Glen Innes 19.10.11

Hello everyone

Friday 14^th October

Well last night the live music was good but the volume and the base were very much over the top and it started to cause me to spin – so Darryl walked me back to the van.  Had to take some extra medication to get me settled L

I was unable to get up until about 11.30am this morning.  I was still quite unsteady for the rest of the day.   Darryl noticed that the fridge in the car was not getting enough power to keep it running so we had to turn it off and take the car for a run to charge the secondary battery.  We headed to Delungra and then west to Warialda.  Six kilometres out of Warialda we saw a sign for ‘Cranky Rock’ recreational grounds.  So we decided to investigate.  Four kilometres of reasonably good dirt roads bought us to a campground and our first sight were three Emu’s grazing. 

There were another couple there from the ACC and we stood chatting to them for a while.  We then went for a walk to the lookout and saw the balancing rocks

  Cranky Rock

and then down into the creek area for a different perspective. 

  Reedy Creek

We had to walk across a suspension bridge and Darryl waited until I was half way across and then he started bouncing the bridge…… L Not a good move…..

 Suspension Bridge

Back to the car and called into the kiosk come office.  There are three powered sites here and they can fit up to 28 RV’s in the area.  Whether this be campertrailers, tents, caravans, motorhomes or campervans.  Reasonable rates of $15 per powered site and $10 unpowered.  Reasonable amenities also.

Back into the car and off to Warialda.  We had visited Warialda last year and it is still a lovely little town. Continued on our way to Bingara and returned just in time for the Blue Ribbon Afternoon tea. (This was to raise funds for prostate cancer awareness amongst the men.  And the group raised $800 to go to the cancer research).

 Doreen and Ken

Saturday 15^th

Today we were up early and off to the township and the iconic Roxy Theatre for a day of presentations. 

 Roxy Theatre built in 1936

 Inside the Roxy

First up was a local truckie who runs a big business and he was promoting safe travel and communication between truckies and the caravanning world.  He gave us some good hints and tips and he was also taking notes to take back to his drivers.

There was a bit of delay before the next presentation so they screened part of the movie “The long, long trailer” with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez.  What a great old movie and you can just SEE some of those events happening today.

 Long, Long trailer

Next we had the ACC legal-eagle give us a talk on most legal matters and the best way to get things in hand.  This was a very interesting talk and we got a lot out of it.  We then took a break for lunch and to return for the AGM.  We took the opportunity to check out the 1950’s milkbar that is attached to the Theatre.  The council is trying to get someone in to re-open the milkbar and operate it in the 50’s theme.

milkbar

 ahh milkshakes.....

We were then entertained by the Inverell Male Choir.  12 men aged from 62 to 85 performed for us for about an hour.  It was very good.

 Inverell Male Choir

Back to the van and getting ready for a group photo before dinner.  This should appear in the ‘Caravan and Motorhome magazine’ issue 168 J  we then went in for the Dinner.  This was very well catered for with lots of well-fed attendees.  Afterward we were entertained by the band ‘Brumby’s Run’ from Newcastle.  The music was fantastic and to prevent a recurrence of Thursday night – I had the use of earplugs and was tapping along to the music quite happily until about 10.30.  Once we returned to the van I was able to remove the ear plugs and sit and listen to the music – what a great way to be ‘rocked’ to sleep J  During the night we had a huge thunderstorm and big winds that truly rocked the van.

Sunday 16^th

Today started out with a communal breakfast at 8am and some people came in their PJ’s as it was early :D.  We were treated to juice, preserved fruit, danishes, eggs, bacon, toast and coffee or tea.  All for $7.50 a head.  Not bad.

This was then followed by the raffle draw.  Darryl and I won two bottles of wine and Ken and Doreen won a set of wheel chocks that can take 8 tonne.  We were very happy to win anything and there was $2,500 raised from the sale of tickets – so another good effort for funds for the local Community fund that supports people with illnesses that are struggling to keep their heads above water.

We then had the closing ceremony.  This did not take long at all and we had people leaving whilst this was going on.  This was disappointing as some were only leaving the showground to go and camp by the river. I think there must have been at least 50 vans pulled out on Sunday afternoon.

