Thursday, 26 April 2012

Spending time with Brooks n Alli

Leaving Beaudesert with the new exhaust completed, we turned right and went to Tambourine Mountain. Another winding road, but great view at the top although a bit tight with Timmy behind us. We will probably go back with just the car.


We arrived at Brooks and Alli's on the 18th whilst they were at work.....what is that word, something we will have to do soon enough, unless we won lotto. Timmy fitted on the front lawn, but not down the side of the house.....as we could fit, but not open the door Haha!


Both are looking well, but the mum-to-be looks radiant, and counting down 3 weeks of work left.
On the weekend we all went for a drive to the Eumundi markets - good - large - although the fruit n vege wasn't too excitiing. On the return we went to Glass house mountains. Brooks and Len went to explore prawning with a throw net, both need practise. No prawns, but a meal of Chilli Mud crabs.
Alli's sister Stacey is getting married this weekend, so we wont see them till the wedding.....stay tuned for photos.


Monday, 16 April 2012

Crossed the border, now in Beaudesert Qld

We left Guyra and headed to Tenterfield......poor old car and Tim, NSW roads are so poor, understandable in floodways but the rest it's repaired and then repaired pot hole after pothole. After arriving in Beaudesert they said we will find out that Qld roads are no better. After leaving Tenterfield it was a left at Tabulam and across the river on a unique bridge
The view was very pleasant

We arrived at a little town, Urbenville. We stayed at the rest area $10 a night - it was a wooded area, pine trees, cloudy and drizzling. We watched some episodes of True Blood......and then later we watched "the King's speech", as I couldn't cope with True Blood after dark. (Yes, I know chicken)
Today, on the road again only 80 kms (and it feels like we have gone back a year). Drove along the roads through the state forest via,Woodenbong and then to Mount Lindesay and what a breath taking view....tall trees, Mount Lindesay, rain forest, pleasure to the eyes, but concentration plus on the roads, hairpin bends 35 kms squiggly snakes, sharp 90 degree bends.




Arrived and set up in the caravan park at Beaudesert. The car is booked in tomorrow for the new exhaust.....a new 3" system mmmm.....going to sound good!


Friday, 13 April 2012

Tucker Box to Guyra via Orange and Dubbo

Leaving the "Dog" we head along the road scenery undulating and there was a sign pick your own figs and plums. Alas someone hadn't taken down their signs, but we found the Grog Shed at Wombat. We bought some goodies, fig jam, fig and ginger jam, a roast capsicuim sauce and some Cherry wine. ( I thought yuk, but was nicely surprised), but good to taste, to go in casseroles and used with deserts and even a little nip and night time to warm the cockles of your heart.


Orange was great scenery and they call it "the city of colours", with the autumn tones we can see why


Dubbo is just another city and we got stung by the caravan park re rates - the book says it is $25 per night, but on no $35 per night coz of the school holidays!! We'll check next time before checking in. Craft shop was closed, there were all the big shops, restocked, so back on the road.
We leave Dubbo and head to Scone scenery is great and stay at Burning Mountain for the night (named after an aboriginal dreamtime story). A good free camp, even flushing toilets. Len wasn't feel to well (it was my turn, a couple of days before). Lenny had a nap and I went for a walk up Burning Mountain, but as it was late in the day and a 4km walk I didn't reach the top, but went about a km and then returned, cool tranquil and good for the soul. Did I mention I remembered to put the memory card in the camera, now.....I can share some pics :)



Next day on the road again and off to Tamworth. It is amazing how you have preconceived ideas of a place and we both had expected Tamworth to be flat, but no, hilly and quite pretty. Ah yes, it has the big golden guitar and no I didn't take a photo....as I thought there are lots of golden guitar photos out there! Scenery just goes on and on - very pleasant the view from Moonbi lookout


We drove through to Guyra which is a nice spot on the New England Hwy. It had been a long drive, so a special treat, we went to the pub for tea (only place in town). As we left the cute little caravan park at Guyra, our view of the evening sunset. This caravan park is the highest altitude caravan park in Australia or so they say!

