Well, here we are in Grafton, a place that wouldn’t have been on our travel agenda if it weren’t for a couple of house sits we have coming up near by.

Since arriving here four days ago our travel agenda for the future has changed considerably. Our normal travel route would have by passed towns such as this, which in our mind were typical country towns without much to offer. Four nights here and we’re thinking we’ll most likely extend our time in and around this area to the end of October, which will be more than two months – yes, it’s that nice! And from now on, towns such of this will be high on our agenda to visit, towns that are away from the coastal rat race.

The mighty Clarence river runs through the town dividing Grafton from South Grafton. It’s Grafton that’s won our heart, not South Grafton. The town is laid out in such a way to make it very easy to find your way around, all with roundabouts and no traffic lights. It’s termed an historical city, and perhaps that’s what makes it such a quaint place.

At least half the houses are beautiful weatherboard, and most are well kept with pretty gardens on large plots of lands. The streets are all tree lined, some with massive Morton Bay Figs, but most with Jacarandas. Grafton is known as the Jacaranda capitol of Australia, and at the end of October they have an eight day Jacaranda festival. We’re hoping to still be here for that, and we imagine from the amount of jacaranda trees, that it’ll likely be one of the prettiest sights we’ll ever see.

We found our caravan park, The Gateway Lifestyle park, with the help of WIKI camp reviews. Five stars is the most that can be given to a caravan park, which is a shame. When we first arrived here we wondered if we had the right place. It looks more like botanical gardens than a caravan park. Everything about it from the gardens, the large sites and the amenity blocks indicate it deserves more than five stars. Add the price to that ($22 a night) and it deserves 7 stars at least. Mind you, that’s from the point of view of a grey nomad. Families may have a different point of view. No jumping pillows, no playgrounds, and only a small swimming pool – all added bliss for grey nomads, as it means any little blighters will be bored silly (causing their parents to take them elsewhere with any luck).

We’ve eaten out twice since arriving here, something we seldom do as we’re used to meals being overly expensive, and mediocre as far as quality.  We went out for a pub lunch the other day and both had fantastic meals which included vegetables, $12.90 each. Wow!! We’re so not used to that. Then tonight we went to the local RSL club for a smorgasbord. Soup, prawns, all the different roast meats, great veges, and all the other standard hot and cold fare, plus a big variety of deserts and coffee – $20 a head. By Perth standards we’re gob smacked.

We’ll be leaving here on Saturday next week for our first house sit. We have two coming up. The first is for 10 days and is looking after two cocker spaniels, budgies, fish and the garden. The 2nd one during September/October is also looking after two dogs, along with a rooster and his four lady friends, wild birds (of which they feed a multitude), and 26 cows, LOL!! It’s on 120 acres and they have quad bikes, tractors, ride on mowers etc. Should be an experience to remember – cows, ha ha, who would have thought…..We’re really looking forward to that.

We’re taking our camera out tomorrow to get some photos of both the caravan park and some of the things around this town that makes it an endearing place to be, so watch this space.