Armidale & Nambucca Heads with Suz & Deon

Our final leg of our Aus trip was to head north towards Brisbane. Taking us off the coastal route to Armidale, we met up with Suz & Deon Moss- two friends that have moved home having had some time in London.
Driving inland provided some different views & experiences-

1. Leaving the township of Scone ("the home of Australian Horses") the one street town was completely cut off from electricity following a sudden rain storm. I include ''rain'' as the area has been be in drought for last 4 years. The rain was welcomed but the cut off not- we ended up having dinner from a microwave heated sandwich in a petrol station. Not great for training or our health!
2. Speed Cameras- there are plenty on the roads which we think we have negotiated successfully. Watch this space!
   
3. Lightening Storms- entering Tamworth the dry storms were stunning if not distracting for the driver. The following sunset was stunning with lavender, red's and orange covering the skyline and defining the rolling hills.

Cycling around Armidale provided yet more rolling hills and good stamina work. Cycling with both Suz and Deon around the area they grew up provided a good work out and insight into the local area.
Deon works for TAS (The Armidale School) in town. For the weekend the whole school was taken off to the coast for start of year bonding. We were really pleased to be able to join them at Nambucca Heads for the weekend.

Both the staff and pupils were so friendly & made us feel very welcome through out the weekend. Shannnon and I stayed and extra night to relax before continuing further north.

Today we are in Byron Bay, about 2 hours south of Brisbane. As mentioned in a few emails, Byron is similiar to Berkeley on the Sea. It's a new agey, health foodie, surfer, backpacker and a spot of upscale resorty place in a nice little town on a dramatic coastline. The views from the lighthouse are amazing. We will post pics soon.