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.

what a week :D

Monday 27th April Darryl drove me to the University of Queensland in St. Lucia  Brisbane so that I could take part in a study as to the effects of a Virtual Reality program on those who suffer from Meniere's Disorder/Vestibular instability.  This was quite interesting and I was glad to help BUT the Virtual reality thing REALLY upset my wobbles and made me quite nauseous and unbalanced for three days.  But again - hopefully the data they gathered from me has been useful.
Then we had a great week.
Last Thursday we hitched up the caravan and headed off to Killarney in South East Qld with our Caravan group - the Morton Bay Drifters (MBD) Branch of the Australian Caravan Club (ACC).  There were 19 vans booked in for the weekend.
It was drizzling when we left home and it continued to rain lightly all the way there.  We travelled via the Mount Lindesay Highway to Rathdowney and on to Woodenbong and then followed the Mount Lindesay Road through North East NSW into Legume and then back into QLD into Killarney.
The road between Woodenbong and Killarney is being updated in several spots and it is making it two car widths wide - which will make it a lot safer to travel on.  A bit scary when going around a narrow bend to be met by a B-Double truck coming the other way.  Was easier for us to get off the road and let the truck have it then to have him throwing up stones.
The creeks along the way were babbling along and were quite picturesque.
We got to Killarney and booked into the van park to find that most of the group were already there and so began our Muster.
We had steady showers of rain all afternoon but we (14 couples) had a great time up in the camp kitchen.
On Friday we had steady heavy rain and were not able to go out and about BUT we did get to sit in the shed and chatter and the camaraderie was wonderful.  We were unable to play Klopp/Finska as there was nowhere solid enough to play, so we played Quoits or played card games - SkipBo or Phase 10.  Phase 10 is VERY similar to a game that we were shown last year by our friends Doreen and Ken - called FRUSTRATION.
That evening we ventured out in the rain to the Bowling Club for dinner as a booking had been made on our behalf - there were 28 of us there and the rain continued to pour down and we watched the news with all the scenes of flooding around the south-east and thanked the Lord that we were high and 'dry'.
Saturday morning the sun was out and the skies clear so we decided to go for drive into Killarney and were VERY surprised to see how close the town had come to being under water.  The level had got to 7 metres and was lapping the underside of the bridge.  On the downstream side you could see where the water had almost got up into the playing fields and we were also to learn that the road into Warwick - 4 kms from where we were staying - had been cut about 4am that morning.
That afternoon we again had showers of rain - so the outdoor game was again out of question - so back to cards and quoits.  Those that didn't play got to know each other in the chatter.
Sunday was Market day at the Town Hall in Warwick, so we ventured in.  The road was open but you could see where the water had been and where it had washed away the fences.  The markets were a virtual non-event with only 5 of the usual 30 stalls braving the cool, sometimes wet, conditions.
We then walked up the street and realised that it was an outback town and NO shops were open (except for a couple of cafes).  Back to the park and did some knitting and then up to the camp kitchen again for cards and quoits :D
Monday was a lovely clear day and sunny and we said farewell to four couples who headed home and one couple who was starting an 18 month journey around Australia and then we went for a drive up to Brown's Falls (couldn't get more than 300m up the walk as the creek was up over the path :C);  Then onto Dagg's Falls, where Darryl took the photos as my spins were trying to start :CC.  Up past Queen Mary Falls to Carr's lookout.  We were hoping to have morning tea at Spring Creek Cafe and look down the valley to the "Head of the Condomine and beginning of the great Murray-Darling Basin' BUT it was closed for the day.   So we headed back down to Queen Mary Falls and had a coffee at the cafe there.  We were going to try a Devonshire tea but they had run out of scone on Sunday and had not made any more :C.
Whilst there we saw a couple of articles about the nephew of my dear friend Val Mawhinney, young Chris Macgregor was a very TINY baby when he was born in Brisbane and I think he still holds the record for the smallest surviving baby.  Anyway he is a renowned whip-cracker, and a poem titled "The Killarney Kid" is written about him.  I thought he was about our Beckie's age, but his partner works in the cafe and corrected me.  Chris is only 27 not 35 :DD
We then went for a walk around the circuit to see the falls, the first bridge crossing was fine but once we got to see the falls proper - I could take a quick photo and then had to hug the rail and move back to the rock face where I knew I couldn't topple over the edge.
Back to the park and chatter and cards once again.
On Tuesday we said farewell to some more of the group before Darryl and I did a drive to Casino for the day.  A lovely drive which we didn't see much of on the way there due to the very thick fog for the first 2 hours 15 mins of the drive.  The fog cleared about 20km out of Casino.  We had a great day wandering the town and checking it out and young Sarah at the Information Centre was a wealth of knowledge.  We then had lunch and began the journey back.  It was here that we saw the country clearly as the skies were cloudless and the sun was shining.  The journey back only took us 2 hours 5 minutes :D.  It was interesting seeing how HIGH the creeks has risen in the rain but were almost back to there normal heights now.  There was evidence of where the road to Casino had been cut about 7 times from Woodenbong.  On arrival back at the park it was still too wet for Klopp/Finska and so we played cards once more.
Wednesday  My Sister JENNY has her birthday.  Wished her a very Happy Birthday and then Darryl and I headed into the Pig and Calf Markets along with about 4 other couples.  Very interesting and they also have a car-boot sale as well as a fruit and veg market, soft serve ice-cream van and a coffee van.  We then went up the main street, had a wander, got a couple of gifts and then headed back to the van park.  More of the group had headed out this morning and there were only 4 vans left.
We all congregated in the shed for happy hour and then two couples headed out to the local pub for dinner.  A nice meal and great company and the pub shut at 8.10pm and we were asked to leave.  We were quite happy sitting and chatting but did not want to cause angst - so headed back to the vans.
Thursday (today) is our BECKIE's Birthday, so wished her a very Happy Birthday nice and early before the rest of the group headed homewards.  Two were heading out to the highway and then down Cunninghams Gap to Brisbane and the other two were heading back through Woodenbong to Rathdowney and home that way.
We got home to find that our lovely neighbours had put our bins out yesterday and they were now empty.  A great big thank you to Debbie and Paul.  Appreciate your thoughtfulness.

