DAY 4: Around Brunswick Heads

A Quiet Day R&R

There really isn’t that much to report today. After undertaking some research we discovered that the only bus to Mullumbimby left at 8am so we decided on a quiet day to relax and recuperate. We headed off to explore Brunswick Heads, snoop in Opp Shops, and find the start of our walk for tomorrow. The beach was busy and dotted with makeshift houses – built from driftwood. We didn’t venture in as we thought they probably didn’t have council approval, and not sure where it would leave us insurance-wise if the roof caved in. Our feet were still sore from earlier walks and Debbie is sporting some nasty blisters.

Aperol Spritz and a Late Lunch

As we strolled back we were politely accosted by a fromager who also sold wines and boutique drinks. It didn’t take much convincing to sell us a couple of spritzes that were “better than the real thing”. I rustled up a salad, with a red wine and vegemite salad dressing, and garnished the drinks with – yep you guessed it – the last slice of orange from 2 days ago!

Debbie’s Dilemma

“This is off the record. –
I now have blisters on blisters. In fact, I m starting to ask myself the question “WHY?”
anyway, after doing a walk around Brunswick Heads I decided that it was probably best to think about how to get over the next 25km. I did some research and thought EBIKE2U seemed like an option. Having never ridden one before now was the time to try.

We have just sidetracked to an earlier story – we stopped at a beachside picnic table for lunch, where we met Maggie Robinson who lived in the Raffles Retirement Village and claimed it was the best AGED CARE home anywhere. For full disclosure she announced that she worked there for many years, continued to volunteer, and knew people in high places!

I decided that rather than book in immediately I would hire an E-bike to get me to Byron Bay. Jane and I decided we both might have one, but after five phone calls with *Robin, [name changed to protect the confused], we decided that one would suffice. Concerned that it might be hard to carry packs and ride a bike we asked if they could take the backpack to Byron Bay, which we would retrieve when we returned the bike. The only drawback was that they had to deliver the bike today – well now!

• Robin owns the business? Max knows him? Max delivered the bike. Late.
• Max dropped the bike and Deb perused it but didn’t take it for a test ride. Max tested the brakes. A-OK. Max takes the backpack.
• Tells Deb to call him when we arrive but remember that he is playing lawn bowls tomorrow afternoon.
• Max calls from the servo because he has put $50 fuel in the tank but only has $25 cash. Deb is his saving angel. Can she walk to the servo and lend him 25 bucks? UM. Thankfully the god-like man behind Max pays $25 for his petrol. Max is SO GRATEFUL TO DEB for being there that he calls her back, again, to thank her for being there.
• How easy to be a goddess. Max still has Deb’s backpack. Deb has Robin’s E-bike.
• If Max is bowling tomorrow “We must be there to support him” says Jane.
• It is all called Karma in a town like Brunswick Heads.

Daily Stats: 13,423 steps – no tracking. 23C