Talbot Tour



21st February 2008
Both Electronic Tourist Visas (676) applied for on the immi.gov.au web site.


27th February 2008
Jackie’s Electronic Tourist Visa (676) granted today.

3rd April 2008
Finally Martin’s Electronic Tourist Visa (676) granted today. It must be the criminal record that caused the problem…….Drunk and disorderly 30 years ago.

7th April 2008
Steph and Mike's ETN visas applied for and granted. Steph and Mike are accompanying us for the first couple of weeks.

9th April 2008
Flights booked, well almost. A slight snag with the credit card. Soon sorted.

10th April 2008
Credit card snag fixed. All flights booked and paid for.

3rd October 2008
All hire cars booked for the first three weeks.

6th October 2008
With only four weeks to departure we are confirming travel details. Slight snag with the accommodation in Sydney. The roof has been blown off of the townhouse we were going to stay at and we are now researching alternate accommodation.

10th October 2008
New accommodation in Sydney booked, so we have somewhere to go when we get off of the plane.

11th October 2008
Three weeks to go. Packing going well - Steph all packed (except sun cream).

12th October 2008
Kuranda day trip package booked for while we are in Cairns. Travelling up to Kuranda on the railway and back down on the Skyrail. We opted for the gold class rail trip up. Single seats, nibbles and drinkies rather than the bench seats.

15th October 2008
Day trip on the Quicksilver booked from Port Douglas. Snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef.

Sunday 2nd November 2008
Home
Cloudy 7°C

Mike and Stephanie left with us by Taxi at eight o’clock. No traffic so arrived at Heathrow by eight thirty. Check-in no queue so straight to a desk and then through security, again no queuing. Had breakfast in Witherspoons and a stroll around the shops before making our way to the gate. Boarded the Qantas 747, as there were four of us we had a row of four seats between the aisles, row 53.

The aircraft was delayed by only 10 minutes and we departed to the east. We climbed into cloud almost immediately so nothing to see out of the windows anyway. Flight was comfortable watched four films and had several meals before landing at Singapore. We all had to leave the aircraft for cleaning and take all of our belongings with us.

Monday 3rd November 2008
Singapore
Clear 24°C

After only 40 minutes in the transit lounge it was time to get through security again to re-board the aircraft. Three films and a couple of meals later we were on final approach for Sydney airport. Only a small problem at immigration as Martin’s criminal record caused concern again. (You wouldn’t think a thirty year old drunk and disorderly charge could cause so many problems).

Having sorted that out and collecting our luggage it was time for Quarantine. Steph’s horse riding chaps had to be disinfected but we got through without too much hassle. Having collected our hire car, a silver Holden Statesman and driven out of Sydney for 50 minutes we arrived at our accommodation. “La Casa Cabrea” at 11 Jipp Street. Finding the key in the dark under the plant pot was fun but eventually we got into bed at 10 pm for a well deserved sleep.

Tuesday 4th November 2008
Penrith
Partially cloudy 20°C

Up early to go out for breakfast as we had no food in. Having eaten we could then face food shopping for the week. After putting the shopping away we visited Rex and Jean in their new house. After a long chat with Rex, Jean and Linda we went for a short drive along the Nepean River before returning to our house to prepare for dinner. Dinner out at the Silver Spur with Rex and Jean.

After dinner on returning to our house for the night we found a largish circada (about 60mm long) on the wall in the utility room. Whilst they are not dangerous Martin decided to remove it. So having a cunning plan he found an old takeaway drink cup and standing on a chair scooped the insect into the cup. Unfortunately having forgot to take the lid the circada immediately climbed out of the cup and ran down Martins hand. Martin went straight to plan two and launched the cup and circada out of the door and down the garden. After fits of laughter we recovered the cup and went to bed. A good day.

Wednesday 5th November 2008
Penrith
Sunny 24°C

After breakfast a quick trip to the Tourist Information Centre to pick up some info about the area. Then back to the house to collect Steph and Mike to go to Sydney for shopping and sight seeing. As we left the house Mike opened the front door and a large spider dropped down just missing him. The spider was dead we think it got shut in the door when we came in and then dropped out when Mike opened it. It was quite a large spider so we were all grateful that it didn’t run about.

Driving into Sydney we parked at Darling Harbour and jumped the monorail into the CBD (Central Business District). After window shopping in the very exclusive Queen Victoria Building we took the lift up the Centre Point Tower for the views of the city. Very nice views of all the major landmarks. After descending we had lunch in the food court and then walked down to Circular Quay and along Writers Walk to the opera house. We stopped for coffee, ice creams and photos. After watching some lady get mugged for her lunch by a pack of seagulls we walked back to Circular Quay to catch a harbour ferry back to Darling Harbour. To reduce the walk back to the car park we went two stops on the monorail. We then left town in rush hour traffic and back to the house.

Thursday 6th November 2008
Penrith
Sunny 30°C

Before breakfast Jackie completed the hand washing and hung it out to dry using the pegs that Martin had de-spidered. After breakfast we drove into Sydney city centre and over the Harbour Bridge to Taronga Zoo. Traffic was busy so it took an extra half hour to complete the journey. We established where and when we would meet for lunch and went our separate ways. Steph at high speed rushing from one animal to the next with Mike in tow trying to slow her down so he could take photos, Jackie and Martin to the coffee shop to study the map. We watched a wallaby and an emu jostling for a particular sun bathing spot. The koala enclosure was nice with a spiral ramp taking you up to tree top level to see the koalas resting after a hard morning resting.

We met up for lunch, we shared the dining area with a seagull and an ibis. After lunch we split up again. The chimpanzees were having a disagreement so the screeching and chasing around the enclosure was quite entertaining. The reptile house was interesting we now know what the six deadliest snakes look like so will be able to keep well clear of them in the bush. (not that we want to go near any snakes) By half three Mike and Steph had seen all of the zoo Jackie and Martin had seen about a third. After a slog back through traffic to Penrith we decided to go to the Plaza for some shopping and dinner. Then it was back to the house for the night.

Friday 7th November 2008
Penrith
Sunny 26°C

Mike driving today as Martin has hogged all the driving. Drove to Rex’s For tea and a chat. Toughbook would not boot up so couldn’t show him the photographs we had brought with us. Leaving Rex we drove out north of Sydney to Glenworth Valley Riding centre to check the place out prior to booking. Seems OK so we will book up for Monday week. Steph for a two hour trail ride and Martin and Mike for quad bikes. Jackie is going to go for a walk by the river and enjoy the sun.

On the way back we were looking for somewhere to stop for lunch. Having failed to find somewhere suitable in three different towns we headed back towards Sydney on the road that runs near the freeway. The road looks like it was the original main road before the freeway opened. Quiet now and popular with motorcycles and sports cars looking for a twisty road. Halfway back we came across a café called “Pie in the Sky”. Stopping for lunch they did a range of home made pies with nice fillings. The café is at the top of a hill that is cut through by the freeway cutting. The table we sat at was only 10 metres from the edge of the cutting but the cutting is so steep we couldn’t see the traffic on the freeway. Then it was the daily slog back through the traffic to our house.

Saturday 8th November 2008
Penrith
Sunny 24°C

Time to sort out telephones for the holiday leaving Mike and Steph at the house We went to Penrith Plata to buy a phone for Jackie and mobile broadband for the laptop. We Said we would be about 45 minutes. We checked the mall guide and walked to the Telstra shop to find it was not there. So we checked another mall guide which gave a second location, not there again. We then found a printed guide which gave the correct location. Having chosen Jackie’s new phone the customer assistant Marleen phoned to activate our purchases. Having been on the phone for about twenty minutes she suggested we went for lunch and she would get the activation done for when we got back. So off we went for coffee. Returning to the shop Marleen had gone to lunch and nobody knew where to find our stuff.

By the time we returned to Mike and Steph it was lunch time and rather than returning to the mall we had toasted bacon sandwiched in a little café on Main Street. After lunch over to Rex and Jean to drop off the cases we didn’t need for the next week. Tea and chats later we returned to the house to clean up for dinner.