Not a lot of news at the moment - or so I thought :)

On the 10th April we were camped at Inglewood, Queensland and Darryl said he wanted to take me out to dinner  :) - so we went for a walk down the main road and found a great little cafe - Dorries Takeaway - who do Gluten Free meals.  Yee ha.... Lovely crumbed fish with sweet potato wedges and salad. YUM.  Darryl had ordinary fish and sweet potato wedges and Buster was with us the whole time.  Was lovley sitting in the garden beside the Cafe.  [The other cafe that we have found that offers GF options is on the main road at Nanango in QLD].

Friday 11th we awoke and decided to head to Jimboomba and spend some time with the grandchildren as they are on school holidays.  We arrived just on lunch time and had a great lunch.
Spent quality time with Beckie and the three oldest children before 'Lucky Last' woke from his sleep. Ben managed to call in on his way to Kooralbyn and it was great to hear about his drive up north and his stay at Nebo.
We then spent some time with him when Mum, Brad and Gemma went up to the shops.
We decided to stay the night so that we could also spend some time with Matt - which was good.

Saturday we packed up just before lunch and headed homeward.  Parked the van on the verge and then headed off to Ben's place to have some birthday drinks with Daniel.  His birthday wasn't until Monday but was great to catch up with him over a couple of drinks and a great BBQ dinner.

Sunday we got out and tidied the garden and started doing the mowing before it rained --- yep we had an inch in 24 hours - which will do the garden good.  We will need to tend to the garden once the ground dries out a bit.  There are a few trees that need trimming back but will have to see how we go there as we only have the green-waste bin to put it into.
Our clothes line needs replacing as a palm frond fell on it a couple of months ago and the rotary part of it is sitting at an awkward angle and is making it difficult to hang the clothes - thank goodness for the extend-a-line under the patio.  We are trying to see if we can just get the rotary part - as the base is in 20kg of concrete and I don't really feel like trying to get that out of the ground. :)

Monday I got stuck into some sewing of the quilt that I am making for 'Lucky Last' and it is coming together well.  It is a 'quilt as you go' quilt so working with manageable sized pieces which are quilted and then joined together with bias binding on the back.  Managed to get all our washing done and dry - so can repack the van.

