Ten kilometres north of Bellingen lies the hamlet of Gleniffer, in the vale just below the Dorrigo escarpment. It’s a good place to go on a leisurely drive or cycle. Last time I was here was over 10 years ago, but it hasn’t grown much since.
The community was built on dairy, and there were still a few cows grazing although they were more beef cows.
There was a cute church.
And a hall. And not much else. But everything was well-kempt, meaning that there must be an active community hereabouts.
Bridie was happy to be on the beach at Brunswick Heads as it was an off-leash area.
She could check out every single bit of flotsam.
As well as run herself completely silly.
It was another glorious afternoon for everyone.
I hope you’re not sick of these beach photos yet as I have a few more coming.
There’s not quite enough female surfers around, so here’s one for you.
Actually, the rolling waves by themselves makes for a compelling scene.
Bridie certainly had her fill of beachcombing that afternoon.
And so did we. It made all the other hassles of Byron worth it.
Bridie was certainly happy to be at Byron Bay. She had the run of the house, and mild, almost tropical temperatures meant that she could sunbathe once again.
She was even happier to be taken to the dog-friendly Belongil Beach. The North Coast towns seemed really good that way – each town seemed to have its share of off-leash beach areas.
She took advantage of the open spaces and did what she did best – explore the scents.
She even got friendly with this old Labrador Retriever, somewhat a rare occurence for her since she isn’t the most social of dogs, usually only tolerating a doggy ‘hello’.
We explored the paddock beyond the pony yard. There’s plenty of cattle poo but no cattle.
The hillock here has been described as an extinct volcano or a volcano plug, but Hubby thinks it’s lava flow that met a bit of an obsticle. Over time it’s hardened into basalt. There’s certainly evidence of a lot of prehistoric volcanic activity all over the New England area. The gold and gems found in the rivers are evidence of that.
Bridie however was more interested in smells – rabbits and roos in particular.
She certainly needed her coat as it was frigid on the mornings we were there.
From the farm, the undulating landscape seemed to go on forever. Even though the wind was icy cold and the sky overcast, I loved the way the muted light played on the hills. It’s almost European.
We spent the next few days in the Northern Tablelands town of Armidale. It’s a big town, but its historic buildings gave it character, and the student population from the University of New England gave it life.
We stayed a bit out of town at Poppy’s Cottage B&B. It’s set on a small farm with an old farmhouse with a separate cottage for guests. Hosts Poppy and Jack were very welcoming, providing great breakfasts and even more sumptuous dinners.
Being a farm, they had an obligatory dog or two.
Lots of gardens, as well as a pet Shetland pony in the paddock.
We’ll have a good ramble around the property in the next post.
The rock pool was active with seagulls, but there were no pelicans this time.
And around the corner was a little rock swimming pool, although there was no one in sight on that winter’s day.
On the south side of Gerringong town is Boat Harbour. It’s a quiet little cove with a shingle beach, where fishermen go.
It’s also surrounded by those glorious hills complete with grazing dairy cows.
Now that’s the kind view I can look at all day.
For Bridie Beagle, a car ride is almost as good as a walk as one of her favourite things. She particularly likes car rides, so she was raring to go on the trip back to Sydney from Somersby.
She liked the smells of the bush.
And going around corners.
She wasn’t too happy when we closed her window on the freeway.
And so was ecstatic when we came back into Sydney.
Even the traffic and skyscrapers didn’t faze her, as long as her window was open.
Ah, to be a beagle…
There were plenty of dogs and their owners enjoying the beach in the off-leash area.
We saw dogs off all shapes and sizes – fluffy terriers.
Playful retrievers.
Obedient labradors.
Our beagle enjoyed the smells, the digs, and the socialising.
All in all, a lovely afternoon out.
Little did we know that this weather was to stick around for another month – perhaps even longer!
Static and Silence 