As we drove into Guyra yesterday we saw the sign "market Saturday"....yippee, I don't know why I get very excited only to be let down again. Lots of craft, but very cutesy!! and no fresh fruit and veges. I should be pleased, just gotta get my act together and get my swing tags on the scarves and we'll have something to sell,  Oh well.....still smiling and have cooked a big pot of soup as the temperatures are very crisp. We had a -1 in Orange and here it is about 5 overnight. This will be a bit of winter this year  - as we head to Brisbane and then Cairns, we're sure there will be no winter. Still happy, otherwise, we will be told "Suck it up Princess!"

Dog on theTucker Box, Gundagai

Dog on the Tucker Box is 7km out of town, so we decided to visit on the way Cootamundra. Silly me I thought it would be just on the side of the Highway with a area to view, but how wrong I was. It was a big bay, probably 5 times the size of a truck bay. It had dog on a Tucker box, cafe, restaurant, crafts......etc. The actual statue was the size of a dog, but it was mounted on a concrete platform, sitting in the middle of a pond. Lots of people looking and taking photos, I did take a photo from a distance with everyone around, however it is like the others in the camera, and not on the memory card (stay tuned, hopefully).
The scenery changes on the road to Cootamunda, Young and then stay the night just before Cowra.

We have been everywhere man!.....that's what it feels like.

Happy Easter everyone.
With Easter arriving we hadn't planned our trip to well thru Victoria, to be in Beaudesert for a new exhaust system by the 16th April. So it was across the Murray river into NSW from Robinvale, to Hay via Balranald (this is thru the Hay Plains) it is named so because, you guessed it the long flat plains. Hay was part of the area flooded, with the big rains from Qld through NSW. The water across the roads had subsided, but the edges of the road were plentiful and lucky we didn't to stop roadside for anything. Spent 2 nights in Hay.....nothing remarkable about the place, oh except the size and abundance of mozzies. We survived, by finishing all chores and showers before 5pm.
Next day it was off to Gundagai via Wagga Wagga and Narrendera. Gundagai was the start of the elevation, I would post a photo from the lookout, but it is in the camera's memory and not the memory card.....so I can't share, until I work out how to and if I can copy it.
The next day it is on the road again, but this time for a day trip to Albury/Wodonga and there was a market at Albury. On the road early, with expectation in the air we drive down the Hume Hwy. One thing to mention about the roads especially in NSW and the little of Vic we did they are SHIT (excuse the language), but it is a reality. We are sure no money was spent on infrastructure when Labor were in state gov. Anyway on the road for our 235 km trip to the long awaited market. We find the market with the help of "the bitch in the box" or "Her Maj", depending on how well she conducts herself with the instructions and locking in a gps signal before she starts working.
Gold coin donation to enter the Rotary Market, but boohoo.....it was like a gigantic garage sale everyone getting rid of their rubbish. Very little, fresh veges. Oh there were donuts, being made before your eyes and any flavour sugar topping you could think of, but like everything here it wasn't for us. A browse Albury and then Wodonga......we think Albury is a bit more exciting, they at least had a few coffee shops open Easter Sunday to have a cuppa before our return 235 km trip. We shared the driving Len to and me from. (Len must have been calm enough with me driving as he had a nap.

Wednesday, 4 April 2012

On the Murray banks in Victoria, fishing in the Murray in New South Wales

“On the road again....” this time Mildura calling. We found a small caravan park in Gol Gol, Mildura and booked in for a couple of days. There were motor bikes everywhere as the Ulysses Club were there for their AGM. (4,000 bikes!) We were invited to a sausage sizzle at the park on the Thursday night to welcome the bikers and others in the park. Just before we went to the camp kitchen, the heavens open, just opened. (19mm in the gauge next morning). I wasn’t travelling too well a Migraine was trying to knock me out! Met some really nice people and made welcome. As it turned out to be lucky as my raffle ticket came in – my prize a bottle of Andrew Peace, Chardonnay. Then it was early to bed.

