17th August 2016 uploaded 25th August :C

Well time has flown, yet again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is so hard to believe that two months have flown by since our last update.  I was having issues trying to get in last month but that has all been sorted .  My issue today is that we do not have great reception (even with the aerial up in the caravan) so will have to upload this (hopefully tomorrow) when we are in better reception.  I must admit that it still amazes me that there are some towns that have really crappy internet reception – with all the propaganda that we get told that the companies are supplying the best and fastest – only to find 2 coast-side towns with crap all service. 

Any way that has been my whinge for the day   I am sitting out the side of the van, under the awning enjoying the beautiful sunshine, cool breeze and looking at a house that is up for sale for a cool - $1,100,000.00!!!  Just a little over our budget but would have great views of the sea!  – now to let you know what we have been up to since our last update…….

We had been due to go to visit our friends Elaine and Rob in Temora on the 20^th June BUT the weather on the day was shocking and the wind was blowing.  We contacted the police to see if there had been any reports of roads closed along our journey – none to report.  We contacted Elaine and Rob to find the rain had become torrential at their end and a road nearby had just been closed – so we decided to leave it until our return journey from Wagga the following week.

On the 22^nd we managed to get some sunshine at 2pm – which only lasted about an hour – but it was lovely to see.

 sun trying to come through

I continued to go to the Weaving Together group at Condobolin and have met some very lovely people whilst we have been temporary residents.

24^th June we headed to Wagga and passed through a weather front on the way.  More rain.  We could see where the road had had water over it in about 6 section before we even got to West Wyalong – so we wouldn’t have got through earlier in the week.

 We were here this weekend to join in with the joint birthday celebrations of brother-in-law Peter and his friend Jo.  What a great night we had at the ‘Thirsty Crow’ and the birthday cakes, made by niece Pauline, were divine.

 Jo and Peter

On Sunday 26^th our niece Kayla, drove Jenny, Lyn and I out to the Lawn Cemetery and we sat and had a coffee with Mum, until the wind picked up and the sun disappeared and we felt the full brunt of the Maximum 4degree day :D

On the 27^th we headed back to Condobolin going via Temora and seeing our friends Elaine and Rob.  What a great visit – and as usual – the time passed way too fast.  Next time we will have to organise to come and stay in their back yard for a few days so our visit doesn’t seem as rushed.

Managed to get most of the cleaning done on Tuesday (whilst it rained) for the travellers return tomorrow.  During our 6 ½ weeks caring for Wendy and Ian’s home in Condobolin we had 250ml of rain.  The place was very wet for their return from Europe on the 29^th June.  We left Condobolin at 10am to be at the airport in plenty of time for their flight, and also to catch up with our friend Jenny.  We did this at the café at the airport so we weren’t stressing about not being there when the travellers landed.  Their flight actually got in 15 minutes EARLY which was a bonus.  Once we collected their bags it was back to Condobolin – a 2 hour 15-minute drive.  Miss Rosey really loved the extra cuddles and snuggles that were given.

  Ian in his Lederhosen

Thursday I headed into town for my final weaving session with the ladies and we were joined by a group of student Physiotherapists – who had been doing a tour of the outer communities and joined us for some relaxation and learning basic weaving from the group.

Saturday 2 July we headed into Condobolin to do the compulsory voting – Well – Ian and Wendy did, Darryl and I had sent in our postal votes about 1 ½ weeks ago!!! :D  We then did a little shopping and everyone was wanting to catch up on Ian and Wendy’s Travels and then we went to a great exhibit called – Waste 2 Art at the community centre.  What great artistic minds some people have and are able to change WASTE into art works.  A wonderful exhibit and whilst we were there we met some friends at the Art Class and chatted to the ladies who were doing the crochet work.  Wonderful work indeed. Our last day in Condobolin was spent with fantastic company and then we had a great roast dinner to end our sojourn of caring for Wendy and Ian’s home.

On Sunday we headed into Wagga with the van in tow, as we had an appointment on Monday to get two new tyres for the car before heading south to Geelong in Victoria.

