AUSTRALIA....PART 7 OF MANY..

1.4.08.
8.30AM...TIME FOR A SHOWER.
9.10AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS/BACON ON NUTTY GRANARY BREAD/CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...ROSS WANTS TO SHOW US MURRAY RIVER...SLOWLY DRYING UP...BOATS MAROONED.
10.55AM...VAN ROARS INTO ACTION...GOTTA A LONG DRIVE TODAY.
11.40AM...WELLINGTON FERRY...FREE...CUTS OUT TAILEM BEND...SAVE ABOUT 60K.
12.30PM...MENINGIE...SUPERMARKET...NEED BREAD...MILK...BACON...ALSO GOT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...I'M HAPPY!
1.20PM...ABOUT 200 MILES TO GO...WARM WEATHER RETURNED.
5.10PM...MOUNT GAMBIER CAMPSITE.
5.25PM...ONLY GONNA STAY ONE NIGHT..NOT GONNA BOTHER WITH ZEBO.
6.00PM...VEG SOUP/CUPPA TEA...HUGE FLYING ANTS EVERYWHERE.
7.30PM...IN VAN...DOOR FIRMLY CLOSED...RADIO ON...READING NEWSPAPER...HAPP-ISH!


2.4.08.
6.20AM...AWAKE...RAIN POUNDING VAN...WIND RATTLING VAN.
6.35AM...KETTLE ON.
6.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.10AM...HEAD BACK ON PILLOW.
8.30AM...NUDGE FROM NU...TIME TO MOVE.
8.45AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.15AM...ALL PACKED UP...HADN'T PUT ZEBO UP...SO VERY LITTLE TO DO.
9.25AM...CAMP KITCHEN.
9.50AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.35AM...OFF WE SET FOR PORTLAND.
10.50AM...HAVING A LOOK AT THE BLUE LAKE...FORMED BY A CRATER MANY MOONS AGO.
11.15AM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...RAIN LASHING DOWN...VAN ROCKING IN THE WIND.
1.30PM...PORTLAND...WE'VE CROSSED THE BORDER INTO VICTORIA.
3.00PM...ON CAMPSITE.
3.40PM...SUPERMARKET...STEAK[ON OFFER]/SPUDS/CAULI/CARROTS/EAR BUDS.
4.30PM...NU COOKING...RARITY!
5.10PM...EATING...NOT BAD.
6.00PM...NU SHOWERING....I'M WAFFLING WITH A DUTCH GUY.
7.15PM...IN VAN...WIND HOWLING....RAIN POURING.
8.30PM...THINK WE'LL HAVE AN EARLY NIGHT.


3.4.08.
9.20AM...WHATS THE TIME...GOSH WE SLEPT WELL...GOTTA BE OF SITE BY 10AM.
9.30AM...QUICK SHOWER.
9.40AM...KETTLE ON.
9.50AM...VAN IN A MESS...BUT IN NO MOOD TO CARE.
9.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.15AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.40AM...WIND HOWLING...70-90 MILE GUSTS...HOLDING STEERING WHEEL TIGHT...DOING ABOUT 30 MILES AN HOUR...CARS PILING UP BEHIND...VAN SHAKING FROM SIDE TO SIDE...THIS IS MEANT TO BE THE OCEON ROAD...CAN'T SEE OCEON...TO MANY HOUSES BEEN BUILT.
12.35PM...WARRAMBOOL...ITS TAKEN NEARLY 2 HOURS TO DO 60 MILES.
1.00PM...CLAREMONT CAMPSITE...SMALL AND TIDY.
1.10PM...PARKED UP...RAIN LASHING DOWN...NOT GONNA BOTHER WITH ZEBO AGAIN.
1.35PM...BACON SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
2.20PM...RAIN STOPPED.
2.30PM...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE.
2.50PM...NU EYEING WATER PROOF JACKETS AT INCREDIBLE PRICES.
3.40PM...NU IN HAIRDRESSERS...I'M RESTING MY ACHING BACK.
4.30PM...NU OUTA HAIRDRESSERS...HAIR CUT AND EYEBROWS SORTED...LOOKS ALRIGHT.
5.10PM...SUPERMARKET...BREAD/EGGS REQUIRED ETC.
6.25PM...HIPPY DISH WITH SPUDS...OK/BEER.
7.30PM...A WOMEN WE MET IN HANOI IN THE FLOODS JUST HAPPENS TO BE ON SITE TOO!...SMALL WORLD.
8.30PM...SITTING IN VAN...BACK ACHING...FEEL WEARY...NEARLY FINISHED NEWSPAPER.


