Ok so this morning the boys were up bright and early to finally finish the shed. This is the shed they built last year and completed this year and then decided to add an extension to......
Great idea until the metal merchant only sent half the steel order then mucked them around for another two weeks on back order. Then the carrier thought they may not mind waiting a few more days because this would mean he did not have to take his fuel guzzling truck out of the shed until he had a few more big orders to deliver, well no mate, we want it yesterday please!
So after waiting two weeks they got the final bits needed yesterday and then went like the clappers to finish this shed ahead of our planned departure today and the rain the weather bureau promised for today too. They nearly made it but the wind and light beat them last night and they had to put off two bits of steel and a couple of screws until today. But lo and behold it is finally finished and it is a work of art and testament to the engineering skills of these two tired tradesmen, who are mightily pleased with themselves as they should be. And no rain!
Quick cuppa and then it was time for us to hit the road.
First stop was the local dump point where we found two girls travelling together and by the look of it living in their el cheapo bomb of a car. They were parked next to the dump point near a public toilet building where they had apparently done their washing by hand and had a bit of a top and tail themselves. We asked if they were going to be long as they were blocking our access to the dump point. No no they said, we will move straight away we were nearly ready to go now anyway. So they shut the boot, jumped into their car .........and jumped right back out again. Seems the car keys were now locked inside the boot!!!
They searched their entire car. They had freshly washed and wet underwear hanging from the back door windows, they had more washing laid along the back window ledge, they had bags of groceries on the floor in the back along with cooking pots and rubbish bags and clean clothes and hand bags and laptops and assorted female bits all over the backseat along with beach towels and bikinis. There was more 'stuff' in the front passenger seat well. How these two even fitted into the car remains a mystery. However there they were, not going anywhere and blocking our access to the desperately needed dump point.
Himself fiddled and tried all manner of normal ways to open the boot. He was eventually triumphant when one of our many car and caravan keys wriggled just the right way opened their boot and there was the missing car keys but how they found anything in that boot is beyond me. Neither girl owned a bag or suitcase, all their clothes had been thrown higgldy piggldy loose into the boot which was full full full!!!!!
Never mind, they left, and we were able to unload some seriously unwanted excess baggage of our own and be on our way.
Now would be a good time to mention the wonderfully relaxing time we had in Kalbarri. Our friends were great hosts and really looked after us. Our thanks to them.
We had a late lunch in Geraldton and came on down to Dongara by mid afternoon. The wind was quite blowy the entire 250kms. It seems to have settled down a bit as I write but it is still technically blowing out there even now.
Took forever to find my high school girlfriend here in Dongara, she had gone off to do some shopping with another of her friends. However when we did catch up with her she insisted on cooking us dinner which was very nice and served with some nice wine. Her two dogs were well behaved while we were there which surprised her. We will drop in again tomorrow on our way down the road again.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Sunday...27 November 2011
Nearly time to leave this sleepy little crayfishing town, getting too comfortable!
Honestly if it wasn't for the constant wind I think this place could rate as the perfect town to call home. The weather is always nice, we have only had two serious days of rain in the two months we have been here and two days of excessive heat that required turning on the air conditioner to remain comfortable. It has whales romping in the bay during the season while they come and go to their breeding grounds up past Broome. The crayfishing fleet is always good for some fun watching them come and go through the mouth of the river as it rushes into the Indian Ocean. The locals are friendly and laid back, the stores supply all the requirements of the town and its constantly changing tourist population. The service can be a little too laid back at times but you get that in the country!
We are booked into a park in Perth beginning December so need to make an effort and move sometime this week. When we actually do move will decide what we can and cannot see between here and Perth. I would have liked to visit all the other little sleepy villages along the coast but may yet have to do a full days drive and go straight through to Perth to be there in time for our booking.
We will miss our friends here, they have been so hospitable and welcoming, it makes being comfortable so much easier, but so much harder to leave and continue our travels. Who knows, maybe one day they will join up with us somewhere out int he Big Paddock.
