Byron

Ok, so I'm not really travelling, but have been invited as a guest writer on Tom and Roz's blogs, so here goes....

After 3 days, 4 flights and 5 onflight films I finally arrived in Byron Bay on time Monday lunchtime, with a plan to cover the coast line to Melboune over the next three and a half weeks. I was greeted at the airport by a very brown, but also hungry looking Tom and Roz, armed with smiles, flip flops and a Renault Megane which will be our chariot over the next few weeks. I intend to fatten them both up before sending them off to India.

Home for the past 5 days has been the Arts Factory Lodge, a bohemian settlement about 10mins from the beach. The majority of guests have dreadlocks, half a campsite strapped to their back and a mantra for us all to treat each other like brothers (some very amusing grafitti about the place, my favourite being "When I wear my funny spacesuit, the trees talk to me'). So needless to say my wheely suitcase and neatly cut (and washed) hair was quite unique....There has also been no shortage of guitar playing, although it does appear that no-one can actually play the bloody things properly, let alone sing. I was tempted to thrash out Wonderwall, but settled for a game of pool instead.

We spent the first few days almost exclusively on the beach, enjoying the scorching weather, and enjoying a little less the financial headlines and the current RBS share price. At this rate my holiday will be longer than I first planned...

Last night we saw a couple of bands, The Botanics who spent half an hour tuning up, only to play two songs and then disappear for an hour. They seemed to be a big deal although none of us could work out why, we thought thwy were pretty shite. We moved on to the Northern to see a much more funky country band, Smokey and Itchey, who were great, so good as to inspire a fight later in the evening. We also got to play pool with The Tazman, a man who spoke only in soundbites and Nelson Mandela quotes. He was making a film about man's relationship with nature..... definately a local celebrity..... We all had a great time, and discovered Cougar whiskey and coke gives you a great night, and a cracking hangover.

We're leaving today, heading towards Coffs Harbour and some National Parks, via Nimbin, the home of eco friendly infrastructures and more love and peace.......