4.4.08.
9.20AM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER...SUN SHINING.
9.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
955AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.30AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...CLEANING FOOD BOX OUT.
11.15AM...CLEANING OTHER BOXES...CUTLERY/CROCKERY/PANS.
11.50AM...RAIN RETURNED...TOWELS SOAKED...NU HERE,THERE AND EVERYWHERE!...SHE ROLLS HER TROUSERS UP...BUT FOR SOME REASON THE RIGHT TROUSER LEG ALWAYS FALLS DOWN...STRANGE.
1.00PM...WALKED INTO TOWN.
1.40PM...ART GALLERY...NOW WE HAVE SEEN AN AWFUL LOT OF ART GALLERIES ON OUR TRAVELS AND I HAVE TO SAY THIS WASN'T WORTH A LOOK...A PAINTING BY DANIEL CLARKE HAD SOMETHING...YOU COULD UNDERSTAND THE STORY BEHIND THE PAINT...BUT THAT WAS IT.
2.35PM...IRISH PUB...COULD DO WITH A GOOD MOPPING...FLOOR WELL STICKY!
4.00PM...BAKED SPUD...NOT ENOUGH CHEESE...TO MUCH COLESLAW.
5.30PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...WEATHER PLEASANT...DON'T FEEL THIS DAY AS BEEN WORTHWHILE.
7.10PM...SITTING IN VAN...A BUNCH OF ITALIANS HAVE TAKEN OVER THE CAMP KITCHEN.


5.4.08.
9.40AM...KETTLE ON.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...MUSHROOM/TOMATO SANDWICH...NU HAD TOAST...CUPPA TEA...THE ITALIANS LEFT THE KITCHEN IN A RIGHT MESS...DIRTY PIGS!
11.40AM...HANGING WASHING OUT...WEATHER WARM AND BLUSTERY.
12.10PM...WALKED TO TRAIN STATION.
12.30PM...WE WANTED THE TRAIN TO PORT FAIRY...ITS SATURDAY...THE LAST ONE LEFT AT 11.35AM...OUCH!
1.05PM...WALKED BACK TO CAMPSITE...GONNA DRIVE TO PORT FAIRY.
1.50PM...PORT FAIRY VISITORS CENTRE...ITS A VERY QUIET PLACE.
2.30PM...MOTTS COTTAGE...THE OLDEST BUIDIND IN PORT FAIRY...SMELLS LIKE IT TOO!
3.40PM...CAFE...NU PECKISH...BACON/CHICKEN ON TURKISH BREAD...STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE FOR ME.
4.25PM...PUB.
5.10PM...BACK IN VAN...HEADING BACK TO CAMPSITE.
6.00PM...IN CAMPERS KITCHEN WAITING TO PUT OUR STEAK ON...PLEASANT ATMOSPHERE...THE DIRTY PIGS HAVE GONE.
7.15PM...WONDERFUL STEAK/SPUDS/GREEN BEANS.
8.00PM...CHATTING WITH TWO GIRLS FROM THE NORTH OF ENGLAND...HAVING A GLASS OR TWO OF WINE.


6.4.08.
8.00AM...THE CLOCKS READS 9.00AM...BUT GOTTA PUT CLOCKS BACK ONE HOUR TODAY.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON...NU GONE FOR SHOWER.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...TIME FOR MY SHOWER.
9.20AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
9.50AM...PACKED UP...READY TO MOVE.
9.55AM...VAN WON'T START!
10.05AM...CHECKING PLUGS.
10.15AM...VAN FIRES INTO LIFE...THANK GOD FOR THAT!...I'M ALWAYS TALKING TO MYSELF.
11.05AM...GOING DOWN COASTAL ROAD...GREAT OCEON ROAD...MANY LOOKOUT POINTS...LONDON BRIDGE...THE GROTTO...THE ARCH...12 APOSTLES...SEA CRASHING AGAINST HUGE ROCKS...ENCHANTING AND DREAMY.
4.00PM...HAD ENOUGH OF ROCKS AND CRASHING WAVES...IT IS A BEAUTIFUL COAST LINE THOUGH.
4.40PM...PORT CAMPBELL...WAS GOING TO STAY HERE...BUT TO MANY PONCEY POSY TYPES...DRIVING ON TO PRINCESTOWN.
5.15PM...CAMPSITE...LOOKS OK.
5.30PM...PHONED MOTHER...PAULINE...WILLIAM.
6.20PM...BACK AT VAN...LOTTA COCKROACHES AROUND.
7.00PM...CHEESE/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
8.00PM...HAPPY IN OUR LITTLE WAY...UNHAPPY ABOUT THE ABUNDANCE OF COCKROACHES!


