Cheese

NZ CONTINUED....

2008-10-27T22:39:00.000-07:00

27.10.08...DAY 90...
9.30AM...OH WELL HERE WE GO...NOT A LOT TO DO TODAY.
9.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...EGG/MUSHROOM/TOMATO ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.50AM...PACKING MAIN BLUE HOLDALL WITH EVERYTHING WE WILL NOT REQIURE TILL WE REACH ENGLAND...BASICALLY ITS FULL OF BITS/THINGS/MOMENTOS WE HAVE ACQUIRED ALONG THE WAY...WE ARE TRYING TO BE NEAT...MAKING THE MOST OF THE SPACE AVAILABLE.
12.30PM...WE HAVEN'T GOT AS MUCH AS WE THOUGHT...IT LOOKED A LOT...BUT ITS FITTED NEAT.
12.50PM...ANOTHER CUPPA.
1.30PM...SUN IS OUT...READING PAPERBACK...BEER.
3.30PM...CAULI/SPUD ON BOIL...LAMB UNDER GRILL.
4.15PM...DELICIOUS MEAL.
5.00PM...WATCHING TRASH KIWI TV.
6.00PM...ITS TIME FOR SOME ALCOHOL DRINK...BUT FOR SOME REASON I AM NOT IN THE MOOD.
7.00PM...THE NZ ELECTIONS ARE IN 9 DAYS TIME...SO THERE IS A 'SPECIAL?; PROG ON...ITS HARD TO TAKE NZ POLITICS SERIOUSLY...COME TO THINK OF IT...ITS HARD TO FATHOM POLITICS IN ANY COUNTRY!

28.10.08...DAY 91...
8.10AM...SECOND TO LAST DAY...AFTER 14 MONTHS ITS INCREDIBLE THAT WE ARE SO CLOSE TO RETURNING TO OUR HOMELAND.
8.25AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.45AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.15AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.05AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.15AM...OFF WE SET.
10.45AM...SECOND HAND BOOK SHOP IN WELLSFORD...NU BUYS TWO BARRY CRUMP BOOKS...HE'S FAMOUS OUT HERE?
11.40AM...OUTSKIRTS OF AUCKLAND...TRAFFIC GOING SLOW.
12.35PM...FINALLY FOUND OUR PRE-BOOKED LODGE FOR THE NIGHT...ITS ONLY 5K TO THE AIRPORT FROM HERE...CHAP ON RECEPTION TELLS US THE STREETS ARE NOT THE BEST PLACE TO BE AFTER SUNSET...OH!...AUCKLAND AS A BAD REPUTATION...MUGGINGS/KNIFING/SHOOTINGS...SOMEBODY ACTUAL GOT SHOT IN DANGAVILLE LAST NITE...WE WERE THERE 3 NIGHTS AGO...IT LOOKED ALRIGHT TO US.
1.30PM...CHEESE/LETTUCE SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
2.40PM...SOME FORIEGNER AS PUT A VIDEO ON IN THE LOUNGE...NO CONSIDERATION FOR US...I'M LOOKING AT THE SCREEN AIMLESSLY!
4.25PM...I'M HUNGRY...WE ARE HUNGRY...SHOULD WE BE?...MIGHT RISK AN INDIAN.
5.15PM...INDIAN RESTAURANT...ITS THE KAMIKAZI IN US!
5.45PM...MOUTH ON FIRE!
6.20PM...AS MUCH AS IT WAS HOT SPICY...IT WAS AN ENJOYABLE TASTE/FLAVOUR.
6.50PM...BACK AT OUR LODGINGS.
7.30PM...CORONATION STREET...BEER.

I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW I DON'T REGRET A SINGLE DAY OF THIS MAMMOTH TRIP/FANTASTIC VOYAGE NU AND I HAVE UNDERTAKEN...WE'VE MOANED...WE'VE GROANED...WE'VE DRANK...WE'VE LAUGHED...WE'VE CRIED...WE'VE DEFINATELY GOT FATTER!...WE BOTH FEEL SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUCCEEDED/CONQUERED A DREAM...AND I ASK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TO GET OUT THERE AND ENJOY THE WORLD...YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!...WE HAVE ZIG-ZAGGED ACROSS A QUARTER?/THIRD? OF THE PLANET...WE MET SOME WONDERFUL FOLK...SEEN MANY SPECIAL PLACES...ITS HARD TO TELL YOU IT ALL...YOU'VE GOT TO DO IT YOURSELF...THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND/LEARN SO MUCH...ALTHOUGH TO ANYBODY READING THIS BLOG...I DO UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS SOMEWHAT?BORING...BUT WHEN NU AND I GO TO ANY PAGE/DAY ITS LIKE A TV SCREEN IN FRONT OF US...AND WE REMEMBER SO MUCH...AND ITS OH SO UNBORING!...I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT HELPED US ON OUR WAY...BUT MOST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK NUALA[MY WIFE]...THANKS NU...LOVE YOU FOREVER!

GOOD LUCK,
TAKE CARE,
SAFE VOYAGE.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED...

2008-10-26T16:38:00.000-07:00

22.10.08...DAY 85...
9.55AM...DOING NOTHING TODAY...JUST GONNA FIDGET ABOUT.
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.30AM...SHOWER.
11.05AM...RICE CRISPIES/MARMALADE ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.50AM...WALKED INTO TOWN.
12.20PM...LOOKING AT GIFT SHOPS...NU LOVES IT...I HATE IT...CHEAP STUFF AT INFLATED PRICES.
2.00PM...NU HUNGRY...I AM TOO...BOREDOM I GUESS!
2.15PM...CAFE RIP OFF...KUMARA PIE/MOROCAN CHICKEN WITH SALAD...BEER...ACTUALLY IT WASN'T BAD...THE PRICE WAS TO MUCH FOR TO LITTLE.
3.20PM...SITTING ON BEACH...NU READING...I'M FIDGETTING.
4.25PM...BACK AT LODGE.
5.10PM...FIDGETTING.
6.00PM...CHEESE ON TOAST WITH ONION AND TOMATO...YUMMY!
7.00PM...WAFFLING WITH ENGLISH COUPLE...THEY'RE BORING.
8.05PM...FIDGETTING.
8.25PM...GLASS OF WINE...NOT REALLY ENJOYING IT...GUESS I'M BORED.
9.10PM...IS IT TIME FOR BED YET?...GETTING MORE FIDGETTY!...THE BAY OF ISLANDS IS A PLEASANT PLACE...SCENERY WISE...BEAUTIFUL...THE PEOPLE ARE A PROBLEM...ALSO THE PRICES.

23.10.08...DAY 86...
7.40AM...WE ARE GOUNG SOMEWHERE TODAY...CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE.
7.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.45AM...PACKING UP TIME AGAIN...THESE IS THE WORST PART ABOUT TRAVELLING.
9.20AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.55AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.10AM...BANK...ATM MACHINE.
10.25AM...PETROL STATION.
10.35AM...BAKERY.
10.45AM...SUPERMARKET...GOT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER AMONGST OTHER ITEMS.
11.25AM...WAITANGA...TREATY HOUSE...THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE THE MOST IMPORTANT DOCUMENT IN NZ HISTORY WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE MAORI AND INVADING FORCES...I'M NOT SURE THAT IT WAS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE MAORI BRCAUSE THEY STILL DON'T HAVE EQUILITY.
12.15PM...HORURU WATER FALLS...OK ITS ANOTHER WATER FALL.
12.35PM...BLEDISLOE LOOKOUT POINT...NICE VIEWS...SIGN THER SAYS 11,278 MILES TO LONDON...DON'T KNOW WHEN THE BUS ARRIVES...NO TIMETABLE!
12.50PM...DRIVING ON TO MANGANUI...HILLY BENDY ROADS.
2.10PM...MANGANUI...FISH AND CHIPS...BLUE NOSE FISH...THEY'VE GOT A FANCY FISH SHOP HERE...WE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE ONE WE ATE AT...DROVE ROUND THE CORNER AND THERE IT WAS...OUCH!...WE HAD EATEN AT THE CHEAP NOT SO FANCY ONE...TASTED OK THOUGH.
2.50PM...NEXT STOP KAITIA.
4.10PM...WE HAVE BEEN UP AND DOWN KAITIA HIGH STREET 3 TIMES AND HAVE AT LAST FOUND THE PLACE TO BOOK OUR TRIP TO CAPE REINGA[90 MILE BEACH]FOR TOMORROW...GOES AT 9AM.
5.00PM...ENDLESS SUMMER LODGE,AHIPORA...BOOKED 2 NIGHTS.
5.40PM...FELL ASLEEP.
7.00PM...WOKE UP...NU HAD MADE SANDWICHES...CHEESE/ONION/LETTUCE...CUPPA TEA...WHAT WOULD I DO WITHOUT HER?
8.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER.

24.10.08...DAY 87...
7.00AM...ALARM...DIDN'T HEAR IT...NU DID.
7.15AM...SHOWER.
7.25AM...CUP OF TEA...MADE SANDWICHES FOR TRIP.
7.45AM...WEETABIX.
8.10AM...OFF WE SET...GOTTA BE THERE FOR 8.45AM.
8.25AM...SUN NOT SHINING...BUT THE WIND IS WARM.
8.40AM...PARKED CAR IN TOUR BUS COMPOUND.
9.00AM...BOARDED COACH.
9.10AM...WE HAVE A MAORI GUIDE WHO FIRST SPEAKS HIS OWN LANGUAGE AND THEN TRANSLATES IT IN ENGLISH.
9.50AM...START OF 9O MILE BEACH...WHICH IS ACTUALLY ONLY 64 MILES LONG?
10.10AM...COACH DRIVING ALONG THE BEACH...TASMAN SEA SIDE...I'M NOT SURE WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THE BEACH...I MEAN A BEACH IS A BEACH!
10.35AM...OFF THE BEACH WE COME...BACK ONTO THE ROAD.
11.20AM...RARAWA BEACH...PACIFIC SEA SIDE...HERE THE WHITE SAND IS VERY FINE AND YOU CAN POLISH YOUR RINGS AND COINS HERE WITH A RUB...AND THEY WILL GLEAM...LIKE MAGIC!
12.10PM...NEXT STOP TEKAO STORE FOR AN ICECREAM...AND FOR 2 DOLLARS YOU CAN HAVE A CONE OF TOO MUCH ICECREAM...AND I MEAN TOO MUCH ICECREAM.
12.40PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...STICKY HANDS FROM TOO MUCH ICECREAM...WE FORGOT THE WET WIPES!
1.10PM...CAPE REINGA LIGHTHOUSE...THIS IS WHERE THE TWO OCEONS MEET[PACIFIC AND TASMAN]...ITS VERY WINDY...LUCKILY NU AND I ARE QUITE WEIGHTY!
1.55PM...BACK IN COACH...FREE COFFEE AND BUN...I TUCK INTO MY OWN SANDWICHES...NICE COFFEE.
2.40PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...THE RAIN AS ARRIVED.
3.10PM...TAPOUPOTU BAY...THIS IS THE OTHER END OF 90 MILE BEACH...THE COACH DRIVES THRU SOME VERY WEAK WATERLOGGED SAND TO THE MAIN BEACH...THE DRIVER/GUIDE WANTED TO GO ALL THE WAY...BUT THE TIDE WAS COMING IN FAST THAN USUAL...SO HE SAID?...SO WE HAD TO TURNAROUND.
4.00PM...TE PUKI SAND DUNES...TIME TO SAND SLIEGH...I'LL SAY NO MORE!
4.40PM...BACK IN COACH...ON OUR WAY BACK TO OUR STARTING POINT.
5.15PM...DAY DONE...AND IT WAS A GOOD DAY...WORTH THE MONEY...TIME WENT SWIFTLY...AND THE MAORI GUIDE WAS WITTY.
5.40PM...SUPERMARKET...COOKED ROAST CHICKEN/CAULI.
6.10PM...BACK AT ENDLES SUMMER LODGE.
6.35PM...SPUD/CAULI ON BOIL.
7.30PM...I'M FAT AGAIN...WASHING UP SORTED.
8.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER...GLASS OF WINE...RAIN ABSOLUTELY THUMPING DOWN/LIGHTENING.

25.10.08...DAY 88
7.45AM...THE RAIN AS CEASED...RAINED FOR THE GREATER PART OF THE NIGHT.
8.05AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...CUP OF TEA.
8.40AM...PACKING UP.
9.15AM...LAST OF THE WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA...MADE SANDWICHES WITH YESETERDAYS LEFTOVER CHICKEN.
9.50AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR...EVERYTHING A MESS.
10.20AM...DRIVING IN DIRECTION OF KOHUKOAU.
11.30AM...ON FERRY TO RAWENE...ONLY 10 MINS.
11.45AM...DRIVING ON TO OPONINI.
12.20PM...OPONINI...FAMOUS FOR A FRIENDLY BOTTLED NOSE DOLPHIN WHO FREQUENTED THESE SHORES BACK IN 1955...THE DOLPHIN WHO WAS NAMED 'OPO' BY THE LOCALS ENJOYED PLAYING WITH THE LOCAL CHILDREN...AND WAS APPARENTLY A BIT OF A WHIZZ WITH THE BALL...ALTHOUGH HE/SHE HAD NEVER BEEN TRAINED...CROWDS FROM ALL OVER NZ WOULD COME...THEN SOMEONE SHOT HIM/HER...OH!...OUCH!...WETCHED A FILM ABOUT THE POOR THING IN INFO/MUSEUM CENTRE.
1.00PM...TIME FOR CHICKEN SANDWICH...SAT ON A BENCH OVERLOOKING THE BEACH/SEA.
1.30PM...TIME TO DRIVE ON...DIRECTION OF KATUI...THERE IS A VERY TALL KAURI TREE[TANE] ON THE WAY NU WISHES TO SEE.
1.50PM...TALL KAURI TREE...OK I SUPPOSE.
2.15PM...DRIVING ON TO DARGAVILLE...GREY SKIES ABOVE.
3.10PM...DARGAVILLE...BOUGHT A FLEECE...REDUCED FROM 45 TO 16 DOLLARS.
4.00PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT GREENHOUSE LODGE.
4.40PM...FRY UP TIME...LAST OF THE BACON/MUSHROOMS/BEANS/TOMS/EGGS/TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...TV NEWS...FIGHTING ON THE STREETS OF WELLINGTON...NATIONAL FRONT...BLESS!
6.40PM...SHAVE...COULDN'T BE BOTHERED THIS MORNING.
7.20PM...READING NEWSPAPER...BEER...DREAMING OF HOME...DREADING 24 HOUR FLIGHT.

26.10.08...DAY 89...
7.55AM...BACK ACHING...BED NOT GOOD.
8.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.30AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...ALL PACKED UP...EVERYTHING IN CAR APART FROM BREAKFAST STUFF.
9.25AM...TOAST AND JAM...ANOTHER CUPPA...MADE CHEESE SALAD SANDWICHES FOR JOURNEY.
9.55AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.40AM...KAURA MUSEUM...EVERTHING HERE IS MADE FROM THE KAURI TREE WOOD...LOADS OF OLD PHOTO'S OF WORKERS/MEN KNOCKING DOWN THE TREES AND PREPARING THE WOOD TO BE SHIPPED ALL AROUND THE WORLD...PHOTO'S OF FOLK MAKING FURNITURE...AND ALL THE MACHINERY AND TOOLS THEY USED...IT WAS A HARD LIFE BACK THEN...WE DON'T KNOW HOW LUCKY WE ARE...NOT A BAD LITTLE MUSEUM...WORTH A VISIT.
12.15PM...DRIVING ON TO WAIPO...OUR DESTINATION FOR THE DAY.
1.00PM...BRYNDERWYN...TIME FOR A SANDWICH.
1.20PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN.
1.55PM...WAIPO...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT THE WAIPO WANDERERS LODGE.
2.15PM...CUPPA TEA.
3.00PM...EVERYTHING...AND I MEAN EVERYTHING OUT OF CAR...A BIG BIG SORT OUT TO DO.
4.30PM...SPUD/CAULI ON BOIL...STEAK UNDER GRILL.
5.10PM...STEAK WAS AWFUL...AND I MEAN AWFUL!
5.30PM...WATCHING NETBALL ON TV...NZ/OZ...THERE ARE A SOUTH AFRICAN COUPLE HERE SUPPORTING NZ...SO I'M SUPPORTING OZ...I LIKE A GOOD STIR!
7.05PM...NZ WON...OH WELL.
8.00PM...PHONED PAULINE.
8.30PM...FILM...A ROOM WITH A VIEW.
10.00PM...BED.

EVERYBODIES HEART DOESN'T BEAT THE SAME.

BYE FOR NOWZ!
7.40

NZ CONTINUED......

2008-10-21T15:56:00.000-07:00

14.10.08....DAY 77...
9.15AM...NU ALREADY UP...WASHED AND DRESSED...SOME PEOPLE ARE JUST TOO EAGER!
9.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST/ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.30AM...OFF WE SET.
11.45AM...BANK.
12.10PM...'CRATERS OF THE MOON'...LARGE HOLES WITH STEAM RISING FROM THEM...JUST LIKE ON MARS?...CAN'T BE SURE...NEVER BEEN FURTHER THAN PLANET EARTH!
1.45PM...BACK IN CAR...RAINING/DRIZZLING...ITS TAKEN US 0NE AND THREE QUARTER HOURS TO WALK...WE WERE A BIT SLOW...WELL WORTH A LOOK.
2.00PM...OPENING OF FLOOD/WATER GATES...THIS CREATES ELECTRICITY...NZ GETS 22% OF ITS ELECTRICITY VIA THIS MEANS...NOT SURE HOW...THEY HARNESS IT SOMEHOW.
3.00PM...PRAWN FARM REASTAURANT...FRESH PRAWNS...QUID EACH!...AWESOME TASTE...ONLY HAD SIX!
4.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NU NEEDS BEER AND MALTESERS.
4.30PM...'WAREHOUSE'...A LARGE OUTLET SELLING CLOTHES TO BATTERIES TO ELECTRICAL GOOD TO ETC...NEED A NEW FLEECE...BUT THEY'VE SOLD OUT THERE WINTER STOCK...NU BOUGHT A WATCH...PLUS I GOT A STEVE HARLEY CD...WELL CHEAP.
5.20PM...BACK AT LODGE...HEAVENS HAVE OPENED.
5.40PM...SEARCHING FOR PLASTIC MUG I BOUGHT IN CHINA...I CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE...THINK I LEFT IT ON BREAKFAST TABLE THIS MORNING...OUCH!
6.10PM...EXPLAINED ABOUT MY MISSING MUG TO CHAP ON RECEPTION...I THINK HE FELT SORRY FOR AND OFFERED ME A NEW PLASTIC MUG FROM THE STAFF QUARTERS...ITS NOT THE SAME THOUGH!
6.25PM...READING MY BOOK...BUT MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH MY LOST CUP.
7.50PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER/LETTUCE SANDWICH...BEER...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY...BUT NU SAYS ITS BEST I EAT!
8.30PM...PHONED PAULINE.

15.10.08...DAY 78...
7.35AM...I WAS DREAMING...I WAS GONNA TELL NU ALL ABOUT MY DREAM...BUT AS I WOKE IT JUST FADED AND I FORGOT IT.
7.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...IT DOESN'T TASTE THE SAME FROM THIS ALIEN CUP.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.50AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA...THE RIM FEELS DIFFERENT?
9.35AM...PACKING EVERYTHING INTO CAR...NO SIGN OF CUP.
9.50AM...OFF WE SET.
10.10AM...HUKA FALLS...FIERCE BLUE FOAMY WATER CREATING ELECTRICITY.
10.45AM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...ONLY ABOUT 50 MILES TO ROTORUA.
12.10PM...SLOW DRIVE...BENDY ROAD...WHAT ROAD IN NZ ISN'T BENDY!!...I LET EVERYONE PASS ME...BUT WE HAVE FINALLY ARRIVED IN ROTAORUA.
12.35PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT CENTRAL CITY BACKPACKERS...NICE PRICE.
1.30PM...WE WANT TO GO TO A MAORI CULTURAL EVENING...THERE ARE TWO TO CHOOSE FROM...CAN'T MAKE UP OUR MINDS.
2.30PM...DECIDED TO DO THE 'HANGI' MAORI EVENING...HAVING SPOKEN WITH SOME FOLK WHO HAD ALREADY BEEN.
3.00PM...BOOKED 'MAORI EVENING'.
3.40PM...SUPERMARKET...COOKED ROAST CHICKEN/BREAD COBS/TOMATO/WINE.
4.30PM...WATCHING 'STEVE HARLEY' DVD...SCOFFING CHICKEN SALAD COB...TASTY.
4.50PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
5.30PM...SHAVE.
5.40PM...READING KEN FOLLETT NOVEL.
6.20PM...OFF WE TROT TO CATCH COACH FOR 'MAORI EVE'.
6.35PM...WATCHING SHORT FILM ABOUT MAORI'S.
7.00PM...ON COACH TO MAORI VILLAGE...OUR MAORI WOMAN GUIDE IS ENTERTAINING...THE MAORI'S ARE A WITTY BUNCH.
7.25PM...ARRIVE AT MAORI VILLAGE.
7.45PM...MAORI DANCING/SINGING...A LOTTA AGGRESION...A VERY WARM WELCOME!
8.15PM...SHOWN ROUND MAORI VILLAGE...FIRES BURNING...BUT ITS COLD...AN INTERESTING ARRAY OF HOW THEY MAKE THINGS/ITEMS...HOW THEY COOK.
8.40PM...A STAGE SHOW OF MAORI CHANTING/DANCING.
9.15PM...FOOD...AT LAST!...AND THERE IS PLENTY...LAMB/CHICKEN/VEGGIES/SWEET AND NORMAL SPUD...ALL COOKED IN THE MAORI WAY...IN UNDERGROUND OVEND IN VAST IRON POTS.
9.55PM...WONDERFUL MEAL...AN EXCEPTIONAL FEAST...WITH PAVLOVA FOR SWEET?
10.20PM...THE MAORI EVE FINISHED WITH THE 'HUKA' DANCE...NU AND I PREFER THE 'TWIST'!
10.45PM...BACK ON COACH FOR RETURN JOURNEY TO OUR ABODE.
11.10PM...GLASS OF WINE...TALKING ABOUT WHAT GREAT EVENING WE HAVE HAD...DO NOT COME TO NZ AND MISS IT...ONE OF THE HI-LIGHTS SO FAR!

16.10.08...DAY 79...
7.40AM...THIS IS GONNA BE A BORING DAY.
8.00AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.25AM...SHOWER...NOT A VERY GOOD SHOWER...HARD TO CONTROL THE HEAT...I'M NOT ONE TO MOAN THOUGH!
9.00AM...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY...CUPPA TEA...MADE UP SANDWICHES FOR NEXT JOURNEY TO AUCKLAND WITH YESTERDAYS LEFTOVER CHICKEN.
9.20AM...SPEAKING WITH ISRAELI CHAP...THEY'RE ALL A BIT BARMY FROM THERE...THE SOUND OF THERE OWN BOMBS BLOWING UP INNOCENT PALESTIANS AS TWIDDLED THERE BRAINS!
9.55AM...RAIN POURING...SAT IN CAR...DISCUSSING WHETHER TO DRIVE PASSED AUCKLAND OR STAY ONE NIGHT...ITS GOT A BAD REPUTATION...LOTTA GANG WARFARE.
10.20AM...OFF WE SET...STILL UNDECIDED.
10.45AM...ON THE ROAD TO HAMILTON...HALFWAY TO AUCKLAND...ANOTHER PLACE WITH A BAD REPUTATION.
11.35AM...PICKED UP HIGHWAY ONE TO AUCKLAND...200 ODD K TO GO.
1.00PM...STOPPED IN A PLACE WITH UNPROUNCEABLE NAME...CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH...ALSO BOUGHT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.20PM...LOST IN AUCKLAND CITY CENTRE...ITS AN ENIGMA...BIT LIKE ITALY OR RUSSIA!
3.00PM...DECIDED TO STAY ONE NIGHT IN AUCKLAND...FOUND A LODGE WE WOULD LIKE TO STAY AT...THE RECEPTION IS CLOSED TILL 4.00PM MIND.
4.00PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT A ROOM...THEY ARE FULL...OUCH!...THEY DIRECT US TO ANOTHE LODGE.
4.30PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT 'THE AUCKLAND LODGE'.
5.15PM...STEAK UNDER GRILL...VEGGIES ON BOIL.
5.50PM...A TASTY MEAL.
6.20PM...ALL DONE...READING NEWSPAPER...BEER...IT WAS A BORING DAY SPENT DRIVING...BUT IT WAS ONE STEP CLOSER TO HOME!

17.10.08...DAY 80...
7.40AM...HAD A FIDGETY NIGHT...COULDN'T SETTLE...LOTS OF THOUGHTS ON MY MIND...NOTHING BAD...JUST THOUGHTS ABPOT OUR LAST DAYS...ARE WE GONNA GET IT ALL DONE?
8.05AM...SHOWER.
8.40AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA....MADE CHEESE SALAD SANDWICHES FOR JOURNEY.
9.15AM...PACKING UP.
9.40AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.05AM...TRYING TO FIND ROAD/WAY OUT OF AUCKLAND...THIS PLACE IS A MESS...THE ONLY THING ON THIS PLANET THAT ISN'T A MESS...IS MY HEAD!?
10.30AM...I THINK WE ARE ON THE RIGHT ROAD...WE GOING NORTH...SEEN A SIGN...THATS THE MAIN THING.
11.20AM...ON THE SCENIC ROUTE?/COASTAL ROUTE.
12.10PM...WAIWORA...TIME FOR CHEESE SALAD SANDWICH.
12.40PM...DRIVING ON.
1.30PM...GOAT ISLAND BAY...GOAT ISLAND IS ABOUT 100 YARDS OUT TO SEA...NO-ONE IS TO SURE WHY ITS CALLED GOAT ISLAND AS THERE WAS NEVER ANY GOATS THERE...SOMEONE DID PUT SOME PIGS ON THE ISLAND BUT THEY ESCAPED BY SWIMMING ASHORE...GO PIGGY GO!
2.45PM...WAIPU COVE...A SURFING PLACE/BEACH...STOPPED FOR A LEG STRETCHED.
3.20PM...WAIPU VILLAGE.
3.35PM...WAIPU WANDERERS LODGE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
4.30PM...FRY UP TIME...EGGS/BACON/MUSHROOMS/TOMATOES/FRESH BREAD...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...TV NEWS....FAIRGROUND ATTRACTION GONE WONKY,FIVE KIDS INJURED IN GISBOURNE...WILD WINDS IN CAMBRIDGE,ELDERLY FOLK EVACUATED...BIG WAREHOUSE FIRE IN PERNELL,SUBURB OF AUCKLAND...THATS WHERE WE STAYED LAST NIGHT!
7.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER.
7.30PM...CORONATION STREET.
8.45PM...TIME FOR BED...WELL TIRED.

18.10.08...DAY 81...
9.40AM...LAZY IS ME.
9.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.00AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...STEVE AND ELAINE THE OWNERS OF THE LODGE HAVE JOINED US...SO I'M DOING A BACON SANDWICH FOR THEM AS WELL!
11.40AM...HAPPILY CHATTING...THEY'VE INVITED US ROUND FOR THE EVENING TO WATCH THE NZ VERSUS ENGLAND NETBALL MATCH...NETBALL IS BIG HERE!
1.00PM...WALKED INTO VILLAGE CENTRE...BUTCHERS...BOUGHT PORK STEAKS...SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT CABBAGE AND CARROTS.
2.05PM...MUSEUM...SMALL MUSEUM...NOT ALOT TO SAY...JUST HAPPY THAT IT WAS SMALL!
3.10PM...PUB.
4.25PM...BACK AT LODGE.
5.40PM...PORK/CABBAGE/CARROTS/SPUD...GREAT MEAL.
7.00PM...SITTING WITH STEVE AND ELAINE IN THERE LOUNGE...THEY ARE QUITE AN INTELLECTUAL COUPLE...I'M DOING MY BEST!
7.30PM...NZ/ENGLAND MATCH KICKS OFF.
8.15PM...THE NZ GIRLS ARE AN UGLY BUNCH...THEY ARE WINING BY A MARGIN AND A BIT!...I THINK THE REF IS NZish!
9.10PM...GAME OVER.
9.30PM...NU AND ELAINE IN SPA POOL...GLASSES OF WINE IN HAND.
11.00PM...WATCHING A VERY BRITISH FILM...'CHEERS AND TEARS'...A TOTALLY BRITISH A1 COMEDY.
1.00AM...TIME FOR BED...PHEW!

19.10.08...DAY 82....
8.00AM...MY EYELIDS ARE HEAVY.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...PACKING UP.
9.25AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA...MADE CHEESE SALAD SANDWICHES FOR JOURNEY.
10.10AM...CLIMBING TREE FOR GRAPEFRUITS!!
10.25AM...ON OUR WAY.
10.40AM...HEADING IN THE DIRECTION FOR WHANGAREI.
11.05AM...TOOK A DIVERSION...GOT LOST IN A PLACE CALLED 'ONE TREE POINT'.
12.10PM...HEADING FOR TUTUKAKA BEACH...SUPERMARKET...COOKED CHICKEN/PEAS.
12.40PM...MATAPOURI...TIME FOR A SANDWICH.
1.30PM...FOUND OUR WAY BACK TO MAIN ROAD.
2.20PM...KAWAKAWA...THIS PLACE IS FAMOUS FOR ITS PUBLIC TOILETS...TILES OF MANY COLOURS AND ODD BALL ITEMS CEMENTED INBETWEEN THEM...OK...I SUPPOSE?
3.10PM...BACK ON THE MAIN DRAG...NEXT STOP PAIHIA.
4.00PM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT THE 'PICKLED PARROT LODGE'...TONIGHT[MONDAY[...AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT...TUESDAY WE ARE ON A 'BAY OF ISLANDS TOUR CRUISE'...VERY POSH?
5.10PM...ROAST CHICKEN/PEAS/SPUD...OK.
6.00PM...TIRED.
7.30PM...PHONED PAULINE.
8.30PM...NOISY CROWD OF KIDS OUTSIDE OUR ROOM...NEED TO SLEEP!

