Coffs and cold

Flynn's Beach at Port Macquarie. Surfing lessons are popular here in summer.

Trust us to go there in winter, when half of Sydney has gone to the snow! Actually, going to the beach in winter is not bad, as we know from home.

There are good accommodation deals in the off-season. We're staying at a resort at Flynn's Beach in Port Macquarie for less than half the price we paid in January for the same place. Coffs Harbour had similar stand-by rates and it's school holidays. The ocean and air may be cold (16-17 degrees) but the resort's solar heated pool had 20 people in it yesterday afternoon, including Susie and Michael.

But it definitely is winter. At Coffs a few days ago Susie needed TWO wetsuits to swim with the dolphins at the Pet Porpoise Pool, a marine theme park. We only booked the 'Junior Dolphin Encounter' the day before. You couldn't do that in summer. Mind you, in summer, the water would be warmer!

Susie had a lovely time with Bella the dolphin. Bella's trainer Adam gave an info session on what's special about dolphins and showed Susie how to pat Bella, get her to do some 'behaviours' (they don't seem to like calling them 'tricks') and play ball. Susie liked the games best and Bella seemed happy to play.

Summer or winter, the Mid North Coast beaches are beautiful. We sat in the sun at the cafe just next to the sand at Flynn's Beach today and saw the waves roll in. Others were there reading the newspaper, catching up with friends, looking out for whales, watching the few brave surfers and just enjoying the day.

Port Macquarie is about 5 hours' drive north of Sydney. One more stopover and then we're home.

Bella the dolphin with her new friend, Susie. Photo: Pet Porpoise Pool, Coffs Harbour.