a very eventful year!!!!

Hello everyone,
So sorry for not being a regular writer even when we have been in internet reception.
We have been very busy and caring for our friends properties during January to July.
It has been a difficult year weather wise [just like everywhere else in Australia] and we all DESPERATELY need good quenching rains.  Not just 20 or 50 ml, but about 100mm [4 inches] and then followup rains also.
It was a pleasure to care for our friends home whilst they travelled Tasmania in Feb to May, and then again in June when they travelled to Mexico for their sons wedding.  We also looked after our friends farm out near Crows Nest whilst they were away visiting the ancestral property out near Barcaldine.
In May, Darryl and I travelled to Barcaldine to be part of the AMLC [Australian Motorhomes Lions Club] GWR [Guinness World Record] attempt at 2 world records.  The first was the longest line of LED lights.  the World record was 660metres.  When the lights were measured at Barcaldine it was just over 5,900 metres. 
There were over 930 vehicles registered to participated in the longest line of rolling RV's.  On the Saturday afternoon and evening all the RV's had to drive out to the Barcaldine/Isisford Road and park up along the edge of the road, and be no more than 1 metre between you and the one in front.  This line of vehicles measured nearly 11kms.  We were vehicle 671 in the line.  On Sunday morning we were to be ready by 8am to begin the parading part of the record, but before we could start we had to wait for a helicopter to come flying over as it was recording the line of vehicles parked up.  At the same time the official distance recorder was marking a 3 1/2km stretch of road with lines at each kilometre.  There were video cameras and still cameras at each km and again at the 3 1/2 km mark, recording it all.
Darryl and I started rolling at 10am and reached Barcaldine (7km away) at 12.30pm.  We had a quick lunch and then had to head back to Toowoomba as I had to be there for Tuesday to teach weaving at the state [primary] school.
It took quite a few months for the data and videos and everything to be collated and went to Guinness World records office to be validated.  In October we were informed that the 'longest line of LED lights was NOT accepted as the line did not form and image.  I can recall that we were told it had to be the longest line, not that it had to form an image!  We found out in November that the Australian Records Office HAS recognised it as an Australian Record.
In Mid November we were informed that the GWR office had approved the longest line of parading RV's and will be recorded in the GWR data as having 868 vehicles [the previous record was 630 vehicles in Italy].
At the end of April Barb had a fall and damaged the thumb on her left hand.  Originally she was told that there was a small piece of bone chipped off it, BUT no one has been able to find it on x-ray since.  In late August she was informed that the joint is full of arthritis and she now has to wear a brace to keep the thumb bone in its correct position.
Throughout first semester Barb was teaching weaving to the students of the state school one day a week.  She thoroughly enjoyed this, and at the same time was attempting to teach the students some Wiradjuri language with the assistance of the Wiradjuri dictionary.  She had applied to do the language course through TAFE and was accepted to start in August 2019.
During May the doctors at the medical practice in Toowoomba changed Barb's medication to a newer form of her diabetic medications.
Towards the end of July, Barb was experiencing Meniere's symptoms and was treating it as per her usual regimen.  It didn't really improve and Barb was experiencing breathlessness on top of all her other symptoms [vertigo, tinnitus, nausea, vomiting] and then she started vomiting incessantly.
This progressed to where she was experiencing chest pain.  Darryl made the decision to take her the 45mins into the ED [Emergency department] at Toowoomba Hospital.  We arrived there at nearly 4 am and Barb was still vomiting and unable to walk more than about 4 metres at a time, before needing to rest and catch her breath.  She was taken through into ED proper and placed on a trolley.  Barb was quite dehydrated but the staff managed to get a sample of blood and then there was a room full of people and we were informed that Barb was in a DKA [Diabetic Keto Acidosis] episode and  we were very lucky to have taken her in when we did.
She was in ED for most of the 24 hours, before being taken to CCU/ICU [Critical Care Unit/Intensive Care Unit] where more procedures were attended and more IV lines inserted to try and get her glucose levels down and her other electrolytes within normal limits.  She was in CCU/ICU for 24 hours before being transferred to the medical unit.  It was here that she was informed that the new diabetic medications that were started in May, had been mimicking her Meniere's, and because she was treating the Meniere's symptoms, the diabetes was getting way out of control.  She is now very well aware that she must double check her diabetes BEFORE thinking it is Meniere's.
Barb was unable to walk as she was very unsteady on her feet and was instructed that she would need a physio review before being able to get out of bed.  After 4 days, she was reviewed and permitted to walk using a wheelie-walker with assistance.  Ummmmm - well, using a wheelie-walker anyway.
Because she was still having a lot of difficulty trying to drink and eat and still experiencing lots of burning in the oesophagus, she was taken to theatre for a gastroscopy, and informed that she had severe ulceration and oesophagitis.  She was commenced on anti-reflux medications via IV and oral.  She was reviewed the next day and instructed that she could go home with oral medications and a repeat gastroscopy in 6 weeks.
Barb stayed with Beckie and family for nearly a week, as she was unable to lie flat due to reflux, and she could sleep sitting up at the house.  After a week, Barb and Darryl moved to their friends home in Glenvale and awaited a review at the hospital.  After the review they travelled to Beachmere [near Bribie Island] for three weeks R+R.  Darryl did some fishing and Barb rested and began learning how to regulate her new medications.
We returned to Toowoomba for the repeat gastroscopy - and given a clear result. 
We then travelled to Wallerawang to spend time with Karen and Trevor.  During this time Barb travelled to Sydney to attend her Post-Grads luncheon at Parliament House and then a mini reunion with several of her fellow trainees.  It was a great time and she managed to spend two days with Gloria and 3 days with Sue.  She also caught up with Sheila (who had travelled out from England), Mary, Celia, Helen and Jenny.
Barb returned to Wallerawang, after catching up with Nicole in Penrith. 
We then spent a week with Karen and Trevor, before heading to Wagga Wagga and staying with Ian, Wendy and Holly.  Whilst here we caught up with Jenny and Family, Lyn and family, Barry and Raylene, Sharon and Stacey and then children, Di and Darryl and many others,  Sorry if I have missed anyone!
Barb also spent time with the Hands On Weavers [HOW] and also visited the Family History Centre to research different branches of the family.
We left Wagga Wagga and headed back towards Toowoomba.  We also stopped for the morning at 'The Dish' at Parkes.  What a fantastic morning we had, albeit with the flies.
We arrived back in Toowoomba and spent some time with Beckie and the grandchildren prior to travelling to Crows Nest to spend time with our branch of the Australian Caravan Club.  We had a great time catching up with old friends.  Hopefully over the next 12 months we will be able to catch up more often.
In November, Beckie purchased a small cottage in Toowoomba and she and the children have moved into their HOME.  No more rentals!
We are now in Logan Reserve spending time with dear friends [who happens to be our mechanic] and catching up with Sue and Gloria whilst we are here.
We are returning to Toowoomba for Christmas with family members before doing a farm sit for our friends Sandra and Tom.

