North TOD

Friday: It was long over due but we finally got the Northern Sock and Awe Team together for a Tour of Duty. Long time associates Dick, Macca and Gonzo were up for three days of Sun, Surf and Stories. Friday started with a small trip down the coast after picking Dick up from the Goldie Airport. Destination Byron. 

Unfortunately front beach was blown out so we were forced to retreat to Tallows(above) which was offering a small chopped up NE wind swell which we accepted as an opportunity to at least get wet. Gonzo started the session with a Fish Dish display.

With a plethora of small waves caught in an hour session Dick makes the most of a little shorey.

After the Tallows Session it was off to Top Shop for the best lunch in town. It did not disappoint.

Macca and Gonzo took advantage of the situation and held the Sock and Awe QLD division AGM. Items that were carried included, but not limited to: 1. Live music is better, bumper stickers should be issued. 2. Ugly shorts, they look good on us. 3. Kebabs with no meat, "No Homos" 4. Set up a Museum for Dick's board (Fergal) 5.North TOD should be an annual event. 6. Saint Oswald will be the Patron Saint and the Honey Badger is the mascot. If you tell him he can't surf, he don't care.

A trip to Byron is not complete without a visit to the Retro shop. Some gear is older than us.

Friday night had us sampling the vast array of brews(pale ale proving the winner) and dining at the Byron Bay Brewery, situated at the Old Piggery. Touring Asa Broomhall supplied the music for the night.

Asa Broomhall above. Press play below for the weekend theme song courtesy of Asa.

We Want Sun

  Saturday: Waking to a small swell we decided to at least wash out the cobwebs from the night before.

 

Gonzo capturing his Stuart Darcy Fish Dish.

With the the swell nearly non existent and leaving us like shags on a wreck we decided to venture south and check out all the breaks Daniel had told us about between Byron and Ballina. First stop was Suffolk Park then Broken Head and then on to Lennox.  

Lennox main beach had great conditions but just lacked in size.

A trip to Lennox isn't complete without checking out Craig Parry's Photography Shop. Click on photo above to check out some of his work After Lennox we made our way south trying to find something that was picking up the swell. We checked out Boulders which was a bay. Sharpies showed some promise but was a little messy. The next spot was Flat Rock which is up a little side road, thru a small camping ground into a little dirt car park. This was a spot to remember for future on a bigger swell.

 Finally after checking Angels and Shelly we stumbled upon the very open (swell magnet) Lighthouse beach stretching up to North Wall (above). Wax up.

Macca fixing on the fat section.

And still managers to gouge the lip.

Nice one Macca

Home me the way to go show.

Cheers.

Before going out we joined many others at the wreck with the same idea of watching the beautiful Byron sun slip beyond the range whilst sipping on a bevvy.

Rev. Codlington and Lord Fotheringay enjoying a meal at The Beach Hotel.

After our feed at top pub we ventured down to "The Rails" for a few more light refreshments and  entertainment by Diana Anaid.

After The Rails we made our way to Woody's Surf Shack for a night cap. After Woody's, as usual the Hot Dog man caught our attention on the way back to the cabin. My, how times have changed. Thirty years ago it was three Hot Dogs extra cheese NO ONIONS. This year, one Hot Dog extra cheese no onions AND two Teriyaki Tofu dogs. (No Homos). Goodnight.

Sunday: As with the past two mornings, there was no swell out the front so we headed straight for Flat Rock. Dick and Gonzo got straight into it, while Macca volunteered to be shutter bug. Nice shots Macca.

Dick coming off the high almighty.

Gonzo bottoming into a nice little section.

Getting through the section and cutting into a nice roundhouse cutback scoring Gonzo wave of the session.

 After the session at Flat Rock we thought we would check out Wategos(after a breakfast fit for Saint Oswald at Lennox) before dropping Dick back at the Goldie Airport. Well the conditions were favourable but there seemed to be a long-board gatho happening.

Macca: Well Gonzo, its been a good weekend but we have a couple of hours before we have to drop Dick back at the airport. Should we go out for a surf or should we go to top pub for a beer.Gonzo: My shout.

Dick, Macca and Gonzo signing off from North TOD 2012