Camp 6  book has become invaluable, especially now we can put the gps coordinates in to find the camp sites. Address locations weren’t working that well and lots of the roads don’t have names.

We are now and have been for a few days on the banks of Murray in Victoria......but when Lens fishing in the river he is in New South Wales.  There are 2 problems in the area – no fish and very little phone coverage which is intermittent, very bad phone calls and not enough to power the internet. On the road, tomorrow to Robinvale.


Robinvale been here, down that and moving out tomorrow. It was a nice spot on the Murray all the waterskiers moved in for Easter and the school hols packed our supplies, but have decided to go to NSW, along the western side of the Great Dividing Range due to the Easter break as we need to be in Brissie As we sit here in the twlight, this is the view mmmmmm peaceful, out with the camera and share.




Tuesday, 3 April 2012

South Australia is drawing to a close

We made our way thru to Waikerie and camped on the river Murray and what a treat we spent a couple of days here and then went across to Morgan. Imagine our surprise when we got to the river, a stop sign .....and a barge on the other side of the river and it was coming back to pick us up.
The barge/ferry runs 24hours a day (there is a phone if not there at night time). We stayed the night in the caravan park and met up with a dear friend Heather whose is caravanning on her own thru Oz.


Next we were on to Berri and Renmark and found a great place at Plushs Bend, although we went over a creek crossing – flowing but 2” deep, a few people there, but we found a great spot on the bank of the Murray – views, tranquillity and mossies. Next day we went for a drive to go to into Berri to find out where to get the car serviced. Ooops we got to the crossing and it was about 10” deep, so time for an about face and get Tim out of there. We did and stayed in Berri Caravan Park for a couple of days. The view was over the Murray river and each day we could watch the river rise and cover up the jetties. Car serviced, so back on the road again. On the way out of town we call in to our previous camping spot to see where the water is up to.  “Road Closed” and gates closed......we did make the correct decision.

Next: Along the Murray, Victoria calling 



Sunday, 11 March 2012

Now in Adelaide - happy with a change of scenery

We had 2 days in Port Wakefield with the full moon rising and great sunsets. There are no supermarkets in port wakefield so a 25 km drive to Balaklava to pick up a few essentials and visit the butchers.
Left hand corner is Tim and then our view
Friday the 9th March we were on the move with Adelaide calling. We were looking for a change of scenery, we had, had our fill of dry paddocks......
Our drive was entertaining with a radio interview with Kevin Bloody Wilson with the ABC poised on the dump button. The interview was entertaining with a song about "put a spud in your duds or a murphy in your surfy..........in the front not the back which took us back to when Brooks was young :)
We were grateful to have Her Majesty in the box to take us around the outskirts of Adelaide to Christies Beach. The caravan park is smaller than some we have been to, but good, up from the beach and RLS club and promenade.
Sat we drove out to Hahndorf and we fell in love. Her Majesty in the box took a little while to wake up and get her act together (at the same time we were outside an RAA (RAC eqivalent) I got a map and then we were off working together to get to Hahndorf via the M1. Our journey took us through the
Adelaide hills our first stop was a wonderful fruit and vege shop (that was fresh food). Then down the streets into Hahndorf, it was a relaxing feeling, cooler and even autumn tone trees.



And there were shops pantry, chocolate, giftware, clocks, souvenirs, ugg boots, food, german food, icecream and..........We browsed and browsed had a little sit, then browsed Lenny held up well and browsed some more. At 3.30 pm it was time for some sustainence for the boy so we stopped at one of the german places and ordered a small meal!!!! We had to take half home in the esky. Did I mention it was a metre long german hot dog!!

