FINAL POST

15th July
Today we left for Melbourne, the suburb Kilsyth, where we visited the manufacturer of Karakampas. But first the trip , I didn't get to see much of the scenery what with the rain and following our route with the help of google maps. It took us via many freeways and tollways, thru the suburbs without a hitch. A few hours later Don and I had thoroughly checked over every inch of a couple of caravans, and a deposit was paid on a new caravan to be picked up mid October. From there we headed down to stay overnite at Frankston.

16th July
We met up with a good friend of mine (Julie Goldspink) that had moved to Melbourne the same time as I moved to Upper Manilla. We enjoyed a lovely couple of hours over lunch, then we had to leave wind  our way up to join the Princes  Highway to follow the coast north. Stopped at Sale  overnite, the caravan park was in a show ground.

17th July
 Further north, heading towards home. Thru Bairnesdale,  Lakes  Entrance and Orbost, to cross over the border into New South Wales. It is Dons birthday today and we have free camped for the last time this trip. It was in the middle of nowhere no other vans and a little eerie by ourselves, lit a good fire for a BBQ.

18th July
oOff again, Driving up the South coast , passing Eden, Pambula, Tilba  and other sea side towns. We arrived at Batemans  Bay for 2 nights as we intended to visit John  and Meg tomorrow.

19th July
It  was a nice change driving without the van on the back today. Made good time up the highway, then we got ourselves confused because there is 2 roads named The Wool Road, we took the first one which led us into George's Basin  instead of Vincentia. It was a great day, John  was not having a good day, but nevertheless, was pleased to see us.

20th July
Today  it is off to Canberra to visit Drew and Kate and of course William. I managed to fit in as many cuddles and kisses I could while there. He's gorgeous, a very happy smiling 6month bub.

21st July
Our drive to Dubbo  was thru countryside that felt very familiar. It funny, now that we are back in NSW  it feels like home, even though we still have one day to go. Our overnite stop was to catch up with friends Brian and Yvonne, unfortunately Yvonne is back in hospital and we missed her. She has had a run of ill health the last few years, but finally a diagnosis has been found.  Let's hope she is back on her feet soon

22nd  July
TODAY WAS OUR FINAL LEG, ARRIVING AT MOSTYN VALE 3pm after 19,535 Kms


AND SO OUR TRIP FROM MOSTYN VALE, ACROSS TO THE FLINDERS, UP THE MIDDLE OF THE RED CENTRE TO DARWIN, ACROSS THE TOP AND BACK DOWN THE W.A. COAST TILL WE HIT THE SOUTHERN COAST. FROM THERE OVER TO THE WHEAT BELT AND WAVE ROCK, FURTHER TO KALGOORLIE THEN ACROSS THE NULLARBOUR, THROUGH THE WINE VALLEYS OF S.A., FLY THRU VICTORIA, VISITING FRIENDS AND RELATIVES ON THE WAY UNTIL WE HEAD NORTH INTO NSW UNTIL WE REACH HOME AGAIN, AND ITS OVER, IT WAS FANTASTIC. BOTH DON AND I THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT. CANT WAIT UNTIL WE TAKE THE NEW VAN ON ITS MAIDEN TRIP TO .....?????????

ANOTHER BATCH OF PHOTOS

Super camp fire at Fraser Range Sheep Station

Nullarbor Plains

The coastline along the Great Australian Bight

Cliffs at Head of the Bight

One of the many whales I did manage to catch with the camera

Sir Hans Heysen's Studio at the Cedars, Hahndorf

One of the many beautiful stone buildings along  Hahndorf 's shopping strip

This is the store with the most incredible selection of Fine Craft, in Hahndorf

Don's friends, Kay and Colin Wright, formerly of Manilla, now Adelaide

CATCHING UP TO TODAY 14th JULY

9th July
Today we headed towards Port Augusta, stopping for lunch and stock up on a few essentials in a shopping mall we stumbled across.  The drive up thru Horrocks Pass was absolutely beautiful, rolling green hills, old stone buildings, some in ruin, the sky overcast and a continual shower of rain.  It was a shame I wasn't able to take photos, it wasn't worth trying. Coming down off the pass, it was grain fields on both sides, canola being prevalent in some areas.  Passed through small Adelaide Hills towns, Clare Valley, Barossa Valley, ending up at small caravan park in Laura.  The managers were so helpful, even giving us 2 sites with concrete slabs so we wouldn't be wading around in the water.  Still raining and cold.  Was an extremely cold night in the van, thankful we had electricity so we could turn the heater on

10th July
We are heading through the rural towns towards Mt Pleasant, were we spent the night at the local showgrounds.  Still raining, it has been miserable and wet for a few days now.  Would love a day of sunshine to dry our towels out, and open the van up for a few hours.  