7.4.08.
8.05AM...GOTTA GET OUTA THIS COCKROACH INFESTED PLACE.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.15AM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER.
8.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.30AM...TRYING TO START VAN...HAD TROUBLE THE OTHER MORNING...BIT DAMP I THINK.
8.40AM...NU RETURNS...I'VE JUST MANAGED TO GET THE OLD GIRL FIRED UP[THE VAN THAT IS].
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...CUPPA COFFEE...NU HAD TOAST...I DIDN'T FEEL HUNGRY.
9.35AM...OFF WE SET DOWN THE COASTAL ROAD...ENGLISH LOOKING GREEN HILLS TO MY LEFT.
10.00AM...VERY BENTED ROADS...CAN'T GO ABOVE 40 MPH.
11.50AM...APPOLLO BAY...BOOK INTO CAMPSITE...ITS VERY CLEAN.
12.25PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY...I'M HAVING A THOUGHFUL MOMENT OVER A CUPPA.
1.10PM...WASHING DRYING ON LINE...DROVE INTO TOWN.
1.35PM...SUPERMARKET...PORK/SPUDS/CARROTS/PARSNIPS.
2.10PM...FISH AND CHIPS BETWEEN US...OK...I WAS STARVING HAVING HAD NO BREAKIE.
3.00PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...LOOKS LIKE RAIN...ZEBO UP.
4.00PM...CHATTING ABOUT HOW EVERYWHERE LOOKS THE SAME.
6.00PM...TIME FOR EVENING FARE...PORK ON BARBEQUE...VEGGIES SIMMERING...THIS IS THE FIRST CAMPSITE WE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR GAS.
7.15PM...EATEN WELL...WASHING UP DONE.
7.40PM...I SAID TO NU...'I THINK I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF OZ'...NU REPLIED...'I THINK I HAVE TOO'.
8.10PM...WE'VE GOT THE VAN TO SELL...SO WE ARE BUSILY THINKING THINGS THRU.
9.00PM...NU HAVING A BRANDY...I'M HAVING A WHISKEY...IT HELPS THE BRAIN TO FLOW!


8.4.08.
9.15AM...NOT MUCH HAPPENING TODAY[AS MUCH HAPPENED IN THE LAST FEW DAYS?]...JUST GONNA DISCUSS WHAT WE ARE DOING NEXT.
9.35AM...KETTLE ON.
9.40AM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER.
9.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.10AM...SHOWER/SHAVE.
10.40AM...PORRIDGE...MADE IT ALL MILK...FORGOT NU LIKES IT HALF WATER/HALF MILK...SO I'M IN THE DOG HOUSE...WOOF WOOF!
11.30AM...WALKED INTO TOWN/VILLAGE.
11.50AM...WALKED ALL THE WAY TO THE JETTY...ABOUT 2K...WONDERFUL CLEAR BLUE SEA.
12.20PM...PUB...WE'VE DECIDED TO GO TO SYDNEY...SEE THE BRIDGE AND OPERA HOUSE...SELL THE VAN...FLY TO NEW ZEALAND...BUT GONNA SEE LORNR AND GEELONG FIRST.
12.50PM...SECOND BEER.
1.40PM...FISH/CHIPS/GREEK SALAD...I ENJOYED IT...NU NOT IMPRESSED.
3.10PM...BACK ON CAMPSITE...READING ABOUT ZEALAND.
4.10PM...DISCUSSING VANS WORTH.
7.00PM...IN VAN...ITS GONE COOL.
7.30PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH.
8.00PM...NU HAVING A BRANDY...WHISKEY FOR ME...HEAD KINDA EXCITED ABOUT ZEALAND...BUT WONDERING IF ITS GONNA BE THE SAME AS OZ.
9.00PM...THOUGHTFUL.


