Lord Howe Island 4

 Thursday 19 May 2022

Our day began with breakfast down at the Coral Cafe after a shower and updating my blog from yesterday. We then had free time so while Elaine went for one of her long walks Judy and I took the Stevens Loop shortcut to town. It was nice to have a slow browse and bought a home made icecream qt the Post Office (not really the place you'd expect to buy icecream. 

Men at work with a Lucas Mill sawing fence posts

A wander back via the long side of the Stevens Loop Track chatting and looking for fungi and other small things.

Lunch was at the Coral Cafe today as a group and it was absolutely delicious - a variety of wraps and sandwiches. Stephen then arranged a 1950s movie for us at the Museum about Lord Howe Island. It was great to see the differences between then and now.

For our afternoon activity we were driven to the solar farm and headed off on a walk to Clear Place with guides Pete and wife Janine from Chase 'n' Thyme tours. We had lots of things pointed out about the natural features and wildlife. Then at Clear Place we had an amazing view of Balls Pyramid behind the headland.

Admiralty Islands in the distance at Middle Beach

LHI Currawong

Fungus

Kath and Ball's Pyramid in the far distance (click the pic to see closer)

One of the many LHI land snails

Admiralty Islands

More fungus (autumn is fungus season)

The island runs on solar power and Tesla battery storage.

Back home for a regroup then off to Judy's to finish our wine, cheese and biscuits to clear the fridge for our last day.

Dinner was another great meal but this time at the Bowling Club. I had King Fish again because it is absolutely delicious and fresh. Fish is not exported off the island and all fish served is caught fresh each day. Yum. We were entertained by a young Shearwater (Mutton Bird) who had mistaken the lights in the club house for the moon.

Friday 20 May 2022

Today is our last morning on the island and we spent time packing and getting bussed to the airport to do a bit of plane watching and hope that our flight would be able to land and also able to take off again. Travel to and from the island can be dodgy and delayed often and can only happen in daylight hours unless you are in a Hercules used for night time emergencies.

Small planes from Port Macquarie and the Coolangatta. There was a freight flight as well that delivers daily fresh milk, fruit and veg. 

Ahhh our plane has landed

In the far distance is Ball's Pyramid through the mist. Click the pic to see it.

The flight back was smooth and only 1.5 hours. We got at taxi home and then I could not find my house keys. Luckily I could work the key lock and was able to get in without any further issues but I have lost my keys.

Lord Howe Island struck me as a wonderful small community to visit with lots of natural wonders. The community are extremely tuned into environmental issues and where they are able they are sustainable. In all a fantastic but short holiday. I would like to visit again but I don't think I'll ever be climbing Ball's Pyramid, Mt Gower or any of the other very steep peaks.