After 154,200 km the journey is finished.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Monday, November 30, 2015
Monday...30 November 2015
The Queensland daughter and her family came to visit yesterday.
They stopped off on their way to a family holiday they are having before their children scatter to the four winds as adults themselves.
Top of the agenda was meeting Little Miss Happy. She charmed everyone and was of course an absolute angel, she was in good company, her three grown up cousins were also on their best behaviour and the end result was some very pleasant family time had by all.
Happy hour was followed by a simple BBQ dinner topped off with cheesecake. We tried to chat the night away but their early start and our unusual activity levels added up to an early bedtime for all of us. Today after what we hope was a good nights rest, they will continue to their destination and some quality time together on a houseboat on the Murray River. We wish them a happy holiday.
They stopped off on their way to a family holiday they are having before their children scatter to the four winds as adults themselves.
Top of the agenda was meeting Little Miss Happy. She charmed everyone and was of course an absolute angel, she was in good company, her three grown up cousins were also on their best behaviour and the end result was some very pleasant family time had by all.
Happy hour was followed by a simple BBQ dinner topped off with cheesecake. We tried to chat the night away but their early start and our unusual activity levels added up to an early bedtime for all of us. Today after what we hope was a good nights rest, they will continue to their destination and some quality time together on a houseboat on the Murray River. We wish them a happy holiday.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Tuesday...24 November 2015
Another month nearly over.
We have had our caravan now for six years and we have seen a lot and done a lot in our time on the road full time. There have been incredible highs and sad lows but mostly life has been good to us.
In the early days our family and friends were running a book on how long we would last, I wish they had invited me to take part, I knew that we were going to try for two years but in my heart I myself thought one year was a more likely outcome. Isn't it amazing what humans are really capable of?
I think we can all do way more than we initially think we can, the incentive just has to be high enough to make us that much more determined to achieve higher goals.
I think I can.....I think I can....I think I can, eventually morphs into I know I can....I know I can....
So we did.
We have had our caravan now for six years and we have seen a lot and done a lot in our time on the road full time. There have been incredible highs and sad lows but mostly life has been good to us.
In the early days our family and friends were running a book on how long we would last, I wish they had invited me to take part, I knew that we were going to try for two years but in my heart I myself thought one year was a more likely outcome. Isn't it amazing what humans are really capable of?
I think we can all do way more than we initially think we can, the incentive just has to be high enough to make us that much more determined to achieve higher goals.
I think I can.....I think I can....I think I can, eventually morphs into I know I can....I know I can....
So we did.
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Thursday...19 November 2015
Last Friday we had a call from the daughter's husband in Horsham asking if Himself could spare a couple of days to lend a hand with harvest as his dad who usually helps had taken sick and ended up in hospital. We threw a few clothes into a bag and off we went!
As soon as we got there after two and a half hours driving, the boys took off to Pinnaroo in South Australia to fetch a part for the header, just a quick trip, three hours each way. The daughter and I went into town and had dinner at a local Thai restaurant. Yum! I know who got the best deal for dinner that day!
Next day the men went about the business of fixing the header and continuing the harvest and after delivering packed lunches to the paddock, the ladies went to lunch and did a spot of shopping. You know, I could get used to doing harvest this way........
But then came Monday and the daughter went back to work.
So mum got to make the lunches and I did not have to but happily offered to cook dinner, (chicken casserole) which went down well when the men finally came in from the paddock very late at night.
Tuesday was declared a total fire ban so the men were home by lunchtime and the header was parked up during the serous heat of the day to wait until the extremely hot winds moved elsewhere. They lunched on home made sausage rolls and left over chicken casserole. Then they went out again late in the day and I cooked a chop casserole which was finally served at 1.00am when they came home for a shower, dinner and bed.
On Wednesday we had an appointment back here in Bendigo so we left straight after breakfast to be back by lunchtime. Gotta say it was nice driving so early in the day especially as the day did turn out rather hot.
Today I minded Little Miss Happy again. This kid is seriously sweet. She played with her toys and anything she could get her hands on around our caravan that was safe to let her fiddle with and she had a one and a half hour nap (what's not to like about that, given that nanny was worn out by then) and then she woke up happy, had lunch and was content to play again until her daddy came to rescue her. Cute kid! After that we went to her house to put together her new cot. Lucky Little Miss Happy.