We eventually found the restaurant and met up with Rex & Jean, John & Linda, Ben & Meegan and Bishie & Rachael. The food was nice but the service was a little slow. “The lamb and Chicken take longer to cook then the steak” was the excuse. Seems strange to me. After eating we all went to John and Linda’s for coffee. We got back to our house at midnight.

Sunday 9th November 2008
Penrith / Port Douglas
Sunny 24° / 32°C

Early start today up a six o’clock to catch the flight to Cairns. Check the house is empty and leave the key on the table. Hour drive to the airport and return the car. Queue for check-in and get through immigration as it’s the first sector of an international flight. Once airside breakfast time. On the B737 we had a pair of window and aisle seats as the seating configuration is 2,4,2. The in flight food was Healthy, the muesli bar was awful chewy and tasteless, we should have eaten the packet instead.

Arriving at Cairns and collecting our baggage went well. The car hire was a problem as Mike would be driving the man shredded the pre-printed paperwork and then the computer crashed so he couldn’t print a new one. Half and hour of embarrassment later he sent us on our way without the rental document. The drive up the coast to Port Douglas was as spectacular as I remembered and took an hour. Blue sky and sea and beautiful empty beaches.

At Port Douglas by lunch, we went to the “Rainforest Habitat” a zoological park for lunch with the birds. After lunch we walked around seeing kangaroo, wallaby, emu, flying fox, echidna and more. Jackie took fruit out of a feeder and offered it to a small parrot and got her finger nipped for her trouble, we all laughed. By this time we were all hot and sweaty so we went to our accommodation. Checking in and putting our cases in the room we were in the pool in record time. Dragging ourselves out of the pool we went shopping for food and then dinner in Port Douglas at the ”Mango Jam”. Food excellent and very reasonably priced. Then back to the apartment to sleep in air conditioned comfort.

Monday 10th November 2008
Port Douglas
Sunny 32°C

Up early again for the hour drive to Cairns for the day out. Tjapukai experience first. Thought it was better when we saw it back in 1994. More commercial and political this time, still OK. Then a short walk to the Skyrail cable car. Scenery nice and the windows opened wider than last time so not as hot in the gondola. Arriving at Kurunda we took the free courtesy bus to the market to save the walk and then walked back from the market to the station shopping as we went. On the train ride back down we had paid extra for the “Gold Class” tickets. Well worth the extra cost. Not only do you get your own individual seat rather than sharing a bench seat but there are drinks and nibbles all the way down. On this occasion there were only five of us and our attendant in our carriage. Jackie managed a couple of cold Chardonnays before we decided to switch to coffee rather than falling out of the train at the platform. The nibbles were cheese, biscuits, bread sticks and dried fruit, a bit healthy but tasty all the same. Sitting in our carriage we felt like royalty as other tourists kept taking our pictures. Jackie was having a ball smiling and waving like the queen.

Getting off at Freshwater Junction we caught the bus back to the car. We had to fight our way past the Japanese tourists who had come down on the wrong train and missed their bus. As our name was on the list we were called to the front and boarded the bus. They were still standing waiting as we pulled off to return to the car. Then it was the drive back to the apartment and a cooling dip in the pool before collecting a take-away and retiring to bed. Another big day tomorrow.



Tuesday 11th November 2008
Port Douglas
Sunny with showers 31°C

Quicksilver cruise today. Only a short drive to the Mirage Marina in Port Douglas to board the Quicksilver wave piercing catamaran to Agincourt reef. Just as we set sail we got hit by a shower and Mike and Steph got a little wet. An hour of fast cruising with a slight swell causing the cat to roll and we arrived at the pontoon. As soon as we docked Martin went off for a dive, Jackie went snorkelling and Mike & Steph went for a helicopter ride. As jellyfish had been seen that morning we all had to wear blue lycra full body anti stinger suits with built in hoods and mittens. It looked like a smirf family reunion.

After lunch Jackie went snorkelling again having struggled back into her now wet lycra suit. Mike and Steph also went snorkelling and Martin went for a second dive. The new dive computer worked well but he got attacked by a fish that bit him on the cheek, no damage done just slightly shaken. Once we were all out of the water showered and changed the cat returned to Port Douglas and we retired to the apartment swimming pool. Later in the evening we went to the Hogs Breath Café for dinner, then retired for the night.


Wednesday 12th November 2008
Port Douglas
Sunny 31°C

After two days of non-stop tourist mode we had an easy start. Once we were all awake we headed out to Cairns on a shopping expedition. As we pulled out of the apartment car park we all heard and felt the familiar thump-thump-thump of a flat tyre. Sure enough on inspection the rear left tyre had a dirty great screw sticking in it. Martin and Mike got the wheel changed in F1 record time and we were on our way again. Arriving in Cairns Jackie, Steph and Mike went shopping whilst Martin went to talk with Telstra about the duff modem they have supplied. After an hour we met up and discussed Testra’s unreasonable attitude to the non-functioning modem. basically if you cant get it to work tough.

Mike and Steph went shopping again whilst Martin and Jackie found a café with free wireless internet and checked our e-mails and updated our web site. Then we got the tyre fixed and returned to Port Douglas for the pool. In the evening we went out for dinner, we had the company of a nice little lizard running around the canopy over the restaurant. A very nice meal and a perfect end to our stay in Queensland. Tomorrow the Northern Territories.

Thursday 13th November 2008
Port Douglas / Uluru
Sunny partially cloudy 30° / 41°C

On the move again, up and pack then drive to the airport. Arriving at Uluru (Ayres Rock) we collected the hire car and as we were held up we were given an upgrade to, Ooooh a red Ford XR6. Alloys, spoiler and race pedals the whole boy racer kit including the trashcan stuck under the back of the car as an exhaust and a voucher for a free days hire. Only a short drive to the Outback Frontier to check into our budget room, a 4 bunk one bathroom backpacker room. Oh no the air-conditioning in those rooms had packed up and we had been upgraded to a room with a double and two singles. All in all a good day.

As soon as we were in our room we started the air-conditioning, changed and hot-footed it down to the pool (NO really hot-footed! - The ground was too hot to stand on). Bliss! After cooling off we went shopping for shorts for Steph and snacks for the evening. After chilling out in our now cool room we drove out to view the sunset at the rock. There was a rain storm to the west so the rock was quite grey and drab. Slightly disappointed we waited and then the rain passed and the sun came out and lit up the rock. The best view I have had of the rock, we got some awesome pictures and then drove back for dinner and bed.


Friday 14th November 2008
Uluru
Sunny with showers 29°C

Gentle start today woke up with the sun. That meant we had missed the sunrise viewing of the rock. Unfortunate but not a disaster. The sunset is segregated cars in one place coach tours in another, the sunrise isn’t so it is very difficult to get a view that isn’t full of tourists. We drove out to the rock and walked into one of the gorges and to a waterhole at the base of the rock, full after the recent rains. After driving around the rock we continued on to The Olgas ( Kata Tjata). On the way Mike saw a heard of wild camels but didn’t like to shout about it as he wasn’t sure that camels existed wild in the outback. So on the return journey we all kept a look out and found them. Cool.

Returning to the hotel we had a swim in the pool even though it rained whilst we were in the pool. Having dried off and rested Jackie and Martin took a stroll up the lookout behind the hotel where you can see both Uluru and Kata Tjata. Then we all walked to the restaurant where we had an all you can eat dinner (very nice). At eight o’clock the restaurant got busy with people returning from a rained off sunset. Drowned rats and ponchos every where. Returning to our room we repacked for tomorrows flight to Sydney and checked the paperwork for the hire car. Oh what a surprise! on reading the free days hire voucher it states “Open to Australian residents only” no good to me. Absolutely marvellous!

Saturday 15th November 2008
Uluru / Sydney
Cloudy 30° / 20°C

Good news, last night I fixed the 3G broadband and uploaded the latest to our website. No thanks to Telstra, just good old fashioned perseverance. Time to move on again, packed and out for breakfast at the Yalara Mall and then back to check out of the hotel. After fuelling and returning the car at the airport we checked in and got through security. Jackie got singled out for an extra security check again. Must look dodgy. We got some nice seats before the coaches turned up to dump their hordes of tourists. The internet kiosk lost track of the time and instead of six minutes for dollar we used it for nearly half an hour. Having found a motel on the internet we called ahead and booked a room at the Penrith Motor Inn.