20.10.08...DAT 83...
6.30AM...OH I DO LIKE TO BE UP AT THE CRACK OF DAWN...HEAR THE THRILL OF TWITTY BIRDS...BREATHE THE EARLY MORNING AIR...GO TO THE LOO!
6.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
7.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
7.40AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
8.35AM...GETTING BAG READY FOR CRUISE TOUR...EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE.
9.10AM...MADE CHICKEN/LETTUCE SANDWICH FOR FOR PICNIC LUNCH.
9.40AM...WALKED TO TOWN CENTRE.
10.10AM...BOOKED CRIUSE TRIP...DEPARTS 5.00PM.
11.10AM...IN AND OUTA SHOPS.
11.40AM...FERRY TO 'RUSSELL ISLAND'...ONLY TAKES 10 MINS...10 DOLLARS RETURN.
12.10PM...ON A COACH/MINI BUS TOUR OF ISLAND...THE GUIDE IS ONLY INTERESTED IN TELLING US THE PRICE OF HOUSES!
1.20PM...SITTING ON BENCH IN BAY...SUN SHINING...CHICKEN SANDWICH/BEER.
2.10PM...BACK ON FERRY FOR RETURN TRIP TO PAIHIA...RUSSELL ISLAND?...NOT WORTH IT!
3.00PM...FISH[DORY] AND CHIPS...FISH SALTY...CHIPS UNCOOKED!
4.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER...BEER.
4.40PM...WALKING TO HARBOUR FOR START OF BOAT CRUISE.
5.10PM...BOARDING.
5.30PM...THE BOATS CAPTAIN TELLING US THE DO'S AND DON'TS.
5.50PM...IN OUR CABIN...HAD TO PAY AN EXTRA 40 DOLLARS FOR AN UPGRADE TO A PRIVATE CABIN!
6.20PM...NOTICED THE CURTAINS ON THE CABINS REAR SLIDING DOORS/WINDOWS DOES NOT FIT CORRECTLY...ALSO THE LOCK DOES NOT WORK...I WANT TO GO AND COMPLAIN...NU SAYS NOT TOO.
7.30PM...FOOD...MINISCULE AMOUNTS OF MEAT/PASTA/SALAD...DRINKS HAVE TO BE PAID FOR.
8.30PM...EVERYBODY DRINKING/WAFFLING...MET SOME FOLK WHO WE HAD MET AT FRANZ JOSEF[HELIHIKE].
11.30PM...BED.

21.10.08...DAY 84...
8.15AM...SLEPT FAIRLY WELL...WINE PROBABLY HELPED!
8.35AM...NEED A SHOWER...NO WATER...HOT OR COLD!...THIS CRUISE IS POOR...GETTING POORER.
9.00AM...MENTIONED THE WATER SITUATION TO A FEW CREW MEMBERS...THEY JUST SHRUGGED THERE SHOULDERS.
9.25AM...BREAKFAST...RICE CRISPIES...NOT KELLOGGS...CHEAP ONES...THEY DON'T SNAP,CRACKLE AND POP CONSISTENTLY!...COFFEE AWFUL!
10.30AM...NU SNORKELING...I'M AGITATED.
12.05PM...STOPPED AT SMALL ISLAND...NU KAYAKING...I'M AGITATED.
1.15PM...BACK ON BOAT...HEADING BACK TO HARBOUR WHERE THIS CRAP CRUISE STARTED!
3.00PM...BACK IN PAIHIA...THANK GOD...THE MONEY THAT WAS SPENT ON THAT TRIP WAS A WASTE...'ROCK THE BOAT TOURS'...FORGET IT!
3.40PM...BACK AT 'PICKLED PARROT LODGE'...BOOKED ANOTHER NIGHT...NEED A DAY OF REST TOMORROW.
4.00PM...SORTING WASHING.
4.20PM...SHOWER...WELL NEEDED!
4.45PM...WASHING IN MACHINE.
5.10PM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO/EGG/TOAST...A LATE LATE BREAKFAST.
5.30PM...WASHING ON LINE.
7.15PM...WASHING DRY AND FOLDED.
7.35PM...TV...CORONATION STREET!

BAY OF ISLANDS IS A LET DOWN...BUT IF I HAD NEVER COME...I WOULD NEVER HAVE KNOWN.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

nz continued...

2008-10-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

7.10.08...day 70...
7.40AM...SLEPT LIKE A LOG...THE TOUR PARTY LEFT AT 7.30AM...DIDN'T HERE A THING!?
8.00AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.40AM...RICE CRISPIES/CUPPA TEA...FED THE CAT SOME MILK NAMED FREE...LOVELY CAT.
9.30AM...ALL PACKED UP.
9.40AM...ON OUR WAY.
9.55AM...SUPERMARKET...PORK/CABBAGE/CARROTS/WINE.
10.30AM...ON OUR WAY AGAIN.
11.00AM...HOT WATER BEACH...APPARENTLY HERER YOU CAN DIG A HOLE IN THE SAND AND 65%[HOT] WATER WILL EMERGE...THATS HOT...UNFORTUNATELY THE TIDE IS IN AND ITS NOT GONNA HAPPEN TILL LATE AFTERNOON!...OUCH!
11.30AM...BACK IN CAR.
11.55AM...RAIN FALLING...WIND KNOCKING CAR FROM SIDE TO SIDE.
12.40PM...WHANGAMATA?...LETS DRIVE ON.
1.50PM...TAURANGA?...TO INDUSTRIAL...LETS DRIVE ON.
2.15PM...MOUNT MAUNGANUI?...LETS DRIVE ON...ITS THE PITS!
3.00PM...TE PUKE?...I AGREE...LETS DRIVE ON?
4.00PM...WHAKATANE?...YOU PRONOUCE THE WH LIKE AN F!
4.15PM...CARABOO LODGE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
5.10PM...PORK UNDER GRILL...CARROTS/CABBAGE/SPUDS ON BOIL.
5.35PM...OK MEAL...PORK A WEE BIT OVERDONE.
6.00PM...READING LOCAL NEWSPAPER...LAST FRIDAY A MOB OF 150 PEOPLE ATTACKED THE POLICE WHILE THEY WERE PATROLING IN THERE POLICE CARS.
6.45PM...SPEAKING WITH A WOMAN NAMED ROSE...SHE IS GOING TO A LECTURE ON BRICKLAYING/BUILDING THIS EVENING!...THE RAIN IS POURING/THE WIND IS HOWLING...SHE'S GONNA WALK THERE!...THERE ARE SOME STRANGE FOLK IN NZ!
8.00PM...PHONED PAULINE.
8.30PM...GLASS OF WINE/PEANUTS.

8.10.08...DAY 71...
9.40AM...THE SUN IS SHINING.
10.05AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.25AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.00AM...RICE CRISPIES...CUPPA TEA.
11.50AM...WALKED IN TO TOWN CENTRE.
12.15PM...WALKING TOWN CENTRE.
1.50PM...ITALIAN RESTAURANT...ALTHOUGH ITS AN ITALIAN FOOD SERVING RESTAURANT THE CHEF IS NOT ITALIAN...ITS BEST TO CHECK THESE THINGS OUT FIRST!...MEATBALLS IN PASTA SAUCE...LUNCHTIME SPECIAL...ONLY 8 DOLLARS...SOMETIMES PRICE WISE YOU HAVE TO TAKE RISKS IN LIFE!
3.00PM...PUB.
4.00PM...SEARCHING FOR DENTIST...NU IN PAIN...CRACKED A TOOTH...WAS IT THE ITALIAN PASTA?!!
4.30PM...AT DENTISTS...ON WAITING LIST.
4.55PM...NU IN DENTAL CHAIR...I TRYING TO STAY COOL...READING ABOUT FARRAH FAWCETT AND HER CANCER PROBLEM!?
5.30PM...NU APPEARS...HER SMILE AS RETURNED...THEY'VE VARNISHED IT?
6.10PM...BACK AT CARABOO LODGE.
6.40PM...STEAK AND MUSHROOMS FOR ME...NU CAN'T EAT FOR AWHILE.
7.15PM...CHATTING WITH TWO YOUNG TRAINEE DOCTORS FROM NOTTINGHAM.
8.30PM...NU OK TO EAT NOW...CHEESE/CUCUMBER COB EACH...I THINK THE GIN AND TONIC HELPED!

9.10.08...DAY 72...
9.05AM...0UCH ITS LATE.
9.15AM...SHOWER.
9.35AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.55AM...PACKING UP.
10.20PM...RICE CRISPIES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.40AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.50AM...OFF WE SET.
11.25AM...OHOPE BEACH?...ITS A BEACH!
11.50AM...DRIVING ON.
1.00PM...OPOTIKI...NEED PETROL.
1.30PM...NEXT STOP GISBOURNE.
1.55PM...GOING UP HILL AND DOWN HILL...WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST DRILL A HOLE STRAIGHT THRU THE HILLSIDE?
2.30PM...GISBOURNE...IT LOOKS DULL...COMPARED TO THIS BLOG IT PROBABLY MAGICAL!
3.00PM...MONUMENT AT THE PLACE THE SHIP 'ENDEAVOUR' LANDED.
3.20PM...MONUMENT/STATUE OF JAMES COOKE...THE CAPTAIN OF THE 'ENDEAVOUR'.
3.25PM...MONUMENT/STATUE OF 'YOUNG NICK' THE LAD WHO WAS THE FIRST TO SPOT THE ISLANDS THAT WERE TO BECOME NZ.
3.55PM...PAK'N'SAVE SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT LAMB/CARROTS/PARSNIP.
4.20PM...FORGET GISBOURNE...ITS THE PITS.
5.00PM...MORERE...A SMALL VILLAGE...SOMETHING IF NOT NOTHING.
6.10PM...WAIROA...HAD ENOUGH OF DRIVING TODAY...GOTTA BE A PLACE HERE TO STAY.
6.30PM...THE FIRST HOTEL WE STOP TO LOOKAT AS A SIGN THAT SAYS 'NO GANG MEMBERS ALLOWED ON THESE PREMISES'!
6.40PM...A WOMAN NOTICES WE LOOK A BIT BEWILDERED AND DIRECTS US TO A CAMP/CABIN SITE.
7.00PM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS IN CABIN WITH KITCHEN...VERY PLEASANT PEOPLE/OWNERS.
7.35PM...LAMB UNDER GRILL...VEGGIES ON BOIL.
8.05PM...PASSABLE MEAL...LAMB A BIT CHEWY.
8.40PM...IN OUR CABIN...TV ON...PLEASANT ENOUGH.
9.15PM...NU GOT BAD INDEGESTION AGAIN...I WISH I COULD HELP HER...SHE'S SUCH A SPECIAL PERSON.

10.10.08...DAY 73...
9.40AM...THESE BED NEEDS HELP...THE MATTRESS AS HAD IT'S DAY.
9.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.20AM...SHOWER...NEED A SHAVE...CAN'T BE BOTHERED.
10.50AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.45AM...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE.
12.15PM...THIS IS A ONE STREET TOWN.
12.50PM...MAORI CARVINGS...I THINK THE MAORI FOLK ARE WONDERFUL...ALWAYS SMILING AND HELPFUL...BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND THERE CARVINGS...THEY PROBABLY WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND MY BLOG!...I LOVE LIFE...DON'T YOU?!
2.00PM...SUPERMARKET...YOU ARE PROBABLY WONDERING WHY WE GO TO THE SUPERMARKET EVERYDAY...THE ANSWER IS WE DON'T HAVE A FRIDGE IN OUR CAR!...ANYWAY NOT TO WORRY!...TARAKIHI FISH ON SPECIAL...IF YOU COME TO NZ...TRY TARAHIKI.
2.30PM...BACK AT OUR CABIN.
3.00PM...RELAXING IN SUN...NEARLY FINISHED NEWSPAPER.
4.30PM...FISH IN OVEN...BUTTERED AND LEMONED...PEAS AND SPUD ON BOIL.
5.00PM...FISH NOT AS TASY AS BEFORE?
6.10PM...SUN GONE IN...WATCHING TV.
6.50PM...GLASS OF WINE TIME.
7.20PM...TIME FOR A SHAVE.

11.10.08...DAY 74...
8.30AM...NU WAKE'S ME WITH A CUP OF TEA AND A BIRTHDAY CARD.
8.55AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...PATE/TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA...TEXTS MESSAGES COMING IN FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE!!
10.05AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.20AM...SAYING FAREWELLS TO OWNERS OF A LOVELY HOLIDAY PARK.
10.30AM...ON THE ROAD TO NAPIER.
11.05AM...ANOTHER BENDY HILLY ROAD...I'M LUCKY TO GET OUTA THIRD GEAR!
11.50AM...BAYVIEW...ABOUT 8K FROM NAPIER...WE THINK WE MIGHT STAY HERE...WE READ IT WAS AN OK PLACE.
12.15PM...DECIDED IT WASN'T FOR US...DIDN'T LIKE THE LOOK OF THE OWNER.
12.50PM...NAPIER...AQUA LODGE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
1.30PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER/BRANSTON PICKLE SANDWICH...CAN OF LEMONADE.
2.10PM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE.
2.30PM...THIS IS A SURPRISE...THIS TOWN LOOKS CLEAN!
3.15PM...NU HAPPY TAKING PHOTO'S OF ART DECO BUILDINGS.
4.30PM...PUB...BEER A BIT WATERY.
5.35PM...INDIAN RESTAURANT.
6.10PM...I ASKED FOR MEDIUM HOT...THIS IS BORDERING ON VINDALOO...NU'S IS THE SAME!
6.40PM...PAID THE BILL...MY TONGUE IS TO NUMB TO SPEAK!
7.20PM...BACK AT AQUA LODGE.
7.40PM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20PM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA...HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEE!

12.10.08...DAY 75...
10.00AM...BETTER MOVE...FEEL HUNGRY.
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.05AM...RICE CRISPIES/TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.50AM...TWO GERMAN GIRLS HAVE JOINED US.
12.30PM...BUSILY WAFFLING ABOUT OUR TRIP...FOR SOME REASON THEY SEEM INTERESTED...ALTHOUGH A LOTTA PEOPLE ARE AMAZED WE HAVE COVERED 14 COUNTRIES.
1.00PM...BOTTLES OF BEER.
2.00PM...STILL WAFFLING.
2.40PM...IT'S 20 TO 3...AND WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BUT WAFFLE TODAY!
3.05PM...WALKING TO THE MARINA AND OTHER THINGS?
3.30PM...ONLY GOT AS FAR AS THE SUPERMARKET!...HAD TO MUCH BEER!
3.55PM...DEPARTING SUPERMARKET WITH COOKED ROAST CHICKEN/SALAD/COBS.
4.15PM...BACK AT LODGE.
4.35PM...HAPPILY SCOFFING CHICKEN SALAD COB.
5.10PM...READING KEN FOLLETT NOVEL...PAPER MONEY.
6.30PM...WATCHING TV...A PROG ABOUT CLEANING BRITAIN OF LITTER.
7.40PM...BACK TO MY BOOK...ANOTHER BEER...BUSY OLD DAY!

13.10.08...DAY 76...
7.30AM...WE ARE GONNA GO AND SEE THE MARINA AND THINGS THAT WE DIDN'T SEE YESTERDAY...BEFORE WE LEAVE TOWN.
7.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.10AM...SHOWER.
8.35AM...NU DOING THE PACKING...I WON'T GET IN THE WAY.
9.10AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA...THERES NO RICE CRISPIES LEFT...YOU ONLY GET SIX SERVINGS TO A BOX.
9.45AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.10AM...PARKED UP ON SEA FRONT...BEACH LOOKS BLACK.
10.25AM...A WORKING CLOCK IN A FLOWER BED.
10.45AM...WALKING THE MARINE...FLOWERS IN BLOOM EVERYWHERE...NU LOVES IT...I FANCY AN ICECREAM.
11.30AM...BACK IN CAR...NU HAPPY TO SEE WHAT SHE AS SEEN...I DIDN'T GET MY ICECREAM.
11.40AM...ON THE ROAD TO TAUPO.
12.40PM...STOPPED FOR EATS...WE STILL HAVE CHICKEN AND SALAD LEFT FROM YESTERDAY.
1.10PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...TUMIES CONTENT.
2.00PM...TAUPO...RAINBOW LODGE...ONLY GOT A TWIN AVAILABLE...IT'LL DO...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
3.00PM...WALKED TO INFO CENTRE...THERE ARE A FEW THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE HERE.
3.40PM...IRISH PUB...MEAL WITH A BEER[BURGER AND CHIPS OR PASTA] FOR 10 DOLLARS...ABOUT 3.80p EACH.
5.00PM...STILL IN PUB...SUN SHINING...2 FOR 1 WHISKY MIXERS...NU ON PINTS OF LAGER.
7.00PM...SUPERMARKET...BREAD/MILK/DENTAL FLOSS.
7.40PM...BACK AT LODGE.
8.15PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...RED WINE.
8.35PM...READING BOOK...FEEL TIRED.

PHONETICALLY IN MAORI...'KATTIE PI' MEANS THANK YOU/GOOD/YOU ALRIGHT?...WELL ITS DEFINATELY ONE OF THOSE...WELL WHO CARES?!...STILL GOT MY PONYTAIL...JUST NEED A PAIR OF JESUS BOOTS AND A PAIR OF FLARES!

BYE FOR NOWZ!

nz continued...

2008-10-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

3.10.08...DAY 66...
9.40AM...NEEDA CUPPA...MOUTH DRY.
9.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.15AM...STILL IN BED.
10.55AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.30AM...RICE CRISPIES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
12.05PM...WAKED TO TOWN CENTRE INFO CENTRE.
12.25PM...BOOKED TRAIN TRIP INTO HILLS/MOUNTAINS.
1.15PM...DROVE TO TRAIN DEPARTURE PLACE.
1.35PM...TRYING TO LOOK INTERESTED AT GIFT SHOP OFFERINGS.
1.55PM...BOARD TRAIN[BORED TRAIN!].
2.30PM...GOING UP MOUNTAIN TRACK...THE VIEWS ARE OK.
2.40PM...TRAIN STOPPED AT 'EYEFUL TOWER'?
2.50PM...BACK ON TRAIN FOR REVERSE JOURNEY... A CHAP CALLED BARRY BRICKNELL ARRIVED HERE ABOUT FIFTY YEARS AGO TO BECOME THE LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER...BUT INSTEAD BUILT THIS RAILWAY AND SURVIVED ON SELLING POTTERY...HE'S A BIT OF AN ECCENTRIC...ALSO ANY MONEY THAT THE RAILWAY EARNS GOES BACK IN TO MAINTAINING THE UPKEEP OF THE RAILWAY...HE WISHES EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT...NICE GUY...NOT MANY PEOPLE FIND THERE TRUE WANTS IN LIFE...THIS GUY AS...I APPLAUD HIM.
3.10PM...BACK AT STARTING POINT...GIFT SHOP...STILL TRYING TO LOOK INTERESTED.
3.25PM...DRIVING TO NEAREST PUB.
3.50PM...BEER/BUTTERED CHICKEN AND RICE...NOT WORTH THE PRICE.
5.00PM...BACK AT LODGE.
6.00PM...WAFFLING WITH WELSH COUPLE.

4.10.08...DAY 67...
9.00AM...MIGHT GO FOR A WALK TODAY...PROBABLY WON'T!
9.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.50AM...SHOWER
10.30AM...RICE CRISPIES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.10AM...ENDEVOURING TO RELAX...READING NEWSPAPER.
12.35PM...WALKED INTO VILLAGE CENTRE[THEY CALL IT A TOWN...BUT ITS REALLY A VILLAGE].
1.00PM...SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT A BAG OF FROZEN PRAWNS...WE ARE ENGLISH WE ARE ALLOWED TO BUY OUR FISH FROM SUPERMARKETS!...MOST KIWI'S DANGLE A LINE AND WISH FOR THERE SUPPER.
1.40PM...PUB.
3.00PM...BACK AT LODGE.
4.30PM...PRAWNS/PESTO/PASTA...TASTED OK.
6.00PM...FILM ON KIWI TV...NED KELLY.
7.30PM...PHONED MOTHER.
8.10PM...THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE DAY...WELL WE DID GO FOR A WALK OF SORTS!

5.10.08...DAY 68...
5.30AM...WOKE UP...NOT FEELIN TO GOOD.
5.40AM...TOILET.
6.00AM...STILL NOT FEELING WELL...LAST TIME I HAVE FROZEN PRAWNS...GONNA GET A FISHING ROD AND SEND NUALA OUT FOR SUPPER!
8.00AM...BOOKED ANOTHER NIGHT...ALTHOUGH THERES NOT A LOT TO DO HERE...ITS A PLEASANT PLACE TO BE...APRT FROM THE FROZEN PRAWNS I HAVE NO COMPLAINTS.
9.00AM...BACK IN BED.
1.30PM...WOKE...FEELING WEAK...NU OK...SHE HAD PRAWNS AS WELL...LIFES SO UNFAIR!
3.00PM...SHAVE/SHOWER...ARMPITS A BIT WHIFFY!
4.00PM...WATCHING VIDEO...BORAT/KAZAKSTAN.
5.45PM...WALKED INTO VILLAGE CENTRE...HUNGRY...DON'T KNOW WHAT I WANT?
6.30PM...RESTAURANT.
6.50PM...ORDERED T-BONE STEAK/SALAD/CHIPS...NU HAD RED SNAPPER FISH.
8.00PM...THAT WAS THE WORST T-BONE I HAVE HAD IN MY EXISTANCE ON THIS PLANET!
9.00PM...BACK AT LODGE.
9.15PM...TOILET...TAKEN NEWSPAPER WITH ME...MIGHT BE A LONG HAUL!

6.10.08...DAY 69...
6.00AM...NOT A VERY GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP...NU HAD BAD INDEGESTION.
6.10AM...WATCHING CHELSEA/VILLA MATCH LIVE ON SKY TV.
6.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.30AM...NOT A VERY GOOD MORNING SO FAR...VILLA 2-0 DOWN.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...PACKING UP.
9.05AM...RICE CRISPIES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.50AM...ON THE ROAD OUTA CORAMANDEL ON ROUTE TO WHITIANGA.
10.15AM...HERE WE GO...UP HILL...DOWN DALE...SCENERY VERY GREEN.
11.50AM...HIGH STREET,WHITIANGA...RAIN POURING...WE ARE TIRED HAVING NOT SLEPT SO WELL.
12.30PM...BOOKED ONE NIGHT AT THE 'TURTLE COVE' LODGE.
1.40PM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE...WIND HOWLING...LEAST THE RAIN AS STOPPED.
2.20PM...PUB.
2.40PM...DECIDE WE HAD BETTER HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT.
2.45PM...OUCH!...THEY STOPPED SERVING AT 2.30PM!
3.40PM...BACK AT 'TURTLE COVE' LODGE.
4.00PM...CHEESE/BRANSTON PICKLE SANDWICH...BEER.
5.00PM...WATCHING VIDEO...'ONE LAST CHANCE'...ABOUT 4 SCOTS LADS...COMEDY.
6.10PM...BAKED SPUD/CHEESE/BUTTER.
6.20PM...COACH LOAD OF 18-21 YEAR OLDS ARRIVE.
6.55PM...THE PLACE IS SWARMING...EVERYWHERE SMELLS OF SPAG BOL...PLUS I COULDN'T HEAR THE END OF THE VIDEO I WAS WATCHING!
8.00PM...CHATTING WITH SOME OF THE LADS IN THE COACH PARTY...THEY ARE NOT A BAD LOT...JUST NOISY!

ITS TOUGH AT THE BOTTOM!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED....

2008-10-09T17:25:00.000-07:00

1.10.08...DAY 64...
9.40AM...NO HURRY...WHY HURRY...BE HAPPY.
10.05AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.30AM...SHOWER/SHAVE.
11.15AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
12.10PM...NU SEARCHING FOR HER ANXIETY PILLS.
12.20PM...NU FOUND HER ANXIETY PILLS...SHE WAS GETTING A BIT ANXIOUS!
12.23PM...IN CAR...FOOT DOWN.
12.34PM...WAITOMO GLOWWORM CAVE SEEING TOUR...IT WAS MEANT TO START AT 12.3OPM...LUCKILY THEY ARE RUNNING LATE.
12.45PM...WALKING THRU DEEP DARK CAVERNS...NO SIGN OF GLOWORMS YET.
12.55PM...BIG OLD CAVE THIS ONE...STALAGNITES AND STALAGTITES...THEY CALL THIS CAVE THE CATHEDRAL...KENNY ROGERS AND THE VIENNA VOICE CHOIR HAVE PERFORMED HERE[AMONGST OTHERS]...THE ACCOUSTICS ARE GOOD...SO WE ARE TOLD...ARE EXCEPTIONAL...SHOULD I BURST INTO SONG!?
1.05PM...WALKING FURTHER INTO CAVE[CAVES]...A FEW GLOWORMS ARE GLOWING.
1.20PM...IN A BOAT/LONG CANOE...GOING THRU CAVE WATER WAY...GLOWORMS IN ABUNDANCE...LOOKS LIKE A 1980'S DISCO!...WAITOMO MEANS WATERHOLE ON MAORI...THIS CAVE WAS FOUND BY A MAN WALKING HIS DOG IN 1910...I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE NAMED THE CAVE AFTER THE DOG...TREVOR?
1.35PM...TOUR OVER...AS WE EMERGE FROM THE CAVE THE HEAVENS OPEN.
1.45PM...IN CAR ON THE WAY TO NEXT TOUR THAT STARTS AT 2.00PM.
2.05PM...RUNIAKA CAVES...NARROW DOOR WAY...NU AND I GO IN SIDEWAYS.
2.20PM...VAST INSIDE...LIGHTS BOUNCING OF STALAGTITES/STALAGNITES...WONDER IF THE BEEGEES ARE IN RESIDENCE?
2.40PM...WELL WORTH A VISIT...BUT NOT AS GOD AS GLOWORM TOUR.
3.10PM...GIFT SHOP.
3.20PM...NU BOUGHT SHOULDER BAG AND POSTCARDS.
3.50PM...PUB...GIRL[REBECCA] WE MET IN KIWIANA,SOUTH ISLE IS THERE...SMALL WORLD.
4.20PM...PLAYING POOL WITH LOCAL.
5.00PM...LOST 2-1...LIFES UNFAIR...THE CUE WAS USELESS!
5.15PM...TWISTED SHRIMPS/SALAD/CHIPS...COULD HAVE DONE WITH AFEW MORE SHRIMPS!
6.20PM...BACK AT LODGE...I'VE ENJOYED TODAY.

2.10.08...DAY 65...
8.10AM...LONG DRIVE TODAY.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...TOAST/JAM...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.40AM...I THINK THATS EVERYTHING IN THE CAR.
9.55AM...OFF WE SET.
10.25AM...SUPERMARKET/NEWSAGENTS.
11.50AM...HAMILTON...APPARENTLY THE WORST TOWN IN NZ FOR THUGGERY...GOT LOST...GOING WRONG WAY...NZ DOESN'T DO GOOD ROAD SIGNS.
12.40PM...CORAMANDEL PENISULA...56K TO GO.
2.00PM...CORAMANDEL TOWN...LOOKS INVITING.
2.30PM...BOOKED 3 NIGHTS AT ANCHOR LODGE.
3.20PM...THEY'RE STILL BUILDING THE PLACE...SO I FAIR BIT OF BANGING GOING ON...THATS PROBABLY WHY ITS ONLY FIFTY DOLLARS A NIGHT.
4.10PM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE...ONLY A STONE'S THROW.
4.50PM...NEED FOOD.
5.20PM...FISH AND CHIPS...GUANARD AND LEMON.
5.40PM...WONDERFUL FISH...CHIPS?...WELL...CHIPS ARE CHIPS.
6.30PM...BACK AT LODGE...READING NEWSPAPER...GLASS OF RED WINE.

SEE YOU SOON.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED

2008-10-05T17:06:00.000-07:00

26.9.08...DAY 59...

7.40AM...WE GOTTA GET OUTA THIS PLACE.

8.05AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.

8.20AM...SHOWER.

8.50AM...PACKING BAGS.

9.20AM...BREAD/JAM...CUPPA.

9.55AM...OFF WE SET.

10.15AM...HEADING IN DIRECTION OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

11.35AM...HAWARA...PARKED UP.

11.55AM...WALKING TOWN CENTRE.

12.40PM...MORRISONS...NAMED AFTER A FAMOUS PERSON WHO LIVED IN THE AREA...APPARENTLY ITS A 'MUST EAT AT PLACE'!

1.05PM...ORDERED PIZZA OF SORTS...BACON/TOMATO/SALAMI ETC?

1.17PM...PIZZA ARRIVES COLD!

1.19PM...PIZZA SENT BACK!

1.25PM...PIZZA RETURNS BURNT!

1.40PM...PICKING THRU HORRIBLEY TASTING PIZZA.

2.30PM...DRIVING ONWARDS TO NEW PLYMOUTH.

4.30PM...AFTER SEVERAL STOPS FOR PHOTO TAKING SESSIONS...FINALLY ARRIVE IN NEW PLYMOUTH.

4.50PM...SUNFLOWER LODGE...THEY DIDN'T HAVE A DOUBLE AVAILABLE...BUT THEY HAVE A SISTER LODGE THAT DOES...THE WOMAN SAYS ITS VERY NICE?

5.20PM...SISTER LODGE...WE BOOK ONE NIGHT.

5.45PM...WISH WE HADN'T BOOKED A NIGHT...THERE'S SOME STRANGE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND.

6.10PM...I ASKED THE MANAGER IF HE KNEW HOW TO WORK THE OVEN...HE DIDN'T!...HALF THE LIGHTS DIDN'T WORK IN THE PLACE...HE WAS UNCONCERNED...A WOMAN SAT NIBBLING AT A PIZZA...LOOKING STRANGELY WEARY OF ANYBODY PASSING...THERE IS ANOTHER WOMAN WALKING AND TALKING NERVOUSLY AND ENDS EVERY SENTENCE IN THE WORD 'STRANGE...THIS PLACE WAS ONCE AN OLD PEOPLES HOME THAT AS BEEN CONVERTED INTO A HOSTEL...I THINK SOME OF THE PEOPLE FORGOT TO LEAVE!

7.15PM...I FINALLY MANAGED TO WORK OUT HOT HOW THE OVEN WORKED.

7.35PM...STEAK/MUSHROOM SANDWICH/BEER.