As soon as we got there after two and a half hours driving, the boys took off to Pinnaroo in South Australia to fetch a part for the header, just a quick trip, three hours each way. The daughter and I went into town and had dinner at a local Thai restaurant. Yum! I know who got the best deal for dinner that day!
Next day the men went about the business of fixing the header and continuing the harvest and after delivering packed lunches to the paddock, the ladies went to lunch and did a spot of shopping. You know, I could get used to doing harvest this way........
But then came Monday and the daughter went back to work.
So mum got to make the lunches and I did not have to but happily offered to cook dinner, (chicken casserole) which went down well when the men finally came in from the paddock very late at night.
Tuesday was declared a total fire ban so the men were home by lunchtime and the header was parked up during the serous heat of the day to wait until the extremely hot winds moved elsewhere. They lunched on home made sausage rolls and left over chicken casserole. Then they went out again late in the day and I cooked a chop casserole which was finally served at 1.00am when they came home for a shower, dinner and bed.
On Wednesday we had an appointment back here in Bendigo so we left straight after breakfast to be back by lunchtime. Gotta say it was nice driving so early in the day especially as the day did turn out rather hot.
Today I minded Little Miss Happy again. This kid is seriously sweet. She played with her toys and anything she could get her hands on around our caravan that was safe to let her fiddle with and she had a one and a half hour nap (what's not to like about that, given that nanny was worn out by then) and then she woke up happy, had lunch and was content to play again until her daddy came to rescue her. Cute kid! After that we went to her house to put together her new cot. Lucky Little Miss Happy.
Tomorrow there is a caravan and camping expo at the local racecourse. We will be there. Cannot miss a nomad muster!!!
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Tuesday...10 November 2015
You know, it always amazes me that so many people from so far away read my little blog. I really am just a normal ordinary everyday person who happens to be lucky enough to live in a fifth wheel caravan that is being driven around Australia by a bloke (my husband) who seriously enjoys driving and we both like seeing what is around the next bend in the road.
Sometimes our caravan feels small and some times I wonder what it would be like to have a bigger model but generally we are happy.
Today it is overcast and drizzling rain. Yesterday it was warm enough for shorts!
Today I babysat Little Miss Happy for a few hours. Yesterday I did absolutely nothing!
Everyday has its moments. Everyday is different. Life is mostly good. We are healthy and happy. Is there any need for more? We really do live in a very lucky country and I hope it stays that way.
Sometimes our caravan feels small and some times I wonder what it would be like to have a bigger model but generally we are happy.
Today it is overcast and drizzling rain. Yesterday it was warm enough for shorts!
Today I babysat Little Miss Happy for a few hours. Yesterday I did absolutely nothing!
Everyday has its moments. Everyday is different. Life is mostly good. We are healthy and happy. Is there any need for more? We really do live in a very lucky country and I hope it stays that way.
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Sunday...8 November 2015
Oops! I have not blogged for a week.
Two things happened at the same time. I ran out of internet and I ran out of energy.
We started out with 1GB a month when we first hit the road. Over time this proved too small so we upgraded to 3GB a month. That did well for a couple of years but again slowly became too small so we upgraded again to 8GB a month. This too did well for a while but now it has suddenly become too small too. My frustration is being caused by the fact that I have deleted everything and anything I can think of out of my normal daily internet routine in an attempt to slow the usage rate. I am even thinking of deleting good old Facebook! I cannot figure out what is chewing it up. Must be something running in the background but our very good anti everything virus protection is not picking up anything naughty. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
The other big thing to happen this week was Little Miss Happy's first birthday. Hard to believe it has been a whole year since she made such a dramatic early arrival scaring us and her terrified new parents. But what a joy she has been. So blessed to have her in our lives. I need to get back into training and get fitter to keep up with that much energy. A day with Little Miss Happy and Nana needs two days recovery time!
Two things happened at the same time. I ran out of internet and I ran out of energy.