On arrival at Sydney we whisked through to baggage claim to find our cases first out. Then Hertz had our car waiting (Gold membership helps) and we were on our way out of town. Checking in we went out for dinner and then back to the motel for the night.

Sunday 16th November 2008
Sydney
Cloudy 24°C

Up and out of the hotel for breakfast. Lots of classic mini’s around much to the delight of Steph and Mike. They got chatting to some mini owners (as mini owners do). After breakfast it’s mall time. Martin to buy a Nintendo DS as everyone else has one and is playing scrabble. Mike to get his gold chain repaired. Booked riding at Glenworth Valley for tomorrow and got lunch in Glenmore Park mall and then to Rex and Jeans for a replenish of clothes and toiletries from the cases we left with them.

At three o’clock we drove north out of Sydney to Gosford for the night. Dinner at the Trackside Restaurant followed by a four way DS scrabble game and laundry session before bed.

Monday 17th November 2008
Gosford
Cloudy 25°C

Another day and we are moving on. The motel last night was Okish. The sheets and the towels were clean and the bed was fairly comfortable. The only problem was putting sellotape over the hole in the window that was letting the mossies in. The hole that looked suspiciously like a 22 bullet hole! Having Packed up and checked out we headed to Glenworth Valley. Arriving early we booked in and waited for our rides to start. Steph met her horse called Suede and went for a nice trail ride to the rock pool. Martin and Mike walked to the quad bike area. After filling in the usual forms that say if we break it we pay for it we got our helmets and mounted up.

Next came riding instruction and test. Basic emergency stop and slalom manoeuvring. Apart from Mike and Martin there was this other guy who turned up with his own helmet and saying he was an experienced quad-bike rider. Guess who squashed ALL the cones in the slalom, yes mister experienced rider. We looked at each other and smiled – pressure off. Leaving the yard a short ride to the track, two slow laps and then 45 minutes of flat out riding round the track. Good fun. Getting back to the yard we met Jackie and Stephanie and drove to Muswellbrook where we the spent the night.
Tuesday 18th November 2008
Muswellbrook
Rain 16°C

A three hour drive today to Dubbo, slowed down following a wide load (looked like a house roof). After fifteen minutes they pulled over at an up-hill crawler lane to allow us to pass. Unfortunately the weather is against us, raining all day but at least it’s hotter than at home. Arriving at Dubbo we found a motel and having fought the giant cicada for the shower (Martin remembered the lid for the glass this time!) did the laundry and then drove into town for lunch. We drove past the Goal but didn’t enter as we didn’t fancy the walk in the rain. Dinner in the motel restaurant tonight.

Dinner was superb, huge lumps of meat perfectly cooked to order. Salad and vegetables optional. The deserts were very sweet, all in all a wonderful meal. Then back to the rooms for the night to find that Mike and Steph had wedged a towel in the join of the window to keep the bugs out. Well the size of them hardly surprising.

Wednesday 19th November 2008
Dubbo
Cloudy with showers 18°C

Leaving the motel we drove into Dubbo for breakfast. Due to a communications error Martin didn’t get breakfast. Everyone else got theirs Jackies bacon sandwich was a little on the large side. Then it was a two and a half hour drive to Bathurst. Home of “Mount Panorama”, the race circuit. When no racing it is a public road that serves a few houses, a golf course and a winery. So taking the opportunity we lined up in pole position and took turns driving the circuit. Seeing the race on TV you can’t appreciate the steepness of the track and the narrowness between the concrete walls. Even at slow speed we had to ride the curbs just because we could. Mike and Steph walked down from “Brocks Skyline” through the “Dipper” to “Conrod Straight”.

After lunch it was a short drive to Blackheath and Katoomba. In Katoomba we got accommodation for the night, a self-contained unit not far from the Three Sisters lookout. Having decided who was having which bedroom we had a takeaway pizza and settled down for the night.

Thursday 20th November 2008
Katoomba
Sunny 27°C

Returning the key for the unit we drove down into Megalong Valley to the tea rooms for breakfast. Sitting on the veranda our drinks arrived, Steph and Mike were horrified to find waxed paper straws in their drinks. Jackie and Martin hadn’t realised that they hadn’t seen anything but plastic straws. As the cooked breakfasts arrived so did the flies. Mike and Steph shot indoors with their food but Jackie and Martin just kept moving to discourage the flies.

After breakfast we drove into Penrith and booked into the Log Cabin Hotel for Steph and Mike’s last two nights before lunch and shopping in the Mall. Then back to the motel to do a load of washing and take a walk along the Nepean River. Seeing moorhens, lizards and ants.

Friday 21st November 2008
Penrith
Sunny 36°C

Shopping in the Plaza before dropping in to Rex and Jean to collect Mike and Steph’s spare case and taking it back to the motel so they could repack for the trip home. Met Rex and Jean at Danny’s on High for a farewell meal for Mike and Steph. Pasta all round. All was well until Steph sprinkled parmesan cheese on her dinner and a beetle dropped out and onto her dinner. This put her off her food somewhat but when the staff heard what had happened they were very apologetic and replaced Steph’s dinner. Then back to the motel for the night
Saturday 22nd November 2008
Penrith
Sunny 26°C

Steph and Mikes last day. All packed we drove to Penrith Mall for breakfast. Then driving in to Sydney we headed to Captain Cooks first landing place. Having parked it was only a short walk to the monument. Seeing a raised plaque on a rock off the shore Martin decided to scramble out and see what it said. Coming to a high step-up he jumped up and missed his footing fell back and landed with both feet in about a foot of sea water, oh good, wet feet for the remainder of the day. The plaque turned out to commemorate the first landing by Midshipman Isaac Smith. Having walked along the beach we headed towards the airport stopping only for an emergency ice-cream. At the airport we found that Mike and Steph’s flight had a delay and was now departing at 9.30 local not 5.40. Saw later on the news that a ground mechanic had seen a bent wing flap on a Qantas 747 so that could have been the reason for their delay.

Having checked in their suitcases we left the airport and drove to Bondi Beach for lunch. Then to Downtown Sydney to change the car. Then we returned to the airport to drop Steph and Mike and say our goodbyes. Then to a motel in Parramatta for the night.



Sunday 23rd November 2008
Parramatta
Sunny 24°C

Back to Penrith Via Kea Campers and Travelers Barn to eyeball a couple of campers. Kea was a bit expensive and Travelers Barn a bit long in the tooth. At the plaza we got on the internet and found three more possibles. Two in Victoria and one in South Australia.

Leaving the Plaza and back in the car-park we found the brand-new car (only 97km on clock) MISSING. Double check row number – Yes OK. Must be wrong floor. So up one level – No car. Ok, up another level – No car. Back down and double check each floor as we go – NO CAR. Getting worried now. Retrace steps from the shops (we entered by Father Christmas). Concentrate on where we walked, Ah down one more level – Tada the car……phew!

Pop in to Rex and Jean to collect our case and have tea. At three o’clock we decided to go and see the cruisers in Victoria. Three hour drive to Yass near Canberra. Got a motel and checked Steph and Mikes flight, Singapore all going to plan. Settled for the night. Eight Thirty my UK mobile announced a text message, Mike and Steph back in the UK safe and sound. We can sleep well tonight, funny thing being a parent.



Monday 24th November 2008
Yass
27°C Sunny

Up at six thirty showered and on the road by seven. Three hours driving nearly got us to Albury. It would have except for the 125 km of road works as the Hume Highway is being upgraded. Driving through Holbrook we were surprised to see an “O-Boat” (“O” Class Diesel-electric Submarine) buried in the ground to a normal water-level beside the road. We later found out they had a submarine museum. Arriving in Albury we found a café in the High Street and had brunch. Toasted bacon buttie for Jackie, eggs on toast for Martin. After only thirty minutes we were back in the car and on the road.

