Left Townsville Sunday morming for Charters Towers as the Branch of the Church was having their conference and I had to give a lesson. Said a sad goodbye to Adam, Inly, Sam and Micah. I was the only one with tears.
We left there at about 1.30pm and drove along the Gregory Development Road (very boring) until we needed some more fuel in Belyando Crossing. We drove on to Clermont, where we stayed in a caravan park. This was just like a norwest caravan park red dirt everywhere but friendly people. Charles actually started a conversation with some people while we were making breakfast. We looked around Clermont (from the car) and then continued on, I can't see this taking a month can you?
We got to Emerald , which is not named after the lovely gem. We continued on until we got to Springsure,which was a little town you would normally go straight through, but we saw a museum and stopped. I have always been interested in the history of the Cobb and Co coaches, and this museum had all the history of the coaches that used to do the run in that area. It was a staging post and had some amazing old pictures of the coaches, the last coach did it's run in 1928 through the town. Also a great history of the wool growing in the area.
Continuing on we got to Injune and stayed in the only caravan park, it was good and had some lovely trees down the back, but guess what, that was all blocked off as the council had given the local mine 1/2 the park, including the campers kitchen which looked great, (through the fence), and they very kindly gave the park a bar b q in return, and a new ablution block. The showers were great which was all we really needed.
We went through Roma, again, not named after Rome, althoughh there are a lot of Italians there, it was the middle name of one of it's pioneers.
We continued on until we went over the border into NSW, then I got excited because Charles said we could go to Lightening Ridge, which is where my grandfather lived for a short while fossicking for opals. We were going to go to the artesian bore baths but it was really crowded and we didn't feel like being in warm water with so many people, so we drove down the road and managed to stop at an opal and pottery place for 5 minutes, saw a lovely ring but, lucky Charles, our pension didn't come into the bank until Wednesday. So even though it was our 45th
Wedding anniversary he got off lightly by saying "i would if I could."
I could kick myself for not taking a picture of the entry of the town,as proof I had been there and where my opals came from. We drove just out of town and found a nice layby and had some nice country butcher steaks and slept the night.
Q
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
WA finally
It's strange when you get to WA you think you are nearly there, but WA is so huge it takes days if you stop at night. The fuel is suddenly expensive so we are keeping to 90 kms. We were very lucky and had the wind behind us all the way across. Not much to say about the trip across as we've done it so many times.
We bought a baked dinner at Norseman as we were wanting some vegies, because they had been taken off us at the border and none of the stops from there to Perth carry decent fruit and vegies.
Amping to get back now, to see everyome. Hoping Charles will stay somewhere so I can go to the doctor about my throat, and also see everyone at church. Just past the Narrogin chapel which made me
Think of that.
Meant to say, we stopped andsaw the Albert Facey house. We knew his brother in law at church when we used to go to Bunbury. For those who don't know who he is , he wrote a book about his life in the bush and the war and it is now considered a classic.
This is my last entry before Busselton, sorry it wasn't published but we didn't go near any internet places. Thanks for reading!
Across the Nullabour
We leftthecaravan park and stopped in at most of the bays on the west coast of Eyre Peninsular, like Streaky Bay. We kept driving as Charles had a bit of gout and didn't want to walk around and finished the day the west side of Ceduna. Ceduna is a sad town now, the only people you see are the aboriginals walking the streets and lots of the shops are closed. We just camped onthe side of the road and took off early and are now (mid afternoon) coming up to Eucla. It's funny you think, wow we are now in WA nearly there but there is so much further to go! I forgot and bought some vegies thinking we would take longer to cross the Nullabour and now will have to give them in at the border. Hope they don't make us undo the trailer as it will take so long and be so dusty.
Eyre Peninsular
Of course because we were going to camp, it started to rain, and there were forecasts for 90km winds and rain! We looked at a few free camping spots but they were very exposed. We found one at Port Gibbons down in a hollow and camped there the night. When we got up and left there were about 30 vans around so it was lucky we got there early.
We travelled down the east coast of the peninsular stopping at each bay and checking the free camping out. They have really got some lovely bays there and the community really look after things. They could teach Busselton a thing or two about doing up foreshores. The smallest communities had really nice beachfronts. When we were in Port Lincoln (quite a large town)
I went to the laundromat while Charles looked at a maritime museum, which he said was the best he has ever seen.