We started out with 1GB a month when we first hit the road. Over time this proved too small so we upgraded to 3GB a month. That did well for a couple of years but again slowly became too small so we upgraded again to 8GB a month. This too did well for a while but now it has suddenly become too small too. My frustration is being caused by the fact that I have deleted everything and anything I can think of out of my normal daily internet routine in an attempt to slow the usage rate. I am even thinking of deleting good old Facebook! I cannot figure out what is chewing it up. Must be something running in the background but our very good anti everything virus protection is not picking up anything naughty. Oh well, back to the drawing board.
The other big thing to happen this week was Little Miss Happy's first birthday. Hard to believe it has been a whole year since she made such a dramatic early arrival scaring us and her terrified new parents. But what a joy she has been. So blessed to have her in our lives. I need to get back into training and get fitter to keep up with that much energy. A day with Little Miss Happy and Nana needs two days recovery time!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Sunday...1 November 2015
Well I survived the second day of minding little Miss Happy. I was absolutely exhausted at the end but we did have fun and Nanny loved it. The good news is that she is still happy to see us so I guess this means we did alright.
The next day some of our friends from Melbourne decided to do a road trip and came to have lunch with us. We had a wonderful time and as we talked and talked they were a bit late getting away to head back to Melbourne. What lovely people to come all that way just to have lunch with us.
Then yesterday we went out to visit our old mates from the West who are now breeding horses about 20 km out of this town. While we were having afternoon tea and once again talking and talking and talking some more to catch up on each others news, my phone rang and it was the daughter from Horsham who had come to visit and we were not home! Oops! She had come to stay the night.
Back to town to catch up with her and take her out to dinner at one of the local pubs.
Today was Little Miss Happy's Christening. Another big event and day. The whole thing went off without a hitch and without any sort of unsocial behaviour from the Little One. She smiled, waved and laughed her way through the whole thing and even thought the priest was a nice bloke too! This was a bonus for her parents as she has not been too keen on most blokes of late.
We followed that with lunch at the local RSL club and then coffee and cake at home. A good group of the family came to help bless this child and her parents are very happy with how her special day went off.
We came home with the Horsham daughter in tow to have a bit of time with us before she headed off to drive home and I now sit here waiting for her call to say she is home safe.
Tomorrow is a designated Rest Day for us, we need to recharge our batteries and catch up on the housework, but that is followed on Tuesday (Melbourne Cup Day) with Little Miss Happy's first birthday. Stay tuned!
The next day some of our friends from Melbourne decided to do a road trip and came to have lunch with us. We had a wonderful time and as we talked and talked they were a bit late getting away to head back to Melbourne. What lovely people to come all that way just to have lunch with us.
Then yesterday we went out to visit our old mates from the West who are now breeding horses about 20 km out of this town. While we were having afternoon tea and once again talking and talking and talking some more to catch up on each others news, my phone rang and it was the daughter from Horsham who had come to visit and we were not home! Oops! She had come to stay the night.
Back to town to catch up with her and take her out to dinner at one of the local pubs.
Today was Little Miss Happy's Christening. Another big event and day. The whole thing went off without a hitch and without any sort of unsocial behaviour from the Little One. She smiled, waved and laughed her way through the whole thing and even thought the priest was a nice bloke too! This was a bonus for her parents as she has not been too keen on most blokes of late.
We followed that with lunch at the local RSL club and then coffee and cake at home. A good group of the family came to help bless this child and her parents are very happy with how her special day went off.
We came home with the Horsham daughter in tow to have a bit of time with us before she headed off to drive home and I now sit here waiting for her call to say she is home safe.
Tomorrow is a designated Rest Day for us, we need to recharge our batteries and catch up on the housework, but that is followed on Tuesday (Melbourne Cup Day) with Little Miss Happy's first birthday. Stay tuned!
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Thursday...29 October 2015
Daughter has had to go to the city for a two day workshop for her job. I was asked if I would look after Little Miss Happy (nearly one year old grand daughter) for a few hours each day to give her daddy a rest. Of course I would, bring it on, this will be fun I said! All that time and we do not have to share with Mummy and Daddy. Lucky us!
