25.6.08.
8.00AM...FOR SOME REASON WE'VE BOOKED TWO NIGHTS...I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY...I WOULDN'T MIND BUYING A TICKET BACK TO ENGLAND!
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.05AM...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE...MY RIGHT FOOT IN PAIN...THE HEEL AS DRIED AND CRACKED...OUCH.
11.55AM...POST OFFICE...WHAT A PALAVER...THE LETTERS ARE OVERWEIGHT...FORMS TO FILL.
1.00PM...WALKING TOWN.
2.10PM...PUB.
4.00PM...WALKING BACK TO CAMP.
5.00PM...SPAG BOL...ITS ACTUALLY NOT SPAHETTI BOLIGNESSE...ITS MY OWN RECIPE...SO I'M GONNA RENAME IT CURRY BOG.
5.40PM...CHATTING WITH FELLOW CAMPERS...THE SAME CAMPERS WE WERE TALKING TO LAST NIGHT...IT'S BECOMING A BORE.
26.6.08.
7.30AM...ANOTHER BORING DAY AHEAD.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.50AM...PORRIDGE/CUPPA TEA.
9.15AM...PACKING UP.
9.40AM...READY TO ROLL.
10.40AM...THE ROAD IS VERY STRAIGHT...LANDSCAPE EMPTY.
1.10PM...HALLS CREEK...AN ABORIGINAL OUTPOST.
1.25PM...BOOKED ON CAMPSITE.
2.00PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...BEER.
3.00PM...HEAD FOR NEAREST PUB...WE ONLY GO THERE FOR THE SHADE...HONEST!
3.30PM...PLAYING POOL...NU READING.
5.00PM...BACK AT CAMP.
5.30PM...BEANS ON TOAST WITH EGG...CUPPA TEA.
6.10PM...WAFFERLING BETWEEN OURSELVES...I THINK WE ARE BOTH OZZED OUT.
27.6.08.
7.20AM...ANOTHER DAY OF DRIVING...OUCH.
7.30AM...KETTLE ON.
7.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.10AM...SHOWER...THE SHOWER BLOCK IS ANCIENT AND STINKS OF FISH.
8.50AM...PORRIDGE/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...OFF WE SET.
10.30AM...DREAMING OF NEW ZEALAND...BUT THEN AGAIN...ITS PROBABLY JUST LIKE HERE?
11.30AM...FITZROY CROSSING...A DESOLUTE DUST HOLE...AS SOON AS WE ARRIVED I KNEW I DIDN'T WANNA STAY.
12.10PM...PUT 60 DOLLARS OF PETROL IN.
12.20PM...OFF WE DRIVE AGAIN.
1.00PM...THE ROAD IS BARREN...THE HEAT UNRELENTING.
3.00PM...DERBY...THIS PLACE LOOKS OK.
3.15PM...BOOKED THREE NIGHTS...NEED TO RELAX AND THINK HARD ON WHAT WE ARE DOING...SHOULD WE JUST BURN TO PERTH...SELL VAN AND GET NEXT FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND?
4.00PM...SETTING UP CAMP.
4.30PM...BACON AND EGG SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
28.6.08.
8.30AM...NO HURRY...NEED TO RELAX TODAY.
8.45AM...KETTLE ON.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.25AM...SHOWER...VERY CLEAN FACILITIES.
10.20AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS/CUPPA TEQA.
11.30AM...WALKING TO BANK.
11.55AM...WALKING TO NEWSAGENTS.
12.05PM...NEWSAGENTS...THEY HAVE A COPY OF MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...BUT THEY ONLY HAVE ONE COPY AND ITS MEANT FOR AN ENGLISH WOMAN CALLED LINDA...SHE USUALLY COLLECTS IT ON A THURSDAY...TODAY IS SATURDAY AND SHE HASN'T SHOWN UP...THEY LET ME HAVE IT...MY DAY IS BRIGHTENED!
12.15PM...WALKING TO PUB.
12.50PM...PLAYING POOL.
4.00PM...SUPERMARKET...FANCY STEAK ETC.
5.00PM...ON THE BBQ...STEAK SIZZLING...NU SORTING VEG.
5.35PM...STEAK A BIT WELL DONE...CAULI AND SPUD OK.
7.00PM...HAPPILY READING NEWSPAPER...GLASS OF WINE.
29.6.08.
8.10AM...HAVE I RECOVERED FROM THIS ENDLESS BOREDOM?...NO!
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...SHOWER.
10.00AM...OFF WE SET FOR THE SUPERMARKET...NU WANTS CURRY BOG[NEE SPAG BOL]...AGAIN!
11.10AM...A LATE BREAKFAST TODAY...BACON/EGG SANDWICH FOR NU...BACON/MUSHROOM FOR ME.
12.05PM...TIDYING VAN.
1.00PM...NU GONE FOR A SWIM...I'VE GOTTA PREPARE THE CURRY BOG.
2.25PM...NU RETURNS...ALL SMILES...SHE DOES ENJOY THE WATER.
3.15PM...READING NEWSPAPER.
4.10PM...CURRY BOG...WENT DOWN A TREAT.
6.00PM...DISCUSSING WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS...WE LIKE THIS CAMPSITE...GONNA BOOK ANOTHER NIGHT...BUT STILL CAN'T DECIDE WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE LONG RUN.
BORED.
BYE FOR NOWZ.
Sunday, 29 June 2008
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
australia...part 12+8 of many...
THIS IS THE LAST OFTHE NORTHERN TERRITORY WAFFLE INCLUDING CENTRAL OZ...I'M GONNA GIVE IT A SCORE OF 7 OUTA 10...ALSO I'VE JUST NOTICED I FORGOT TO WRITE 14.6.8 AT THE PAGE IN BETWEEN THE 13.6.08 AND 15.6.08!
19.6.08.
8.15AM...SLEPT ON AND OFF...TOO HOT...TOSSED AND TURNED ALL NIGHT.
8.30AM...KETTLE ON.
8.50AM...CUPPATEA.
9.30AM...TOAST AND JAM.
9.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...WALKINGTO THE BUS STOP.
11.20AM...ON THE BUS TO CENTRE OF DARWIN.
11.45AM...WALKING TO MUSEUM...SWEAT DRIPPING.
12.10PM...MUSEUM...THANK GOD IT'S AIR CONDITIONED.
12.40PM...LOADSA DIFFERENT SECTIONS IN THIS MUSEUM...FOSSILS/STONES AND BONES/FISH/REPTILES...ALSO A ROOM DEDICATED TO CYCLONE TRACY...THE CYCLONE THAT DEVASTATED DARWIN IN 1974...THIS FOR ME WAS THE MOST INTERESTING...ALSO THEY HAVE A STUFFED CROCODILE CALLED'SWEETHEART'...IT APPARENTLY TERRORISED DARWIN BEFORE BEING KILLED ACCIDENTLY...THEY WERE ONLY GONNA CAPTURE THE BEAST...BUT THEY ACCIDENTLY DROWNED IT!
2.10PM...NOT THE BEST MUSEUM...BIT OF A MISH-MASH OF THINGS...LOTS OF PAITINGS BY LOCAL ARTISTS...PERHAPS I HAVE SEEN TO MANY MUSEUMS NOW...THER ARE CERTAINLY BETTER MUSEUMS TO VISIT.
2.40PM...BACK ON BUS TO TOWN CENTRE.
3.05PM...EATERIE...LAMB WRAPS/BOWL OF CHIPS...EXCELLENT LAGER...BIT PRICEY.
4.30PM...SUPERMARKET...NUNEEDS TALC ETC.
5.30PM...BACK ON BUS TO CAMP.
6.40PM...BACON SANDWICH.
7.10PM...DRINKING WINE...WAFFERLING WITHTWO NEW ZEALAND GIRLS...PLEASANT EVENING.
20.6.08.
7.40AM...ANOTHER NIGHTOFHEAT...NOT SLEEPING WELL.
7.55AM...KETTLE ON.
8.10AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.55AM...LAST OF THE WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...PACKED UP AND READY TO ROLL.
9.50AM..PETROL STATION.
11.00AM...ON THE KAKADO HIGHWAY...HEADING INTO THE BUSH.
11.15AM...STOPPED AT A PLACE[CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME]...TO GO ON A CRUISE TO SEE THE JUMPING CROCODILES...LAST CRUISE WENT AT 11.00AM...NEXT NOT TILL 1.00PM...OUCH!
11.30AM...DECIDE TO SIT AND WAIT...NU REALLY WANTS TO GO ON THE CRUISE.
11.45AM...EATING ORANGES...READING MAGAZINE...BRITISH BALLS...BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN.
12.55PM...BOARDING CRUISE BOAT.
1.10PM...WE ARE OUT ON THE RIVER...NU READY WITHCAMERA.
1.25PM...GIRL AS A PIECE OF MEAT DANGLING FROM A LINE AND TEASES THE CROCS TILL THEY START JUMPING FOR THE FEAST.
2.10PM...BACK ON SHORE.
2.20PM...DRIVING ONTO NEXT CAMPSITE.
3.05PM...MARY RIVER CAMPSITE...IT DOESN'T LOOK THE BEST...BUT WE HAVE LAUNDRY TO DO...BOOK IN...PARK UP...LOADSA FLIES.
3.40PM...NU GOES TO DO LAUNDRY.
3.50PM...NU RETURNS...THEY HAVE ONLY ONE MACHINE AND IT DOESN'T WORK...OUCH!
4.00PM...I'M COOKING TEA...SPUD/CAULI/CABBAGE/ONION/CARROT/MINCE MEAT...SPENT HALF MY TIME FIGHTING OFF FLIES!
4.50PM...EATEN HALF OF IT...THE OTHER HALF FOR REHEAT EAT TOMORROW...TASTED OK.
6.30PM...DECIDED TO MOVE INSIDE VAN...TO MANY INSECTS.
7.10PM...SITTING ON BED...READING BRITISH BALLS .
21.6.08.
7.00AM...NU UP EARLY...SHE JUST WANTS TO GET OUTA THIS PLACE.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.15AM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...I'M OFF FOR MY SHOWER.
8.15AM...NIETHER OF US FEEL HUNGRY...SO WE GET VAN SORTED.
8.45AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
9.30AM...DRIVING TOWARDS JABURU.
11.00AM...TURNED OFF FOR UBIRR.
11.30AM...UBIRR...THIS IS A PLACE OF ANCIENT ABORIGINAL PAINTINGS.
1.00PM...OK...SO THEY ARE OLD AND ABORIGINAL...CHILD LIKE DRAWINGS AND GRAFITTI ON ROCKS?
1.15PM...BACK ON THE ROAD.
1.50PM...JABURU INFO CENTRE.
2.05PM...WATCHING FILM ON ABORIGINAL HISTORY.
3.10PM...THE FILM WAS INTERESTING...THE ELDER ABORIGINALS ARE FINDING IT HARD FOR ANY OF THE YOUNG ONES TO FOLLOW IN THERE FOOTSTEPS.
3.30PM...BACK ON THE ROAD.
4.05PM...COOINDA CAMPSITE.
4.10PM...BOOKED IN.
4.25PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY...THE WASHING MACHINE WORKS!
4.50PM...REHEATED THE SECOND HALF OF YESTERDAYS MEAL.
5.30PM...NU IN POOL.
6.20PM...DARKNESS DESCENDING.
6.30PM...LAUNDRY ALL DONE...ALL CLEAN...ALL DRY.
7.00PM...NU HAVING A SHOWER...I'M HAVING A BEER.
22.6.08.
3.30AM!!...BOTH AWAKE...ITS TOO HOT TOSLEEP.
3.40AM...KETTLE ON.
3.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
4.00AM...READING NEWSPAPER...NU WRITING LETTER.
5.00AM...GONNA TRY TO GO TO SLEEP.
7.30AM...MUST HAVE GONE OUT LIKE A LIGHT...READY FOR A CUPPA.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...WOMAN PASSING INFORMS US THERE ARE FREE PANCAKES FOR ANYONE ON SITE.
8.30AM...QUICK SHOWER.
8.50AM...I HAVE FOUR SMALLISH PANCAKES...TWO EACH...WITH CREAM AND SYRUP.
9.05AM...I HAVE ANOTHER FOUR SMALLISH PANCAKES...TWO EACH...WITH CREAM...I WAS SO EXCITED I FORGOT THE SYRUP!
9.30AM...ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO GO.
11.40AM...KATHERINE.
12.05PM...SUPERMARKET.
1.10PM...CAMPSITE NAMED LOW LEVEL...I CONCUR!
1.50PM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
2.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...NU FINISHING LETTER SHE STARTED EARLIER.
3.20PM...NU GONE FOR SWIM...I'M CHATTING WITH OZ CHAP.
4.20PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...GLASS OF WINE.
6.00PM...SITTING WITH OZ NIEGHBOURS...BIT BORED.
9.00PM...READY FOR BED...WELL THATS ANOTHER DAY OVER...WELL THATS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE AT THE MOMENT...MY ENTHUSIASM IS WILTING...NEED A HAIR CUT...NEED SOMETHING NEW...SOMETHING DIFFERENT...EVERYWHERE LOOKS AND SMELLS THE SAME.
23.6.08.
7.05AM...FEEL LISTLESS...NO GET UPAND GO.
7.20AM...KETTLE ON.
7.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.15AM...BACON OMMELETTE/CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...SAYING OUR FAREWELLS TO OUR NIEGHBOURS.
9.35AM...PARKED UP IN KATHERINE.
10.00AM...SEARCHING FOR HAIRDRESSERS.
11.00AM...I'M HAVING A HAIR CUT...MUCH NEEDED ACCORDING TO NU!
11.05AM...NU HAVING THE WORKS...HAIR CUT/NAILS/EYEBROWS...I'M GONNA GO FOR A WALK ROUND THE SHOPS.
12.20PM...NU ALL SORTED AND SMILEY.
12.35PM...BACK IN VAN...FOOT DOWN TO VICTORIA RIVER.
1.10PM...THIS IS ONE LONG BORING ROAD...BARREN-NESS.
2.20PM...VICTORIA RIVER...HAD A LOOK AT THE CAMPSITE...NOT IMPRESSED...GONNA DRIVE ON TO TIMBER CREEK.
3.30PM...TIMBER CREEK...ANOTHER PITIFUL PLACE...BUT I'VE DONE ENOUGH DRIVING TODAY.
3.50PM...BOOKED IN.
4.40PM...COOKING CHILLI.
5.20PM...NOT THE BEST CHILLI I HAVE EVER COOKED...OUCH!
6.00PM...NU CHATTING WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS.
6.30PM...I'M OFF TO THE BAR.
6.50PM...PLAYING POOL.
7.10PM...WON KINDA EASILY...OZ CHAP DIDN'T WANNA PLAY ANY MORE...THEY HATE GETTING BEATEN BY A POMME!
7.30PM...BACK WITH NU.
24.6.08.
7.15AM...MORNING WORLD.
7.25AM...KETTLE ON.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.55AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST/CUPPA COFFEE.
8.40AM...REALISED WE ARE CROSSING THE BORDER TODAY...NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE FRUIT ACROSS...GAVE OUR ORANGES...BAR TWO...TO SOME YOUNGSTERS.
9.20AM...FILLING UP WITH FUEL...2.03 DOLLARS A LITRE!