9.4.08.
7.10AM...THE WIND AS BEEN HOWLING ALL NIGHT...I THINK I'VE SLEPT...BUT MY BODY AND HEAD DISAGREE.
7.30AM...KETTLE ON...NU GONE FOR SHOWER.
7.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...NU RETURNS.
8.10AM...TIME FOR MY SHOWER...WE HAVE TO TAKE SHOWER SEPARATELY CAUSE THEY ONLY GIVE YOU ONE KEY...PLUS I DON'T THINK WE'D BOTH FIT IN THE CUBICLE TOGETHER!...WIND STILL HOWLING.
8.50AM...DISMANTLING ZEBO...THE WIND NOT HELPING.
9.05AM...PHEW!...ZEBO IN BOX...IN A FASHION.
9.20AM...CAMP KITCHEN...TOAST/CUPPA TEA...CHATTING WITH IRISH COUPLE.
9.50AM...ON THE ROAD TO LORNE...POPPED INTO NEWSAGENTS TO GET ENGLISH PAPER.
10.50AM...LORNE...ITS BEEN A WONDERFUL DRIVE...COUPLED WITH WONDERFUL SCENERY...TOOK IT SLOW...ROAD WINDING.
11.05AM...SUPERMARKET...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGGS/TOMATO/BREAD.
11.25AM...NU SITTING ON BENCH BY BEACH...I'M COOKING AT REAR OF VAN.
11.45AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH ON LORNE BEACH...BIT WINDY...BUT THE SUN IS OUT...THERES A DOG RUNNING IN AND OUT OF THE SEA...JOYFULLY PLAYING...IN A WORLD OF IS OWN!
12.30PM...NEXT STOP ANGLESEA.
1.10PM...DROVE THRU ANGLESEA...NOT WORTH STOPPING...NEXT PLACE IS TORQUAY.
2.00PM...TORQUAY POSTOFFICE...NU NEEDS STAMPS...SHE ALWAYS NEEDS STAMPS.
3.00PM...BOOKED ON CAMPSITE...ITS SOME WHAT ANTIQUATED...FOR ONE NIGHT IT'LL DO.
3.30PM...CUPPA TEA...READING NEWSPAPER.
4.00PM...SORTING REAR OF VAN.
5.00PM...BAKED BEANS/MUSHROOMS/EGG ON TOAST.
5.45PM...CUPPA TEA...A FEW DROPS OF RAIN IN THE AIR.
6.00PM...IN VAN...CHATTING ABOUT WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO...I THINK WE HAVE HAD A CHANGE OF HEART...I THINK WE ARE GONNA CARRY ON...WE HAVE DECIDED TO GO TO TASMANIA...GET A VISA EXTENSION AND SEE A BIT MORE OF OZ...WE MIGHT CHANGE OUR MINDS AGAIN TOMORROW...SO WATCH THIS SPACE!
6.30PM...RAIN COMING DOWN.
7.30PM...THINKING ABOUT BUYING A CHEAP BIT OF LAND...BUILDING A 2 BED SHED AND WRITING MY MEMOIRS THAT KNOW ONE ELSE WILL UNDERSTAND!


10.4.08.
8.00AM...TIME TO MOVE...GOTTA BE OFF SITE BY 10.00AM.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.45AM...PACKED UP.
10.15AM...FOUND LIBRARY...BUT ITS CLOSED...OPENS AT 2.00PM...NEED INTERNET TO SORT SECOND VISA.
10.40AM...PHONED FERRY OFFICE...BOOKED FERRY FOR TASMANIA...GO SATURDAY 12TH MARCH.
11.05AM...DRIVING PRINCES HIGHWAY...ON THE WAY TO MELBOURNE.
12.15PM...MELBOURNE.
12.40PM...STATION PIER...PICKED UP TICKETS FOR FERRY.
1.10PM...SEARCHING FOR CAMPSITE...MELBOURNE ROADS ARE AN ENIGMA.
2.30PM...STILL SEARCHING...THIS IS THE THIRD TIME WE HAVE BEEN OVER WESTGATE BRIDGE!
3.30PM...LEGS ACHING...BACK ACHING...WE'VE FINALLY FOUND THE DAMN PLACE.
4.05PM...SUPERMARKET...LAMB/SPUDS/CARROTS/PARSNIPS/MINT SAUCE.
5.00PM...SPA/SAUNA...HOPING TO CONQUER MY ACHING BONES.
6.25PM...COOKING.
7.00PM...EATING...WELL ENJOYED.
8.00PM...WASHING UP SORTED...IN VAN...FEW SPECS OF RAIN.
8.20PM...WHISKEY...RADIO PLAYING...I MUST SAY THE OCEON ROAD WAS VERY SCENIC...BUT YOU'VE GOTTA UNDERSTAND I'M NOT TOTALLY SURE WHAT SCENIC IS...I MEAN STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD LOOKS SCENIC TO ME...BACKING A HORSE AND SEEING IT COME FIRST IS SCENIC TO ME...DON'T GET ME WRONG...I GUESS I DON'T HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE TO COMPREHEND WHAT MAKES SCENERY SCENIC...LIKE WHEN SOME PAINTING SELLS FOR MILLIONS...WELL I CAN'T SEE WHY...PERHAPS ITS CAUSE I AM OF LITTLE INTELLIGENCE...WHAT IS INTELLIGENCE?...DID YOU PASS AN EXAM TODAY?...DOES THAT MAKE YOU INTELLIGENT?...DID YOU PICK THE RIGHT NUMBERS ON THE LOTTERY?...DOES THAT MAKE YOU INTELLIGENT?...DID YOU GET UP ONE DAY AND SAY I'M GONNA ENJOY MYSELF...COME WHAT MAY?...IS THAT INTELLIGENCE?