Next stop Melbourne. Arriving in Berwick for our first appointment we looked around the cruiser for sale. A 1998 Toyota Troopy Bush-camper. Well looked after and numerous aftermarket extras. Sold with a years Roadworthiness and registration, also a RACV Inspection report. On sale for A$24,990. After a thorough test drive including driving over a grass verge to test the suspension and four wheel drive we got a thousand dollars knocked off and took out a limited warranty on major components. Paying a deposit we left and drove to Frankston on the Mornington Peninsular for a motel by the sea. Having checked in we walked around town before having dinner in an Italian restaurant. Then we went to Coles for some drinking water and walked on the beach before retiring for the night.

Tuesday 25th November 2008
Frankston
26°C Sunny

Got up and mooched around Frankston and Mornington looking for a caravan and camping shop. When we found it, it had closed down and was empty. Having had lunch we drove back to Berwick and spent some time shopping before booking into a motel for the night. Having heard from the garage that the cruiser would need some small items fixing and be ready on Thursday, we drove over and collected the details for the bank.

Picking up dinner we returned to the motel and were just about to eat when a stranger opened our door using a key card. After a moment of confusion we found we had both been allocated the same room and as we were already moved in they went back to get another room. Fortunately we had been decent at the time the door opened as we had no warning. After dinner we paid for the cruiser by direct bank transfer. Here we go again, bank policy requires written consent - blah blah blah. After half an hour on the phone we found a way round the banks policies and the money is on it’s way. We should soon be the owners of a bushcamper.

Wednesday 26th November 2008
Cranbourne
27°C Sunny

Getting up we moved hotels as the one we were in did not have a laundry. At the shops Martin topped up his phone and sorted out the car hire return. We are not taking the car back to Sydney but are dropping it in Melbourne as we will have our camper. Providing we drop it in a large location (City or Airport) there is no one way charge.

Having sorted out everything that needed doing we left town and drove to Phillip Island where we went to the GP circuit and “The Nobbies” at the end of the island. While we were watching the motorbikes on the racing circuit a three foot long brown snake slithered across the path right in front of Jackie, with no stick to hand Jackie kept well clear.

We then went into Cowes (twinned with Cowes on the Isle of Wight) for a walk down the beach and back up the esplanade. Returning to the Motel for laundry and a shower. We went back to Cowes for dinner before attending the “Parade of Penguins”. Cute Little Penguins ( yes they were little but they are also called “Little Penguins”) .

Thursday 27th November 2008
Phillip Island
30°C Sunny (Evening Storm)

We woke up at half seven and must have fallen back to sleep because suddenly it was nine o’clock And checkout is at ten. Run-a-round starts NOW. Up, showered, packed and out in a record time of 18 minutes. Good job it’s hot as we dried quickly. Then into Cowes for brekkie and shopping. Driving to Mornington to a four wheel drive shop we bought the winch for the cruiser. Checking out Bunnings and Super Cheap Autos for gear for the camper we picked up enough tools to fit the winch and then drove to Koo Wee Rup and booked into a motel. As we were going to the room the garage phoned, our money had arrived from the UK. Tomorrow we collect our new home. Quiet night packing and updating our finances.

Friday 28th November 2008
Koo Wee Rup
22°C Sunny

Awake as normal today and off to Berwick to collect the camper. It was ready and waiting so we paid the outstanding money and with a few goodbyes to the staff at Berwick Commercials we drove the camper to where we had parked the hire car and cross loaded all of our bags and stuff. Then it was a short drive in the camper to Dandenong which is to be our base for two days. Checking into the motel for two nights, we walked to the railway station for the short train ride back to Berwick to collect the hire car. Returning to Dandenong in the hire car we shopped in Bunnings for some plastic storage boxes and cleaning products. Then back at the motel we unpacked both our cases and loaded the boxes that will go in the camper. Then dinner before bed as we have to return the hire car tomorrow.

Saturday 29th November 2008
Dandenong
22°C Sunny

Leaving the Troopy at the motel we set out towards Melbourne to return the Toyota Camry hire car. If we drop it in Melbourne there is no one way charge, we could have dropped it in Dandenong and it would have cost us A$300. Using Tomtom we found our way in to the CBD avoiding the tolls. Arriving at Hertz we were checked in and walking out in under five minutes. The Hertz No1 Membership has paid dividends this trip. We walked towards Flinders Street Station looking for the central mall. Harder than we first thought as both Myers and Davey Jones are spread over three separate buildings and have building work in progress. Then buying tickets we rode the train back out to Dandenong. Then a fifteen minute walk back to the motel.

After sorting ourselves out we took the Troopy into town, cleaned and hovered the inside. Berwick Commercials had done a good job of cleaning but it isn’t clean until you have cleaned it yourself. Then we shopped for bedding and storage boxes before returning to the motel for dinner and bed. The Troopy is packed and waiting for the return to Sydney in the morning.

Sunday 30th November 2008
Dandenong
24°C Sunny

Packing up it’s time to blow out of Melbourne for the drive back to Sydney. Filling up both the 75 litre fuel tanks we set off. Using the trip to find out the range of the Troopy. After two hours we stopped at a road side rest stop to check out the standard. Nice functional loos and four electric barbeques. Back on the road we drove on to Glenrowan, the location of Ned Kelly’s last stand. Then on to Albury for lunch and shop in Super Cheap for a compressor and blind spot mirrors. Martin had lost sight of cars in blind spots on both sides of the Troopy and it was making him nervous. With the mirrors fitted the drive was much nicer.

After Albury we stopped in Holnbrook to photograph the submarine we had seen on the way down. At five o’clock we arrived in Yass again. Having booked in we were looking around the Troopy when we discovered a leak from the rear diff. Having cleaned the oil off it looks like the diff drain plug seal needs replacing. The good news is as we chose a Troopy for the popularity in Australia there is a Toyota dealer in town and it opens at eight o’clock in the morning. Hopefully they will have a replacement in stock.

Monday 1st December 2008
Yass
33°C Sunny

Oh, it’s the first day of summer, temperature going up. Off to the Toyota garage for the needed drain plug washer and oil. Getting all the tools and gear together Martin rolled under the car to replace the oil seal. Ahhh no socket large enough. Temporary fix - add oil to the diff so we can move on and fix it later. Next stop Canberra for a photo stop at the Parliament building and then on to Goulburn. At Goluburn into Super Cheap for a 24mm socket. Back under the Troopy and the drain plug nipped up, slightly less a leak. Then on to Penrith.

On the way we took a side trip to a scenic lookout down an eight kilometre gravel road. The Troopy did fine kicking up clouds of dust and riding over the bumps and corrugations comfortably. Good to be able to go where we want to without worrying about the hire car rules. Even better to be driving a troopcarrier bushcamper with raised suspension, large tyres and an after market turbo charger. Booking into the Emu Plain caravan park for two nights in a motel room whilst we complete the preparations to the Troopy we will then move to a powered site to test the Troopy’s camping equipment. Tomorrow Martin will fix the Troopy’s oil leak whilst Jackie shops.


Tuesday 2nd December 2008
Emu Plains
37°C Very Sunny

Phew a scortcher! Martin spent an hour this morning trying to remove the drain bolt in the diff. No luck it must have been done up by a gorilla. It will need garage equipment to sort out. So Collecting Jackie from the shops we spent the rest of the morning buying cooking and camping equipment. After lunch we sorted everything and stowed it in the Troopy. The Troopy looks good, I think we are ready for our first test tomorrow, when we move to a powered caravan site in the park and live in the Troopy. We will soon find any shortcomings. As we had been busy all day we decided to have pizza for dinner tonight. Domino Pizza – cheap Tuesday, large pizza only five dollars. Tasty and cheap.


Wednesday 3rd December 2008
Emu Plains
36°C Very Sunny

Checking out of the motel this morning and back in for a powered caravan site. We checked out the pitch, tested the electrical hook up and filled the Troopy’s water tank. Then of shopping for a mains lead for the fridge and a fridge thermometer. Back to the campsite, empty the water tank and refill with Milton solution. Shopping again for off road recovery gear (hi-lift jack, dune flag, long handled spade, hatchet, recovery hooks and fuel tank leak fix). Back to the campsite to empty, flush and refill the water tank. Then shopping again for food. Loading the fridge in the mall car park as it was so hot and we didn’t want the food to go off because of the heat. Finally back to the camp site to park the Troopy for the night.