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous and Safe New Year.

Trip to South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales #14

Hi all
We have been in Wagga for two weeks now, staying with my brother Ian's family.
Whilst here we have caught up with family and friends and the days have just FLOWN past.  There are lots of people that we WANT to see but it is finding the day and time to see them.
I have been to the Hands On Weavers (HOW) group and renewed some friendships, and went to a weaving workshop where I made a pouch using cumbungi - under the tutorial of Harriet Goodall - a renowned Weaver from Robertson in NSW.
I got some great news on Wednesday of last week - an Art Gallery in Alice Springs want my weaving in their gallery.  I am currently completing orders for them.  All because they saw my Sista Basket when we were in their gallery.  I am pretty chuffed with that.
Only 2 days left before Christmas morning - so we are wishing ALL OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS and a safe and prosperous 2019.
Keep safe one and all.

Trip to South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales #7

#7

Mon 22^nd.  We were packed up and ready to depart by 9.30am.  We saw several of our friends depart by 8am and decided that was way too early :D.  We returned up through Mount Barker onto highway 80 before turning off towards Wagin and onto highway 120.  We stopped at HIGHBURY for a coffee and then the shop owner took us into his yard to show us his Kangaroo paw plants.  He had red, yellow, orange, black, white and the red and green ones also.  A beautiful display of these natives.

