Spent the morning in and out of the swimming pool again, being watched by a Kookaburra and an Eastern Rosella on the overhead wires.
Kookaburra.
We have a short wander around the farm in the hope of finding an Echidna to photograph. We only encountered a Wallaby, which gave us a somewhat quizzical look, probably wondering what we were looking for but at least it waited for us to take its picture before hopping off into the bush.
Lunchtime saw us at Byron Bay, having a coffee and cake (no surprises there then!). A flourless chocolate cake and similarly flourless orange cake, both with ice cream. Very pleasant if a little on the stodgy side. The cake was needed purely to provide energy for a walk along the beach to the lookout point (that's our story and we're sticking to it).
The surf was pretty small, so much so that we were able to paddle in the shallows, but from the lookout on the little island in front of the headland, there were still more than 40 in the water. Many appeared not to be sticking to the surfer's 'code of conduct' we saw yesterday.
There are often dolphins that surf the waves into the beach along with the kayakers and surfers, but we don't see any today. Maybe they prefer it a bit bigger.
There are some interesting rock formations, and some small round sand balls gathered around small holes in various places along the beach. We are reliably informed that these are made by crabs clearing out a burrow.
Having decided it's too busy to do any surfing (also because we didn't bring a surfboard) we take a walk into the town itself. Last time we were in Byron Bay they were selling UV safe sun hats so we wanted to see if they had a replacement. Two shops and $25 less in our wallet later we have another. Hopefully that's good for another 10 or so years.
Walking back to the car, there are plenty of these birds...
Here they are called 'Masked Lapwing' rather than 'Spur-winged Plover' as in NZ.
A little busy here for an evening meal so we divert to Brunswick Heads, a short drive north at the the mouth of the Brunswick river. It was so hot that Eric spent most of the day sleeping out of the sun.
Eric makes a short foray out at Brunswick Heads, as the heat has started to subside a little but he is still 'wilting' poor lad.
To work up our appetites, another stroll on the beach...
...before retiring to the hotel for dinner on the patio. They have a musician here tonight but they are not yet on stage.
Close to our dinner venue there are a flock of Litlle Corella (we think) in the bushes. Of course we have left the better camera in the car, so it's difficult to tell from these photos!
Salmon, chicken, pizza and a pumpkin salad later we return to the farmstead fully replete and quite tired. No card games tonight. There were views of Rainbow Lorakeets just before we left Brunswick Heads but too dark for piccies.