Do any of my readers remember how much effort goes into entertaining small people? It was only for four hours and by the time daddy came back to rescue us I was a limp dish rag! It took a very actively mobile small person to show me how many nooks and crannies there really are in one small caravan. I spent most of the time running from one end to the other and then sitting myself "just so" to cover up her access to forbidden treasure such as computer cords and fast moving fans. So far she has not managed to open any low level cupboards but no doubt that will happen eventually. We are going to do it all again today and I am hoping my energy levels are up for it!
Do any of my readers remember how much effort goes into entertaining small people? It was only for four hours and by the time daddy came back to rescue us I was a limp dish rag! It took a very actively mobile small person to show me how many nooks and crannies there really are in one small caravan. I spent most of the time running from one end to the other and then sitting myself "just so" to cover up her access to forbidden treasure such as computer cords and fast moving fans. So far she has not managed to open any low level cupboards but no doubt that will happen eventually. We are going to do it all again today and I am hoping my energy levels are up for it!
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday...26 October 2015
What a great weekend.
Our friends from Albury/Wodonga come to visit with us on their way home from a trip to Adelaide for a reunion. So wonderful to see them again. We laughed, we chatted, we drank copious amounts of wine and beer and still we talked! We went out to lunch yesterday at the local RSL which was rather nice but mostly we just sat and talked and caught up on each others news. Such a shame they must continue on home today but hopefully it will not be too long before we see them again.
The weather for the last few days has been good but now it is trying to rain, all overcast and gloomy and of course it is windy. I think I will rename this town Windygo! Every time we come here it is blowing a blooming gale. Seriously I am way over the wind. I think that wind could be blamed for a lot of odd behaviour in the local humans. It is just so .............there...........all the time!!!!
Our friends from Albury/Wodonga come to visit with us on their way home from a trip to Adelaide for a reunion. So wonderful to see them again. We laughed, we chatted, we drank copious amounts of wine and beer and still we talked! We went out to lunch yesterday at the local RSL which was rather nice but mostly we just sat and talked and caught up on each others news. Such a shame they must continue on home today but hopefully it will not be too long before we see them again.
The weather for the last few days has been good but now it is trying to rain, all overcast and gloomy and of course it is windy. I think I will rename this town Windygo! Every time we come here it is blowing a blooming gale. Seriously I am way over the wind. I think that wind could be blamed for a lot of odd behaviour in the local humans. It is just so .............there...........all the time!!!!
Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Tuesday...20 October 2015
No more getting up, packing up, driving all day then setting up camp all over again.......for a while! Yesterday we moved to Himself's home town and are planning to stay for a couple of months. It was a long day and quite warm too so much sweating and swearing while parking the rig. Then we called the daughter and got a home delivery on our daily dose of cuteness. The little one is so gorgeous but was having a problem working out why we are not in her mum's phone where we belong! She found the reality of us just a little too confronting so I guess we will have to wait until she adjusts before we get hugs and sloppy kisses. No problem. We have the time.
We made some friends in this park and were so looking forward to seeing them again when we arrived. Some people will do anything to get out of seeing us and this one got herself carted off in an ambulance within hours of our arrival! Rather scary but she is home again and resting.
I spent some of today going into town with the daughter and grandchild to have a much needed hair cut and while I was at it I got a nice high chair which I hope will help contain the grandchild at eating time when she comes to visit. She is at just the right age to spread her food all over the place and I would rather wash a chair than the entire caravan! While I was at it I stocked up on a couple of toys and essential toddler food items so that we have what she needs when she comes to visit. Go Nana!
We made some friends in this park and were so looking forward to seeing them again when we arrived. Some people will do anything to get out of seeing us and this one got herself carted off in an ambulance within hours of our arrival! Rather scary but she is home again and resting.
I spent some of today going into town with the daughter and grandchild to have a much needed hair cut and while I was at it I got a nice high chair which I hope will help contain the grandchild at eating time when she comes to visit. She is at just the right age to spread her food all over the place and I would rather wash a chair than the entire caravan! While I was at it I stocked up on a couple of toys and essential toddler food items so that we have what she needs when she comes to visit. Go Nana!