Tuesday we headed toward Melbourne, stopping for the day at Seymour – a day of changing weather and ending with pouring rain :C

Wednesday we arrived at Torquay going down through Bacchus Marsh and fog so thick you could barely see 100metres in front to come out at the bottom to an overcast but ‘sunny’ day.

 I contacted Bronwyn Razem (who I was to spend 4 days with learning weaving using local grasses) and she invited me to go with her tomorrow to the Melbourne Museum and learn how to make bush toys.  So Thursday morning Bronwyn and her grand-daughter Aliyah, collected me from the van park and into Melbourne we went.  We spent until 3pm showing adults and child alike, how to make toys using straw/hay and wool.  An exhaustive day considering I only learnt that morning :D

On Friday Darryl and I went and had Lunch with Bronwyn and then Darryl went back to the van.  Bronwyn and I couldn’t go ‘bush’ as had been planned due to someone burning out her motorhome, so we stayed in her unit and wove using raffia.  Saturday we went to the local Aboriginal Corporation Centre – Narana – and had a lovely lunch, before heading back to do more weaving.

Sunday we headed into Melbourne to Southbank and the ABC Radio studio – where Bronwyn was to be interview for the ‘Sunday Sesh’ and somehow I ended up being interviewed as well.  It was a very interesting experience.

Monday we headed to the ‘Saltwater Community Centre at Point Cook’ where we spent the day covering nylon rope with natural raffia, so that we could wrap it around a wooden frame to form a tree.  This tree will branch out and have leaves attached to it and a Gugaa (Goanna) climbing it.

Tuesday Darryl arrived to collect me at about 2pm and we headed back to the van.  Darryl stating that the AC in the van could not keep the heat up to the ARCTIC BLAST that was bashing the coast at that time.  When we got back to the van it was to find that he had all the top hatches open and the Windows in ensuite, kitchen and bedroom were opened about 20cm.  Once they were closed it was amazing how warm the van became.  [Silly bugger].

Thursday we met up with Darryl’s cousin Christine and her daughter Erin at Highton.  Another blustery cold day but at least the sun was trying REALLY hard to get through the clouds.  We enjoyed an hour and half walk along the river front as well.

Friday 15^th we left Torquay at 10am and arrived back in Wagga at about 4.30pm.  Darryl has somehow kinked his back over the past couple of days and it is causing him some real grief.  So out comes the TENS machine and the Fisiocreme and rest.  It will be great to spend some more time with sisters Jenny and Lyn and their families.

Sunday I spent a couple of hours with my dear friend Gail, showing her what I had done over the past week and also sitting and yarning about life and what I want to get out of my weaving.  This was a wonderful time for me.

Monday we headed off to have our pathology needs attended for our Dr’s appointments once we get back to Qld.  We also visited cousins and met the new twins.

Thursday 21^st we headed to Condobolin again, to collect my woven FISH and to see Ian again.  Wendy was on her way to Melbourne for her sister’s – Eva Stimson-Clark – exhibition of art in Fitzroy.

We left Condo on Sunday and headed north toward Queensland and arrived at Jimboomba on Tuesday 26^th – just in time for BEN’s birthday.  Our BABY turned 34 – makes us feel really old :D.  We had a great evening with all the Grandchildren and Ben.

Wednesday night we met with friends Karyn and Peter for a nice dinner at the Park Ridge Hotel.  Was so good to catch up with them.

Thursday 28^th July – WHOA!!!!

Today we had arranged to go and see our dear friend Sue Pockson at Brown’s Plains. All was going to plan UNTIL -----  I was ready and Darryl was cleaning his teeth so I thought I would go and start the car to warm it up.  We had had a 1-degree night and a heavy frost and the car was parked where it was in the shade so I thought it would be good to warm it up.  I went down three steps from the top lawn and the next thing I knew was that I was sprawled on the gravel with grazed palms, right knee and a left ankle that felt like I had done something truly serious to it. :C :C  I called out to Darryl as I could not stand and he came out and said “What the hell are you doing down there?” He managed to get me up and after a couple of minutes I was able to put weight on my ankle.  I got back up to the van and treated the grazes and could move the ankle – so off we went to meet Sue.

We had a lovely morning catching up and we also had Beckie and her friend Ev, join us.

