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We decided to stay in Lismore another day and explore the coast a bit from here. Ray had some computer stuff to do in the morning so while it continued to rain, Caleb and I watched cheesy shows on the television. Remember Hart to Hart? The acting was crappy and the storyline unbelievable but we giggled through a couple of episodes together.
We ate the picnic lunch that I had prepared thinking we would be out and about, calling it an inside picnic. 
When the rain stopped, we bolted into the car because as Caleb predicted, ” It would probably start again soon”. It did. Before we had even hit the main road. 
We headed first to Ballina, a seaside town full of retirees. We spotted a book shop and headed in to load up on books for the kid. They didn’t have the title that he was after so we were directed to another bookstore. 
We didn’t spend too long in Ballina (couldn’t locate any liquorice ice cream or the books – very disappointed) and headed up the coast to Lennox Head. By this time, the rain had stopped but it was still very overcast so we stopped at the lookout and watched some surfing that was happening in the water below us. We ventured to the “Coke Lake” where the water is the colour of Coke from the tea trees surrounding the lake. It is the softest water in Australia and is said to have special properties of wellness and healing. We couldn’t resist a quick wade through the shallows. 
Venturing further still up the coast we arrived at Byron Bay. I had read that Byron Bay is a very divided town with half of the population opposed to any kind of progress, wanting to retain the small town feel. The other feeling is that as tourism increases on the East Coast, Byron will need to keep up with what is offered up the coast or they will miss out.
There were a lot of owner operated small shops in the main streets but hardly any franchises because a lot of the townsfolk don’t want them there either and want to keep the individualistic feel in the shopping precinct. 
It certainly wasn’t beach weather but the whole place was full of bare footed, bikini clad people wandering around clutching surf boards, skate boards and guitars. We saw a couple sitting on the ground in the carpark strumming their guitar and singing while they watched other people watch them. 
It was all a little pretentious and we giggled with how set up it seemed. It’s not that we haven’t witnessed creative musical displays before, we’ve actually had plenty on this trip. This display just seemed so contrived and forced. We left before we inadvertedly offended anyone.

We drove a little way out of town away from the main beach area and cut back in to the coast. The beach here was not as crowded and we played in the sand chasing Caleb as the sun started to set. 
We drove home in the dark which was something we hadn’t done since being in Perth. We are usually back at the van enjoying “wine o’clock” quite a while before it gets dark. A great day where we explored a beautiful coastal area with a unique look and feel.