Honestly if it wasn't for the constant wind I think this place could rate as the perfect town to call home. The weather is always nice, we have only had two serious days of rain in the two months we have been here and two days of excessive heat that required turning on the air conditioner to remain comfortable. It has whales romping in the bay during the season while they come and go to their breeding grounds up past Broome. The crayfishing fleet is always good for some fun watching them come and go through the mouth of the river as it rushes into the Indian Ocean. The locals are friendly and laid back, the stores supply all the requirements of the town and its constantly changing tourist population. The service can be a little too laid back at times but you get that in the country!
We are booked into a park in Perth beginning December so need to make an effort and move sometime this week. When we actually do move will decide what we can and cannot see between here and Perth. I would have liked to visit all the other little sleepy villages along the coast but may yet have to do a full days drive and go straight through to Perth to be there in time for our booking.
We will miss our friends here, they have been so hospitable and welcoming, it makes being comfortable so much easier, but so much harder to leave and continue our travels. Who knows, maybe one day they will join up with us somewhere out int he Big Paddock.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Wednesdsay...23 November 2011
Nice warm day in Kalbarri today, nudged the 40 mark! Wind blew a gale this morning but was stiller than a millpond this arvo.
The boys worked through the heat today as they are getting the remaining pieces of the shed on todays truck.......Well that was the plan. Truck time came and went and no delivery!
Quick call says no no we are not sending the promised parts until Friday now. Will point out this is the second delay from this supplier. Was originally expecting this steel last week but got put off until today and now its been put off again until end of the week, probably next week. Sooooooo frustrating for the lads. They have gone hammer and tongs to finish this little job and what a shame it is not going to be done and it is not their fault.
Also waiting on good old Australia Post to deliver parcels that were sent out of Qld last week. We have emails saying they are at Kalbarri but Kalbarri say it is a scam email. Interesting that we are expecting two parcels and have received two emails.....One hopes these parcels will eventually arrive. Himself will be most unhappy if they do not arrive.
Soon be time for a major overhaul of the outside of the caravan ready for the trek to Perth. We are looking a tad tired and travelled. I would like the entire van to be scrubbed and polished while we have access to equipment to reach all parts of it. Then we would be fresh and ready for the road again after xmas.
Next year we plan to tour the south west of WA and then trek on over the Nullabor and do a zig zag along the Murray River before heading back up north when the weather turns cold.
So much left to see, lets hope our health allows us to complete our plans.
The boys worked through the heat today as they are getting the remaining pieces of the shed on todays truck.......Well that was the plan. Truck time came and went and no delivery!
Quick call says no no we are not sending the promised parts until Friday now. Will point out this is the second delay from this supplier. Was originally expecting this steel last week but got put off until today and now its been put off again until end of the week, probably next week. Sooooooo frustrating for the lads. They have gone hammer and tongs to finish this little job and what a shame it is not going to be done and it is not their fault.
Also waiting on good old Australia Post to deliver parcels that were sent out of Qld last week. We have emails saying they are at Kalbarri but Kalbarri say it is a scam email. Interesting that we are expecting two parcels and have received two emails.....One hopes these parcels will eventually arrive. Himself will be most unhappy if they do not arrive.
Soon be time for a major overhaul of the outside of the caravan ready for the trek to Perth. We are looking a tad tired and travelled. I would like the entire van to be scrubbed and polished while we have access to equipment to reach all parts of it. Then we would be fresh and ready for the road again after xmas.
Next year we plan to tour the south west of WA and then trek on over the Nullabor and do a zig zag along the Murray River before heading back up north when the weather turns cold.
So much left to see, lets hope our health allows us to complete our plans.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Saturday...19 November 2011
Update on the broken one....she will be having surgery next week which involves the words screws and wires!!! Fingers crossed it solves her problems and her body can heal itself.
We are now at the pointy end of the school year and reports are arriving of grandchildren covering themselves in glory by bringing home some of the awards on offer. Well done to all the grandkids, I am sure they have all tried their hardest and deserve to feel proud of their efforts. I am sure their parents are very proud of them all.