Afterwards we went to the Plaza with Sue and as we were heading back to the car my left ankle REALLY started to pain.  So we called into the chemist and got a brace for it and put it on and continued on our way.  When we got back to Beckie’s though – I could barely put weight on it.  So inside and RICE was applied and swelling was becoming quite evident.

The next morning the swelling made my left ankle and calf look quite crooked.  So rested as much as possible as we were going out with Ben for a birthday dinner…

That night we headed out with me hobbling – dramatically – as it really had increased in pain.  We went to cousin Julie’s house at Belbowrie for a fun filled night with the family and she gave me some Arnica gel to massage into my ankle – which was done a few times during the night and the next morning it didn’t SEEM as painful.  Beckie and us two left the next afternoon (allowing Ben to party on with his Cousins) as we needed to get back to feed the pets.  We continued with the regular Arnica gel massages, elevation and wrapping.

Tuesday we had an appointment with the doctor and because most of the pain and some good bruising, was going up the out part of my leg, he thought that maybe I had given myself a spiral fracture of the Fibia :C.  So off to the local radiology for an x-ray to rule that out.  Finally, we got the word – NO fracture BUT the bruising was a concern.  So we continued with the Arnica gel massages and wrapping but now we were concentrating on the ankle and shin rather than ankle and foot.  I found a supplier in Australia for Arnica Gel and ordered some online along with some pilules to treat it from the inside…….

Thursday (a week after the twist) was a Sports day at the school for Gemma – so off we toddled with a chair and a leg support for me to watch but by lunch time it was time for me to go as the leg was throbbing and I needed to lie down :C.  Gemma did well in her events and then on Friday it was Max’s turn.  He came home with two thirds and a first.  Well done to both the Grandchildren.

Sunday I was booked into a ‘Twined Mat weaving’ day at the Botanical Gardens on Mount Coot-tha and I was so glad that Darryl agreed to drive me there and back.  Without his support it would have been impossible.  I had a wonderful day with about 20 other women and young girls learning this wonderful craft and using pandanus fibres dyed with natural dyes in Arnhem Land.  A big Thank You to Rene Bahloo for sharing her story with us at the gardens.

Tuesday Darryl drove me into Capalaba so that I could meet up with the Jajari Jimbaljin Women’s group and yarn and show them my weaving projects.  What a great day I had and it was so lovely to see the women again.  Tuesday was also CENSUS night – so Bradley came for Dinner and we filled in the census with us all there.  We had a lovely night with home-made Pizza’s for all and the company was great.

Wednesday we headed out again – this time we went south to Pottsville North Caravan Park.  We wanted to stay at Kingscliff BUT the first park with a vacancy was Pottsville north.  We had four wonderful nights there and Darryl managed to do some fishing and I completed my pandanus dilly bag.  I then started weaving a basket.

Sunday 14^th we headed further south and arrived at Brooms Head for a couple of nights BUT this turned into 4 and we are heading northward again tomorrow.  Brooms Head is a lovely council run caravan park that goes right along the beach front and the beach is so lovely to walk along between the tides.  Firm compacted sand made for a good amble for my leg.

We are now 3 weeks post initial injury – the bruising has settled but the tenderness on the outer part of my leg can still take me unawares.  I KNOW!!!! It will be another few weeks before it is anywhere near 100%.  We have so much crammed into the calendar over the next few months BUT promise to take care of it :D

Take care everyone.

23rd May 2016 The Great Adventure has begun

We are all set up at Condobolin, house-sitting for Wendy and Ian.  The cool weather has been welcomed after the weather in Queensland prior to us leaving.  BUT you need to know what has happened in the middle…………………….

We were due to hand over the keys to Victoria Point at 2.45pm on the 11^th April.  We left the house at 10am on the 11^th, the real estate agent was going to hand over the keys for us and we said sad farewells to our dear neighbours.  At 2.21pm we got a text from the real estate agent to say that the new buyers wanted to do a ‘pre-settlement’ inspection before they paid the rest of the sale monies…… :C  Really - 19minutes before it is all supposed to be settled!!!!

At 2.30pm we got an email from the Solicitors to say that settlement had occurred early.  So they were obviously pleased that we had left the house clean and tidy.

