Hi everyone that is still logging in to read this! This is my last post as we are expecting to be home at the end of the weekend. We have had a very quiet week at the coast getting used to being back on the East Coast and seeing very many ACT number plates again. We haven't done anything much this week except go for drives each day (we are all so used to being on the move) and walks on the beach and to the local shopping centre for daily supplies. We have caught up with friends who have a baby due any day now and it was a real bonus that they were able to spend some time chatting with us as they twiddle their fingers and wait......There are so many jobs for us once we get home - everything needs cleaning from the trailer to the trailer contents to the clothes and towels to the roof top tent. That will keep us all occupied for some time next week. And there is of course, unpacking, shopping, housework (hmmm, there are definate advantages to living in a tent - a quick sweep out each day and you're done) and the girls will need to be trying on uniforms for school that starts in a week or so. Sigh.
We have had a tremendously wonderful time away and have seen and experienced so much more that we ever thought was possible in a 3 month time frame. We were busy every day and had very few days of sitting around doing nothing. This meant that when we did big travels in the car, we were all happy to sit still for a while and watch the scenery whizz by - except when I had the car brought to a halt for a photo opportunity! When we left we promised each other that we would not do over 500kms per day unless we had all agreed to the extra km's and we also agreed that if the weather was bad, we would bump into a cabin till the bad weather passed. In the end, we did all agree to travel over 500km's a day when we wanted to and in fact, 750km's became our new yardstick. 500 seemed very short after a while. We also managed to stay in the trailer many more nights than we thought we would - it is so much more luxurious than tenting it. I don't think I can ever go back to tent camping again like we used to do - and if I ever get a van, then it really will be the end of camping for ever. There is just no going back......
Just before we sign off for good, we thought we might share some last thoughts with you.
1. We have travelled 20500 km's since we left home on July 2. The car hasn't missed a beat and is an awesome piece of machinery that has taken us to some incredible places over some equally incredible roads/tracks/bush scrub.
2. Anyone who does a trip like this can very safely forget about their gym membership and get dance lessons instead as preparation for the trip. The limbo must be practised everyday as one takes a shower in camp sites where the shower heads are attached so low on the wall that one is left wondering who the pygmy people are that use the showers that end up leaving amazonians high and dry (literally). Then after perfecting the limbo, you need to use your quickstep skills to run around in the shower cubicle searching for the water that comes from 4 holes (if you are lucky) out of the shower head. Then there is the contortion act after the shower of holding, drying and putting on clothes ensuring that nothing gets wet or hits the floor! Not all van parks are like this but many are so if you are inspired to take a trip, make sure you are fit first!
3. None of us are able to identify a "best thing". Too many to choose from.
4. All of us can identify a "worst thing" - losing the photo USB stick and the dolphin cruise out of Bunbury - the one where there are no dolphins......
5. Food prices in WA are horrendous - your food budget will blow out there no matter how hard you try to keep it in control.
6. It is wonderful to travel with your children.
7. It is probably wonderful to travel without your children.
8. Rain is annoying. Internal tent condensation is worse than annoying.
9. It is actually possible to have withdrawals from not travelling in the car. This can be eased by sitting in the car and pretending to drive somewhere.........
10. If the people who live in WA are enough to swing the next election, Julia doesn't stand a chance of re-election. There are 2 main gripes in WA - the first is that the boat people need to be stopped (there are lots of Immigration Detention Centres all down the WA coast - which is not surprising really) and the local populations are completely over the whole boat people situation. Secondly, her Carbon Tax is most unpopular with a State of people who have no choices but to travel huge distances to get anywhere. Then there's the fact that there is a multi million dollar broadband rollout over in WA when most places do not have adequate, if any, mobile or phone connections. Julia is on a slippery slope in the state of WA.
11. If you are directionally and/or map reading challenged, travelling 20,000 kilometres won't change a thing.
12. Australia is a vast country with a life time of holidays to offer which means that you will never have to worry about your passport application or your passport being out of date before you jump in your car and drive.
13. Time passes - which is a good thing. As sad as it is for good times to end, it means that bad times will end too. We are now at the end of a 14 week trip that was 2 and a bit years in the planning, which at times, didn't seem like it would be a reality but with a bit of juggling, determination and good preparation, we've done it and have been blessed along the way by some of the people that we have met and been blessed by the folk at home that have stayed in touch and who care about what we are doing. Grateful thanks to those of you who kept an eye on us either by phone, blog, text, email or prayer. We have returned safely and are all well!