Our dear friends Doreen and Ken left Sunday afternoon to go to Bellata to visit Doreen’s sister and mother.  This would take them about an hour and a half.  It was sad to see them leave but it was fantastic having the week parked next to them and sharing so much time together.  Reminded me of when we lived next door to each other in Raymond Terrace J J

Happy hour was quite subdued as we knew that tomorrow many more would be leaving L

Monday 17^th

There were people who pulled out at 5.30am this morning !!!!!! L Seemed a really silly time to be leaving when we knew some only had to travel a couple of hours to get home.  By the afternoon there were only 14 of us left…….  Everyone gathered at 5pm for happy hour over near the main building and then we all went our separate ways for dinner.  We were hoping to have Chinese but when we got there the restaurant had just closed at 7.15pm L  so off to the Imperial pub for dinner and a very filling one it was too.

 not many left

 'Nigel-no-friends' :(

Tuesday 18^th

We were up and packed up by 9.30am.  By the time we said goodbye to those left behind it was 10.15 before we drove out of Bingara.  We arrived at Glen Innes at 11.45 and stopped for lunch before proceeding to the van park.  Whilst having lunch we met up with a couple of ACC members who were on their way home to Queensland.  We pulled into the Glen Rest Tourist Park and met with Helen and Bill again.  We met them when we were here last November with our friends Jenni and Gordy from Maitland.  It was so COLD here compared to Bingara.  Only got up to 22 degrees….  And we had had 31 at Bingara.

 Glen Rest Tourist Park

We joined Helen and Bill for Happy hour and then returned to the van to cook dinner.  We rang Darryl’s brother Neville to check on our niece Samantha.  Sam suffers from Crohns Disease and had to have major surgery on Friday.  She went back to surgery today to remove more of her intestines.  When we rang she was only just coming out of theatres.  Hopefully all will go well now.

Wednesday 19^th

Up early this morning and it was very cold again, only 5 degrees…  We got the two loads of washing done and then headed into town.  We got some groceries and then went to get some supplies for lunch.  When we got back it was to find that Ross and Brigitte the owners of the park, had returned from their holiday in Townsville.  It was so good to see them again.  They have made some really good changes to the park and improved it immensely.  We are going to stay an extra night and spend some quality time with them tomorrow and leave for home on Friday. 

Our trip is almost to an end. L  It is hard to believe that we have been on the road for 18 weeks today.  We are so used to this little space that we are calling home – that I think we will find it strange to be in a whole house again…… J  It will be great to get home and see the family and spend some quality time with them.  Then there will be the chore of emptying out the van and giving everything a really good clean.  We want to put the van over the weigh bridge as we think that the weights they have given us are incorrect.  We think it actually weighs MORE than the rego sticker says.  So for peace of mind – we want to get it weighed empty and then full to make sure that we are not going over the weights specified.

There are some things to come out of the van and the car that we have NOT used over the past 18 weeks.

Hoping that you are all keeping well.

Bingara 13.10.11

Hello everyone
We arrived at Bingara on Sunday afternoon and promptly started setting up our site.  Our dear friends Doreen and Ken Scott have got the site next to us and they will be arriving tomorrow.
Currently there are about 55 caravanners hers and there will be up to 130 once they all arrive.

We are at the showgrounds and there would be room for about 400 caravans or motorhomes etc here.  It is quite a BIG area.  The showground committee have gone to the trouble of painting the amenity blocks and putting in extra power blocks and water access.  So everyone here, for the next week, will be able to have access.  The towns’ people are very friendly and very welcoming to us as we do our shopping.

Monday

Doreen and Ken arrived just on lunch time.  Darryl and I were in the town getting our groceries and topping up the Moscato supplies  :D J when they rang to say they were not too far out.               

We showed them the way back to the Muster office and got them booked in. Darryl then reversed the van onto the site for Ken.  Ken has been driving trucks all his working life but the backing of the van has got him stumped……..  He’ll get there with practice.  Darryl and I have done quite a bit of parking of the van over the past 16 weeks J J

We attended Happy hour with our nearby neighbours and then we cooked dinner for Doreen and Ken – Pork with Apple in the camp oven and vegies.  Yummmmm

Tuesday
Doreen had to go into the hospital to have a dressing put on her finger. [She had an injury at work and amputated the tip of her left index finger and that is her dominant hand].  They called once finished and we went up and met them at the ‘Batterham Lookout’ which has a great view of Bingara and the community. 