11.4.08.
8.20AM...AWAKE...BUT DON'T WANNA MOVE...FEEL COLD.
8.35AM...KETTLE ON.
8.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.05AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.35AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
10.20AM...WAITING FOR BUS FOR MELBOURNE CENTRE.
10.40AM...ON BUS TO CENTRE...THERE IS ONLY FOUR WHITES ON THE BUS...ITS LIKE GOING TO BIRMINGHAM TOWN CENTRE...PASSING BUILDINGS DAUBED WITH GRAFFITI.
11.10AM...OFF WE GET ON QUEENS STREET...GOTTA FIND RUSSELL STREET FOR CITY CENTRE LIBRARY FOR INTERNET.
12.15PM...AFTER SEVERAL STREETS...A HUGE OLD BUILDING STANDS BEFORE US.
12.35PM...INTERNET...GOTTA GET INFO ON RENEWING VISA'S...IT DOESN'T GIVE US THE INFO WE REQUIRE...BUT WE HAVE A TELEPHONE NUMBER.
1.00PM...PHONED NUMBER...WE HAVE TO GO TO LONSDALE STREET.
1.40PM...LONSDALE STREET...IMMIGRATION CENTRE...THEY GIVE US FORMS TO FILL IN...AND THEN WE GOTTA MAKE AN APPOINTMENT...OUCH!...WE GO TO TASMANIA TOMORROW...IT'LL HAVE TO WAIT.
2.30PM...CHILL IN BAR...A BAR MADE COMPLETELY OF ICE...HAD TO WEAR GLOVES/COAT/BOOTS/HAT...DRINKING ICY COLADA OUTA CUPS MADE OF ICE!
3.40PM...CHICKEN CURRY/BALTI...NAAN BREAD...NOT BAD.
4.30PM...THE TURF BAR...PUB ON QUEENS STREET.
6.10PM...3 PINTS OF STELLA LATER...WAITING FOR BUS BACK TO CAMPSITE.
7.05PM...IN SUPERMARKET NEXT TO CAMPSITE...NEED BREAD FOR SANDWICHES FOR TOMORROWS EXPEDITION TO TASMANIA...THE BOAT TRIP TAKES 10 HOURS.
8.30PM...SITTING IN VAN...READING 'BRITISH BALLS'...A FREEBIE MAG THAT TAKES A FUNNY LOOK AT THE BRITISH WAY OF LIFE...ITS VERY WELL WRITTEN/HUMOROUS.


