Sawtell Beach and Bonville Headland

Went to the coast, to Sawtell last weekend.  It was surprisingly good weather, even for the coast, and for us--coming down from the highlands--it felt like stepping into summer.

Reid had an afternoon event but I took a walk to enjoy the sunny afternoon along the beach.  Spotted two whales from Bonville Headland, and another when we returned to the overlook with takeaway bento lunch.

Sawtell Beach, looking north to Coffs. Muttonbird Island in the distance

Lots of surfers in Sawtell, mostly off Boambee Beach

The water was warm enough for swimming without a wetsuit, apparently

Stones and piles of sand made by little crabs on the beach

Stairs to Bonville Headland

View from Bonville Headland

Sawtell Beach from the Headland

Looking south over Boambee Beach, a popular surfing spot

Whale watchers

Waiting for a snack

Snow Day

Second day of snow.  Today the New England Highway was
closed from Glen Innes to Bendemeer (170km)

It was cold enough overnight for the snow to stick to the grass.

Gray day of first-rate 'wintery mix'

Winter wonderland.. (or something like that.)

We've heard a couple people say it was going to snow this weekend, but didn't really believe it until we saw it this morning.  It's just after 10am now and it's all melted, of course.  Today's forecast for the tablelands calls for 60% showers west of the ranges and snow possible above 800m, and it's currently around 1.5° Celsius.  It'll be a good day for some cocoa.

Snow on the Berlingo.  It didn't stick to the ground or plants, but cars,
rubbish bins, and fences had a little accumulation.

The forecast called for .1mm per hour - which ended up to be pretty accurate.

Through the light snow, blue skies could be seen to the southwest.

Noisy Lorikeets

Just a quick video of the noisy birds that have been making a racket for a couple hours each morning, nearly every day for the past three months.  The squeaky sounds are the rainbow lorikeets, any ratchet-like sounds are the wattlebirds.