9.35AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.50AM...STOP AT LAYBY...ORANGE AND APPLE EACH TO DEVOUR...PUT CUCUMBER IN BIN.
11.10AM...BORDER...WOMAN HOLDS UP SIGN STATING WHAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE INTO WESTERN AUSTRALIA...TOLD HER WE HAD SCOFFED ALL THE FRUIT...BUT TOLD HER THAT I DID HAVE A PACKET OF PEANUTS...SHE SAID THATS OK...SHE WAS A VERY PLEASANT LADY.
11.20AM...OFFR WE DRIVE...FOR SOME REASON THE ENGINE BACKED FIRED?...BIT WORRYING.
11.50AM...LAKE ARGYLE...HAD A LOOK...IT'S JUST A VAST BLUE POND.
1.05PM...KUNUNURRA...KIMBERLEY CAMPSITE.
1.50PM...NU GONE FOR A SWIM...I HEAD FOR THE TOWN CENTRE.
2.15PM...TOWN CENTRE...SEARCHING FOR NEWSAGENTS FOR ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.30PM...INFORMED BOTH NEWSAGENTS IN TOWN DO NOT STOCK MY NEWSPAPER!
2.50PM...SUPERMARKET.
3.20PM...BOTTLE SHOP...NU REQUIRES BEER.
4.00PM...PETROL STATION...FILLED UP TO THE BRIM.
4.20PM...BACK WITH NU.
5.00PM...YESTERDAYS CHILLI REHEATED...TASTED OK...BEER.
5.30PM...CHATTING WITH FELLOW CAMPERS...LISTENING TO THE BARKING OWL.
7.00PM...PHONED WILLIAM.
8.00PM...HAVING A WHISKEY.
RED ANTS...
RED DUST...
RED WINE...
BYE FOR NOWZ!
19.6.08.
8.15AM...SLEPT ON AND OFF...TOO HOT...TOSSED AND TURNED ALL NIGHT.
8.30AM...KETTLE ON.
8.50AM...CUPPATEA.
9.30AM...TOAST AND JAM.
9.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...WALKINGTO THE BUS STOP.
11.20AM...ON THE BUS TO CENTRE OF DARWIN.
11.45AM...WALKING TO MUSEUM...SWEAT DRIPPING.
12.10PM...MUSEUM...THANK GOD IT'S AIR CONDITIONED.
12.40PM...LOADSA DIFFERENT SECTIONS IN THIS MUSEUM...FOSSILS/STONES AND BONES/FISH/REPTILES...ALSO A ROOM DEDICATED TO CYCLONE TRACY...THE CYCLONE THAT DEVASTATED DARWIN IN 1974...THIS FOR ME WAS THE MOST INTERESTING...ALSO THEY HAVE A STUFFED CROCODILE CALLED'SWEETHEART'...IT APPARENTLY TERRORISED DARWIN BEFORE BEING KILLED ACCIDENTLY...THEY WERE ONLY GONNA CAPTURE THE BEAST...BUT THEY ACCIDENTLY DROWNED IT!
2.10PM...NOT THE BEST MUSEUM...BIT OF A MISH-MASH OF THINGS...LOTS OF PAITINGS BY LOCAL ARTISTS...PERHAPS I HAVE SEEN TO MANY MUSEUMS NOW...THER ARE CERTAINLY BETTER MUSEUMS TO VISIT.
2.40PM...BACK ON BUS TO TOWN CENTRE.
3.05PM...EATERIE...LAMB WRAPS/BOWL OF CHIPS...EXCELLENT LAGER...BIT PRICEY.
4.30PM...SUPERMARKET...NUNEEDS TALC ETC.
5.30PM...BACK ON BUS TO CAMP.
6.40PM...BACON SANDWICH.
7.10PM...DRINKING WINE...WAFFERLING WITHTWO NEW ZEALAND GIRLS...PLEASANT EVENING.
20.6.08.
7.40AM...ANOTHER NIGHTOFHEAT...NOT SLEEPING WELL.
7.55AM...KETTLE ON.
8.10AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.55AM...LAST OF THE WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...PACKED UP AND READY TO ROLL.
9.50AM..PETROL STATION.
11.00AM...ON THE KAKADO HIGHWAY...HEADING INTO THE BUSH.
11.15AM...STOPPED AT A PLACE[CAN'T REMEMBER THE NAME]...TO GO ON A CRUISE TO SEE THE JUMPING CROCODILES...LAST CRUISE WENT AT 11.00AM...NEXT NOT TILL 1.00PM...OUCH!
11.30AM...DECIDE TO SIT AND WAIT...NU REALLY WANTS TO GO ON THE CRUISE.
11.45AM...EATING ORANGES...READING MAGAZINE...BRITISH BALLS...BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN.
12.55PM...BOARDING CRUISE BOAT.
1.10PM...WE ARE OUT ON THE RIVER...NU READY WITHCAMERA.
1.25PM...GIRL AS A PIECE OF MEAT DANGLING FROM A LINE AND TEASES THE CROCS TILL THEY START JUMPING FOR THE FEAST.
2.10PM...BACK ON SHORE.
2.20PM...DRIVING ONTO NEXT CAMPSITE.
3.05PM...MARY RIVER CAMPSITE...IT DOESN'T LOOK THE BEST...BUT WE HAVE LAUNDRY TO DO...BOOK IN...PARK UP...LOADSA FLIES.
3.40PM...NU GOES TO DO LAUNDRY.
3.50PM...NU RETURNS...THEY HAVE ONLY ONE MACHINE AND IT DOESN'T WORK...OUCH!
4.00PM...I'M COOKING TEA...SPUD/CAULI/CABBAGE/ONION/CARROT/MINCE MEAT...SPENT HALF MY TIME FIGHTING OFF FLIES!
4.50PM...EATEN HALF OF IT...THE OTHER HALF FOR REHEAT EAT TOMORROW...TASTED OK.
6.30PM...DECIDED TO MOVE INSIDE VAN...TO MANY INSECTS.
7.10PM...SITTING ON BED...READING BRITISH BALLS .
21.6.08.
7.00AM...NU UP EARLY...SHE JUST WANTS TO GET OUTA THIS PLACE.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.15AM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...I'M OFF FOR MY SHOWER.
8.15AM...NIETHER OF US FEEL HUNGRY...SO WE GET VAN SORTED.
8.45AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
9.30AM...DRIVING TOWARDS JABURU.
11.00AM...TURNED OFF FOR UBIRR.
11.30AM...UBIRR...THIS IS A PLACE OF ANCIENT ABORIGINAL PAINTINGS.
1.00PM...OK...SO THEY ARE OLD AND ABORIGINAL...CHILD LIKE DRAWINGS AND GRAFITTI ON ROCKS?
1.15PM...BACK ON THE ROAD.
1.50PM...JABURU INFO CENTRE.
2.05PM...WATCHING FILM ON ABORIGINAL HISTORY.
3.10PM...THE FILM WAS INTERESTING...THE ELDER ABORIGINALS ARE FINDING IT HARD FOR ANY OF THE YOUNG ONES TO FOLLOW IN THERE FOOTSTEPS.
3.30PM...BACK ON THE ROAD.
4.05PM...COOINDA CAMPSITE.
4.10PM...BOOKED IN.
4.25PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY...THE WASHING MACHINE WORKS!
4.50PM...REHEATED THE SECOND HALF OF YESTERDAYS MEAL.
5.30PM...NU IN POOL.
6.20PM...DARKNESS DESCENDING.
6.30PM...LAUNDRY ALL DONE...ALL CLEAN...ALL DRY.
7.00PM...NU HAVING A SHOWER...I'M HAVING A BEER.
22.6.08.
3.30AM!!...BOTH AWAKE...ITS TOO HOT TOSLEEP.
3.40AM...KETTLE ON.
3.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
4.00AM...READING NEWSPAPER...NU WRITING LETTER.
5.00AM...GONNA TRY TO GO TO SLEEP.
7.30AM...MUST HAVE GONE OUT LIKE A LIGHT...READY FOR A CUPPA.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...WOMAN PASSING INFORMS US THERE ARE FREE PANCAKES FOR ANYONE ON SITE.
8.30AM...QUICK SHOWER.
8.50AM...I HAVE FOUR SMALLISH PANCAKES...TWO EACH...WITH CREAM AND SYRUP.
9.05AM...I HAVE ANOTHER FOUR SMALLISH PANCAKES...TWO EACH...WITH CREAM...I WAS SO EXCITED I FORGOT THE SYRUP!
9.30AM...ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO GO.
11.40AM...KATHERINE.
12.05PM...SUPERMARKET.
1.10PM...CAMPSITE NAMED LOW LEVEL...I CONCUR!
1.50PM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
2.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...NU FINISHING LETTER SHE STARTED EARLIER.
3.20PM...NU GONE FOR SWIM...I'M CHATTING WITH OZ CHAP.
4.20PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...GLASS OF WINE.
6.00PM...SITTING WITH OZ NIEGHBOURS...BIT BORED.
9.00PM...READY FOR BED...WELL THATS ANOTHER DAY OVER...WELL THATS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE AT THE MOMENT...MY ENTHUSIASM IS WILTING...NEED A HAIR CUT...NEED SOMETHING NEW...SOMETHING DIFFERENT...EVERYWHERE LOOKS AND SMELLS THE SAME.
23.6.08.
7.05AM...FEEL LISTLESS...NO GET UPAND GO.
7.20AM...KETTLE ON.
7.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.15AM...BACON OMMELETTE/CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...SAYING OUR FAREWELLS TO OUR NIEGHBOURS.
9.35AM...PARKED UP IN KATHERINE.
10.00AM...SEARCHING FOR HAIRDRESSERS.
11.00AM...I'M HAVING A HAIR CUT...MUCH NEEDED ACCORDING TO NU!
11.05AM...NU HAVING THE WORKS...HAIR CUT/NAILS/EYEBROWS...I'M GONNA GO FOR A WALK ROUND THE SHOPS.
12.20PM...NU ALL SORTED AND SMILEY.
12.35PM...BACK IN VAN...FOOT DOWN TO VICTORIA RIVER.
1.10PM...THIS IS ONE LONG BORING ROAD...BARREN-NESS.
2.20PM...VICTORIA RIVER...HAD A LOOK AT THE CAMPSITE...NOT IMPRESSED...GONNA DRIVE ON TO TIMBER CREEK.
3.30PM...TIMBER CREEK...ANOTHER PITIFUL PLACE...BUT I'VE DONE ENOUGH DRIVING TODAY.
3.50PM...BOOKED IN.
4.40PM...COOKING CHILLI.
5.20PM...NOT THE BEST CHILLI I HAVE EVER COOKED...OUCH!
6.00PM...NU CHATTING WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS.
6.30PM...I'M OFF TO THE BAR.
6.50PM...PLAYING POOL.
7.10PM...WON KINDA EASILY...OZ CHAP DIDN'T WANNA PLAY ANY MORE...THEY HATE GETTING BEATEN BY A POMME!
7.30PM...BACK WITH NU.
24.6.08.
7.15AM...MORNING WORLD.
7.25AM...KETTLE ON.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.55AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST/CUPPA COFFEE.
8.40AM...REALISED WE ARE CROSSING THE BORDER TODAY...NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE FRUIT ACROSS...GAVE OUR ORANGES...BAR TWO...TO SOME YOUNGSTERS.
9.20AM...FILLING UP WITH FUEL...2.03 DOLLARS A LITRE!
9.35AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.50AM...STOP AT LAYBY...ORANGE AND APPLE EACH TO DEVOUR...PUT CUCUMBER IN BIN.
11.10AM...BORDER...WOMAN HOLDS UP SIGN STATING WHAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE INTO WESTERN AUSTRALIA...TOLD HER WE HAD SCOFFED ALL THE FRUIT...BUT TOLD HER THAT I DID HAVE A PACKET OF PEANUTS...SHE SAID THATS OK...SHE WAS A VERY PLEASANT LADY.
11.20AM...OFFR WE DRIVE...FOR SOME REASON THE ENGINE BACKED FIRED?...BIT WORRYING.
11.50AM...LAKE ARGYLE...HAD A LOOK...IT'S JUST A VAST BLUE POND.
1.05PM...KUNUNURRA...KIMBERLEY CAMPSITE.
1.50PM...NU GONE FOR A SWIM...I HEAD FOR THE TOWN CENTRE.
2.15PM...TOWN CENTRE...SEARCHING FOR NEWSAGENTS FOR ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.30PM...INFORMED BOTH NEWSAGENTS IN TOWN DO NOT STOCK MY NEWSPAPER!
2.50PM...SUPERMARKET.
3.20PM...BOTTLE SHOP...NU REQUIRES BEER.
4.00PM...PETROL STATION...FILLED UP TO THE BRIM.
4.20PM...BACK WITH NU.
5.00PM...YESTERDAYS CHILLI REHEATED...TASTED OK...BEER.
5.30PM...CHATTING WITH FELLOW CAMPERS...LISTENING TO THE BARKING OWL.
7.00PM...PHONED WILLIAM.
8.00PM...HAVING A WHISKEY.
RED ANTS...
RED DUST...
RED WINE...
BYE FOR NOWZ!
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
AUSTRALIA...PART 12+4 OF MANY...
8.10AM...IS IT THAT TIME ALREADY.
8.25AM...KETTLE ON.
8.40AM...CUPPA TE.
9.10AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...WE ARE ON THE MOVE.
10.45AM...DALY WATERS CAMPSITE.
11.00AM...FULL BREAKFAST...STEAK/SAUS/EGG/BACON/TOMATO/TOAST/FRIED BREAD...CUPPA COFFEE...SOMEONE...CAN'T REMEMBER WHO...TOLD US TO COME HERE FOR BREAKIE...NICE PRICE!
11.30AM...GONNA STAY FOR ONE NIGHT...LOADSA CLOTHE WASHING TO DO.
12.30PM...SORTING SITE.
1.00PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A COUPLE OF OZZY GUYS...NU IN SWIMMING POOL...THERES A PIG CALLED FERGIE GRUNTING AROUND.
3.00PM...STILL PLAYING POOL...BUT NOT SO WELL...POOL CUE A BIT WARPED!
4.00PM...DALY WATERS IS ANOTHER PLACE ON ANY OZ TOUR NOT TO BE MISSED...PEOPLE OK...LAID BACK.
5.30PM...HAD A GOOD AFTERNOON'BLOW OUT'!...NEED TO DE-STONE...BOOKED TABLE/EVENING MEAL FOR 7.30PM.
6.30PM...WAFFLING WITH NEW NIEGHBOURS...THATS THE GREAT THING WITH CAMPING SITES...YOU GET NEW NIEGHBOURS ALL THE WHILE...AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM...YOU KNOW ITS ONLY FOR ONE OR TWO NIGHTS...SO ITS NO GREAT SHAKES!
7.15PM...SITTING IN RESTAURANT...SOME OZ GUY PLAYING GUITAR AND TALKING SILLY LYRICS...PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING...SO I GUESS HE MUST BE FUNNY.
7.40PM...BARRA[FISH] AND BEEF STEAK/CHIPS/AND AS MUCH SALAD AS YOU WANT.