12.4.08.
5.00AM...ALARM...GOTTA GET TO FERRY PORT FOR TASMANIA BY 7.00AM...AND BELIEVE ME THE MELBOURNE ROADS ARE AN ENIGMA...I THINK I HAVE ALREADY WRITTEN THAT!
5.15AM...STILL IN BED...BLEARY EYED.
5.30AM...SITTING UP...KETTLE ON.
5.45AM...THINKING ABOUT GOING FOR A SHOWER...SIPPING MY TEA.
5.55AM...SHOWER.
6.10AM...STARTED VAN...THOUGHT SHE MIGHT BE A BIT TEMPRAMENTAL AT THIS HOUR.
6.25AM...ON THE MOVE.
6.40AM...ON WESTGATE BRIDGE...A BRIDGE I KNOW WELL...BEEN HERE 3 TIMES BEFORE!
7.10AM...QUEUEING AT PIER.
7.25AM...THEY WANNA SEARCH THE VAN...DO I LOOK LIKE A CRIMINAL?
7.30AM...GOTTA DISPOSE OF 10 LITRES OF PETROL I HAVE IN A SPARE CAN!
7.50AM...IN SECONDARY QUEUE.
8.25AM...BOARDING...PARKING VAN.
8.40AM...SEATED IN BAR.
9.20AM...FERRY ON MOVE.
9.40AM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH.
10.10AM...FELL ASLEEP.
12.20PM...WOKE UP.
12.30PM...CHOCOLATE...FAV RAVE!
12.50PM...ON DECK...GETTING SOME AIR.
1.30PM...ANOTHER CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...BOTTLE OF BEER.
2.15PM...PUT 10 DOLLARS IN FRUIT MACHINE...WON 27 DOLLARS...=17 DOLLARS UP!...EXACTLY WHAT I PAID FOR MY DISPOSED PETROL...WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND!
3.30PM...WELL BORED.
4.10PM...OZ FOOTBALL ON TV...CAN'T MAKE SENSE OF IT...A CROSS BETWEEN RUGBY AND ENGLISH FOOTIE...KICK AND HOPE...SOMEWHAT LIKE ENGLISH FOOTIE!
6.30PM...DOCKED AT LAST...I'VE BEEN YAWNING FOR THE LAST HOUR AND A HALF.
6.50PM...IN VAN...READY TO DE-BOARD.
7.15PM...IMMIGRATION CONTROL...VAN INSPECTION...THEY'VE TAKEN OUR HALF CUCUMBER OF US...NU WELL UPSET...IT WAS A GOOD CUCUMBER...THE LAST ONE WENT LIMP...I SMILED WRYLY.
7.45PM...ULVERSTONE CAMPSITE...BOOKED IN.
8.00PM...WENT TO CENTRE OF TOWN...SUPREME PIZZA...NOT BAD.
9.00PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...BACK ACHING...CUPPA TEA.


13.4.08.
8.50AM...SLEPT WELL...NEED A CUPPA.
9.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.30AM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
9.50AM...PORRIDGE...FOLLOWED BY TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
10.40AM...SITTING BY VAN...DISCUSSING WHAT DIRECTION WE ARE TAKING...WEATHER WINDY AND WARM.
11.30AM...OFF WE SET FOR THE SMALL TOWN CALLED PENGUIN.
12.10PM...AND A LOVELY TOWN IT IS TOO...NOT OVERLY BUSY...JUST ENOUGH PEOPLE TO SAY GOOD DAY TOO...WALKED MAIN STREET...WENT TO A SMALL MARKET...BOUGHT SOME PEPPERS[NEEDED FOR MEAL TONIGHT] AND A BAG OF APPLE CUSTARDS[SWEETS].
1.50PM...DROVE ON TO BURNIE...A LARGE TOWN.
2.30PM...CHEESE TASTING...SOME WERE DELICIOUS...SOME WERE JUST PLAIN AWFUL.
3.10PM...DROVE ON TO WYNYARD.
3.40PM...TABLE CAPE...A WILD AND WINDY HILL TOP...WEATHER COOLING.
3.55PM...BACK IN VAN...HEADING BACK TO ULVERSTONE.
4.45PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
5.40PM...SPAG BOL...MY OWN RECIPE...WE LOVE IT!
7.00PM...BACK IN VAN...THINK I'LL HAVE A WHISKEY...WARM ME THRU...RADIO PLAYING.
8.40PM...SHOULD I RENAME THIS BLOG REPETITIVE?