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Thursday...15 October 2015
After coming off the Nullabor we checked into our favourite caravan park in Ceduna for a couple of days to wash the dirt off but then Himself realised that it was coming up to Bathurst 500 weekend so as we had good television reception we stayed a few days extra so that he could have his annual vroom vroom fest! I played a lot of computer games for the two days!
Then we moved on to Port Augusta for one night and from there we motored across country to Mildura. Well actually we stay in a park just over the Mighty Murray in a place called Buronga but we have discovered that not many people have heard of Buronga whereas everyone knows Mildura. The only difference is which bank of the river you are on!
Yesterday Himself took me to lunch at the Mildura Workingman's Club. Nice place. Apparently they built a T shaped bar in 1938 that was believed to be the longest bar in the state. It was 91 metres long around the centre line of the service surface and had 32 beer taps. That bar was removed in 1995 during renovations to add poker machines. What a shame a piece of history was destroyed for a few extra poker machines!
Today it is 37 C.....wtg Mildura!
Nice and warm, had to put the air conditioner on and it is now after 6pm and it is still 37 C.
Will stay a while here and recharge the batteries. I hear tell that the local Mildura show started today. If the weather improves a bit we may go take a look.
Then we moved on to Port Augusta for one night and from there we motored across country to Mildura. Well actually we stay in a park just over the Mighty Murray in a place called Buronga but we have discovered that not many people have heard of Buronga whereas everyone knows Mildura. The only difference is which bank of the river you are on!
Yesterday Himself took me to lunch at the Mildura Workingman's Club. Nice place. Apparently they built a T shaped bar in 1938 that was believed to be the longest bar in the state. It was 91 metres long around the centre line of the service surface and had 32 beer taps. That bar was removed in 1995 during renovations to add poker machines. What a shame a piece of history was destroyed for a few extra poker machines!
Today it is 37 C.....wtg Mildura!
Nice and warm, had to put the air conditioner on and it is now after 6pm and it is still 37 C.
Will stay a while here and recharge the batteries. I hear tell that the local Mildura show started today. If the weather improves a bit we may go take a look.
Friday, October 9, 2015
Friday...9 October 2015
Nullabor Crossing.
Day One.
Esperance to Norseman and out along the road to a free camp called Baxter which is about half way along the 90 mile straight. This is the longest straight stretch of road in Australia and runs for 90 mile or 144.8 kilometres without a bend. It goes on and on and bloody on and on! Taking an overnight break in the middle is a good idea, it helps with the safe driving factor and stops some of the boredom. Just before we stopped for the night we saw a herd of wild camels near our camp area. I decided there and then that if I heard noises outside overnight I was NOT going out to see what was making the noise!
Day Two.
More long and boring travel to another free camp, this one was called the 81k peg camp, probably because it is 81 kilometres in from the border, having crossed into South Australia at Border Village. We did see the usual push bike riders. All the way across the Nullabor at various places the road has been made into emergency airstrips for the RFDS. It is rather comforting to know that help is never too far away in this vast land of ours. There seemed to be a lot more traffic going west than we usually see out there. We put it down to people returning from the football grand final in Melbourne and also there was a large number of motor homes heading to the CMCA rally later this month in Albany WA.
Day Three.
Up late, well it was not late late but because we had crossed a couple of time zones and because South Australia is also on daylight saving time, we lost two and a half hours along the way so while the clock in the car said we were on the road at 8.00am it was in actual fact 10.30am. Ah well, it just meant happy hour came quicker yesterday! We stopped during the day to refuel the ute out of the extra jerry cans we carry and Himself was engulfed in huge flies and had to resort to spraying with the Aeroguard as they were biting him and drawing blood! The other thing to happen was passing push bike riders but this lot had modified their bikes and were in fact lying down to pedal. Looks odd. We only had to drive for four hours before arriving in Ceduna where we have now parked up for a couple of days to allow our bodies to catch up to the clocks.
Day One.
Esperance to Norseman and out along the road to a free camp called Baxter which is about half way along the 90 mile straight. This is the longest straight stretch of road in Australia and runs for 90 mile or 144.8 kilometres without a bend. It goes on and on and bloody on and on! Taking an overnight break in the middle is a good idea, it helps with the safe driving factor and stops some of the boredom. Just before we stopped for the night we saw a herd of wild camels near our camp area. I decided there and then that if I heard noises outside overnight I was NOT going out to see what was making the noise!