8.25PM...AN EXCELLENT MEAL...THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MEALS I HAVE HAD IN OZ[APART FROM MY OWN COOKING]...I'VE HAD SO MANY APPALLING DISHES IN OZ...I'M STUNNED...I OUGHT TO GIVE THE CHEF A HUG!
9.35PM...THE GUY IS STILL TELLING A FEW OZ JOKES AND PLAYING GUITAR...BUT NU AND I9 HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
9.55PM...TIME FOR BED.
15.6.08.
1.30AM!!...WOW ITS GONE HOT...OUR FAN AS STOPPED WORKING[WE ALWAYS HAVE A POWERED SITE IE.ELECTRIC]...FOR SOME REASON THE POWERS GONE OFF...PLUWS WE CAN HEAR LOADSA PEOPLE TALKING.
7.00AM...BIT OF A SWEATY NIGHT...BUT THE POWER IS BACK ON NOW.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER[WELL NEEDED].
8.10AM...CHATTING WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS...APPARENTLY A LORRY HAD COME THRU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND HIT THE OVER HEAD POWER CABLES...KNOCKING THE POWER OUT...GOSH HOW EXCITING!
8.40AM...WHATTA HOOT!...WEETABIX AND CUPPA COFFEE REQUIRED TO GET OVER SUCH EXCITEMENT!
9.20AM...I THINK I'M READY...AM I EVER READY?
9.40AM...AIRFIELD...THIS IS THE AIRFIELD THAT AMY JOHNSON LANDED IN ON HER SOLO FLIGHT FROM ENGLAND...ITS A FIELD WITH A HANGAR...A VERY NICE FIELD WITH A DILAPIDATED HANGAR...NU TOOK TWO PHOTO'S.
9.55AM...ON WE DRIVE.
11.30AM...THE HEAT IS IMMENSE...DON'T ENJOY DRIVING IN THIS WEATHER.
11.45AM...MATARANKA CAMPSITE AND THERMAL SPRINGS...AND IF IT DIDN'T HAVE THE SPRINGS...WE WOULDN'T BE STOPPING...THE PAYPHONE DOESN'T WORK...BUT THERES WORSE...THEY HAVE A LIMITED SELECTION OF ICE-CREAM LOLLIES...AND THE ONE'S THEY HAVE...I DON'T LIKE!
12.15PM...BOOKED IN...PARKED UP.
12.40PM...NU IN SWIM COSS...EAGER TO GET THERMALED!
1.45PM...NU WELL THERMALED...LOT MORE PEOPLE ARRIVING...ITS GETTING CROWDED.
2.10PM...BACK AT VAN...NEED TO SLEEP.
2.20PM...ASLEEP.
4.30PM...BAKE BEANS/EGG/MUSHROOMS ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
5.35PM...READING NEWSPAPER.
6.50PMLIGHT FADING...FINISHING THE LAST OF THE WINE.
16.6.08.
7.30AM...NU FIDGETTING...NU EAGER...OH...SHE WANTS ANOTHER DIP IN THE THERMAL...OH WELL.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.10AM...NU GONE FOR DIP.
8.25AM...I'M OFF FOR A COLD SHOWER.
9.30AM...BACON OMELLETTE FOR NU...MUSHROOM OMELLETTE FOR ME...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...PACKED UP AND OFF WE SET.
10.40AM...ANOTHER HORRIBLY HOT DAY.
12.10PM...HAYES CREEK...HAD A LOOK AT THE CAMPSITE...NOT IMPRESSED.
1.20PM...ADELAIDE RIVER...[WHICH INCIDENTLY IS NO WHERE NEAR ADELAIDE]...LOOKS A LOT NICER...BOOKED SITE.
2.20PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
4.00PM...PHONED MOTHER...NO REPLY...PHONED PAULINE.
5.00PM...PUB BISTRO...BEEF CASSAROLE/CAN OF COKE.
6.15PM...SITTING BESIDE VAN.
8.00PM...READY FOR BED.
17.6.08.
7.15AM...ANOTHER HOT NIGHT...HAD THE FAN ON...BUT NOT DOING A LOT.
7.25AM...KETTLE ON.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BACON OMELLETTES ALL ROUND?...WELL THE FRYING PANS THAT SHAPE...SO THEY TEND TO COME OUT THAT SHAPE...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.15AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.05AM...LITCHFIELD PARK.
10.40AM...TERMITE MOUNDS LOOK OUT SPOT...WE HAVE SEEN LOADSA TERMITE MOUNDS...WHATS SPECIAL ABOUT THESE...I'M NOT SURE.
11.50AM...FLORENCE FALLS...WATERFALLS AND POOLS...PLACES TO SWIM...OK I SUPPOSE.
1.40PM...WANGA FALLS...NO SWIMMING HERE...A CROCODILE AS TAKEN UP RESIDENCE...AND THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO CATCH HIM...NICE SCENERY.
2.30PM...WE DECIDE IT'S TIME TO FIND A CAMPSITE.
4.00PM...WE CALLED IN AT ONE OR TWO CAMPSITES ALONG THE WAY...BUT SOME ARE DEAD SCRUFFY...BUT WE HAVE DECIDED TO STAY AT TUMBLING WATERS...THIS IS BUSH TERRITORY...COULD BE ANYTHING UNDER ANY BUSH...LOADSA RED BODY,GREEN BOTTOMED ANTS ABOUT...THEY GIVE A NASTY BITE!
5.00PM...BETTER HAVE A DRINK!
18.6.08.
7.00AM...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL...ITS WAY TOO HOT!
7.15AM...KETTLE ON.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO OMELETTE...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...TIME TO ROLL...ANOTHER HOT DAY AHEAD.
9.30AM...NORTHERN TERRITORY WILD LIFE PARK.
9.50AM...NOCTURNAL ANIMAL/RODENT HOUSE.
10.30AM...EAGLE FEEDING[NOT AS GOOD AS MARGERET RIVER].
11.20AM...SEA LIFE CENTRE[AS GOOD AS LANKAWI'S].
12.40PM...DINGO'S...NOT SURE ABOUT THEM.
1.10PM...BUFFALO'S AND OTHER BUFFALO LOOKING CREATURES.
1.35PM...BARRAMUNDA AND CHIPS TO SHARE/CAN OF COKE.
2.20PM...BACK AT VAN...NOW I'VE BEEN TO A FAIR FEW WILDLIFE PARKS ON MY TRAVELS...BUT I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST...ANOTHER PLACE NOT TO MISS ON ANY OZ ADVENTURE.
2.35PM...HEADING FOR DARWIN.
3.05PM...SHADY GLEN CAMPSITE...JUST GOT THERE IN TIME...IT'S PACKED...ONLY A FEW SITES LEFT.
3.30PM...NU IN POOL...I'M GONNA SORT THE VAN.
3.50PM...JOINED NU FOR A DIP.
4.10PM...PHONED MOTHER IN ENGLAND.
4.45PM...BACK BESIDE POOL.
5.30PM...SAUSAGE SIZZLE...OH DEAR...WELL POOR FARE.
6.00PM...TOAD RACING...BOUGHT NUMBER 4 IN 2ND RACE...AND ALSO NUMBER 4 IN THE 3RD RACE.
6.15PM...AND THEY'RE AWAY...AND NUMBER 4 IS OFF TO A FLYER...AND NUMBER 4 IS ALMOST THERE...JUST ONE MORE HOP...AND THEN HE STOPPED...ONLY ONE CENTIMETRE TO GO TO THE FINISHING LINE!...WHAT A TIME TO STOP AND PONDER ABOUT LIFE!...NO JOKE...THE UGLY GREEN THING WAS A MERE CENTIMETRE FROM WINNING ME A CHEAP BOTTLE OF VINO!
6.30PM...NU TAKEN CHARGE OF THIS ONE...SHE'S PLACED THE UGLY GREEN MONSTER IN THE CENTRE[HOPE SHE WASHES HER HANDS BEFORE SHE COMES TO BED]...ITS THE FIRST TOAD TO TOUCH THE OUTER PERIMETER OF THE CIRCLE WINS...NUMBER 4 IS NOT PLAYING BALL...NUMBER 10 AS RACED AWAY...NUMBER 4 STILL IN THE STALL...PONDERING LIFE!
7.00PM...OPENING A NEW BOX OF CHATEAU CARDBOARD[BOX OF WINE]...THIRSTY WORK THIS TOAD RACING LARK.
8.25AM...KETTLE ON.
8.40AM...CUPPA TE.
9.10AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...WE ARE ON THE MOVE.
10.45AM...DALY WATERS CAMPSITE.
11.00AM...FULL BREAKFAST...STEAK/SAUS/EGG/BACON/TOMATO/TOAST/FRIED BREAD...CUPPA COFFEE...SOMEONE...CAN'T REMEMBER WHO...TOLD US TO COME HERE FOR BREAKIE...NICE PRICE!
11.30AM...GONNA STAY FOR ONE NIGHT...LOADSA CLOTHE WASHING TO DO.
12.30PM...SORTING SITE.
1.00PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A COUPLE OF OZZY GUYS...NU IN SWIMMING POOL...THERES A PIG CALLED FERGIE GRUNTING AROUND.
3.00PM...STILL PLAYING POOL...BUT NOT SO WELL...POOL CUE A BIT WARPED!
4.00PM...DALY WATERS IS ANOTHER PLACE ON ANY OZ TOUR NOT TO BE MISSED...PEOPLE OK...LAID BACK.
5.30PM...HAD A GOOD AFTERNOON'BLOW OUT'!...NEED TO DE-STONE...BOOKED TABLE/EVENING MEAL FOR 7.30PM.
6.30PM...WAFFLING WITH NEW NIEGHBOURS...THATS THE GREAT THING WITH CAMPING SITES...YOU GET NEW NIEGHBOURS ALL THE WHILE...AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE THEM...YOU KNOW ITS ONLY FOR ONE OR TWO NIGHTS...SO ITS NO GREAT SHAKES!
7.15PM...SITTING IN RESTAURANT...SOME OZ GUY PLAYING GUITAR AND TALKING SILLY LYRICS...PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING...SO I GUESS HE MUST BE FUNNY.
7.40PM...BARRA[FISH] AND BEEF STEAK/CHIPS/AND AS MUCH SALAD AS YOU WANT.
8.25PM...AN EXCELLENT MEAL...THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MEALS I HAVE HAD IN OZ[APART FROM MY OWN COOKING]...I'VE HAD SO MANY APPALLING DISHES IN OZ...I'M STUNNED...I OUGHT TO GIVE THE CHEF A HUG!
9.35PM...THE GUY IS STILL TELLING A FEW OZ JOKES AND PLAYING GUITAR...BUT NU AND I9 HAVE HAD ENOUGH.
9.55PM...TIME FOR BED.
15.6.08.
1.30AM!!...WOW ITS GONE HOT...OUR FAN AS STOPPED WORKING[WE ALWAYS HAVE A POWERED SITE IE.ELECTRIC]...FOR SOME REASON THE POWERS GONE OFF...PLUWS WE CAN HEAR LOADSA PEOPLE TALKING.
7.00AM...BIT OF A SWEATY NIGHT...BUT THE POWER IS BACK ON NOW.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER[WELL NEEDED].
8.10AM...CHATTING WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS...APPARENTLY A LORRY HAD COME THRU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT AND HIT THE OVER HEAD POWER CABLES...KNOCKING THE POWER OUT...GOSH HOW EXCITING!
8.40AM...WHATTA HOOT!...WEETABIX AND CUPPA COFFEE REQUIRED TO GET OVER SUCH EXCITEMENT!
9.20AM...I THINK I'M READY...AM I EVER READY?
9.40AM...AIRFIELD...THIS IS THE AIRFIELD THAT AMY JOHNSON LANDED IN ON HER SOLO FLIGHT FROM ENGLAND...ITS A FIELD WITH A HANGAR...A VERY NICE FIELD WITH A DILAPIDATED HANGAR...NU TOOK TWO PHOTO'S.
9.55AM...ON WE DRIVE.
11.30AM...THE HEAT IS IMMENSE...DON'T ENJOY DRIVING IN THIS WEATHER.
11.45AM...MATARANKA CAMPSITE AND THERMAL SPRINGS...AND IF IT DIDN'T HAVE THE SPRINGS...WE WOULDN'T BE STOPPING...THE PAYPHONE DOESN'T WORK...BUT THERES WORSE...THEY HAVE A LIMITED SELECTION OF ICE-CREAM LOLLIES...AND THE ONE'S THEY HAVE...I DON'T LIKE!
12.15PM...BOOKED IN...PARKED UP.
12.40PM...NU IN SWIM COSS...EAGER TO GET THERMALED!
1.45PM...NU WELL THERMALED...LOT MORE PEOPLE ARRIVING...ITS GETTING CROWDED.
2.10PM...BACK AT VAN...NEED TO SLEEP.
2.20PM...ASLEEP.
4.30PM...BAKE BEANS/EGG/MUSHROOMS ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
5.35PM...READING NEWSPAPER.
6.50PMLIGHT FADING...FINISHING THE LAST OF THE WINE.
16.6.08.
7.30AM...NU FIDGETTING...NU EAGER...OH...SHE WANTS ANOTHER DIP IN THE THERMAL...OH WELL.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.10AM...NU GONE FOR DIP.
8.25AM...I'M OFF FOR A COLD SHOWER.
9.30AM...BACON OMELLETTE FOR NU...MUSHROOM OMELLETTE FOR ME...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...PACKED UP AND OFF WE SET.
10.40AM...ANOTHER HORRIBLY HOT DAY.
12.10PM...HAYES CREEK...HAD A LOOK AT THE CAMPSITE...NOT IMPRESSED.
1.20PM...ADELAIDE RIVER...[WHICH INCIDENTLY IS NO WHERE NEAR ADELAIDE]...LOOKS A LOT NICER...BOOKED SITE.
2.20PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
4.00PM...PHONED MOTHER...NO REPLY...PHONED PAULINE.
5.00PM...PUB BISTRO...BEEF CASSAROLE/CAN OF COKE.
6.15PM...SITTING BESIDE VAN.
8.00PM...READY FOR BED.
17.6.08.
7.15AM...ANOTHER HOT NIGHT...HAD THE FAN ON...BUT NOT DOING A LOT.
7.25AM...KETTLE ON.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BACON OMELLETTES ALL ROUND?...WELL THE FRYING PANS THAT SHAPE...SO THEY TEND TO COME OUT THAT SHAPE...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.15AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.05AM...LITCHFIELD PARK.
10.40AM...TERMITE MOUNDS LOOK OUT SPOT...WE HAVE SEEN LOADSA TERMITE MOUNDS...WHATS SPECIAL ABOUT THESE...I'M NOT SURE.
11.50AM...FLORENCE FALLS...WATERFALLS AND POOLS...PLACES TO SWIM...OK I SUPPOSE.
1.40PM...WANGA FALLS...NO SWIMMING HERE...A CROCODILE AS TAKEN UP RESIDENCE...AND THEY'RE HAVING A HARD TIME TRYING TO CATCH HIM...NICE SCENERY.
2.30PM...WE DECIDE IT'S TIME TO FIND A CAMPSITE.