Today we went and had our 6 monthly bloods done and did some shopping to re-stock the pantry.  It is amazing how the cost builds up :(.
As we were returning from the blood tests we noticed a marked wheel wobble in the front so called into Dunlop Tyre service at Victoria Point and had a wheel balance attended.  The drivers side had 10/30 and the passenger side had 30/60 - which apparently is NOT very good.  Now the wheels are balanced and the car is not shuddering as we drive.  We have also booked the car in for its service next week with our friendly mechanic - Paul.

I am now booked in to have my hearing aids fitted on the 1st May.  Because of all the public holidays over the next two weeks there is a BIG delay.  Will be good to have them in and not have to blast people out with the high volume on TV and radio, and not miss out on conversations.  We will then have to stay around Brisbane area for about a month - so that  they can be fine tuned.  So we are looking at what needs doing here at the house and on the van.

school Holidays 27.9.2013

We have just had all the grandchildren and their mother visiting for the week. And how quickly the time flew.
Most days we took the children to nearby Thompsons Beach for a few hours - a nice gentle beach with lots of sand and no crashing waves.  The children had a ball.
Wednesday we went and visited my cousin - Julie and her two daughters and spent a full day with them.  Again the time flew past and we found ourselves heading home after 8pm.  All the children fell asleep on the hour long journey.
Thursday - Darryl and Bradley headed off to the airport to collect Ben and Daniel as they had returned from their epic trip to the USA.  They called into home for about an hour before Darryl took them the rest of the journey to their unit in Eagleby.
Thursday afternoon Ben came and joined us for dinner and we had a great time learning about their adventures in USA and Canada.
Friday (today) Beckie and the three younger children headed home and Bradley is staying for an extra couple of days.
'Lucky Last' has come along in leaps and bounds.  Over the past week he has learnt to crawl on all-fours and he is pulling himself up and walking along the furniture with minimal assistance.  Even when he is holding on to your finger - he isn't really hanging on. Cheeky little fellow and the only one that can get him to REALLY giggle is 'Monkey Boy'.  Whenever they are together there are tons of giggles.
This coming week we were supposed to be camping with the Campertrailer group at BATLOW, But we are at home as I still have some medical tests to be done to sort out my issues.  We will be hanging around for a couple weeks and then may do a short trip and be back in time for my repeat scans in November.
We were to be in Mudgee in October with the ACC for the National Muster but will not be there for the same reason. So get the health issues sorted and next year we will plod our way around the country in the van.

25/7/2013 Victoria Point

Well life keeps throwing curve balls in our direction :-(

For the past 6 months I have had an increasing amount of bloating of my upper abdomen and increasing pain with major effects on my colon and no real indication as to why. :-(
Had a CT scan which showed a problem with an ovary - but not upper abdomen???
Admitted to hospital for a colonoscopy and gastroscopy which ALL came back clear and normal and NO cancerous looking lesions and no polyps.  No indication as to why my abdomen is STILL bloated although the cramping seems to have disappeared majorly. [oops spoke too soon :-( ]
US scan of the ovary has been attended and now awaiting the results from that.  We would like to go travelling to escape it all BUT I would rather be near our good Doctor and try and get it all sorted.  The saying 'caught between a rock and a hard place' has been bandied about quite a bit.

Saturday week ago, Darryl's brother Neville arrived at 7.30am for a visit.
He will be here for a little while more.
On the day that Neville arrived we got word that one of our nephews had been in a serious car crash where there was a fatality.  It has been a very difficult [nearly] two weeks for this young man, his family and his very dear friends - coping with the loss of a very close and dear friend.  The outpouring of support for all the lads involved and of the grief to the other young man's family has been overwhelming, but so good to see and hear.

Last Sunday, Beckie was doing some painting in the extensions that her hubby Matt has built for the boys - to get the rooms finished so the boys can go into them, when she fell from the ladder and her foot landed sideways on a tin of paint (luckily the lid was on) and has broken her foot.  She is now in a backslab plaster and awaiting an appointment to go to the fracture clinic and a more semi-permanent cast.
Difficult being in plaster - not allowed to weight-bear, on crutches and looking after a 6 month old. :-(
We are trying to work out how we can get out there to help her, but will be unable to do much until after Neville returns home.  At this point in time, Matt's mother Janine is going to camp on their front lawn in her caravan to assist where she can.

Late yesterday evening we got word that my God-Father, Uncle Keith, has got some major health issues and will need a biopsy in the coming days.  Initial prognosis does not look promising BUT will await the report from the biopsy and pray that it is not as bad as what the GP is predicting.

