We decided to stop in Grafton on the Clarence River as a change from a sea side resort.

There are supposed to be hundreds of Jacaranda trees in bloom in October but we were a bit too early. There were a few pink blossom trees about but we didn't really know if they were the right ones.

We stayed in the Quality Inn which was very nice but on a busy street. The hotel receptionist suggested we might like to eat at the local Bowling Club which had lovely river views. By the time we got there it was dark and we couldn't see a thing but the food was good.

Although it's a club they seem quite happy to open their doors to anyone. I had Fish of the day which was hokey and was delicious and only A$9.50 and John had Steak for A$16.50. A glass of wine and a pineapple juice was only A$3.40 which was about a third of the price we had previously paid.

The following night we tried a similar club in Ballina where they served a smorgasbord ( buffet including as much as you could eat) for A$12.00 a head. Here they went through the formality of signing us in as temporary members and asked us to produce some proof of identity but we got the feeling that they would have let us in anyway. This allowed us to use all the clubs facilities including the gambling machines if we wanted.

Both clubs had several bowls pitches; the one in Ballina also had floodlit tennis courts.

Ballina is surrounded by lovely beaches and pretty countryside although there was still a chilly wind most of the time.