8.10PM...WATCHING WIERD AND WONDERFUL VIDEO CALLED SHARKS VERSUS EAGLES...ITS AN APT FILM FOR THIS PLACE.

27.9.08...DAY 60...

7.55AM...WE GOTTA GET OUTA THIS PLACE!

8.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.

8.35AM...SHOWER.

9.25AM...EVERYTHING PACKED UP.

9.40AM...BREAD/JAM...CUPPA TEA.

10.05AM...OFF WE SET FOR STRATFORD...MOST OF THE ROADS ARE NAMED AFTER PEOPLE IN SHAKESPEAREN PLAYS.

11.15AM...HOILIDAY PARK...YORKSHIRE WOMAN IN CHARGE.

11.40AM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS IN CABIN.

12.30PM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA.

1.20PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.

2.30PM...SUPERMARKET.

3.25PM...PUB.

4.50PM...CHINESE?...IT IS THE WORST CHINESE I HAVE EVER TASTED!

6.00PM...IN OUR CABIN...THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER!

7.00PM...LISTENING TO MY IPOD THINGY.

28.9.08...DAY 61...

10.00AM...ARE THINGS GONNA GET BETTER...NZ FOLK ARE A FUNNY LOT...I COULD NEVER LIVE HERE!

10.20AM...CUPPA TEA.

10.45AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.

11.35AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/SCRAMBLED EGG...ANOTHER CUPPA.

12.15PM...WE ARE OFF TO SEE A MUSEUM?

12.40PM...NORMANBY...A SMALL VILLAGE ABOUT 20K OUTSIDE STRATFORD.

1.00PM...THE 'TAWHITI' MUSEUM...10 DOLLAR ENTRANCE FEE.

2.30PM...THIS IS A HERITAGE MUSEUM...MODELS OF PEOPLE FROM TWO INCHES HIGH TO A NORMAL SIZE PERSON...VERY DETAILED...VERY INTRICATE...THEY ARE IN SCENES DEPICTING LIVE AS IT WAS MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THE MAORI WERE FIGHTING FOR THEIR LAND AGAINST THE BRITISH...ITS VERY WELL TOLD THRU THE EYES OF A CHAP CALLED KIMBLE BENT...ITS WOTHWHILE TAKING A LOOK AND 10 DOLLARS IS WELL SPENT...PROBABLY THE BEST PLACE I HAVE BEEN ON THE NORTH ISLE.

4.15PM...A WELL SPENT AFTERNOON...IF YOU COME TO NZ...NOT TO BE MISSED.

5.00PM...PUB.

6.00PM...TIME TO EAT...PORK/CABBAGE/CARROT/SPUD.

7.00PM...WATCHING KIWI TV.

9.45PM...STILL WATCHING TV...WHEN A CHAP[MORON]...SAYS ITS TIME TO CLOSE THE TV ROOM...SO WE DID NOT GET TO SEE THE END OF A DRAMA CALLED 'TORN'.
9.50PM...IN CABIN...IRATE!...THERE IS DEFINATELY SOMETHING FUNNY ABOUT THE KIWI'S!

29.9.08...DAY 62...
8.00AM...STILL IRATE ABOUT MISSING LAST 15 MINS OF DRAMA!
8.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...PACKING BAGS.
9.40AM...TOAST/PATE...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.05AM...EVERTHING IN CAR.
10.20AM...HEADING FOR HORARA[INFO CENTRE].
10.50AM...HORARA...INFO CENTRE/INTERNET.
11.35AM...HEADING BACK TO STRATFORD.
12.40PM...WAITING FOR MINI LOOKING BIG BEN CLOCK TO CHIME AT 1.00PM.
1.01PM...CLOCK CHIMING.
1.03PM...FIGURES OF ROMEO AND JULIET POP OUT QUOTING SHAKESPEARE...VERY AMUSING?
1.08PM...ITS ALL OVER...WAS IT WORTH IT?...NU WAS HAPPY SNAPPING.
1.25PM...IN CAR...ON THE ROAD BACK TO NEW PLYMOUTH...THATS WHERE THE NUTTY PEOPLE HOSTEL WAS.
2.40PM...SHOESTRING BACKPACKERS...BOOK DOUBLE ROOM FOR ONE NIGHT.
3.00PM...WALKING TO 'PUKE IRIKI' MUSEUM...WEATHER WELL WINDY.
3.20PM...I'M BORED...ANOTHER BORING MUSEUM...FULL OF STUFFED ANIMALS FROM LONG AGO.
4.35PM...THANK GOD THATS OVER...HEADING BACK TO BACKPACKERS.
5.30PM...FRYING STEAK/MUSHROOMS...SPUDS IN OVEN.
6.40PM...CHATTING WITH SOME KIWI CHAPS...INTERESTING BUNCH...THEY THOUGHT I WAS OZ...BECAUSE OF MY BOOTS AND HAIR!
7.45PM...WITH NU IN ROOM...BOTTLE OF WINE x 2...TALKING SILLY THOUGHTS...WE GONNA WRITE A BOOK TOGETHER...WELL WE WANT TOO!.

30.9.08...DAY 63...
7.40AM...HAD CRAMP IN THE NIGHT...RIGHT LEG...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL.
8.05AM...BIT DRY...PINEAPPLE JUICE.
8.30AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...DIDN'T BRING A LOT IN FROM THE CAR...SEEMS TO HAVE SPREAD IT SELF AROUND MIND.
9.30AM...KITCHEN...TWO CUPS OF TEA...I DIDN'T FEEL HUNGRY...NU HAD PATE AND TOAST.
10.10AM...SUPERMARKET...MINCE/CABBAGE/CARROT/EGGS/ENERGY DRINK/BEER/WINE...JACOBS CREEK ON OFFER!/COOKED ROAST BEEF.
10.50AM...BACK IN CAR.
11.15AM...HEADING OUT NEW PLYMOUTH.
11.40AM...NZ DRIVERS ARE CRAZY...OVERTAKING ON BENDS.
12.15PM...STOPPED AT PICNIC SITE.
12.25PM...ROAST BEEF/COLEMANS MUSTARD SANDWICH.
1.00PM...ON WE DRIVE.
2.00PM...WAITOMA CAVES...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS AT LOCAL LODGE.
3.10PM...BOOKED CAVE TOUR TRIP FOR TOMORROW.
3.40PM...BACK AT LODGE...SUN SHINING...BUT I'M COLD.
3.50PM...NU DOING MORE LAUNDRY.
4.25PM...WASHING ON LINE.
5.05PM...PUB...I'M HUNGRY.
5.45PM...DECIDED TO COME BACK TO LODGE AND COOK OUR MINCE/CABBAGE ETC.
6.20PM...HAPPILY!COOKING...NU READING.
7.05PM...A WONDERFUL MEAL.
7.25PM...I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THEY ARE A FUNNY BUCH THAT ARE STOPPING HERE...I WON'T SAY TO MUCH...I DON'T WANNA BORE YOU!

FUNNY PEOPLE.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED...

2008-09-25T16:43:00.000-07:00

19.9.08...DAY 52...
9.20AM...NO HURRY TODAY...LITERALLY ZILCH TO DO...WE ARE ON OUR WAY BACK DOWN TO PICTON...WE HAVE A FEW DAYS TO KILL.
9.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR ME...ONE FOR MY LOVELY.
10.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.15AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
12.30PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM.
1.05PM...DISCUSSING OUR NEXT DESTINATION...THE NORTH ISLAND...NOT BEING FUNNY[THOUGH I DO TRY]...IT ALL SEEMS THE SAME...WE'VE GOT FIVE WEEKS THERE...TO KILL?
2.30PM...WATCHING VIDEO...BLIND DATE STARRING BRUCE WILLIS.
4.00PM...VIDEO FINISHED...MEDIOCRE.
5.00PM...HUNGER KICKS IN.
5.20PM...FRYING MINCE/ONION...SPUD/CABBAGE/CARROT ON BOIL
6.00PM...THIS IS ONE OF THE CHEAPEST MEALS WE DO...AND ITS WELL TASTY!
7.20PM...WATCHING RUBBISH KIWI TV.
8.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...WHISKEY IN HAND.
9.15PM...NU WANTS TO GO ON THE WHALE TOUR AGAIN TOMORROW...SO WE'VE GOT TO BE UP EARLY...GOES AT 10.30AM...OUCH.

20.9.08...DAY 53...
8.00AM...UP I GET.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...TOGS ON.
9.00AM...NU AS WEETABIX...I DON'T FEEL HUNGRY.
9.40AM...WALKING TO WHALE TOUR OFFICE.
10.10AM...NU NOT HAPPY...THE TOUR IS PACKED...THERE IS A PLACE FOR HER...BUT TO MANY PEOPLE...TO MANY FORIEGNERS.
10.40AM...AFTER A LONG THOUGHT...NU DECIDES NOT TO GO.
11.00AM...WALKING BEACH?...I WOULDN'T CALL IT A BEACH...ITS GREY PEBBLED.
12.10PM...BACK AT THE ADELPHI.
12.50PM...TIME FOR A LATE,LATE SHOWER.
1.20PM...WALKING TO PUB...WET HAIR DRYING IN THE WIND.
1.50PM...PUB...FEEL HUNGRY...DIDN'T HAVE BREAKFAST.
2.00PM...ORDERED PORTERHOUSE STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...NU'S HAVING GAMMON.
3.00PM...WELL FED...WELL COOKED.
5.00PM...WALKING BACK TO THE ADELPHI.
6.00PM...ANOTHER VIDEO[YAWN]...THE DEVILS OWN...ABOUT THE IRA.
7.40PM...VIDEO OVER...ANOTHER MEDIOCRE.
8.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER...THE LIGHTS POOR...STRUGGERLING.
8.30PM...MORE RUBBISH KIWI TV...JAPANESE GAMESHOW!
11.00PM...TRYING TO SLEEP...KIDS RUNNING RIOT IN HALLWAY.

21.9.08...DAY 54...
7.50AM...I HARDLY SLEPT...KIDS/NOISE/MUSIC...TILL ABOUT 3.00AM.
8.10AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.25AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.55AM...PACKING...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.20AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...HAPPILY LEAVING...NEXT STOP PICTON.
12.20PM...THE 'VILLA HOTEL' PICTON...BOOKED IN.
12.40PM...EVERYTHING OUTA CAR.
1.15PM...RETURNED RENTAL VEHICLE...NU WORRIED ABOUT CHIP ON WINDSCREEN...DON'T SAY ANYTHING!
2.10PM...SPUDS IN OVEN.
2.30PM...TRYING TO CONDENSE ALL OUR'BITS' INTO FOUR BAGS FOR FERRY TRIP TOMORROW.
3.05PM...WONDEFUL BUTTERED BAKED SPUDS.
4.00PM...BAGS STRAINED TO THE LIMIT...BUT I THINK WE HAVE SUCCEEDED...THROWN A FEW THINGS.
4.20PM...BEER.
5.25PM...DECIDED WE NEED FOOD.
6.00PM...IRISH BAR...SEAMUS....WELLINGTON STREET.
6.15PM...ORDERED T-BONE/CHIPS/SALAD x 2.
7.00PM...I HAVE JUST HAD A WONDERFUL MEAL...I RECCOMMEND THIS PLACE.
8.00PM...BACK AT OUR ACCOMADATION.
8.10PM...KIWI TV...GAMESHOW...MAD PEOPLE DOING MAD THINGS...SOMEHOW I CAN RELATE TO THEM!

22.9.08...DAY 55...
6.00AM...ALARM...I DON'T FEEL I'VE SLEPT MUCH.
6.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
6.40AM...SHOWER.
7.05AM...ANOTHER CUPPA...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY.
7.50AM...ALL PACKED UP.
8.05AM...WALKING TO FERRY PORT...ARMS STRAINING.
8.30AM...CHECKING IN...ITS LIKE AN AIRPORT...THEY TAKE THE BAGS OF YOU TO PUT IN THE HOLD.
9.20AM...BOARDING SHIP.
9.40AM...CUPPA COFFEE...HOT DOG!?
9.55AM...GOODBYE SOUTH ISLAND.
10.20AM...TIME TO SLEEP.
12.10PM...WOKE UP...NEED LOO.
12.25PM...ANOTHER CUPPA COFFEE.
1.00PM...SHIP DOCKING AT WELLINGTON,NORTH ISLAND.
1.30PM...COLLECTED BAGS FROM CAROUSEL.
1.40PM...PHONED 'ACE?CAR RENTAL.
2.05PM...ACE?CAR RENTAL PICK US UP...THEY'RE A BIT SLOW IF YOU ASK ME!
3.10PM...AT LAST WE ARE SORTED WITH A NEW RENTAL CAR...TO BE HONEST 'ACE RENTAL CARS'ARE A SHAMBLES.
3.20PM...SEARCHING FOR ACCOMADATION WITH CARPARKING FACILITIES...NOT EASY!
3.45PM...ROBYNS LODGE...DON'T BOTHER...WHAT A DIVE...ACTUALLY MY FIRST THOUGHTS OF WELLINGTON WERE THE SAME.
4.00PM...'MAPLE GROVE HOSTEL'...NO ONE HOME...THATS A GODSEND...LETS GET OUTA TOWN!
4.20PM...HEADING OUTA THE CITY TO A SMALL PLACE CALLED 'MANA'...ITS RUSH HOUR...ROADS PACKED...POLICE CARS ZOOMING EVERYWHERE...THE ROAD WE WANT IS CORDONED OFF...MUST'VE BEEN AN ACCIDENT...THE WAY KIWI'S DRIVE...NO SURPRISE!
5.15PM...STILLWATER LODGE,MANA...WITH ROCKY THE DOG.
5.25PM...BOOK TWO NIGHTS...THERES A TRAIN STATIN NEARBY...15mins TO WELLINGTON CITY CENTRE.
6.00PM...BREAD AND CHEESE...CUPPA TEA x 2.
7.10PM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.30PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.

23.9.08...DAY 56...
9.15AM...TIME TO...WELL...TIME TO GET UP I GUESS.
9.30AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.20AM...WALKING TO TRAIN STATION...WELL WINDY.
11.35AM...TRAIN WAS MEANT TO BE HERE AT 11.32AM...ITS OBVIOUSLY TRUE...NZ IS LIKE ENGLAND!
11.41AM...ON TRAIN.
12.10PM...WELLINGTON CENTRAL STATION.
12.15PM...WALKING TO CABLE CAR.
12.30PM...ON CABLE CAR TO BOTANICAL GARDEN WALK AND CARTER OBSEVATORY.
12.50PM...CARTER OBSERVATORY CLOSED!...WHY DIDN'T THEY TELL US THAT!?
1.10PM...WALKING BOTANICAL GARDENS...TULIPS AND OTHER FLOWERS EVERYWHERE...ABUNDANCE OF TREE'S...LARGE AND NOT SO TALL...TALL AND NOT SO LARGE?
1.55PM...WALKING 'TINAKORI SREET'...THIS IS WHERE THE PRIME MINISTER...HELEN CLARKE RESIDES...SURPRISELY ITS A RATHER SHABBY STREET.
2.20PM..'THE ROSE GARDENS'...BUT THERES NO ROSES...THEY HAVEN'T BLOOMED YET!
3.05PM...'KATHERINE MANSFIELD' HOUSE...ONE OF NZ MOST FAMOUS WRITERS...SHE HAD AN INTERESTING 34 YEARS ON THIS PLANET.
4.30PM...WALKING BACK TO THE TRAIN STATION VIA THE PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.
5.05PM...ON TRAIN.
5.30PM...BACK IN MANA...WHER WE ARE STAYING.
5.40PM...SUPERMARKET...LIVER/ONOINS TONIGHT.
6.40PM...LIVER/ONION/CARROTS/CAULI/MASHED SPUD...AWESOME.
7.10PM...GIN AND TONIC/ORANGE?

24.9.08...DAY 57...
8.30AM...GIVE ME STRENGTH...CAN'T I STAY IN BED TODAY?
9.00AM...NEED MY CUP OF TEA TO SHAKE ME INTO LIFE.
9.20AM...SHOWER.
10.00AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.40AM...WALKING TO TRAIN STATION...SUN SHINING...WIND HOWLING.
11.10AM...ON TRAIN...WELLINGTON CITY...HERE WE COME...AGAIN!
11.50AM...WALKING DOCKSIDE TO 'TAPAPA' MUSEUM...NZ NATIONAL MUSEUM.
2.10PM...I'VE SEEN TO MANY MUSEUMS ON THIS TRIP...EVOLUTION/ANIMALS STUFFED/ANIMAL SKELETONS/BIRDS STUFFED/BIRD SKELETONS/INSECTS PINNED TO BOARDS/ODD SHAPED FISH/LOADS OF DIGITAL STUFF/LOADS OF WHATEVER...I THINK I'VE/WE'VE BEEN TRAVELLING TO LONG TO APPRECIATE ANYTHING!
2.30PM...'MACS BREWERY'...SIX BEERS TO TASTE...WHY?...I KNOW I WON'T LIKE THEM...THEY'RE NOT BRITISH!
3.00PM...FISH AND CHIPS WITH COLESLAW SALAD...WAREHOU IS THE FISH...OK/UNSURE...SALAD AND CHIPS OK.
4.15PM...WALKING CITY CENTRE...NU NEEDS PHARMACY.
5.20PM...BACK ON TRAIN.
6.00PM...BACK AT OUR ABODE.
7.00PM...CHEESE/ONION SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.

25.9.08...DAY 58...
8.00AM...THAT TIME AGAIN!
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.45AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...BAGS PACKED.
9.50AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATOS ON TOAST...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.15AM...PHONED WILLIAM.
10.40AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR...SUN SHINING.
10.55AM...ON ROUTE TO WANGANUI.
11.50AM...FOXTO TOWN...THERES A WINDMILL TO SEE...OK ITS A WINDMILL?
12.25PM...TIME TO DRIVE ON.
1.10PM...BULL TOWN...NU NEEDS A BEER...THIS TOWN FINDS IT AMUSING TO HAVE SIGNS EVERYWHER LIKE...SOCIALI'BULL'...BEAUTI'BULL'...INCREDI'BULL!ETC...WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT!
2.15PM...DRIVING ON.
3.00PM...WANGANUI...TAMARA LODGE...BOOKED ONE NIGHT...DIDN'T LIKE THE OWNER...PRATT WITH PRATTLE...NICE DOG CALLED SPUD.
4.10PM...LAMB/CARROTS/PEA'S/SPUD.
4.30PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
5.05PM...RELAXING IN OUR EN-SUITE ROOM.
6.00PM...READING...BEER IN HAND.
7.00PM...ANOTHER FULFILLING DAY?
9.20PM...GOODNIGHT.

TIRED.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED....

2008-09-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

12.9.08....DAY 45...
8.00AM...SLEPT WELL...COMFY BED...ITS OUR ANNIVERSAIRY TODAY...12 MONTHS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS ADVENTURE...LIVING THIS DREAM?
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR THE PERSON THE WHOLE WORLD LOVES AND ONE FOR MY NUMBER ONE GIRLIE!
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...CARRYING ALL OUR GOODS TO THE CAR.
9.40AM...WEETABIX/TOAST WITH LEMON CURD/CUPPA TEA.
10.10AM...NU TAKING PICTURES OF PLANTS AND THINGS.
10.35AM...CHEERIO MOO...WOOF WOOF!
10.45AM...ON THE ROAD BACK TO WESTPORT...RAINING HEAVILY.
11.55AM...WESTPORT AT LAST...IT WAS A BENDY SLOW ROAD.
12.15PM...SUPERMARKET/PETROL STATION.
1.00PM...NEXT STOP PUNAKAIKI.
2.35PM...AFTER SEVERAL STOPS FOR CAMERA HAPPY NU...WE ARRIVE AT OUR DESTINATION.
3.00PM...BEACH HOSTEL...LOOKS CLEAN/TIDY...BOOKED 3 NIGHTS.
4.10PM...PANCAKE ROCKS...ROCKS THAT LOOK LIKE PANCAKES PILED UP ONE ON TOP OF ANOTHER...IE...TAKE A 100 PANCAKES AND STACK THEM UP...YOU'LL GET THE PICTURE...PLUS THERE WERE BLOWHOLES...THE SEA LASHING THRU HUGE HOLES IN THE ROCKS...EXCITING HEY?!
5.40PM...PUB...JUGS OF BEER...PIE AND CHIPS...EXCITING HEY?!
7.30PM...BACK AT HOSTEL...BETTER HAVE A BRANDY...EXCITING HEY?!

13.9.08....DAY 46...
9.15AM...COME ON WILLIS...MOVE IT...DO I HAVE TOO?...I ENJOY SPEAKING TO MYSELF...I GET ALL THE WRONG ANSWERS...BUT IT ALWAYS TURNS OUT RIGHT.
9.35AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR NU AND ONE FOR ME!
10.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...RAZOR BLUNT...OUCH.
10.50AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.30AM...IN CAR...NEXT STOP CHARLESTONE...TRAIN TO CATCH!.
12.10PM...CHARLESTONE...WE HAVE TRAIN TICKETS.
12.40PM...IN A TRAIN POWERED BY A MORRIS MINOR ENGINE?
1.05PM...HEADING 'DEEP' INTO THE 'JUNGLE'...THIS IS WHERE THE DOCUMENTARY 'LOST WORLD' WAS FILMED...LETS HOPE THE ONLY DINOSAURS HERE ARE NU AND ME!
1.30PM...NU AND I ON FOOT WALKING JUNGLE[FOREST] TRACK.
1.50PM...ROPE BRIDGE...SIGN SAYS 'USE AT YOUR OWN RISK'.
2.00PM...ROPE BRIDGE SURVIVED NU AND I.
2.30PM...TIME TO WALK BACK.
3.10PM...TRAIN JOURNEY OVER...BIT BORING ON THE RETURN JOURNEY.
3.30PM...CAFE...NU HAVING WHITE BAIT SANDWICH.
5.00PM...BACK AT HOSTEL.
5.30PM...LAMB UNDER GRILL...CABBAGE/PARSNIP/CARROT/SPUD ON BOIL.
6.15PM...WONDERFUL MEAL.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH GERMANY GIRLS.
7.15PM...I THINK SOME ITALIANS HAVE JUST TURNED UP.
7.20PM...ITS OK...THEY ARE FRENCH...PHEW!
7.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...EXCITING WHAT!
7.35PM...ACTUALLY I DO ENJOY IT ALL...THE PEOPLE WE MEET AND HOW IT ALL GOES...I WOULDN'T SWOP WITH ANYONE...ITS A TRULY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

14.9.08...DAY 47....
9.00AM...I THINK I DRANK TO MUCH WHISKEY LAST NIGHT.
9.20AM...NU AS BOUGHT ME A CUP OF TEA...RECIEVED GRATEFULLY.
9.35AM...NU'S OFF TO SEE EARLY MORNING BLOWHOLES.
9.40AM...I'LL LAY HERE A LITTLE LONGER.
10.10AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...GETTING ALL THINGS READY FOR BREAKFAST FOR WHEN NU RETURNS.
11.15AM...HI NU...I'LL MAKE YOU A COFFEE.
11.25AM...COOKING BREAKFAST...FAT SPITTING.
11.45AM...SCOFFING BREAKFAST...FAT ARE WE.
12.35PM...WALKING TO CAVES.
12.45PM...CAVES...DARK AND GREY.
1.20PM...WALKING BEACH...COLOURFUL PEBBLES.
1.55PM...BACK AT HOSTEL.
2.10PM...CUPPA TEA...WISH I'D STAYED IN BED.
2,25PM...READING NEWSPAPER.
3.30PM...OFF WE SET...THERES A WALK 'WE ?' WISH TO DO.
3.55PM...WALKING NARROW PATH BY RIVER...INTERESTING?
4.25PM...BACK IN CAR.
4.40PM...ANOTHER WALK WAY...ARE WE OVER DOING THE WALKING BIT??
5.30PM...PUB...BEER...FISH AND CHIPS.
6.40PM...BACK AT HOSTEL...SHOULD'VE STAYED IN BED!

15.9.08...DAY 48...
8.00AM...BACK I THE DRIVING SEAT AGAIN TODAY.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...YAWN!
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.35AM...BREAKFAST TIME...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG/TOMATO...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.20AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.30AM...FOOT ON ACCELERATOR.
10.40AM...ANOTHER BENDY ROAD AHEAD.
11.55AM...GREYMOUTH...AND IT IS GREY...ITS NAMED AFTER A RIVER WHICH WAS NAMED AFTER A CHAPPIE CALLED GREY...VERY APT!
12.40PM...AFTER A SEARCH...FOUND A HOTEL WITH SKY SPORTS 2...BOOKED A NIGHT.
1.30PM...WAS GONNA GO TO SHANTY TOWN...A MODEL TOWN OF HOW LIFE USED TO BE IN THE EARLY MINING DAYS...BUT THE HEAVENS HAVE OPENED...OUCH.
2.30PM...STILL DO NOTHING...APART FROM WATCHING RUBBISH KIWI TV.
4.00PM...RAIN AS CEASED...ONE OF NU'S SHOE LACES AS SNAPPED...WE ARE OFF TO FIND A SHOE/LACE SHOP.
5.10PM...FANCY AN INDIAN.
5.25PM...MADRAS/RICE/NAAN BREAD ORDERED.
5.45PM...SMELLS GOOD.
6.05PM...THERES SMOKE COMING OUTA MY EARS...THE AFTERMATH OF A GOOD INDIAN!
7.00PM...BACK AT NOAHS[HOTEL].
7.30PM...BOTTLE OF WINE.

16.9.08...DAY 49...
7.00AM...ALARM...VILLA ARE ON SKY 2 SPORTS...PLAYING SPURS...THATS WHY WE WANTED A PLACE WITH SKY TELE...NU REALLY HAPPY!
7.06AM...VILLA ONE UP!
7.15AM...NU GONE FOR CUPS OF TEA...I'M HAPPY BENEATH THE SHEETS...EYES ON TV.
7.25AM...NU BACK WITH CUPS OF TEA...VILLA STILL ONE UP.
7.50AM...HALF TIME...SCORE STILL IN VILLA'S FAVOUR.
8.05AM...STAR OF SECOND HALF...NU GONE FOR SHOWER...FUNNY WOMAN...WE PAY 200 QUID FOR A ROOM WITH SKY TELE TO WATCH THE VILLA...AND SHE GOES FOR A SHOWER!
8.29AM...VILLA TWO UP.
8.50AM...SPURS HAVE ACCIDENTLY SCORED!
8.57AM...FULL TIME...VILLA HAVE THREE POINTS IN THE BAG!
9.10AM...SHOWER.
9.40AM...TOAST WITH LEMON CURD...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.20AM...PHONED MY SON TOM IN ENGLAND...HE'S ABOUT TO START UNIVERSITY...THE ONLY PERSON SO FAR IN THE WILLIS CLAN TO DO SO...I'M PROUD OF THE GUY...WISHED HIM ALL THE BEST.
10.50AM...ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
11.00AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK ETC.
12.40PM...DRIVING ALONG 'ARTHURS PASS'...SEVERAL STOPS FOR PHOTO TAKING.
12.55PM...'ARTHURS PASS' VILLAGE.
1.05PM...BEEF/MUSTARD SANDWICH.
1.30PM...DRIVING ONWARDS TO 'HAMNER SPRINGS'.
2.30PM...THIS IS ONE LONG DULL DRIVE...OCCASSIONAL BURSTS OF RAIN.
4.20PM...'HAMNER SPRINGS'.
4.35PM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS IN HOSTEL.
5.10PM...PORK UNDER GRILL...CABBAGE/PARSNIPS/CARROT/SPUD ON BOIL.
6.00PM...TUMMY FULL...GOOD MEAL.
7.00PM...WALKING VILLAGE CENTRE...IS THIS THE VILLAGE OF THE DEAD?
7.40PM...ICECREAM...WALNUT MAPLE.
8.25PM...BACK AT HOSTEL...CHATTING WITH OTHER HOSTELITES.

17.9.09...DAY 50...
9.15AM...THE SUN IS SHINING.
9.30AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.55AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.30AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...CHATTING WITH OWNER OF HOSTEL...SHE WANTS TO SELL...FOOD FOR THOUGHT.
12.10PM...WALKING TO HOT SPRINGS.
12.35PM...NU'S GOING IN...WANTS TO GET WET AND HOT!...ITS NOT MY CUPPA TEA.
12.50PM...BAKERY.
1.10PM...DROPPED BREAD BACK AT HOSTEL.
1.30PM...PUB.
2.45PM...NU JOINS ME...THE SPRINGS WEREN'T THAT HOT APPARENTLY.
4.00PM...BACK AT HOSTEL.
4.30PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH.
5.30PM...THOUGHTFUL...LOTS OF 'FOOD FOR THOUGHT'?

18.9.08...DAY 51...
7.50AM...HERE WE GO AGAIN.
8.10AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...CARRYING EVERYTHING TO CAR.
9.35AM...BACON SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.10AM...CHATTING WITH OWNER?
10.40AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
11.00AM...TALKING ABOUT INS/OUTS OF BUYING A BUSINESS IN NZ.
11.15AM...WE REALISE WE HAVE LEFT OUR FOOD BOX AT HOSTEL...TURN CAR AROUND.
11.50AM...BACK AT HOSTEL.
12.15PM...CHATTING SOME MORE WITH HOSTEL OWNER...IF WE ARE STILL INTERESTED WHEN WE GET BACK TO ENGLAND...WE WILL EMAIL HER.
12.25PM...BACK ON THE ROAD.
2.15PM...WE EVENTUALLY ARRIVE IN KIAKORA...WE HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE...NU WANTS TO GO ON THE WHALE WATCH TOUR AGAIN...WE BOOK THREE NIGHTS AT THE SAME HOTEL...ADELPHI...THE MUSTY SMELLING ONE...THE PRICE IS RIGHT!YOU TEND TO GET USED TO THE SMELL!...AND THE STAFF ARE FRIENDLY.
4.00PM...FISH AND CHIPS...ELEPHANT FISH...WHICH IS ACTUAL SHARK...BAFFLING!
6.00PM...TV NEWS.
7.30PM...CORONATION STREET...TROUBLE IS THEY ARE ABOUT 18 MONTHS BEHIND!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED....