We drove out to Jimboomba and set up in Beckie’s front yard.  Over the next few days we had appointments to complete and then we headed to Taree to see Darryl’s brother Neville and his sister Shirley.  We spent the first night at Halfway Creek, south of Grafton.  This is a great spot near the Shell service station and we had about 18 other vehicles with us.  We then travelled to Taree the next day.  It was a shock to see the van park at Dawson River almost empty BUT still charging high School-holidays prices ($45 per night and then it dropped to $35 per night on the Sunday at the end of the holidays).  We are really beginning to feel that they are out-pricing themselves for us to stay and we may have to find somewhere else.  We had a great few days there and even went up to Port Macquarie to for a surprise visit to Uncle Max and Aunty Kath. 

 Uncle Max and Aunty Kath

 Free, Aurra and Julie

  Vesna and Nick

  It was also a great day as we managed to catch up with cousin Julie and Free and Aurra, and also Vesna and her lovely husband Nick.  A truly lovely day.

We returned back to Jimboomba to see the doctor and get scripts filled and then it was Beckie’s Birthday (Happy mid-30’s Birthday :D) and then the next day was Mother’s Day.  

 Miss Independant with 'Hulk', Max, 'Bobby', Bec with Lucky Last and Mr Man

Beck, Ben, Barb, Darryl

On Beckie’s birthday we went to a ‘Hippiness and Happiness’ Market that was held at Woodhill Hall.  What a great day we had.  Lots of different stalls from usual markets.  Ben came and joined us for Mother’s Day and we had a latish lunch once the children returned from their prospective fathers.  We had a great evening.  Beckie has been teaching Miss Independent and Monkey Boy how to play Canasta – and they have both grasped it really well.  We all had several good sessions with them.

We set off on the Monday and travelled to Inglewood in Qld.  

  It would seem that Autumn has begun on the road to Toowoomba

We were still debating which way to travel on our way to Condobolin and weren’t sure if we were going to go through Goondiwindi to St George or down to Moree.  The camp spot at Inglewood was well used that night with 8 rigs in for the night.  We had some light rain showers during the night and it was a quite a warm night.

We travelled down to Moree the next day and took rest at Tooraweenah rest area just south of Coonabarabran.  

  Sunset

It was quite overcast and the wind was cool and fellow resters were also from Qld and they found the cool wind very uncomfortable and they were heading to South Australia – so will definitely need their winter woollies.  

 6 degrees and foggy next morning

Next morning it was 6degrees and the wind was blowing again and it was time for long pants and socks and shoes :D.  We travelled through to Condobolin through Narromine and Tullamore and arrived at Condobolin at about 2pm to find no one at home :C BUT Wendy was travelling back from Dubbo and Ian was to get home on Friday from Orange.  We set up in the driveway and then went in and gave Rosey a big cuddle.  

  set up in the driveway :D

  Miss Rosey is 11 years old

We then got the fire going to warm the house and let the chickens out of their pen to have a good scratch in the yard.  Darryl made some chicken and vegetable soup for dinner and Wendy stopped in Parkes and got some lovely crusty bread to go with it.

We all headed into town on Friday and whilst Wendy was at the hairdresser Darryl and I did the shopping.  When we got home we found Ian had arrived and we had a lovely evening catching up.  

On Saturday we chatted and ate and chatted whilst getting the campfire roaring and then Ian and Wendy prepared a lovely roast beef lunch which we thoroughly enjoyed and then sat around the campfire until after dark.  

 Ian checking the Roast in the camp-oven

 Relaxing after lunch - Wendy painting

 Darryl relaxing near the camp fire

We then listened in whilst Wendy and Ian had a skype session with Miss Holly from Poland and we participated right near the end.  It was really lovely chatting with her and all three of them are getting terribly excited about meeting up in Amsterdam in about 18 days…….