4.00PM...WE CALLED IN AT ONE OR TWO CAMPSITES ALONG THE WAY...BUT SOME ARE DEAD SCRUFFY...BUT WE HAVE DECIDED TO STAY AT TUMBLING WATERS...THIS IS BUSH TERRITORY...COULD BE ANYTHING UNDER ANY BUSH...LOADSA RED BODY,GREEN BOTTOMED ANTS ABOUT...THEY GIVE A NASTY BITE!
5.00PM...BETTER HAVE A DRINK!
18.6.08.
7.00AM...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL...ITS WAY TOO HOT!
7.15AM...KETTLE ON.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO OMELETTE...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...TIME TO ROLL...ANOTHER HOT DAY AHEAD.
9.30AM...NORTHERN TERRITORY WILD LIFE PARK.
9.50AM...NOCTURNAL ANIMAL/RODENT HOUSE.
10.30AM...EAGLE FEEDING[NOT AS GOOD AS MARGERET RIVER].
11.20AM...SEA LIFE CENTRE[AS GOOD AS LANKAWI'S].
12.40PM...DINGO'S...NOT SURE ABOUT THEM.
1.10PM...BUFFALO'S AND OTHER BUFFALO LOOKING CREATURES.
1.35PM...BARRAMUNDA AND CHIPS TO SHARE/CAN OF COKE.
2.20PM...BACK AT VAN...NOW I'VE BEEN TO A FAIR FEW WILDLIFE PARKS ON MY TRAVELS...BUT I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST...ANOTHER PLACE NOT TO MISS ON ANY OZ ADVENTURE.
2.35PM...HEADING FOR DARWIN.
3.05PM...SHADY GLEN CAMPSITE...JUST GOT THERE IN TIME...IT'S PACKED...ONLY A FEW SITES LEFT.
3.30PM...NU IN POOL...I'M GONNA SORT THE VAN.
3.50PM...JOINED NU FOR A DIP.
4.10PM...PHONED MOTHER IN ENGLAND.
4.45PM...BACK BESIDE POOL.
5.30PM...SAUSAGE SIZZLE...OH DEAR...WELL POOR FARE.
6.00PM...TOAD RACING...BOUGHT NUMBER 4 IN 2ND RACE...AND ALSO NUMBER 4 IN THE 3RD RACE.
6.15PM...AND THEY'RE AWAY...AND NUMBER 4 IS OFF TO A FLYER...AND NUMBER 4 IS ALMOST THERE...JUST ONE MORE HOP...AND THEN HE STOPPED...ONLY ONE CENTIMETRE TO GO TO THE FINISHING LINE!...WHAT A TIME TO STOP AND PONDER ABOUT LIFE!...NO JOKE...THE UGLY GREEN THING WAS A MERE CENTIMETRE FROM WINNING ME A CHEAP BOTTLE OF VINO!
6.30PM...NU TAKEN CHARGE OF THIS ONE...SHE'S PLACED THE UGLY GREEN MONSTER IN THE CENTRE[HOPE SHE WASHES HER HANDS BEFORE SHE COMES TO BED]...ITS THE FIRST TOAD TO TOUCH THE OUTER PERIMETER OF THE CIRCLE WINS...NUMBER 4 IS NOT PLAYING BALL...NUMBER 10 AS RACED AWAY...NUMBER 4 STILL IN THE STALL...PONDERING LIFE!
7.00PM...OPENING A NEW BOX OF CHATEAU CARDBOARD[BOX OF WINE]...THIRSTY WORK THIS TOAD RACING LARK.
Tuesday, 17 June 2008
AUSTRALIA...PART 12+2 OF MANY...
9.6.08.
7.20AM...FEEL GOOD.
7.35AM...KETTLE ON.
7.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.10AM...SHOWER...NOT THE CLEANEST OF SHOWERS...BIT GRUBBY.
8.40AM...BACON OMELLETTE FOR NU...BACON SANDWICH FOR ME...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
9.15AM...PACKED UP.
9.30AM...LETS GO BABE...500K TO ALICE SPRINGS AHEAD.
11.05AM...STOPPED TO HAVE A LOOKAT 'THE DEVILS MARBLES'...WE ALWAYS GO ON ABOUT STONEHENGE...BUT HOW DID THESE MARBLE SHAPED ROCKS COME TO BE.
1.10PM...TI-TREE...NEED PETROL...1.79 DOLLARS A LITRE...I KNOW I'M GOING ON ABOUT THE PRICE OF PETROL...BUT ON THE SOUTH COAST IT WAS ONLY 1.31 A LITRE!...GAVE THE LEMON BICS TO A STRAY DOG.
3.20PM...ALICE SPRINGS AT LAST...LOOKS A RIGHT ROUGH HOLE!
3.40PM...CAMPSITE...BOOKED IN.
4.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK ETC.
4.40PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...BEER.
5.45PM...PEANUTS AND RED WINE.
10.6.08.
9.00AM...HAD A LIE IN...DON'T KNOW WHY...DIDN'T GO TO BED THAT LATE.
9.10AM...KETTLE ON.
9.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.30AM...IN ALICE SPRINGS CENTRE...ITS A DUMP...NOT A PRETTY PLACE.
12.35PM...'THE JOHN FLYNN FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE' CENTRE.
12.50PM...CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM PIE FOR ME...NU HAD STEAK AND ONION...NOT AS GOOD AS FREDO'S...BUT WE HAD NOT HAD ANY BREAKIE...SO THEY HAD TO DO...BANANA AND CARAMEL CHEESE WENT DOWN A TREAT MIND!
1.30PM...WATCHING FILM ABOUT FLYING DOCS.
1.45PM...WOMAN GUIDE SHOWING US OPERATIONS ROOM.
2.00PM...MUSEUM.
2.30PM...I'M BORED.
3.00PM...NU GONE ON TO 'PIONEERING WOMANS' MUSEUM...I'M GOING TO HAVE A WALK ROUND TOWN.
4.00PM...BACK WITH NU.
4.40PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
5.00PM...PREPARING SPAG BOL.
5.30PM...EATING SPAG BOL.
6.30PM...THE LIGHTS FADING.
7.20PM...I THINK WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF TODAY.
11.6.08.
7.00AM...ANOTHER DAY ARRIVES.
7.15AM...KETTLE ON...THIS KETTLE IS GETTING FAMOUS...SOMEONE WANTS TO KNOW IF I'LL BE SELLING IT ON EBAY!
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.30AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.00AM...READY TO ROLL...ANOTHER 500K AHEAD!
9.15AM...PETROL STATION...ITS A BARGAIN...1.69 DOLLAR A LITRE!
9.30AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
11.10AM...ERILUNDA[HOPE I'VE SPELT THAT RIGHT]...PETROL STATION...1.99 A LITRE!...CHEESE/CUCUMBER ON CRACKERS...WE MUST BE!
12.30PM...MOUNT EBENEEZER...NOT MUCH TO SAY ABOUT EBENEEZER AS WE DON'T NEED PETROL JUST YET!
2.30PM..YULARU...BOOKED IN TO CAMPSITE.
3.30PM...SHOPPING CENTRE...VERY PLASTIC LOOKING.
4.20PM...REHEATED YESTERDAYS SPAG BOL LEFTOVERS...AWESOME...I KNOW I CALL IT SPAG BOL...ITS ACTUAL WILLIS SPAG BOL...WHICH IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT TO NORMAL SPAG BOL...IT BASICALLY ABOUT 100 TIMES BETTER!
5.00PM...DRIVING TO AYERS ROCK.
5.25PM...DRIVING THE PERIMETER OF AYERS ROCK.
5.50PM...PARKED UP AT VIEWING PLACE.
6.05PM...SUNSET MEANT TO BE HAPPENING...BUT ITS NOT SUCH A GOOD NIGHT...RAIN AND CLOUD.
6.50PM...RETURNING TO CAMP...BIT DISAPPOINTED...GONNA HAVE TO GET UP EARLY FOR SUNRISE.
7.20PM...GLASS OF RED WINE.
7.55PM...TIRED...BUT NOT READY FOR BED.
12.6.08.
6.00AM...ALARM WAS MEANT TO GO OFF AT 5.30AM.
6.10AM...KETTLE ON.
6.15AM...SHOWER...NEED A SHAVE...BUT CAN'T BE BOTHERED...IN A HURRY.
6.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
6.45AM...OFF WE SET.
7.10AM...WE HAVE RACED...SO HAVE MANY OTHERS.
7.15AM...PARKED UP AT SUNRISE VIEWING STATION/POINT.
7.27AM...'THE ROCK'[LOOKS LIKE A MASSIVE TERMITE MOUND TO ME]...IS CHANGING COLOUR...VARIOUS SHADES OF ORANGE...NOT AS SPECTACULAR AS YOU WOULD WANT...BUT IT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I WANTED TO SEE IN OZ...SO I DON'T THINK I HAVE HAD A WASTED JOURNEY.
7.35AM...ITS ALL OVER...SUNRISE AS HAPPENED.
7.50AM...WEETABIX...CUPPA COFFEE FROM FLASK.
8.10AM...DRIVING PERIMETER IN DAYLIGHT...NU HAPPY SNAPPING.
8.50AM...DRIVING BACK TO ALICE SPRINGS...GOTTA A LOTTA DRIVING TO DO TODAY.
10.30AM...EBENEEZER MOUNT...NOT A LOT TO SAY ABOUT EBENEEZER...CAUSE WE DON'T NEED PETROL!...GOT SOME IN AYERS...1.93 DOLLAR A LITRE!
11.50AM...ERILUNDA...NEED PETROL...I WON'T BORE YOU WITH THE PRICE.
2.00PM...ALICE SPRINGS...NEED A FEW ITEMS FROM SUPERMARKET...PLUS I GOTTA GET AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.40PM...DRIVING ON...NO WISH TO STAY IN ALICE SPRINGS.
4.30PM...TI TREE...THIS IS AS FAR AS I GO TODAY...DONE 500 MILES...THIS IS THE PLACE WE GAVE THE LEMON BICS AWAY TO SAD EYED DOG.
4.45PM...BOOKED INTO CAMPSITE.
5.15PM...READING PAPER...BEER.
6.40PM...ROADHOUSE RESTUARANT...FISH AND CHIPS...NO COMMENT...WHICH IS PROBABLY A COMMENT IN ITS-SELF!
13.6.08.
8.00AM...ANOTHER DAY OF MANY MILES.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...NEED A SHAVE BADLY...I KNOW WE ARE OUT IN THE BUSH...BUT I DON'T NEED TO ADVERTISE IT ON MY CHIN!
9.10AM...WEETABIX...CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...ALL PACKED UP.
10.10AM...FOOT DOWN...THIS VAN GONNA SHIFT TODAY.
11.00AM...TENNANTS CREEK...NEED PETROL.
3.00PM...I'VE HAMMERED HER...BUT ITS OK I'VE TOLD HER I'M SORRY!
3.10PM...ELLIOTT CAMPSITE...NO WAY...DRIVING ON.
4.20PM...DUNMARRA CAMPSITE...OK...ITS ACTUALLY NAMED AFTER AN IRISH GUY CALLED DAN O'MARRA?
5.30PM...FISH AND CHIPS...WELL POOR.
6.30PM...BODY ACHING...BURNT SO MANY MILES IN THE LAST WEEK...THE SUN BURNING INTO MY HEAD...WE ARE IN ODDBALL/OUTBACK TERRITORY...ONLY EMPTINESS BETWEEN US AND HEAVEN...JUST VAST EMPTY SPACE!
7.20AM...FEEL GOOD.
7.35AM...KETTLE ON.
7.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.10AM...SHOWER...NOT THE CLEANEST OF SHOWERS...BIT GRUBBY.
8.40AM...BACON OMELLETTE FOR NU...BACON SANDWICH FOR ME...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
9.15AM...PACKED UP.
9.30AM...LETS GO BABE...500K TO ALICE SPRINGS AHEAD.
11.05AM...STOPPED TO HAVE A LOOKAT 'THE DEVILS MARBLES'...WE ALWAYS GO ON ABOUT STONEHENGE...BUT HOW DID THESE MARBLE SHAPED ROCKS COME TO BE.
1.10PM...TI-TREE...NEED PETROL...1.79 DOLLARS A LITRE...I KNOW I'M GOING ON ABOUT THE PRICE OF PETROL...BUT ON THE SOUTH COAST IT WAS ONLY 1.31 A LITRE!...GAVE THE LEMON BICS TO A STRAY DOG.
3.20PM...ALICE SPRINGS AT LAST...LOOKS A RIGHT ROUGH HOLE!
3.40PM...CAMPSITE...BOOKED IN.
4.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK ETC.
4.40PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...BEER.
5.45PM...PEANUTS AND RED WINE.
10.6.08.
9.00AM...HAD A LIE IN...DON'T KNOW WHY...DIDN'T GO TO BED THAT LATE.
9.10AM...KETTLE ON.
9.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.30AM...IN ALICE SPRINGS CENTRE...ITS A DUMP...NOT A PRETTY PLACE.
12.35PM...'THE JOHN FLYNN FLYING DOCTOR SERVICE' CENTRE.
12.50PM...CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM PIE FOR ME...NU HAD STEAK AND ONION...NOT AS GOOD AS FREDO'S...BUT WE HAD NOT HAD ANY BREAKIE...SO THEY HAD TO DO...BANANA AND CARAMEL CHEESE WENT DOWN A TREAT MIND!
1.30PM...WATCHING FILM ABOUT FLYING DOCS.
1.45PM...WOMAN GUIDE SHOWING US OPERATIONS ROOM.
2.00PM...MUSEUM.
2.30PM...I'M BORED.
3.00PM...NU GONE ON TO 'PIONEERING WOMANS' MUSEUM...I'M GOING TO HAVE A WALK ROUND TOWN.
4.00PM...BACK WITH NU.
4.40PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
5.00PM...PREPARING SPAG BOL.
5.30PM...EATING SPAG BOL.
6.30PM...THE LIGHTS FADING.
7.20PM...I THINK WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF TODAY.
11.6.08.
7.00AM...ANOTHER DAY ARRIVES.
7.15AM...KETTLE ON...THIS KETTLE IS GETTING FAMOUS...SOMEONE WANTS TO KNOW IF I'LL BE SELLING IT ON EBAY!
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.30AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.00AM...READY TO ROLL...ANOTHER 500K AHEAD!
9.15AM...PETROL STATION...ITS A BARGAIN...1.69 DOLLAR A LITRE!
9.30AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
11.10AM...ERILUNDA[HOPE I'VE SPELT THAT RIGHT]...PETROL STATION...1.99 A LITRE!...CHEESE/CUCUMBER ON CRACKERS...WE MUST BE!
12.30PM...MOUNT EBENEEZER...NOT MUCH TO SAY ABOUT EBENEEZER AS WE DON'T NEED PETROL JUST YET!
2.30PM..YULARU...BOOKED IN TO CAMPSITE.
3.30PM...SHOPPING CENTRE...VERY PLASTIC LOOKING.
4.20PM...REHEATED YESTERDAYS SPAG BOL LEFTOVERS...AWESOME...I KNOW I CALL IT SPAG BOL...ITS ACTUAL WILLIS SPAG BOL...WHICH IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT TO NORMAL SPAG BOL...IT BASICALLY ABOUT 100 TIMES BETTER!
5.00PM...DRIVING TO AYERS ROCK.
