Another modicum of understanding.

 We actually cook a meal at our van site – perhaps that is yet another misstatement of reality – Bernie cooked a meal at our van site! – she was successful in her usual manner – perhaps the couple have achieved yet another badge on their way to certification as genuine caravaners even if they remain a long way short of the standard acceptable for admission to the caravanlutian church.

Some memories of the sun setting over the Clarence River are gathered:

Joshua Slocomb has steered the good old sloop, the Spray and moored her in Fairhaven adjacent to berth where she was first launched some four years earlier – he is satisfied with his achievement – I think I need to know more about this man!

With the adventures of Joshua and the Spray now fully absorbed, we revert to a practice of our childhoods – we listen to ABC radio in the evening – we had forgotten how pleasant an experience it can be – how relaxing it is to be entertained without the flashing of colour across your eyes!

Bed at an adult hour in contrast to the children’s hour that has been our practice since I began my attempt to re-imagine the Hilton.

Our close acquaintance, the rain and wind, returns to help us sleep. The rain sings the lullaby and the wind rocks the cradle – our neighbours tell us that once the wind and the rain had gotten Bernie and I off o sleep these two elements really started to party – when we awoke it was clear that something had been going on overnight and there was evidence that the wind and rain were just going off to sleep themselves – long may they dose!

Apart from the odd moment of sleeplessness on the part of the wind there was no sign of the clouds or their produce – a delightful day spent in Yamba – sit on the rocks – watch the surfers – sit on a seat in main street and watch the tourists – 

Visit the rock pools and walk through the rainforest at Angourie – 

Look out over our lunch to the Clarence River at Harwood –

 Wander through the Iluka National Park

Talk to a young couple on holidays from Finland – “look at my leg” says he – is that a snake bite – he get my attention – two red marks close together – a quick inspection – no puncture of the skin – how long ago did it happen – about an hour ago – how are you feeling – “I feel good – great” – no tiredness – no nausea – no giddiness – “no!” - son you haven’t been bitten by a snake! – “but I looked it up on line” said he – “there are snakes that bite but cannot puncture the skin!” – I look with surprise – “what are you worried about” – at the worst you have been bitten by a snake that could not actually bite you and at the best you have not been bitten by a snake at all! – “but look at the marks” – said the wife! – “they are close together!” – eventually they are pacified and wander off!

Return to the annex to watch the interactions of the Pelican family – pecking orders are pecking orders no matter the species!

I trust that his is not a public blog for I am fearful that it may become common knowledge that I have found the last two days a pleasurable experience – I suspect that the brethren of the caravanlutian church would be the first to say “I told you so!” – “I told you - you will love it!” – All I am prepared to admit publicly is that I have gained another modicum of understanding of what may lead a person to become one of the caravanlutian brethren.