So the cosmos is not really working with us at the moment. Will keep you up to date but there may be long stretches where nothing happens.

Good news is that our BABY son :D is turning 31 tomorrow.  So a big Happy Birthday Ben.  Hoping that you have a great day.  Looking forward to going to dinner in the evening. Love ya heaps.

 at his Christening in Dec 1982

Some good stuff, the grandchildrens school photos and I will use the names that their Mum uses:

Mr Man aged 14

Miss Independant 7

Monkey Boy 5

Thank you for visiting my blog and hopefully there will be good news in the next issue.

Back in Queensland and Back near Brisbane :)

Hi all,
Well we were at Narrabri on our homeward journey and on Saturday we left Narrabri at 9.45am (NSW) for further north and when we reached Goondiwindi and had to turn our clocks back it became 12.30pm.  The next sign we saw said that it was 'only 3 1/2hrs to Brissy, kids' so we thought we would keep plodding on.... :-)
We got to Warwick and it was only 1 1/2 hours to Jimboomba - so we kept going.  We got to Jimboomba at 5pm and the kids were super excited - so was Beckie and Matt too when he got home.
It was so good to see them and we rang Ben and he and Daniel came over from their unit in Eagleby and spent a few hours with us too.
We have spent a lovely day today with Beckie and the children and Matt was out getting parts for the water filter to go under the sink.  He did manage to come and spend some quality time with us after lunch though.
Tomorrow the children will be at school and daycare and Matt will be at work, but we will stay at Jimboomba so that I can be here for Beckie's antenatal appointment on Tuesday morning.  We will then go back to our home in Victoria Point :-) and see Ronnie and Graeme.
Looking forward to getting everything out of the van for a thorough spring clean and so that Darryl can take out the items he wants to (his stuff only though) hehehehe.

Alice Springs NT

3^rd May 2012  We left Woomera at about 8.30am and made our way out to the highway and turned North.  

 Lake Hart just out of Woomera - a panorama

 a closer shot of the Salt Lake

 the countryside that we travelled though today

We made our way to Glendambo and refuelled the cars.  $1.699 per litre.  We also had a bit of a walk around We travelled as far as Ingomar station and stopped at the road stop.  We arrived at 12.30pm and set up for the night.  This stop is on top of a rise and we had a great view of the landscape. 

 Ingomar Rest stop - a panorama

 this is where we stayed the night

 Glendambo Roadhouse

 Sunset

 sun - gone

 here comes the night sky

 We watched the sun go down and again it did not disappoint but by golly the sun disappeared very quickly.  The flies are terrible J and the need of our fly-net was great J.  We were unable to have a fire tonight as it is such an open area and traffic keeps coming and going.

4^th May 2012 Today we made our way to Cadney Homestead in SA.  We refuelled here at $1.98 per litre and stayed the night in the van park.  $25 per night for a powered site. Water (bore water but was good through the B.E.S.T filter) and good amenities also.  There is also a pool available for guests.  There is an airstrip for the RFDS and also the Ghan goes past twice a week.  Not for us though L

  Sunrise at Ingomar

 and here it is......

the 'Big Truck' at Coober Pedy

 Mural at the big truck

 mine excavation

 looking toward Coober Pedy

  Landscape near Coober Pedy

 Buster in his Chair at Cadney Homestead

 our camp

 Buster again :)

Darryl and I went into the restaurant for dinner.  I had Chicken Kiev and Darryl had the Cadney Homestead Grill.  Both lovely meals and well priced also.  They have happy hour every night from 6-7pm with selected beers and wines $1 off normal cost.

5^th May 2012 Today we made our way to Agnes Creek South of Kulgera and still in SA.  This is a great rest stop with lots of area along the creek bank.  We got our positions just after lunch and set up.  

  a messa

 our travelled road today

 a very tired puppy dog

 set up at Agnes Creek

 a gum in the creek

 more gums

 the moon rising

 sunset

 here comes the night sky

 final sunset colours

 We dug ourselves a good fire pit and then went foraging for the firewood.  Lots of it available.  There are already two vanners here and they look like they have been here a while.  No water in the creek but cool sand in the shade.

 our campfire

 moon shining on the clouds

By night fall we are joined by 4 more vans, 2 motor homes, a 4X4, a campervan and a camper trailer.  All those staying the night had a lovely campfire to sit besides.  The moon was brilliant tonight.  No need for torches as you could see quite a distance just in the moonlight.