5.25PM...DRIVING THE PERIMETER OF AYERS ROCK.
5.50PM...PARKED UP AT VIEWING PLACE.
6.05PM...SUNSET MEANT TO BE HAPPENING...BUT ITS NOT SUCH A GOOD NIGHT...RAIN AND CLOUD.
6.50PM...RETURNING TO CAMP...BIT DISAPPOINTED...GONNA HAVE TO GET UP EARLY FOR SUNRISE.
7.20PM...GLASS OF RED WINE.
7.55PM...TIRED...BUT NOT READY FOR BED.
12.6.08.
6.00AM...ALARM WAS MEANT TO GO OFF AT 5.30AM.
6.10AM...KETTLE ON.
6.15AM...SHOWER...NEED A SHAVE...BUT CAN'T BE BOTHERED...IN A HURRY.
6.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
6.45AM...OFF WE SET.
7.10AM...WE HAVE RACED...SO HAVE MANY OTHERS.
7.15AM...PARKED UP AT SUNRISE VIEWING STATION/POINT.
7.27AM...'THE ROCK'[LOOKS LIKE A MASSIVE TERMITE MOUND TO ME]...IS CHANGING COLOUR...VARIOUS SHADES OF ORANGE...NOT AS SPECTACULAR AS YOU WOULD WANT...BUT IT WAS ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I WANTED TO SEE IN OZ...SO I DON'T THINK I HAVE HAD A WASTED JOURNEY.
7.35AM...ITS ALL OVER...SUNRISE AS HAPPENED.
7.50AM...WEETABIX...CUPPA COFFEE FROM FLASK.
8.10AM...DRIVING PERIMETER IN DAYLIGHT...NU HAPPY SNAPPING.
8.50AM...DRIVING BACK TO ALICE SPRINGS...GOTTA A LOTTA DRIVING TO DO TODAY.
10.30AM...EBENEEZER MOUNT...NOT A LOT TO SAY ABOUT EBENEEZER...CAUSE WE DON'T NEED PETROL!...GOT SOME IN AYERS...1.93 DOLLAR A LITRE!
11.50AM...ERILUNDA...NEED PETROL...I WON'T BORE YOU WITH THE PRICE.
2.00PM...ALICE SPRINGS...NEED A FEW ITEMS FROM SUPERMARKET...PLUS I GOTTA GET AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.40PM...DRIVING ON...NO WISH TO STAY IN ALICE SPRINGS.
4.30PM...TI TREE...THIS IS AS FAR AS I GO TODAY...DONE 500 MILES...THIS IS THE PLACE WE GAVE THE LEMON BICS AWAY TO SAD EYED DOG.
4.45PM...BOOKED INTO CAMPSITE.
5.15PM...READING PAPER...BEER.
6.40PM...ROADHOUSE RESTUARANT...FISH AND CHIPS...NO COMMENT...WHICH IS PROBABLY A COMMENT IN ITS-SELF!
13.6.08.
8.00AM...ANOTHER DAY OF MANY MILES.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...NEED A SHAVE BADLY...I KNOW WE ARE OUT IN THE BUSH...BUT I DON'T NEED TO ADVERTISE IT ON MY CHIN!
9.10AM...WEETABIX...CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...ALL PACKED UP.
10.10AM...FOOT DOWN...THIS VAN GONNA SHIFT TODAY.
11.00AM...TENNANTS CREEK...NEED PETROL.
3.00PM...I'VE HAMMERED HER...BUT ITS OK I'VE TOLD HER I'M SORRY!
3.10PM...ELLIOTT CAMPSITE...NO WAY...DRIVING ON.
4.20PM...DUNMARRA CAMPSITE...OK...ITS ACTUALLY NAMED AFTER AN IRISH GUY CALLED DAN O'MARRA?
5.30PM...FISH AND CHIPS...WELL POOR.
6.30PM...BODY ACHING...BURNT SO MANY MILES IN THE LAST WEEK...THE SUN BURNING INTO MY HEAD...WE ARE IN ODDBALL/OUTBACK TERRITORY...ONLY EMPTINESS BETWEEN US AND HEAVEN...JUST VAST EMPTY SPACE!
Monday, 9 June 2008
AUSTRALIA...PART 12+1 0F MANY!
1.6.08.
8.05AM...NOT A GOOD NIGHT.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...PACKING UP...GOTTA BE OFF SITE BY 10.00AM...SO BREAKFAST GONNA HAVE TO WAIT.
9.50AM...OFF WE SET...BYE BYE PORT DOUGLAS...BYE BYE EAST COAST.
10.05AM...HEADING TOWARDS MOSSMAN.
11.00AM...MAREEBA.
12.20PM...RAVENSHOE.
1.30PM...MOUNT GARNET CAMPSITE...HAD ENOUGH DRIVING TODAY.
2.00PM...PREPARING SPAG BOL.
2.40PM...WONDERFUL SPAG BOL.
3.00PM...LISTENING TO TELE...CAN'T WATCH IT...PICTURE ALL FUZZY...DOCUMENTRY ABOUT FLINDERS AND BOWDEN AND THE RACE TO GET TO NEW HOLLAND...AS OZ WAS KNOWN THEN BACK IN THE 18 TH CENTURY.
4.30PM...LISTENING TO IRAQ/OZ WORLD CUP QUALIFIER ON RADIO...COME ON IRAQ!...OZ WON 1-0.
5.00PM...PHONED MOTHER AND PAULINE IN ENGLAND.
6.00PM...SITTING NEXT TO VAN...THIS AS BEEN THE FIRST STOP ON OUR 2,000 MILE TREK TO AYERS...HOPE ITS GONNA BE WORTH IT.
2.6.08.
7.00AM...HERE WE GO AGAIN.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.20AM...WEETABIX...YUMMY...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.05AM...READY TO ROLL...LOADSA MILES AHEAD.
9.20AM...ON A SINGLE ORANGEY/REDDY DUST TRACK...GOTTA KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR ROAD TRAINS...100 YARD LONG LORRIES...YOU HAVE TO GET OUT THE WAY...THEY HAVE RIGHT OF WAY...I WOULDN'T ARGUE WITH'EM!
11.00AM...MOUNT SURPRISE.
12.10PM...GEORGETOWN...STOPPED FOR A LIGHT BEER...WROTE A CARD TO GEORGE...ALSO HAD A CHAT WITH AN OZ COUPLE GOING OUR WAY.
12.50PM...OFF WE GO AGAIN...BURNING MORE RUBBER.
3.00PM...CROYDON...CAMPSITE.
4.00PM...REHEATING SPAG BOL LEFTOVERS...AWESOME.
4.30PM...COUPLE WE SPOKE TO IN GEORGETOWN ARRIVE...KEN AND JUDE.
6.00PM...IN PUB...KEN RECKONS HE CAN BEAT ME AT POOL...NU HAPPY TO STAY AT VAN...HAPPILY READING.
8.30PM...BEST OF FIVE...3-2 TO YOURS TRUELY...A WELL ENJOYABLE COUPLE OF HOURS...I WAS LUCKY TO WIN.
8.50PM...BACK WITH NU...I'D ONLY GOT 8 DOLLARS LEFT...WENT OUT WITH 35!
9.15PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
3.6.08.
7.00AM...SLEPT FAIRLY WELL.
7.15AM...KETTLE ON.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.10AM...WEETABIX...YUMMY...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.00AM...SAID OUR FAREWELLS.
9.10AM...WHEELS IN MOTION.
10.30AM...BY PASSING NORMANTON.
11.00AM..DESOLETE ROAD...HARDLY ANY TRAFFIC...BARREN ORANGE LAND ALL AROUND.
12.10PM...BURKES AND MILLS ROADHOUSE...NEED PETROL...THEY CHARGE LOADS MORE IN THESE AREAS...KNOWING THERES NOT ANOTHER STATION FOR 150 MILES...ITS NOT JUST PETROL...A BACON AND EGG SANDWICH WILL COAST YOU 12 DOLLARS!
12.50PM...WE MADE OUR OWN CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH....CAN OF GINGER BEER.
1.15PM...ON WE DRIVE.
1.50PM...DROVE OVER A SNAKE...YELLOW AND GREEN...LATER WE FOUND OUT ITS CALLED A CARPET.
3.00PM...CLONCURRY CAMPSITE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS...WE NEED A BREAK...PLUS THERE IS A COUPLE OF THINGS WORTH VIEWING HERE.
5.00PM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...SPEAKING WITH OZ COUPLE...MENTIONED I DROVE OVER A SNAKE ETC.
7.00PM...ALL IS WELL...THINK WE GONNA HAVE AN EARLY NIGHT.
4.6.08.
7.30AM...NO HURRY...NEED A CUPPA MIND.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.05AM...BACON/EGG/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...WALKING TO THE MARY KATHLEEN MUSEUM...ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE WE ARE CAMPING.
10.30AM...READING ABOUT MARY KATHLEEN...IT WAS ONCE A THRIVING MINING COMMUNITY...MANY OLD MACHINES AND ROCKS TO SCRUTINIZE.
12.05PM...WALKING INTO TOWN.
12.30PM...THE JOHN FLYNN MUSEUM...JOHN FLYNN WAS THE PIONEER OF THE FLYING DOCTORS AND WITH THE AID OF A CHAPPIE CALLED ALFRED TREAGER...WHO INVENTED A PEDAL POWER ELECTRIC BOX...WAS ABLE TO SET UP A NETWORK OF COMMUNICATION ALL ACROSS THE OUTBACK VIA MORSE CODE...IT AS GOT TO BE THE MOST INTERESTING MUSEUM I HASVE EVER VISITED...AND IF YOU EVER COME TO OZ YOU MUST VISIT CLONCURRY!
3.00PM...HEADING FOR PUB...THIRSTY WORK VISITING MUSEUMS!
4.00PM...NU HAPPILY WRITING CARDS...ME HAPPILY TWIDDLING MY THUMBS...RECENTLY I'VE FOUND IT HARD TO FIND A READING BOOK THAT GRABS ME...I OFTEN END UP READING WOMENS MAGS THAT I PICK UP IN CAMP LAUNDRIES.
5.00PM...TIME TO ORDER FOOD.
5.30PM...ROAST BEEF/VEG FOR ME...NU HAVING RED EMPEROR[FISH]/CHIPS/SALAD.
6.00PM...FOOD OK.
6.15PM...WALKING BACK TO CAMP...ITS BEEN A GOOD DAY...I LIKE CLONCURRY...THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY.
6.40PM...POPPED INTO SUPERMARKET...NEED SOME CHEESE.
7.10PM...BACK AT CAMP.
5.6.08.
7.00AM...FEEL GOOD...GONNA GET AN EARLY START...FAIR DISTANCE TO TRAVEL TODAY.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.05AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.00AM...WHEELS IN MOTION.
9.10AM...POST OFFICE...LETTERS AND CARDS TO POST.
9.25AM...ON THE SAVANNAH WAY...HIGHWAY.
10.30AM...MOUNT ISA.
10.40AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BREAD...BOUGHT 3 LAMB STEAKS...NICE PRICE.
11.05AM...DROVE OUTA SUPERMARMARKET CARPARK...ABOUT 200 YARDS ALONG THE ROAD THE VAN ENGINE CUTS OUT.
11.15AM...TRYING EVERYTHING TO START HER...NO USE.
11.30AM...CALLED RACQ.
12.05PM...RACQ MECHANIC ARRIVES...SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUEL FLOW.
12.30PM...TOWD TO GARAGE...CHAPPIE THER SAYS HE'LL HAVE A LOOK AND GIVE US A CALL WHEN HE'S HOPEFULLY FIXED IT.
12.55PM...NU AND I START WALKING TO THE UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL...THAT AS BEEN TURNED INTO A MUSEUM.
1.30PM...AT GATES OF UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL...IT WAS ONLY OPEN TILL 1.00PM!2.30PM...PUB...HAD A BET...WON 139 DOLLARS.
2.50PM...LAMB CURRY...WELL HOT.
3.30PM...MECHANIC CALLS...POINTS HAD BURNT OUT...VAN GOING FINE NOW?
4.00PM...COLLECTED VAN...BILL WAS 139 DOLLARS!...EXACTLY THE AMOUNT I HAD WON ON THE HORSES...EERIE!...THAT THE SECOND TIME ITS HAPPENED...THE AMOUNT I HAVE WON IS EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT I HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT...IS SOMEONE LOOKING AFTER ME?
4.15PM...BOOKED IN AT NEAREST CAMPSITE.
4.30PM...HAVING BOOKED IN...RETURN TO VAN TO DRIVE TO OUR PITCH...OH DEAR...ENGINE REFUSES TO START!
4.45PM...PUSHING VAN TO PITCH WITH AID OF OZZIES.
5.00PM...PHONED GARAGE...MECHANIC SAYS HE'LL COME AND HAVE A LOOK TOMORROW.
6.00PM...LAMB/CARROTS/SPUDS...ALTHOUGH WE HAD ALREADY EATEN...WE HAD TO USE THE LAMB...NO WHERE TO KEEP IT COOL...NO WONDER NU AND I CAN'T LOSE WIEGHT.
7.00PM...GLASS OF RED WINE...NOT EASY EASING THE PAIN OF THE STRAIN ON OUR FACES...WE FEEL MAROONED...DEOOMED...WE HATE BEING INTHE HANDS OF OTHERS...OUR INDEPENDENCE GONE...UP AND TILL NOW I'D BEEN ABLE TO FIX EVERYTHING...I FEEL A BIT OF A LET DOWN.
8.00PM...ITS A WARM EVENING...SO WE ARE SITTING...THOUGHTFULLY IN THOUGHT.
6.6.08.
8.00AM...NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAY.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA...LEMON FLAVOURED BISCUITS.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.30AM...TRY TO START VAN...NO LUCK.
9.40AM...PHONE MECHANIC...SAYS HE'LL BE HERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
10.30AM...MECHANIC ARRIVES.
11.40AM...VAN ENGINE RUNNING.
12.15PM...WE DEPART CAMP.
12.30PM...3 MILES OUTSIDE MOUNT ISA VAN ENGINE CUTS OUT.
12.40PM...PHONED RACQ FOR A TOW.
1.15PM...BACK AT GARAGE...MECHANIC SAYS HE'LL HAVE ANOTHER LOOK THIS AFTERNOON.
2.00PM...PUB.
4.00PM...LEFT NU IN PUB...WALKED TO GARAGE...MECHANIC SAYS HE'LL HAVE TO FIX A NEW CARBURETTOR...TOMORROW!
4.35PM...RETURNED TO NU AND TOLD HER THE NEWS.
5.00PM...LEFT NU IN PUB AND DROVE VAN TO CAMPSITE ON FULL CHOKE TO KEEP HER GOING.
5.30PM...PARKED VAN UP ON SITE.
6.00PM...TOOK FREE CAMP BUS BACK TO PUB.
6.20PM...IN PUB RESTAURANT.
6.30PM...NU ORDERS CHICKEN...I SETTLE FOR THE STEAK.
7.20PM...LEAVING PUB...AWFUL MEAL.
7.30PM...ON FREE BUS BACK TO CAMP.
8.00PM...OPEN A BOX OF WINE...CABERNET SAUVIGNON.