We travelled on to the town of Beverley, where they have a donation camp in town opposite the river park where there are amenities.  We set up the van and then wandered into town and had a coffee before walking up the streets and checking out the murals and the old buildings throughout the town.  We then went back to the van and had a quite night.

Tues 23^rd.  We set off at about 9.30 and headed up the 120 towards York.  There were hay sculptures here at the beginning of the month, but we missed them.  We continued on and arrived at the Karrinyup Waters Resort at Gwelup at about 1pm.  We were driven around the park to check it out and then we could select our own site.  We set up on the wood chip down the back and then had some lunch before heading out to visit Julie and Alan.  We spent until 9.30pm with them before heading back to the van.

Wed 24^th. I did some washing and put it through the dryer due to the misty rain showers that we were having and then to Hilary’s to check it out and find out about the ferries to Rottnest Island.

We had lunch and then went to Julie and Alan’s and then headed out to visit their son Michael and his family.  We had a few great hours with them all before heading back to Julie and Alan’s for dinner.

Thurs 25^th. We put the car in for a service not far from Alan’s home and then we waited for most of the morning peak hour to ease before heading to Bunbury to visit Erin and her family.  It is a two-hour drive to Bunbury, so we stopped about halfway there for a pit stop, coffee and lunch.

We had a great afternoon with Erin, Max and Leo. Once Erin’s husband Michael arrived home we had a visit with him before getting in the car for the 2-hour drive back to Perth.  As our car was still at the mechanics, Julie and Alan dropped us at the caravan park before heading to their home.  We really appreciated Julie and Alan driving us all that way to visit with the grandchildren.

Fri 26^th.  Alan came and picked us up and took us to pick up the car.  What a surprise when we arrived to find they had washed the car, vacuumed it and blacked the tyres.  They even left us a packet of tissues, a packet of mints and a garbage bag for the car.

We then travelled to the south of Perth to Mount Pleasant and visited our friends Lynne and David Wilson, whom we met last year in Tassie.  We had a very pleasant day in their company and hopefully we will meet up with them again.

Sat 27^th.  We were thinking of going to Rottnest today, but the winds sprang up again, so we went to the Westfields Whitford City.  Whilst here we got some scripts filled, but need to go back on Monday afternoon to get the rest of Darryl’s as they ran out :C.  Back to the van and Happy Hour with a friend, Banjo from Victoria, before adjourning for dinner.

Sun 28^th. Twenty years ago, we said farewell to Darryl’s Dad – Alan Walker.

We went to Warwick train station and met Julie and Alan and went into Perth City for the day.  Today is free parking at the train station.  We got off at the Perth station and walked up to the Horseshoe and then into Yagan Square.  Yagan was an Aboriginal leader, born c.1795 and died 1833, from the Perth area who was killed by the government at the time, as he was a very powerful man in the tribe.  His body was buried in separate areas and his head was taken to England and put on display.  It took years for the local people to get him returned to home country, and his head was buried on Noongar land in 2010.

We then caught the free bus to Elizabeth Quay and heard the Bell Tower ring.  We had a coffee at the Brewery on the Island before catching the free bus back to Nelson Street.  Had lunch in the Old Shanghai food court and walked back up to the mall and caught the train back to Warwick.  Said farewell to Julie and Alan and back to the van to update the blog……..

Trip to South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales #1

Hi everyone,

Trip to South Australia, Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales 2018

On the 30^th Aug Darryl and I took the caravan down to the Gold Coast to our Caravan Repair Guys and they replaced the door handle on the van.  It had become very loose and flapping in the slightest breeze and the door was difficult to secure of a night time.  So, a new handle as installed.  We then made our way to North Maclean (about 5km from Jimboomba) and set up in the free camp at Tully Recreation park.  This is not a bad camp if you need it.  You have access to toilets by the river and, also, a set of toilets up by the sports ground.  The traffic noise is not too bad either.

