Day 199 Bellingen Sunday 23rd December 2012

Hi Folks,

After a leisurely breakfast we proceeded on with our tasks. I managed to apply three coats of paint in two colours to the little deck while Susan cleaned more windows, poisoned weeds and pruned a star jasmine.

Deck and steps

After lunch we headed down to Bundagen to catch up with Shunny and retrieve our tea bags. Her place has really improved since we left. Let me rephrase that. More excellent progress has been made. We had a cup of tea with her and Robert a helpexer from the UK who has been there before. Robert has done 160 visits in 4 years incuding 62 communities and had some interesting observations which we will take on board. We also met a friend of Shunnys from the Blue Mountains who expressed interest in having us to do an unofficial HelpX. Details were exchanged!

Our last evening meal here tonight. We will miss the food when we leave tomorrow. The plan tomorrow is to head south to a free camp / National Park about 80kms north of Port Stephens where we will have lunch on Xmas day. The only other item of note is I have the impression that the starter motor on the Pajero is fading. Apparently the NRMA has an on road exchange fitting service which is a reassuring backstop if the worst happens. Otherwise repairs will take place in a timely cost effective fashion.

night night

Simon