11th July
Our main aim today was the National Motor Museum in Birdwood.  Arrived there early before it opened, so a browse through a Motor bike shop across the road (loaded with bits and more bike bits everywhere} to help fill in the time.  We had been warned it would take a good day to go through the Museum, after 2 hours Don had seen all he wanted, so we headed off to Hahndorf.  A fancy new Resort and Caravan Park, beautiful landscaping, lots of work going on, fantastic amenities, I'm sure I was the only one using the Womens block.  The sites laid out well, extremely soggy underfoot as the winter has been wet so far in the Adelaide region. It was an easy decision for us this afternoon, to spend a few hours taking the conducted tour at "Cedars", the studio and home of Sir Hans Heysen.  I thoroughly enjoyed it, Don found it very interesting.  We filled the afternoon in there before heading back to another cold night in the van.  We loaded up our beds with extras, including our beach towels.  It worked to keep us warm only problem it was heavy and couldn't move easily.  What the heck, one has to keep warm.  

12th July
Today started out with the sun shining and no rain, set out to stroll up and down the shops at Hahndorf.  What a beautiful, quaint town.  Stone shops and houses everywhere, plenty of shops to browse thru or buy food, wine, coffee whatever you wanted.  All the food having a Germans origin as this was the first German Lutheran town founded by a group of migrants with the help of the ship's captain.
In honour of the help he gave, the town was named Hahn (his surname) and dorf (town)    I had a lovely time, in and out all the ones that took my fancy.  There was one in particular who stocked the most incredible display of Fine Craft.  I could have bought heaps, but I held myself in check and just looked.   We met a couple of Don's friends, Colin and Kay, who had moved from Manilla to Adelaide spent a couple of hours over a meal with them at one of the local pubs. It was mid afternoon before we left Hahndorf and Don was planning to stop at the S.A./Victoria Border for the night.  After leaving the Freeway at Murray Bridge, the highway was the worst road we had been on.  It was terrible.  Dark by the time we reached our destination for the night, and again another cold one, this time with no heater as we were free camping again.

13TH July
Heading to Brad and Jacky's home today, Miners Rest, a suburb of Adelaide. 
Stopped for a splurge at Stawell, hot chip sandwiches.  Yumm  yumm.
Arrived mid afternoon to a lovely warm welcome, into a lovely warm home.  It was sheer bliss.  An offer to sleep in the house instead of the van, was not a hard decision to make.  

14th July
Don drove me into Ballarat this morning to view the Exhibition by Dawn Whitehand {Ballarat potter) of her pit fired pots.  She had a major launch of her new book on the subject a few days ago (I have already ordered one) at The Art Gallery of Ballarat.  The display of pots was "to die for"  all pit fired with the most amazing colours.  The rest of the day has been catching up with the washing, this blog and Don has been fiddling with the brakes on the caravan.  Tomorrow we take off again, into Melbourne to look at a new caravan.   

LEAVING FREMANTLE

30th June
Left reasonably early this morning. Drove through magnificent forests of Karri, Jarrah and Marri before arriving at Pemberton. The forests gave way at places to green rolling hills. A nice change again from red sandy soil. We wanted to include in our day, before we reached Denmark, the Giant Tree Top Walk, high above the floor of giant Tingle trees that reach heights of 70 metres. Very impressive, even if the walk spans swayed a little.  Part of the tour was a walk around the forest floor, here we saw the Tingle trees where the middle had been burnt out, but the tree keeps growing. They call the roots of these trees, toes, and they did sorta kinda look like toes. Leaving there we headed for a lovely camp in Denmark, very tranquil and rural. Only one night, leaving in the morning

