Load up the woody, with 6 or so, blonde hair stompy wompy surfer boys, all cramped in an FJ Holden, surf boards on the roof, bopping out to the Beach Boys, Dick Dale, The Deltones, Little Patti.............stop right there!!!!!!
We would do the track to Byron Bay from Sydney at least once a year. Once there the mission was to ride as many waves as possible...chase the girlies.....drink schooners of Tooheys, and just sleep where one dropped.
In those days a trip from Sydney to Byron Bay took at least a week, with the Pacific Highway, a goat track to be kind.
Lets fast forward 40 odd years, and whenever the chance takes us, we return to Byron Bay. The trip now from Sydney is about 7 to 8 hours, depending on the beer stops, on a near super highway in parts.
But now when visiting the area we normally come from the north, an hours run from the Gold Coast, and once again on a dual lane super highway.
But these days we don't go to surf, can't chase the girlies, cause I can't, but still drink schooners (Pure Blonde), but usually sleep in a beautiful home at a place called Ewingsdale, which is just off the highway, where we house sit for a dear friend of ours.
Yep tried the surfing thing,......give that away as a bad joke, but still can sink a few at the top pub. But of course just loooooooov hang'n out at our favourite place Tyagarah Beach, which is the northern end of Byron Beach. I am sure you don't need me to tell you, why we go to Tyagarah.
Byron Bay of course is now a Back Scratchers paradise. Not like the 60's any more, but hey we all move on. I did a bit on Byron Bay Feb '09 in this blog, so I won't repeat it here.
There is every chance we will be there again in March 2011, to catch up with the bride's youngest brother, and his absolutely magnificent wife. But as usual things change by the nano second for us. Heard that before.
Here are some pikkies of our various times at Byron.
The house we house sit
The view from the Balcony, with the ocean in the background
The bride just about to go for a spin in the hippymobile
That's me about to go for a surf at the Pass
Hang'n ten baby
Me again on a fantastic right hand break at the Pass
Surf rage with me out the back
The most easterly point in OZ taken from Tyagarah beach
Well, it is after all, a nature reserve (he he !!!!)
Well that's all folks at the moment.
If I didn't have the need for a beach fix prior to me posting today, I sure have now....come on Feb 1st.
Now as a foot note to our followers of the Retro Roamers, next Tooooosday the 25th January, the bride and I would like you all to be in fine voice on this day, and all sing the famous Beatles classic "When I'm 64".
Why....not telling ya!
Cheers and beers
Us
4 comments:
Haha! Things sure have changed at Byron!! But your housesitting gig looks great - if you can't make it let me know!!
Happy travels!!
Hey Red Nomad OZ, geeeez you were quick in dropping by. Thanks for your following.
For what ever reason I can't do the blog in one stage any more, as I need to publish the post after every photo entry. A bug in there somewhere.
I hope you caught the finished entry.
Cheers & beers
Us
G,day Paul. Your comments about traveling the highway in the old days got me reminiscing. One October Long Weekend in the mid 60's three good Catholic boys n I travelled in a mini minor to kirra beach in qld. We particularly wanted to surf kirra beach as it was a legend, green mount 'cause everyone goes to greenmeount and snapper rocks as it was a bigger legend. Surfed kirra when we arrived in the dark on saturday night. Prawns ...yes prawns... Were jumoing everywhere in the dark but we surfed until we were exhausted. We surfed all three, slept in the car or on the beach until the rain came and finally got home on the Monday night in time for dinner. As I was traveling with three good catholic boys ( I was the odd boy out) there was no drinkin' but chasing girls was ok. Even had some time to do that. We even went to the green mount pub/guesthouse but only drank coke. Wanated to go to Byron but our schedule was too tight anyway. Sure wish cameras were affordable back then so only have the memories to carry around when I get reminders from guys like you. Thanks.
Gidday Frank
Aaaaah yes the surf'n safaris!!!!!!We too haunted Greenmount & Kirra........Memories....Greenmountguest house, Beach House, Pacic Village the Cabbage Patch Beer Garden at the Queensland Hotel.
Those were the days you could go and get a skin ful, chase and probably catch a girlie or two, and if you got out of line a bit, the local copper would give ya a kick in the ares.
A mate of mine has edition 1 of surfing world that was printed back in the 60's, and still gets it every month.
Bring back the good old days!!!!!
I remeber my dear old Dad saying that too. It seems it's our turn.
Stay dry and stay safe, and good to talk to ya!
Cheers & beers
Us.
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