31^stAug saw us move into Jimboomba and park behind Woolies.  We then did our stock up of supplies before heading to the doctors for our Self-managed Health Care Plans and our Doctors check-up.  Once we had our new scripts and new blood forms issued we made our way to the van and started on our journey SOUTH.  We were heading west but plans changed on Wednesday with the news that a dear friend from Wagga, Elsie Fulmer, had passed away.  We altered our plans so that we could get to Wagga and support the family during their very sad time. 

On this day we managed to get to the Gladfield Rest Area and Driver Reviver, just north of Warwick.  The wind had picked up and there was a dust storm coming in from the west and rain was predicted, AND it was about 5.30pm, so we pulled over for the night.  The wind really picked up and was rocking the van considerably when the rain started.  We had steady rain for most of the night and were up at 6.30 next morning to keep travelling.

1^st September we left Gladfield at 6.30 and continued until we reached Goondiwindi. We had quite a thick dust haze travelling. We got fuel and a coffee here before continuing our journey southward, amd we lost the dust haze after Bellata NSW.  We knew we could take our time, but we wanted to get to Wagga as quickly as practicable.  So, we stopped for fuel at Narrabri and continued our way.  It was getting dark and the kangaroos were starting to get close to the road (about 3 metres of the asphalt) and we started looking for a rest area.  We found one that was close-ish to the road but long and we knew that the trucks would probably stop during the night.  The signage said it was a REST AREA, no mention of TRUCKS ONLY, so we walked the rest area and decided to back the van out of the way as much as possible – allowing trucks to enter and leave without us impeding their passage.   

We heard some trucks enter during the night, but it was not until we got up at 6.30 a.m. that we found we had 6 trucks in the rest area.  We had our breakfast and quietly left the area to continue our journey!

2^nd September.  We got to Tomingley, just north of Peak Hill NSW where we stopped for fuel.  The little alarm in the car told us we only had 30km before our tank would be empty, so decided it was best to fill up with Diesel.

We continued to make our way south and filled with fuel again at Wyalong before turning towards Wagga.  Lots of road patching along this road with lots of 60kmph areas.  We were doing the signed speed but were overtaken by so many vehicles completely ignoring the signs.

We arrived in Wagga, at Ian’s, at about 3pm.

3^rd September we slept late :D  Ian was beginning to wonder if we were getting up.  We did the washing and then sorted out what we were doing over the next couple of days.  We went to dinner that night with Ian, Wendy, Holly and Kurt.

4^th September.  Went and did some shopping and got supplies for tonight’s dinner.  Darryl cooked off the main part of it and then we had the veggies there ready to go.  Caught up with Kayla and Peter during the afternoon and then Jenny got home and asked if I could go and help her up at Elsie’s unit.  We sent a message to Ian about what needed to be done for their dinner and then we had dinner with the family before going to Elsie’s.  Jenny took me back to Ian and Wendy’s home about 9.30pm and we had a cuppa before she went back home.

5^th September.  Went and visited my friend Gail and my cousin Pam before going to the train station to collect cousin Sharon.  Trying to catch up with Lyn but that will happen tomorrow now.

6^th September. We spent the morning reminiscing about Elsie and then made our way to the funeral home for the Funeral.  It was a lovely service with great memories.  We then all went to the Wake.  It was great remembering a lovely lady and she will be sadly missed.

7^th September. Up this morning and washing and tidying.  We then took Sharon to the Train station to farewell her back to Lake Illawarra.  Her train departed ½ an hour late, BUT she got back to her home on time.  Kayla and Ash were heading back to Melbourne – their train left on time but was delayed by 1 ½ hours due to signal faults.

Darryl and I did some grocery shopping to ensure we had food for the rest of our journey.

June 20 2018

Well the weather has turned icy here in Toowoomba ---- Yes I know --- just like everywhere else 😊.
We went out today to watch Mr 10 participate in his School athletics events.  He did very well in the discus and the Long jump.  Unfortunately he didn't place in them BUT he participated.
Thursday they will have their track and field events.  The wind today was making it very difficult for the discus throwing as it was moving it backwards, rather than forwards.

