Australian Sojourn – April-May 2024

Part 6: Last Days in Australia

Well, I’ve been back now from Australia for almost three weeks. High time to conclude my “Australian Sojourn – April-May 2024” series of posts with this last installment. (To start at the beginning of this series, click here.

Returning from my time on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, I spent a day-and-a-half with members of the McGowan family in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales.

Above and below: At Brooms Head with friends Bernie and Mim – Monday, May 20, 2024.

Above and below: Due to a delay with the train that was to take me from the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales to Port Macquarie, I had an unexpected few hours in Grafton on Tuesday, May 21. I made the most of this time by taking in the sights and vibe of this river town with my friends Mike and Collette.

Above: Back in Guruk (Port Macquarie) with my brother Tim – Wednesday, May 22, 2024.

Above and below: Guruk landscapes.

Above: The rock platform at the south end of Port Macquarie’s Town Beach which is a very special place for me – Friday, May 24, 2024.

Above: With Mum and my cousin (Mum’s niece) Sharon and Sharon’s spouse Ross – Port Macquarie, Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Above: Mum and Sharon with the beautiful bouquet of flowers that Sharon and Ross gifted to Mum.

Above: May’s full Flower Moon over Port Macquarie’s Lighthouse Beach – Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Above: With Mum and her friend and neighbor Glynis – Port Macquarie, Friday, May 24, 2024.

Above: Mum, taking in the sights at Town Beach on my last day in Guruk – Friday, May 24, 2024.

Above: An Australian Sojourn 2024 self-portrait – Guruk, May 24, 2024.

Above, right, and below: On my last night in Australia (Saturday, May 25), my friend Garth introduced me to the annual Vivid Sydney spectacle. And this was after a delicious home-barbecued meal with his lovely family. . . . Thanks, Garth!

Australia Sojourn – April-May 2024
• Farewell Minnesota Spring
• Hello Australia Autumn!
• Bundanoon, Batemans Bay, Braidwood and Goulburn
• Hanging Rock
• Family Time in Melbourne, Guruk, and Gunnedah
• Happy Birthday, Bernie!

See also the previous Wild Reed posts:
• Last Days in Australia (2023)
• Last Daysin Australia (2019)
• In Northern Rivers Country
• Yamba
• Rising Waters
• “Flooded-In But Loving Life”
• In Maclean, an End to the “Siege”
• Yaegl Country
• Angourie
• Guruk (2023)
• Guruk (2019)
• Flower Moon Rising (2019)
• A Walk Along Lighthouse Beach (2019)
• Guruk Seascapes, from Dawn to Dusk
• On Sacred Ground
• Port Macquarie (2016)
• Town Beach (2010)
• Lighthouse Beach
• Flynns Beach (2006)

Images: Michael J. Bayly and friends.