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly for this last week. The Good was being sensible enough to program in 4 days at the coast to get used to "semi real life" again. The Bad is that Long Service Leave takes several years to accumulate......and the Ugly - that will come when we unhook the trailer and start to unpack and clean the rig.
Over and out,
Mal, the Handbrake and the Singing Sisters
Saturday, 8 October 2011
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Week 13 - Crossing 3 states
Hello from the South Coast! This week we have travelled through South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. Next week our trip ends when we roll back into Canberra after 14 weeks on the road. We will all find it pretty hard to be in one place for a while and will need to jump in the car on weekends to go for a drive to feel normal! I can't say that I am looking forward to fitting out the girls in uniforms ready for Term 4, or cleaning the trailer and car and all the contents of both (Gibb River Road dust just doesn't go away over time!) but there is a sense of excitement in the idea of "coming home". This post will be the second to last one - I will post again for the last time at the end of next week with the activities from this week coming and the (hopefully) uneventful trip up the Clyde (if we go that way). We have spent this week dodging rain and also Fruit Fly quarrantines. We have lost count of the number of stops on the side of the road this week to eat all our fruit and veg before hitting the borders. This has been made interesting by our choices to switch over and back across the Murray via free car ferries and our diet this week has been primarily fruit and carrots. Every day I would think we were out of the fruit fly restriction area and would buy more fruit and veg, and then the next day we would change our minds and go a different way and have to stop for a fruit break to eat all the produce! Only had to give away a couple of potatoes and some chinese greens so we did very well considering. The other challenge this week was the time changes from state to state. Just when we have got used to NSW/Vic time zone, daylight saving has kicked in here in NSW/ACT so we have lost 2 hours coming from WA, lost a further 30 minutes coming over from SA, and now lost another hour with daylight savings. Talk about time running away.....
Here is the week that was our last week.
Monday - We left Adelaide and drove up into the Adelaide Hills. We passed through Birdwood and ended up in Mannum. We took the car ferry over the Murray River up to Swan Reach. We got on the car ferry again at Swan Reach (because it was fun!) and drove to Waikerie. We decided that it was quite good following the Murray River and decided that we would keep doing this for the rest of the week. We crossed the border into Victoria after lunch and pulled up in Mildura for the night. The concrete slab site that we were allocated was a little challenging but we have become smart about how to set up now so it wasn't long before we had it sorted. This van park was fantastic with a wonderful camp kitchen and a gate that leads through to a fantastic bakery (vanilla slice to die for) and the big shopping centre in Mildura.
Tuesday - Today we went up the road 110kms on dirt to the Mungo National Park. A fascinating park that we are glad we visited. There had clearly been a lot of rain here in the days before we arrived and the park roads were OK in most places, but the mud on some tracks was deep, sloppy and sticky. We didn't get bogged, despite the potential, and the car was just filthy when we left. Mud just kept flicking off under the wheel arches for many km's on the way back to Mildura. Despite this it was a gorgeously hot day with a top temp of 33 degrees. We saw the biggest snake we have ever seen in the wild cross the road in front of the car - very long, very black, snubby nose and wickedly fat. Mal swerved to miss it but with the dust behind the car and the one way track it was impossible to tell if it pulled it's head in and we missed it or if it suffered a fatal head injury under the Prado tyre.
Wednesday - Woke up to steady rain after a very mild night with trailer windows down and sleeping in Tshirts. Breakfast was looking a bit hard in the rain so I bundled everyone into the car and got Mal to take us to Macca's for breakfast - big treat. At least there is a Macca's in Mildura!! After stocking up afterwards at the bakery with many yummy items, we headed to the wharf to have a ride on the paddlesteamer Melbourne. We travelled up the Murray and went through Lock 11. It was great for the girls to see how a lock system works and to understand the weir system on the river. We have had many discussions since with Rachel about the water delivery on the Murray and the consequences of irrigation, government restrictions on water usage, farmers needs, town needs and impacts on wildlife. She certainly understands that it is not a black and white issue! We visited Orange World and toured an orange farm. We drank orange juice that has a taste we will never forget - just so good. We drove to Wentworth to see the junction of the Murray and the Darling Rivers and to end the day, we visited the second largest hedge maze in Australia and got totally lost trying to get out. When we finally emerged, it was 5.30pm, everyone else had gone home and the lady manager was standing waiting for us with the keys to lock up in her hand! It is a very hard maze and we had to resort to many tricks to know where we were, where we had been and where we needed to go next. Our campsite had filled up heaps on our return in readiness for the Country Music Festival so we found ourselves surrounded by Country music fans - and many hopeful performers! The camp site put on an impromptu concert and anyone who wanted to perform could have a go. We stayed until the heavens opened and then scarpered to our trailer to settle down for the night. We all lay in the tent chatting to the sound of the rain thundering down outside contemplating a wet pack up in the morning.......