We drove on up the west coast still looking for a sheltered free camp but couldn't find one so we are now in a caravan park in an unpowered site. It is still raining on and off and we charge our phone up at the campers kitchen. We will stay here for 2 nights and then keep going. We are now going to watch "Inception" which I believe is very hard to understand but I'll give it my best.
I have just read through some of my blog and it really sounds like I am whinging a lot, but I'm not, I really am enjoying the trip.
We travelled down the east coast of the peninsular stopping at each bay and checking the free camping out. They have really got some lovely bays there and the community really look after things. They could teach Busselton a thing or two about doing up foreshores. The smallest communities had really nice beachfronts. When we were in Port Lincoln (quite a large town)
I went to the laundromat while Charles looked at a maritime museum, which he said was the best he has ever seen.
We drove on up the west coast still looking for a sheltered free camp but couldn't find one so we are now in a caravan park in an unpowered site. It is still raining on and off and we charge our phone up at the campers kitchen. We will stay here for 2 nights and then keep going. We are now going to watch "Inception" which I believe is very hard to understand but I'll give it my best.
I have just read through some of my blog and it really sounds like I am whinging a lot, but I'm not, I really am enjoying the trip.
Cowra to Eyre Peninsular
We found a laundromat in Cowra, spent a fortune washing and drying clothes.
Went from Cowra, through the beautiful central plains, undulating hills, to Young and then to Cootamundra.
We decided to splurge on a motel which was great. We left there about 7.30am (can't get him to sleep in!) and decided to miss Wagga and drove to Junee then across to Darlington Point, where the church farm is. We drove in but one of the managers living there said that all the staff were at the local fair, so said to come back on Monday. We drove to a free camp mentioned in our free camp book but found it had been closed (our book is 4years old) so we just drove along the track beside the Murrumbidgee River and found a really pretty spot right beside the river, and we stayed there until Monday. It was great but some young kids were riding their motorbikes all Sunday afternoon, was about to say something when it started to get dark andthey were still going but I think the peopleup from us did. The noise was ok but the dirt they were kicking while we were preparing dinner was not.
We went to the church farm again. And met the guy in charge, who is Californian. He took our mission papaers and said the mission is ours if we still want it next August. He chatted to Charles about the farm for quite a while, he has a good sense of humour and says everyone there is pretty laid back. Then we Drove to Hay and are having a rest, boring stuff hey! . The only way this will make any sense is to have a map open when you are reading it so you can see where we are going.
We stopped at Euston on a lovely lake. There were a few vans there, the grey nomads stop about 3-4 o'clock each day. One of the vans had professional country and western singers on board and they were playing music (mouthorgan and squeeze box) till about 10pm. We watched a DVD so itdidn't worry us too much. In the morning we had a leisurely breakfast ,chatting to some of those people about us. Charles is very chatty to peoplewhen we are on the road, it is great.
I think Charles is going to push on to Port Augusta. We had Red Rooster for lunch and it so expensive, won't do that again.
We travelled through the back way , through Burra, past Clare and some other little towns,and decided to go to Port Pirie as, in all the times we have been past we have never been in to the town. It was a lovely historic town, we stayed the night so we could see the town in the daylight. Because we start off so early each morning (you know whose idea that is), none of the museums are open which is a pity because we coukd see what made the towns. Charles has a bit of gout in his feet so to look at a town we just drive through it, but it is still lovely to see all the historic buildings in SA.
The next morning we drove straight through Port Augusta and on to the Eyre Peninsular where we hope to camp for a few days.
Went from Cowra, through the beautiful central plains, undulating hills, to Young and then to Cootamundra.
We decided to splurge on a motel which was great. We left there about 7.30am (can't get him to sleep in!) and decided to miss Wagga and drove to Junee then across to Darlington Point, where the church farm is. We drove in but one of the managers living there said that all the staff were at the local fair, so said to come back on Monday. We drove to a free camp mentioned in our free camp book but found it had been closed (our book is 4years old) so we just drove along the track beside the Murrumbidgee River and found a really pretty spot right beside the river, and we stayed there until Monday. It was great but some young kids were riding their motorbikes all Sunday afternoon, was about to say something when it started to get dark andthey were still going but I think the peopleup from us did. The noise was ok but the dirt they were kicking while we were preparing dinner was not.