Now the rest of todays blog is about food......Or more precisely the force feeding of ourselves by our cruel and mean hosts. While we have been here they continue to cook up a storm and ply us with all sorts of life threatening concoctions. Weber roasts, BBQ steaks, pizzas, fish, chicken, pork, lamb, beef, seafood, kebabs, stirfrys, casseroles, rissoles, gravies, toasted sandwiches, salads or five vegetables with every dish.
Yesterday was cheesecake AND an apple custard dessert cake with clotted cream and then today our hostess went in for the kill. Today she made CHOCOLATE CHIP PIKELETS! We have to leave here. We will waddle down the driveway and hope like hell our car can carry the excess weight. If you see a news item about grey nomads broken down from overloading it will surely be us......
We are now at the pointy end of the school year and reports are arriving of grandchildren covering themselves in glory by bringing home some of the awards on offer. Well done to all the grandkids, I am sure they have all tried their hardest and deserve to feel proud of their efforts. I am sure their parents are very proud of them all.
Now the rest of todays blog is about food......Or more precisely the force feeding of ourselves by our cruel and mean hosts. While we have been here they continue to cook up a storm and ply us with all sorts of life threatening concoctions. Weber roasts, BBQ steaks, pizzas, fish, chicken, pork, lamb, beef, seafood, kebabs, stirfrys, casseroles, rissoles, gravies, toasted sandwiches, salads or five vegetables with every dish.
Yesterday was cheesecake AND an apple custard dessert cake with clotted cream and then today our hostess went in for the kill. Today she made CHOCOLATE CHIP PIKELETS! We have to leave here. We will waddle down the driveway and hope like hell our car can carry the excess weight. If you see a news item about grey nomads broken down from overloading it will surely be us......
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Tuesday...15 November 2011
Heard sometime long long ago that once you learn to ride a bike you never forget how to ride a bike!
This may be true, but my first born will need training wheels again when she gets back on her bike. Today she had a close call with a car while on her bike. The good news is that she is alive. The bad news is that she has broken something in or near her left elbow and will need to visit a specialist to see if she needs surgical help to repair it. Meantime she is in in plaster and heavily drugged as the pain is apparently quite intense. Poor thing. Just as well she was between jobs as this will surely slow down her typing speed.......
Meantime, back in Kalbarri, the boys are still finding little projects to work on. Today they put a louder horn in our ute. Not sure why or if it was even necessary but no doubt Himself will have several really good reasons for a bigger louder horn!
The whales are heading south for the summer which is very considerate of them as the crayfish fleet began the new season today. Their white pot marking bouys are clearly visible from our lookout point on the beach, and the boats are coming and going through the mouth of the river.
The wind has been a bit rough this last couple of days and the water has changed colour from bright blue to dirty green and back again. Watching the changing ocean is a fascinating hobby. So much to see.
This may be true, but my first born will need training wheels again when she gets back on her bike. Today she had a close call with a car while on her bike. The good news is that she is alive. The bad news is that she has broken something in or near her left elbow and will need to visit a specialist to see if she needs surgical help to repair it. Meantime she is in in plaster and heavily drugged as the pain is apparently quite intense. Poor thing. Just as well she was between jobs as this will surely slow down her typing speed.......
Meantime, back in Kalbarri, the boys are still finding little projects to work on. Today they put a louder horn in our ute. Not sure why or if it was even necessary but no doubt Himself will have several really good reasons for a bigger louder horn!
The whales are heading south for the summer which is very considerate of them as the crayfish fleet began the new season today. Their white pot marking bouys are clearly visible from our lookout point on the beach, and the boats are coming and going through the mouth of the river.
The wind has been a bit rough this last couple of days and the water has changed colour from bright blue to dirty green and back again. Watching the changing ocean is a fascinating hobby. So much to see.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Saturday... 12 November 2011
Still in Kalbarri, wondering what the poor people are doing!
We spend each day doing a few household chores or a project with our hosts, then we sit on their back patio listening to the water trickling in their newly installed water feature in their newly planted back garden, having happy hour while we watch their 7mths old puppy chewing on his bone and listen to the wind blowing through the palms in our yard and the surrounding properties. Life is in harmony......
One day soon we will have to move as Perth is calling but we will be back......not sure yet when that will be but visiting here is so relaxing and so welcoming that we cannot stay away.
