It is really, really nice to have double digit overnight lows again.
Having done all the things must do to satisfy the tax department about the change in our business, and since we're up on the north coast, we decided that we deserved a small break. The first stop is in Southport to see Bev. She's just beginning another round of chemotherapy, and having friends around can be a big help.
Land line access and ample 240v power is too good to waste. I downloaded the Australian postcode database, and knocked up a postcode lookup system for the customer database. I also spent some time surfing looking for ways to improve the web site product, and I even tinkered with a customers only section for the business website.
From there, we went to see Rick & Sara on the Gold Coast. It was great to see them, and Rick even managed to line up a little work for us. Of course there was plenty of 240, so I continued to work on the web site product. It's actually starting to look good now, but there is still plenty of work to do. For the first time since we left Sydney, I actually managed to find the time to put a kayak into the water. As I paddled up the Curumbin creek past the mangroves, I spotted a couple of sacred kingfishers. Of course it was BAS time, and after sorting out a few queries by email, I managed to get all the paperwork done.
Our plan to stay at Terry's farm was thwarted, so we pitched the tent at a caravan park by the beach in Suffolk Park. That gave us a base to visit Andrew's new computer business in Byron Bay where we spent a couple of days exchanging tips and tricks. It also gave us the chance to lunch with Toshen & Mehar in Mullumbimby.
We eventually caught up with Bo & Bron, discovering that they had left Casino for Ballina in preparation for their departure. They too have bought a diesel Landcrusier, but they are towing a van behind it. We agreed to catch up with them at Yuraygir National Park.
We spent four days in Yuraygir with Bo and Bron. We did lots of walking on the beach, and everywhere else nearby. We spotted a few echidnas, a couple more sacred kingfishers, and heaps of brahminy kites. We talked over lots of rural issues, and lots of life on the road stuff. We watched the tides roll in and out.
All good things must come to an end, so we said more good byes, packed up camp and headed south. We have one job on the way down the coast, and then it's back to Sydney, so that Kevin can sort out the business paperwork and we can fit more solar panels to the truck.