1st July. 
Before heading up to Borden for our next night, we back tracked 13ks to Elephants Rocks and Greens Pool. The rocks were a disappointment, the tide was in and couldn't access the beach to get the correct aspect. But Greens Pool blew me away. Crystal clear turquoise water, waves, rocks and white sandy beach. It made up for Elephant Rocks. Denmark is a very lovely town, out of all the towns we have passed thru, if I was going to move to W.A. It would be my pick. Our overnight was at a freeby in Borden, on its way to emptiness but for the huge grain silos filling road trains. Very noisey but it did stop overnite. There was a lovely flowering gums beside the van, took too many photos, as usual

2nd July.
Wheat fields along side of the road, both sides as far as the eye could see. 
Driving along Tin Horse Highway, every property had assembled a tin horse, all different, then placed them beside front boundary fence on the highway. Very different and enjoyable  It has rained since waking this morning, all the way up to Hyden. Will visit Wave Rock when it stops raining.  It did stop after we settled in, so off we go to visit Wave Rock. Let's take our umbrellas just in case. The wave is not as long or high as expected, but nevertheless impressive. Don suggested we walk over to the steps and climb up on top.  Not a hard climb, not much to really see, except the scene around at ground level. BUT just as well we took the umbrellas, because it started to drizzle, no problem, we kept walking. The rain increased, but we still kept going, until it was torrential. I said this is madness, where are we going?  So we turned around to go back, the rain kept increasing, wind became stronger, I was battling to hold the umbrella from blowing inside out to keep my camera dry, plus stay upright. Couldn't see where I was going as had the brolly very low.  By the time we reached the steps to climb down, I was drenched. You guessed it, as we reached the bottom step, the rain stopped and the sun came out. Squelch, squelch back to the van which  ended up looking like a Chinese laundry with wet clothes hanging everywhere. 

3rd July. 
More wheat fields today. 
From Wave Rock and Hyden we turned north again, heading eventually up to the Great Eastern Highway. An uneventful day driving along minor roads, hardly a vehicle going either way. Because of all the wet clothes stopped in Meredin to find a laundromat. Directed to one which turned out to be a commercial laundry, the guy there was great. Used the large commercial washing machine and dryer, and all he asked was $10 to buy a few tinnies. What a top fella. Spent the night at another free rest stop, Karalee Rocks. In 1895 early gold prospectors built a flume to take the rain running off the rocks to a dam that was also built by them. To funnel the water huge slabs of rock were used to build walls strategically. Plus the flume was made using sheets of metal curved and riveted together to make a half circle shape. It's amazing what these early people could do and with what. 

4th July
Our trip today took us east towards Kalgoorlie, the water pipeline from Perth following the highway. Not a lot to see as far as scenery goes , not like the past couple of days. Passed through what would have been small towns, now ramshackle deserted buildings. Stopped at Coolgardie, it is just a shadow of the big town it was. Actually in its hey day was the third largest town. Found our caravan park, left the van and headed out for a looksie. Up at the Super Pit Lookout we were lucky to coincide with a blast. The pit is not just big, it's HUGE.  Haircut this afternoon to try rectify the cut I had in Kununnura. It's still a weird cut, hoping next cut will be back in Barraba. After a drive thru city centre Boulder and Kalgoorlie, Don has had enough, doesn't like the park,  so we head out to Norseman tomorrow. It feels as though he doesn't like large towns or caravan parks, prefers small or rest areas.

5th July
So it's off again, towing the van behind us, first stop Norsement for lunch, turn left onto Eyre Highway to cross the Nullarbor.  Fraser Range Sheep Station was our choice for the night, recommended by other grey nomads.  Rather informal,
huge pit fire to gather around.  It was a chance to sip a wine and catch up with other travellers.  

6th July
The Highway across the plains is bordered by heavy undergrowth and trees, which is surprising, one thinks it would be barren on both sides.  We try to stay alternate nights in caravan park then a free rest area.  Moodini Rocks Rest Area
is our choice for tonight.  Love the rest stops where we can have a camp fire.
This stop was not over crowded, we found a spot away from the road, trying to keep the noise of trucks distant.  

