Batten Down the Hatches!

The intention had been to wake up and go for a surf at Sawtell Beach this morning, but standing out on the headland, we could barely stand up in the wind! It was less a question of where to surf, more can we actually surf today?

Out to sea, the water glistened under the blue sky, but behind us, inland, it was black, threatening and approaching fast. The wind was whipping across the beach and there was already some rain getting blown in from far away. It didn't strike us as the kind of day to be jumping the sea. Not here anyway.

We decide instead to check a few, more sheltered bays along the coast. At Coff's Harbour, it was a bit more sheltered, but out to sea was wild. There was one lonely surfer out and he wasn't making it look very appealing to be in there. 

Just as we got back to the van, the inland clouds and rain arrived. The full force and fury of the deluge is hard to describe. The van rocked violently and water came down from the sky as if from a hose pipe. Within minutes the car park was beginning to flood and a new river began flowing along the edge of the tarmac. Although a little concerning, it was actually rather exciting to watch. 

We sat it out over lunch, expecting it to pass, but as the storm showed no signs of abating any time soon, we decided to head into town. There was a big mall that looked perfect for sheltering in. The only trouble was getting from the car park to he shelter of the entrance. It was only a fifty metre dash, but we were both soaked by the time we reached the safely of the sliding electric doors! We disappeared inside to a land of bright lights and shops where we were unaware  of the stormy exterior for a few hours. Until the shopping centre began to leak! By the time we left, mops and bucket and worried staff were all out in the walkways trying to catch drops from the ceilings. 

Further travel was out of the questions, so we got to the local campsite at dusk and got parked up on the flattest and highest bit of ground we could find. With curtains down and doors locked, we felt a little safer. Until water started pouring through the air-con unit! We'd been breached! Saucepans and bowls had to be employed and strategically positioned fast to catch the offending drips. Next to go was the side door, which had to be plugged with tea towels and regularly wrung out! Would we last the night?! From the noise outside, the show wasn't over yet!

All we could do was hunker down, put a movie on and hope so...