Mid September found us heading up to the beautiful Grassy Head Hideaway for a few days with our friends Tim and Virginia. It was the very beginning of Spring so can slip back into winter weather unexpectedly but we were very lucky enjoying, pretty much, wall to wall sunshine.
Grassy Head is on a particularly gorgeous stretch of coast about three hours north of us, the beaches are glorious and very popular with surfers (and sharks) and the roads are lined with dense woodland. Most of the surrounding towns are worth a visit, we particularly like South West Rocks and the Smoky Cape lighthouse, while Macksville has all a visitor could need in terms of shops, restaurants and entertainment. 
The others are all very understanding that most places are still new to me and this trip they took me to see Bellingen, which was originally built as an inland port for the timber industry in the area because boats could not navigate past that point of the Bellinger River. It is also in the middle of rich agricultural land which led to Bellingen becoming quite a wealthy little town.  The buildings are clearly listed because the interiors as well as the exteriors are untouched and there are a smattering of deco buildings there too. The town is now home to well heeled refugees from the big cities pursuing an alternative lifestyle. 

 Monty's best buddy Tim's dog Monty (yes I know it's confusing, it doesn't help that they are the same breed and colour and have identical habits) came too and they had a brilliant time on Grassy Head beach. So did we as a pod of dolphins pottered along really close to the edge allowing some surfers to paddle out amongst them, then Virginia spotted a whale blow in the distance and we were able to watch several of them frolicking around out to sea. 

On our return home we found a flower show was to be held at the weekend. We do not hold out too much hope for these things in a small community like ours but felt we should go along and support it. The standard was pretty good with some very creative entries but I still love to see the flowers and plants which are completely unfamiliar to European eyes like the waratahs and proteas, I have tried to grow these and killed a couple so far but I now have one that seems to be hanging on to life by the skin of of its teeth so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

 There were also all kinds of orchids, which again I am only used to seeing indoors so I have been inspired to plant a couple outside, everyone says they are easy.....we will have to see!