Day Two.
More long and boring travel to another free camp, this one was called the 81k peg camp, probably because it is 81 kilometres in from the border, having crossed into South Australia at Border Village. We did see the usual push bike riders. All the way across the Nullabor at various places the road has been made into emergency airstrips for the RFDS. It is rather comforting to know that help is never too far away in this vast land of ours. There seemed to be a lot more traffic going west than we usually see out there. We put it down to people returning from the football grand final in Melbourne and also there was a large number of motor homes heading to the CMCA rally later this month in Albany WA.
Day Three.
Up late, well it was not late late but because we had crossed a couple of time zones and because South Australia is also on daylight saving time, we lost two and a half hours along the way so while the clock in the car said we were on the road at 8.00am it was in actual fact 10.30am. Ah well, it just meant happy hour came quicker yesterday! We stopped during the day to refuel the ute out of the extra jerry cans we carry and Himself was engulfed in huge flies and had to resort to spraying with the Aeroguard as they were biting him and drawing blood! The other thing to happen was passing push bike riders but this lot had modified their bikes and were in fact lying down to pedal. Looks odd. We only had to drive for four hours before arriving in Ceduna where we have now parked up for a couple of days to allow our bodies to catch up to the clocks.
Monday, October 5, 2015
Monday... 5 October 2015
Well our time in Esperance has come to an end.
We have had a wonderful time here visiting with our friends. They are such lovely warm people. And cook......we are surely going to lose weight crossing the Nullabor. No way can I cook like that! Himself will fade away to a shadow if he thinks I am going to continue providing meals of this standard!! The weather has been mostly kind. These last few days were around the thirty mark and I have managed to start this summers tan already.
Tomorrow we will set off on yet another crossing of the Nullabor as we journey back East.
It goes, it goes, it goes..............that way!
See you on the other side.
We have had a wonderful time here visiting with our friends. They are such lovely warm people. And cook......we are surely going to lose weight crossing the Nullabor. No way can I cook like that! Himself will fade away to a shadow if he thinks I am going to continue providing meals of this standard!! The weather has been mostly kind. These last few days were around the thirty mark and I have managed to start this summers tan already.
Tomorrow we will set off on yet another crossing of the Nullabor as we journey back East.
It goes, it goes, it goes..............that way!
See you on the other side.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Tuesday...29 September 2015
The friend I am visiting has only one serious regret in her life and that is that she never got her drivers licence. Now her husband is a wonderful fellow but he does get tired of having to stop what he is doing to take her to the shops to fetch the groceries she needs to provide all this extra yummy food we are all eating. So we have a sort of a deal. When I am in town, he is happy for me to use their car to drive Miss Daisy to the shops. This works well for all of us. I get some much needed driving practice, he can continue doing man "stuff" with Himself and Miss Daisy can shop her little heart out as long as I am available to drive her. We have had some exciting trips to the shops and the markets etc, and it is nice to be able to browse the stores without the men groaning about how long we are taking. Along the way she has learnt some new words to add to her language skills. I am quite vocal with my opinion on the behaviour of the other drivers on the road! Seriously I do wonder how some of them passed their test. They make you wonder if they actually have a licence and while I am not as good as some I can at least park my vehicle properly between the lines of a parking bay.
Yesterday afternoon I wanted to nap but Miss Daisy wanted to shop! Heaving huge sighs of discontent I gave up my nap and took her to the shops. The outcome was a dessert so divine that we made lots of noises while eating it and the visiting dinner guests asked for the recipe! Another gloriously triumphant dinner. The main was Roast Pork with all the trimmings and dessert was Tia Maria Chocolate Sauce with Strawberries over Vanilla Ice Cream. Today's lunch was Chicken, Spinach and Feta parcels in Fillo pastry.
Is it any wonder we are in no hurry to hit the road again?
