Yamba and Hump Day!

Failte go baile MacGhill Leathain

(Welcome to Maclean)

We are staying in a beautiful spot right by the Clarence River in the Scottish town of Maclean.  Highlanders arrived in this small town in the 1840s and the Scottish influence is still very evident here today.  The tartan painted power poles, the Scottish Cairn (see below) and Scottish souvenir shop serve to give this welcoming little town a bit of extra character.

 

Just a short drive from Maclean is the small coastal town of Yamba.  It just wouldn't have been right to go past the name sake of our hills home without stopping in, particularly as on this very day we are exactly half way through our trip - Day 123.

 



 

Unlike Yamba in the Keysbrook hills, Yamba in NSW is a seaside town famous for its pristine beaches, great surf spots and fine local seafood.  Situated at the mouth of the majestic Clarence River, Yamba epitomises the casual, laid back coastal lifestyle. 

 

We visited the Pilot Hill lighthouse and were impressed with the panoramic views over the ocean and across to the neighbouring Iluka.

 

 

Bruce and I watched the dolphins play while the boys belted the bejesus out of each other on the grass.  I am witnessing this type of behaviour from the boys much more frequently lately and I am convinced it must have something to do with their slow and painful transition into manhood...?

 

 

We made the obligatory stop at the local playground and then spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around Yamba in the sun.  Yamba time.

 

 

We sampled the local fudge at the Sweet Vintage Candy Store then indulged in the local seafood specialty for dinner.  We found a picturesque spot on the Clarence to eat our fish and chips.  More wrestling.

 

We arrived back at our lovely base at the Maclean Showgrounds in time to enjoy a glass of red and another beautiful sunset over the mighty Clarence River.

 

 

Having eaten an early dinner, it wasn't long before the young Johnston tummies were rumbling again.  So we broke out the long awaited Aldi giant marshmallows.  (Thank you Janine Atherton!)Each one is a small meal.

 

They start like this...

 

And end up like this...

 

 

or this..

 

And all this stickiness on our 6th day without a shower!  Bruce and I simply resigned ourselves to the mess, poured another red and enjoyed the magic of our mystic fire.

 

 

This morning we explored the coast a little further, taking a picnic lunch to the Iluka Nature Reserve, on the northern side of the Clarence River.  We checked out the beautiful coastline from the lookout, did some rock hopping then had a game of soccer in the sun.

 

 

More soccer this afternoon, and then a leisurely drive through the sleepy coastal town of Brooms Head before calling it a day.  We enjoyed a pasta carbonara for dinner - the boys certainly enjoyed their FOUR BOWLS EACH!  Some more red wine, some more giant marshmallows.  Another day done.