7th July
Back on the road again, heading to the area which is actually the Nullarbour Plains.   Stopped at the lookout to see ............drove down to the valley floor  Further on the vegetation disappeared, nothing to see, as far as the horizon. Heaps of traffic heading both ways, plenty of roadtrains, and most of the caravans heading back towards Perth.  Needed to stay another night out here, so chose the Nullarbor Roadhouse.  The caravan sites were just a tap and electricity pole in the middle of barren block.  We thought we would be the only ones there, by dark surprised to find about another dozen or so camped for the night.  It's lovely to stay where there is an amenity block, lovely hot shower, $1 for 5 minutes.  It is surprising how long 5 minutes lasts under the shower.

8th July
We heard about the whale watching at The Head of the Bight.  It was a detour about 12ks from the highway.   Our saying is "we're not coming back tomorrow", a quick decision and we turned towards the coast. Cold, overcast day, windy as all get out, we struggled down towards the lookouts perched on cliff.  We had been told there would be plenty of whales to see, I was a little sceptical, it was amazing to see plenty of whales, some with calves, some just blowing or just cruising along.  We stayed there in the cold, me trying to capture photos at just the right minute when a whale surfaced.  Have some heavy editing and deleting to do when we get home.  The border was coming up today, for lunch we ate the fruit and finished the tomatoes.  All they were interested in was the lonely orange we had left, ignored the spuds and onions. A long day of driving today for Don, it started to blow and rain and didn't let up at all.  Eventually after dark we arrived at our choice for the night.  Another rest stop, this one at Kyancutta, a very very small town, the park besides the "Everthing" General Store.   

A SELECTION OF PHOTOS FROM MARGARET RIVER, DOWN TO DENMARK, KALGOORLIE AND NULLARBOR

Karri Forest on drive to Margaret River

Giant Tree Top walk between Walpole and Denmark

Looking at forest floor from tree top walk

Giant Tingle Tree

Greens Pool, Denmark

Greens Pool and coastline Denmark

Wave Rock

Super Pit Kalgoorlie

Big Blast at Super Pit

Coastline, Great Australian Bight

Whale watching, Head of the Bight, Nullarbor

NEW NORSICA TO BUSSELTON

Tuesday 24th June

Instead of continuing down the highway following the coast, we have turned inland slightly so we can visit New  Norsica. The only monastic town in Australia. Where we parked for the night was a joke, but at $20 for showers, power and toilets it wasn't to be sneezed at.   5'ies drink at the huge old hotel (run by the monks) a little pricey, but it was worth a look inside the building


Wednesday 25th June
Our first day in  Fremantle area so we headed off to explore it. The first stop was  The Round House , used as a goal at one time,  then on to  the maritime museum.  An interesting place, Don thoroughly enjoyed it.  I like Freo,  reason being so much of the history of the town still exists, beautiful historic buildings everywhere you look. It is only one of the few major towns I've visited that hasn't demolished all it's history.  

I should have started day one recording the amenity blocks at all parks we stayed at. They have ranged from the sublime  to the ridiculous.  Some so small one can't turn around so I've had to dress outside the cubicle. No hooks, no where to place my things. One had no roof and made completely out of corrugated iron. Then there was the fantastic ensuite units, toilet and shower in one room. A joy to use.     Shower curtains, no shower curtains, locks no locks, shower roses sitting right at head height, floors swamped with water, and don't forget " close the toilet lid to keep out the frogs because they like to swim".  Stinking bore water, loud music, heaps with soap and hand dryers  - to the ones with no soap and half a dozen paper towels to last 24 hours (and this was a very big busy park). I could go on and on, it's one of the first questions we ask of each other when we first arrive at a park "WHAT ARE THE AMENITIES LIKE?"  The joy of caravan travel. 