Thursday - Woke up to a very cold and windy morning - but at least it was dry. Packed up and headed to the bakery for more supplies before hitting the road to head for Swan Hill. We detoured to visit Woodsies, the big gem shop and jewellery factory in Mildura where the girls watched the jewellers making rings. Most of the rest of the day was spent driving through very heavy rain to Swan Hill. We made lunch and ate it in the car as we drove which is not something we have had to do very many times. It was a despondent band that rolled into Swan Hill at 5pm to pouring rain and the realisation that the camper trailer was going to be a very hard option for the night. We have all loved living in the trailer and will miss it when we get home. Sadly, we trundled down the main street deciding what to do when we saw a little motel called the Jane Eliza and knew it was meant to be! We checked in and marvelled at the luxury that comes with a motel room. White towels, private bathroom, flat screen TV, door, glass windows (you get the picture I am sure). We took a drive out to the stockyards and watched the sheep being loaded for the abbattoirs and Mal caught a huge Murray Cod - photo below. Pizza for dinner washed down with the last of the vanilla slice.
Friday - Visited the Pioneer Village Settlement and the girls had a ball. It's a re creation of a riverbank village from the 1800's and even in the cold windy conditions the girls made the most of it. We just about had the place to ourselves as the Swan Hill Agriculture show was on that day too.
The weekend - we have spent the weekend dodging the wet and cold weather and have arrived on the South Coast in time for the end of the Long Weekend. We are all well and the girls are enjoying having time to play a little more now that we are back in known territory. It will be good to have a few days on the coast to get used to being homeish before we come home properly. We spent a day in Albury which we really enjoyed and have put it on the list of places to go for a camping holiday in the future. There is a fair bit to do there and we were unable to do it all in the time we had there. It was wet and cold there too which makes outdoor activities a little more difficult!
The good, bad and ugly this week. The good was being in Mungo National Park. We saw so much wildlife and climbed the most enormous sand dunes there - a very humbling experience when you realise it has seen human habitation for 2400 years. The bad was having to dodge wet weather all week. While it didn't really change our plans it does make movements between the car, the tent, and camp kitchen, the bathrooms all a little more hampered. Drying washing becomes harder too as you fight for a dryer in the laundry..... The Ugly - The Casey Chambers hopeful at the Mildura camp site. Lordy me - that girl could do with some vocal lessons.......
Love and homeward thoughts,
Jane, Mal, Rachel and Eloise
The girls at Orange World in Mildura
Here is the week that was our last week.
Monday - We left Adelaide and drove up into the Adelaide Hills. We passed through Birdwood and ended up in Mannum. We took the car ferry over the Murray River up to Swan Reach. We got on the car ferry again at Swan Reach (because it was fun!) and drove to Waikerie. We decided that it was quite good following the Murray River and decided that we would keep doing this for the rest of the week. We crossed the border into Victoria after lunch and pulled up in Mildura for the night. The concrete slab site that we were allocated was a little challenging but we have become smart about how to set up now so it wasn't long before we had it sorted. This van park was fantastic with a wonderful camp kitchen and a gate that leads through to a fantastic bakery (vanilla slice to die for) and the big shopping centre in Mildura.
Tuesday - Today we went up the road 110kms on dirt to the Mungo National Park. A fascinating park that we are glad we visited. There had clearly been a lot of rain here in the days before we arrived and the park roads were OK in most places, but the mud on some tracks was deep, sloppy and sticky. We didn't get bogged, despite the potential, and the car was just filthy when we left. Mud just kept flicking off under the wheel arches for many km's on the way back to Mildura. Despite this it was a gorgeously hot day with a top temp of 33 degrees. We saw the biggest snake we have ever seen in the wild cross the road in front of the car - very long, very black, snubby nose and wickedly fat. Mal swerved to miss it but with the dust behind the car and the one way track it was impossible to tell if it pulled it's head in and we missed it or if it suffered a fatal head injury under the Prado tyre.
