The drive from Katoomba to Lightning Ridge was long – 9 hours – but the drive from Lightning Ridge to Brighton Beach (just north of Brisbane) was even longer!
That said, it seemed to go quickly (I was engrossed in an audiobook – The Great Alone – most of the time) and our reward was our “Brighton Beach Shack” and our hosts, Mick and Tara Cross.
Pictures of Brighton Beach Shack from Airbnb.com:
We spent two nights at the Beach Shack, and after the second, which Jeff and I spent visiting with Mick C. and Tara, and Mick J. spent playing with their sons, Finn (12) and Taj (10), we wished we had several more nights to do the same. I’ll say it again – I love Airbnb!
We made the most of our one full day in Brighton Beach. In the morning, Mick went out to explore the beach and discovered an “army” of soldier crabs – thousands upon thousands – which scurried quickly along the low-tide sand, making it appear to be moving.
As you approach them, they either run or corkscrew into the wet sand. Mick C. told us that you can run as fast as you can at them and never step on one (although Finn told us he had indeed heard a crunch once).
The skies were partly cloudy throughout the day and the temperature varied from warm to hot, the humidity high. In the afternoon, Tara got us set up with some bikes and we rode the Flinders Parade path until we reached the Shorncliffe Pier and Moora Park, just past it.
On our way back, we stopped for some yummy fish ‘n’ chips at Fish on Flinders.
Back at the “shack,” Mick found a trampoline partner in Finn and Mick introduced Finn and Taj to “Eddie,” – the name Mick gave to his Sphero.
Jeff introduced himself to Mick C. on the shared front porch around cocktail hour and started what ended up being an hours-long conversation that Tara and I eventually joined in on. And by the time we said goodnight (so Taj could study for a math test and we could eat our long-cold takeout Thai), we’d made new friends, who we hope we’ll meet up with again – maybe at our house?! (If you’re reading this, you two, think about it!!! Also, we’re enjoying the book you loaned us, For Better, For Worse.)
The trampoline looks fun!
Seems like your trip gets better and better!
Dear friends we are travelling with you ….we wish you to have nice and interesting days for the rest of your trip.many kisses to all of you.mihalis and maria from crete…
Hello Maria!! So nice to hear from you and know that you’re following along on our travels. We are in Cambodia now – off to see Angkor Wat today. A very interesting place. Love to you and Mihalis.
We are reading it…loving following your journey, and laughing at this post! Finn (who is one a camp at the moment) has been busting to let Mick know that he also purchased a smaller version Sphero (thanks to your son) and has been addicted ever since.
I really do hope we meet up again one day. Safe travels guys.