Thursday 26th June
It's so easy to travel around Fremantle and Perth. There appears to be heaps of buses and the train system glides along silently and cleanly. Our bus stop is outside the Park and costs $1.10 each to Fremantle. Took us right to Fremantle station, then for $1.70 each a comfortable train trip to Perth. Our next stage of the day was a hop-on hop-off red bus around Perth. A very informative pleasant ride on the top deck of a double decker bus. The only time we jumped off then back on was at Kings Park.  A fantastic view overlooking Perth and the Swan River.  Time to leave the bus when we reached  Barrack Wharf, so we could walk back thru the middle of the bustling shopping mall area in Perth. All in all it was a great day. The weather turned a little cold and it did rain when at kings Park, but it didn't spoil our day

Friday 27th June
Hit the markets this morning, first headed to E Shed markets near the old wharves in Fremantle . Boy! Was it a BIG  disappointment. Full of crappy souvenirs made overseas. I was expecting  NICE handcrafted goodies. It took 15 minutes to walk in, round and out (and I think 15 minutes might be a bit generous).  So we headed back up the main strip to the very large Fremantle Markets where everything possible is on sale. Managed to find a few more goodies for the grand kids, plus fruit to take with us in the morning when we leave. It's frustrating when, like today, a huge selection of fruit and veggies is laid out in front of you at very reasonable prices and the frig in the van is just not big enough.  The highlight of my day today was visiting a few pottery studios and galleries, recommended by a "pottery friend" on a Facebook Site.  Don and I met Elaine later for an afternoon drink, spent a very delightful and interesting hour or so chatting about pottery, her family and our trip.  Elaine and her husband moved to Australia from Ireland about (I think) 20 or 30 years ago, and she still has a lovely Irish brogue.  A top way to end the day and our stay in Fremantle.

Water Wheel at Cape Leeuwin,
completed cover with calcification

Karri Trees

Jetty, Busselton

Long Jetty, Busselton

Sacred Heart Church, Beagle Bay

Beach, Barn Hill Station Stay

Cliffs, Barn Hill Station Stay

De Grey River, Rest Area

Afternoon visitors, De Grey Rest Area

replica of Batavia Long Boat, Geraldton

Lighthouse Keepers houses at Cape Leeuwin

 
Saturday 28th June
We headed out early this morning for Busselton, passing thru on our way - Mandurah, Bunbury then finally our destination.  Good highway, plenty of big industry .  Arrived early then spent the next hour driving round and round the city centre with caravan in tow, trying to find Information Centre and a caravan park.    Very frustrating.  Finally found the Info Centre, obtained a map of the town with parks marked, and decided on one.  By the way the Info Centre is not in an easy spot, sited beside the tourist "long jetty", plenty of parking but nothing for cars towing a van.  Typical of most towns these days, impossible to find the centre because its in the middle of town and then there is nowhere to park  That's enough of my tirade about Info Centres, but this left one (meaning me) a little annoyed to say the least, so when I was booking us into the Park and was told I would have to pay $50 CASH as a deposit for the boom gate thingey, I was very upset.  Have never been asked for a large amount, usually $10 occasionally it might be $20, but it is always added to your site fees.  No big drama.  Anyway, settled in, dumped the van and headed back into town for a very late lunch.  A large town, stretched out along the coast.  Would be a top spot in the  summer, the number of van parks and resorts backs up my thoughts  Very cold,  biting cold wind.  

Sunday 29th June
We have decided to stay another day in Busselton, leave the van behind, drive down the coast to Augusta and Cape Leeuwin - the most southern/western tip of Australia, where the Southern and Indian Oceans meet.  Because the weather is not very pleasant, only reaching to about 14c. all day and no sun, thought there would not be many other tourists about  Plenty at the Lighthouse at Cape Leeuwin, heaps of cars passing both ways while driving today.  Visited The Silk Road and Margaret River Chocolate Factory.  Plenty of little drops of chocolate free to taste and couldn't resist buying a couple of bars.  Unfortunately the silk scarves etc were a little pricey for my pocket, so no purchases there.  I forgot to mention the beautiful new amenities block here.  Organising a shower this morning, stepped out of my shoes in the cubicle to find, to my delight, under floor heating.  This block has gone to the top of my list of Amenity Blocks as my favourite.  

I have too many photos to choose from, these are just a few of the 1400 odd I have already taken.

Kimberleys

Kimberleys in distance

The Grotto wall

Boab prison tree

Roebuck Bay, B roome

Roebuck Bay

Roebuck Bay

Don, on our flight to Horizontal Falls

Buccaneer Archepeligo from the air

Horizontal falls from the air

Cape Levique

These dirty oily cockatoos have been out to one of the oil rigs, they were filthy

Cape Levique

our Cessna 

from the air