port MacQuarie. The Koala Hospital. This place is amazing. It is actually just behind the beautiful and historical Rotohouse which was the home of the wealthy Flynn  family from 1854 to 1933, and still  houses some wonderful furniture. Both the Roto House and the Koala Hospital ask only for donations, which is pretty great. But the Koalas held my attention.

They come for various reasons, but all are injured or bereft. They are cared for and their injuries treated , till they can be released to the wild again or sadly, if this is not possible, then looked after here. The write ups on each one is heart rendering, but the love that goes into this charity is wonderful. In fact , Port MacQuarie has taken this charity to heart and produced a Koala sculpture trail called ‘hellokoalas’ (website). People or companies can ‘adopt’ a koala and have a sculpture painted uniquely for them which sits outside their venue. It is

AWESOME. Take a look at their website for these stunning pieces of art. Lastly I went to visit ‘Sea Acres Rainforest Reserve’ there. Well you know how I love rainforests. Unfortunately, that day, it did live up to its name. Halfway around the walkway, the heavens opened. So I liked storms, did I? Karma. Reluctantly, I left Port MacQuarie.

Sea Acres Rainforest

And headed for Nambucca Heads. Not fast enough I have to say. I was caught again in another heavy downpour of sheet rain for several kilometers before finally making it through to a soft drizzle. Karma. But It was worth it. This is a lovely place to visit, with magnificent views from Captain Cooks Lookout out to sea and to Shelly Beach below. Rotary Lookout just down the hill is not so spectacular, unless you prefer looking out over the town, which is indeed, pretty. It is quite a hilly place and the ‘Boatshed Café’ down in the harbor is a very popular eating place. But alas, by now the rain had caught up with me, yet again and so the Grey Chihuahua and myself took to our heels and sped off onto the Pacific highway again. Karma.

The deluge didn't bother the roos the next day.

This time there was no outrunning the deluge as it clung to us through Coffs Harbour,making a stay there impossible. Eventually we had to call it a day, as I could barely see through the windscreen no matter how fast the  Chihuahua’s wipers went.  So we pulled in for the night at a 24 hour service station at Halfway Creek and hunkered down for the rest of the day and night. I tried to console the Chihuahua that the heavy beating rain would ease soon, but after a couple of hours we both knew that to be a lie. As I snuggled under my duvet I guiltily thought I should have bought the Chihuahua that rainproof cover I had seen. Though how I would have got it on her in this weather I don’t know. We both spent a miserable night ahead. Ahhh…. Karma!

Remember ... be mindful of what you say.....theres always Karma! 

The Grey Chihuahua