Yamba

The drive to Yamba from Belligen is 172 miles. At Grafton the Clarence River parallels the road. The Clarence is the largest river in Australia.

Arriving in Yamba we found Neil and Marg's house - and it is spectacular, on the highesst hill in Yamba and with ocean views, as we had been forewarned. I am still taking photos. The house stilll has work and furnishing to complete. Neil worked with Paul in Hawaii some 35 years ago. Both Neil, Ross and their dad, Fred, are builders. In this house the craftsmanship is outstanding.

On Friday, Marg cooked an elaborately complicated fish casserole as we waited for Ross and Michele to arrive by air from Tuncurry. Ross brought eight dozen oysters,, so we again feasted.

Saturday morning we walked to a small cafe, nestleldl in this residential neighborhood for eggs benedict.

With Neil and Marg in their car and Paul, Ross, Michele and me in our rental we drove to ssee Neil's cattle. He has 53 head in one pasture and moived them to another with more clover. Neil was recently written up in the newspaper for the prices he commanded on his cattle.

We then drove to Iluka, on the coast for views of beautiful white want beaches and whales spouting off-shore. Picked up a friend of Ross' from Tasmania and stopped for a beer in a pub overlooking Yamba the coast.

We enjoyed excellent food at an Italian restaurant, Osteria Monteni, where twin brothers Roberto and Ricardo are the owners and cooks.

On Sunday morning, Michele and Becky shopped. Neil, Ross and Paul picked up and installed a large cabinet in the masster bedroom. Marge told me it was quite a job carrying it up the sprial stairs and fitting it..,but in the end, one more thing

This is Australia's Labor Day Weekend and the Grand Finals for Autralian Football, or "Footy." WOW! This is a brutal sport. The players do not wear protective gear. It was very exciting. The
Rabburitos, or Rabbits, won for the first time in 43 years. This was very emotional for their supporters and the players, too.. After the game ended awards and rigs are presented on the field. The players walk the circumferance of the field...shaking hans and interacting with the crowd in the front row seats. Everyone stays seated and are very respectfull. I find people here to be helpful, respectfull - there are many differences from behaviors in the U.S..