6^th May 2012 – Happy Birthday to my sister Jenny.  Hope you are having a great day.  We have been without mobile access since we left Woomera so have no idea what is happening out there in the ‘real’ world.  We travelled to The NT today – arriving at the border just on 9.30am.  

 leaving South Australia

 Welcome to the Northern Territory

We then continued on our way to Kulgera where we again refilled the fuel tanks.  Price here was $2.10per litre. 

 Kulgera Roadhouse

 Northern Territory roads - can you see the eagle???

 a rocky mountain

  We then continued another 180km to our stop for the day – Finke River rest stop.

Right on the river bank and there is actually some water in the river – not much (a couple of puddles actually) but water just the same.  It is right be the highway but hopefully we will have a good night.  We have already been joined by two more caravans and a motorhome and it is just 1.45pm.
By nightfall there were over 20 vehicles parked in this little camp spot.  Ohh but such a great spot.

 Finke River

 checking out the water hole at Finke River

7^th May 2012 – Happy Birthday to our daughter Beckie.  A big 32 today.  Hoping you are having a great day with your family OR did you celebrate yesterday as it was the weekend???? Whichever – we hope that you have had a great day and that our card has arrived J  

Today we have travelled from Finke River into Alice Springs – about a 90km trip – such long days!!!!  We will be staying here for four nights and hope to see a bit of ‘the ALICE’.  We are staying in a little van park about 9 km out of Alice and it is great with a fantastic backdrop.

 here come the red rock hills

 Welcome to Alice Springs

 Our backdrop on arrival

 Heading into Alice Springs through Heavitree Gap

 Our backdrop as the sun starts to go down

 Sunset in progress

Went into Alice for lunch only to find that most things were closed because it is a public holiday here – oops – forgot about May Day L L

8^th May Did two loads of washing this morning and then headed into Alice.  For some reason there was internet coverage for a short while yesterday – but I wasn’t quick enough for it – and today there is none at all.  Even the phone doesn’t want to work properly.  Whilst in Alice we found out that someone cut through a cable (somewhere between here and Darwin) and disconnected the internet to the bottom half of the Territory.  Hopefully it will be back on soon…………  In the meantime I got some lovely fabrics with Aboriginal prints on them from local artists..... yay

Got a message from my cousin Kerri telling me that her Mum is not real well.  Sorry to hear that guys and our thoughts are with you all. 

Darryl and I are well and Buster is travelling ok.  We left him in the van yesterday when we went into town and several people told us on our return that he constantly barked and cried L

Today when we went to town we left him outside with his bed and plenty of water and it seems to have been what he wanted.  Thankfully J

The weather today was up to 32 degrees with a morning temp of 11 degrees ---- yay…..

9th May Today we travelled out to Simpsons Gap

 driving into Simpson's Gap

nearly there

 walking the creek bed

 getting closer

 looking back up the creek

into the gap we go

 Simpson's Gap

 can you see how the young tree is engulfing the old tree???

 part of the West McDonnell range

and then back to see Flynn's grave

 Flynn's grave

 Flynn's grave

  and then to the Araluan Cultural Precinct in town.  We saw the Albert Namatjira display and the Aviation Museum, near here is the Alice Springs Cemetary and Albert's final resting place.  

We then headed to Anzac hill for a 360 degree view.

Panorama of Alice Springs looking South

Looking to the West McDonnell Range

Looking to the East McDonnell Range

part of the East McDonnell Range

 Anzac Hill memorial at Alice Springs

 a ghost gum in the van park

 can you see the Eagle?

a young kangaroo this afternoon.

 there is a joey in that pouch :)

 Albert Namatjira's grave

 Lassiter's grave

Back to the van and to find that Buster has been a very good dog today and only barked when people got too close.

9pm - got word this evening that my Aunty Nancy passed away.  Our deepest and sincerest sympathies to the immediate and extended families.  Aunty Nancy was the 'keeper of the family stories' and unfortunately none of us managed to get them on tape before she went to join Uncle Billy.  Such a sad evening.....
Will have to try and find out if there are any flights that we can get to get back to Wagga for the funeral.