8.30PM...WE HAVE SOME TALKATIVE FRENCH NEIGHBOURS...THE WOMAN IS QUITE THEATRICAL.
9.30PM...CAN TOMORROW GET ANY WORSE?
7.6.08.
7.00AM...ALARM...GOTTA MOVE...GOTTA GET VAN TO GARAGE FOR 8.00AM...FOR CARBURETTOR FIXING.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.15AM...SHOWER.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.45AM...EMPTING VAN...NU STAYING ON CAMP IN SHELTER WE HAVE TAKEN OVER NEXT TO OUR PITCH.
8.05AM...OFF I SET...VAN ON FULL REVS!
8.15AM...GARAGE.
8.35AM...WALKING BACK TO CAMP.
9.20AM...BACK WITH NU.
9.50AM...BACON AND EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.30AM...READING LAST WEEKS NEWSPAPER.
11.40AM...FREE CAMP BUS BACK TO GARAGE.
11.55AM...MECHANIC SAY'S IT'S ALL FIXED?
12.10PM...OFF I DRIVE.
12.30PM...STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS!...OH DEAR...OR OTHER SUCH WORDS!
12.35PM...VAN STARTS AGAIN.
12.40PM...AT GATE TO GO INTO CAMP...VAN STALLS.
12.45PM...VAN STARTS AGAIN.
12.50PM...BACK WITH NU EXPLAINING.
1.10PM...BACK AT GARAGE.
1.25PM...MECHANIC...NAMED LAWRENCE...[WELL WE'VE KINDA GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS]...STARTS DISMANTLING CARBURETTOR.
2.10PM...HE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM...HE'S CLEANED ALL THE PIPES AND MADE SURE THE PETROL IS FLOWING.
2.40PM...THE CARBURETTOR IS ALL BACK TOGETHER AND THE VAN ENGINE SOUNDS GOOD...BUT HE CAN'T PROMISE US ANYTHING...IN 10 MINS TIME IT MIGHT NOT SOUND SO GOOD...LEAST HE'S HONEST!
2.50PM...DROVE BACK TO CAMP...BOUGHT COOKED CHICKEN ON THE WAY...VAN DIDN'T STALL ONCE...OUR FINGERS ARE CROSSED!
3.15PM...I'M NOT A CHICKEN LOVER...BUT WE WERE HUNGRY.
3.45PM...PUTTING EVERYTHING TIDILY BACK IN VAN.
4.45PM...CHECKED OIL.
5.00PM...TURNED IGNITION....SHE STARED OK...FINGERS CROSSED FOR MORNING.
5.30PM...GLASS OF RED.
7.15PM...HAPPILY CHATTING...FRANCINE...OUR THEATRICAL FRENCH NEIGHBOUR POPS HER HEAD ROUND THE CORNER AND DECLARES THAT SHE IS OF TO THE KROAKY KAREOKE...EARLY SHE HAD SAID SHE WASN'T GONNA GO...OBVIOUSLY HAVING HAD A FEW GLASSES OF WINE...SHE HAD DECIDED DIFFERENT.
7.30PM...NU AND I DECIDE TO FOLLOW HER.
7.45PM...I THINK THIS IS GONNA BE A GOOD EVENING.
10.30PM...I DID ATTEMPT TO SING WITH SOME GIRL...BUT I GOT THE WRONG SONG.
11.15PM...THINK I'VE DRUNK TO MUCH.
11.35PM...GOOD NIGHT!
8.6.08.
7.00AM...I FEEL OK...NU SAYS I SHOULD HAVE A SORE HEAD.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA...WONDERFUL!
7.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.05AM...WEETABIX...WONDERFUL.
8.40AM...PACKING UP.
9.00AM...VAN STARTED OK...ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
11.00AM...RED DUSTY ROADS...THE TOWN OF CAMBOWEAL...NEED PETROL...1.89 DOLLAR A LITRE!
1.10PM...BERKLEY HOMESTEAD...GOTTA FILL UP WITH PETROL AGAIN...NOT GONNA LET HER RUN LOW...2.05 DOLLAR A LITRE!...HAD A CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...FLIES EVERYWHERE.
3.40PM...TENNANTS CREEK...1.79 DOLLARS A LITRE.
3.50PM...CAMPSITE.
4.10PM...CAMPSITE BAR.
6.00PM...BAKED BEANS ON TOAST WITH MUSHROOMS.
8.00PM...HEAD ON PILLOW...DONE 500 MILES TODAY...I'M TIRED.
8.05AM...NOT A GOOD NIGHT.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...PACKING UP...GOTTA BE OFF SITE BY 10.00AM...SO BREAKFAST GONNA HAVE TO WAIT.
9.50AM...OFF WE SET...BYE BYE PORT DOUGLAS...BYE BYE EAST COAST.
10.05AM...HEADING TOWARDS MOSSMAN.
11.00AM...MAREEBA.
12.20PM...RAVENSHOE.
1.30PM...MOUNT GARNET CAMPSITE...HAD ENOUGH DRIVING TODAY.
2.00PM...PREPARING SPAG BOL.
2.40PM...WONDERFUL SPAG BOL.
3.00PM...LISTENING TO TELE...CAN'T WATCH IT...PICTURE ALL FUZZY...DOCUMENTRY ABOUT FLINDERS AND BOWDEN AND THE RACE TO GET TO NEW HOLLAND...AS OZ WAS KNOWN THEN BACK IN THE 18 TH CENTURY.
4.30PM...LISTENING TO IRAQ/OZ WORLD CUP QUALIFIER ON RADIO...COME ON IRAQ!...OZ WON 1-0.
5.00PM...PHONED MOTHER AND PAULINE IN ENGLAND.
6.00PM...SITTING NEXT TO VAN...THIS AS BEEN THE FIRST STOP ON OUR 2,000 MILE TREK TO AYERS...HOPE ITS GONNA BE WORTH IT.
2.6.08.
7.00AM...HERE WE GO AGAIN.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.20AM...WEETABIX...YUMMY...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.05AM...READY TO ROLL...LOADSA MILES AHEAD.
9.20AM...ON A SINGLE ORANGEY/REDDY DUST TRACK...GOTTA KEEP A LOOK OUT FOR ROAD TRAINS...100 YARD LONG LORRIES...YOU HAVE TO GET OUT THE WAY...THEY HAVE RIGHT OF WAY...I WOULDN'T ARGUE WITH'EM!
11.00AM...MOUNT SURPRISE.
12.10PM...GEORGETOWN...STOPPED FOR A LIGHT BEER...WROTE A CARD TO GEORGE...ALSO HAD A CHAT WITH AN OZ COUPLE GOING OUR WAY.
12.50PM...OFF WE GO AGAIN...BURNING MORE RUBBER.
3.00PM...CROYDON...CAMPSITE.
4.00PM...REHEATING SPAG BOL LEFTOVERS...AWESOME.
4.30PM...COUPLE WE SPOKE TO IN GEORGETOWN ARRIVE...KEN AND JUDE.
6.00PM...IN PUB...KEN RECKONS HE CAN BEAT ME AT POOL...NU HAPPY TO STAY AT VAN...HAPPILY READING.
8.30PM...BEST OF FIVE...3-2 TO YOURS TRUELY...A WELL ENJOYABLE COUPLE OF HOURS...I WAS LUCKY TO WIN.
8.50PM...BACK WITH NU...I'D ONLY GOT 8 DOLLARS LEFT...WENT OUT WITH 35!
9.15PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.
3.6.08.
7.00AM...SLEPT FAIRLY WELL.
7.15AM...KETTLE ON.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.10AM...WEETABIX...YUMMY...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.00AM...SAID OUR FAREWELLS.
9.10AM...WHEELS IN MOTION.
10.30AM...BY PASSING NORMANTON.
11.00AM..DESOLETE ROAD...HARDLY ANY TRAFFIC...BARREN ORANGE LAND ALL AROUND.
12.10PM...BURKES AND MILLS ROADHOUSE...NEED PETROL...THEY CHARGE LOADS MORE IN THESE AREAS...KNOWING THERES NOT ANOTHER STATION FOR 150 MILES...ITS NOT JUST PETROL...A BACON AND EGG SANDWICH WILL COAST YOU 12 DOLLARS!
12.50PM...WE MADE OUR OWN CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH....CAN OF GINGER BEER.
1.15PM...ON WE DRIVE.
1.50PM...DROVE OVER A SNAKE...YELLOW AND GREEN...LATER WE FOUND OUT ITS CALLED A CARPET.
3.00PM...CLONCURRY CAMPSITE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS...WE NEED A BREAK...PLUS THERE IS A COUPLE OF THINGS WORTH VIEWING HERE.
5.00PM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...SPEAKING WITH OZ COUPLE...MENTIONED I DROVE OVER A SNAKE ETC.
7.00PM...ALL IS WELL...THINK WE GONNA HAVE AN EARLY NIGHT.
4.6.08.
7.30AM...NO HURRY...NEED A CUPPA MIND.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.05AM...BACON/EGG/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...WALKING TO THE MARY KATHLEEN MUSEUM...ACROSS THE ROAD FROM WHERE WE ARE CAMPING.
10.30AM...READING ABOUT MARY KATHLEEN...IT WAS ONCE A THRIVING MINING COMMUNITY...MANY OLD MACHINES AND ROCKS TO SCRUTINIZE.
12.05PM...WALKING INTO TOWN.
12.30PM...THE JOHN FLYNN MUSEUM...JOHN FLYNN WAS THE PIONEER OF THE FLYING DOCTORS AND WITH THE AID OF A CHAPPIE CALLED ALFRED TREAGER...WHO INVENTED A PEDAL POWER ELECTRIC BOX...WAS ABLE TO SET UP A NETWORK OF COMMUNICATION ALL ACROSS THE OUTBACK VIA MORSE CODE...IT AS GOT TO BE THE MOST INTERESTING MUSEUM I HASVE EVER VISITED...AND IF YOU EVER COME TO OZ YOU MUST VISIT CLONCURRY!
3.00PM...HEADING FOR PUB...THIRSTY WORK VISITING MUSEUMS!
4.00PM...NU HAPPILY WRITING CARDS...ME HAPPILY TWIDDLING MY THUMBS...RECENTLY I'VE FOUND IT HARD TO FIND A READING BOOK THAT GRABS ME...I OFTEN END UP READING WOMENS MAGS THAT I PICK UP IN CAMP LAUNDRIES.
5.00PM...TIME TO ORDER FOOD.
5.30PM...ROAST BEEF/VEG FOR ME...NU HAVING RED EMPEROR[FISH]/CHIPS/SALAD.
6.00PM...FOOD OK.
6.15PM...WALKING BACK TO CAMP...ITS BEEN A GOOD DAY...I LIKE CLONCURRY...THE PEOPLE ARE FRIENDLY.
6.40PM...POPPED INTO SUPERMARKET...NEED SOME CHEESE.
7.10PM...BACK AT CAMP.
5.6.08.
7.00AM...FEEL GOOD...GONNA GET AN EARLY START...FAIR DISTANCE TO TRAVEL TODAY.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.05AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.00AM...WHEELS IN MOTION.
9.10AM...POST OFFICE...LETTERS AND CARDS TO POST.
9.25AM...ON THE SAVANNAH WAY...HIGHWAY.
10.30AM...MOUNT ISA.
10.40AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BREAD...BOUGHT 3 LAMB STEAKS...NICE PRICE.
11.05AM...DROVE OUTA SUPERMARMARKET CARPARK...ABOUT 200 YARDS ALONG THE ROAD THE VAN ENGINE CUTS OUT.
11.15AM...TRYING EVERYTHING TO START HER...NO USE.
11.30AM...CALLED RACQ.
12.05PM...RACQ MECHANIC ARRIVES...SOMETHING TO DO WITH FUEL FLOW.
12.30PM...TOWD TO GARAGE...CHAPPIE THER SAYS HE'LL HAVE A LOOK AND GIVE US A CALL WHEN HE'S HOPEFULLY FIXED IT.
12.55PM...NU AND I START WALKING TO THE UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL...THAT AS BEEN TURNED INTO A MUSEUM.
1.30PM...AT GATES OF UNDERGROUND HOSPITAL...IT WAS ONLY OPEN TILL 1.00PM!2.30PM...PUB...HAD A BET...WON 139 DOLLARS.
2.50PM...LAMB CURRY...WELL HOT.
3.30PM...MECHANIC CALLS...POINTS HAD BURNT OUT...VAN GOING FINE NOW?
4.00PM...COLLECTED VAN...BILL WAS 139 DOLLARS!...EXACTLY THE AMOUNT I HAD WON ON THE HORSES...EERIE!...THAT THE SECOND TIME ITS HAPPENED...THE AMOUNT I HAVE WON IS EQUAL TO THE AMOUNT I HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT...IS SOMEONE LOOKING AFTER ME?
4.15PM...BOOKED IN AT NEAREST CAMPSITE.
4.30PM...HAVING BOOKED IN...RETURN TO VAN TO DRIVE TO OUR PITCH...OH DEAR...ENGINE REFUSES TO START!
4.45PM...PUSHING VAN TO PITCH WITH AID OF OZZIES.
5.00PM...PHONED GARAGE...MECHANIC SAYS HE'LL COME AND HAVE A LOOK TOMORROW.
6.00PM...LAMB/CARROTS/SPUDS...ALTHOUGH WE HAD ALREADY EATEN...WE HAD TO USE THE LAMB...NO WHERE TO KEEP IT COOL...NO WONDER NU AND I CAN'T LOSE WIEGHT.
7.00PM...GLASS OF RED WINE...NOT EASY EASING THE PAIN OF THE STRAIN ON OUR FACES...WE FEEL MAROONED...DEOOMED...WE HATE BEING INTHE HANDS OF OTHERS...OUR INDEPENDENCE GONE...UP AND TILL NOW I'D BEEN ABLE TO FIX EVERYTHING...I FEEL A BIT OF A LET DOWN.
8.00PM...ITS A WARM EVENING...SO WE ARE SITTING...THOUGHTFULLY IN THOUGHT.
6.6.08.
8.00AM...NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAY.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA...LEMON FLAVOURED BISCUITS.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.30AM...TRY TO START VAN...NO LUCK.
9.40AM...PHONE MECHANIC...SAYS HE'LL BE HERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
10.30AM...MECHANIC ARRIVES.
11.40AM...VAN ENGINE RUNNING.
12.15PM...WE DEPART CAMP.
12.30PM...3 MILES OUTSIDE MOUNT ISA VAN ENGINE CUTS OUT.
12.40PM...PHONED RACQ FOR A TOW.
1.15PM...BACK AT GARAGE...MECHANIC SAYS HE'LL HAVE ANOTHER LOOK THIS AFTERNOON.
2.00PM...PUB.
4.00PM...LEFT NU IN PUB...WALKED TO GARAGE...MECHANIC SAYS HE'LL HAVE TO FIX A NEW CARBURETTOR...TOMORROW!
4.35PM...RETURNED TO NU AND TOLD HER THE NEWS.
5.00PM...LEFT NU IN PUB AND DROVE VAN TO CAMPSITE ON FULL CHOKE TO KEEP HER GOING.
5.30PM...PARKED VAN UP ON SITE.
6.00PM...TOOK FREE CAMP BUS BACK TO PUB.