2008-09-14T18:34:00.000-07:00

5.9.08....DAY 38
10.00AM...WOKE WITH SORE HEAD...I WOKE AT 5.00AM AND IT HAD TAKEN 2 HOURS FOR ME TO FALL ASLEEP AGAIN...HEAD AND NOSE IN TURMOIL...PARACETAMOL AND LEMONADE.
10.14AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.35AM...RICE CRISPIES.
11.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/PARACETAMOL.
11.50AM...WALKING INTO TOWN.
12.20PM...BOUGHT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
1.00PM...CLOTHING SHOP...NU NEEDS TROUSERS.
1.20PM...NU NOT TOTALLY HAPPY WITH TROUSERS...BUT SHE STILL BOUGHT THEM?!
2.10PM...PUB.
3.20PM...FISH[GUENARD] AND CHIPS...NOT BAD...NOT BAD AT ALL...FISH TASTY...NOT EXPENSIVE EITHER.
4.10PM...WOOLWORTHS SUPERMARKET...NEED MEAT FOR TOMORROW.
5.05PM...BACK AT ROOM.
5.20PM...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...NU SEARCHING EVERYWHERE FOR OUR PHOTO DISC!...I'M GLAD HER HEAD IS SCREWED ON!
6.25PM...PHONED LAST PLACE WE STAYED...HPOEFUL DISC WILL TURN UP.
8.00PM...FEELING WEAK AND LISTLESS...NEED SYMPATHY 24/7...NU JUST BATS HER EYELIDS...SHE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE SUFFERING I'M GOING THRU...I'M A VERY DELICATE CHAP!

6.9.08...DAY 39...
8.10AM...DETERMINED TO DO SOMETHING TODAY...I'M NOT ONE TO SIT AND MOAN!
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...RICE CRISPIES...THEY SNAP AND CRACKLE...NOT SURE ABOUT TASTE...MY TASTE BUDS ARE NOT THE BEST...OH WOE IS ME!
9.20AM...SHOWER...FUNNY REALLY...WHEN YOU ARE IN THE SHOWER YOUR NOSE SEEMS OK...PERHAPS I SHOULD STAY HERE ALL DAY?...FUNNY HEY?...MAYBE NOT?
10.10AM...WALKING TO TOWN CENTRE.
10.50AM...SATURDAY MARKET.
11.30AM...NU BOUGHT TWO BOOKS AND A CARD FOR TOMS BIRTHDAY...MINES ON OCT 11TH...JUST INCASE ANYBODY FORGOTTEN!
12.20PM...SHOP DISPLAYING ACTUAL RINGS THAT WERE USED IN THE FILM 'LORD OF THE RINGS'.
1.00PM...PUB...JUG OF BEER...CHEESE AND TOM TOASTIE.
2.20PM...WALKING BACK TO ACCOMADATION...SUNSHINING,BUT A LITTLE COLD...LIMBS ACHING...BODY ACHING.
3.00PM...LULLING ON BED.
4.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER.
5.00PM...NU GONE TO DO DINNER...I USUALLY COOK...BUT SHE'S SHOWING SOME SYMPATHY...BLESS!
5.40PM...DINNER READY...DO I FEEL HUNGRY?
6.30PM...BOOKED ANOTHER NIGHT...SO WILL DEPART MONDAY.
7.20PM...LISTENING TO WORLD SERVICE ON RADIO...HAITI STORMS...AMERICAN ELECTION...ANGOLA GOES TO THE POLLS...FISH PEDICURE?!
8.00PM...CHOC PUD AND ICECREAM...JUST TESTING MY TASTE BUDS.
8.30PM...NU DRINKING BRANDY...ORANGE JUICE FOR ME.

7.9.08...DAY 40...
9.00AM...THIS IS GONNA BE A SLOW DAY.
9.34AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.10AM...BACK IN BED...I'M HUNGRY...GUESS I'LL SURVIVE!
11.30AM...STILL IN BED.
12.05PM...SHOWER.
1.00PM...COOKING/FRYING BEANS/SAUSAGE/MUSHROOMS/EGGS.
1.25PM...WISH I HADN'T BOTHERED...SAUSAGES WELL BURNT!...WELL,I'LL EXPLAIN...THE GRILL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY...SO I DID THEM IN THE PAN...BY THE TIME I REALISED THE GRILL WAS NOT WORKING...AND HAD TRIED TO FIGURE OUT WHY...THE BEANS HAD STUCK TO THE PAN...THE MUSHROOMS?...WELL,THE MUSHROOMS...AND THE EGGS HAD SHRIVELLED...PLUS THE TOAST HAD NOT TOASTED DUE TO THE TOASTER NOT TOASTING...ALL IN ALL IT WAS A HORRIBLE MESS!...AND THE SAUSAGES GOT WELL BURNT DOWN ONE SIDE 'CAUSE I WAS TRYING TO RESCUE IT ALL!
1.35PM...BINNED SAUSAGES!...FORCED EVERYTHING ELSE IN...I WAS HUNGRY!...GUESS I SHOULD HAVE STAYED IN BED!
3.00PM...RINGING[WITH HARDSHIP...WELL EVERYTHING SEEMS 10 TIMES HARDER WHEN YOU'VE GOT A STUFFED UP NOSE!]...ALL THE PLACES WE HAVE STAYED IN THE LAST WEEK...STILL ON THE TRAIL OF OUR PRECIOUS LOST DISC...THERES SOME GREAT PHOTO'S OF ME THAT I KNOW AN AWFUL LOTTA PEOPLE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE!
4.00PM...NO LUCK AS YET...PERHAPS THE PAPPARAZZI HAVE GOT HOLD OF THE DISC AND I'LL BE IN THE 'NEWS OF THE WORLD' COME SUNDAY?
6.00PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH.
8.00PM...PHONED MOTHER AND PAULINE.
9.00PM...VODKA AND COKE/PEANUTS.

8.9.08...DAY 41...
7.55AM...TIME TO MOVE.
8.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR MY BABE...ONE FOR ME!
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...CARRYING BAGS TO CAR...STILL FEEL FEEL...BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN ONE TO SHIRK MY RESPONSIBILITIES!?!
9.45AM...RICE CRISPIES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.15AM...PHONING SOME PLACE WE STAYED THAT ASKED US TO PHONE BACK IN CONNECTION WITH LOST DISC.
10.40AM...STILL NO LUCK IN SEARCH FOR OUR LOST DISC.
11.05AM...OFF WE SET.
11.10AM...PETROL STATION.
11.20AM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...I WONDER HOW LONG A PERSON USES OF THERE LIFESPAN PUTTING PETROL IN THERE CARS?
11.50AM...RICHMOND...SMALL TOWN...DROVE ON.
12.20PM...ON A RIDICULOUSLY BENDY ROAD GOING UP A MOUNTAIN SIDE.
12.40PM...STILL ON A RIDICULOUSLY BENDY ROAD GOING DOWN A MOUNTAIN SIDE.
1.15PM...TAKAKA...ANOTHER SMALL TOWN...DROVE ON.
1.50PM...COLLINGSWOOD...THIS IS THE PLACE WE THOUGHT WE MAY STAY FOR A NIGHT.
2.05PM...DISCUSSING WHAT TO DO...CHEESE AND BREAD.
2.25PM...DECIDED TO DRIVE BACK TO TAKAKA.
3.10PM...BACK IN TAKAKA...KIWIANA HOSTEL...ONLY TWO GERMANY GIRLS AND A CANADIAN STAYING THERE...SUITS US...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
3.35PM...SUPERMARKET.
3.50PM...GUESS WHAT I'VE FOUND...IT HAD BEN IN THE FRONT CAR TRAY ALL ALONG...NU AND I ARE GOING BLIND...ALL SMILES...DISC FOUND!
4.10PM...LAMB UNDER GRILL...CABBAGE/SPUD ON BOIL.
5.30PM...PLAYING POOL WITH CANADIAN CHAP...HE CAN'T PLAY POOL TO SAVE HIS LIFE!
6.30PM...BORED...NOSE IS GETTING BETTER.

9.9.08...DAY 42...
9.00AM...FEEL/WISH I COULD FLY HOME TO ENGLAND TODAY.
9.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR MY NAUGHTY GIRL...ONE FOR ME!
9.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.30AM...TOASTED MUFFINS/CUPPA COFFEE.
11.50AM...WALKING IN TO TOWN/VILLAGE CENTRE.
12.15PM...WALKING SHOPS SLOWLY...THERES NOT THAT MANY...HOPING TIME WILL PASS QUICKLY.
1.05PM...PUB...BEER.
1.25PM...TOASTED SANDWICH...I THINK THEY FORGOT THE FILLING...NICE TOAST!
3.30PM...BACK AT HOSTEL...LOADS OF PEOPLE HAVE ARRIVED...I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY HAVE TO CHOOSE THE SAME PLACE WE ARE STAYING!?
4.10PM...TIME TO COOK...TUMMY HUNGRY...GONNA MAKE COTTAGE PIE...THE WILLIS WAY!...KITCHEN PACKED...BUT NOTHING/NO ONE GETS IN MY WAY...ACTUALLY EVERYBODY SEEMS TO GET OUTA MY WAY.
5.10PM...GLORIOUS...GLORIOUS COTTAGE PIE...NO-BODY...BUT NO-BODY MAKES COTTAGE PIE LIKE ME...I COULD SEE 'OTHERS' LOOKING ON ENVIOUSLY!
6.30PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A DANISH CHAP...HE CAN'T PLAY POOL TO SAVE HIS BACON[HA-HA].
7.30PM...BORED.
9.00PM...IN BED...NOT SO BORED?!

10.9.08...DAY 43...
7.50AM...TIME TO STAGGER TO LIFE.
8.10AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR MY NUMBER ONE GIRLIE...AND ONE FOR ME!
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...EVERYTHING IN BAGS...EVERYTHING IN A MESS.
9.25AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.40AM...TOASTED MUFFINS/COFFEE.
10.15AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY...NEXT STOP UNSURE...KINDA MEANDERING.
11.10AM...STOPPED IN TARRAKAWA...I THINK THATS THE SPELLING?
11.15AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED CHEESE...HATE BEING WITHOUT CHEESE...DON'T YOU?
11.20AM...THEY DON'T HAVE 'MAINLAND VINTAGE'...ITS AN EXPENSIVE CHEESE...BUTS ITS THE CLOSED TASTING TO ENLISH MATURED YOU'LL GET HERE...OUCH!
11.30AM...BACK IN CAR.
1.20PM...MURCHISON...THEY CALL IT A TOWN...WE WOULD CALL IT A VILLAGE.
1.45PM...BOOKED INTO 'THE LAZY COW HOSTEL'...ITS MANAGED BY A COUPLE OF 60 YEAR OLDS FROM SOMERSET,ENGLAND.
2.40PM...WALKED THE SIX SHOPS IN ABOUT 4 MINS.
2.44PM...PUB.
3.00PM...CHATTING WITH RETIRED KIWI COUPLE...PLEASANT ENOUGH.
3.30PM...CHALLENGED A LOCAL [NAMED LEE] TO A GAME OF POOL...ALSO PLAYED HIS MATE TIM...WASTE OF TIME...THEY'RE HOPELESS...OR AM I TOO GOOD?
5.30PM...BACK AT 'THE LAZY COW'.
6.10PM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH SOMERSET COUPLE...HAVING A BEER.

11.9.08...DAY 44...
8.00AM...ANOTHER DAY OF MEANDERING...I GUESS.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR ME...AND ONE FOR MISSY!
8.40M...SHOWER.
9.10AM...WE HADN'T BOUGHT MUCH IN...SO THERE WASN'T MUCH TO TAKE BACK TO THE CAR...EVERTHING STILL A MESS!
9.35AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...TIME TO MOVE...GONNA DRIVE IN THE DIRECTION OF WESTPORT.
10.30AM...THE SUN WAS OUT...BUT NOW THE RAIN AS ARRIVED.
11.40AM...WESTPORT...SUPERMARKET...THEY HAVE THE CHEESE TO PLEASE...ALSO BOUGHT BREAD AND COOKED BEEF.
12.05PM...ON CARPARK...SCOFFING BEEF SANDWICH WITH COLEMANS MUSTARD...DO YOU KNOW...YOU PROPERLY DO...BUT I DON'T WANT YOU FORGETTING!...ITS ONLY ONE MONTH TO MY NEXT BIRTHDAY WHEN I'LL BE 42!
12.35PM...DRIVING TO KARAMEA...ALONG BEACH ROAD...VERY SCENIC...WAVES CRASHING.
2.00PM...KARAMEA...IF THE LAST PLACE WAS A TOWN...THIS PLACE IS A HAMLET...RONGO'S HOSTEL...WITH A DOG NAMED MOO...HE'S NOT SURE ABOUT US...BETTER FIND THE DIGESTIVES!
2.15PM...BOOKED A NIGHT...ATTEMPTING TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH MOO.
2.50PM...EVERYTHING COMING OUTA CAR...NEEDA SORT...NEEDS A TIDY.
4.00PM...STEAK UNDER GRILL...CAULI/CARROT/SPUD ON BOIL...WE'VE GOTTA ENOUGH STEAK TO FILL THREE...SO WE'VE ASKED BRIAN TO JOIN US...WE ARE THE ONLY ONES STAYING HERE...AND HE'S ON HIS OWN RUNNING THE PLACE...KINDA FELT IT WAS RIGHT?
4.30PM...THOUGHT I'D OVER COOKED THE STEAK...BUT IT TASTED OK.
5.00PM...WASHING UP.
5.30PM...MADE FRIENDS WITH MOO...DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE CHEWY BIT OF STEAK I GAVE HIM?
6.20PM...BOTTLE O'WINE...BREAD AND BUTTER PUD/CUSTARD?
7.30PM...MOO WANTS MORE FUSS[TUMMY RUB]...I'M MOO'S BEST FRIEND NOW!

YOU'RE NEVER TO OLD TO LIVE YOUR CHILDHOOD!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED....

2008-09-08T16:09:00.000-07:00

29.8.08....DAY 31....
7.40AM...FEEL DRY...NEED MY CUPPA.
7.55AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR NU...ONE FOE ME!
8.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.55AM...CARRYING OUR WARES TO THE CAR.
9.30AM...NU HAVING WEETABIX...I'M NOT HUNGRY...A CUPPA IS ALL I NEED.
9.55AM...OFF WE SET.
10.05AM...NEWSAGENTS...THEY HAVE MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER!
10.20AM...WE CAME IN ON THE HIGH ROAD...WE ARE GONNA TAKE THE LOW ROAD OUT.
10.40AM...THE ROAD IS PLEASANT ENOUGH.
11.00AM...BLUE DUCK CAFE...MUFFIN AND COFFEE.
11.40AM...BACK IN CAR...HEADING FOR CHRISTCHURCH...GOTTA FIND THE BY-PASS ROAD...AND THEN PICK UP THE ROAD FOR KAIKOURA.
12.20PM...ANOTHER BENDY ROAD.
1.00PM...BY PASSED CHRISTCHURCH...ONLY 140K TO GO...LEAST THIS ROAD IS SOMEWHAT STRAIGHTER.
2.40PM...TURNED OFF MAIN HIGHWAY...ABOUT 40K TO GO TO KIAKOURA...ANOTHER BENDY HILLY ROAD.
3.15PM...ADELPHI LODGE,KIOKOURA...BOOKED THREE NIGHTS...ALSO BOOKED WHALE WATCHING TOUR FOR TOMORROW...FOR 12.45PM.
4.00PM...IN ROOM...SMELLS MUSTY...CUPPA TEA.
5.00PM...WALKED TO THE STRAWBERRY TREE PUB.
5.25PM...BEER AWFUL...COULDN'T DRINK IT...NU HAD A COCKTAIL...JAPANESE TYPHOON...SHE COULDN'T DRINK IT...AWFUL.
6.00PM...FISH/CHIP SHOP/RESTAURANT.
6.25PM...ELEPHANT FISH...BEST FISH I HAVE HAD IN NZ SO FAR...CHIPS NOT SO GOOD.
7.10PM...BACK IN OUR MUSTY SMELLING ROOM...TIRED...DON'T KNOW WHY...HAVEN'T DONE ALOT.

30.8.08....DAY 32...
8.40AM...SLEPT WELL.
9.00AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR MY EVERTHING...AND ONE FOR LITTLE ME!
9.30AM...SHOWER.
10.15AM...BOILED EGG/TOAST...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.00AM...LAUNDRY IN WASHING MACHINE.
11.40AM...LAUNDRY IN DRYING MACHINE[I'M JUST SITTING...WATCHING MY WORLD GO ROUND AND ROUND!].
12.30PM...WALKING TO WHALE WATCHING TOUR OFFICE.
12.45PM...BOUGHT TICKETS FOR WHALE WATCH.
1.15PM...BOARDING BOAT.
1.35PM...THIS IS ONE ROCKY RIDE.
1.50PM...SPERM-WHALE SPOTTED...BOAT COMES TO A HALT...ALL EYES AGOG!
1.55PM...ALL EYES ON MOHU THE SPERM WHALE...13 METRES OF HIM...I'M NOT GONNA GO TO CLOSE...DON'T FANCY HIS SPRAY!
2.20PM...LOTS OF 'ROAMING GIBSON ALBATROSS' FLYING AROUD BOAT.
2.35PM...A SEAL SWIMS BY...LOOKING A BIT LOST.
2.40PM...SECOND SPERM WHALE SPOTTED...NAMES MOAU DOH.
3.00PM...LOOKING AROUND THE BOAT...A FAIR FEW PEOPLE ARE CLUTCHING SICK BAGS.
3.20PM...THIRD SPERM WHALE SPOTTED...THIS ONE IS CALLED 'LITTLE NICK'...ALL THE SPERM WHALES LOOK THE SAME TO ME...I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE GUIDE FOLK TELL THE DIFFERENCE...STRANGE!...THESE WHALES FEED HERE IN THESE WATERS THEN GO OFF TO TROPICAL SHORES TO SORT THE WOMEN WHALES...SOUNDS A PRETTY GOOD LIFE TO ME!
3.35PM...HEADING BACK TO LAND...PHEW!
4.10PM...DRY LAND...ITS COLD...ITS BEEN COLD ALL DAY.
4.30PM...SUPERMARKET...PORK FOR TODAY...LAMB FOR TOMORROW?
5.30PM...PORK/CAULI/SPUD...WONDERFUL.
6.10PM...WATCHING THE LATTER PART OF SOME RUBBISH FILM ON TV IN TV LOUNGE.
7.00PM...IN OUR MUSTY ROOM...HEATER ON.
7.30PM...VIDEO...7 YEARS IN TIBET.
9.30PM...GOOD FILM...GOODNIGHT.

31.8.08...DAY 33...
10.00AM...ITS 10AM!...WE ARE STILL IN BED!
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR MY GIRLIE...ONE FOR LITTLE OLD ME!
10.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.15AM...CORNFLAKES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
12.30PM...NOT REALLY DOING ALOT...CHATTING BETWEEN OURSELVES...WE HAVE THESE MOMENTS...I USUALLY DO MOST OF THE CHAT AND NU LISTENS!
3.30PM...NU JUST WOKEN UP!
4.00PM...THINK WE'LL GO FOR AN INDIAN MEAL TONIGHT...LEAVE THE LAMB FOR TOMORROW.
4.30PM...ON THE BOARD IN THE LOBBY...THERE IS AN ADVERT FOR THE 'INDIA PLAZA'.
4.50PM...OFF WE STROLL.
5.15PM...AT 'INDIA PLAZA'DOOR...NOT OPENING TO 5.30PM...OK.
5.20PM...WE STROLL ON A BIT FURTHER...WE NOTICE A FRESH FISH SELLING OUTLET...ITS SUNDAY...BUT ITS OPEN.
5.40PM...HAVING CHATTED WITH CHAPPIE BEHIND COUNTER...WE PURCHASER 4 PIECES OF FISH...TARAKIHI...INDIAN MEAL WILL HAVE TO WAIT.
6.10PM...FISH IN OVEN...BUTTERED...WRAPPED IN FOIL...SPUD ON BOIL...PEA'S ON BOIL.
6.35PM...EATING A SPLENDID MEAL...BEST FISH WE HAVE EATEN IN NZ.
7.50PM...BACK IN OUR MUSTY ROOM...KINDA GETTYING USED TO SMELL NOW...WATCHING ANOTHER VIDEO...CAST AWAY...STARRING TOM HANKS.

1.9.08...DAY 34...
8.00AM...NU HAS TOLD ME ITS TIME TO GET UP.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR YOU KNOW WHO...AND ONE FOR ME.
8.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...CORNFLAKES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.40AM...CARRYING BAGS TO CAR.
10.15AM...IN CAMERA SHOP...NU'S CAMERA NOT WORKING CORRECTLY.
10.25AM...FOUND OUT IT WAS ON VIDEO SHOOT...NOT STILL SHOT.
11.00AM...NEW WORLD SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK ETC.
11.30AM...NU IN HAIRDRESSER'S.
12.05PM...NU LOOKS LIKE A NEW WOMAN!
12.20PM...ON THE ROAD TO BLENHEIM.
1.10PM...BIT OF A BORING JOURNEY...NZ STARTING TO LOOK SAMEY.
1.30PM...BLENHEIM...WAS GONNA BOOK A NIGHT AT THE 'HONEY-BEE'...THEY HAD NO ROOM...I WAS CHUFFED...DIDN'T LIKE THE LOOK OF THE PLACE.
1.55PM...DRIVING ON TO PICTON...PICKED UP AN AMERICAN MUSICIAN HITCHHIKING...WELL HE SAID HE WAS A MUSICIAN...I DIDN'T SEE AN INSTRUMENT...ITS LIKE ME SAYING I'M A WRITER...THOUGH I DO ALWAYS HAVE PEN AND PAPER...SO...!...!...SO I GUESS...WELL I DON'T WISH TO BLOW MY OWN TRUMPET!...BUT NO DOUBT YOU GET MY DRIFT!
2.45PM...'THE VILLA'!HOSTEL,PICTON...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS...FREE APPLE CRUMBLE!?
3.25PM...EVERYTHING IN OR ROOM...THIS ONE SMELLS BETTER.
4.00PM...WALKING TO PUB...NU INSISTED!
4.25PM...'TOOT AND WHISTLE'...ITS A CONVERTED TRAIN TICKET OFFICE.
6.00PM...BACK AT OUR NEW ABODE...LAMB UNDER GRILL...SPUD AND CABBAGE ON BOIL.
6.55PM...ALL SORTED...WE ARE FAT AGAIN.
8.00PM...FREE APPLE CRUMBLE...DOUBLEY FAT AGAIN!

2.9.08...DAY 35....
9.30AM...NU WAKES ME WITH CUPPA TEA/TOAST.
10.10AM...STILL IN BED...FEEL LAZE...GETTING LAZIER.
10.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.40AM...WALKING TO PORT[10 MINS AWAY]...4.9.08 THE CAR RENTAL IS UP...BUT WE WANNA RENT ANOTHER...BUT GONNA SHOP AROUND...MAYBE GET A BETTER DEAL.
12.30PM...ACE CAR RENTAL...CAR WITH FULL COMP INSURANCE FOR 30 DOLLAR A DAY[12 QUID]...WE ARE PAYING 25 DOLLAR A DAY...BUT THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE INSURANCE...SOUNDS GOOD...NU WANTS TO HAVE A THINK...STEADY!
1.10PM...PUB...NU THINKING!
1.30PM...BEER...CHICKEN KEBAB WITH RICE FOR ME...NU HAD A CHEESE/TOMATO TOASTIE.
3.20PM...DEPARTING PUB...THINKING TIME OVER.
3.40PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM.
4.00PM...WE HAVEN'T HAD CURRY BOG FOR AWHILE...SO TASTE BUDS TINGLING.
4.45PM...IT WAS OK...BIT DRIER THAN USUAL.
6.00PM...CHATTING WITH OTHER ROAMERS.
8.00PM...APPLE PIE AND ICECREAM.
9.00PM...WATCHING RUBBISH TV IN OUR ROOM.

3.9.08...DAY 36...
10.05AM...AM I GETTING LAZIER OR AM I JUST BIRED?
10.20AM...MARMALADED TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...SHOWER.
12.05PM...ACE CAR RENTAL OFFICE...TOD LADY WE WISH TO RENT VEHICLE...TOLD US TO RETURN IN ONE HOUR...SHE WAS BUSY WITH OTHERS...NO PROBLEM.
12.15PM...WALKING TO BEACH.
1.00PM...ACCIDENTLY FOUND 'IRISH BAR'?...THERE KITCHENS WERE OUTA ACTION...BUT THE LADY SAID WE COULD BRING FOOD IN.
1.10PM...NU SENDS ME ON MISSION TO FIND FOOD.
1.35PM...I RETURN WITH CHICKEN/MUSHROOM PIZZA...BIT SALTY!
2.10PM...DEPART PUB.
2.30PM...ACE CAR RENTAL OFFICE.
3.35PM...BIT SLOW GOING...BUT ALL SORTED NOW...WE HAVE RENTED CAR FOR 17 DAYS ON THIS ISLAND...THEN PICK UP ANOTHER ON THE SOUTH ISLAND ON THE 22.9.08.
4.10PM...VIDEO SHOP...RENTING 'LARS AND THE REAL GIRL'.
4.30PM...LIQUOR STORE...NU NEEDS BRANDY...VODKA ON OFFER?
5.10PM...IN OUR ROOM.
6.00PM...FINISHING OFF YESTERDAYS LEFTOVER CURRY BOG.
6.50PM...NU LOAFING ON BED...ME FIDGETTING IN CHAIR...VIDEO ABOUT TO START.
8.30PM...VIDEO FINISHED...WATCHABLE...BUT NOT AS GOOD AS I WISHED.
8.45PM...VODKA/LEMONADE...PEANUTS.

4.9.08....DAY 37...
7.50AM...NOT HUNGRY...NEED A CUPPA.
8.05AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA... MADE MY LITLE ME!
8.25AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...ONE ROUND OF TOAT/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.25AM...LOADING EVERTHING INTO CAR.
10.00AM...RETURNING RENTAL CAR TO BUDGET.
10.15AM...THROWING EVERTHING INTO OUR NEW 'ACE RENTAL CAR'...RAIN POURING DOWN.
10.50AM...OFF WE SET...ON THE WAY YO NELSON...GONNA TAKE SCENIC ROUTE VIA HAVELOCK.
11.20AM...THE ROAD IS WINDING AND NOT VERY SCENIC...RAIN NOT HELPING.
11.40AM...HAVELOCK...AT LAST...SEEMED AN ETERNITY...NU NOT FEELING WELL...TO MANY BENDS.
12.05PM...OFF WE SET AGAIN...NOT ENJOYING THIS DRIVE IN THE HEAVING RAIN.
1.10PM...ARRIVE IN NELSON.
1.35PM...THIS PLACE IS PACKED...THERES SEVERAL CONFERENCES GOING ON...PLUS AN AMATEUR WOMANS FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT HAPPENING!
1.55PM...TRIED MANY PLACES FOR ACCOMADATION...NOT HAVING MUCH LUCK.
2.05PM...'SHORTBREAD COTTAGE'...THEY HAVE NO SPARE ROOMS...BUT GUY THERE SAYS HE'LL RING ROUND FOR US.
2.25PM...'THE TASMAN' AS A ROOM AVAILABLE...MORE THAN WE WISH TO PAY...BUT IT'LL HAVE TO DO.
3.10PM...'THE TASMAN'...FULL OF GIRL FOOTIE PLAYERS...WHAT A NOISE!...PLUS I HAVE GOT A COLD COMING ON...I DON'T FEEL GOOD.
3.30PM...IN ROOM...ON BED...FELL ASLEEP.
6.10PM...AWOKE...HUNGRY.
6.45PM...PORK/CAULI/SPUD/CARROT...WONDERFUL MEAL...THE NOISE IS HORRENDOUS...I DON'T LIKE YOUNG GIRLS!!!
7.15PM...CHATTING WITH OZ GIRL WE HAVE BUMPED INTO A FEW TIMES ALONG THE WAY.
9.00PM...IN BED...HANDKERCHIEF AT THE READY...BODY WEAK...BRAIN UNHAPPY.

HIBERNATION?...JUST A THOUGHT!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED....

2008-08-30T17:48:00.000-07:00

24.8.08...DAY 26
12.45AM...UP I GET.
1.00AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
1.40AM...TV LOUNGE.
2.05AM...STOKE CITY-ASTON VILLA LIVE ON SKY TELE...LETS HOPE ITS WORTH STAYING UP FOR?
4.00AM...STOKE 3-VILLA 2...A RUBBISH MATCH...SHOULD'VE STAYED IN BED!
4.15AM...BACK BENEATH THE SHEETS WITH MY BELOVED...TRIED TO TELL HER ABOUT THE MATCH...SHE WASN'T INTERESTED!...SO INCONSIDERATE!
10.30AM...WOKEN BY NU AND HAIRDRYER!...SO INCONSIDERATE!
11.00AM...CUPPA TEA...HAD TO MAKE IT MYSELF...SO INCONSIDERATE!
11.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
1.00PM...BACON/SCRAMBLED EGG...CUPPA COFFEE.
1.30PM...THINK I'LL GO BACK TO BED.
4.00PM...CUPPA TEA.
6.00PM...I'M NOT TO ENTHUISIASTIC...BUT WE ARE OFF TO SEE THE GLO-WORMS...I'M HUNGRY...BUT NOT SURE WHAT I WANT...TASTE BUDS ARE NOT GIVING ME ANY CLUES..
7.50PM...SEEN ENOUGH GLO-WORMS...IT WAS DARK...DIDN'T LIKE IT...NU FELL OVER A TREE STUMP AND LAUGHED...I WAS WORRIED!
8.05PM...PHONED MOTHER AND AUNTIE.
8.40PM...PUB/RESTAURANT...MEXICAN ESPLANADA'S?...WITH CHIPS AND SALAD...THE MEXICANS CAN KEEP THERE ESPLANADA'S...TASTED AWFUL...NOT ENOUGH FILLING...CHIPS AND SALAD PASSABLE.
9.30PM...FOUR WHISKEY AND COKES LATER...TIME TO HEAD BACK TO OUR DIGS.

