What could possibly be the logical follow-up to days of waterhole dipping, poached eggs, orange cake and stories of candles and coffins? We’d barely made it through the first cup of tea when the phone call came through. I&J’s daughter’s rabbit, ‘Bunnybones’ (who had been holidaying at a friends place) had been eaten by a python. Truly. We had stumbled on a home where reality was immediately translated in urban myth…

We said our goodbyes to our new friends and old ones, tried to leave, stopped for M to locate his thongs, scalped a mango off the tree with the side mirror and turned left toward home. It was sad to go. We topped up the petrol tank at Mullum (that’s what the locals call it) and ended up winding our way through Pottsville and up along the coast to Tweed Heads. I had read a bit about the developments that the Tweed Shire Council had let happen, but nothing had prepared M and I for the monstrosities that clag up the coast on the way through from Pottsville to Tweed Heads. Compared to where we had just come from, it was ludicrous and depressing. Heading toward Kingscliff, huge amounts of the coast have been cleared and it looks like a cross between Pleasantville and a latter day insane asylum. Unbelievable. Googling “Tweed Shire Council” development brings up the fact that there is currently a Public Inquiry into the council - but from what we saw, the ‘public inquiry’ should actually just be replaced by a mass sacking of the bastards that let all the development go ahead. Oh, and incidentally, there is also a corruption probe into the council as well. I wish it was an anal one. They have just plonked a crappy faux beach suburban style estate right along the water. Don’t go there. If you have any taste or soul it will ruin your day. Alan Border & Co. will love it - considering they’re probably about to do a similar thing in Toogoom. [excuse me while I go and spit the rest of my bile in the sink]

We had a great swim at Tweed Heads, but we should have soaked our towels in the water. The trip back north was hellishly hot and seemed to take an aeon. M drove all the way through again, like a trooper. We made it home just before dark - the garden is a total wasteland, it hasn’t rained a drop. It was lovely to see our house again - thanks for letting us come and stay I&J - we had a blast!