After lunch we browsed the other side of the street, not quite as good as the other side except for the gallery we found. There were some tissue silk dyed scarves and some felted/needlefelted pieces. The work was lovely and exciting, she had more uniformity to her pieces than mine.......I believe I have a chance to sell mine as soon as I get the swing tags made. :)


Sunday, 26 February 2012

Yorke Pennisula Leigh & Joy with Len & Judy

What a fun few days we have had with Leigh and Joy on the Yorke Pennisula. We met at Wallaroo and set up their tent (J and J were banished), but as it was so hot we didn't last too long on our walk, we then found a little spot under the tree to watch from a distance - as the tent hadn't been up for a good few years. we had 2 days there. To celebrate Leigh and Joy's 49th Wedding Anni we went to an Alehouse in Wallaroo for dinner and it was yum and a great view.
The next day L & L went back to Port Pirie to pick up a part for the toot and one L had a bacon and egg sambo (usually this L likes pies). When the boys returned we had a cuppa and then off to Kadina for shopping and there was a request to stop for lunch at the bakery and guess what we had for lunch a cornish pastie or a pie, one little L had 2 (but which one I don't tell).
Off on Sat am to Moonta and a coffee (a very restrained L didn't have a pie, just a coffee, we had milk shakes).

Len Leigh Joy and Jude at Moonta coffee shop
L and the wind farm
Back on the road again to drive to the east coast and reach Port Vincent, we had several stops to find somewhere for lunch or just a pie!, but no luck all shut. Lunch at 3.30 pm when we arrived at Port V. Sunday we did the rest of the Pennisula as L & J hadn't been here for years and it was good fun with the 4 of us in the one car. Port vincent, Stanbury, Edithburgh, passed the Wattle Point wind farm which is huge, and L was desperate for a coffee and pie, but he had to wait till we got to Marion Bay and had lunch at the Tavern, Leigh got his coffee and Steak sandwich......ooops I've slipped up. Joy was our driver, did an excellent job......she is still looking for the dirt road and maybe get those glasses checked regarding giveway signs. Fantastic day and holiday with good friends who left at 5.30 am to return to Port Lincoln for commitments.

Thursday, 16 February 2012

Resting at Cyrstal Brook

We have had 2 nights at Port Germein in the caravan park. Monday night was tea at the pub, where we had fish and chips at the bar. It was tasty and the fish moist - called "butter fish" but we think shark.
The next day we went on the jetty built in 1881 a short distance of 1.5 kms (yes it was a long walk!)
We carried the crabs pots and fishing rod for bait and some supplies. We walked out there with Kiernan
the fellow from the Ulysses club we had met in Point Lowly. All in all we got about 20 crabs and watched the most magnificent sunset ( I was sad because I didn't have my camera and the camera in my phone has stopped working ) but it was enjoyed. Lots of people out at the end of the jetty, kids swimming, people using their trolleys to take gear out and lots of chatting with different nationalities.
Then there was the walk back......in the dark only 1 light on the jetty that worked, and we are sure as the tide came in the jetty had got longer. Back and then to cook the crabs and eat tea.....a late one 11.30pm....but a good night.
We arrived at Crystal Brook (a dry Brook) but a nice little spot although a little warm. Thursday we went 22 kms to Port Pirie and had the outboard motor serviced, a puncture (slow leak) repaired and got some new windscreen wiper blades.....a cup of tea and a chat with Kiernan whom we had met at the wharf.
When we returned to Crystal Brook we cruised passed the bakery.....yes we did stop and a great multigrain loaf....and did a mention a yummy pastie for lunch @ 3pm. We had drinks with Carol and Pete (we had also met them at Point Lowly), very pleasant sitting outside, but the time disappears and we didn't come back to Tim to cook tea till after 8 pm.
Today has been a lazy one, we have been dyeing some scarves and watching ODI cricket. There is alot of bird life here....Noisy Corellas, miner birds, magpies and the Kookaburras serinade us in the evening. Off to Clare Valley tomorrow and a local market.