Yesterday afternoon I wanted to nap but Miss Daisy wanted to shop! Heaving huge sighs of discontent I gave up my nap and took her to the shops. The outcome was a dessert so divine that we made lots of noises while eating it and the visiting dinner guests asked for the recipe! Another gloriously triumphant dinner. The main was Roast Pork with all the trimmings and dessert was Tia Maria Chocolate Sauce with Strawberries over Vanilla Ice Cream. Today's lunch was Chicken, Spinach and Feta parcels in Fillo pastry.
Is it any wonder we are in no hurry to hit the road again?
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Wednesday...23 September 2015
Himself got his F250 back from the paint and panel shop late on Monday afternoon. It does look nice. He had the roof and bonnet resprayed as it was deteriorating rather badly and looking seriously patchy. Along with the paint job came a nice new windscreen. To paint the roof and bonnet properly they needed to take the windscreen out and the old one was due for replacement as it had several nasty stone chips in it. Then Himself and his mate noticed that the headlights looked tired so they ordered new bits and have done a renovation on them too. Himself also got out the vacuum cleaner and gave the inside a real going over before "stuff" went back into it. Hmm Hmm, all nice and new again.
While they were busy out front I got busy out back and did the washing. If this keeps up we are in serious danger of being described as "active" again!!!
The weather yesterday and today has been glorious. Cool in the morning but once the sun gets with the program the day is wonderfully warm and then it cools off again around sunset. Perfect!
My recipe collection is increasing daily as Her indoors is cooking up a storm. Who would want to go to restaurants when you have your own at home? Yesterday was Chicken, Feta and Spinach parcels in Fillo pastry. Today's lunch was Spinach Quiche and tonight dinner is Scotch Steak, Eggs and Chips.The other day we had Rhubarb cake and Rhubarb and Apple Crumble has also been on the menu. I love visiting these people. I always leave a few ton heavier but it is SO worth it!!!!
While they were busy out front I got busy out back and did the washing. If this keeps up we are in serious danger of being described as "active" again!!!
The weather yesterday and today has been glorious. Cool in the morning but once the sun gets with the program the day is wonderfully warm and then it cools off again around sunset. Perfect!
My recipe collection is increasing daily as Her indoors is cooking up a storm. Who would want to go to restaurants when you have your own at home? Yesterday was Chicken, Feta and Spinach parcels in Fillo pastry. Today's lunch was Spinach Quiche and tonight dinner is Scotch Steak, Eggs and Chips.The other day we had Rhubarb cake and Rhubarb and Apple Crumble has also been on the menu. I love visiting these people. I always leave a few ton heavier but it is SO worth it!!!!
Monday, September 21, 2015
Monday... 21 September 2015
Yesterday I helped the friend we are currently visiting, cook a beautiful home made lasagne and my friend made a "to die for" apple and rhubarb crumble. Then her daughter and partner arrived with a couple of dozen oysters which made the perfect starters. Wonderful night, great food, much merriment. The evening ended with us teaching the friends daughter how to play the new board game that has kept us all entertained during this current bout of wet weather.
I have sorted and packed as much of our stuff as I can in an attempt at tidiness and in readiness to travel again. Living in such a small space means you simply cannot let anything get away from you. I spend a large part of my down time putting away and tidying up. Cannot believe we have been here two weeks already. Time surely does fly when you enjoy where you are and what you are doing.
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Saturday...19 September 2015
We had a couple of days of beautiful sunny weather, warm enough to take the coats and cardigans off. Today it is cold, wet and very windy! Do hope the worst of this changing weather is done by the time we set off on our travels again. We would save on fuel but I seriously do not fancy being blown back across the Nullabor!
The new leg has arrived and been fitted so we are no longer legless. The boys have looked at the slides and discovered that the couch is causing it to tilt and to work hard going in and out. Honestly we cannot work out why such a heavy couch has been installed in a caravan. It is so heavy that when they moved it, the slide rode in and out very easily. Himself and I went on a new couch hunting mission around the available furniture stores in Esperance, (choice of three) but were unable to find a suitable replacement. We will continue to look as we continue our travels.
The spray painter called yesterday and said we can have our car back on Monday, it is finished but they wanted it to sit for a bit and allow the paint to settle properly before giving it back to us so that is another job taken care of.