We went to the church farm again. And met the guy in charge, who is Californian. He took our mission papaers and said the mission is ours if we still want it next August. He chatted to Charles about the farm for quite a while, he has a good sense of humour and says everyone there is pretty laid back. Then we Drove to Hay and are having a rest, boring stuff hey! . The only way this will make any sense is to have a map open when you are reading it so you can see where we are going.
We stopped at Euston on a lovely lake. There were a few vans there, the grey nomads stop about 3-4 o'clock each day. One of the vans had professional country and western singers on board and they were playing music (mouthorgan and squeeze box) till about 10pm. We watched a DVD so itdidn't worry us too much. In the morning we had a leisurely breakfast ,chatting to some of those people about us. Charles is very chatty to peoplewhen we are on the road, it is great.
I think Charles is going to push on to Port Augusta. We had Red Rooster for lunch and it so expensive, won't do that again.
We travelled through the back way , through Burra, past Clare and some other little towns,and decided to go to Port Pirie as, in all the times we have been past we have never been in to the town. It was a lovely historic town, we stayed the night so we could see the town in the daylight. Because we start off so early each morning (you know whose idea that is), none of the museums are open which is a pity because we coukd see what made the towns. Charles has a bit of gout in his feet so to look at a town we just drive through it, but it is still lovely to see all the historic buildings in SA.
The next morning we drove straight through Port Augusta and on to the Eyre Peninsular where we hope to camp for a few days.
Warumbungles
Well we drove slowly enjoying the scenery, bigger trees and a bit up and down on the road. It was very cold (after Townsville) when we took off at 6am! I had on 2 jackets. Stopped at a nice roadside camp in Walgett, a wool town, and had breakfast. Then we went on to Coonamble, and across to Barradine, where my Grandfather worked as a wood carrier. I went into a few places to see if there were any old people still alive who may have known Grandad,they would have been children back in the late 30's early 40's. I spoke to a woman in the library and she tried to ring some of the older people she knew, but none were home (hope they didn't die before I can talk to them! Only joking! She gave me their phone numbers so I can ring them, one lady had worked with the forestry dept since she was 16 and she is now late 80's.
We are now in the warrumbungle national park staying at an environmental park, just have to keep Dad from talking to any of them, unless we are leaving and then he can go for his life. It is beautiful with mountains all around us, and lovely ghost gums and some easy walks. There is a huge swinging observatory here you can see, I would love to see it. The people all through this range have their own little round observatories in their yards. Adam would love that, he will have to bring Sam down here.
Not too sure where to from here, but eventually heading to the Chuch farm just souyh of Griffith. Now for some dinner.
We are now in the warrumbungle national park staying at an environmental park, just have to keep Dad from talking to any of them, unless we are leaving and then he can go for his life. It is beautiful with mountains all around us, and lovely ghost gums and some easy walks. There is a huge swinging observatory here you can see, I would love to see it. The people all through this range have their own little round observatories in their yards. Adam would love that, he will have to bring Sam down here.
Not too sure where to from here, but eventually heading to the Chuch farm just souyh of Griffith. Now for some dinner.
Home to Townsville
Charles decided this morning that he wanted to go back today, so we are driving the inland route. Quite boring as it is the scruffy dry tropics, we are up quite high it is a bit cooler. We came across some very small towns but not much and very little traffic. Had hoped to go to the lava tubes but after hesitating for a second it was straight on. it seems to be mainly cattle stations but we came to this town Greenvale and it is quite developed with pub and pool, we thought it looked like a mining town. We stopped a guy and asked him and he told us that it used to be one of Bond's Nickel mines but it ran out and the town was diminished but not deserted as there were other mines around. he said that 7 mines were opening up soon which would make it prosper again. And they were going to build 200 houses and reopen The supermarket etc.
we arrived back and then went down to the Strand for a swim and BBQ.
we arrived back and then went down to the Strand for a swim and BBQ.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Townsville life
It is so hot here and never any breezes to relieve it. Charles and I go to Riverways each second day for a swim and on the other days we go to the Strand and swim in the rock pool. As soon as I start doing anything I am drenched, I don't think I will ever get used to it.
