Day 15: Yamba

On our way from Alstonville to Grafton today we took a detour via Yamba. We wanted to visit our wonderful old neighbour and friend, Arthur. (See extra)

Yamba is a lovely seaside small town with fantastic beaches. My main photo shows one of them.

Arthur spent 40 years as the maintenance manager at the local abattoirs in Bowral and there is nothing mechanical that this man can’t do. We became neighbours in 2000 and became friends over the 13 years we lived beside each other. We remained in frequent contact when we moved to Burradoo about 7kms away. Twelve months ago he moved from Bowral to Yamba to live in an aged care facility near his very attentive and competent daughter. He is now 90. Sadly his short-term memory is shot, although his long-term memory is still good.

Arthur was born and bred in Bowral and had never lived anywhere else until he moved to Yamba. We were worried for him. The wonderful thing is that he is loving it. No more maintaining his two acres and cooking for himself. He said to me as we were leaving “It’s bloody magical, mate”.

We were so pleased to see him looking so well but we do miss him.