A short walk and crossing the railway brought us to O’Donohuges an Irish pub that did dinners. We ate outside under a marquee. It was nice and cool as they had large fans blowing down from the roof and bursts of misted water every ten seconds. It had been so hot Jackie had a couple of Chardonnays and Martin had two schooners of Victoria Bitter (most unusual) .Then the walk back to the Troopy to set the bed up for the night.

Thursday 4th December 2008
Emu Plains
26°C Cloudy

Our first night in the Troopy the bed was comfortable and a good night was had. Except for the Very LARGE diesel train at about four o’clock in the morning that was so loud it sounded like it had de-railed and was coming through the Troopy. We were again woken at a more reasonable hour (dawn) by the birds, even a kookaburra in the distance. A couple of hours later rested after a good night sleep we got up and prepared for the day, Jackie cooked tea and raisin toast for breakfast. Off to the shops, we nearly have all we need but there is always something else. A pen knife for the front of the Troopy. We have lost count of the packets we have struggled to open or used the kitchen scissors, that’s fixed now. Had lunch in the park, rolls we had made at brekkie. After lunch we mounted the winch on the front of the Troopy at last. It’s not working just yet but it isn’t taking up space inside anymore. Back to the camp site for a quiet afternoon before Jackie cooked dinner in the Troopy. Very tasty, washing up done, maybe scrabble later

Friday 5th December 2008
Emu Plains
30°C Very Sunny

Our second night in the Troopy. We were much better organised. Everything we needed within easy reach and everything else stowed away. Getting up in the morning slightly stiff (but that’s a new bed for you). Last night was disturbed by low flying Blackhawk’s of the Australian Defence Force. Not really a problem – straight back to sleep. After breakfast we went in search of an awning for the back of the Troopy. The local caravan awning company suggested we try Glen & Trish Wilson of “All Terrain Camper Trailers” in Seven Hills. After a short drive we arrived to find a very friendly company. We explained what we needed, “No problem, when do you want it?” Jackie said “How about half past three?” “Can’t do that but we can do it by half four.” We settled on half eleven Saturday to allow them time to test fit other customers awnings that were being collected today.

Paying the deposit Trish recommended a camp site book set that they use, so we brought a set. Then whilst we were talking about where we were going next she suggested we camp at Callala Bay (one of their favourites). So she gave us a map for that. With happy feelings that the awning was going to be ready tomorrow we drove away to prepare for dinner tonight with Becks. At six o’clock we arrived at Becks and had a lovely dinner and chat with her and her mum. We also met their cat “Honey” a female ginger about a year old. Then the drive back to the camp site for the night.

Saturday 6th December 2008
Emu Plains
28°C Sunny

Run-around starts NOW. Up and pack the camper we are leaving for the first day of our adventure. Ready to leave at eight thirty. Ooops the office doesn’t open until nine as its’ the weekend. Off shopping to pass the time, we need milk, fruit and Aerogard (bug repellent). Back to the camp site to return the pole barrier card and off to collect the new awning. Ten o’clock and it was already packed up for collection. We are so impressed by “All Terrain Camper Trailers”.

Driving out of Sydney to the south we arrived at Wollongong and turned up into the hills towards Fitzroy Falls. The road was very windy and steep, about eight kilometres in second and third gear, hairpin after hairpin. We stopped at the falls for lunch in a picnic shelter and then drove back down through Kangaroo Valley. Arriving at the National Park at about three o’clock. The sheltered spots were full of groups of cars and tents. So we parked at the top of the hill. The Troopy climbed the sandy hill with ease still in two wheel drive. The extra ground clearance was useful though. Setting up camp within 15 metres of the surf line in a stand of trees. We tested the awning and then settled in for the evening.

Sunday 7th December 2008
Callala Bay
21°C Cloudy

Woke up looking at the sunrise over the sea, slightly cloudy but very pretty. Getting up is becoming routine. We now know what goes where and when it should be put there. Camp breakfast behind the Troopy and pack away. Driving back down the steep hill and through the woods to the main road. After about two minutes driving on the road we heard a funny noise. Martin thought it was the aluminium table pieces settling. We suddenly realised we had not locked the pop-top roof down. Stopping to secure the roof we found that it had popped up. So we checked for damage- none thank goodness and secured it.

Driving on we arrived at our stop for tonight another beach camp site at Gillards Beach in Mimosa Rocks National Park. Driving down the four kilometre dirt track to get there was interesting with the whole Troopy rattling and vibrating but it was worth it. We arrived to find and organised site and found an empty pitch just 15 feet from the shore. Parking and setting up so we will be able o see the sea in the morning. We decided to go for a walk on the beach and paddled in the sea. Returning to the Troopy we prepared and ate dinner in the company of wallabies and fairy wrens.

Monday 8th December 2008
Mimosa Rocks National Park
24°C Partially cloudy

Woken up by the sunrise over the sea again this morning at half five, stunning. Just going to go back to sleep again when we heard a twig snap close to the Troopy. Looking out we were surrounded by a mob of kangaroos and wallabies feeding all around us and right up to the camper. Very cool to be so close to so many animals who didn’t even know we were there. After some time watching we went back to sleep. Getting up at half seven we started our morning routines. Due to our early morning visitors we had to add a new item to the routine. Martin had to find a stick and have a round of “Roo-poo-golf” to clear the area we wanted to sit and have breakfast in.

Having packed up and checked the Troopy we left at about half nine for the four kilometre drive back up to the main road. As there was no honesty box and the fee collector hadn’t turned up we didn’t have to pay the twenty dollars park fee. Today we drove four hours to Lake Entrance in Victoria and booked into a powered site at Lake Tyers Beach. Time to clean up. Showers all round, laundry done and a nice stroll along the beach. Nine miles of beach, us and only four other people in sight in the distance. As the site has a free barbeque we cooked rump steak, cesar salad, potato salad and pasta salad for dinner tonight.

Tuesday 9th December 2008
Lake Tyers Beach
19°C Raining

Short drive today to Stratford. Arriving at Keith and Maureen’s we found nobody home so we drove up into the hills for lunch stopping at the blue pools. After lunch we drove back and Maureen was in. She saw us walking up the drive, recognised the faces but couldn’t figure out what we were doing there. After a cup of tea and a chat Keith arrived home and we all had a look at the Troopy. On our way back in doors Martin mentioned a small problem he had fitting the winch, the hole in the bumper behind the fairlead was too small. So Keith offered the use of his angle grinder. Driving the Troopy under the door of the garage to keep the rain off it was the work of about an hour to remove the winch enlarge the opening behind the fairlead and remount the winch. Then after another tea and chat whilst looking at photographs we left to find our camp site for the night. As it was raining we cooked completely inside for the first time. All went well and a nice dinner was had, then we settled down for the night.

Wednesday 10th December 2008
Harriers Swamp
26°C Sunny

Moving the Troopy in the morning gave us a bit more space for breakfast. The spot we had parked in gave us a level bed but no space to sit out. We had a leisurely breakfast in the sun and then drove in towards Melbourne for the ferry. Pulling out onto the tarmac road Martin saw something stuck in the crack between the wing and the bonnet. Stopping to investigate a butterfly dropped out of the gap and fluttered away. Our plans changed this morning our ferry trip has been delayed as there is now no room on the ferry for our camper. We will travel tomorrow night instead. Shopping again for cagoules and fleeces as it may be cooler and wetter on Tasmania and we have been promising ourselves coats in case we get a really wet day.

Jackie got her hair cut at an hairdressers in the mall. It’s short but not as nice as Jackie in Impressions does it, we left with Jackie checking to see if she still had both ears as the scissor and clipper work had been a bit wild. As there was very little hair left on the side of Jackie’s head it was quite obvious that she still had her ears. As we are not travelling tonight we drove back out of Melbourne to Bena and camped at the Bass River Camping Ground. Right next to the river and nicely shaded. Only one other camper here and they have been on the road for six years (Grey Nomads). With the sulphur crested cockatoos squabbling in the trees we settled down for the night.