Rockpool at the Strand
Relaxing at the Strand
Oi (Inly's Mum) with Sam at the Strand
Charles and I unpacked the trailer today and got out the tools and Charles is going to fix a few things around here.
it is great eating Inly and her Mum's cooking it is really healthy. Inly's Mum is watching a whole series of Cantonese police shows at Charles 'volume!
I am hoping to go to the Library tomorrow to get some reading matter while Charles works on repairs.
Rockpool at the Strand
Relaxing at the Strand
Oi (Inly's Mum) with Sam at the Strand
Charles and I unpacked the trailer today and got out the tools and Charles is going to fix a few things around here.
it is great eating Inly and her Mum's cooking it is really healthy. Inly's Mum is watching a whole series of Cantonese police shows at Charles 'volume!
I am hoping to go to the Library tomorrow to get some reading matter while Charles works on repairs.
Location:Wednesday
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Norseman to Eucla
had a great time catching up with the Tobiasson's. Mark drove us around the town showing us all the hilights,joking of course. We left at5.30am again and have just left Balladonia (8.40) had a quick breakfast, and packed some lunch, we are hoping to get to Eucla where we may indulge in a motel unit.
It has been amazing weather, it rained last night and has been overcast and drizzly since we left.
Dad's in withdrawal as we haven't got mobile coverage here to ring the boys. We are cruising along listening to Jack Johnson and mellowing out after the hectic time.
It is a nice drive from Norseman going through the Frazer Rangers, and the saltbushes under the salmon gums looks amazing, makes me wish I could paint. Any photos I have taken have been through the reenact ha ha!
Wehave just left the trees and it is starting to look like the Nullabour at last.
just arrived at Eucla, It has been raining most of the time , great driving conditions. Stopped tp pick up something for dinner, now we are going to stop for the night near Eucla so we can have a look around the town. As usual Charles wanted to move on the next morning.
It has been amazing weather, it rained last night and has been overcast and drizzly since we left.
Dad's in withdrawal as we haven't got mobile coverage here to ring the boys. We are cruising along listening to Jack Johnson and mellowing out after the hectic time.
It is a nice drive from Norseman going through the Frazer Rangers, and the saltbushes under the salmon gums looks amazing, makes me wish I could paint. Any photos I have taken have been through the reenact ha ha!
Wehave just left the trees and it is starting to look like the Nullabour at last.
just arrived at Eucla, It has been raining most of the time , great driving conditions. Stopped tp pick up something for dinner, now we are going to stop for the night near Eucla so we can have a look around the town. As usual Charles wanted to move on the next morning.
Coober Pedy to Ayres Rock
We arrived at Coober Pedy about 5.30pm and drove around the town, undecided to go back to a caravan park we had seen about 5kms back. it said underground camping which sounded fascinating. Turned out you could pitch your tent on concrete in a dugout. we just asked for an unpowered site which turned out to be an enclosure of pine logs and chicken wire on gravel. When we booked in the guy said he would be doing a tour of his mine at 7.30 so we decided to do that.
It was quite informative and we were the only Aussies on the tour who would have understood him as he spoke very quickly. My boys would have been proud of me I went underground and didn't panic. I was disappointed we didn't get to see any opals though. The nozzles are bad as there is so much water lying around.
We woke at 6am and did a quick drive around the town, but we just took off for Ayres Rock as it's about 650 mms away. we are driving at the moment with water on both sides of the road, there are short trees and lots of green grass.
It was quite informative and we were the only Aussies on the tour who would have understood him as he spoke very quickly. My boys would have been proud of me I went underground and didn't panic. I was disappointed we didn't get to see any opals though. The nozzles are bad as there is so much water lying around.
We woke at 6am and did a quick drive around the town, but we just took off for Ayres Rock as it's about 650 mms away. we are driving at the moment with water on both sides of the road, there are short trees and lots of green grass.
Location:Tuesday
Port Augusta north
Stopped in Port Augusta for fuel and showers and when we checked the tyres a trailer tyre was through to the canvas in one spot, so we are getting a new one.
lucky we didn't pay for a motel in Eucla! Also lucky it didn't blow out on us.