25.8.08...DAY 27.
8.00AM...ALARM...WHY DID WE SET THE ALARM?...HORRIBLE NOISE!
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...BOILED EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...ALL PACKED UP...SAYING OUR FAREWELLS...MET SOME NICE OK PEOPLE.
10.15AM...DEPARTING FRANZ JOSEF...ON OUR WAY TO HOKITIKI...ABOUT 130K.
11.00AM...PICKED UP TWO HITCH-HIKERS...COUPLE OF ARGENTINIAN GIRLS...BETTER NOT MENTION THE FALKLANDS!
11.55AM...HOKITIKI...DROPPED OFF THE ARGIES.
12.30PM...ECO-CENTRE...WE HAVE COME TO SEE PERCY...THE ONE LEGGED KIWI BIRD.
12.40PM...WE ARE TOLD PERCY AS GONE TO HEAVEN TWO MONTHS AGO...OH!...ACTUAL HE'S IN THE DEEP-FREEZE...WAITING TO BE STUFFED...OUCH!
1.00PM...ECO-CENTRE WAS NOTHING TO SHOUT ABOUT...IT WAS DARK AND GLOOMY...WITH FEW BIRDS AND FISH WE HADN'T ALREADY SEEN.
1.50PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
2.35PM...PETROL STATION...ONLY 1.99 DOLLAR A LITRE...IT WAS 2.24 IN FRANZ JOSEF.
2.45PM...HEAD OUT OF HOKITIKI.
3.10PM...TURN OFF MAIN HIGHWAY FOR BLACKBALL...WE MET A CHAP IN FRANZ JOSEF WHO TOLD US TO GO THERE TO TRY THE SAUSAGES...APPARENTLY THEY ARE WELL FAMOUS?...THIS IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE THE LABOUR PARTY STARTED...IF YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE SAYING 'YOU'VE BEEN BLACKBALLED'...YOU'LL GET MY DRIFT?
3.25PM...BLACKBALL HILTON[HOTEL]...LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUTA OF A WILD WEST MOVIE.
3.35PM...THE PLACE WAS EMPTY...ORDERED OUR SAUSAGES.
3.55PM...OK SAUSAGES...NOTHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT.
4.20PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED CAR...NEXT STOP REEFTON.
5.00PM...REEFTON...'OLD NURSES HOME' CONVERTED INTO A HOSTEL...50 DOLLAR FOR A DOUBLE ROOM...IT'LL DO.
5.40PM...NU IN BATH...I'M PREPARING VEGGIES.
6.15PM...STEAK/CARROTS/PARSNIPS/CABBAGE/SPUD.
6.45PM...I'M FULL...WE'RE FULL.
7.15PM...CHATTING WITH A GIRL FROM BRADFORD WHO IS TRAINING OUT HERE TO BECOME A DIGGER DRIVE...WHATEVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT!

26.8.08...DAY 28
7.50AM...THIS PLACE SMELLS LIKE A HOSPITAL!...LIKE A NURSE...LIKE AN OLD NURSE...WHATS AN OLD NURSE SMELL LIKE?...CAN'T REMEMBER!
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...EVERTHING PACKED UP...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.25AM...IN THE KITCHEN...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...WHEELS IN MOTION...RAIN POURING.
10.10AM...REEFTON TOWN CENTRE...FOODSTORE...NU NEEDS ENERGY DRINK...GUESS I'M WEARING HER OUT!
10.25AM...WHEELS IN MOTION...NEXT STOP HAMNER SPRINGS...NU ALREADY AS SWIM COSTUME ON.
11.30AM...ROAD TO HAMNER SPRINGS CLOSED...THERE'S BEEN AN AVALANCHE...OUCH!
11.40AM...WE DRIVE ON THRU FLOODED ROADS/BIG PUDDLES.
12.50PM...TURNED ONTO ROAD FOR KAIKORA...ITS ALSO CLOSED!...MORE AVALANCHIES...DOUBLE OUCH!
1.00PM...GOT NO CHOICE...GOTTA HEAD FOR CHRISTCHURCH.
3.00PM...WOOLWORTHS FOOD STORE,CHRISTCHURCH...NEED A FEW ITEMS.
4.20PM...WE HAVE BEEN HETRE BEFORE...ITS ACTUALLY WHERE WE KICKED OFF OUR NZ TOUR.
4.50PM...FINALLY FOUND THE 'STONEHURST'...OUR ACCOMADATION PLACE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
5.30PM...SHOWER...WELL NEEDED...WASH AWAY THE SMELL OF THAT NURSES HOME.
6.30PM...STEAK AND VEG...CUPPA TEA x 2.
7.30PM...IN OR ROOM...WATCHING TELE...TIRED...NOT FEELING TOO GOOD.

27.8.08...DAY 29.
9.50AM...FEEL WEAK.
10.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.50AM...SHOWER.
11.30AM...BACON SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
12.30PM...WE WERE GONNA GO ON A CITY TOUR...BUT I'M NOT FEELING TO GOOD.
1.00PM...BACK IN BED...DON'T FEEL RIGHT.
4.00PM...WOKE...THIRSTY/HUNGRY.
4.50PM...CHEESE/BRANSTON PICKLE SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
5.40PM...WALKED TO CHEMIST...NEED PAIN KILLERS FOR BACK.
6.50PM...BACK AT 'STONEHURST'...MUSHROOM SOUP/CUPPA TEA.
8.00PM...STRAIGHT WHISKEY.
9.00PM...HUGH GRANT FILM ON TV.
10.30PM...FEELING BETTER?...UNSURE.

28.8.08...DAY 30.
7.30AM...THIS ROOM LOOKS TRASHED...EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE.
7.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...ONE FOR ME...ONE FOR NU.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.50AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.20AM...CARRYING EVERTHING TO CAR...WE WERE ON THE THIRD FLOOR...BACK ACHING.
10.10AM...OFF WE SET...SEARCHING FOR ROAD TO AKAROA...WANT THE SCENIC ROUTE...VIA GOVERMENT BAY.
10.50AM...HAD TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR NU TO PLAY THE HAPPY SNAPPER.
11.00AM...VERY SLOW ROAD...VERY BENDY.
12.05PM...'HILL TOP HOTEL'/CAFE.
12.15PM...ALTHOUGH IT AS GONE NOON...THEY ARE STILL HAPPY TO DO ME A FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST.
12.50PM...THAT WAS A EXTREMELY WONDERFUL BREAKFAST...IF YOU ARE IN THE AREA...WELL RECOMMENDED!...BETSY THE BLACK WOOLY HAIRED SPANIEL HAD ONE EYE ON US...BUT WE HAD NO FOOD TO SPARE.
1.15PM...BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN...WE ARE GONNA TAKE THE HIGH ROAD...MANT YEARS AGO THIS CRATER WAS FORMED...WE ARE GONNA GO ROUND THE RIM AND THEN HEAD DOWNWARDS TO THE CENTRE...DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
1.40PM...MANY STOPS...NU HAPPY SNAPPING...GREEN FIELD UPON GREEN FIELD...MOUNTAINS ALL AROUND...IT IS KINDA SPECIAL...ITS ALL SO CLEAN AND TIDY.
2.10PM...AKAROA AT LAST...AN ENJOYABLE DRIVE...THE SCENERY WAS WORTH IT.
2.30PM...CHECKED IN AT 'THE CHEZ LA MAR'...[THERES A LOTTA THINGS FRENCH HERE]
3.00PM...SITTING IN COURTYARD OF PUB...SUN SHINING.
4.00PM...WALKING MAIN HIGH STREET...VERY QUIET.
5.05PM...STEAK/SPUD/CAULI IN ONION GRAVY.
6.30PM...WATCHING TV...NOT FEELING GOOD AGAIN...GUESS I'VE PICKED UP A BUG SOMEWHERE.

FEEL WEAK.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ....CONTINUED

2008-08-23T19:51:00.000-07:00

20.8.08....DAY 22
8.30AM...ARE WE DOING SOMETHING TODAY?...CAN'T REMEMBER.
8.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.00AM...BACK IN BED...IT WAS TO COLD OUT THERE!
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.25AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.15AM...SEARCHING FOR BOOKSHOP IN TOWN CENTRE...NEED A CERTAIN BOOK...GUESS I'LL BE LUCKY TO FIND A COPY...IT'S WANNA THE BEST BOOKS I'VE EVER READ.
11.40AM...CLOTHING SHOP...BOUGHT TWO T-SHIRTS.
12.10PM...BOOKSHOP...THEY HAVE A COPY OF THAT CERTAIN BOOK!
12.45PM...SUPERMARKET...FANCY PORK.
1.20PM...POSTOFFICE...THINGS TO SEND.
2.00PM...ALI BABA...NEED A HAIR CUT.
2.20PM...I HATE HAVING MY HAIR CUT...BUT IT'S DONE NOW...THINK I'LL BUY A HAT.
3.00PM...BACK AT OUR CHALET.
3.20PM...PORK UNDER GRILL...SPUDS AND CANNED PEAS ON THE BOIL.
3.55PM...ENJOYABLE MEAL...BREAD WITH GRAVY TO FINISH.
4.30PM...SINCE WE ARE HEADING OUT TOMORROW...TRYING TO PACK EVERYTHING IN A ORDERLY FASHION.
5.05PM...IN CAR...ON THE WAY TO THE CINEMA.
5.15PM...PARADISO...A CINEMA WITH A DIFFERENCE.
5.30PM...NU ORDERS THE MOST EXPENSIVE BOTTLE OF WINE...PLUS AT THE INTERVAL WE HAVE A CHICKEN,BRIE AND CRANBERRY PIZZA!...50 QUID SPEND...THIS IS ONE EXPENSIVE MOVIE!
6.00PM...THE PLACE IS PACKED...EVERYBODIES SEATED ON THERE SETTEE'S...YES SETTEE'S!
6.10PM...FILM ROLLING...A YOUNG GIRL STARTS SINGING'I HAVE A DREAM'.
6.35PM...THE MEN ARE OUT NUMBERED BY ABOUT 10 TO 1...THE WOMAN SEEM TO GIGGLE AT THE MOST UNGIGGLISH OF THINGS.
7.20PM...INTERVAL TIME...OUR PIZZA AWAITS.
7.30PM...THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE PIZZA...IT WAS OK...BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE SECONDS...EVER!
7.40PM...SECOND HALF OF FILM...JULIE WALTERS IS SUPERB...ABBA SONGS ARE SO SINGALONGABLE.
8.20PM...FILM FINISHED...AND A DELIGHTFUL FILM IT WAS TOO...MAMMA MIA IS WELL WORTH A LOOK.
8.40PM...DROPPED CAR BACK AT CHALET.
8.50PM...WALKED BACK INTO TOWN.
9.10PM...THERE'S A PUB HAVING A PUNK NIGHT...NU CAN'T WAIT!
9.50PM...LEAVING PUB...PUNK IN NZ IS NOT PROPER PUNK...NU SEEMS UNCONCERNED!
10.20PM...BACK AT CHALET...BETTER HAVE A BRANDY.

21.8.08...DAY 23...
8.00AM...GOT A LONG DRIVE TODAY.
8.20AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...ALL PACKED UP...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.40AM...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
10.20AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BREAD AND CHEESE...WHERE WE ARE HEADING IS QUITE REMOTE...AND IN THESE AREAS FOOD TENDS TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE.
10.55AM...220K TO GO TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER.
12.30PM...HAUUST...SMALL TOWN...HAVING MADE SEVERAL STOPS FOR HAPPY SNAPPER NU!
3.00PM...FRANZ JOSEF AT LAST...THE ROAD AS BEEN SLOW...SNOW PILED UP.
3.30PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT HELIHIKE AT HELIHIKE CENTRE[WELL YOU WOULDN'T ENQUIRE AT A SWIMMING POOL CENTRE WOULD YOU?]...ANYWAY...YOU BASICALLY GO UP IN A HELICOPTOR TO THE TOP OF THE GLACIER AND THEN HIKE FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS...THEY DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A HIKE TOMORROW...DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER...WON'T KNOW TILL 10.00AM TOMORROW.
4.20PM...BOOKED OUR ROOM AT LOCAL HOSTEL...THE GLOWORM.
5.10PM...BAKED SPUD WITH CHEESE AND BUTTER.
6.00PM...FREE VEGGIE SOUP.
6.30PM...BOTTLE OF WINE.
8.00PM...PHONED TOM.

22.8.08...DAY 24...
8.00AM...RAIN LASHING DOWN.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...WALKING THRU THE RAIN TO HELIHIKE CENTRE.
10.00AM...WOMAN ON DESK RECKONS TOUR IS NOT GONNA HAPPEN TODAY...WEATHER POOR.
10.25AM...FOR CERTAIN...THERES GONNA BE NO CHANGE IN THE WEATHER...SO NO TRIP TO FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER TODAY.
11.00AM...EVEN IN THIS REMOTE LITTLE VILLAGE THEY HAVE MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...NEED IT...TODAY IS GONNA BE BORING.
12.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...BREAD AND CHEESE.
1.30PM...WATCHING 'UNOFFICIAL SPICE GIRL DOCUMENTARY' VIDEO...HOW BAD CAN IT GET?
2.30PM...RETURN TO READING MY NEWSPAPER.
3.20PM...SHOWER...DIDN'T HAVE ONE THIS MORNING...SO I GUESS I BETTER HAVE ONE NOW!
4.30PM...WATCHING OLYMPICS...ENGLAND HAVE DONE ALRIGHT WITH MEDALS...RAIN RELENTLESS.
7.00PM...PUB RESTAURANT...FISH[OCKY] WITH CHIPS/SALAD...THE FISH IN NZ CANNOT COMPETE WITH OZ.
8.15PM...CHATTING WITH ZEALANDERS.
9.30PM...BACK AT OUR ENSUITE ROOM.
10.00PM...IS THERE A FILM WORTH WATCHING ON SKY?

23.8.08...DAY 25...
8.00AM...POPPED HEAD ROUND CURTAINS...IS FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER GONNA HAPPEN TODAY?
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...CORNFLAKES...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.40AM...WALKING TO HELIHIKE CENTRE...NOT RAINING...WEATHER LOOKING GOOD.
10.05AM...YES ITS ON!...WE GONNA CONQUER FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER...BIT NERVOUS.
10.30AM...LISTENING TO INSTRUCTIONS.
10.50AM...GETTING TOGGED UP...BOOTS ARE A LITTLE TIGHT.
11.10AM...IN HELICOPTOR.
11.30AM...ON GLACIER...ITS NOT SO COLD.
11.45AM...WALKING GLACIER...TRAMPING THRU SNOW...ITS TOUGH...NEED TO GET FIT.
12.30PM...STILL TRAMPING...FALLEN A FEW TIMES...NU DOING WELL...THE GROUP OF YOUNGSTERS WE ARE WITH ARE SECOND TO NON...THEY HELP US...ITS KINDA COMICAL...ITS A TOGETHERNESS...THERES SOME HAIRY MOMENTS...GOING THRU NARROW GORGES...NU AND I ARE NOT SO NARROW!...SOMEHOW WE SUCCEED...I'LL NEVER FORGET THIS EXPERIENCE...I'M SO,SO LUCKY...AMAZING TIME...AMAZING SCENERY...AMAZING TO THINK I'VE DONE IT...THE GUIDE WAS WONDERFUL[DAN]...THE GROUP WAS PATIENT WITH US...AND A GIRL CALLED MEGAN HELPED NU A LOT...THANKS TO EVERYONE!
2.00PM...WAITING FOR HELICOPTOR FOR OUR RETURN TO EARTH.
2.20PM...WE ARE IN THE AIR AGAIN...NO WORRIES...PINCH OF SALT!!!!
2.40PM...TOUCH DOWN...TOUR COMPLETED...NU AND I RULE OK!
3.05PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED BEER.
3.35PM...SHOWER...MY BACK IS SOAKED VIA SWEAT.
4.00PM...SPUDS IN MICROWAVE.
4.15PM...SEMI BAKED SPUDS IN OVEN...NEED JACKETS TO CRISP.
5.00PM...BAKED SPUDS TO DIE FOR...BUTTERED AND CHEESED.
5.40PM...BED...LIMBS ACHING.
8.30PM...UP WE GET...I THINK I SLEPT.
9.05PM...PUB RESTAURANT.
9.20PM...MUSHROOM/CHICKEN ETC PIZZA...BEER.
9.55PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A CHAP FROM CUMBRIA.
10.40PM...THREE GAMES LATER...I CAN'T PLAY THIS GAME ANYMORE...RECKON THIS POOL CUE IS BENT!
10.50PM...WALKING BACK TO HOSTEL.
11.30PM...IN BED...BUT CAN'T SLEEP.

TAKE A CHANCE ON ME/DANCING QUEEN/DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW ETC.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

nz continued....day 17

2008-08-21T19:27:00.000-07:00

15.8.08....DAY 17
8.00AM...TURNED ON MY MOBILE...LOADS OF INBOX TEXT MESSAGES COMING THRU.
8.05AM...ITS MICHAELA...SHE'S SENT ME FOUR TEXTS...EVERY TIME VILLA SCORED...4-1 ON THE NIGHT.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.25AM...CORNFLAKES...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...ALL PACKED UP.
10.00AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR...HYUNDA GETZ.
10.25AM...PARKED UP ON SUPERMARKET CARPARK.
10.40AM...IMMAGRATION OFFICE...ITS GOOD NEWS...WE CAN GO TO FIJI AND COME BACK TO NZ...AND OUR VISA'S ARE UNEFFECTED.
11.05AM...DRIVING TOWARDS THE OTAGA PENISULA...ON A WELL BENDY ROAD.
11.50AM...ALBATROSS CENTRE.
12.05PM...ALBATROSS CENTRE TOUR.
1.00PM...WE WATCHED A FILM THAT WAS INTERESTING...BUT WE ONLY SAW HALF A HEAD OF A BABY ALBATROSS IN THE WILD...BIT DISAPPOINTING.
1.25PM...DRIVING BACK TO DUNEDIN.
1.50PM...ON THE HIGHWAY TO PALMERSTONE.
2.20PM...PALMERSTONE...LETS DRIVE ON...NOTHING WORTH VIEWING HERE.
2.50PM...MOERAKI BOULDERS...HUGE MARBLE SHAPED ROCKS ON A DIRTY BEACH.
3.20PM...DRIVING ON THRU HAMPTON...LOOKS A BIT POSH HERE.
3.35PM...OLIVE GROVE HOSTEL...BIG SIGN ON GATE READS 'CLOSED'...OUCH!
4.30PM...OAMARA...A LARGE TOWN.
4.55PM...EMPIRE HOTEL...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
6.00PM...TIME TO EAT...CURRT BOG LEFTOVERS...TASTY OK...NEED TO CALM DOWN...TOO MUCH EXCITEMENY!
6.25PM...BOTTLE OF WINE...AFRICAN...TASTED GOOD.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH YOUNGSTERS...A PLEASANT GROUP OF PEOPLE.
9.00PM...AN ENJOYABLE EVENING.

16.8.08...DAY 18...
8.30AM...GOTTA PHONE TOM AT 9.00AM...IT'LL BE 10.00PM IN ENGLAND.
8.40AM...KETTLE ON.
8.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...PHONED TOM...TWO B's AND ONE C...HE'S OF TO LIVERPOOL UNI...WELL DONE TOM...I'M PROUD OF YOU...[CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK!]
9.50AM...SHOWER.
10.25AM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...OFF TO MUSEUM.
11.35AM...MUSEUM CLOSED AT WEEKENDS...OUCH.
12.10PM...WALKING THE SHOPS.
12.20PM...NU'S IN KODAK CAMERA SHOP HAVING PHOTO'S PUT ON DISC.
12.40PM...SUPERMARKET...MILK/BREAD/FRUITCAKE!
1.30PM...BACK AY HOTEL...FRUIT CAKE AND COFFEE.
2.10PM...WATCHING 'SNATCH'...A GUY RITCHIE FILM.
3.40PM...FILM FINISHED...IF I HADN'T SEEN IT...I WOULDN'T HAVE MISSED IT.
4.10PM...PREPARING VEG.
4.35PM...VEG ON BOIL...PORK UNDER GRILL.
5.00PM...EATING...PORK SLIGHTLY CHARRED...YOU CAN'T TRUST FORIEGN GRILLS!
6.00PM...PLAYING SOLO POOL...NU WATCHING ANOTHER FILM.
7.00PM...ANOTHER BOTTLE OF AFRICAN WINE...NZ WINE NOT THE GOOD.
7.45PM...WINE FINISHED...SOME PEOPLE HAVE A LIFE...SOME PEOPLE LIVE A WHOLE LOTTA LIFE...I THINK I DO BOTH...BUT THE LATTER ESPECIALLY!...NU SAYS I'M UP MY OWN BACKSIDE...THATS INTERESTING...I'VE BEEN AND SEEN MANY PLACES...TO MANY TO MENTION...BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN THERE!...INTERESTING?

17.8.08...DAY 19...
7.30AM...GOTTA A PHONE CALL TO MAKE.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...PHONED WILLIAM...[9.00PM IN ENGLAND]
8.25AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...PACKED EVERYTHING IN CAR.
9.25AM...BREAKFAST...EGGS HAVE STUCK TO THE PAN...MUSHROOMS AND BACON OK.
10.00AM...OFF WE SET.
10.30AM...THIS GONNA BE SLOW...ITS WELL COLD AND THERES SNOW IN THE AIR.
11.20AM...GOTTA GO BACK THRU PALMERSTONE AND TAKE THE HIGHWAY FOR RANFURLY.
12.30PM...RANFURLY HOTEL...THEY'VE GOT SKY TELE...ENGLISH FOOTIE ON AT MIDNIGHT...OK IF YOU INSIST DEAR!
1.15PM...SETTLED IN OUR EN-SUITE ROOM...AFTER VAN IN OZ...WE'RE DOING NZ POSH!
2.30PM...HOTEL BAR...JUGS OF BEER ON SPECIAL.
4.30PM...BACK IN ROOM...SHOWER.
5.30PM...HOTEL RESTAURANT...MIXED GRILL FOR ME...NU HAD BLUE COD AND VEGGIES.
7.00PM...BACK IN ROOM.
7.30PM...WATCHING SPIDER MAN FILM ON TELE.
9.30PM...SET ALARM FOR 12.30AM...GONNA TRY AND SLEEP AND GET UP FOR FOOTIE LATER.

18.8.08...DAY 20...
12.30AM...WOKE AT 12.23AM.
12.40AM...TELE ON...SOUND DOWN.
1.00AM...CHELSEA-PORTSMOUTH...I WAS HOPING THEY WOULD HAVE VILLA ON.
3.00AM...4-0 TO CHELSEA...PORTSMOUTH WERE POOR...MADE CHELSEA LOOK GOOD.
3.05AM...MAN UTD-NEWCASTLE.
4.50AM...1-1 DRAW...NEWCASTLE DESERVED TO WIN.
5.00AM...BACK IN BED.
9.20AM...NU WAKES ME...CUPPA TEA...WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT HER!...SHE'S THE BEST.
9.35AM...SHOWER...TRYING TO WAKE UP.
10.10AM...ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO ROLL.
11.00AM...TAKING IT SLOW...THE ROADS LOOK ICY.
11.10AM...CROMWELL...BEEN HERE BEFORE...WE ARE KINDA ZIG ZAGGING NZ AT THE MOMENT.
11.20AM...ONWARD WE DRIVE TO WANAKA.
12.30PM...THE TOWN OF WANIKA...RENTED A CHALET OVERLOOKING THE LAKE FOR THREE NIGHTS...WANAKA IS A SKI RESORT...AND I FEEL A FAKE...I DON'T SKI AND I DON'T SNOWBOARD...WHAT AM I DOING HERE?
1.00PM...NU WANTS EVERYTHING OUT OF THE CAR...SHE WANTS TO HAVE A SORT.
2.30PM...WALKING MAIN SHOPPING MALL...ART DECO OUTLETS EVERYWHERE...YAWN.
3.40PM...PUB...STEAK PIE...WONDERFUL...BEST I'VE HAD IN A LONG TIME...BETTER HAVE ANOTHER!
4.50PM...WALKING BACK TO OUR CHALET...SCENERY BREATHTAKING...SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS[HILLS] SURRROUND WANAKA.
5.35PM...SEMI MICROWAVED SPUDS IN OVEN...WANT THE JACKETS TO CRISP.
6.15PM...JACKET SPUDS/BAKE BEANS/CHEESE...NOT BAD.
6.20PM...IF THIS BLOG EVER GETS TO EXCITING...YOU WILL LET ME KNOW...PLEASE!!!

19.8.08...DAY 21...
9.00AM...SHALL WE SKI OR SNOWBOARD TODAY?
9.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...THE SHOWER IS WELL SLOW WARMING UP.
10.30AM...BREAKIE TIME...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...LAUNDRY...BIGGISH LOAD...NEED TO MACHINES.
11.40AM...WASHING DONE...NU SAYS WE'LL DRY IT LATER.
12.10PM...PUZZLE WORLD...A CENTRE FULL OF OPTICAL ILLUSIONS...YOU LOOK THRU LENSES AT CERTAIN ANGLES AND OBJECTS LOOK AS IF THEY ARE IN YOUR FACE...LOOK AT ANOTHER ANGLE AND THEY APPEAR DIFFERENT...GO INTO ANOTHER ROOM...AND YOU THINK YOU ARE LEANING BACK...ABOUT TO FALL OVER...WATER AND BALLS ARE ROLLING UP HILL...MADE ME FEEL A BIT FUNNY...THERE ARE PICTURES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE...MANDELA/CHURCHHILL ETC...AND THERE HEADS AND EYES TURN AND FOLLOW YOU AS YOU MOVE/TURN...THERE IS A ROOM THAT MAKES YOU LOOK SMALL...WALK TO ANOTHER CORNER AND YOU APPEAR TALL...THERE IS A MAZE WITH FOUR CORNER TOWERS...AND YOU HAVE TO FIND YOUR WAY TO EACH...THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT ONE AND HALF HOURS...NU AND I DID IT IN ABOUT 40 MINS...GUESS WE GOT LUCKY!
3.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NU WANTS TACO'S WITH LAMB AND SALAD ETC.
3.50PM...PUB.
5.00PM...ATTEMPTING MEXICAN TACO RECIPE.
5.35PM...EATING BOG AWFUL TACO'S WITH LAMB.
5.45PM...TACO'S AND INNEREDS IN BIN.
6.00PM...BREAD AND CHEESE/BOTTLE OF WINE[SPANISH]...THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE ARE THE BEST...LIKE ME!?

BOTTOMS TO EVERYBODY!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ CONTINUED....[26300/205]

2008-08-19T20:10:00.000-07:00

12.8.08......DAY 14
8.00AM...I WANNA STAY WARM BENEATH THESE SHEETS.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...PACKING.
10.25AM...READY TO ROLL.
11.00AM...PAK'N'SAVE[SUPERMARKET]...NEED MILK...ALSO BOUGHT STEAK...ON OFFER.
11.30AM...HEADING FOR AWAKO...80K AWAY...NZ DRIVERS ARE IMPATIENT...I'M DOING SPEED LIMIT...BUT THEY ALL WANNA PASS...THEN THEY SLOW DOWN ONCE THEY'VE PASSED...SILLY PEOPLE.
12.05PM...EDENVALE?...I THINK WE ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY...TURNED ROUND AND HEADED FOR FORTROSE.
12.40PM...FORTROSE...STOPPED THE CAR AND HAD A LOOK AT THE INFO BOARD...THE WIND IS BITING.
12.50PM...BACK IN VEHICLE.
1.20PM...AFTER MANY BENDIND ROADS...HILLS AND DIPS WE ARE IN AWAKO.
1.35PM...HAD A LOOK AT AN APARTMENT...THERES A NOTE ON THE DOOR THAT BASICALLY READS...'GO IN...LOOK AROUND...IF YOU LIKE IT...MAKE YOURSELF AT HOME...WE WILL SEE YOU SHORTLY'...VERY TRUSTING THESE ZEALANDERS!
1.45PM...ITS A NICE APARTMENT...BUT ITS WELL COLD.
2.10PM...BACK IN CAR...NEXT STOP SURAT BAY.
2.25PM...ON A STONY UNMADE ROAD.
2.40PM...SURAT BAY AT LAST...NEXT TO BEACH...CHECK TO SEE OUR CAR TYRES ARE STILL THERE!
2.45PM...CHATTING WITH OWNER OF SURAT BAY LODGE...HE'S WELCOMED...HE SAYS AS SOON AS HE'S MADE THE LOG BURNING FIRE IT'LL BE WARM AND COSY.
2.55PM...NU LIKES IT...WE'RE STOPPING...IT'LL DO.
3.30PM...LOG FIRE BLAZING...ITS GETTING WARM.
3.45PM...TELE ON...OLYMPICS...HAVE WE WON ANY MEDALS YET?
4.30PM...BAKED SPUDS IN OVEN...A RUSSIAN CHAP CAME TO HAVE A LOOK...BUT DIDN'T STAY...WE ASKED IF HE HAD ANY POTATO'S...[AS YOU DO]...HE KINDLY OBLIGED!
5.10PM...STEAK UNDER GRILL.
5.30PM...BAKED SPUDS AND STEAK SORTED...CUPPA TEA.
5.50PM...SOMEHOW I GOT THE SPUDS JUST RIGHT...STEAK WAS EXCELLENT...WONDERFUL MEAL.
6.00PM...TV NEWS...RUSSIA AS INVADED GEORGIA.
7.00PM...MORE OLYMPICS...HAVE WE WON A MEDAL...YET?
8.00PM...A PROGRAMME CALLED 'SENSING MURDER'...ABOUT PHYCHICS WHO HELP POLICE SOLVE MURDERS...VERY INTERESTING.
9.00PM...WHISKEY FOR ME....BRANDY FOR NU...PEANUTS TO SHARE.