Thursday 11th December 2008
Bena
28°C Sunny

Awake early this morning as the kookaburras were in good voice. We were trying to figure out what was making the noise like a table tennis match. Click-clack, click-clack all night long. Not loud enough to keep us awake but there when ever we woke. Leaving the camp site we drove north of Melbourne to a nice picnic area at Badgers Creek Weir for lunch before heading into the CBD to the ferry port. As diesel is cheapest in big cities we topped up both tanks on the way. We also ordered our first aid kit for collection when we return to Melbourne in a week.

The last eight kilometres into town took nearly an hour but it didn’t matter too much as we had allowed extra time. Arriving at the ferry port we passed through security. No our jam is not on the quarantine list for fruit as it has been processed, so we can have our jam on toast for breakfast in Tasmania. Getting on board we left the Troopy and found out cabin. Shower time…..ahh. Then up to the restaurant for dinner, it felt quite strange after a week cooking and eating in the Troopy but very nice. Then back to our cabin for a well earned sleep.




Friday 12th December 2008
Devonport Tasmania
24°C Partially Cloudy

Waking up disorientated, not in the Troopy for the first time in eight days. Clean crisp white sheets a nice shower and pack ready to disembark. As we had parked in the lowest deck nose in to the bow end we were the last off. The vehicle marshal who had been directing all vehicles just said “You can find your own way out” so we did. Back up the ramp to the deck above, off the ferry, through quarantine – no fruit. We drove into Devonport town to do a food shop and buy an inverter so we can charge the laptop off of the car cigarette lighter.

We then decided over breakfast to drive Tasmania anti-clockwise, so set out along the northern coast. Stopping at a place called Dismal Swamp for lunch. We arrived at Green Point (Top left corner of Tasmania) for a free camp site. After tidying up the mess we had made preparing for our night on board, we were getting ready to cook dinner. Jackie decided to take a walk down to the beach and was accosted by Jehovah’s Witnesses. You just can’t get away sometimes. With a sea view again it was time for dinner and bed.

Saturday 13th December 2008
Green Point
21°C Showers

On the road again today, heading south. We are took the “Explorers Road” towards Queenstown. 120 kilometres of gravel road. The first 24 kilometres was quite straight and smooth but it soon deteriorated and was twisting and turning, running up and down hills. The surface changed every ten meters from rocky to slippery wet sand and back, with random pot holes. We spent quite a lot of the time sideways as the Troopy snaked under breaking and acceleration. The road weaved between trees, rocks and hills. We came across a badly burnt area from the bush fire last year, it has not regenerated yet.

After about two hours we arrived at the cable ferry to cross the Pieman River. One vehicle at a time A$20 each. Off of the ferry and then another half an hour of gravel before we hit the tarmac again. Stopping for lunch in the first town we came to we then drove on to Derwent Bridge and then up a side road to Lake St Clair National Park to camp for the night. We had to hose off the Troopy as it was caked in dirt from the gravel road and we were getting filthy every time we opened or shut a door. Having had dinner we had some entertainment watching a potteroo sneak up on some Japanese tourists and waiting for them to scream and jump. They didn’t let us down, we both have sore fingers where we had to bite them to stifle our laughing. Later a possum turned up and chased Jackie back from the ladies. In the dark she couldn’t make out what it was so didn’t want to get too close, it turned out to be quite friendly.

Sunday 14th December 2008
Derwent Bridge
23°C Cloudy

The entertainment continued this morning with the Japanese tourists packing up their tent. Electric fan heater, hair dryer and large compressor and air mattresses went back in the station wagon. It’s amazing what people take “camping”. Breakfast with the kookaburras again this morning and then we were off again. Port Arthur today via Hobart. Stopping for lunch after two hours we arrived at Port Arthur at half two. Checking in to the camp site for a powered site, laundry and shower. We mentioned that we had been camping on the beach free and were told in no uncertain terms that “There is NO free camping in Tasmania”. Shows how little some people know about their own country.

Having checked out the pitch we drove to Port Arthur Penal Colony site. Paying for the basic entry we were booked on the last harbour cruise for the day. We were each given a playing card and we had to find our convict in the display and find out what happened to them. Jackie’s ended up working in the hospital and Martin’s did a runner and escaped. We then boarded the boat for a twenty minute cruise around the bay. Very informative, then strolled through the ruins of the cell block and memorial garden before returning to the camp site for showers and laundry before dinner. Then a stroll along the deserted beach before watching the sunset over the sea and bed. Another hectic day over, we will have to have a rest day soon as this holidaying is quite tiring.

Monday 15th December 2008
White Beach
26°C Sunny

Woke this morning to the sound of a baby crying, only the neighbours so back to sleep. Showers again as we have paid to use them and on our way north. Passing Eaglehawk Neck, the we turned off of the main road as it took a roundabout route and we struck directly for Orford on gravel road called Wielangta Forrest Drive. Towards the end of the gravel road we turned off on a side track that led to “The Thumbs Lookout”. Three kilometres of very steep and narrow track up the side of the hill. Well worth the drive as the view was stunning. Then back down the hill in low gear and back out on to the main road. We decided to find a lunch stop on nine mile beach, it looked good on the map. Unfortunately all of the nine miles are privately owned and we couldn’t get down to the beach. So eighteen miles later and back on the road we stopped for lunch at the turn off for Coles Bay.

At Coles Bay we turned off of the road onto a dirt track into the National Park and found a camp site by the coast at a place called Friendly Beaches. Setting up camp we went for a walk down on to the beach and saw pied oystercatchers. On our return we came across an echidna and watched it waddle across the road and into the undergrowth. Having dinner we were surrounded by agile wallabies, one of them suddenly spooked and darted under Martins chair and boinged off into the undergrowth. Later we were surprised by a potoroo who was stood on the top of the waist high bushes eating the leaves. Then a final walk along the beach before bed and another night with the sound of waves to send us to sleep.

Tuesday 16th December 2008
Friendly Beaches
24°C Sunny / Windy

Another early start, woken by the sunshine. Nice and warm so breakfast outside. One persistent wallaby wanted to share our raisin toast. He tried all the tricks, big brown eyes, sniffing hands, looking starved, biting the table edge and sitting under the table sniffing between the slats. Unfortunately for him they didn’t work, as they are wild animals we didn’t feed him. Leaving such a nice camp site was harder than we thought. The road gang were filling in some of the corrugations in the road and we had to drive through deep loose dirt as the roller hadn’t compacted it yet. Getting back to the sealed road we continued north.

Stopping in St Helens to try to get a gas cylinder filled, we failed as the cylinder is out of test so we need to get it tested or replaced in Launceston tomorrow. Arriving at tonight’s site, a place called Stumpys Bay we found a nice pitch and paid the camping fee in an envelope using the honesty box ( A$ 6 - £2.50). We drove around a viewing area looking for Forester Kangaroos, but they were all resting and we didn’t see any. We had lunch on the beach trying to keep the blown sand out of our sandwiches. Then a walk before adjusting the hinge of the Troopy’s rear door (it has been sticking). The rest of the day relaxing and diary writing whilst watching the wallabies and rabbits.

Wednesday 17th December 2008
Stumpys Bay
27°C Sunny

Gas running short as cylinders out of date and no one will fill them, so cold water washes and hair wash for Jackie to conserve gas for a cup of tea. On the move again, up another gravel road to see St Columba and Ralphs waterfalls. The walk down to see Ralphs Falls was a steep but smooth track most of the way and we made it using our hiking poles. The last section was about 25 rough stones set as steps. At the top a tree had fallen blocking the steps. We had to climb over and through some rather large branches. The view of the fall and the valley were spectacular and made it all worthwhile.

Returning to the Troopy we carried on to Launceston to try to get our gas sorted out, no luck. Driving south took us to Perth ( Our 4th {Western Australia, Scotland, Canada and now Tasmania}). A short drive took us to Westbury and Andys Cafe for an A$5 campsite for the night. As we don't have much gas Martin won and we had dinner in the cafe before sending some emails and bed.

Thursday 18th December 2008
Westbury
25°C Slightly Cloudy

Woken by another train this morning at four o’clock. The train engine and wheels were loud enough but there must have been a crossing close because the bee-bah was earth shattering. Both wide awake ! Getting back to sleep was fairly easy until about six when the cockerel in the next field started crowing. Now I know why farmers get up when the cock crows – because he doesn’t stop. At eight o’clock when we had had breakfast he was still going, good job we don’t have a gun.

