Families Reunited!

Friday 1st February 2007

Set off from Port Mac early this morning as we were keen to get to Byron ahead of Carole, Dan and kids. Stopped off for a late breakfast at Coffs Harbour, about half way, and it was a gorgeous little place – really pretty harbour and lovely beach. Didn’t stop long though. Anxious to get on. We’ve been driving up the Pacific Highway all the way – Highway 1, and it’s very slow. The top speed is 110km per hour, and they do enforce it. Surprisingly, much of Highway 1 is single carriageway, with an overtaking lane in places. Arrived in Byron at about 3.30 and can understand why Carole and Dan love this place. It’s a really lovely laid-back coastal town with a beautiful swimming and surfing beach, interesting little individual shops and lots of good bars and restaurants. Lots of backpackers and holiday makers of all ages. Had a walk around then got back to the apartment that we’ve rented for the weekend ahead of their arrival. Very pleased that the apartment I’d booked in England, Christmas week, is perfect for us all. Three really good sized bedrooms, lovely open plan living room and kitchen and two good bathrooms. So it will suit us all very well.

Then, after Sid and I had a nice swim in the pool, at about 6.30, they all arrived and it was very emotional. Absolutely fantastic to see them, all looking really well and happy. And the kids are a real delight. No shyness, straight to it, playing and excited to be with granddad Sid and nanny Myra.

Dan and Carole haven’t changed a bit. It was as if we had only seen them last week, so natter, natter, natter all evening – with takeaway pizza, lots of wine and beer – really late into the night (well, early morning). So happy to be here with them and Sid is like a Cheshire cat with a huge grin on his face all the time.