6.20PM...IN PUB RESTAURANT.
6.30PM...NU ORDERS CHICKEN...I SETTLE FOR THE STEAK.
7.20PM...LEAVING PUB...AWFUL MEAL.
7.30PM...ON FREE BUS BACK TO CAMP.
8.00PM...OPEN A BOX OF WINE...CABERNET SAUVIGNON.
8.30PM...WE HAVE SOME TALKATIVE FRENCH NEIGHBOURS...THE WOMAN IS QUITE THEATRICAL.
9.30PM...CAN TOMORROW GET ANY WORSE?
7.6.08.
7.00AM...ALARM...GOTTA MOVE...GOTTA GET VAN TO GARAGE FOR 8.00AM...FOR CARBURETTOR FIXING.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.15AM...SHOWER.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.45AM...EMPTING VAN...NU STAYING ON CAMP IN SHELTER WE HAVE TAKEN OVER NEXT TO OUR PITCH.
8.05AM...OFF I SET...VAN ON FULL REVS!
8.15AM...GARAGE.
8.35AM...WALKING BACK TO CAMP.
9.20AM...BACK WITH NU.
9.50AM...BACON AND EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.30AM...READING LAST WEEKS NEWSPAPER.
11.40AM...FREE CAMP BUS BACK TO GARAGE.
11.55AM...MECHANIC SAY'S IT'S ALL FIXED?
12.10PM...OFF I DRIVE.
12.30PM...STALLS AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS!...OH DEAR...OR OTHER SUCH WORDS!
12.35PM...VAN STARTS AGAIN.
12.40PM...AT GATE TO GO INTO CAMP...VAN STALLS.
12.45PM...VAN STARTS AGAIN.
12.50PM...BACK WITH NU EXPLAINING.
1.10PM...BACK AT GARAGE.
1.25PM...MECHANIC...NAMED LAWRENCE...[WELL WE'VE KINDA GOT TO KNOW EACH OTHER OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS]...STARTS DISMANTLING CARBURETTOR.
2.10PM...HE CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM...HE'S CLEANED ALL THE PIPES AND MADE SURE THE PETROL IS FLOWING.
2.40PM...THE CARBURETTOR IS ALL BACK TOGETHER AND THE VAN ENGINE SOUNDS GOOD...BUT HE CAN'T PROMISE US ANYTHING...IN 10 MINS TIME IT MIGHT NOT SOUND SO GOOD...LEAST HE'S HONEST!
2.50PM...DROVE BACK TO CAMP...BOUGHT COOKED CHICKEN ON THE WAY...VAN DIDN'T STALL ONCE...OUR FINGERS ARE CROSSED!
3.15PM...I'M NOT A CHICKEN LOVER...BUT WE WERE HUNGRY.
3.45PM...PUTTING EVERYTHING TIDILY BACK IN VAN.
4.45PM...CHECKED OIL.
5.00PM...TURNED IGNITION....SHE STARED OK...FINGERS CROSSED FOR MORNING.
5.30PM...GLASS OF RED.
7.15PM...HAPPILY CHATTING...FRANCINE...OUR THEATRICAL FRENCH NEIGHBOUR POPS HER HEAD ROUND THE CORNER AND DECLARES THAT SHE IS OF TO THE KROAKY KAREOKE...EARLY SHE HAD SAID SHE WASN'T GONNA GO...OBVIOUSLY HAVING HAD A FEW GLASSES OF WINE...SHE HAD DECIDED DIFFERENT.
7.30PM...NU AND I DECIDE TO FOLLOW HER.
7.45PM...I THINK THIS IS GONNA BE A GOOD EVENING.
10.30PM...I DID ATTEMPT TO SING WITH SOME GIRL...BUT I GOT THE WRONG SONG.
11.15PM...THINK I'VE DRUNK TO MUCH.
11.35PM...GOOD NIGHT!
8.6.08.
7.00AM...I FEEL OK...NU SAYS I SHOULD HAVE A SORE HEAD.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA...WONDERFUL!
7.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.05AM...WEETABIX...WONDERFUL.
8.40AM...PACKING UP.
9.00AM...VAN STARTED OK...ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
11.00AM...RED DUSTY ROADS...THE TOWN OF CAMBOWEAL...NEED PETROL...1.89 DOLLAR A LITRE!
1.10PM...BERKLEY HOMESTEAD...GOTTA FILL UP WITH PETROL AGAIN...NOT GONNA LET HER RUN LOW...2.05 DOLLAR A LITRE!...HAD A CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...FLIES EVERYWHERE.
3.40PM...TENNANTS CREEK...1.79 DOLLARS A LITRE.
3.50PM...CAMPSITE.
4.10PM...CAMPSITE BAR.
6.00PM...BAKED BEANS ON TOAST WITH MUSHROOMS.
8.00PM...HEAD ON PILLOW...DONE 500 MILES TODAY...I'M TIRED.
Tuesday, 3 June 2008
AUSTRALIA...PART TWELVE OF VERY MANY!
25.5.08.
6.00AM...ALARM.
6.10AM...SHOWER.
6.25AM...KETTLE ON.
6.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
6.50AM...NOTICED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TYRE FLAT!...OUCH.
7.00AM...WALKING TO MARINA[JETTY].
7.25AM...QUEUE-ING FOR BOAT.
7.45AM...BOAT ON MOVE...BARRIER REEF HERE WE COME.
8.30AM...THIS IS ONE ROCKY BOAT...LOADSA PEOPLE BEING SICK...NU AND I HAVE TAKEN OUR SICK SEA TABLETS...SO ALL OK AT MOMENT.
10.00AM...LADY MUSGRAVE ISLAND...AN UNDISTURBED HABITAT OF BIRDS AND OTHER LIFE FORMS...THERES A BIRD HERE THAT A FEW YEARS AGO USED TO FLY...BUT IS RARELY SEEN FLYING AS IT AS NO REASON TO FLY ANYMORE...IT JUST HOPS AROUND...REALLY!...THE BEACH IS AWASH WITH PEBBLES AND SHELLS...ALL COLOURS...ALL PATTERNS...ALL TEXTURES...ITS ACTUALLY MORE INTERESTING THAN I PROBABLY MAKE OUT!
11.00AM...GLASS BOTTOM BOAT...A FEW TURTLES TO BE SEEN...NOT AS COLOURFUL AS I HAVE SEEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
12.05PM...FOOD TIME...SALAD/PASTA/CHICKEN...PRETTY POOR FARE.
1.10PM...NU GONE SNORKELING.
1.20PM...MINI-SUBMARINE...NOT MUCH DIFFERENT TO WHAT I SAW IN GLASSBOTTOM BOAT.
2.00PM...SITING IN THE SHADE...INSIDE BOAT...ITS A WELL HOT DAY...BOUGHT A MARS BAR...AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT...INSIDE THE WRAPPER IT SAYS 'CONGRATULATIONS'!...YOU'VE WON A FREE BARS BAR...HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY?
3.00PM...SCONES/JAM/SYNTHETIC CREAM...CUPPA TEA.
3.20PM...HEADING BACK TO MAINLAND.
4.40PM...ON LAND.
5.10PM...CAMPSITE.
5.30PM...BORROWED FOOT PUMP FROM RECEPTION FOR TOMORROWS TYRE INFLATING...NU CHECKING EMAIL.
6.05PM...CUPPA TEA.
7.00PM...BEANS ON TOAST.
26.5.08.
7.30AM...AWAKE...NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAYS TYRE INFLATING...WITH FOOT PUMP!
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...PUMPING...PUSHING HARD.
8.20AM...NU AND I HAVE TAKEN TURNS PUMPING AND A PUSHING...SOUNDS GOOD HEY!...THE FACT IS THERE IS LITTLE IMPROVEMENT...TYRE STILL LOOKS FLAT.
8.35AM...LADY IN CARAVAN NEXT DOOR SAYS SHE CAN HELP...IF SHE CAN GET HER BUILT IN CAR PUMP WORKING...I'M THINKING 'BUILT IN CAR PUMP!...THATS A NEW ONE ON ME!'
8.50AM...ABARACADABERA!...OUR TYRE IS INFLATED...I NEVER KNEW THESE 4X4's HAD BUILT IN AIR PUMPS...AMAZING...I THINK I'LL HAVE A 4X4 WHEN WE GO TOURING NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA.
9.00AM...SHOWER/SHAVE.
9.20AM...EGG SANDWICH FOR NU...EGG/MUSHROOM OMELETTE FOR LITTLE ME...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.40AM...WE ARE READY TO ROLL.
9.55AM...TYRE FIXING PLACE.
10.30AM...TYRE FIXED.
10.35AM...WE ARE READY TO ROLL AGAIN...GOTTA FAIR DISTANCE TO TRAVEL TODAY...BYE BYE 1770.
12.10PM...ROCKHAMPTON...LOOKS INDUSTRIAL.
12.40PM...TIME FOR CHEESE/BICS...CAN OF GINGER BEER.
1.05PM...TIME TO ROLL AGAIN.
2.30PM...MARLBOROUGH.
3.30PM...ST.LAWRENCE...HAD A LOOKAT CAMPSITE...NOT IMPRESSED.
4.00PM...CLAIREVIEW CAMPSITE...OLD BUT CLEAN ENOUGH...PLUS ITS T-BONE STEAK NIGHT AT A NICE PRICE!...IT'LL DO!
4.30PM...CUPPA TEA.
5.30PM...ITS GONE DARK...YES IT GOES DARK WELL EARLY IN LITTLE OL'OZ!
5.45PM...IN RESTAURANT/DINING AREA...WAITING TO BE FED.
6.30PM...LOVELY MEAL...YUMMY.
7.00PM...THERES SOME POSSUMS RUNNING AROUND ON THE ROOF AND POOR OLD BUSTER[A DOG] IS NOT AMUSED...HE'S WELL UPSET...POOR SOUL...INTERESTING CAMP...INTERESTING PLACE...THE PEOPLE ARE LOUD...THE POOL TABLE IS TORN...THE PLACE IS LIKE A CHIPPED PAINTED TOENAIL.
27.5.08.
7.30AM...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL...TOSSED AND TURNED.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...A NEEDED CUPPA.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...NU WANTS TOAST...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.10AM...ALL PACKED UP...READY TO MOVE.
9.20AM...VAN STARTS STRAIGHT AWAY...WEATHER HOT.
9.25AM...DRIVING THE BRUCE HIGHWAY.
11.20AM...MACKAY.
12.20PM...PROSERPINE.
12.50PM...AIRLIE BEACH...WAS GONNA CAMP UP...BUT IT WASN'T WHAT WE THOUGHT.
2.05PM...BOWEN...WHY ARE WE HERE?...OH DEAR...I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF DRIVING TODAY.
2.40PM...HARBOUR LIGHTS CAMPSITE...IT'LL HAVE TO DO.
3.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
3.35PM...PREPARING VEG.
4.10PM...PARSNIP/SWEDE/CARROTS/SPUD/MINCE...TASTES GOOD.
4.45PM...WELL FED...TIME FOR A DRINK.
5.30PM...BOWEN...I'M GONNA TELL YOU ABOUT BOWEN...BOWEN IS AN UGLY,DUSTY AND A TOWN WITHOUT CHARACTER...BUT...AND ITS A BIG BUT FOR SURE...FOR SOME REASON THEY FILMED THE EPIC...MAYBE EPIC FILM...'AUSTRALIA'...HERE...STARRING NICK KIDMAN AND OTHERS...GONNA BE RELEASED IN NOV 2008...ITS GONNA BE...WELL I GUESS THEY HOPE IT WILL BE?...OZ BEST FILM OF ALL TIME...WE'LL WAIT AND SEE.
7.00PM...BOUGHT A BOX OF CHEAP ROSE...TASTES ALRIGHT.
28.5.08.
7.30AM...TIME TO RISE...DRY THROAT.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHOWER...THESE SHOWERS ARE ANCIENT!
8.50AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...ALL PACKED UP...READY TO ROLL.
10.10AM...CENTRE OF BOWEN...POST OFFICE...ALSO NEED TO BUY MORE WINE...ON OFFER...ONLY 10 DOLLARS A BOX.
11.00AM...HEADING TOWARDS TOWNSVILLE...JUST NOTICED WE HAVE A CRACK IN WINDSCREEN.
2.10PM...A BORING DRIVE...BUT WE ARE HERE NOW.
2.20PM...ROWES BAY CAMPSITE...OPPOSITE MAGNETIC ISLAND.
3.00PM...WE BOTH DECIDE WE DON'T LIKE THIS CAMPSITE...NU SAID IT WAS LIKE BEING ON A CARPARK...STILL,IT'LL HAVE TO DO.
4.30PM...CAMP KITCHEN...HIPPY DISH.
5.25PM...SITTING NEXT TO VAN ON CARPARK...WINE TASTES FINE.
29.5.08.
7.30AM...TOWNSVILLE...WELL LETS JUST SAY...WELL ACTUALLY THERE IS NOT A
LOT TO SAY...OH WELL.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.25AM...VAN STARTS...SHE STARTS ALRIGHT NOW THE HEAT IS HERE.
9.40AM...OFF WE GO...LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PARK UP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS...THE EAST COAST IS BECOMING A BORE...BOWEN AND TOWNSVILLE CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN.
10.55AM...INGHAM...THIS IS SUGAR CANE COUNTRY.
12.55PM...TULLY...SUPERMARKET...PORTERHOUSE STEAK ON OFFER!...ALSO VISITED BOTTLE SHOP...ALL OUT OF BEER.
2.10PM...MISSION BEACH...THIS PLACE LOOKS ALRIGHT.
2.30PM...COCUNUT CAMPSITE...DON'T KNOW WHY ITS CALLED COCONUT...THERES NOT A COCONUT IN SIGHT...ITS SMALL AND TIDY...ITS WHAT WE LIKE.
2.45PM...BOOKED IN FOR TWO NIGHTS...PRICIER THAN MOST...BUT HOPEFULLY ITS WORTH IT...ITS GOT A SWIMMING POOL...ITS ACTUALLY NEXT TO THE BEACH...BUT YOU CAN'T GO IN THE SEA BECAUSE OF STINGERS...ITS AMAZING...WONDERFUL BEACHES...CLEAN SEA...BUT ITS TO DANGEROUS TO SWIM!
3.05PM...SETTING UP CAMP.
3.20PM...CHEESE/TOMATO COB...BEER...SITTING IN THE SUN...NU DOING LAUNDRY...BED SHEETS NEED DOING.
5.30PM...CAMP KITCHEN...VEGGIES ON...STEAK GRILLING.
5.55PM...STEAK TOUGH...OUCH!
6.40PM...TV ROOM...VOLUME GONE FUNNY...OUCH!
8.00PM...NU PHONING DAUGHTERS.
10.00PM...NU RETURNED FROM PHONING DAUGHTERS.
10.15PM...BRANDY AND COKE X 2.
30.5.08.
8.50AM...NEED A CUPPA.
9.05AM...KETTLE ON.
9.20AM...OK CUPPA.
9.40AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS/TOAST...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.10AM...RELAXING BY POOL...RADIO PLAYING...SUN ABLAZING.
1.00PM...CHEESE AND TOMATO SANDWICH/GLASS OF WINE.
