First wedding anniversary – the story of 6 days/5 nights away – Part I
Day 1
This break is not the five weeks we had planned for April travelling Croatia and various other countries but 5 nights. It is also our first wedding anniversary, during this 6 days/5 nights of travel and our first proper break in over 2 years as we had not taken leave over the last two Christmas holidays so we could bank leave for April – that was until that pesky little nuisance called Covid-19 struck and caused the cancellation of many plans. So….surviving an intense July/August with 5 multi-day trials to prepare, and a further one in November, we have made it to 19 November 2020 and departure on our motorbike for 5 nights away – the first 2 not so indulgent but the next 3 absolute indulgence (for us) as this is our honeymoon and first anniversary, as well as our belated 5 week trip crammed into 5 nights.
This is not overseas travel but it is over the border travel. We have a border pass for our return trip tomorrow. We passed the north bound lines today – wow! The queue is ridiculous for this country.
So, getting onto the road, we seem to fight to leave the city – we are moving through school drop off which does not help. We are also not taking a direct route to the border and south to Husk Distillery. Once we can finally get into the areas where there are trees and mountains and fresh air, we both breathe a sigh of relief.
It’s special to see beehives and horses and cows and various letter boxes; as well as horse studs and appreciating the aromas in the air – some lovely some not so much. We explore part of Tourist Drives 8 and 40. I love passing the rivers – they seem to provide some sort of energy replenishment.
We spent an absolutely delightful several hours at Husk Distillery. The whole experience cannot be faulted. The tour was also fabulous, whilst the food was of its own class. What a beautiful place to spend a few hours just taking in the breezes, enjoying some good eats and sipping a beverage of two.
Next it is on to Kingscliff, Peppers, for the night’s accommodation. We have a bed that requires a GPS to get from one side to the other – lovely and comfy. Checked in and changed from touring pants and riding jacket and boots, we cut a different figure in comfortable looser clothes as we want down to the beach and enjoy a stroll, taking in the sea air, watching the waves and simply taking a moment to breath. Hydration is in order and then a lovely Thai meal with cocktails to start. Today’s food is brought to you by Husk Farm Distillery, Mahsuri Thai and Salt Bar.
We have covered 175km today. We have done some lovely windy bits and new roads. We have been through places we have each not travelled before and roads neither of us may have traversed. We have enjoyed good service and great locations. We are reminded of the majesty of this country with the landscape and the ocean views that we see. There are breathtaking moments such wonderful simplicity.
This trip is about being nowhere we have to be, enjoying some time and looking after ourselves following the hard work we have both put in since our last proper break in September 2018. We have days off here and there but it does not compensate for the intensity that this year has delivered and the privileges it has suspended. We are blessed with good weather and a sense of adventure and willingness to explore yet at the same time, this trip, to look at what we want to do versus what we can truly manage at the moment.
So, day 1 is done – it has been thoroughly lovely. For now, cheers and good night.
Photos to come along with Days 2 to 6
