The next day I took a ride down to Southport,

The last village of merit before the road heading south ceases to be sealed. Southport is so quiet it's silent. I couple of hopefuls fished from the wharf while their young boys jumped into the chilly water of the bay seemingly oblivious of the cold. The water was crystal clear and the sand vividly white. I have the feeling that Southport must be very busy over the summer holidays and then return to its slumber for the rest of the year, probably making the residents happy to have their idyllic lives back.

On the way home I visited the Birches Bay Art Farm. The old farm has been refocused as a beautiful walk of several kilometres, up, across and down some revegetated farmland. The large sculptures along the walk, views of bush and the D'Entrecasteaux Channel are superb and make the hike up the hill less of an effort.