Wednesday, 8 February 2012

New Moon over Point Lowly

We are at Point Lowly in a free camping area with a beautiful vista and lucky enough to see the new moon rising over the southern end of the Flinders Ranges. A little windy but our aim is go out fishing tomorrow.

I have been doing some natural dying, but they are just drying out. When undone a will photograph and post, used Quandong and the outside colours are making me think - exciting. :)

Saturday, 4 February 2012

Cowell is our resting place for a week.

We arrived at Cowell on tuesday.....nice spot, but a bit windy.....Lennie checked out the weather and it was only to get better. We have been out fishing 2 days. The first 13 crabs and the 2nd 6 yellowfin whiting and 7 crabs. So guess what we have been eating......yummy! Tomorrow we will have on the shopping list ingredients for the Crab and camenbert quiche.

Lucky we had the 2 days out because it is windy and showery today, 34 knots gusts to 57 knots not good for boating.

Who ate the shank off the roast?????? Squatters exit quick :)

Wanna, Port Lincoln National Park

Port Lincoln on a windless day

Mischief makers - View from Winter's Hill, Port Lincoln

Who ate it ??????
To: Head Kitchen Manager
Len's breakfast as per plate
+ Strong black tea (mug)
with laxative replacing sugar

Leigh - His Message to the Head Kitchen Manager ????!!!!!

Home of Makabe Diva
We have had a great time with our friends and their family in Port Lincoln, thank you to all for your warmth and generosity.
Len and I had a drive out to the Lincoln Nat Park, it was a good day although a little windy. Not all coast is like the photo, but many Nat.Pk camping spots and no swimming due to the big bities!
Joy and Leigh took us on a drive to Brenton's farm and on the way we went to Winter's Hill Lookout and the view was amazing.....it was had to get some people to sit still for the photo shoot.
Our days drive took us to Coffin Bay for morning tea, and then to Farm Beach (very close to where the movie Gallopli was shot), Dutton Bay and the little shacks for family hols.
We went to the farm and had a cuppa with Brenton and Cathy a chat and more laughs. As we left there was a thunderstorm to the East, we drove towards the storm, but the roads led away it was to the North.
Very nicely chauffeured by Joy, thank you.
Tunarama was on for the 4 days over Australia Day weekend. Joy, Leigh Judy and Len went to the street parade and met Felicity, Ian and grand daughter Nellie (who has now celebrated her birthday Fri 3.2.12 - Happy Birthday Nellie). We wandered through the stalls and had lunch. Then, off to Flic and Ian's for a swim and BBQ before going back down town to watch the fireworks a great display (and no wind). Another great day. We had a great meal at Del Giorno's and I had the best salt and pepper squid ever. The only set back was Leigh's seafood chowder ( A mussel was full of mud! at least not bad. I think it did spoil the after taste of his meal and waiter was too quick to defend not knowing the mussels and not to offer a complimentary coffee or drink for Leigh......it was still a great night...I think it was back home for some to do the Lochan Ora taste test.
Our last meal was a yummy lamb roast dinner with good wine and great company thank you Joy and Leigh. Did I mention that the shank bone was taken off early and Leigh was late getting home - who ate the bone!

Thursday, 26 January 2012

Our return to Tumby Bay

We have arrived back in Tumby Bay after spending special times with family and friends. The time has gone so fast and a message to the dear friends we didn't catch up with we are sorry, but that doesn't mean you aren't in our thoughts.
All is good with the 4wd and Tim and Tumby Bay has been a good temp. We have caught up with friends Joy and Leigh (from Port Lincoln) and having lots of laughs, good stories and a few lies....this has continued for a few days.  A couple of times out on the water, but alas not a big catch a case of the loaves and the fishes.
We are now called the "Squatters" and are staying with Joy and Leigh in Port Lincoln.
Have driven through the Lincoln Nat. Park and then a BBQ for Australia Day. Thinking about everyone at home with the 41 degree heatwave as we had a 25 degree day. Hope you all keep smiling.