Sunday we let Ian and Wendy complete their preparations for travel and we left for Dubbo at 10.45am.  We arrived at just after 1pm and Ian directed us to a pub for lunch.  From here we went to Officeworks so that Wendy could get some pens for drawing for use whilst away and we took advantage of the stop to get some supplies as well :D

  last minute checking at the airport

Once we waved them onto the plane for Sydney, Darryl and I travelled to visit our friends Jenny and Doug and were lucky enough to meet up with Helen and Peter who were on their way home to Adelaide.  The time flew WAY TOO fast and it was very dark by the time we headed on our way down to Parkes and out to Condobolin.  We got home at 9.15pm and had a quite cuppa whilst giving Miss Rosey a good cuddle.

I have been invited to attend a Weaving Day at Forbes on Wednesday and also to join with the Weavers of Condobolin the following week.  So am getting very excited about that also.

Monday and Tuesday we attended to the chores that come with caring for a home and we heard late that night that Wendy and Ian had arrived safe and sound in France.  

Wednesday Darryl and I headed off at 9am for my weaving session.  We arrived in Forbes at 10.15am and Darryl went and kept himself occupied whilst I mingled with the ladies (I did ask him to come in for a cuppa and to meet the ladies but he declined :C).  What a great morning and afternoon – lots of great yarning and learning.  I learnt to make string and also started to weave a fish using twining – which you will see in the attached photos. 

  String from red hot poker plant.

 starting the fish tail

starting to move it out to make the body

 weaving more of the body - concentrating hard

 ready to shape front of the body

 front taking shape

ready for the mouth

almost finished.  Have done mouth and whiskers but now to do eyes and do the dorsal and lateral fins.  Will then make some more string to use as a hanger.

Yucca, cumbungi, watsonia, red hot poker is what has been used to make 'FISH' :D

  Unfortunately, it was the last of these community sessions held by the Orange Fiber Artists – UNLESS they can get more government funding or work out another method of funding.

Yesterday and today I have been getting our laundry done whilst also sitting and weaving the FISH.  It has been a very interesting and satisfying activity.  I look forward to learning more next week when I meet with the weavers of Condobolin.

Condobolin NSW

Hi all
We arrived at Condobolin on Saturday afternoon at about 2.30pm.  The day started out VERY FOGGY  and that fog stayed with us until we got near Orange (from Lithgow)  We made it to Parkes by 1pm after having to sit on the roadside for nearly half an hour whilst there was a new layer of asphalt pout onto the road.
When we stopped at Parkes for lunch I had to get out of my fleecy pants and long sleeved top into some cooler clothes.  It was really quite warm :)
We arrived at Ian and Wendy's with no problems at all and set up the van in their yard at the research station.
Sat and had a great chat with them and met their new house guest "Crow".  He had to be hand-reared after falling out of a tree as a nestling and now he likes nothing better than to pull the pegs off the clothes on the line.  Apparently he has even been in and taken shoes off the back verandah.
Buster seems to have settled in well and is getting on with Rosey and Nibbles.  He keeps away from Crow.
We spent a great day yesterday just vegging out and had a lovely dinner of BBQ fish last night.
Today we have been into town and tomorrow we will head to Wagga to see Mum and Aunty Nancy and the family and try to catch up.
Keep safe

Our plans

Hello everyone,

Hoping that you are all safe from the flooding and that none of you have had any damage to your homes.

We are ok here – only had a little rain on the south side of Brissy but friends on the north side have had lots of rain today.

Darryl and I are preparing for our BIG trip.  We have to get the van serviced this week and then we need to get new tyres for it as one is terribly worn.

We have slowly been adding food and belongings to the van and then we will leave on the 14^th March with our dog Buster.

We will visit a lovely friend at Grafton for 2 nights, We will then head to Port Macquarie to spend three nights with Uncle Max and Aunty Kath. 

From Port we will go to Taree for three nights with Darryl’s family. 

We will then head to Lithgow.  Not sure if we will stop along the way or travel all day to get there J  Depends on the weather and also the fatigue levels.

From Taree we hope to visit Darryl’s cousin Warren at Bathurst and then head out to Condobolin to visit with Ian and Family.

We will also be doing a side trip to Wagga to see Mum, Lyn and Jenny.  Call into Wagga Wagga High to check on the preparations for the 100 year celebrations.

Hope to see Aunty Nancy and family and Uncle Jack and family whilst there.