We drove into Launceston to look around the shops and then drove to a National Park for lunch. Driving out of Launceston there was a policeman with a laser speed gun hiding behind a tree. Martin is pleased he didn’t get stopped, Australia for six and a half weeks and no speeding ticket yet – must be a record. After lunch we drove to Devonport shopped and then boarded the ferry for the crossing back to Melbourne. There were a lot of people waving the ship goodbye as there was a parade in Devonport, it looked like Father Christmas and a lot of tractors. The schools have broken up for the holidays because the ferry is full of teenagers laying around the stairwells and corridors. Looks like a noisy night.

Friday 19th December 2008
Melbourne
24°C Sunny

Woke at five fifteen this morning by the announcement we were due alongside in half and hour. The rough sea in the night that kept us awake for a while must have driven the ship on as we were an hour early. Shower, pack and out of the cabin to await our turn to drive off the ship. Driving through Melbourne we found a shopping centre and did the weeks food shop and restocked the fridge with the essentials (wine, coke and chocolate). Next stop was to collect the remote area first aid kit that Martin had ordered before we crossed to Tassie. Then at last breakfast, we were so desperate we had a McD breakfast roll and coffee.

A short drive today only three hours to Ballarat in the goldfields. Pulling into town we spotted a BBQ shop and asked about LPG cylinder testing. We were told that a company in town did testing so we punched the address into Tomtom and off we went. “You have arrived at your destination” said Tomtom. Only we were on a dead straight dirt road miles from the nearest building. We decided to drive around a bit and stumbled upon the company we had been told about. They will test our cylinders, come back at three o’clock this afternoon. We headed north looking for a camp site and found one at Slatey Creek. At half two Martin headed off to get the gas leaving Jackie to guard the pitch with our camp table and chairs. Returning with the full gas cylinders we had a cup of tea and did a clothes wash because we could now heat water again. Nice tea!

There was only one other person at this camp site. A bloke called Barry and his little dog. He is fossiking for gold. Has a gold pan and a metal detector. While martin was collecting gas Barry walked down from the hills to where Jackie was sitting, blood streaming down his face. It turns out he had felt a fly land on his face and swatted it with his hand. Only problem he was holding his small pick axe in the hand at the time. Ooops. No real damage done a small hole in head fixed with a plaster and a can of beer. The similarities between Australian metal detecting and the same back home are amazing. He had been out all afternoon and had found five rusty nails and a ring pull. After dinner we went for a walk and spotted kangaroo in the woods before settling down for the night.

Saturday 20th December 2008
Slatey Creek, Ballarat
26°C Sunny

Leaving this morning Barry and dog were there to wave goodbye. The road out was slightly rougher than the way we came in and we had to drive through quite a lot of mud and puddles. Still the Troopy looks like it has seen use. I suppose we will have to pressure wash it again soon. On the way to Bendigo through the gold fields. The trees are all pretty much the same age all through here as the land was stripped in the search for gold 150 years ago. The trees have re-grown but you can still see the scars in the land where they used high pressure water hoses to get the gold out. We stopped at Moliagul where the “Welcome Stranger” was found. The largest gold nugget ever found and weighed 72.5 kilograms. We also found the location of the house of the founder of the Royal Flying Doctors Service.

Driving on we entered the State Forest through a back road and found our way to the camp site at Melville Caves in the Kooyoora State Park. After careful selection of our camping site (No large ants and level) we set up house. We took a walk up to the lookout and caves after dinner when things were cooling down. Turns out this was the hide-out of a highway robber in the gold era. Then it was time to settle down to the evening chorus of Sulphur crested cockatoos screeching at each other.

Sunday 21st December 2008
Melville Caves
29°C Sunny

Driving out of the park and on to the tarmac. Only one lane of tarmac today (cut backs maybe). If a car comes the other way you both move to the nearside and drive with the left side wheels on the dirt at the side of the road until you have passed and then move back on the road. Stopping in Horsham for a quick shopping trip we drove out of town to find a picnic site for lunch. Our routine of making rolls / sandwiches at breakfast saves a lot of hassle when lunch time comes around.

Fifty kilometres later we turned off of the tarmac again and headed into another state forest. After thirty kilometres of bush bashing we arrived at Mountain Dam camp site. Right next to a reservoir. The view from the boat ramp was interesting, dead trees and small bushes. Looks like the water level has been low for a long time. A sign by the ramp announces that it was a state funded project costing A$29000. Lovely boat ramp, no water. As we pulled around the corner to our chosen camp spot a mob of kangaroo boinged away. So we settled in for the evening, this camp site is empty except for us. Chilli and rice tonight should be nice.

Monday 22nd December 2008
Mountain Dam
22°C Cloudy

Last night, walking in the bed of the reservoir we saw emu foot prints in the dried up mud. Then we saw a pair of emu running through the dead trees. In the morning we left the park by a different route and it was still 9 kilometres of dirt track. Quite remote last nights site. After a short drive (only three hours) we arrived in Millicent South Australia to find our camp site for the night. To our surprise we are the only travelling van on the site, the rest are permanent residents. I suppose most people are at home for Christmas.
We elected to get a powered site tonight to charge our batteries and wash some of our clothes. After six days we are running out of clean clothes. Starting a wash load and then we walked into town posted a letter home to Steph and looked in a camping shop for a handle for our grill pan. It is a bit of a fiddle pulling it out with a fork. No luck, we will try again in the next big town. We had dinner watching three adolescent Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos play fighting and arguing over a large twig. They were very amusing as they kept falling over. Still learning I suppose. We then sent a text message to Steph to arrange a call near Christmas and then settled down for the night.

Tuesday 23rd December 2008
Millicent
22°C Sunny

Leaving Millicent this morning and heading back to Mount Gambier as it has a larger shopping area and it’s time to do the Christmas shopping. A$150 later and the fridge stuffed to bursting and the dry goods in bags on the floor we were off to our nights stop. We got to Bool Lagoon at about half two and paid the National Park fee. Finding the camp site was easy it is on a strip of land that divides two lagoons. After the Mountain Reservoir we should have guessed, yes we have no water. That aside the park is very nice and there is lots of bunny sign.

Setting up takes less time every day and within ten minutes the roof was up, the gas was on and the table and chairs were out under the awning, it was time for afternoon tea. We saw loads of rabbits and three black shouldered kites. They didn’t seem to notice us as they passed over our heads about ten feet up hunting. Then a lazy afternoon watching wildlife and the sunset before phoning Steph and chatting for a while, it was nice to hear her voice and catch up with what is going on. As it is a clear night we are going to wait up and stargaze tonight.

Wednesday 24th December 2008 (Christmas Eve)
Bool Lagoon
32°C Very Sunny

Martin woke up this morning with a roasting head. His head was pressing against the canvas at the front of the Troopy as we lay in bed and the sun was shining on the outside. It soon woke him and it was only seven o’clock. Packed up and on the road again. We drove north to Bordertown stopping in at the tourist information and to check road conditions. Then it was off onto gravel roads heading towards Ngarkat Conservation Park ( no it’s not a spelling mistake honest ).

Arriving at the park boundary the road stopped and the way continued as a four wheel drive track. Stopping to lock the front free wheeling hubs and erect our dune flag and engage four wheel drive we were ready. There followed about 50 kilometres of mallee scrub, sand dunes, rocky hills and washouts. Very bouncy and the Troopy spent quite a lot of time snaking up and down steep pitches in the soft sand. We had to stop at the top of dunes every now and then to allow us to have water to drink. (it was too rough when we were moving). The track seemed to go on for ever but eventually we arrived at the northern border of the park and the gravel road started again. Just as we thought we could relax a little we saw what looked like a small bush in the middle of the road. Fortunately Martin drove around it rather than over it as it was marking a washout that was about three feet wide and four feet deep. If we had hit that we would have been in trouble.

