Pt 2 - Day 15 - Shannae's early birthday present at the Pet Porpoise Pool

This morning was similar to the previous mornings.  We are very conscious that flooding is still a risk in a lot of areas south of us.  Heavy rains are forecast for the weekend so we decide to push on once again.  This is a real shame as we were very excited about exploring Coffs and had planned to stay for at least 3 days, but the safety of our family has to come first and we are a bit nervous about staying any longer.  When we step outside the van our thoughts are confirmed, as, the few people that are in the park all seem to have the same idea and have either left or are packing up.

However, we have one very important thing to do before we leave.  With Shannae's birthday just around the corner, we had a very special birthday present planned for her that we decide to go ahead with before we leave.  She is such and animal lover and a mermaid in the water so we thought it would be an awesome present for her to have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins.  I had done some research long before we left and had discovered that in Coffs they have this Pet Porpoise Pool which is a mini Sea world where you can sign up for a special "dolphin encounter".  So that is what we did for her.  She got to have some one on one time with a 6 year old dolphin named Bella.  It was a very rare opportunity and she just loved it.  I'm sure it is something she will remember for a long time.

The Pet Porpoise Pool was great fun for the whole family.  We watched a great dolphin and seal show and the kids got to feed the penguins and a seal.  Glen and I both agreed that although much smaller and more run down than Sea World, it was so much better, as the kids were able to get up close to the animals, just awesome.

Afterwards we had to work out a plan as to where to go next, as we were at a bit of a loss.  We contemplated heading to Tamworth but there had been a land slide on Waterfall way which was the main road through, so we canned that idea.  The Hunter Valley was the next destination we were headed to, so we decided to head in that direction, but knew we wouldn't make it tonight.  We both agreed that after Taree we would feel safe and could once again consider a rest stop for the night so that is what we did.

The journey south just blew us away. We couldn't belive the size of the rivers and how full they were and town after town just amazed us by the sites we saw.  In some places the water was only metres from the highway, so we felt reassured we had made the right decision to keep going.  We found a nice little rest stop on high ground!!  at about 5:30.  A small playground, some grass and toilets.  Everything we needed for a game of cricket and somewhere to camp the night.  We all love the freedom of no neighbours for a night and the fact that we don't have to unhook.  We do get a couple of vans pull in during the night, but essentially we are on our own!!!  Oh the serenity!!!!