Mungo sand dunes
Wednesday - Woke up to steady rain after a very mild night with trailer windows down and sleeping in Tshirts. Breakfast was looking a bit hard in the rain so I bundled everyone into the car and got Mal to take us to Macca's for breakfast - big treat. At least there is a Macca's in Mildura!! After stocking up afterwards at the bakery with many yummy items, we headed to the wharf to have a ride on the paddlesteamer Melbourne. We travelled up the Murray and went through Lock 11. It was great for the girls to see how a lock system works and to understand the weir system on the river. We have had many discussions since with Rachel about the water delivery on the Murray and the consequences of irrigation, government restrictions on water usage, farmers needs, town needs and impacts on wildlife. She certainly understands that it is not a black and white issue! We visited Orange World and toured an orange farm. We drank orange juice that has a taste we will never forget - just so good. We drove to Wentworth to see the junction of the Murray and the Darling Rivers and to end the day, we visited the second largest hedge maze in Australia and got totally lost trying to get out. When we finally emerged, it was 5.30pm, everyone else had gone home and the lady manager was standing waiting for us with the keys to lock up in her hand! It is a very hard maze and we had to resort to many tricks to know where we were, where we had been and where we needed to go next. Our campsite had filled up heaps on our return in readiness for the Country Music Festival so we found ourselves surrounded by Country music fans - and many hopeful performers! The camp site put on an impromptu concert and anyone who wanted to perform could have a go. We stayed until the heavens opened and then scarpered to our trailer to settle down for the night. We all lay in the tent chatting to the sound of the rain thundering down outside contemplating a wet pack up in the morning.......
Rachel and the Paddlesteamer wheel
Thursday - Woke up to a very cold and windy morning - but at least it was dry. Packed up and headed to the bakery for more supplies before hitting the road to head for Swan Hill. We detoured to visit Woodsies, the big gem shop and jewellery factory in Mildura where the girls watched the jewellers making rings. Most of the rest of the day was spent driving through very heavy rain to Swan Hill. We made lunch and ate it in the car as we drove which is not something we have had to do very many times. It was a despondent band that rolled into Swan Hill at 5pm to pouring rain and the realisation that the camper trailer was going to be a very hard option for the night. We have all loved living in the trailer and will miss it when we get home. Sadly, we trundled down the main street deciding what to do when we saw a little motel called the Jane Eliza and knew it was meant to be! We checked in and marvelled at the luxury that comes with a motel room. White towels, private bathroom, flat screen TV, door, glass windows (you get the picture I am sure). We took a drive out to the stockyards and watched the sheep being loaded for the abbattoirs and Mal caught a huge Murray Cod - photo below. Pizza for dinner washed down with the last of the vanilla slice.
Too big a catch to fillet so we had pizza instead!
Friday - Visited the Pioneer Village Settlement and the girls had a ball. It's a re creation of a riverbank village from the 1800's and even in the cold windy conditions the girls made the most of it. We just about had the place to ourselves as the Swan Hill Agriculture show was on that day too.
Riding along in my automobile - 1924 Dodge at Pioneer Village, Swan Hill
The weekend - we have spent the weekend dodging the wet and cold weather and have arrived on the South Coast in time for the end of the Long Weekend. We are all well and the girls are enjoying having time to play a little more now that we are back in known territory. It will be good to have a few days on the coast to get used to being homeish before we come home properly. We spent a day in Albury which we really enjoyed and have put it on the list of places to go for a camping holiday in the future. There is a fair bit to do there and we were unable to do it all in the time we had there. It was wet and cold there too which makes outdoor activities a little more difficult!
The good, bad and ugly this week. The good was being in Mungo National Park. We saw so much wildlife and climbed the most enormous sand dunes there - a very humbling experience when you realise it has seen human habitation for 2400 years. The bad was having to dodge wet weather all week. While it didn't really change our plans it does make movements between the car, the tent, and camp kitchen, the bathrooms all a little more hampered. Drying washing becomes harder too as you fight for a dryer in the laundry..... The Ugly - The Casey Chambers hopeful at the Mildura camp site. Lordy me - that girl could do with some vocal lessons.......
Our last picnic lunch - Mungo National Park
Love and homeward thoughts,
Jane, Mal, Rachel and Eloise
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