Further up the road a wedge tailed eagle launched it’s self out of a bush at the side of the road as we drew level. With three flaps of its six foot wingspan it was directly over the bonnet and at windscreen level. Martin slowed rapidly and with two further flaps it climbed clear and rose into the sky. We just stopped and sat there stunned. We have never been that close to a wild eagle. The image will stay with us forever. Driving on again we arrived at Lameroo and booked into the powered site for the two nights of Christmas. We are the only people here so have the nice clean toilet block to ourselves. Setting up camp for the night required ten minutes of dusting the inside of the Troopy to get out all the dust that had got in during our drive. Fortunately we had put everything in sealable boxes when we planned the storage. Time for dinner and a well deserved glass of wine.

Thursday 25th December 2008 (Christmas Day)
Lameroo
33°C Sunny, Slightly Cloudy

Lazy start today as we are not moving on but spending the day here. After breakfast we moved our chairs into the shade under a convenient gum tree. Martin finally released the drain plug from the rear differential, replaced the seal and re-filled the diff with limited slip diff oil. We will find out tomorrow whether that has stopped the leak or if it will need to be worked on during it’s next service. Then he was off to the shower block to clean up. Jackie dug out her wind up radio and it has been on all day with a good wind every ten minutes.

We enjoyed a very relaxing day, charging all of our cameras and electrical equipment. At about half five the temperature dropped to 28° and a slight warm breeze got up so we walked over to the free gas BBQ and cooked and ate our Christmas dinner. Steak, chicken kebab, cesar salad, and Jackie’s potato salad. Washed down with wine and lemonade. Very nice. After cleaning the BBQ and washing up we returned to the Troopy to write diaries and chill out for the evening.

Friday 26th December 2008 (Boxing Day)
Lameroo
37°C Very Sunny

Early start today with a free car and bedding wash. At half seven we awoke to find that the grounds man had arrived and turned on the sprinklers. The water jet hit the Troopy on the awning and the spray splashed up through the fly mesh window, which was open as it had been a very warm night. Realising he had made a mistake he turned off the water and disappeared very quickly, fortunately we didn’t get too wet. Anyway having been here two days it was time to move on. We were soon on our way and stopped in at Murray Bridge, driving over the first bridge to span the River Murray we filled the fuel tanks and headed north. Arriving at Mannum and crossing the river on a ferry we were fortunate to find a camping pitch near the boat ramp. It’s very busy as we are only an hour outside Adelaide and it is now the summer holidays.

We spent the afternoon sitting in the shade watching people put their boats in the water and chatting with some of the other campers. We were invited to dinner by one group but as we had Christmas leftovers to eat we declined their offer. After washing up and preparing the Troopy for night we took our chairs and walked over to the group that had offered us dinner for an evening chat. They were two couples Vesna & Scott and Julie & Olly and their children from Elizabeth. We had a good chat while Katie one of the older children lit the camp fire, she had it blazing very quickly and tended it until the kids baked their marshmallows. Vesna took great pleasure warning us about Woolf Creek, apparently there is a horror film set there and we plan to visit. At ten o’clock after a pleasant evening we retired to the Troopy to write our diaries and send some e-mails. The night was quite short as there were several parties of young (late teens - 20s) Lads having a good time. Music and laughter, all OK and they even turned the music off at midnight so no complaints there.

Saturday 27th December 2008
Mannum
27°C Sunny

Having been woken by the rubbish lorry we had breakfast and packed up, saying goodbye to our new friends we were off again into Adelaide to check out a couple of shops. As we suspected they were shut for the holiday, re-opening on Monday so we decided to drive out of Adelaide to the Fleur Peninsula. Stopping for lunch at a scenic lookout (well back from the edge for Jackie) we drove on and on a whim turned for Rapid Bay. Finding a nice camp site down near the beach we set up and relaxed for the afternoon. Clear blue sky, deep blue sea, warm sunshine and about 30 sulphur crested cockatoos screeching as the wheeled above the Norfolk Island pine behind the camp site.

Sunday 28th December 2008
Rapid Bay
20°C Cloudy, Occasional showers

Staying in Rapid Bay today so a lay in. Up by half past eight, you know what it’s like the day you can sleep in you wake up early and have to get up. Never mind after breakfast we went for a walk along the beach to a large cave. Having looked at it for a short while we headed back. As we walked we were passed by a group of youths who had set up their tents opposite us. Thinking no more about them we went back to the Troopy because Jackie wanted to get some washing done.

About three hours later we heard sirens and saw a police car drive to the cave. Shortly after a rope rescue unit appeared on the cliff top. There were people trapped two thirds the way up the cliff. We watched them get rescued and sure enough it was two of the youths we had seen walking towards the cave. They were brought back by the police later. Lets hope they have learned something. Apart from that little incident we had a quiet day chatting with the other campers before bed.

Monday 29th December 2008
Rapid Bay
26°C Sunny

Moving on again today. Watched the young lads leave, probably on their way home to their parents and a police report to explain. Glad I’m not them. Driving back into Adelaide on the motorway, it’s strange to drive the opposite way down the same one way road. This motorway is tidal in to the city in the morning and out in the afternoon / evening with a two hour closure at midday and midnight to change direction. Arriving at Opposite Lock 4x4 they were open and extremely helpful but the rear wheel carrier I need is manufactured in Perth and the company is closed until January 5th so we will live with what we have until we get to Perth. We purchased our EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Radio Beacon) as they had one in stock.

Instead of driving straight north to our camp site for the night we decided to divert slightly and visit Lyndoch. Well the bakery in Lyndoch anyway. We were a little disappointed to find that the chef was away and there wasn’t any strudel. We had to make do with apple and spice whirls instead. With the cakes on board we drove out to Port Parham Foreshore. A nice camp site with flushing toilets and gas BBQs.

After tea and cakes we read the instructions for the EPIRB and filled out the registration card (so they know who needs help). We spent the afternoon chatting with other travellers before having dinner. We then had a walk on the beach after wading through twenty meters of sea grass a meter deep. The sunset over the Gulf of St Vincent was beautiful and we watched the locals driving out in the shallow sea on stilt vehicles catching seafood. Then bed once more.

Tuesday 30th December 2008
Port Parham
25°C Sunny

Woke in the night to the sound of our fellow campers taking down their awnings as the wind had got up. We didn’t have to as our awning is smaller than theirs and Martin had parked facing the coast so the wind was from the front of the Troopy. Today we are heading to the Yorke Peninsula. Two hours brought us to Port Vincent and a nice powered site. Laundry time again, charge batteries and showers all round. Nice to be really clean, strip washes are OK but you can’t beat a powerful shower.

After a spot of lunch we walked into town to post the registration for our EPIRB, now they will know who needs help if we have to use it. Stopping in at one of the shops we brought ice creams and sat on the sea front watching the kids splashing in the shallow bay. Then back to the Troopy for a relaxing afternoon.

Wednesday 31st December 2008 (New Years Eve)
Port Vincent
25°C Sunny

Out of the Caravan Park today before ten o’clock showered and clean and ready for another few days bush. Driving down to the tip of the Yorke Peninsula we elected to take the direct route along the coast rather than the faster main road. Fifty kilometres of gravel road and hundreds of birds and butterflies later we arrived at “Kangaroo Island Look out”. Jackie was NOT impressed when she saw the sign (see the picture in the album), but we managed to stop in time. Back on the road we arrived at Innes National Park and paid for one night camping in the park.

Driving out to Shell Beach where there is camping spots for seven. We arrived just as someone else was leaving so snagged the spot. Lots of people turned up after us and had to go on as there was no more room. The site has seven bays in the scrub just a short walk from the beach. Having set up for the day and answered the three hundred questions of the little two year old girl who is in the next camping area we walked to the beach for lunch. Whilst we were eating another family turned up and went to the other end of the beach. As it was so crowded we returned to the Troopy for afternoon tea. Looking forward to a quiet New Year thinking of all our friends and family.

We were invited to a drink with some fellow campers and sat drinking Champaign with two semi retired teachers and two female trainee chefs. We had a nice chat and toasted the New Year before retiring for the night. On our way back to the Troopy we heard screams and investigated. The trainee chefs had been surprised by a smallish kangaroo who had wandered into the camp site. We shooed off the roo and then we all went back to our beds.