My trip to the Byron Bay Teacher Exchange weekend was very eventful.  There is a couple who live 40 minutes from me who have been on exchange twice.  Steve and Karen and their two sons picked me up on Friday night and we headed to Ballina to stay with their friend.  On Saturday morning I went and had my picture taken under the "Big Prawn".  I will be adding that photo to my "big" picture collection!  We went to the Clarke Beach location to meet other Canadians on exchange and those from Australia who have been to Canada.  I met Mary and Pat from Airdrie who are currently on their third exchange.  They took me under their wing and I spent a lovely time following them to the beach to watch Mary, Pat and their son and daughter practice surfing.  I got a shot of life savers practicing their skills on the beach while there.  We headed to the Byron Bay lighthouse.  The view was spectacular.  It is whale migration season and we did see one whale frolic in the water.  We did however see a school of dolphins having fun in the water.  So cool!  After that we all went to the local RSM club (Retire Service Member's Club) for dinner.  These locations are like our Legions, but way nicer.  They are busy with patrons and are beautifully kept.  

The next morning we ventured to the Channon Market near Lismore.  There were over 250 stalls of hand made items and many yummy items to eat.  On the way to the market, our convoy of cars spotted a koala crossing the road and head up into a tree.  Like any good tourists, we all pulled over and got out to take pictures!  Lots of Aussies say they have never witnessed a koala cross the road, so I feel fortunate to have seen this!  From the Channon market we went to Nimbin.  So, Nimbin is the cannabis capital of Australia ... hence the Hippy Happy Herbs sign.  Mary and Pat have been here previously, so Mary kept the kids on the main street while Pat and I ventured into the alley.  Within seconds we were offered some lovely brownies and green cookies.  Politely refusing any offers, we returned to the street.  There were some cool carved stones that I had to have my picture taken by to mark my time in Nimbin.  

On the Sunday night we went to the Ballina RSM club and they had a tribute room with fantastic memorabilia.  I took two photos in honour of my brother.  

The group also visited the Thursday Plantation.  This place manufactures Tea Tree Oils and many oily products.  I purchased some lemon grass oils to make my house smell yummy.  While there, I ventured to their gardens.  I'm not sure what the two pillars represented, but they were covered in boogie!  Yep, lots of them.  Couldn't resist another photo.  

I've included a mountainous picture that shows the route I need to take to get out of Inverell to get to the coast.  The pass is called the Gibraltar Range and when it says that its only 350 km away, that means about 4.5 hours of driving time.  It's kind of like driving into B.C.  Up, up, up and then down, down, down ... with a whole lot of curves thrown in.  

It was a great weekend and I have plans to meet with the Canadians in Hunter Valley to do some wine tasting!  

Never a dull moment when adventuring through Australia!  

Celtic Festival in Glen Innis

On the first weekend in May, cooler weather dampened our trip to the Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innis.  I pulled out my winter clothing to brave the +3 degree weather.  Don't laugh, I know it was above zero, but when you have been basking in +20 degree weather and take a 20 degree plunge, things begin to feel really cold.  My teaching colleagues, Kim and Trish, came with me and we got to listen to the various pipe bands and see a quick glimpse of highland dancers.  We walked around to see some the sheep herding competitions and the musical talents they lined up for the day.  There was an open fire roasting a large chunk of meat which I bellied up to, to warm my hands:)  We indulged on baked potatoes but were disappointed to hear that the later part of the afternoon events were cancelled due to poor weather.
The Glen Innis Standing Stones were set up by the local Celtic Heritage Council.  All the stones were located within 50 km of Glen Innis and stand over 3.7 metres from ground level.  Every year the town hosts a celtic festival for all the celtic descendants and clans in the local area.  There were numerous musicians that were from Ireland and England that weekend.  It's a huge attraction for the town and was a great day despite the cold weather.