Drove north much like the Nullabour but surprisingly green, the cyclone weather much have reached here.Water lying around everywhere, and themozzie terrible. I will have to put up with Charles spraying Aeroguard around liberally.
We turned off to Woomera to see the museum which showed all the rockets from various countries that were launched from there. Woomera has been going for 62years and is still used today. It was good to see something we had learnt about while at school. They use Canberra bombers for target practice.
Driving up towards Coober Pedy and it is now raining and the grass is looking greener around here. We have been so lucky with the weather it could have been 50 o here. Looking forward to seeing Coober Pedy it is something I've always wanted to see, hope I'm not going to get claustrophobic underground. hope it is worth seeing or I won't hear the end of it from Charles.
the phone is still not working so Charles is very frustrated not being able to talk to the boys.
lucky we didn't pay for a motel in Eucla! Also lucky it didn't blow out on us.
Drove north much like the Nullabour but surprisingly green, the cyclone weather much have reached here.Water lying around everywhere, and themozzie terrible. I will have to put up with Charles spraying Aeroguard around liberally.
We turned off to Woomera to see the museum which showed all the rockets from various countries that were launched from there. Woomera has been going for 62years and is still used today. It was good to see something we had learnt about while at school. They use Canberra bombers for target practice.
Driving up towards Coober Pedy and it is now raining and the grass is looking greener around here. We have been so lucky with the weather it could have been 50 o here. Looking forward to seeing Coober Pedy it is something I've always wanted to see, hope I'm not going to get claustrophobic underground. hope it is worth seeing or I won't hear the end of it from Charles.
the phone is still not working so Charles is very frustrated not being able to talk to the boys.
Location:Monday 14/2/11
Eucla to Ceduna/Port Augusta
Charles cooked himself a hot breakfast of chops and eggs and then we started out.Thee weather is cool but it looks like it is fining up. Not anything exciting to see, just the actual Nullabour plain with no trees. We often see parts of the old road and reminisce about our old trips when we had to travel the dirt road.
just turned off to Fowlers Bay we have not been here before. friends (Ben and Tiff)
Told us they caught some Mulloway off the jetty.. some herring would do me.
Have just met up with some people from Busselton, Neil and Lorraine Hastwell who used to own Mann's Newsagency. They had been told to come there as well, but like us, it was just too windy. We will go a bit further then stop for lunch.
Tried to eat all our fruit before Ceduna but had to hand in plums and celery.
Charles wants to get close to Port Augusta by tonight.
just turned off to Fowlers Bay we have not been here before. friends (Ben and Tiff)
Told us they caught some Mulloway off the jetty.. some herring would do me.
Have just met up with some people from Busselton, Neil and Lorraine Hastwell who used to own Mann's Newsagency. They had been told to come there as well, but like us, it was just too windy. We will go a bit further then stop for lunch.
Tried to eat all our fruit before Ceduna but had to hand in plums and celery.
Charles wants to get close to Port Augusta by tonight.
Location:Sunday
Finally going
We left at 5.30am and headed for the Brookton Highway, but were stopped by the area that had been burnt out with the latest fires. We had to turn around and go down the Albany Highway and cut across to Pingelly. It turned out that this was a very pretty drive and we really enjoyed it. There was even water in the creeks we passed. We were also seeing evidence of the latest cyclone that came down from the northwest. Coming into Pingelly there were hundreds of trees down beside the road and a few roofs blown off. boy Australia is really getting a beating weatherwise. We hope to get to Norseman via Hyden today to catch up with our friends Mark and Glenys Tobiasson where we will stay the night.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The car sold on our way soon
Things are moving moving at last. All the last minute things in Busselton have been completed. The car will be finalized tomorrow, a service on the kombi and we are off!
Location:Safety bay
Still in safety bay
Woke and went for a swim in the ocean until we got stung by jelly fish. H u g e jelly fish. Changed to another beach and had a great swim. Took the train to Perth only 35 minutes.. Walked around a bit and got the train back. Went shopping for our food for the trip.....getting excited now. Packed the car again ready for the trip. Leaving now on Friday morning very early and driving through to Norseman where we hope to catch up with friends before starting across the nullabour. .
Friday, February 4, 2011
Possible sale
More photos of car.
Went to breakfast with friends last week. Yummy food but too much..
Location:Bethy's house
Sunday, January 2, 2011
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