Coffs Harbour - 18th October

Coffs Harbour Car Kilometres: 182,905

Distance Travelled: 281km

Total Distance Travelled: 14,654km

On our way into Coffs Harbour, we pass a huge, pristinely white, Sikh temple - it seems a bit incongruous in small town Australia, but apparently there's a huge Sikh population in this part of the country.We move on, driving past the Big Banana and parking up at Moonee Beach.We find a cheap pitch with free Wifi - and best of all, a full sized bath in the ablutions block.We set up and then go for a walk along the beach.The tide is on its way out, and the sand has been left with lots of pools of water where families are paddling as the sun goes down.We stroll up to a river outlet to watch a pelican swimming against the tide in a comedy fashion.Dave decides that now is the time to teach me how to skim stones, after a previously aborted attempt when we went to Llandudno, and I am the happy recipient of some patient tuition from him, until I finally get the hang of it... we even make a video of me in action for proof, in true tourist fashion.

The following day, despite having plans, we don't actually manage to leave the tent.We spend a very lazy day reading, eating, and lounging about ... it is Sunday, afterall. On Monday morning, we're up bright and early (alright, about 11am), to visit the Pet Porpoise Pool, as recommended by both Caroline & Flemming, and also the chirpy Irish couple we met in Byron.

We are a little cynical, as neither of us go in for audience participation, and this forms the basis of the attraction.We enjoy a seal demonstration and a pretty impressive dolphin show, and are speedily herded to kiss one of each for a photo opportunity - unfortunately it's a bit rundown, disorganised and haphazard - the only staff who seem to know what they are doing are the animals themselves.Being herded around aside, kissing the seal was an unusual but delightful experience - like getting slobbered on by a dog who'd just eaten a bucket of fish.

The attraction was a bit of cheapish fun and would be a lovely place to take children to.Plus, when everyone else clears off after the show, we have the dolphins to ourselves, and Dave busies himself playing catch with them for a while, as you do.

We head into Coffs Harbour proper and walk along the marina, dodging splashes from the huge waves that are rolling in, and brace ourselves against the wind to walk up a track to the top of a hill for a view out over both the town and the sea.We are disappointed at not spotting any whales, although they're out of season now, and head back into the CBD to enjoy the free parking (this doesn't happen very often!), and share a meatball sub before heading back to camp.

I have been biding my time and done a fair bit of reconnaissance - my conclusion is that the quietest time to use the ablutions block at this particular campsite is around 10pm, when most people have gone to bed.Tonight is the night, and I enjoy my first hot bath since I can't remember when... it's bliss, and goes uninterrupted... aah, perfect.