I have had a great time this semester teaching the students at the Primary school with coiling weave.  Some have 'run' with it and others have struggled a little but each and everyone of the young girls have persevered with learning this skill.

 all enjoying their weaving sessions

I was also asked by the High School to teach their year 8 and 9 Indigenous girls with the coiling weave.  We also did string bags.

 string bag making

 concentrating

coiling weave

I had a really great day teaching four ladies how to do the coiling weave on the 2nd June.  The time just flew past.  The ladies managed to make a small bowl each in the five hours and requested another day, so we are having another session on the 7th July and there are currently 11 women booked in to do weaving.  Should be a great day.

 Weaving with Raffia

 Concentrating hard on coiling weave

 My students and their work

We met up with Ben and Brad for Bradley's birthday on 11th June.  It was a lovely evening and the meals we had at Ashmore Steak and Seafood were huge.  I think we were full before we even started

 contemplating his Fettuccini

Can I fit in that Seafood basket????

Nice Steak

   my grilled fish was HUGE

Darryl is good.  He has a review with his cardiologist in July.  We went out to Hogs Breath for his birthday on the 14th June

I am off to the immunologist this Thursday to see if he can shed any light on whether he thinks I do have Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR).  My muscles and joints have improved greatly with the prednisolone - so will await his impression.

In September we will be heading to Western Australia for our Australian Caravan Club National Muster at Denmark (on the south coast).  From there we will head to Perth to visit family and then make our way up through the center of WA [hopefully see some wildflowers] and hopefully catch up with more family before moving on to Darwin to visit friends and Darryl's relatives before heading to Wagga Wagga for Christmas.

I also have been booked in to teach four 4-hour classes of weaving to the children, at the Child Safety group here in Toowoomba, in July school holidays.  That should be great as well.

 kits in preparation for weaving and string bags

Ben has moved stores with Woolworths and is now based at Helensvale on the Gold Coast as the Grocery [?long life?] Manager.
Bradley is moving into his second year as a baking apprentice and still loving what he is doing.
Beckie and the children are settled in Toowoomba and all doing well.

 coiling weave basket with twined handle

 twined basket base using flax and raffia and lomandra

27 May to 8 June and back on the BIG island :D

Hi all
We had two quietish days at the Blue Wren Tea Gardens at West Ulverstone before leaving and lining up for the ferry on Sunday 28th may.  We arrived early in the line and then went and had a lovely coffee at 'Fifteen Tables' just up Murray street from the terminal.  We were through the checking process and lined up for 1 1/2 hours before being permitted to drive on to the ferry.
We were warned that there was going to be lots of rain and rough seas on the crossing with a 30knot wind.  Well - they weren't wrong.  We had our cabin [which was cabin 7 right at the front of the ferry] and I went to bed at about 10pm and then I rocked and I rolled (and I think I counted every wave we crested) until at 3.32am we arrived at the Port Philip Bay heads - the rocking stopped and we travelled at a sedate pace - but alas, there was no sleep for me.  So up, showered, bags packed and then in search of coffee.  Very thankful when the pantry opened at about 5am. [The staff member in the Pantry suggested that next trip we request a cabin towards the middle or back of the ferry as the ups and downs weren't as bad] Everyone was woken at 5.45am and breakfast was ready to be served to those who wanted it, and then we all waited to be called to access our vehicles.  6.35am we were driving off the Spirit of Tasmania 1 and back onto the BIG island.  By 7.50am we had made it to the Shell Service Centre on the Hume Fwy (M31) and were awaiting our hot breakfast, and then we travelled to Casey's Weir at Benalla.  The windscreen on the car kept fogging up as it was COLDER in Victoria then what it was in Ulverstone 😕The phone was telling me it was -1C degree and we had had +4C degrees in Ulverstone.
We arrived at Benalla at 10.30 am and Darryl and I went for a nap as neither of us had had sleep overnight.  We slept for just over 3 hours and then we got ourselves organised.
We had a couple of COLD nights out by the weir where we awoke to find ice on our hatches and VERY cold water dripping onto our heads.  On our second night at the weir we were visited by fellow ACC members Marion and Bob from the Sydney City Slickers.  Was so very good to see them.
On the Thursday 1st June we travelled into Benalla and checked into the Gateway Lifestyle Van Park and prepared for the ACC Border Hoppers Muster.  We met some lovely people from around the Wagga area and also some from northern Victoria.  We said our farewells to them all on Sunday morning at 9am and headed for Wagga to meet with family for lunch.  We arrived in Wagga at 12.30pm and set up outside Jenny and Peter's home and had a nice lunch before having Lyn and Charlotte arrive.  Was lovely to see Meghan, Jason and Jaden also and to get messages from Pauline and Kayla.  Had a great dinner that night with Nanna Fulmer also.
Off the next morning and travelled to Condobolin to see Ian, Wendy and Holly.  We didn't rush as we knew they were at work, but had a lovely evening with the family.
Tuesday morning we were off again, up through Narromine to Gilgandra and up to Coonabarabran.  Between Gilgandra and Coonabarabran the engine, in the car, began to 'miss' beats. 😟 so we stopped at Coonabarabran Caravan Park and contacted our mechanic Paul.
We got a fuel additive yesterday morning (thinking that we had picked up some dirty fuel at Gilgandra) and continued on our way.  We had hiccups along the way but once we got new fuel at Bellata, the car didn't miss a beat UNTIL we were nearing Pittsworth (just south of Toowoomba).  We limped it to Beckies Place and had to wait until this morning to contact Paul again and he referred us to Diesel Care in Toowoomba.  They were great - we took the car straight to them and we picked it up again at 2.30pm.  We have a new fuel filter and a secondary fuel filter as well and fingers crossed the injectors have not been affected.
So our plans are now to help care for the children whilst Beckie is doing her teaching prac [high school English and Science] before we have to take the van to the Gold Coast to get the damage [from our incident in February] repaired.  The repairers will need the van for a week.