Easter Break

Term Break arrived and I decided to spend five days back in Coffs Harbour to enjoy the beach and get my car serviced at the Volkswagen dealer.  The pier pictured above is the original pier build just off the jetty in Coffs Harbour.  The weather was around 25 each day.  One of the days I ventured to a quaint little town called Sawtell to check out their beach and shops.   The following afternoon I walked along the creek path that runs through town and ended up at the Botanic Gardens.  I got an up close look at a naked gum tree!  Apparently some species of gum trees shed their bark.  It was a relaxing way to spend the afternoon wondering around their huge gardens. 

When I got home and went out the front door to check my mail, there was a dead kangaroo on my front lawn!  It was pretty smelly and was circled by flies!  Not sure how long he was there for, but I needed to deal with him immediately.  I phoned the police station and they were able to get me in touch with a fellow from the town shire who came and picked him up!  Apparently he had a broken leg and just happened to choose my lawn as his final resting place... only in Australia!

My colleague Kerry from school invited me to go with her husband and three kids to the Copeton Dam about 25 minutes from Inverell.  Her parents, sister and her children were down from Brisbane for the Easter holiday, and were heading to the dam for a little boating and frolicking in the waters edge.  This dam is enormous, holding 5 to 7 times the capacity of the Sydney harbour.  The water was down as we have gone through a drought and some water had been let out for all the cotton farms down stream from the dam.  In the middle of the water we came across these huge outcrops of massive bolders the size of Smart cars!  We paid $4 for our car load entry which included launching the boat!  I will be back!  It was a fantastic day with great company!  Thank you Moore family for including me in your adventure.  

Sydney and Coffs Harbour

Last week I was able to go to the "Future Schools" conference in Sydney.  We flew from a town called Moree, a short 75 minute flight into Sydney.  Our three bedroom apartment that we rented overlooked the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.  The conference was interesting as I got to hear from principals who have changed the way they deliver education to their students.  It's the wave of education coming down the pipeline to deliver a 21st century learning environment. 

On Friday I went to Armidale for a new teachers retreat.  It was hosted at a place called, "Saumarez Heritage Home".  This place was built in the 1850's by a family who immigrated from England.  It's a massive property that is maintained by volunteers in the community to preserve the local heritage.  Lots of history in this area! 

Since I was halfway there, I kept on my venture to Coffs Harbour.  It is a seaside location that sits midway between Sydney and Brisbane.  I'll admit that any location that has a beach has been a highlight for me.  The place I rented was only 300 metres from the beach.

Saturday morning I went to the Porpoise Pool to check out the dolphins, sea lions and penguins.  I couldn't help myself and joined the many people who lined up to have their picture taken with the dolphins and sea lions!  I included a picture of a little girl who brushed the teeth of a dolphin! 
On Sunday morning I went into Coffs Harbour to the Jetty and took in the farmers market.  Just a stones throw away  I parked myself on the beach and discovered I forgot to bring a dog!  A lady who's pup came to sniff me, informed me that I was at the leash free dog beach...there must have been over 100 dogs that ran and barked past me!  I regrettably departed on a bright and sunny day to head home to reality.  Only three more weeks until our two week break.  I'll be heading back to the beach for sure! 

Sunday Morning Kayaking

What an amazing way to spend a Sunday morning!  A fundraiser was being held for a fellow teacher named Stef who is taking an epic bike ride from Sydney to Uluru (Ayers Rock).  With all the money going to a children's charity who could pass that up?  We gathered down at Lake Inverell and headed out across the lake for an 8 km paddle.  Stef's dad, Heinrich Haussler, owns a local tour company called, "Joey Adventure Tours" and arranges these kayak tours.  About half way through the paddle you could smell the bacon cooking down the river.  We stopped to have an amazing breakfast put on by Stef's husband on the side of the river.  Bacon, eggs, French toast, muesli and yogurt .... yum! Heinrich is a photographer by trade and took the picture above of all the participants that morning.  If anyone comes to visit me, we will be heading out on Lake Inverell with Heinrich for this fantastic paddle and breakfast!    My support goes out to my new friend Stef on her bike journey!