We are planning on doing a trip to the ‘Corner country’ for Easter with Ian, Wendy, Holly and Rosey – so are hoping that the weather settles and the roads have a chance to dry out in the next month .

We will then make our way to Broken Hill by the 21^st April.  From there we will be joining up with quite a few other Grey Nomads and we will make our way across through the Flinders and then up through to Alice Springs and Katherine and on to Darwin.

We also hope to head down the west coast and then across the Nullarbor so that we can meet up with our campertrailer group friends at Wellington in Late September and then down to Mallacoota in VIC in mid-October.  We have to be home in November for specialist appointments.

We will then restock the van and head to Wagga to celebrate Mum’s 80^th with the family.

Keep safe everyone.

Love Barb and Darryl

time is flying by......

Well we have been home for two weeks and we have been having a busy time with specialist and GP appointments, dentist and eye checks.
We are going out to visit friends who will be camping at Andrew Drynan park on the Lion's Tourist Road, near Rathdowney, this weekend.  We won't be camping as Beckie is having her fund-raiser for her 'Ride to Conquer Cancer 2012' at the Jimboomba Library - and we will be in attendance.
Darryl has had to have a GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test) [a two hour blood test] and his result has come back that he has NIDDM (Non-Insulin Dependant Diabetes Mellitus) and needs to start medication.
a new round of health issues is about to begin.........
We are doing some tidy ups here at the house.  We are painting the front fence, Darryl is going to paint the metal out the front with rust-preventative and we are seriously thinking of pulling up the original carpet upstairs. It is really tatty carpet and puts a dampener on the look of the house.  Ahh well - will see what eventuates.
Young Max is to go into hospital to have his tonsils and Adenoids removed in a couple of weeks so it looks like we will be camped on their front lawn for a couple of nights to look after the kidlets.
We had the van serviced last week and the guys were really pleased with it.  We will get it serviced again in March prior to us heading of to the corner country with Wendy, Ian and Holly for Easter.
We are also planning on meeting up with Grey Nomad friends for a tag-a-long up to Darwin after that.

Buster has settled into being the ALPHA dog here and doesn't seem to be missing Andy.  Andy has settled into life at Jimboomba and the children are really enjoying having him and Bob to look after.

Will Keep you updated.

Condobolin 21.9.11

Time is absolutely flying by :D
Left Wagga at 12.30

  Pauline, Jenny, Peter and Kayla

We arrived in Condobolin last Friday afternoon after battling a heavy head-wind all the way from Wagga Wagga. 
Saturday we spent the day in the garden with Wendy and Ian and coped with the high temperatures and the HOT wind.  Darryl helped build an enclosure for the rooster as he was running the hens ragged.......
Wendy and Holly transplanted and repotted several plants and cacti.  Saturday afternoon we headed into Condobolin for the Pipe Band Tattoo. There were 6 different Pipe Bands performing in the main street from 5pm and then we headed up to the RSL club and got our positions for the Tattoo.

  The lone Piper

 The tattoo started at 7pm and finished just after 10pm.  It was a good night.  Not too hot, not too cold and not windy.

Sunday we had a lazy day at home and looked at Wendy and Ian's holiday photos from the UK.  That was great fun and included some of the spots that we visited in 1999 and 2008.  We wet out to dinner at the RSL club to celebrate Wndy and Ian's 19th Annversary (which was on Monday).
Monday morning we were up early to say goodbye to Holly as she went off to boarding school in Forbes.  She starts holidays on Thurday so we may go for a trip and pick her up.  We went into town after lunch and i got a brace for my knee.  Still haven't heard from the Dr about the results of the CT scan - so will just continue to take pain relief. Got some groceries at the IGA and then headed back to the research station.
Tuesday we had a slow day at home.  Got a call from the Dr about the scan and said that I have osteophytes in the joint and on all the bones and lots of effusion (swelling) and to take pain relief and if it doesn't improve I may need to see a specialist.  Went out to Lunch with Ian and Wendy at the Condo Hotel. Nice meal and well priced.  Went up to see Wendy at work and she showed me how to use the lands department data base for historical research.
Wednesday - today - up early and did some washing for Wendy and Ian.  Went up to see Wendy to try and print off some more parish maps about Jindera in the 1880's.