14.4.08.
8.00AM...NOT IN THE MOOD TO MOVE...BUT GOT TOO.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...PACKING UP.
9.20AM...TOAST...MADE BY THE ONE I LOVE MOST...I DO DO A GOOD ROUND OF TOAST!...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.40AM...STOPPED AT BURNIE...BOUGHT TO HUGE PIECES OF STEAK...NICE PRICE...COULDN'T RESIST.
11.30AM...BOAT HARBOUR...SIMPLE WONDERFUL...I GUESS I'M GETTING TO UNDERSTAND THE BEAUTY AND THE UNBEAUTY...AND THIS IS BEAUTIFUL...LUSH GREEN HILLS ALL AROUND...THE WHITE BEACH...THE CLEAR BLUE SEA...THERES A FEW PEOPLE MILLING AROUND...BUT ITS SO UNDISTURBED.
12.30PM...STILL IN BOAT HARBOUR...SITTING IN VAN EATING CHEESE AND CRACKERS...NU BOUGHT SOME WELL SMELLY BLUE CHEESE AT THE CHEESE TASTING YESTERDAY...TASTES OK...BUT DON'T WANT TO MUCH...PREFER GOOD OLD CHEDDAR!
1.10PM...IGNITION TURNED...WHEELS ROLLING.
1.40PM...DRIVING THRU LAZY LANES...GREEN HILLY FIELDS SURROUND US.
2.30PM...ARRIVED AT STANLEY...PARKED UP ON CAMPSITE.
3.10PM...NEAREST PUB.
4.10PM...TWO PINTS LATER...WE DECIDE TO WALK THE HIGH STREET.
5.15PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
6.00PM...STEAK ON BBQ...THEY ARE SUCH HUGE PIECES...GONNA HAVE ONE BETWEEN US...CHATTING WITH A CHAP WHO EMIGRATED FROM COVENTRY IN 1962...STEAK SIZZLING.
7.20PM...WONDERFUL MEAL...CAULI/CARROTS/PARSNIPS/SPUDS...THE VEGGIES OUT HERE ARE MUCH BETTER THAN WE GET IN ENGLAND...LOADS MORE TASTE.


15.4.08.
8.10AM...DAYLIGHT DAWNS.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER/SHAVE...THIS IS ONE OF THE CLEANEST CAMPSITES I HAVE EVER BEEN ON.
9.20AM...BACON SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...ON CHAIRLIFT...GOING UP 'THE NUT'...A MOUNTAIN OF LAND SHAPED LIKE A NUT...WELL THE OZZIES THINK ITS SHAPED LIKE A NUT...I'M NOT SO SURE.
10.25AM...THE VIEWS ARE INCREDIBLE...STANLEY LOOKS LIKE A TOY TOWN...ITS SO WELL MANICURED...IT MUST BE A DREAM TO LIVE HERE...IT TAKES[APPARENTLY] 35 MINS TO WALK THE PERIMETER...NU AND I TOOK ABOUT 90!
12.05PM...NU BUYING POSTCARDS...SHE BUYS CARDS FROM VIRTUAL EVERY OUTLET THAT SELLS THEM!
12.35PM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY...GOT A FAIR DRIVE AHEAD.
2.00PM...NEARLY AT CRADLE MOUNTAIN...NU DECIDES ITS NOT WORTH GOING...TO MUCH WALKING INVOLVED.
2.30PM...ON THE ROAD AGAIN...I'VE ENJOYED MOST OF THE DRIVING SO FAR...BUT TASMANIAN ROADS ARE THE BENDIEST...YOU CAN'T GO MORE THAN A 100 YARDS AND THERES A BEND...NOT ENJOYING DRIVING TODAY.
5.55PM...QUEENSTOWN...OLD MINING VILLAGE...THIS AS BEEN A LONG DAY.
6.15PM...ITS ROUGH AND READY...AFTER STANLEY...THIS IS THE UNBEAUTY.
6.20PM...CAMPSITE.
7.00PM...SPAG BOL.
8.00PM...WE HAVE BEEN INVITED FOR DRINKS BY OUR NEW NIEGHBOURS...FRANK AND MARIA.
9.00PM...FRANK LIKES TRAINS...SO WE ARE BEING SHOWN PHOTO'S OF TRAINS AND TRAIN THINGS.
1.00AM!...I'VE HAD A FAIR BIT TO DRINK AND HAVE DECIDED I DON'T LIKE TRAINS...ACTUALLY IT WAS A PLEASANT EVENING AND WE DID TALK ABOUT MANY OTHER THINGS BESIDES TRAINS...AND FRANK UNDERSTOOD MY WIT...WHICH WAS A BLESSING!


