Sunday, January 6, 2019

McW Christmas: Part 1, Byron Bay

We have just had the most wonderful 3 weeks with the Whomsley's who last spent Christmas with us in Australia in 2012 and prior to that in 2009.  We decided to split the visit into 3 distinct blocks to try and make the time seem as long as possible.  

We started with a week in a fabulous house called Belongil Sails in Byron Bay.  The poor Whomsley's arrived in Sydney early on a Sunday morning and the next morning we left at 5am for the 9 hour drive to Byron.  We figured it would give them a chance to get over their jet lag!  
Tom and Sam in Manly on the 1st day
On the way to Byron
Belongil Sails
 Chilling on the sofa at Belongil Sails
 Beautiful Byron - shot by Jules
 An unexpected guest - a carpet python
 Visiting the lighthouse

We discovered an amazing walk in the Byron Hinterland to a place called Minyon Falls.  We went to the top of the falls first before walking down to them.  It was hot and sticky and Andy and I got attacked by leeches but the falls were worth it.  On the way back to Byron we stopped in a tiny village called Federal which has an incredible Japanese cafe called Doma - well worth the stop.  






We spent a morning kayaking hoping to see turtles and dolphins.  There was a big swell due to a cyclone up north and getting out past the break was very tricky!  Sadly we didn't see any dolphins but we caught a glimpse of some turtles.  
 Group shot after our kayaking adventure
 Lunch at the Brunswick Heads hotel
 Jules teaching Sam how to do a pop up
 Sam the surfer
 Tom the surfer
 Tess chasing Ted who kept trying to explore the amazing beach front houses
 Tess, Anna and Ted on Belongil Beach
 Tess and Jules boogie boarding
 Tess surfing on Jules' board
 Tom
 Tom
Jules
 Watching the surfers
Happy boys

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