Campertrailers National meet and then on to the Australian Caravan Club National Muster

4^th November 2016

Time has once again slipped by BUT now that we are in an area that has fairly constant internet access then I hope to be able to get this blog updated.

So we will go through the events of the past – nearly 2 months – since the last update.

On the 15^th September Darryl and I left Jimboomba and Beckie and the Grandchildren (and BEN) and started to make our way to Ganmain for the Campertrailer Group National Meet.  We travelled as far as Inglewood and it rained most of the night.  Next day we travelled down through Goondiwindi and to Bellata.  We had to travel through 4 lots of water over the road before we reached Moree. 

  There was evidence of lots of ‘self-sown’ canola along the sides of the road.  We camped the night at Bohena rest area in the Pilliga South of Narrabri.

But the crops of Canola were spectacular

and so were the fields of DAISIES

On the 17^th September we stopped at Dunedoo for lunch and then on to Gulgong Showgrounds.  It p’ed rain all night.  On Sunday the 18^th I don’t think the rain let up at ALL.  We decided to go out and see the Henry Lawson museum and then from there to the main Museum (which takes up about a block) and then rain could be heard getting much heavier.  The original lady that greeted us was called home by her husband as the roads were started to flood.  We then went up to the BIGGEST and most diverse STACKS store that we have every come across.   A bit like a Dollars and Sense Store but MORE………  It is in the cellar of the store up above and is amazing.

 The store seems to go on forever :D

 Water gushing down the kerbing in Gulgong

 The depth of the water when we got back to the van

We stayed again at Gulgong as the weather was too inclement and lots of local roads were closed.  The next day – Tuesday 20^th – we were informed that the road through to Sydney was clear and open – so we headed off down to Cowra. 

  The cause-way at Cowra had gone down by about 5 meters.  We were able to get through by the big bridge above.

  We stayed the night in the free camp opposite the information Centre and headed out toward Junee.  It had continued to rain all through the night and whilst driving the rain was almost horizontal.  And I think it was because of this that we had water ingress through the rear weather hatch.   We stopped off at Coolamon in the caravan park and waited until we were able to line up for the 10am registration opening on the 23 Sept.  We met up with a couple of other campers too.