13.808...DAY 15...
8.00AM...LOG FIRE GONE OUT...NOT SO WARM NOW.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...WEETEBIX/CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...EVERYTHING IN CAR.
10.10AM...WALKING BEACH.
10.30AM...TWENTY MINS IS LONGER ENOUGH.
10.35AM...IN CAR HEADING FOR 'NUGGET POINT'.
11.10AM...WE STOP OFF AT A LOOK OUT POINT...THERES MEANT TO BE A FAMILY OF YELLOW EYED PENGUINS HERE...CAN'T SEE THEM...PERHAPS THEY'VE GONE FOR A DAY TRIP SOMEWHERE!
11.30AM...NUGGET POINT...IT WAS A STEEP CLIMB...CAR SLOW...LUCKY TO HIT SECOND GEAR!
11.40AM...NUGGET POINT LIGHT HOUSE...HERE YOU CAN SEE MANY ROCKS THAT APPARENTLY LOOK LIKE NUGGETS?...NOT!
12.10PM...BACK IN CAR...FROZEN...PULLED THE ICICLE OF MY LEFT EAR...NEXT STOP DUNEDIN[ITS ACTUALLY THE OLD WORD FOR EDINBURGH...THERE MUST BE A SCOTTISH INFLUENCE THERE]...90K TO GO.
1.35PM...DUNEDIN...THE SECOND LARGEST CITY IN NZ.
2.05PM...MANOR PLACE...WE BOOK TWO NIGHTS
2.30PM...AFTER A 'WEE' CHAT...WE DECIDE WE DON'T LIKE MANOR PLACE...TO FAR OUTA TOWN...AND THE CAR ONLY JUST MADE THE HILL...WHEELS WERE SLIPPING.
2.45PM...ASKED FOR OUR MONEY BACK.
3.05PM...DUNEDIN BACKPACKERS...CENTRAL TO EVERYTHING.
3.50PM...WALKING TOWN...RAIN POURING DOWN.
4.15PM...BACK AT BACKPACKERS...ITS TO COLD...CUPPA OF COFFEE.
4.50PM...PREPARING CURRY BOG.
5.30PM...EATING CURRY BOG.
6.10PM...BOTTLE OF WINE...CHATTING WITH OTHER WET AND DAMP TRAVELLERS.
6.50PM...HAVE DECIDED WE DON'T LIKE DUNEDIN.

14.8.08...DAY 16...
9.00AM...SLEPT WELL.
9.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA FROM THE URN IN THE KITCHEN...THATS ONE GOOD THING ABOUT BACKPACKERS THEY DO SUPPLY A CONSTANT STREAM OF BOILING WATER.
9.40AM...SHOWER...THE CUBICLE IS RATHER SMALL...I'M NOT ONE TO COMPLAIN THOUGH!
10.25AM...BACON/EGG/MUSHROOM ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...WALKING SHOPS...THE RAIN HASN'T ARRIVED YET.
11.55AM...CADBURYS WORLD.
12.10PM...TOURING CADBURYS WORLD FACTORY.
1.15PM...TOUR OVER...WE HAVE MANY BARS OF CHOCALATE TO SCOFF!
1.50PM...STEAK HOUSE...10 DOLLAR LUNCHTIME SPECIALS.
2.15PM...A STAEK FOR 10 DOLLARS[4 QUID] WITH SALAD AND CHIPS...ITS WAS OK...NU HAD CHICKEN...THE CHICKEN IS STILL ON THE PLATE!...OH DEAR...I TOLD HER SHE SHOULD'VE HAD THE STEAK!
3.40PM...INFO CENTRE...NEED TO KNOW WHERE IMMAGRATION OFFICE IS...GOT A QUESTION TO ASK...IF WE GO TO FIJI...DOES IT EFFECT OUR NZ VISA?
4.00PM...FOUND IMMAGRATION OFFICE...ITS CLOSED.
4.25PM...BACK AT OUR HOSTEL.
4.50PM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
5.30PM...CHEESE AND BREAD.
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH OTHERS...WHISKEY AND LEMONADE TO KEEP ME WARM.
7.30PM...SOME LOUSY ITALIANS HAVE PUT SOME CRAP RAP MUSIC ON...TIME TO RETIRE!

GOOD TO BE ALIVE!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ TIMES...CONTINUED...

2008-08-11T00:03:00.000-07:00

9.8.08...DAY ELEVEN...
9.30AM...GOSH ITS LATE.
10.00AM...GOSH ITS EVEN LATER!
10.10AM...KETTLE ON.
10.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
11.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
12.10PM...WE ARE OFF TO A MUSEUM...ONLY ROUND THE CORNER.
12.25PM...MANY MAORI PAINTINGS/DRAWINGS/ARTEFACTS...PLUS A ROOM DEDICATED TO BURT MUNRO...A CHAP WHO BROKE MANY LANDSPEED RECORDS IN HIS LIFE TIME ON A 1920 INDIAN MOTORBIKE[WE SAW THE FILM ABOUT HIS ACHIEVMENTS WHEN WE WERE IN OZ]...THEY HAVE THE ORIGINAL BIKE HERE...PLUS A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT HIM...PLUS THEY HAVE HENRY THE TUATARA[LIZARD]...WHO'S JUST DONE THE BUSINESS WITH MILDRED...AND IS ABOUT TO BECOME A DAD FOR THE FIRST TIME AT 111 YEARS OLD!...GO HENRY GO!
2.10PM...MUSEUM VISIT OVER...WALKING SHOPS.
3.00PM...BOUGHT NEIL YOUNGS GREATEST HITS...IT SHOULD BE THE FATTEST CD EVER...'CAUSE EVERYTHING HE DOES IS GREAT...SINCE WE HAVE A RENTED CAR WITH A CD PLAYER...WE NOW NEED CD'S.
3.30PM...PUB.
3.40PM...WELL POOR BEER...OUCH.
4.35PM...INDIAN RESTAURANT/TAKE AWAY...BEEF BALTI/RICE/NAN BREADS.
4.55PM...BACK AT LODGE WITH OUR TAKE AWAY MEAL.
5.15PM...THE PLACE AS BEEN TAKEN OVER BY FRENCHIES/A GIRL FROM JAPAN/A CHAP FROM PALISTINE/TWO KIWI'S AND AN IRISH BLOKE...I DUNNO...THESE FORIEGNERS GET EVERYWHERE!
5.30PM...INDIAN MEAL DEVORED...NOT BAD AT ALL.
6.00PM...BOUGHT A BOX OF N ZEALAND WINE...WISH WE HADN'T.
6.40PM...WATCHING TELE WITH A BUNCH OF ALIENS.

10.8.08...DAY TWELVE...
9.20AM...TIME FOR A CUPPA...KETTLE ON.
9.35AM...WE HAVE TWO CUPS OF TEA.
10.00AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...NU GONE TO MUSEUM TO PURCHASE A BOOK SHE SPOTTED YESTERDAY...I'M OFF TO THE SUPERMARKET.
11.25AM...SUPERMARKET...BEEF/PARSNIPS/CARROTS/SWEDE/SPUD...ITS SUNDAY...I'M GONNA DO A ROAST!
12.05PM...LIQUOR SHOP...WHISKEY/BRANDY/COKE.
12.30PM...BACK AT LODGE...NOTICED NU'S PURSE ON BED.
12.40PM...OFF I TROT...PURSE IN POCKET.
1.00PM...MUSEUM...SPOTTED NU STRAIGHT AWAY.
1.05PM...'OH'SHE SAYS'I WONDERED WHERE IT WAS'...THAT WAS IT.
1.20PM...OFF WE SET BACK TO LODGE....NU WITH BOOK PURCHASE IN HAND.
1.50PM...PREPARING VRGGIES...BEEF IN TRAY IN OVEN.
3.30PM...PARSNIPS OVERDONE[BURNT]...TO MUCH SWEDE...BUT MEAL OK.
5.00PM...NU DOING HAND WASHING...I'M READING THE PAPER.
7.00PM...PHONED JEANIE.

11.8.08....DAY THIRTEEN...
8.30AM...PLACES TO GO.
8.50AM...KETTLE ON.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.50AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA COFFEE/MCV DIGESTIVE BICS!
10.40AM...IN CAR ON THE WATY TO BLUFF...32K AWAY...NEIL YOUNG CD PLAYING.
11.10AM...BLUFF...LOOKS DINGY.
11.25AM...BLUFF LOOKOUT POINT...YOU CAN SEE STEWART ISLAND FROM HERE.
12.15PM...BAKERY SHOP/CAFE...NU HAD TWO OYSTERS...CHICKEN/CHEESE/SALAD ROLL FOR ME...CUPPA TEA.
1.10PM...STIRLING POINT...BEACH.
2.00PM...BACK IN CAR...HANDS FROZEN.
2.30PM...DROVE BACK THRU INVERCARGILL[WHERE WE ARE STAYING]...WE ARE HEADING FOR RIVERTON.
3.20PM...RIVERTON HERITAGE MUSEUM...BOUGHT DVD OF MAORI HISTORY.
4.10PM...RIVERTON BEACH...WELL ROCKY.
4.35PM...BACK IN CAR...TO COLD.
5.10PM...BACK AT INVERCARGILL AT OUR LODGE.
5.50PM...CHEESE ON TOAST WITH BRANSTON PICKLE!
6.20PM...WATCHING TELE.

BACK ACHING.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ TIMES....CONTINUED...

2008-08-09T19:39:00.000-07:00

7.8.08...DAY NINE...
9.30AM...NEEDED A LIE IN AFTER LAST NIGHTS EXERTIONS...IT WAS HARD BEING THE ONLY ENGLISH PERSON COMPETING.
9.45AM...KETTLE ON.
10.00AM...CUPPA TEA...STILL IN BED.
10.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...ITS COLD!
10.55AM...NU WASHING SMALLS...NOT SURE HOW WE ARE GONNA DRY THEM.
11.30AM...WEETEABIX...CUPPA TEA.
12.10PM...SMALLS ON LINE...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE.
1.00PM...LIBRARY...NU WANTS A BOOK ON THE LOCATIONS THE USED WHEN FILMING'THE LORD OF THE RINGS' FILM.
2.30PM...WE'VE BEEN IN THE LIBRARY FOR AGES.
2.40PM...SUPERMARKET...NU NEEDS ENERGY DRINK...I NEED A BUCKET LOAD!
3.05PM...WALKING SHOPS...MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER WAS MEANT TO BE IN TODAY...NOT ARRIVED YET!
4.00PM...CINEMA...A FILM FILMED VIA HELICOPTOR DRIFTING OVER THE MOUNTAINS AND HILLS AND LAKES OF N.ZEALAND...GLASS OF WINE INCLUDED.
5.00PM...POB RESTAURANT...TREATING NU TO A MEAL WITH MY POOL COMP WINNINGS...STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD FOR ME...LAMB STEAKS/CHIPS/SALAD FOR NU.
6.00PM...OK MEAL...JUST ENOUGH TO FILL OUR LITTLE TUMMIES!
6.20PM...WALKING BACK TO LODGE.
6.30PM...DECIDED THAT WE'D HAVE 'ONE' LAST DRINK AT THE MOOSE.
9.00PM...5 DRINKS LATER...BEEN CHATTING WITH LOCALS...NU AS TAKEN A SHINE TO SMALL BOTTLES OF SPARKLING SHIRAZ 7.50 DOLLAR A TIME!
9.45PM...BACK AT LODGE AT LAST...NU GOT THE GIGGLES!

8.8.08....DAT TEN....
7.40AM...SLEPT WELL...DRINK PROBABLY HELPED?
7.55AM...KETTLE ON.
8.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.25AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...PACKING UP...THE WASHING HASN'T DRIED...NU PUTTING IT IN TUMBLE DRYER.
9.15AM...BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.45AM...WASHING DRY.
10.05AM...HANDED IN ROOM KEY.
10.15AM...PETROL STATION.
10.25AM...NEWSAGENTS...I HAVE MY PAPER.
10.40AM...NU IN CLOTH SHOP...SHE WANTS A SLEEVELESS FLEECE...SHE'S ALSO PURCHASED THE 'LORD OF THE RINGS' BOOK SHE WISHED FOR.
11.10AM...OFF WE SET FOR OTAUTAU.
11.30AM...STOPPING VIRTUALLY EVERY 10 MINS FOR NU TO TAKE PHOTO'S.
12.40PM...OTAUTAU...LOOKS GLOOMY.
1.05PM...BLUE COD AND CHIPS...DON'T KNOW WHY ITS CALLED BLUE...LOOKS WHITE TO ME.
1.40PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED VEHICLE.
2.25PM...INVERCARGILL.
2.40PM...WOOLWORTHS...NU NEEDS SOMETHING.
3.00PM...SOUTHERN COMFORT LODGE...BEAUTIFUL LOOKING HOUSE...EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL INSIDE.
3.30PM...BOOKED IN...DOUBLE ROOM.
4.00PM...WATCHING TELE...EMMERDALE!
4.35PM...PREPARING VEG FOR TONIGHTS MEAL.
5.20PM...LAMB[SLIGHTLY OVERDONE]...MASHED SPUD/CARROTS/CAULI...GLASS OF RED WINE.
6.30PM...TV NEWS...OLYMPICS START TONIGHT.
8.00PM...PHONED PAULINE...TRIED TO PHONE MOTHER.

STILL COLD.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

NZ TIMES...CONTINUED...

2008-08-08T23:07:00.000-07:00

4.8.08....DAY SIX.
7.40AM...SLEPT WELL...COULD SLEEP SOME MORE.
7.55AM...NU GONE FOR CUPS OF TEA.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BUTTERED TOASR...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...PUT OUR BELONGINGS IN STORE ROOM.
9.40AM...WALKING TO TOWN CENTRE.
10.05AM...BUDGET RENTA CAR...ABOUT 10 QUID A DAY.
10.40AM...ALL FORMS COMPLETED...GOT A GOOD DEAL BECAUSE WE ARE HIRING FOR A MONTH.
11.00AM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
12.15PM...IF WE'VE FORGOTTEN SOMETHING...IT'LL HAVE TO STAY FORGOTTEN.
12.30PM...OFF WE SET...MILFORD SOUND OUR DESTINATION...ABOUT 290K...ITS COLD.
1.00PM...MANY WINDING ROADS ALONG THE LAKE.
2.20PM...TE ANAU...SMALL TOWN...COFFEE SHOP...POST OFFICE.
2.55PM...BACK IN OUR RENTED CAR...120K STILL TO GO.
4.50PM...MILFORD SOUND...ITS COLD...VERY COLD.
5.05PM...BOOKED INTO HOTEL...NOT MUCH CHOICE...THERES ONLY ONE HERE!
5.30PM...SORTING BAGS...WE'VE GOT TO MUCH STUFF...HEAD BANGING!
6.10PM...PATE ON TOAST...GLASS OF WINE.
6.50PM...BOOKED CRUISE FOR TOMORROW...I\LL BE AN ICE-CUBE AFTER THAT!

5.8.08....DAY SEVEN...
7.10AM...NEEDA CUPPA.
7.30AM...WE HAVE TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.00AM...SHOWER.
8.25AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.05AM...FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TYRE SEMI-FLAT ON RENTED CAR...OUCH...START CAR ANYWAY...I'LL TAKE IT SLOW...ONLY A COUPLE OF KILOMETRES TO GO TO OUR DEPARTURE POINT FOR FERRY CRUISE.
9.20AM...WAITING OUTSIDE CAFE FOR SHUTTLE BUS TO FIORDLAND CRUISE.
9.30AM...ON SHUTTLE BUS.
9.30AM...CRUISE DEPARTURE LOUNGE.
9.55AM...OFF WE SET...GOSH ITS COLD!
10.15AM...CRUISING DOWN THE FIORD...AN IMMENSE PATCH OF WATER WITH CLIFFS HIGHER THAN THE CLOUDS EITHER SIDE.
10.30AM...FREE PUMPKIN SOUP...WELCOMED.
10.45AM...NU HAPPY...CAMERA IN HAND.
11.10AM...A RARE PENGUIN IS SPOTTED...A SOUTHERN FURRY ONE...WOW!
11.40AM...SEALS ARE SPOTTED...THEY LIKE TO POSE.
12.05PM...UNDERWATER OBSERVATORY...AFTER SO MANY COUNTRIES...I'VE SEEN SO MANY OBSERVATORIES...THIS IS NOT A GOOD ONE.
1.00PM...BACK ON LAND.
1.15PM...PETROL STATION...BLOWN TYRE UP.
1.35PM...BACK AT MILFORD LODGE...THIS PLACE AS NO ATMOSPHERE.
2.00PM...PREPARING CURRY BOG...NU WRITING CARDS.
2.45PM...CURRY BOG SORTED...IT TASTES OK...I'VE MADE BETTER.
3.20PM...READING IN LODGE LOUNGE.
4.00PM...STILL READING[GOSH...I BET I SOUND LIKE AN INTELLECT?...NOT!]...THINK I'M GETTING A COLD...FEEL WEAK...LIVING OUTA SUITCASES IS GETTING TO US...THIS IS OUR 14TH COUNTRY...WE HAVE BEEN IN ZEALAND 7 DAYS NOW AND WHAT I'VE SEEN...I'VE ENJOYED...PEOPLE THINK YOU ARE ON HOLIDAY...BUT ITS NOT...ITS A STRUGGLE AT TIMES...AND ITS EVEN MORE OF A STRUGGLE WHEN YOU MIGHT HAVE A COLD COMING!...I'M NOT LOOKING FOR SYMPATHY...BUT YOU KNOW I DESERVE SOME!
5.00PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM...ME AND MY GIRLIE.
5.35PM...SHOWER.
6.00PM...PICKED UP A MAGAZINE...READING ABOUT CROP SPRAYING IN COLUMBIA...WHISKEY/PEANUTS.

6.8.08....DAY EIGHT...
7.25AM...IT LOOKS COLD OUT THERE!
7.45AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...YOU DON'T HAVE TO BOIL A KETTLE...THEY HAVE BOILING HOT WATER URNS.
8.20AM...TIME GOING FAST...AND WE ARE GOING SLOW.
8.30AM...SHOWER...NEEDA SHAVE...CAN'T BE BOTHERED.
9.10AM...BACON IN A BUN...NICE CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...EVERYTHING IN THE CAR.
10.05AM...OFF WE SET.
11.00AM...MIRROR AKES...NU WITH CAMERA IN HAND...SNOW CAPPED MOUNTAINS ALL AROUND.
11.20AM...DRIVING ON.
12.20PM...BACK IN TE ANAU...SUPERMARKET...BOUGHT LAMB/SPUDS/CAULI/CARROTS...AND SNAKES...THE BEST SWEET EVER...WELL MAYBE NOT EVER!...BUT FOR NOW THEY'RE THE BEST!
1.05PM...LAKEFRONT LODGE...RECEPTION CLOSED TILL 2.00PM...OUCH!
1.30PM...PUB...SPEAKING WITH A BOTANIST CALLED MIKE...NU HAPPY CHATTING ABOUT PLANTS.
3.30PM...DEPART PUB.
4.00PM...BOOKED IN AT LODGE.
4.30PM...DECIDED NOT TO HAVE THE LAMB TONIGHT...CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO COOK...IT CAN WAIT TILL TOMORROW...HAPPY NIBBLING ON NIBBLES...CUPPA TEA...HAPPY READING.
7.00PM...ATTEMPTING TO MAKE PHONE CALLS TO ENGLAND...WELL FRUSTRATED...IT JUST WON'T HAPPEN!
7.30PM...THERES A POOL KNOCKOUT COMPETION AT THE PUB...OFF I SET...NU NOT INTERESTED.
8.00PM...SIGNED UP...THERES A 100 DOLLAR 1ST PRIZE...2ND PRIZE 50 DOLLARS.
9.00PM...PLAYING IVAN.
9.20PM...IVAN DISMISSED.
9.35PM...ANOTHER BEER...PLAYING GRANT.
9.55PM...A GAME OF MISSED CHANCES BY BOTH.
10.00PM...GUESS I GOT LUCKY...GRANT DISMISSED.
10.10PM...ANOTHER BEER...NEXT OPPONENT REEDY.
10.15PM...ITS A GOOD GAME...HE'S A GOOD PLAYER.
10.25PM...BUT NOT GOOD ENOUGH...BYE BYE REEDY!
10.40PM...THE FINAL...PLAYING WHATTO.
10.55PM...ONLY GOT THE BLACK TO POT...THE BLACK DROPS INTO THE POCKET...BUT OUCH...THE WHITE BALL ROLLS INTO ANOTHER POCKET...THE UNTHINKABLE AS HAPPENED...I'VE LOST...LIFES SO UNFAIR!
11.05PM...HANDSHAKES ALL ROUND...I DEPART WITH MY 50 DOLLARS...2ND PRIZE MONEY...OH WELL.
11.25PM...BACK WITH NU...APPALLED WITH MYSELF...2ND IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!
11.55PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.

STILL COLD.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

JUST A FEW WORDS ABOUT LITTLE OLD OZ!

2008-08-06T18:35:00.000-07:00

THERES A WHOLE LOT GREAT ABOUT OZ...ENJOYED IT ALL...SOUTH COAST EASILY THE BEST....OZ FOLK?...YOU CAN'T FAULT THEM...THEY HELPED NU AND I MORE THAN WE COULD OF HOPED FOR...THE VEGGIES AND THE MEAT ARE LOADS BETTER THAN THE ENGLISH EQUILAVANT...SUNSETS TO DIE FOR...SCENERY UNBELIEVABLE...I GREAT PLACE TO COME...TO LIVE?...I THINK NOT!...PRICES ARE HIGH...PUB ATMOSEPHERE IS DIRE...THERS A LOTTA JEALOUSY TOWARDS THE ENGLISH...THEY WON'T ADMIT IT...BUT YOU CAN SEE IT...YOU FEEL IT...THE OZZIES WORSHIP THERE COUNTRY AND ARE BLIND TO ITS FAULTS...THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY...THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH IMMAGRATION...THEY HAVE A BIG PROBLEM WITH STREET CRIME...THE TAXES ARE WELL HIGH...THEY SAY ITS THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH TO LIVE...BUT THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS WE HAVE...WE,THE ENGLISH ADMIT OUR FAULTS...THE OZZIES SHY AWAY FROM THEM...THEY LIVE IN OK BUNGALOWS WITH A FAIR PATCH OF LAND...BUT THERES SO MUCH LAND ITS WORTHLESS!...DID YOU KNOW?...[NO JOKE]...80% OF EX-PATS ARE RETURNING TO THE UK...NEVER LOOK FURTHER THAN THE UK...ITS THE PLACE TO BE!.....Ps.57% OF THE BEACHES IN OZ ARE NO GO...ANOTHER 25% ARE OUTA BOUNDS AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE YEAR...MAINLY BECAUSE CERTAIN CREATURES MAY LIKE TO HAVE A TASTY?...NIBBLE!...ALSO DID YOU?...THE OLDEST VEG IN THE WORLD IS THE PEA!...I READ IT ON A PACK OF CRISPS...THAT GIVE YOU A BIT OF TRIVIA!...EXCITING HEY?

NEW ZEALAND TIMES....THE START.

30.7.08...DAY ONE.
1.00AM...ATTEMPTING TO SLEEP...BIT OF TURBULENCE.
2.30AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
5.00AM...COMING INTO LAND...THINK I SLEPT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.
6.00AM...CUPPA COFFEE AT AIRPORT CAFE.
7.00AM...NU PHONING LAURA...I'M TIRED...NEED TO SLEEP.
8.00AM...SECURITY/CUSTOMS/DUTY FREE...BOUGHT BOTTLE OF WILD TURKEY AND A BOTTLE OF BACARDI FOR NU.
8.25AM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE BAR...BEER...NU FALLING ASLEEP.
9.10AM...THE CALL COMES OVER ON THE TANNOY FOR OUR FLIGHT.
9.30AM...SITTING ON PLANE...WELL WEARY.
9.45AM...TAKE OFF.
10.30AM...ASLEEP.
12.30PM...BACK IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING.
3.00PM...COMING INTO LAND...THE FLIGHT WAS ONLY 3 HOURS...BUT ZEALAND ADDS ANOTHER 3 HOURS...IS THAT 3 HOURS MORE OF LIFE...OR 3 HOURS LESS?
3.20PM...TOUCH DOWN SUCCESSFUL.
3.50PM...SECURITY CHECK/PASSPORT CONTROL...NU BECAUSE SHE AS AN IRISH PASSPORT ONLY GETS 3 MONTHS...I,BEING ENGLISH GET 6!
4.20PM...ON BUS TO CHRISTCHURCH CENTRE...COLD AND RAINY...OUR FIRST GLIMPSE OF ZEALAND.
5.15PM...STONEYHURST HOTEL/HOSTEL.
5.30PM...IN OUR WARM ENSUITE ROOM WITH AN ELECTRIC BLANKET!
6.15PM...FEELING HUNGRY...NEED FOOD...YOU USUALLY DO WHEN YOU ARE HUNGRY!
7.10PM...VIC AND WHALE STEAK HOUSE...IF I CAN EAT A 1kg STEAK!...PLUS CHIPS[LOADS]...PLUS MUSHROOMS AND SALAD...I AM REWARDED WITH A T-SHIRT...WITH A PRINT SAYING I COMPLETED THE CHALLENGE!...NU HAVING A 250 gramme STEAK...SHE'S SENSIBLE...I'M MAD!
7.40PM...HERE WE GO...GOSH ITS FAT AND WIDE AND LONG...AND THERES HALF A TON OF SPUD TO GO WITH IT...SALAD LOOKS TASTY!
8.10PM...I'M DEFEATED...I'M FAT...I KNEW THAT BEFORE I STARTED...I NEVER WANNA SEE ANOTHER STEAK IN MY LIFE!
9.00PM...BACK IN OUR ROOM...NU'S FALLEN ASLEEP...I'M WATCHING 'BLOOD DIAMOND'...I'VE SEEN IT BEFORE...IT'S A GOOD FILM...I SHOULD SLEEP...BUT CAN'T SEEM TO CLOSE MY EYES...GUESS I FEEL IT IN THE MORNING.

31.7.08...DAY TWO.
10.00AM...COULD SLEEP FOREVER...BUT I'M THIRSTY AND HUNGRY!...AFTER THAT STEAK LAST NIGHT...I DON'T KNOW HOW!
10.20AM...UNWASHED AND SLIGHTLY DAZED I GO DOWN STAIRS.
10.35AM...BACK WITH NU IN ROOM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
11.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
12.05PM...BREAKFAST/EARLY LUNCH?...TWO FRIED EGG ON TOAST AT THE CAFE ON THE CORNER.
12.50PM...TOFFS...BOUGHT A NEW BELT...NU'S GOT SCARF AND GLOVES.
1.45PM...BACK AT HOTEL...PHONED COMPANY ABOUT RELOCATION DEALS...THEY HAVE A CAMPER VAN THEY NEED DELIVERING TO QUEENSTOWN.
2.35PM...IN INTERNET CAFE PRINTING OUT THE DETAILS FOR VAN DELIVERY.
4.00PM...BACK AT HOTEL...IT'S TO COLD TO STAY OUT LONG...PICKING UP RELOCATION VAN TOMORROW AT 10.00AM.
4.40PM...BETTER TRY A DROP OF THE OL'WILD TURKEY[WHISKEY].
5.20PM...HAVING A STROLL ROUND.
5.50PM...SPEAKING WITH A YOUNG COUPLE FROM ESSEX.
6.10PM...HAVING A GAME OF POOL.
6.45PM...NU AS COME TO FIND ME.
7.00PM...HAVING A CHAT WITH AMY AND LEE[ESSEX]...THEY HAVE A VAN TO SELL...OUCH!
7.50PM...CHICKEN SOUP AND BREAD...WENT DOWN WELL.
8.30PM...BACK WAFFERLING WITH LEE AND AMY...BACARDI AND WHISKEY TO THE FORE.
11.00PM...SLEEPY EYED...TIME TO RETIRE.

1.8.08...DAY THREE.
7.00AM...STILL FEELING JET LAGGED...IS THAT AN EXCUSE FOR LAZINESS?
7.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
7.50AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA.
8.20AM...TOAST.
8.55AM...ALL PACKED UP...AMY AND LEE HAVE KINDLY OFFERED TO GIVE US A LIFT IN THERE VAN TO THE VAN RELOCATION CENTRE.
9.15AM...ON THE WAY TO VAN DEPOT...ITS NEAR THE AIRPORT.
10.00AM...I DON'T THINK ITS AS GOOD A DEAL AS I THOUGHT...BUT THEY TOOK 100 DOLLAR VIA THE CREDIT CARD OVER THE PHONE AND IF WE DON'T DELIVER...WE LOSE THE 100 DOLLAR...OUCH.
10.40AM...GOING THRU THE PAPERWORK...RULESW/REGULATIONS.
11.20AM...OFF WE SET...I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS...550K AHEAD TO QUEENSTOWN...GOTTA DELIVER IT BY 3.00PM TOMORROW...THATS ONLY 29 HOURS...THEY INITIALLY SAID 2 DAYS...I THOUGHT THAT WAS 48 HOURS!
12.40PM...GERALDINE TOWN...SLEEP PLACE.
2.10PM...LAKE TEKAPO...BEAUTIFUL SCENERY.
3.30PM...A TOWN CALLED'TWIZEL'...WE ARE HITTING THE SNOW...TAKING IT SLOW.
4.00PM...LINDOSS PASS...SNOW HEAPED UP...SKY DARKENING...ROAD TWISTY.
6.00PM...CROMWELL...THATS IT FOR TODAY...ABOUT 50K TO QUEENSTOWN.
6.20PM...KEBAB AND CHIPS.
6.50PM...CAMPSITE.
7.30PM...TIRED FROM CONCERNTRATING...DIDN'T ENJOY THE DRIVE...THE ROADS ARE NOT THE BEST...ITS UP HILL AND DOWN THE NEXT.
8.30PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.