Whilst we were there, the local paper Editor arrived to take a photo of the Showgrounds and found ten of the ACC (Australian Caravan Club) members taking in the same view – so decided to take a photo of us and the showgrounds together.

We all meandered back to the campground and had lunch before heading across to the opening ceremony at 1pm.  This year we are very pleased to have Lionel Mussel in our presence. 

Lionel started the ACC in 2006 and has been quite ill with Cancer and the subsequent treatment.  He doesn’t look too bad for an 80 year old.  This is Ken and Doreen’s first meet with the ACC and they have both commented on how friendly the people are and there is such a welcoming atmosphere.  But of course – we are all doing what we enjoy….. camping and socialising with like-minded people.

We then had a talk about the new Farm Stay programme or FaSt.  This is where members of the ACC can stay on farms of other ACC members for no cost for up to 72 hours.  What a way to get out and see other members and their varied farms and the surrounding countryside.  We have had a demonstration and talk from the local fire brigade about safety whilst vanning which was quite interesting as there have been new rules introduced in NSW about smoke alarms in vans.  Then most of those attending the muster participated in the Boules (Bocce) tournament.  Unfortunately Darryl and I were knocked out in today’s round but Doreen and Ken are through to the quarter finals tomorrow.  Tuesday night we had a talk on household insurance.

Wednesday

Today we made front page of the local paper J Today is also the birthday of our best friend Gloria. 
We then listened to Lionel talk to us about tips, tricks and security whilst travelling Australia.  He has just completed 17,000 kms across the Nullabor, up the west, across the top and down through Qld.
Doreen, Ken and I went into town to get morning tea and some more ‘incahol’ whilst Darryl attended the Fishing tips talk.  He then went for a visit to the local Fish Hatchery.
Doreen and I attended the talk on ‘Computers on the road’ and all the different computer media that is now available.  We then gathered at 4pm for the Boules quarter finals.  Unfortunately Doreen and Ken were knocked out in this round – so we headed back to the van where Darryl was busily making three batches of scones for Happy hour – with jam and cream please……  they went down a treat with all those sitting around playing ‘KLOP’ in our happy hour.  [Klop is a Finnish game and is really quite fun.  Can take up to 2 hours to complete a game when lots are participating] Instead of going to Charades tonight we sat in Doreen and Ken’s van and did some surfing on the net and showing Doreen how to crop and adjust photos.
Into bed by 9.30 but boy an I stuffed  :D :0 J

Thursday

This morning we had breakfast cooked for us by Ken and Doreen. Very nice indeed.
We then headed out to the free camping areas along the Gwydir River here at Bingara.  Lots of lovely parks right down on the river and all supported by the council.
When we returned I had a terrible headache and my knee was really starting to ache.  I sent Darryl off to do the washing J and I had a nap – 2 hours later I woke up – feeling much better.
Tonight we have a ‘hamburger’ dinner and then some live music from 8pm.  Should be good.  The past three days have been absolutely glorious and this afternoon we are starting to get some cloud cover and the breeze is picking up to a wind………

We will be at Bingara until next Tuesday morning and then heading to Glen Innes to see our friends Ian and Maryanne.  We SHOULD be home by the 21^st October.

Manilla and heading to Baradine 8.10.11

Hi all.  Just a quick one......
We have spent three days with my brother Peter at Coolah and were out of reception range with the internet.

Have been in Manilla since yesterday with a friend who I did my General Nurse trainging with at Sydney Hospital way back in 1974.  It has been lovely spending time with Sue and her family.  We have been camped in her Mum's yard.
Unfortunately Sue has had to work each afternoon and she will b working tomorrow morning also.
We are leaving tomorrow to head to Bingara - a whole hour up the road.  Meeting up with our dear friends Doreen and Ken from Raymond Terrace and the rest of our Caravanning friends.