2.15PM...ICECREAM...MINES CALLED 'HEAVEN'...IT WAS A BIG DECISION...I NEARLY OPTED FOR A 'GOLDEN GAY TIME'!
3.00PM...MORE WINE...MORE RELAXING.
4.00PM...MORE WINE.
4.30PM...PORK GRAVY ROLL...BIT SALTY.
7.00PM...ON BED...STOMACH NOT FEELING TO GOOD!
31.5.08.
7.35AM...BIT OF A ROCKY NIGHT...HARDLY SLEPT...WELL,THATS HOW I FEEL.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...TOAST/JAM...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.40AM...VAN IN MOTION.
11.00AM...TAKING IT STEADY...EVERYONE CAN OVERTAKE ME TODAY...I DON'T CARE.
11.50AM...CAIRNS...THIS PLACE LOOKS BLEAK.
12.35PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
1.15PM...NU IN K-MART...NEEDS NEW SWIMMING COSTUME.
2.30PM...PORT DOUGLAS CAMPSITE...ITS PACKED...BUT THEY MANAGED TO FIND A SPOT FOR LITTLE US.
4.00PM...WALKED IN TO CENTRE...NOT IMPRESSED...BIT JUMPED UP...HOPELESS ORDINARIES IN CHEAP DESIGNER SUNGLASSES.
5.00PM...FISH AND CHIPS/SALAD...NU HAD PRAWNS...PASSABLE.
6.00PM...WATCHING THE SUN GO DOWN ON BEACH...PROBABLY THE BEST PART OF THE DAY.
7.00PM...WE WERE HOPING TO GO OUT ON THE REEF TOMORROW...BUT THERES POOR VISABILITY AT THE MOMENT...PORT DOUGLAS IS A WASHOUT...THE SOUTH COAST WAS LOADS BETTER THAN THE EAST!
9.30PM...I FANCIED SOME TWISTIES[CHEESY EATS]...NU SAID PUT SOME IN A DISH...AS I LENT OVER TO GET DISH...KNOCKED LIGHT OUT...I SAID TO NU GET THE TORCH...SHE ASKED ME TO HOLD HER DRINK...STILL DARK I PUT THE DRINK ON THE TABLE...KNOCKING MY RED WINE ONTO THE CREAM COLOURED CARPET...AND ALL OVER THE MULTI ELECTRIC SOCKET!
10.10PM...GOOD NIGHT?
EAST COAST...5 OUTA 10
SOUTH COAST 8 OUTA 10.
BYE FOR NOWZ,
6.00AM...ALARM.
6.10AM...SHOWER.
6.25AM...KETTLE ON.
6.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
6.50AM...NOTICED FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TYRE FLAT!...OUCH.
7.00AM...WALKING TO MARINA[JETTY].
7.25AM...QUEUE-ING FOR BOAT.
7.45AM...BOAT ON MOVE...BARRIER REEF HERE WE COME.
8.30AM...THIS IS ONE ROCKY BOAT...LOADSA PEOPLE BEING SICK...NU AND I HAVE TAKEN OUR SICK SEA TABLETS...SO ALL OK AT MOMENT.
10.00AM...LADY MUSGRAVE ISLAND...AN UNDISTURBED HABITAT OF BIRDS AND OTHER LIFE FORMS...THERES A BIRD HERE THAT A FEW YEARS AGO USED TO FLY...BUT IS RARELY SEEN FLYING AS IT AS NO REASON TO FLY ANYMORE...IT JUST HOPS AROUND...REALLY!...THE BEACH IS AWASH WITH PEBBLES AND SHELLS...ALL COLOURS...ALL PATTERNS...ALL TEXTURES...ITS ACTUALLY MORE INTERESTING THAN I PROBABLY MAKE OUT!
11.00AM...GLASS BOTTOM BOAT...A FEW TURTLES TO BE SEEN...NOT AS COLOURFUL AS I HAVE SEEN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD.
12.05PM...FOOD TIME...SALAD/PASTA/CHICKEN...PRETTY POOR FARE.
1.10PM...NU GONE SNORKELING.
1.20PM...MINI-SUBMARINE...NOT MUCH DIFFERENT TO WHAT I SAW IN GLASSBOTTOM BOAT.
2.00PM...SITING IN THE SHADE...INSIDE BOAT...ITS A WELL HOT DAY...BOUGHT A MARS BAR...AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT...INSIDE THE WRAPPER IT SAYS 'CONGRATULATIONS'!...YOU'VE WON A FREE BARS BAR...HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY?
3.00PM...SCONES/JAM/SYNTHETIC CREAM...CUPPA TEA.
3.20PM...HEADING BACK TO MAINLAND.
4.40PM...ON LAND.
5.10PM...CAMPSITE.
5.30PM...BORROWED FOOT PUMP FROM RECEPTION FOR TOMORROWS TYRE INFLATING...NU CHECKING EMAIL.
6.05PM...CUPPA TEA.
7.00PM...BEANS ON TOAST.
26.5.08.
7.30AM...AWAKE...NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO TODAYS TYRE INFLATING...WITH FOOT PUMP!
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...PUMPING...PUSHING HARD.
8.20AM...NU AND I HAVE TAKEN TURNS PUMPING AND A PUSHING...SOUNDS GOOD HEY!...THE FACT IS THERE IS LITTLE IMPROVEMENT...TYRE STILL LOOKS FLAT.
8.35AM...LADY IN CARAVAN NEXT DOOR SAYS SHE CAN HELP...IF SHE CAN GET HER BUILT IN CAR PUMP WORKING...I'M THINKING 'BUILT IN CAR PUMP!...THATS A NEW ONE ON ME!'
8.50AM...ABARACADABERA!...OUR TYRE IS INFLATED...I NEVER KNEW THESE 4X4's HAD BUILT IN AIR PUMPS...AMAZING...I THINK I'LL HAVE A 4X4 WHEN WE GO TOURING NORTH AMERICA AND CANADA.
9.00AM...SHOWER/SHAVE.
9.20AM...EGG SANDWICH FOR NU...EGG/MUSHROOM OMELETTE FOR LITTLE ME...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.40AM...WE ARE READY TO ROLL.
9.55AM...TYRE FIXING PLACE.
10.30AM...TYRE FIXED.
10.35AM...WE ARE READY TO ROLL AGAIN...GOTTA FAIR DISTANCE TO TRAVEL TODAY...BYE BYE 1770.
12.10PM...ROCKHAMPTON...LOOKS INDUSTRIAL.
12.40PM...TIME FOR CHEESE/BICS...CAN OF GINGER BEER.
1.05PM...TIME TO ROLL AGAIN.
2.30PM...MARLBOROUGH.
3.30PM...ST.LAWRENCE...HAD A LOOKAT CAMPSITE...NOT IMPRESSED.
4.00PM...CLAIREVIEW CAMPSITE...OLD BUT CLEAN ENOUGH...PLUS ITS T-BONE STEAK NIGHT AT A NICE PRICE!...IT'LL DO!
4.30PM...CUPPA TEA.
5.30PM...ITS GONE DARK...YES IT GOES DARK WELL EARLY IN LITTLE OL'OZ!
5.45PM...IN RESTAURANT/DINING AREA...WAITING TO BE FED.
6.30PM...LOVELY MEAL...YUMMY.
7.00PM...THERES SOME POSSUMS RUNNING AROUND ON THE ROOF AND POOR OLD BUSTER[A DOG] IS NOT AMUSED...HE'S WELL UPSET...POOR SOUL...INTERESTING CAMP...INTERESTING PLACE...THE PEOPLE ARE LOUD...THE POOL TABLE IS TORN...THE PLACE IS LIKE A CHIPPED PAINTED TOENAIL.
27.5.08.
7.30AM...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL...TOSSED AND TURNED.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...A NEEDED CUPPA.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...NU WANTS TOAST...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.10AM...ALL PACKED UP...READY TO MOVE.
9.20AM...VAN STARTS STRAIGHT AWAY...WEATHER HOT.
9.25AM...DRIVING THE BRUCE HIGHWAY.
11.20AM...MACKAY.
12.20PM...PROSERPINE.
12.50PM...AIRLIE BEACH...WAS GONNA CAMP UP...BUT IT WASN'T WHAT WE THOUGHT.
2.05PM...BOWEN...WHY ARE WE HERE?...OH DEAR...I'VE HAD ENOUGH OF DRIVING TODAY.
2.40PM...HARBOUR LIGHTS CAMPSITE...IT'LL HAVE TO DO.
3.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
3.35PM...PREPARING VEG.
4.10PM...PARSNIP/SWEDE/CARROTS/SPUD/MINCE...TASTES GOOD.
4.45PM...WELL FED...TIME FOR A DRINK.
5.30PM...BOWEN...I'M GONNA TELL YOU ABOUT BOWEN...BOWEN IS AN UGLY,DUSTY AND A TOWN WITHOUT CHARACTER...BUT...AND ITS A BIG BUT FOR SURE...FOR SOME REASON THEY FILMED THE EPIC...MAYBE EPIC FILM...'AUSTRALIA'...HERE...STARRING NICK KIDMAN AND OTHERS...GONNA BE RELEASED IN NOV 2008...ITS GONNA BE...WELL I GUESS THEY HOPE IT WILL BE?...OZ BEST FILM OF ALL TIME...WE'LL WAIT AND SEE.
7.00PM...BOUGHT A BOX OF CHEAP ROSE...TASTES ALRIGHT.
28.5.08.
7.30AM...TIME TO RISE...DRY THROAT.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHOWER...THESE SHOWERS ARE ANCIENT!
8.50AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...ALL PACKED UP...READY TO ROLL.
10.10AM...CENTRE OF BOWEN...POST OFFICE...ALSO NEED TO BUY MORE WINE...ON OFFER...ONLY 10 DOLLARS A BOX.
11.00AM...HEADING TOWARDS TOWNSVILLE...JUST NOTICED WE HAVE A CRACK IN WINDSCREEN.
2.10PM...A BORING DRIVE...BUT WE ARE HERE NOW.
2.20PM...ROWES BAY CAMPSITE...OPPOSITE MAGNETIC ISLAND.
3.00PM...WE BOTH DECIDE WE DON'T LIKE THIS CAMPSITE...NU SAID IT WAS LIKE BEING ON A CARPARK...STILL,IT'LL HAVE TO DO.
4.30PM...CAMP KITCHEN...HIPPY DISH.
5.25PM...SITTING NEXT TO VAN ON CARPARK...WINE TASTES FINE.
29.5.08.
7.30AM...TOWNSVILLE...WELL LETS JUST SAY...WELL ACTUALLY THERE IS NOT A
LOT TO SAY...OH WELL.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.25AM...VAN STARTS...SHE STARTS ALRIGHT NOW THE HEAT IS HERE.
9.40AM...OFF WE GO...LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO PARK UP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS...THE EAST COAST IS BECOMING A BORE...BOWEN AND TOWNSVILLE CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN.
10.55AM...INGHAM...THIS IS SUGAR CANE COUNTRY.
12.55PM...TULLY...SUPERMARKET...PORTERHOUSE STEAK ON OFFER!...ALSO VISITED BOTTLE SHOP...ALL OUT OF BEER.
2.10PM...MISSION BEACH...THIS PLACE LOOKS ALRIGHT.
2.30PM...COCUNUT CAMPSITE...DON'T KNOW WHY ITS CALLED COCONUT...THERES NOT A COCONUT IN SIGHT...ITS SMALL AND TIDY...ITS WHAT WE LIKE.
2.45PM...BOOKED IN FOR TWO NIGHTS...PRICIER THAN MOST...BUT HOPEFULLY ITS WORTH IT...ITS GOT A SWIMMING POOL...ITS ACTUALLY NEXT TO THE BEACH...BUT YOU CAN'T GO IN THE SEA BECAUSE OF STINGERS...ITS AMAZING...WONDERFUL BEACHES...CLEAN SEA...BUT ITS TO DANGEROUS TO SWIM!
3.05PM...SETTING UP CAMP.
3.20PM...CHEESE/TOMATO COB...BEER...SITTING IN THE SUN...NU DOING LAUNDRY...BED SHEETS NEED DOING.
5.30PM...CAMP KITCHEN...VEGGIES ON...STEAK GRILLING.
5.55PM...STEAK TOUGH...OUCH!
6.40PM...TV ROOM...VOLUME GONE FUNNY...OUCH!
8.00PM...NU PHONING DAUGHTERS.
10.00PM...NU RETURNED FROM PHONING DAUGHTERS.
10.15PM...BRANDY AND COKE X 2.
30.5.08.
8.50AM...NEED A CUPPA.
9.05AM...KETTLE ON.
9.20AM...OK CUPPA.
9.40AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS/TOAST...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.10AM...RELAXING BY POOL...RADIO PLAYING...SUN ABLAZING.
1.00PM...CHEESE AND TOMATO SANDWICH/GLASS OF WINE.
2.15PM...ICECREAM...MINES CALLED 'HEAVEN'...IT WAS A BIG DECISION...I NEARLY OPTED FOR A 'GOLDEN GAY TIME'!
3.00PM...MORE WINE...MORE RELAXING.
4.00PM...MORE WINE.
4.30PM...PORK GRAVY ROLL...BIT SALTY.
7.00PM...ON BED...STOMACH NOT FEELING TO GOOD!
31.5.08.
7.35AM...BIT OF A ROCKY NIGHT...HARDLY SLEPT...WELL,THATS HOW I FEEL.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...TOAST/JAM...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.40AM...VAN IN MOTION.
11.00AM...TAKING IT STEADY...EVERYONE CAN OVERTAKE ME TODAY...I DON'T CARE.
11.50AM...CAIRNS...THIS PLACE LOOKS BLEAK.
12.35PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
1.15PM...NU IN K-MART...NEEDS NEW SWIMMING COSTUME.
2.30PM...PORT DOUGLAS CAMPSITE...ITS PACKED...BUT THEY MANAGED TO FIND A SPOT FOR LITTLE US.
4.00PM...WALKED IN TO CENTRE...NOT IMPRESSED...BIT JUMPED UP...HOPELESS ORDINARIES IN CHEAP DESIGNER SUNGLASSES.
5.00PM...FISH AND CHIPS/SALAD...NU HAD PRAWNS...PASSABLE.
6.00PM...WATCHING THE SUN GO DOWN ON BEACH...PROBABLY THE BEST PART OF THE DAY.
7.00PM...WE WERE HOPING TO GO OUT ON THE REEF TOMORROW...BUT THERES POOR VISABILITY AT THE MOMENT...PORT DOUGLAS IS A WASHOUT...THE SOUTH COAST WAS LOADS BETTER THAN THE EAST!
9.30PM...I FANCIED SOME TWISTIES[CHEESY EATS]...NU SAID PUT SOME IN A DISH...AS I LENT OVER TO GET DISH...KNOCKED LIGHT OUT...I SAID TO NU GET THE TORCH...SHE ASKED ME TO HOLD HER DRINK...STILL DARK I PUT THE DRINK ON THE TABLE...KNOCKING MY RED WINE ONTO THE CREAM COLOURED CARPET...AND ALL OVER THE MULTI ELECTRIC SOCKET!
10.10PM...GOOD NIGHT?
EAST COAST...5 OUTA 10
SOUTH COAST 8 OUTA 10.
BYE FOR NOWZ,
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