2.8.08...DAY FOUR.
7.00AM...SLEPT WELL...KINDA CRUMPLED.
7.20AM...KETTLE ON.
7.35AM...CUPPA TEA...NOT SURE ABOUT THESE T-BAGS...THEY WERE CHEAPO'S.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...BACON/EGG/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.10AM...I THINK WE'RE READY.
10.25AM...OFF WE SET.
11.50AM...QUEENSTOWN.
12.05PM...PRICES ARE HIGH HERE...ITS SKI SEASON.
1.00PM...BUNGI HOSTEL...DOUBLE ROOM...IT'LL DO.
2.00PM...DRIVING TO AIRPORT TO DROP VAN OFF.
2.25PM...AIRPORT...EVERYTHING IN ORDER.
2.35PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT RENTING A CAR.
2.50PM...WE THINK WE HAVE GOT AN OK DEAL...NEED THE CAR FOR A MONTH...GONNA THINK ABOUT IT FOR 24 HOURS.
3.20PM...BUS BACK TO TOWN CENTRE.
3.45PM...WALKING SHOPS.
4.00PM,..NU AS NEW SOCKS[BIT FANCY]...PLUS POSTCARDS AND STAMPS.
4.35PM...PIG AND WHISTLE...THIRSTY WORK SEEING THE WORLD!
5.20PM...HEARD ITS HAPPY HOUR AT 'THE BRAZZ'...ONLY 10 YARDS ACROSS THE ROAD.
6.05PM...ORDERED STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...THE OTHER NIGHT AFTER THAT 1kg STEAK...I DIDN'T WANNA SEE ANOTHER SLAB OF BEEF...I'M A FUNNY OLD BEAN!
6.40PM...WONDERFUL STEAK...CAME WITH CHIPS AND A NUT SALAD?...DIFFERENT!
7.30PM...IT'S A FAIR WALK TO OUR ABODE...THERES A STEEP HILL IN FRONT.
7.55PM...TV ROOM...ALL BLACKS VERSUS OZ[RUGBY].
9.30PM...ALL BLACKS WIN 34-10.
10.10PM...CHATTING WITH OTHERS...WHISKEY GETTING LOW.

3.8.08...DAY FIVE.
9.55AM...WE'VE SLEPT WELL...NEEDED IT.
10.15AM...TWO CUPS OF TEA...HOT WATER STRAIGHT FROM A HOT WATER URN.
10.35AM...DISCUSSING OUR NEXT MOVE...WE'VE AGREED WE WILL RENT A CAR.
11.00AM...KITCHEN CLOSED TO NOON...LOOKS LIKE ITS GONNA BE A LATE,LATE BREAKFAST.
11.40AM...PHONED CAR RENTAL COMPANY...TOLD THEM WE WISH TO DO BUSINESS...WILL PICK CAR UP TOMORROW.
12.15PM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
1.00PM...NU NOT FEELING GOOD...THE TABLETS WE GOT IN OZ ARE NOT THE SAME AS SHE HAD BEFORE...SHE'S GONE FOR A LIE DOWN.
2.00PM...I WALK INTO TOWN...NEED A FEW ITEMS...THIS PLACE IS BASICALLY FOR SKIERS...THE PLACE IS FULL OF RICH KIDS...AND THOUGHS THAT ARE NOT SO FORTUNATE WORK THE BARS AND RESTAURANTS.
2.55PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK...MY MINDS GONE BLANK...CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT ELSE WE NEEDED.
3.30PM...PUB...PIG AND WHISTLE...THEY SELL PINTS OF BITTER HERE...THERES A LOT OF ENGLISHNESS IN ZEALAND...WHAT I'VE SEEN I LIKE...I WANNA LIKE IT MORE.
3.50PM...THE FIRST PINT QUICKLY DEVOURED...BETTER HAVE ANOTHER...ITS SO MUCH CHEAPER THAN OZ.
5.00PM...BACK AT SUPERMARKET...I'VE REMEMBERED WHAT WE NEED.
5.25PM...WALKING BACK TO HOSTEL.
5.50PM...BACK WITH NU.
6.15PM...COOKING.
6.50PM...TASY MEAL...PORK/CARROTS/SPUD.
7.30PM...TIME TO RELAX.

COLD.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA....A BIT MORE OF THE LAST...

2008-08-02T19:44:00.000-07:00

26.7.08.
9.00AM...OUCH...ITS SATURDAY...J'N'L ARE ALREADY UP...WE ARE STILL IN BED!
9.15AM...MORNING JOHN...MORNING LORRAINE.
9.30AM...KETTLE ON.
9.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...J'N'L MAY HAVE HAD A TIFF...APPARENTLY WE MAY ARE GOING TO MACDONALDS FOR BREAKFAST!
11.00AM...OFF WE GO...4 OF US IN THERE 4X4.
11.20AM...MACDONALDS.
11.35AM...NU AND I TUCK IN TO OUR BREAKIE ROLLS + COFFEE...THE TASTE?...I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE INVENTED A WORD FOR IT YET!
12.10PM...BACK IN 4X4...FREEMANTLE FISH MARKET NEXT ETC.
1.05PM...PARKED UP IN FREEMANTLE...WEATHER PLEASANT.
1.30PM...FISH MARKET...JOHN SAYS THE FISH IS TO EXPENSIVE HERE.
1.50PM...WALKING SHOPS.
2.20PM...BEST FOR LESS...A CHEAP OK CLOTHING OUTLET.
2.40PM...I HAVE NEW JEANS...NU AS NEW TOPS.
2.55PM...PUB...THEY SELL NEWCASTLE BROWN ALE HERE...I SMILE.
3.50PM...BACK IN 4X4...WE ARE GOING TO ANOTHER FISH MARKET[CAROUSEL].
4.40PM...CAROUSEL FISH MARKET...PRICES LOOK DEAR TO ME...I SAID I'D BUY THE FISH...FISHFINGERS WOULD DO NU AND I!
5.05PM...I HAVE 2 KILO OF FRESH BANANA PRAWNS...25 POUND STERLING WORTH!
5.30PM...IN WOOLWORTH SUPERMARKET...JOHN BUYING STEAK FOR TONIGHT...THE FISH IS FOR TOMORROW.
6.10PM...BACK IN 4X4...NEXT STOP WINERY.
6.35PM...WINERY...JOHN IS KEEN TO INTRODUCE ME TO 'JADRAN' GINGER WINE...ONE TASTE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME...I BUY A BOTTLE OF ROSE...NU AS A BOTTLE OF SPARKLING SHIRAZ.
7.05PM...BACK IN 4X4.
7.30PM...BACK AT OUR ABODE...WEARY.
8.10PM...STEAK/HONEY SPUDS/PEPPERS/ONIONS...TASTED GOOD.
8.40PM...STRAWBERRIES/ICECREAM...TASTED GOODIER!...NU AND I ARE FULL!
9.10PM...VIDEO...THE FASTEST INDIAN STARRING ANTHONY HOPKINS...TRUE STORY...WELL WORTH A LOOK.
11.00PM...TIME FOR BED...ITS BEEN A FULL/LONG DAY...AN ENJOYABLE DAY.

27.7.08.
8.35AM...DON'T WANNA GET UP...RAIN POURING DOWN...IT FEELS COLD OUT THERE.
8.50AM...MORNING LORRAINE...JOHNS GONE TO WORK...ITS SUNDAY...OH...MUST BE OVERTIME.
9.00AM...KETTLE ON.
9.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.10AM...WEETABIX...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.00AM...SINCE WE HAVE SOLD THE VAN...WE CAN DEPART OZ EARLIER...SO I AM ON THE COMPUTER...HOPEFULLY I CAN CHANGE THE DATES...MIGHT COST A BIT...UNSURE...ITS DOING MY HEAD IN.
11.20AM...SPEAKING WITH LADY ON PHONE ABOUT CHANGING OUR FLYING DATE.
11.35AM...ITS OK TO CHANGE DATES...BUT ITS CHEAPER TO DO IT ON LINE VIA THE NET...THE LADY ON THE PHONE IS PATIENTLY TALKING ME THRU WHAT I HAVE TO DO...SHE'S EVER SO NICE...PROBABLY GOT THE HOTS FOR ME!
11.55AM...WE HAVE NEW TICKETS...WE NOW FLY ON THE 30.7.08...HOORAY!
12.10PM...JOHN RETURNS FRO HIS SUNDAY MORNING WORK.
12.30PM...I'M BACK ON THE COMPUTER...SEARCHING FOR TICKETS FROM NEW ZEALAND TO ENGLAND.
1.00PM...ALL SORTED...FLY OUTA AUCKLAND ON THE 29TH OCT...SO WE'LL BE BACK HOME FOR THE BEGINNING OF NOVEMBER...THIS WAS MEANT TO BE A TWO YEAR STINT...BUT IT'LL HAVE ONLY TAKEN US 14 MONTHS!
2.30PM...TIME TO EAT...BANANA PRAWNS AND SPINACH SALAD!...ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!
3.20PM...WATCHING VIDEO...CITIZEN X...A TRUE FILM ABOUT A RUSSIAN SERIAL KILLER.
5.00PM...FRIENDS OF J'N'L TURN UP...THEY SEEM TO LAUGH AT ANYTHING.
6.00PM...JOHNS SON IN LAW SHOWS UP...WITH MARRAN...CRAYFISH HE AS JUST CAUGHT...IN THE POT THEY GO!
6.20PM...NU AND I ARE NOW EATING MARRAN...FRESHER THAN FRESH...DEADER THAN DEAD...NOT ALOT OF TASTE TO THEM.
7.30PM...WATCHING ANOTHER VIDEO...BUT I'M BORED.
7.50PM...TOM TEXTED ME...WANTS ME TO PHONE HIM.
8.10PM...TALKING WITH TOM.
9.00PM...MISSED THE FILM...THATS OK!
10.10PM...READY FOR BED.

28.7.08.
8.10AM...MONDAY AS ARRIVED.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.05AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.55AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.15AM...RAIN LASHING DOWN...NEED TO GET TO POSTOFFICE...GOTTA PARCEL TO SEND.
11.00AM...PREPARING VEGGIES FOR TONIGHTS MEAL.
12.15PM...RAIN AS STOPPED...NU NOT COMING...GOTTA GO TO POSTOFFICE ON MY OWN...UMBRELLA IN HAND...RUCKSACK ON MY BACK.
1.00PM...FOUND POSTOFFICE.
1.10PM...SPOKE WITH LADY AT COUNTER...SHE POINTS TO A BOX...PLUS I HAVE TO FILL IN A FORM DESCRIBING WHAT IS IN THE BOX.
1.25PM...FILLING IN BOX...PACKING PARCEL.
1.40PM...JOIN QUEUE FOR COUNTER AGAIN.
1.45PM...HAVE NOT FILLED FORM IN CORRECTLY...SENT TO THE BACK OF THE QUEUE.
1.55PM...MADE IT TO THE FRONT OF THE QUEUE AGAIN...THIRD TIME LUCKY?
2.05PM...ALL SORTED...COST A PACKET.
2.15PM...OFF I SET FOR THE PHARMACY AND SUPERMARKET...RAIN POURING DOWN...BROLLY UP.
2.40PM...PHARMACY...GOTTA GET NU'S TABLETS.
2.50PM...NO PROBLEM SAYS THE GIRL BEHIND THE COUNTER...47 DOLLARS A BOX.
3.00PM...I START WALKING TO THE SUPERMARKET...HOLD ON A MINUTE I THOUGHT...THATS A BIT EXPENSIVE.
3.10PM...I SPOT ANOTHER PHARMACY AND DECIDE TO ENQUIRE ABOUT THE PRICE THERE...I'VE BEEN DONE...IT'S 16 DOLLAR CHEAPER HERE!
3.20PM...I'M ON MY WAY BACK TO THE FIRST PHARMACY...I WANT MY MONEY BACK.
3.35PM...EXPLAINING PRICE DIFFERENCE TO GIRL AT FIRST PHARMACY.
3.40PM...SHE UNSMILINGLY GIVES ME MY MONEY BACK.
4.00PM...BACK AT SECOND PHARMACY.
4.10PM...ALL SORTED...31 DOLLAR A BOX.
4.20PM...SUPERMARKET...GOTTA GET CAULI/PORK/SPUD AND BREAD.
4.45PM...WALKING BACK.
5.20PM...BACK WITH NU...SHATTERED...FEEL WET AND SWEATY...NEEDA CUPPA.
5.40PM...IN THE SHOWER.
6.30PM...CHICKEN/SPUD/PEAS.
7.40PM...BACARDI AND COKE.
8.30PM...WATCHING TELE.

29.7.08.
8.40AM...THIS IS GONNA BE A LONG DAY.
8.55AM...KETTLE ON.
9.10AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...WEETABIX...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.00AM...GOTTA GO APACKIN'...NEW CASE ON WHEELS PLUS RUCKSACK.
11.20AM...EVERYTHING IS STREWN...NOT EASY TO KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN.
11.40AM...CUPPA COFFEE.
12.10PM...WE'VE MANAGED TO GET IT ALL IN?...NO WE HAVEN'T!....TWO PAIR OF SHOES...DAMN!...HOW DID WE MISS THEM?
12.30PM...EVERYTHING COMING OUT.
1.00PM...BEANS/MUSHROOMS/BACON IN A DISH!...NU'S RECIPE!
1.40PM...REPACKING.
2.05PM...SHOWER.
2.50PM...EVERYTHING IN...INCLUDIND SHOES...NU WORRIED THAT THE CASE IS TO HEAVY.
3.15PM...READING.
4.10PM...JOHN RETURNS FROM WORK.
4.30PM...LORRAINE RETURNS FROM WORK.
6.00PM...PORK CAULIFLOWER CHEESE STIRFRY...ITS AN OZ DISH...TASTED OK.
6.35PM...PEARS AND ICECREAM...YUMMY.
7.00PM...WATCHING TV NEWS.
8.00PM...JOHN TAKING US TO THE AIRPORT...STILL RAINING.
8.25PM...AIRPORT.
8.45PM...TICKET DESK/CHECK IN.
9.10PM...SECURITY CHECK.
9.35PM...TRIED TO PHONE JEANIE...NO LUCK...PHONED PAULINE.
10.10PM...AIRPORT BAR...BOUGHT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
11.30PM...CALL TO BOARD.
11.50PM...SEATED ON PLANE.
12.10AM...IN THE AIR.

PHEW!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSRALIA...SEVENTEENTH...IS THIS THE LAST OF MANY?

2008-07-28T18:57:00.000-07:00

12.7.08.
8.30AM...SUN PEEPING THRU THE GAP IN THE CURTAINS.
8.45AM...KETTLE ON.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.05AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...SITTING BESIDE VAN...ITS A HOT DAY...WITH A BREEZE...ATTEMPTING TO READ THE PAPER...BUT NOT COMFORTABLE...MANY FELLOW CAMPERS STOP TO SAY HELLO...YOU HAVE VIRTUALLY THE SAME CONVERSATION WITH EACH OF THEM.
1.30PM...GOING FOR A GAME OF POOL...NEED TO RELAX...POOL RELAXS ME.
3.00PM...BACK WITH NU...I AM HUNGRY...SHE'S ALREADY MADE ME A CHEESE/ONION SANDWICH...NICE SURPRISE FROM A WONDERFUL PERSON!
4.00PM...THE BREEZE AS DIED...EASIER TO READ MY PAPER NOW.
5.30PM...PORK/CAULI/SPUD...I'M GETTING FAIRLY GOOD ON THE BBQ NOW...ONCE SOMEONE AS SPARKED IT FOR ME!
6.35PM...WATCHING TELE...ITS 'YOU'VE BEEN FRAMED' OZ STYLE...WAITING FOR THE NEWS AT 7.00PM.
8.00PM...BACK AT VAN.

13.7.08.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.40AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.30AM...TIDYING VAN...WE'VE LIVED IN THIS SPACE FOR 5 MONTHS...I WONDER HOW!
11.50AM...WALKING TO BEACH.
12.20PM...BEACH...PEBBLY...NOT INVITING.
12.50PM...HARBOUR...THE STENCH OF DEAD FISH FROM THIS MORNINGS CATCH...NOT VERY INVITING.
1.10PM...WALKING TO PUB/RESTAURANT.
2.10PM...PRAWNS AND CHIPS...TASTES OK...COULD HAVE DONE WITHA FEW MORE PRAWNS...EXPENSIVE LITTLE THINGS.
3.40PM...BACK AT VAN...BIT BORED.
5.10PM...BEANS ON TOAST...SOMETIMES BEANS ON TOAST IS ALL YOU NEED...OTHER TIMES YOU WANT SOMETHING THAT IS GONNA BLOW YOUR TASTE BUDS AWAY...SOMETIMES THE SIMPLE THINGS DO...THATS WHAT NU SAYS...SOMETIMES I WONDER IF SHE'S TALKING ABOUT ME!
6.30PM...TV ROOM...PROGRAMME ABOUT J K ROWLING.
7.30PM...NEWS.
8.00PM...VICAR OF DIBLEY.
9.05PM...BACK IN OUR SMALL SPACE...COSY?

14.7.08.
7.20AM...GONNA MAKE A MOVE TODAY...GONNA SAY GOODBYE TO PIONT SAMSON...I'VE ENJOYED MY STAY HERE AND WOULD RECOMMEND A VISIT...NOT A LOT TO DO HERE...ITS CLEAN AND TIDY...AND I DID GET TO RELAX.
7.30AM...KETTLE ON.
7.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.05AM...SHOWER.
8.35AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...I THINK WE'RE READY.
9.20AM...TURNED IGNITION KEY...BATTERY FLAT...NO REAL SURPRISE.
9.35AM...OZ CHAP WITH'MAGIC BOOST BOX' GIVES US A BOOST [US MEANING VAN]...VAN STARTS UP.
10.10AM...KARATHEA...BOUGHT NEW BATTERY...GARAGE CHAP AS HARD TIME GETTING OLD ONE OUT...AND EQUALLY PUTTING THE NEW ONE IN.
10.50AM...OFF WE SET...MANY MILES AHEAD OF US.
12.20PM...STOPPED FOR PETROL.
2.20PM...TURNING OFF MAIN HIGHWAY...SIGN SAYS 114K TO EXMOUTH[YAWN].
4.00PM...EXMOUTH CAMPSITE...ITS SCHOOL HOLIDAY TIME SO THE SITE IS PACKED...WE SET UP ON THE OVERFLOW SITE...A FAIR WALK FROM THE FACILITIES...NU AND I WOULD PREFER TO BE CLOSER...INCASE WE GET CAUGHT SHORT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!
5.40PM...PORK/CABBAGE/SPUD...AN ENJOYABLE MEAL.
6.30PM...SITTING OUTSIDE VAN...DAYLIGHT AS GONE...HOOKED UP OUTSIDE LIGHT.
7.00PM...TIME FOR A GLASS OF WINE.

15.7.08.
8.10AM...HAVE DECIDED WE DON'T LIKE THIS SITE...TO MANY CHILDREN...BUT WE'VE BOOKED 4 NIGHTS!
8.25AM...KETTLE ON.
8.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.50AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.20AM...WALKING INTO TOWN.
12.05PM...SUPERMARKET.
12.55PM...PUB...NU READING ABOUT TOURS...SHE WANTS TO GO OUT ON THE REEF FOR HER BIRTHDAY...[17TH].
3.00PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
3.10PM...NU PHONING TO BOOK A TOUR.
4.00PM...PORK/CABBAGE/SPUD...AGAIN!
5.30PM...SITTING BESIDE VAN...TWIDDLING MY THUMBS.

16.7.08.
8.40AM...UP WE GET.
8.50AM...KETTLE ON.
9.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.00AM...BACON/EGG ON TOAST...THE BREAD IS ONLY GOOD FOR TOASTING...THE TOASTER BURNS THE BREAD WHATEVER SETTING YOU HAVE IT ON...THE WHOLE SANSWICH TASTED BURNT!
11.00AM...WALKING TO BEACH.
11.50AM...AT LONG LAST WE HAVE FOUND THE BEACH...WE WERE TOLD/THOUGHT IT WAS A ONLY A SHORT WALK[SUPPOSE IT DEPENDS ON HOW LONG YOUR LEGS ARE]...NOW WE ARE HERE...WE WISH WE HADN'T BOTHERED...IT'S ONE OF THE WORSE BEACHES WE HAVE SEEN...AFTER 10 MINS WE DECIDE TO WALK BACK TO CAMP.
1.10PM...BY CAMPSITE POOL...THERES A FEW CHILDREN...NOT AS MANY AS WE IMAGINED...NU HAPPILY READING...I'M HAPPILY FIDGETING?
2.00PM...I WALK INTO TOWN...HOPEFULLY THEY MAY HAVE MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.40PM...NEWSAGENTS...YIPPEE...I HAVE MY PAPER.
3.20PM...BACK AT POOLSIDE...HAPPILY/UNHAPPILY READING THE GOOD AND BAD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THE UK...THERE TENDS TO BE MORE BAD THAN GOOD...I DON'T CARE...I MISS ENGLAND.
5.00PM...BEANS ON TOAST[KEPT MY EYE ON THE TOASTER...THESE ARE THE LAST 4 SLICES...IT ISN'T GONNA GET THE BETTER OF ME AGAIN!]...PLUS MUSHROOMS AND FRIED EGG...WONDERFUL!
6.00PM...SITTING COMFORTABLE IN CAMP KITCHEN...CARTON OF WINE...SO ALLS OK.
7.40PM...PHONED WILLIAM...THE FIRST TIME I HAVE SPOKEN TO HIM SINCE HE AS BEEN BACK IN THE UK.
8.30PM...HEADING BACK TO VAN.
9.30PM...ANOTHER DAY OVER.

17.7.08.
7.30AM...NU'S BIRTHDAY...NU GOING ON SNORKEL AND WHALE WATCHING TRIP.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.50AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
9.15AM...NU'S READY FOR THE REEF.
9.25AM...WAITING FOR MINIBUS.
9.30AM...MINIBUS ARRIVES...BUT NOT GOOD NEWS...TRIP CANCELLED DUE TO TIDE/WEATHER.
9.40AM...NU IN TEARS.
10.30AM...NU BY POOL...OH WELL WHAT WILL BE WILL BE.
11.30AM...I WALKED INTO TOWN...BOOKED A TABLE FOR TWO AT'WHALERS'...BEST REASTAURANT IN TOWN SO I'VE BEEN TOLD?
1.00PM...BACK WITH NU...BOTTLE OF BACARDI IN HAND...SHE SAYS SHE'D PREFER A BEER AND CHEESE AND CRACKERS...OH!
1.30PM...NU AS HER WISH...SHE SMILES.
2.00PM...NU HAPPY BY POOL...I'M OFF TO DO CURRY BOG...ITS NOT FOR TODAY...I'M JUST GONNA COOK IT AND CARTON IT...SO HOW MEALS ARE READY FOR THE NEXT TWO DAYS...ONLY NEED TO WARM IT THRU.
4.00PM...TOLD NU ABOUT REATAURANT...SHE'S UNSURE WHETHER SHE WANTS TO GO...SHE'S A FUNNY DEVIL AT TIMES!
5.00PM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
5.40PM...OFF WE SET...ABOUT 1K TO WALK.
6.15PM...SITTING IN RESTAURANT...NU EYEING PRICES.
6.30PM...ORDERED FISH PLATTER...BOTTLE OF YELLOW GLEN BUBBLY.
7.20PM...MEAL FINALLY APPEARS...THEY ARE A BIT SLOW HERE...THEN AGAIN THE PLACE IS PACKED...RED SNAPPER/CALAMARI/CRABS/KING PRAWNS/TIGER PRAWNS/OYSTERS AND BUGS!...DO NOT COME TO OZ...I REPEAT DO NOT COME TO OZ AND NOT HAVE BUGS...THEY ARE THE BEST TASTING FISH OUT...SERVED WITH SALAD AND CHIPS.
7.55PM...WONDERFUL MEAL...BUBBLY WAS GOOD TOO...THE BUGS WERE AWESOME!
8.15PM...DESSERT...BANANA FUDGE CAKE IN KAHLUA CREAM...I WANNA GET FAT...GOSH!...I ALREADY AM!
8.40PM...IRISH WHISKEY COFFEE.
9.15PM...DEPARTING RESTAURANY...NU FULL AND HAPPY...AND IF NU IS HAPPY...I'M VERY HAPPY.
10.00PM...HEAD ON PILLOW...TOUGH DAY...BUT ALAS A HAPPY ENDING!...HAPPY BIRTHDAY NU...NU SNORING...OH...IT WAS BIRTHDAY PRESSIE TIME!...SHE'LL HAVE TO WAIT TILL TOMORROW...I THINK THOSE OYSTERS ARE WORKING...I THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY A MYTH...I'LL WAKE HER AT ONE MINUTE PAST MIDNIGHT!

18.7.08.
7.00AM...GONNA GET MOVING TODAY...OFF TO CORAL BAY.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.40AM...SHOWER.
8.05AM...READY STEADY HERE WE GO...BLEARY EYED.
8.10AM...VAN STARTS OK...NEW BATTERY DOING THE JOB.
8.30AM...SKY GREY...DRIZZLE IN THE AIR.
9.05AM...TUMMY RUMBLING...NEED FOOD.
9.50AM...CORAL BAY...SUN TRYING TO BREAK THRU.
10.05AM...BOOKED ONTO CAMPSITE...BUT CAN'T TAKE UP PITCH TILL 10.30AM.
10.20AM...MET TWO OZZIES WHO ARE TAKING SAME ROUTE AS US.
10.50AM...PERUSING SMALL SHOPPING ARCADE...NEED BREAD AND STAMPS.
11.20AM...SETTING UP CAMP.
11.50AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH[FOOD AT LAST]...CUPPA TEA.
1.30PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT SNORKEL/WHALE WATCHING TRIP...PRICEY...BUT THIS IS CORAL BAY...ITS WHERE THE WEALTHY COME...AND WE ARE SOME WHAT NOT...NU GOING ON HER OWN...I'VE SEEN ENOUGH FISH.
3.00PM...BEACH...ITS HOT.
5.20PM...CAMP KITCHEN...IT'S CURRY BOG TIME.
5.30PM...SPAGHETTI BOILING...CURRY BOG IN MICROWAVE...CARTON OF WINE NEARBY.
5.55PM...ABSOLUTELY AWESOME CURRY BOG...I SHOULD MARKET IT!
6.20PM...CHATTING WITH THREE AUSTRIAN SISTERS...YOU TEND NOT TO MEET TO MANY AUSTRIANS...THEY ARE NOT A TRAVELLING SOCIETY.
8.00PM...SITTING BESIDE VAN IN THE WARM EVENING BREEZE...CARTON OF WINE NEVER ENDING.

19.7.08.
7.00AM...ALARM.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.40AM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER...I'M MAKING SANDWICHES FOR HER WHALE WATCHING TRIP...IT'S LIKE MAKING A KIDS LUNCH BOX FOR SCHOOL OUTINGS...BAG OF CRISPS/BOTTLE OF POP ETC!
8.15AM...WALKING TO DEPARTURE POINT.
8.30AM...NU TRYING ON HER WET SUIT.
8.45AM...NU ALL KITTED OUT...FLIPPERS/GOGGLES ETC...MANTA-RAYS BEWARE!
9.00AM...I WAVE HER GOODBYE...I DO HOPE SHE AS A GOOD TIME...SHE SO DESERVES IT...SHE WAS SO UPSET WHEN THE LAST ONE WAS CANCELLED.
9.30AM...I'M OFF FOR A SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.10AM...BACON SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...CLEANED INSIDE OF VAN.
12.20PM...PUB...WANTED A GAME OF POOL...BUT NO ONE PLAYING.
1.00PM...JUST LOOKED IN MIRROR...NEED A HAIR CUT...BADLY!
2.00PM...NU'S RETURNED EARLY...SHE'S HAD A SNORKEL...BUT DIDN'T SEE ANY MANTA-RAYS OR WHALES...SHE SAYS SHE'S NOT THAT DISAPPOINTED...BUT I KNOW SHE IS...70 QUID SPENT...NOT GOOD ENOUGH...SHOULD GET THE MONEY MAKE OR SOME OF IT AT LEAST!
3.00PM...POPPED TO SUPERMARKET...STEAK/CARROTS/SPUDS.
4.00PM...CAMP KITCHEN.
4.30PM...WONDERFUL STEAK...CARROTS AND SPUD OK.
5.20PM...WALKED TO THE PUB.
6.00PM...WATCHING OZ VERSUS S.AFRICA RUGBY ON TELE.
7.40PM...OZ WON 16-9...WELL WATCHABLE...BUT I THINK THE REF WAS AN OZ!
8.00PM...BACK AT VAN SIDE.
8.20PM...FEEL PECKISH.
8.50PM...FISH AND CHIPS...THE WORST FISH AND CHIPS I HAVE EVER HAD...BINNED'EM!

20.7.08
7.00AM...TIME TO MOVE...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL.
7.10AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...PACKING UP.
8.30AM...READY TO ROLL.
10.40AM...STOPPED TO MAKE A CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...PLUS HAD A CUPPA COFFEE FROM OUR FLASK.
12.10PM...CARNARVAN SHOPPING CENTRE...NEED A LEG STRETCH...EGGS AND BREAD REQUIRED.
1.00PM...BACK ON ROAD...119K TO WORRAMEL CAMPSITE.
1.30PM...THE SUN IS HOT[THE SUN USUAL IS!]...COUPLED WITH A GUSTY WIND...LOADSA DEAD KANGAROOS.
2.45PM...WORRAMEL CAMPSITE...LOOKS OK...BOOKED IN.
3.30PM...PHONE JEAN AND PAULINE.
4.30PM...CURRY BOG...AWESOME!
5.40PM...BACARDI AND COKE...READING NEWSPAPER.

21.7.08.
7.30AM...THE DREADED ROAD AHEAD IS MY ONLY THOUGHT.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...NOT HUNGRY...JUST GONNA PACK UP AND HIT THE ROAD.
9.05AM...ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
11.00AM...STOPPED FOR SANDWICH...GOOD OLD CHEESE AND CUCUMBER...THIS CUCUMBER SEEMS TO HAVE LASTED FOREVER...STILL FAIRLY FRESH.
12.40PM...NORTHAMPTON,OZ...KINDA WISH IT WAS NORTHAMPTON,UK!...WISH WE HAD COME HER BEFORE...VERY CLEAN AND TIDY LOOKING PLACE...BOUGHT NU A SIXD-PACK OF LAGER[ON OFFER]...PLUS GOT NU A FREEBEE NORTH/SOUTH GUIDE OF AUSTRALIA FROM INFO CENTRE.
1.30PM...NEXT STOP DUNGARRA...DRIVING THRU THE DRIZZLE.
3.00PM...DUNGARRA BEACH SIDE CAMPSITE...WE'VE GONE POSH...WE HAVE AN ENSUITE.
5.00PM...AT LOCAL RESTAURANTY...CHICKEN/RICE ASIAN DISH...IT WAS THE CHEAPEST ON THE MENU...TASTED GOOD.
6.30PM..BACK AT CAMP.

