If we stayed any longer on the Gold Coast I think we would be at risk of checking out properties. (Not that we haven’t done that before). We always get seduced by the lifestyle, how happy the people are, the close proximity of the hinterland and the focus on health and wellness. Well. That’s me. For Ray it’s the water and water sports. We’ve narrowed down some areas we’d love to move to…dreams.

Today our destination was Coffs Harbour. Home of the Big Banana, although we are both sure it’s shrinking and not as big as the first time we saw it.

We stopped for morning coffee at Ballina where the Big Prawn was undergoing some restoration works. He had scaffolding all around him and actually looked like he was being peeled ready for eating. The Big Prawn was actually purchased by Bunnings a few years ago and all maintenance is the responsibility of them. Luckily they have the paint and supplies to do all the work!

We have been to Coffs Harbour a few times over the years and always visit “The Clog”. There is a small caravan park out the back but at the front is a gift shop with all things clogs and even a demonstration on how clogs are made. A cafe serves traditional Dutch food and sells Dutch groceries too. As Ray is of Dutch heritage, it’s a no brainer that we were going to stop here. We booked in overnight, that way he could have lunch and breakfast the next day!

We set up, squeezing in on the site that was made for a van half our size and it was only through Ray’s knowledge of his van and reversing abilities that we didn’t end up in the stream at the back of the van or the annexed of the people opposite us. Pulling out in the morning was going to be a feat! While we were setting up and I was searching the cupboards for a long sleeve jumper (brrrrrr…), three kids came by on their bikes. Of course , Henry barked at them because we have discovered on this trip that he is allergic to wheels. We have no idea where this has come from but any kind of wheels that are moving really annoy him.

The kids were riding slowly enough to show they were interested so I called them over and explained that Henry was friendly, just scared of their bikes. The kids jumped off their bikes and dumped them in the middle of the road (as they do) and fell to their knees. They were putty in Henry’s paws. He rolled onto his side and got tummy rubs galore, lots of compliments on his soft coat and even an offer of a walk.

What was interesting though was whenever one of the kids rode past on their bike from that moment on until we left the next morning, Henry didn’t bark at them at all. They even had another friend with them on a skateboard and he was silent when they went past. They obviously had Henry’s tick of approval- wheels and all!

We headed to lunch at Oma’s cafe after trying on the big clogs out the front. This park also has a clog shaped swimming pool and quaint Dutch decorative window sconces. It really was a Dutch flavoured Mecca in so many ways. We had some of the delicacies that the Dutch are known for. Croquettes, Bitternballen and Poffertjes (mini pancakes). Ray was a happy man indeed.

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We took a drive down to the Harbour and went for a walk along the breakwater. Henry is so keen to get in some exercise and just about bounces everywhere now that the weather is cooler for him. He definitely has a spritely manner about him. We also needed to walk off a heavy lunch.

There were a lot of people and their furry friends out enjoying the sunny afternoon but I wore long pants and two jumpers because there was little warmth in the sun. As we walked we spotted a couple of lizards sunning themselves in the late afternoon sun on the huge rocks, unbothered by walkers and dogs.

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Ray was tempted to negotiate a 4WD track onto the beach but must have seen my hand on the door handle, a clear indication that I was about to leave the car. He sat quietly, contemplating his next move and put the car in reverse. I was happy for him to go ahead, I could Uber it home. I’ve been in the front passenger seat on two occasions when we’ve been bogged before and numerous times when beach and car antics have left me saturated. It was too late in the day to sit and wait for a rescue team to pull us out. Another time Ray…please.

Obviously, the little boy in Ray needed to have some fun because when I emerged 20 minutes later from Coles, where we had driven to next to grab a few groceries, he was on hold to Triple M radio station.

They had asked for callers to ring in with stories of people they had been mistaken with. Never backwards in coming forward, Ray was on hold to tell his story. When his call got picked up Jude, Gus and Wendle spoke to him. Ray explained how (in his younger years) he was mistaken for Patrick Swayze and it sure helped him “get along” with his female customers in his butcher shop. He added that these days Patrick Swayze was quite a bit thinner than him of course. (He’s deceased).

This cracked them up and they added their own commentary to Ray’s joke. We all had a good laugh. Us from this side of the airwaves, them on the air. After another few callers, they announced their winner…Ray. A $200 Harvey Norman voucher. He was stoked! The station called to email it through and congratulate him. He didn’t wipe the smile off his face all night.

What a big kid!

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