September 28

Friday September 28, 2007 5:40 am Lennox Head, NSW Australia

I now have dial-up Internet access!

A. Morning Musings

5:30 am

I was just up in time to catch the sunrise this morning.

sunrise

I have just updated my web pages and begun a new novel, "The Untouchable" by John Banville. At the same time I have taken my iPod out of my backpack and plugged it into my ears.

I am now listening to Bert Kaempfert - just like my last year at university in 1965 when I was in residence at Assiniboine Hall and someone down the corrider would play this same record every Sunday morning. How is it possible to remember such events?

Back to Banville. The second paragraph: "Never kept a journal before. Fear of incrimination. Leave nothing in writing, Boy always said. Why have I started now? I just sat down and began to write, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, which of course it is not." I love reading Banville. Evers since I read "Kepler" many years ago, although I must admit that I did not enjoy "The Sea".

While in a couple of shops yesterday, I noticed some journals for 2008. They really make a nice book for writing a daily entry. In Big W (aka Wal-Mart) they cost $19. but I saw a similar book on Crazy Kellys for $9. So far, I am laying off buying it, but it is in the back of my mind. It would be a nice way to begin/end each day with my fountain pen and handwriting. On the other hand, one of the advantages of this web site is that I can correct typos and even rework a sentence, or delete it, if it is not working out. And I can add color and images - not an insignificant feature.

We had our second meal of fish & chips from The Bream Hole last night. Scrumptuous. I mentioned that I preferred their f&c to that at the newer fishy-fishy while in the realtors. They agreed. The calamari rings were so tender they could be cut with a fork. The john dory filets are definitely my favorite. But I still like ketchup on my chips.

Our phone is now on the fritz. Hopefully they will replace it today. We will likely drive up to Byron Bay this morning to see if we can see any whales from the lighthouse. I am also looking forward to seeing the town again. I like the shops and a couple of the new bookstores and coffee shops. I also want to have a look at the renovations to my "office" - it would be nice if they are open before we leave.

I also need one more plug adaptor for iPod speakers so I can keep everything going at the same time (computer, printer, speakers). This is a long weekend in NSW (Monday is Labor Day) so traffic will be up. A good time to lie low.

Back to Banville.

Immediate	Description	Time
Mathematics	"Why Beauty is Truth: A History of Symmetry" by Ian Stewart	1 hr
Literature	"The Untouchable" by John Banville	1 hr

C. Actual Learning Activities

5:40 am

We drove up to Byron Bay this morning to see if we could see any whales from the trail to the lighthouse. We saw our first car crash at the junction to the road to the Pacific Highway. Three cars were pretty badly crumpled but no one was seriously hurt and they were all waiting for the police to arrive. We continued on and parked at our regular spot near the old Beach House cafe which is now undergoing a major renovation. We then walked onto Clarkes Beach and headed up to The Pass. The beach itself had changed substantially in the last 18 months. There was much more sand, yet at the same time the tide forced us to walk among the trees to get to The Pass. It was only 9 am but already we could feel the heat.

We saw a nice lizard and then a brush turkey with a lovely bright yellow ring around its neck (this must be a breeding display). As soon as we were on the trail to the lighthouse we began to see whales in the distance. Amazing! Once we neared the lighthouse we saw a large sea turtle directly below us. Then when we passed the lighthouse to see Tallows Beach we were surprised at the number of people on the beach. I doubt if I had ever seen more than 20 people on it before, but there must have been well over a hundred this time.

We walked back to the central town and had lunch in the main cafe on the beach (we call it Paul Hogan's, but I am not sure of its proper name). Then back to the car and home to Lennox by 3 PM. A great first trip to Byron Bay.

September 28: Our first trip to Byron Bay. Clarkes beach at 9 am looking north toward the main beach

clarkes