Friday dawn overcast but dry, and  we headed toward Ganmain a whole 15 kms away.  We arrived just before 10am with about 12 other :D

We settled into our designated camp area up near the new toilet blocks, and watched as everyone else came in and got settled too.  The ground was very soft from the last 7 months worth of rain. Everyone was saying that they were SOOOO over it.  Needless to say we had more rain on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday we did a drive to my old home town of MARRAR

  The main Street and the Pub

 The Hall

 Uniting Church

 Fields of Gazanias

Sunday morning everyone headed down to the street for the markets.  WOW – great markets with lots of variety and no-one really complained about the rain. Whilst here I met two lovely ladies who were being taught to weave by the ‘Hands on Weavers’ of Wagga Wagga.  We arranged to meet up again on Wednesday.

  Some of the signs by the school children Welcoming the Campertrailer to town

 Campers and locals alike were out enjoying the day.  That night we had our Opening Ceremony and we had dignitaries from the Coolamon Shire there also.  I was busy weaving the base for a basket for Beckie during the proceedings and at the end of it a lady came running over to find out what I was doing.

  The base of the bag in progress

In the course of conversation, we found out that this lady was Margaret Fox (now Seymour) and the wife of the Shire Mayor.  Margaret’s Mum and my Mum had shared the same room at the Nursing Home in Wagga.

Over the next few days we had lots to keep us busy with information sessions, ‘Stitch’N’Bitch’ for the ladies. An Auction night and a Trivia night.  We had a community day on Wednesday which started with a  breakfast cooked b the men’s shed (thank goodness we were under cover as it was still raining).  Darryl and I did a trip to Coolamon and visited the new Coolamon Cheese and a couple of the other shops down Cowabbie Street (the main street). 

 Some photos from Coolamon cheese

 It was lovely catching up with Annette and Kim (weavers) when they came out to the van and spent the afternoon.

On Friday we had the Closing Ceremony at 4pm.  Unfortunately because of the continued rain, quite a few people had already left.  But we raised a substantial amount of money for the Show Trust as well as the Advance Ganmain Committee and the Men’s Shed.  That night quite a few of us headed out to the pub for dinner and whilst we were there the rain was torrential.  :C  So much so that Boggy Creek in town had come up to almost flooding level.

 boggy spot

ooops needing a tow out of the bog

Boggy Creek up again

Saturday we managed to get out of the showgrounds at about 11am – after watching many others nearly getting bogged.  We arrived in Wagga at about 2pm.  Daylight saving started that night (still not a fan). Went up to the Coffee Club on Monday to meet up with the two weavers (Annette and Kim).

We continued to have lots of rain over the next week and lots of roads were closed and some of them major roads.  All the areas that we wanted to go and see on our way to the Australian Caravan Club’s National Muster in Shepparton – were flooded.   So we decided to stay in Wagga with family and head off the day before we were due to Register in Shepparton.  

I finished the bag for Beckie

We met up with Cathy and Ted Roberts (who managed to find a dry spot to stay and get their shopping done) and then on Thursday 13^th we headed off and met up with Marie and Wayne Adams, and Penny and Dennis Hynard at Uranquinty and then met up with Cathy and Ted again at Casey’s Weir near Benalla.

 Casey's Weir

  The foam just after the Weir.

We all headed off from Casey’s weir on Friday 14^th and arrived for check in at about 10.30am and were all shown to our designated sites.   There were over 200 rigs camped on the Shepparton (Yorta Yorta Country) showgrounds for 10 nights.  Most of them arrived on the Friday 14th and left on Monday 24^th.

  All set up :D

On Sunday 16^th October there was a Market held at the showgrounds that was open to everyone.  Unfortunately there weren’t many stands (again due to inclement weather) and minimal outside traffic. 

 My Table

some of my stock

The program was full of tours and information sessions and we were kept very busy for the whole week.  On Saturday Darryl and I managed to get out to see Lesley Collis and her lovely family for a few hours.  It was great catching up with them all.  Sunday 23^rd October was the closing ceremony and drawing of the raffle.  Unfortunately we were not the recipient of any prizes.  Over the week the ACC had raised near $56,000.00 for the Showground trust (in site fees alone) and almost $300,000.00 for the community.  A very BIG well done to all who were there.