Himself get the hose out yesterday and gave the caravan a good wash so it is all sparkly clean and looking loved. No doubt our friends and their neighbours will like seeing the sun gleaming off it when we finally get sunshine again.
The new leg has arrived and been fitted so we are no longer legless. The boys have looked at the slides and discovered that the couch is causing it to tilt and to work hard going in and out. Honestly we cannot work out why such a heavy couch has been installed in a caravan. It is so heavy that when they moved it, the slide rode in and out very easily. Himself and I went on a new couch hunting mission around the available furniture stores in Esperance, (choice of three) but were unable to find a suitable replacement. We will continue to look as we continue our travels.
The spray painter called yesterday and said we can have our car back on Monday, it is finished but they wanted it to sit for a bit and allow the paint to settle properly before giving it back to us so that is another job taken care of.
Himself get the hose out yesterday and gave the caravan a good wash so it is all sparkly clean and looking loved. No doubt our friends and their neighbours will like seeing the sun gleaming off it when we finally get sunshine again.
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Wednesday...16 September 2015
Talked the friends into trying a new board game.
Think we have created a monster!
She loves it, she is addicted to it, she wants to play day and night!
No dementia for her, it is a game that requires strategy and lots of thinking.
Seriously we all enjoy playing this one.
Great way to kill a rainy day.
Think we have created a monster!
She loves it, she is addicted to it, she wants to play day and night!
No dementia for her, it is a game that requires strategy and lots of thinking.
Seriously we all enjoy playing this one.
Great way to kill a rainy day.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Sunday...13 September 2015
After a few days of absolutely glorious weather, it has been raining now since mid afternoon yesterday. Oh well I am sure it will return to sunshine eventually! And I did get my washing done and off the line before the rain arrived so not too much to complain about.
What to do when it rains?
Lets play a game she said. Oh what game we said. A game about Australia she said. Oh the sounds interesting we said (been there, done that, smirk smirk!). Well guess what? It is much harder than it looked and it is amazing just how much about this great land of ours the average person does NOT know. A fun time was had by all with much laughter and moans and groans when the contestant was sure they had the correct answer only to find out they did not! Will definitely be playing that game again, great fun.
Himself and his mate that we are currently visiting have been busy working their way through the list of things that need doing to maintain our rig. They have pulled out the front leg to look at why it is not wanting to work and discovered that it needs replacing so a new part is on order and is due to be delivered toward the end of next week. They have put new strips of anti slip on the front door steps, the old ones were beginning to look a bit ragged and were becoming a safety issue of their own, the F250 has been booked to have the roof and bonnet repainted and when it stops raining they will adjust the slides. Nothing major wrong with the slides, the mechanism that works them gets a bit slack with constant use and needs regular maintenance to stay level. Then we should be all good to go back on the road to continue our travels.
No rush, we are having great fun here in Esperance.
What to do when it rains?
Lets play a game she said. Oh what game we said. A game about Australia she said. Oh the sounds interesting we said (been there, done that, smirk smirk!). Well guess what? It is much harder than it looked and it is amazing just how much about this great land of ours the average person does NOT know. A fun time was had by all with much laughter and moans and groans when the contestant was sure they had the correct answer only to find out they did not! Will definitely be playing that game again, great fun.
Himself and his mate that we are currently visiting have been busy working their way through the list of things that need doing to maintain our rig. They have pulled out the front leg to look at why it is not wanting to work and discovered that it needs replacing so a new part is on order and is due to be delivered toward the end of next week. They have put new strips of anti slip on the front door steps, the old ones were beginning to look a bit ragged and were becoming a safety issue of their own, the F250 has been booked to have the roof and bonnet repainted and when it stops raining they will adjust the slides. Nothing major wrong with the slides, the mechanism that works them gets a bit slack with constant use and needs regular maintenance to stay level. Then we should be all good to go back on the road to continue our travels.
No rush, we are having great fun here in Esperance.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Thursday...10 September 2015
Still in Esperance, still having a great time.
Good food, alcohol, good friends, lots of warm, wet kisses from the puppies.
It's the perfect world for wandering nomads.
Good food, alcohol, good friends, lots of warm, wet kisses from the puppies.
It's the perfect world for wandering nomads.
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