16.4.08.
7.00AM...WOKE SURPRISINGLY EARLY AFTER OUR LATE NIGHT.
7.15AM...KETTLE ON.
7.30AM...SHOWER.
8.00AM...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY...JUST ANOTHER CUPPA WILL DO.
8.30AM...PACKING UP...CHATTING WITH FRANK AND MARIA.
8.50AM...I THINK THE VANS A BIT DAMP...SHE DON'T WANNA START.
9.20AM...VAN STILL NOT FIRING...FRANK OFFERS HIS ASSISTANCE...BUT ADMITS HE IS NO MECHANIC.
9.30AM...I TRY TURNING KEY AGAIN...HEY PRESTO...SHE BURSTS INTO LIFE...I SAID TO FRANK...I RECKON YOU SCARED HER!
9.50AM...QUEENSTOWN TOWN CENTRE...NU WANTS NEW FLEECE.
10.10AM...NU AS NEW FLEECE.
10.20AM...WHEELS ARE TURNING.
11.00AM...NEVER ENDING WINDING ROAD.
11.40AM...LAKE ST.CLAIR VISITORS CENTRE...COOKING BACON ON CARPARK...SCRUMMY!
12.10PM...DERWNT...THIS CHAP CALLED GREG DUNCAN IS DOING A WOOD CARVING MURAL OF OZ LIFE...HE STARTED IT TWO YEARS AGO AND HOPES TO FINISH IT BY 2009...ITS VERY IMPRESSIVE...VERY DETAILED...THE WOOD IS HUON...THE HUON TREE ONLY GROWS 1 MILLIMETRE A YEAR...SO AN AWFUL LOTTA TREES ARE GOING INTO THIS PROJECT...GUESS HE THINKS ITS WORTH IT...GUESSS ITS WORTH A LOOK IF YOU ARE EVER IN THE AREA!
3.00PM...BACK ON THE ROAD...THE SLOW HILLY ROADS...I'M LUCKY TO GET OUTA THIRD!
5.00PM...NEW NORFOLK.
5.10PM...NEED MILK ETC.
5.55PM...CAMPSITE.
6.50PM...THE SECOND OF THE HUGE STEAKS/CAULI/CARROTS/PARSNIPS/SPUDS...STEAK A BIT WELL DONE...SPUDS TOOK AGES TO COOK.
8.10PM...SITTING IN VAN...EYELIDS FAULTERING.


17.4.08.
8.00AM...THURSDAY...WAS I A THURSDAY CHILD?
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...BIT SALTY...MIGHT BE THE MARGERINE WE BOUGHT...I'M NOT ONE TO MOAN...CUPPA TEA.
9.50AM...VAN STARTED OK...DRIER TODAY.
10.30AM...HOBART TOWN CENTRE...PARKED VAN.
11.05AM...FOUND IMMIGRATION OFFICE/BUILDING...APPARENTLY WE CAN GET OUR VISA EXTENSION HERE.
11.20AM...EXPLAINING TO LADY WHAT WE REQUIRE AND WHY...WE NEED TO GET BANK ACCOUNT DETAILS AND VAN DOCUMENTS.
12.05PM...LIBRARY...PRINTING BANK DETAILS OUT ON COMPUTER.
1.00PM...BACK AT IMMIGRATION OFFICE.
1.40PM...VISA'S BEING PROCESSED.
2.10PM...WE HAVE A VISA EXTENSION TILL 6TH SEPT...PROBABLY GO TO ZEALAND AFTER THAT...PROBABLY BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS?
2.35PM...HEADING OUTA HOBART TOWARDS CAMPSITE.
2.55PM...CAMPSITE.
3.20PM...CHEESE AND BISCUITS/CUPPA TEA.
3.40PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY...SHE LIKES TO KEEP ON TOP OF IT.
4.00PM...SUN OUT...READING NEWSPAPER.
4.35PM...LAUNDRY DONE.
5.05PM...SUN GONE.
5.25PM...NU IRONING.
6.00PM...NU IN SPA.
7.30PM...PIZZA...THE MOST AWFUL PIZZA I HAVE EVER TASTED...BINNED IT.
8.05PM...WENT FOR WALK UP LANE.
9.00PM...FUNNY OLD DAY...I SHOULD FEEL GOOD HAVING GOT VISA EXTENSION...BUT FOR SOME REASON I DON'T FEEL GOOD...STRANGE.


THINK I'LL GIVE UP THE BOOZE
JOIN SCIFICULTOLOGY LIKE BECKS AND TOM CRUISE!


BYE FOR NOWZ.