We spend each day doing a few household chores or a project with our hosts, then we sit on their back patio listening to the water trickling in their newly installed water feature in their newly planted back garden, having happy hour while we watch their 7mths old puppy chewing on his bone and listen to the wind blowing through the palms in our yard and the surrounding properties. Life is in harmony......
One day soon we will have to move as Perth is calling but we will be back......not sure yet when that will be but visiting here is so relaxing and so welcoming that we cannot stay away.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Saturday...5 November 2011
Well the new stove and range hood are finally installed in our caravan and they look awesome. The boys really put out for this project. The result is seamless and looks like it has been there forever. Some of the time taken was waiting for the local tradie (gas plumber) to show up and connect the gas fitting. So there it is all done and all legal.... Well done boys, great job! They even cleaned up behind themselves which impressed me even more.
Our hosts had a sparky come during the week to hook up some bench lighting in the kitchen/dining room and it took our hostess and myself ages to pick up the mess he made! There was electrical wires and bits of wire all over the kitchen bench and on the floor. He had us make him a cuppa at the end of the job, but then went on his merry way without even asking for a dustpan.
The men are thinking of going fishing sometime soon and we hope they enjoy themselves as they have definately earnt themselves some time out after all the hard work they have been doing.
Now that they are finished making messes I should get my act together and give the inside of the van a seriously good clean. Might as well do what I can while I have access to a good vaccuum cleaner and plenty of line space to wash things like a woollen underlay and car seat covers.
Nearly time for us to be heading on down the track. I hear there is only 6-7 weeks till xmas......
Our hosts had a sparky come during the week to hook up some bench lighting in the kitchen/dining room and it took our hostess and myself ages to pick up the mess he made! There was electrical wires and bits of wire all over the kitchen bench and on the floor. He had us make him a cuppa at the end of the job, but then went on his merry way without even asking for a dustpan.
The men are thinking of going fishing sometime soon and we hope they enjoy themselves as they have definately earnt themselves some time out after all the hard work they have been doing.
Now that they are finished making messes I should get my act together and give the inside of the van a seriously good clean. Might as well do what I can while I have access to a good vaccuum cleaner and plenty of line space to wash things like a woollen underlay and car seat covers.
Nearly time for us to be heading on down the track. I hear there is only 6-7 weeks till xmas......
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Tuesday...1 November 2011
Melbourne Cup Day! Well done Duneden. As always the horse I picked has yet to finish....
Weather has improved heaps. Been in the early to mid thirties for the last few days. Nice and sunny, which is doing the newly laid lawn and nice new garden plants heaps of good. There has been a fairly stiff breeze as well and this is upsetting some of the plants. Fingers crossed they live.
The shire building inspector came yesterday and approved the shed the two boys built last year and finished this year. So that is another thing ticked off the to do list.
The sparky came today and finished hooking up the air con in our hosts bedroom, nice timing, it was rather warm today.
Himself has been back to Geraldton and bought a new stove and rangehood for our caravan and he and our host are busily convincing it to fit. Will be rather swish when they get done. Hats off to them as they continue to work in trying conditions and now it is getting a bit warm in the van during the day. I keep reminding them there is an air con but they are not turning it on.
The ocean today was smoother than silk, not one single ripple to be seen anywhere, such a pretty sight.
Weather has improved heaps. Been in the early to mid thirties for the last few days. Nice and sunny, which is doing the newly laid lawn and nice new garden plants heaps of good. There has been a fairly stiff breeze as well and this is upsetting some of the plants. Fingers crossed they live.
The shire building inspector came yesterday and approved the shed the two boys built last year and finished this year. So that is another thing ticked off the to do list.
The sparky came today and finished hooking up the air con in our hosts bedroom, nice timing, it was rather warm today.
Himself has been back to Geraldton and bought a new stove and rangehood for our caravan and he and our host are busily convincing it to fit. Will be rather swish when they get done. Hats off to them as they continue to work in trying conditions and now it is getting a bit warm in the van during the day. I keep reminding them there is an air con but they are not turning it on.
The ocean today was smoother than silk, not one single ripple to be seen anywhere, such a pretty sight.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)