Monday 24^th we pulled out of Shepparton after receiving a parcel that I was expecting (more craft material) and then we headed out toward Howlong NSW.  The flood waters had gone down and we wanted to see the Whisky and Chocolate factory at Corowa.

 Corowa Whisky and Chocolate Factory

  We were disappointed – as this is only a chocolate factory :C  They DID distill whisky in May 2016 into barrels BUT it will be another 2 years BEFORE it is able to be tasted and drunk.   So off to Howlong we went and camped on the banks of the Murray with our friends – Chris, Cathy and Ted, Penny and Dennis and Marie and Wayne.  A lovely evening and it was amazing how much the water had dropped the next morning (about 12” or 30cm).

 Murray River at Howlong in pm

 and zooming in on the sign next morning, you can see earth :D

Tuesday four rigs headed off toward Cootamundra – up the Hume highway and stopped at Holbrook for fuel and then on to Dog on Tuckerbox (lunch)

 and then on to a rest area just south of Young.  We had about 8 other campers with us.

Wednesday we headed off to Gulgong and camped the night in the Showgrounds.  Everyone took the opportunity to top up with water, recharge big items and enjoy a shower where you didn’t turn off the water constantly.

Thursday 2 rigs headed out to Willow tree via Coolah, Premer and Quirindi and the other 2 stayed to investigate Gulgong before heading out via Merriwa, Scone and Murrurundi to Willow Tree.  We were arriving here for the official opening of the Willow Tree Recreational Ground Freedom Camp on Friday Morning.   The camp fees are $15 per night with power and water, showers and toilets.

 part of the camping area

 our set up

 part of the crowd

 The official Opening

 It is right on the main Northern rail line and there are lots of coal trains on this line.  Each time we counted the ‘trucks’ there were 82 of them being pulled by 3 engines.  We would wave to the drivers and also to the passengers on the Brisbane train whenever they went past.  We had had three days of NO rain and then at 4pm the skies opened and poured for about an hour – so once it abated everyone came out for happy hour and I sat and completed my latest basket.

The opening on Friday went really well and I was interviewed by the Channel 7 local news and I have been told that I was on screen for about 10 seconds during the aired interview.  After the opening was completed about 7 of the vans left and left 2 of us to sit back and relax.  We were joined about 2pm by another van.  The campground is situated right next to the Bowling club so we all headed off for dinner, which was quite nice.

Saturday 29^th we vegged around the vans and I completed my sewing craft from Shepparton

  2 sets of Christmas Placemats using Chicken Scratch Embroidery

 and then on Sunday we went to Quirindi to do the shopping and take our friend, Chris, out to Wallabadah to the Memorial to the First and Second Fleets to Australia.  It was a bit of a shame that the grounds needed attention, but lots of campers were taking advantage of the camping available here also

Monday 31st we were going to leave but wanted to pay a visit to Nundle first.  They have working woollen mill there that was great and then after lunch at the Mount Misery Gold Mine, we went up to Hanging Rock and Sheba dams before heading back to Willow Tree.  We arrived back at 3.30pm so stayed another night.

Tuesday 1^st Nov we said good bye to our friend Chris who was heading to Newcastle to visit her family, and we headed up to Manilla  to visit with our friend Sue and her lovely Mum.  We had a great catch up and a fantastic Lunch and then watched the Melbourne Cup with Sue and her Mum.  At 5pm we headed off and got to Barraba for the night.

Wednesday 2^nd we went to Bingara (did the shopping) and made use of the dump point before travelling on.  I was not too good – had a pain behind my eyes, doing my ‘dance’ and feeling quite unwell.  Darryl kept driving and we arrived in Texas QLD and out of daylight saving and then I slept for about 4 hours.  My ‘dancing’ had stopped but the pain behind my left eye was still there whenever I coughed.  We spent two lovely nights at Texas.

Friday 4^th we headed up through Millmerran (Got some more milk) and then up the track to Cecil Plains.  We are going to camp here for 3 nights before heading towards Caboolture to get the van serviced.

So there you have it.  Most of what we have been up too.