22.7.08.
7.30AM...FEEL I COULD SLEEP ALL DAY.
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.50AM...NOT FEELING HUNGRY...ALL PACKED UP.
9.05AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
11.00AM...STOPPED FOR OUR SANDWICH BREAK...CUCUMBER STILL TASTING GOOD!
11.20AM...OFF WE GO AGAIN...200K TO GO.
1.50PM...STOPPED AT A SERVICE STATION AND PUT FOR SALE SIGNS ON VAN.
3.00PM...OUTSKIRTS OF PERTH.
4.00PM...FINALLY MADE IT TO WILLIAM STREET FOR INTERNET CAFE...PERTH IS HORRIBLE...TO MANY ONE WAY STREETS.
4.30PM...SORTING ADVERT FOR VAN SALE.
5.05PM...PUTTING ADVERT UP IN HOSTELS...RAIN POURING.
5.20PM...PHONED JOHN AND LORRAINE...WE MET THEM IN WALPOLE.
5.30PM...MEETING US ON THE ROE HIGHWAY.
6.00PM...LINKED UP WITH JOHN.
6.25PM...AT JOHN AND LORRAINE'S...WELL TIRED BUT HYPER.
7.30PM...FISH[DEWI] AND CHIPS.
8.00PM...WAFFERLING...SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT...NEEDA BEER.
10.00PM...BED AT LAST...A REAL BED!

23.7.08.
8.00AM...J'N'L GONE TO WORK...TO THINK WE ONLY KNEW THEM FOR A DAY AND A BIT...AND HERE WE ARE WITH THE RUN OF THERE HOUSE.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON...ITS NOT OUR KETLE THOUGH!
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.10AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.00AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.00AM...LOADSA LAUNDRY TO DO.
11.45AM...EMPTING VAN...NOT IN THE MOOD...ITS AMAZING WHAT WE HAVE COLLECTED ON OUR JOURNEY.
1.10PM...RAIN AS ARRIVED...ANY EXCUSE FOR GOING INSIDE.
2.30PM...DROVE TO LOCAL SHOPS.
3.10PM...BOUGHT STEAK[PORTERHOUSE]THOUGHT IT BEST TO BUY THE BEST.
4.00PM...BACK AT J'N'LS.
4.30PM...JOHN RETURNS...HE WORKS WITH DRAINS.
5.00PM...LORRAINE RETURNS...SHE WORKS WITH HANDICAPPED KIDS.
6.00PM...I'VE PREPARED THE CARROTS/PEA'S/SPUDS...STEAK ON THE BBQ.
6.35PM...WONDERFUL MEAL.
7.20PM...TIRED...HAPPILY WAFFERLING.

24.7.08.
7.50AM...J'N'L GONE TO WORK...SO ITS TIME FOR US TO MOVE.
8.05AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.35AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.00AM...MORE LAUNDRY IN THE MACHINE.
10.35AM...LAUNDRY ON LINE.
11.00AM...IN VAN...ON OUR WAY TO THE RAILWAY STATION.
11.30AM...WE ARE LOST.
11.55AM...WE HAVE AT LAST FOUND THE RAILWAY STATION...PARKED VAN.
12.20PM...ON TRAIN.
12.50PM...PERTH CENTRAL STATION.
1.20PM...EATING IN RAILWAY CAFE...MILD CHICKEN CURRY...I WANTED THE LIVER AND ONIONS...BUT NONE LEFT!
2.20PM...GOING TO THE HOSTELS WHERE WE PUT THE VAN ADVERT UP...HAVE DECIDE TO REDUCE PRICE FOR QUICK SALE...RAIN LASHING DOWN.
3.50PM...NU SPOTS TWO TOPS AT SALE PRICE...AS LONG AS THEY FIT THEY'LL DO.
4.20PM...PUB.
5.30PM...BACK ON TRAIN.
6.00PM...GUILDFORD STATION.
6.15PM...BACK IN VAN.
6.20PM...ON THE WAY BACK TO J'N'LS...GOT LOST!...ALL THE ROADS I'VE DRIVEN IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS...NEVER GOT LOST ONCE!
6.50PM...AT JN'LS.
7.45PM...PORK/SPUD/PEA'S...WONDERFUL.
8.30PM...HAPPILY WAFFLING.
9.10PM...J'N'L GONE TO BED.
9.30PM...NU AND I HAVING A GLASS OF WINE.

25.7.08.
8.25AM...TIME TO GET UP.
8.45AM...KETTLE ON.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.00AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.30AM...PHONED 'THE QUAKKA'...ITS A PERTH NEWSPAPER THAT ADVERTISES EVERYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU WISH TO SELL FOR FREE...SO ANOTHER OUTLET FOR VAN SALE.
11.00AM...J'N'L ARE ON THE INTERNET...SO I'M BUSILY SEARCHING FOR FLIGHTS TO NEW ZEALAND.
11.40AM...BOOKED FLIGHT TO NEW ZEALAND FOR 6TH AUGUST.
12.30PM...PHONE RINGS...SOME LADS IN PERTH HAVE SPOTTED OUR ADVERT AND THEY ARE INTERESTED IN THE VAN.
1.00PM...IN VAN ON THE WAY TO PERTH...GOTTA MEET THEM OUTSIDE AN INTERNET CAFE ON WILLIAM STREET.
2.00PM...WE ARE LOST...PERTH IS A NIGHTMARE OF ONE WAY STREETS!
2.40PM...FINALLY MAKE OUR DESTINATION...LADS STILL INTERESTED.
3.10PM...LADS CHECKING VAN.
4.00PM...WE'VE GOT A SALE.
4.50PM...MONEY SORTED...THEY DIDN'T QUIBBLE.
5.30PM...PERTH CENTRAL STATION.
6.00PM...GUILDFORD STATION.
6.15PM...BOUGHT LORRAINE ROSE'S...JOHN A SIX PACK OF WHISKEY AND DRY GINGER.
6.30PM...GUILDFORD ARMS PUB.
6.45PM...PHONED JOHN TO PICK US UP.
7.05PM...JOHN PICKS US UP.
7.50PM...CHEESE ON TOAST WITH PICKLED ONIONS...I'M IN HEAVEN.

NEED A HOLIDAY!

BYE FOR NOWZ!

AUSTRALIA...PART SIXTEEN OF MANY...

2008-07-12T01:26:00.000-07:00

5.7.08.
8.30AM...A DAY OF WAITING FOR A CALL...MECHANIC SAID HE WOULD PHONE BEFORE 4.00PM.
8.45AM...KETTLE ON.
9.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.15AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.50AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
1.00PM...SUPERMARKET...PORK/CAULI/SPUD.
1.40PM...BACK ON CAMP...BORED.
3.00PM...CHATTING WITH DAVE...DECLINED HIS HOMEMADE VODKA.
4.30PM...COOKING.
5.00PM...EXCELLENT PORK...CAULI WONDERFUL.
5.40PM...PHONED MECHANIC...VAN WILL BE READY ABOUT 7.00PM.
7.05PM...MECHANICS WIFE ARRIVED TO TAKE US UP TO GARAGE.
7.30PM...MECHANIC EXPLAINS ALL HE'S DONE[HE MIGHT AS WELL BE SPEAKING TO THE MOON!].
7.50PM...PAID BILL[THOUGH I THINK HIS NAME WAS MARK].
8.10PM...BACK AT CAMP...KINDA CHEERFUL.
8.25PM...WATCHING'VICAR OF DIBLEY'...XMAS EPISODE...YOU CAN'T HELP BUT LAUGH...THATS AT THE EPISODE WE ARE WATCHING...THERE IS A LOT ELSE WE COULD LAUGH AT?
9.00PM...BRITISH FILM...KINKY BOOTS...ABOUT A YOUNG CHAP WHO AS INHERITED HIS FATHER SHOE MAKING FACTORY AND DECIDES TO MANUFACTURE HIGH-HEELED BOOTS FOR TRANSVESTITES!...WELL WORTH A LOOK.
9.30PM...RUM AND COKE/CRISPS/NUTS.

6.7.08.
7.15AM...HERE WE GO...WE HOPE!
7.30AM...KETTLE ON.
7.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...WEETABIX/TOAST/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.15AM...LOADING VAN...SHE STARTED OK...ENGINE SOUNDS OK?
9.50AM...SAYING OUR FAREWELLS...SO MANY GOOD PEOPLE...NU AND I ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE MET SO MANY WONDERFUL PEOPLE...ALSO SO MANY SQUEEZABLE WOOFTERS!
10.15AM...PETROL STATION...1.90 DOLLAR A LITRE!...OH WELL AS YOU WELL KNOW I'M NOT ONE TO MOAN!
10.25AM...AT LAST WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO BROOME.
11.05AM...ANOTHER WELL HOT DAY...200K AHEAD.
12.20PM...BROOME...OH DEAR...THIS DOESN'T LOOK THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD.
1.00PM...BOOKED ON CAMPSITE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
1.30PM...SETTING UP CAMP.
2.10PM...WALKING TO CAMPSITE...NEED BREAD.
3.05PM...I RETURN WITH A 24 PACK OF LAGER[4X]...LAMB/STEAK/SAUSAGE...IE...A BBQ PACK.
4.00PM...NU DOING THE CANNED PEAS AND SPUDS...I'M ON THE BBQ...WELL I'M ACTUALLY NOT ON THE BBQ...THE MEAT IS!
4.30PM...THAT WAS A TRULY WONDERFUL MEAL...WE DON'T USUALLY DO CANNED VEG...THEY WERE OUR LAST RESORT/STANDBY TINS.
5.20PM...AN ELDERLY LADY AS JOINED US...WE DIDN'T WISH HER TOO...SHE JUST PLONKED HERSELF DOWN IN A CHAIR...EXPLAINING HER HUSBAND HAD FALLEN ASLEEP[I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT!]...THE FUNNY PART ABOUT IT WAS THAT SHE SPOKE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS IN OZ...SOMETHING THAT MOST OZZIES SHY AWAY FROM.
7.10PM...FINISHING RUM...FRUIT BATS FLYING EVERYWHERE...THEY DO NO HARM...BUT SOMETIMES THEY PIDDLE ON YOU!

7.7.08.
8.00AM...KETTLE ON.
8.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...TOMATO OMMELETTE/ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.10AM...READIND MAGAZINES.
11.30AM...DROPPED NU OFF AT CABLE BEACH...I'M OFF TO THE SHOPS.
12.20PM...BOUGHT MYSELF A PAIR OF BEATLE BOOTS...WELL I CALL THEM BEATLE BOOTS...THEY ARE FOR WHEN WE GO TO ZEALAND...APPARENTLY ITS A LITTLE COLDER THERE.
12.40PM...AT THE CHEMIST...LIST IN HAND...NU NEEDS HER LOTIONS.
1.05PM...BOTTLE SHOP...NU NEEDS HER WINE.
1.25PM...SUPERMARKET...NU NEEDS LOADS!
2.30PM...BACK WITH NU ON BEACH.
3.00PM...NU HAPPILY READING...I BOUGHT HER CHEESE/CRACKERS/CRISPS/BEER...SHE'S HAPPY.
5.30PM...SUNSET ON CABLE BEACH...ASD SUNSETS GO I GUESS IT WAS PRETTY OK?
6.10PM...BACK AT CAMP.
6.50PM...BEANS/EGGS/MUSHROOMS ON TOAST.
7.40PM...BETTER OPEN THE WINE!

8.7.08.
7.30AM...ON THE ROAD AGAIN TODAY[YAWN].
7.40AM...KETTLE ON.
7.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.30AM...WE4ETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.20AM...PACKED UP AND READY TO ROLL.
9.30AM...TURN VAN KEY...OUCH...BATTERY FLAT.
10.05AM...OZ CHAP CONNECTING BATTERY JUMP LEADS.
10.10AM...VAN JUMPS INTO ACTION!
10.35AM...PETROL STATION...ONLY 1.89 DOLLAR A LITRE...ITS A BARGAIN!
10.50AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY...VAN DOESN'T SOUND GOOD...OH WELL.
11.35AM...THE WIND IS AGAINST US...VAN SOUNDS TIRED...SHE'LL ONLY DO 80K[50MPH].
1.00PM...CAMP PARDOO...ROADHOUSE.
1.10PM...BOOKED IN.
1.30PM...SETTING UP OUR WARES...ALTHOUGH ITS ONLY A ROADHOUSE...THIS PLACE LOOKS TIDY.
2.30PM...CHATTING WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS.
5.30PM...IN RESTAURANT...WELL HUNGRY.
6.30PM...PORK/ROAST SPUD/CARROT/MANGETOUT?
7.00PM...NICE MEAL...JUST WASN'T ENOUGH OF IT!
8.00PM...BACK IN VAN...BOTH TIRED...BOTH WORRIED ABOUT VAN.

9.7.08.
6.50AM...ITS STILL EARLY...BUT WE HIT THE PILLOW EARLY.
7.05AM...KETTLE ON.
7.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.10AM...ANOTHER CUPPA...NIETHER OF US FEEL HUNGRY.
8.30AM...CHECKED OIL...VAN USING ALOT.
8.40AM...OFF WE SET.
9.10AM...VAN SOUNDS ROUGH.
11.55AM...STOPPED FOR PETROL...VAN SEEMS HUNGRIER THAN USUAL.
2.00PM...POINT SAMSOM...NEWSAGENTS...GOT MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
2.10PM...BOOKED ONTO SITE...WEATHER CHANGING...IT'S GETTING WINDIER AS WE GO SOUTH.
3.00PM...DOING LAUNDRY.
3.40PM...PREPARING CURRY BOG.
4.20PM...CURRY BOG...SUPERB!
5.00PM...I'M OFF TO THE BAR...NU READING.
5.30PM...PLAYING POOL.
5.55PM...I'M WINNING[PRETTY NORMAL]...WISH NU WAS WITH ME.
7.00PM...BACK AT VAN WITH NU.
7.30PM...READING NEWSPAPER...GLASS OF WINE.

10.7.08.
8.20AM...A DAY OF RELAXATION AHEAD?
8.30AM...KETTLE ON.
8.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.05AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.30AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.20AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
12.05PM...GOING FOR A GAME OF POOL.
12.35PM...PLAYING OZ CHAP...WON 3-2...PLEASANT ENOUGH TIME.
2.45PM...BACK WITH NU.
4.00PM...REHEATING YESTERDAYS CURRY BOG LEFTOVERS...WONDERFUL...DONE TO MUCH SPAGHETTI THOUGH!
5.00PM...WATCHING NEWS ON TELE...THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS HERE IN OZ AS WE DO IN THE UK.
7.00PM...BACK AT VAN...GLASS OF WINE...I THINK WE DRINK TO MUCH...NOT A LOT...JUST REGULARLY.

11.7.08.
7.10AM...UP WE GET...DECIDE WE'LL MOVE ON.
7.20AM...KETTLE ON.
7.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHOWER.
8.30AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.20AM...PACKED UP AND READY TO ROLL.
9.35AM...TURN IGNITION KEY...BATTERY FLAT...I MIGHT HAVE GUESSED THAT...BUT I HAD PRAYED THE NIGHT BEFORE!
9.50AM...OZ CHAP CONNECTS HIS JUMP LEADS.
9.55AM...OFF WE SET.
10.10AM...10 K DOWN THE ROAD...NU SAYS WHY DON'T WE STAY AWHILE LONGER...ITS A NICE PLACE...PERTH IS HAVING TERRIBLE WEATHER...LETS STAY WITH THE SUN.
10.15AM...I AGREE.
10.20AM...TURN VAN AROUND.
10.35AM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...BOOK THREE NIGHTS.
10.50AM...SETTING UP CAMP ON THE SAME SPOT WE LEFT.
11.30AM...I'M OFF TO THE SUPERMARKET...NEED FOOD...LAMB/PORK/BACON ETC.
1.00PM...BACK WITH NU.
2.00PM...I'M GOING FOR A GAME OT TWO OF POOL...NU CONTENT TO READ.
2.30PM...I'M WINNING...BUT I AM HAVING A LOT OF LUCK...NOT REALLY CONCENTRATING ON THE GAME.
4.00PM...BACK WITH NU.
5.00PM...LAMB/SPUD/CAULI/CARROT...OK
6.00PM...TV ROOM.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH OTHER CAMPERS.
7.30PM...TV NEWS.
8.30PM...BRIGITTE JONES DIARY[FILM].
9.30PM...GOOD FILM...SEEN IT BEFORE...SO DECIDE TO HEAD FOR BED.

----------- ------ ----

BYE FOR NOWZ!

australia....part 15 of many......

2008-07-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

30.6.08.
7.15AM...TIME TO MOVE...HEADING TO BROOME TODAY.
7.30AM...KETTLE ON.
7.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.05AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.10AM...NU WANTS NEW SHOES...SO BEFORE WE DEPART GONNA GO SHOPPING.
9.15AM...TURN VAN KEY...BATTERY DEAD...OUCH!
9.25AM...GUY IN NEXT CARAVAN[JIM]...LENTS US HIS JUMP LEADS AND BATTERY.
9.35AM...VAN ROARS INTO LIVE...BUT SHE DOESN'T SOUND GOOD...AND AFTER I TAKE MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATER...SHE DIES...OUCH!
9.45AM...START THE VAN AGAIN VIA JIMS BATTERY...TOOK HER FOR A SPIN...BUT SOMETHING ISN'T QUITE RIGHT.
10.05AM...BOOKED ANOTHER NIGHT ON THE CAMPSITE.
10.25AM...WALKED TO SHOPS TO GET NU NEW SHOES/POPPED INTO SUPERMARKET.
11.50AM...BACK WITH VAN ON CASMPSITE.
12.10PM...OZ CHAPPIES ON SITE OFFERING THERE ADVICE...AT TIMES THE VAN SOUNDS OK AND THEN SHE STARTS HAVING BREATHING PROBLEMS.
12.30PM...NU AND I ARE CHEESED OFF.
1.00PM...DAVE A FELLOW CAMPER SAYS HE'LL HAVE A LOOK TOMORROW...HE'S A MECHANIC BY TRADE.
3.00PM...FINISHED NEWSPAPER...FOUND IT HARD TO CONCENTRATE...I'M NOT A HAPPY SOUL...BETTER HAVE A BEER.
6.00PM...ON SITE SAUSAGE SIZZLE...PLUS BUSH POET[SOUNDS PORNOGRAPHIC TO ME!]
8.00PM...SAUSAGE SIZZLE OVER...NOT THE BEST SAUSAGES IN THE WORLD...WE'VE HAD WORSE!...BUSH POETS WERE GOOD...WELL LISTENABLE...I COULD BE A BUSH POET...PORNOGRAPHICALLY SPEAKING!
8.40PM...BACK IN OUR SMALL SPACE.
9.00PM...LYING ON BED...THOUGHTFUL ABOUT VAN...WHERE'S THE NEAREST CLIFF!

1.7.08.
7.00AM...A NEW MONTH...WHAT WILL IT BRING?...NEED A CUPPA.
7.15AM...KETTLE ON.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...WEETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
8.30AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...DAVE THE MECHANIC ARRIVES TO HOPEFULLY SORT VAN.
9.10AM...STARTED ALRIGHT...BUT COUGHING AND SPLUTTERING LIKE ME WHEN I USED TO SMOKE...BETTER BOOK ANOTHER NIGHT.
9.40AM...DAVE AND TOOLS AT WORK.
10.10AM...I'M OFF TO GET NEW SPARK PLUGS.
11.00AM...DAVE FITTING PLUGS...ADJUSTING POINTS AND DOING SOMETHING TO THE CARBURRETOR.
12.15PM...DAVE ALL DONE...SHE SOUNDS OK.
1.00PM...LEFT NU AT VAN AND WALKED INTO TOWN.
2.10PM...POPPED INTO SECOND HAND SHOP AND AQUIRED A CD PLAYER/RADIO...IT WORKS...JUST HAVE TO TWIDDLE WITH KNOB...18 DOLLARS?...BARGAIN!...POPPED INTO SUPERMARKET...NU NEEDS CITRONELLA OIL FOR KEEPING MOSQUITOES AT BAY...ASKED TWO LADIES TO HELP ME...THEY WERE VERY FORTHRIGHT AND COMMANDEERED A YOUNG MALE ASSISTANT TO HELP THEM TO HELP ME...THEN THEY WERE EXPLAINING WHAT WAS BEST FOR NUALA...I CAN ONLY SAY THEY WERE LIKE MRS BOUQUET OUTA OF KEEP UP APPEARANCES.
3.30PM...BACK WITH NU AT CAMP.
4.20PM...ASKED DAVE AND HIS WIFE LOIS IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US FOR A MEAL TONIGHT.
5.30PM...HEADING FOR LOCAL RESTAURANT/PUB.
6.15PM...WAITING FOR OUR SEA-FOOD PLATTERS...WAFFLING WITH OUR DINNER GUESTS.
6.45PM...OH DEAR THIS IS POOR FARE...AND EXPENSIVE!
7.30PM...ENTERED POOL COMPETITION.
8.35PM...NU CHATTING AWAY...SHE'S GETTING ON WELL WITH LOIS.
10.30PM...I WON'T BLOW MY OWN TRUMPET...ITS NOT MY STYLE!...BUT I WON THE COMPETITION PLUS 80 DOLLARS!
11.05PM...BACK AT CAMP.
11.15PM...LOOKING AT THE STARS...HAVING A WHISKEY...NU HAVING A BACARDI...CELEBRATING MY VICTORY.
12.20AM...TIME FOR BED.

2.7.08.
8.10AM...A NEW DAY.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.55AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.30AM...BACON OMELLETTE/ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.00AM...BOOKED ANOTHER NIGHT...NO WISH TO DRIVE TODAY...MAYBE HAD TO MUCH WHISKEY LAST NIGHT.
11.00AM...TOOK NU TO THE CHEMIST...STILL IN SEARCH OF CITRONELLA OIL...WHO SHOULD BE THERE?!...THE TWO BUCKET LADIES FROM YESTERDAY...THEY CHATTING TO NU NOW...AND NU IS BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I WENT THRU YESTERDAY...QUITE AMUSING REALLY...SHE SAYS THEY'D PROBABLY ADOPT ME IF THEY COULD!
12.05PM...BOTTLE SHOP[BOOZE SHOP]...NU NEEDS BEER...BOUGHT A BOTTLE OF BUNDERSBURG RUM AS WELL...IT WAS ON OFFER.
1.00PM...ITS HOT AND I FEEL LANQUID.
1.35PM...NU GONE FOR A SWIM...I'M CHATTING WITH DAVE.
3.00PM...WALKED TO SUPERMARKET...SINCE THE MEAL WE TOOK THEM FOR LAST NIGHT WAS POOR...HAVE DECIDED WE'LL TREAT THEM TO STEAK AND SALAD TONIGHT...AS LONG AS THEY DO THE STEAK ON THE BBQ.
4.00PM...PREPARING SALAD.
4.30PM...SITTING WITH DAVE AND LOIS...DRINKING DAVES HOME MADE VODKA.
4.45PM...LOIS IS DOING BAKED SPUDS IN THE MICROWAVE.
5.00PM...DAVE IS VERY SLOW...HE'S ALWAYS GOT A STORY TO TELL...WISH HE'D JUST GET THE STEAKS ON THE BARBIE...I THINK HE LIKES HIS HOME MADE BREW...I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE TASTE.
5.50PM...AT LAST I HAVE A TASTY PIECE OF STEAK IN FRONT OF ME.
6.20PM...I'M FULL...STEAK WAS EXCELLENT...BAKED SPUD WENT DOWN WELL...I PUT TO MUCH CELERY IN THE SALAD.
7.30PM...I WISH DAVE WOULD STOP PUTTING HIS HOME MADE TRASH IN MY GLASS.
8.30PM...ITS STILL EARLY...BUT ITS TIME TO RETIRE.

3.7.08.
7.30AM...A SWEATY NIGHT.
7.35AM...KETTLE ON.
7.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.30AM...WETABIX/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.15AM...READY TO GO.
9.25AM...START VAN UP...NOT SURE?
10.00AM...HEADING OUTA TOWN...BUT NU AND I ARE NOT HAPPY...NIETHER DOES THE VAN SOUND HAPPY...GOT NO OOMPH...TURNING ROUND.
10.20AM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
10.50AM...EXPLAINING TO DAVE ABOUT VAN.
11.00AM...DAVE AND TOOLS ARE READY...HE RECKONS ITS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CARBURRETOR.
11.50AM...THE FRONT SIT IS OUT[THE ENGINE IS UNDER IT...SILLY PLACE TO PUT THE ENGINE]...THE HANDBRAKE IS IN BITS...SO IS THE CARBURRETOR.
12.10PM...THE CARBURETTOR WAS NEW WHEN WE HAD HER FITTED IN MOUNT ISA...DAVE SAYS GRAVEL AS SOMEHOW GOT IN...PLUS THE GASKET IS IN THREADS...OH...OUCH!
2.00PM...DAVE PUTTING IT ALL BACK TOGETHER.
2.40PM...TOOK VAN FOR A SPIN...SHE SOUNDS BETTER...AND SHE'S GOT A BIT MORE OOMPH...BUT I'M STILL NOT SURE.
3.30PM...SITTING IN DEEP THOUGHT...I THINK WE ARE GONNA HAVE TO TAKE THE VAN TO THE GARAGE FOR REPAIRS...DECIDE WE'LL FORGET OUR 'PROBLEM' FOR TODAY...LETS HAVE A DRINK.
4.30PM...SALMON/SALAD/SPUD...I WASN'T REALLY HUNGRY...DIDN'T ENJOY.
5.30PM...DOING CROSSWORD IN WOMANS MAGAZINE...IT'S TAKEN MY MIND OFF OTHER THINGS.

4.7.08.
7.30AM...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHOWER.
8.40AM...WEETABIX/CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...HAD A CHAT WITH SEAN AND PAT[CAMP OWNERS]...THEY'VE RECOMMENDED A LOCAL MECHANIC.
10.00AM...AT THE GARAGE...JIM FOLLOWED ME SO HE COULD BRING ME BACK...NU AND I ARE VERY LUCKY TO HAVE MET SO MANY WONDERFUL OZZIES.
10.40AM...BOOKED A ROOM...WELL WITH NO VAN WE HAVE NO WHERE TO SLEEP...SO HAD NO CHOICE...AND PAT AND SEAN WOULDN'T TAKE ANY MONEY FROM US...I WAS SPEECHLESS.
1.00PM...MECHANIC PHONES...HEAD CRACKED/VALVE CRACKED...OUCH...THIS IS HORRIBLE!
2.00PM...JIM TAKES US BACK TO GARAGE...2,000 DOLLARS TO FIX IT!
2.30PM...NU AND I THOUGHT LONG AND HARD...BUT TOLD HIM TO DO WHAT EVER IT TAKES TO PUT THE VAN RIGHT.
3.00PM...BACK ON CAMPSITE IN OUR AIR CON ROOM.
5.00PM...WALKED TO NEWSAGENT...THEY HAVE MY PAPER...THINGS AREN'T SO BAD!
6.00PM...SITTING WITH PAT AND SEAN[CAMP OWNERS]...THEY ARE KEEN TO FEED US...I DON'T KNOW WHY...WE ARE THE MOST UNTHIN PEOPLE AROUND...THAT IS ...WE ARE FAIRLY ROUND...YOU'D THINK WITH ALL THE WORRY OVER THE VAN WE'D LOSE A FEW POUND...BUT NOT NU AND I...THE ONLY POUNDS WE ARE GONNA LOSE ARE OUT OF OUR POCKETS!
6.30PM...THE FOOD WAS OK...SEAN BOUGHT OUT IS SELECTION OF WHISKEYS...SO THINGS AREN'T SO BAD!

UNLUCKY AS WE ARE LUCKY?

BYE FOR NOWZ!

AUSTRALIA...PART FOURTEEN OF MANY...[YAWN]

2008-06-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

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.

australia...part 12+8 of many...

2008-06-24T21:15:00.000-07:00

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!

AUSTRALIA...PART 12+4 OF MANY...

2008-06-18T23:20:00.000-07:00

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.

AUSTRALIA...PART 12+2 OF MANY...

2008-06-17T00:03:00.000-07:00

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!

AUSTRALIA...PART 12+1 0F MANY!

2008-06-09T18:10:00.000-07:00

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.

AUSTRALIA...PART TWELVE OF VERY MANY!

2008-06-03T19:15:00.000-07:00

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,

AUSTRALIA...FART ELEVEN OF MANY...

2008-05-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

17.5.08.
8.30AM...AWAKE AND IN NEED OF A CUPPA.
8.40AM...KETTLE ON.
8.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.05AM...BACON/EGG/TOM/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE.
10.35AM...NU DOING LAUNDRY.
11.40AM...WALKING TO BUS STOP FOR CITY CENTRE.
11.55AM...ON THE BUS...THERE IS A LARGE ASIAN COMMUNITY HERE...GRAFFITI EVERYWHERE.
12.25PM...WAKING CITY CENTRE.
2.30PM...HEAVENS HAVE OPENED...BIG BLOPS OF WATER FALLING FROM THE SKY.
2.50PM,..IRISH PUB.
3.10PM...NU NOT FEELING WELL...RAN TO CHEMIST FOR PARACETEMOL.
3.40PM...PORK/CHIPS/SALAD.
4.10PM...SITTING ON BALCONY OF IRISH PUB...PEOPLE WATCHING...WATCHING THE WORLD GO BY...OPPOSITE IS A CASINO/HOTEL...ITS VERY AMUSING WATCHING ALL THE SHAPES AND SIZES GOING IN AND OUT...AND OTHERS JUST LOITERING...THESE DAYS YOU CAN'T TELL A BOOK BY ITS COVER!
6.00PM...BACK ON BUS TO CAMPSITE.
6.45PM...THERES A PUB...NOT A PROPER PUB...AN OZ PUB JUST AROUND CORNER FROM SITE...SO OFF WE TRUNDLE.
7.10PM...HAVING TO MAKE DO WITH STELLA...THEY DON'T DO PROPER BEER IN OZ.

18.5.08.
8.50AM...A WELL ROUGH NIGHT...RAINING...WIND HOWLING.
9.05AM...KETLE ON.
9.20AM...A LOVELY CUPPA.
9.50AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
11.30AM...ON BUS TO TOWN CENTRE.
12.15PM...GREEK FESTIVAL...PANIYARA...LOADSA GREEK DANCING...LOADSA GREEK FOOD...PRICEY...PLUS GREEK BEER...SUN SHINING,SO WE SAT ON THE GRASS...NU WAS INTERESTED IN THE DANCING...I TRIED TO LOOK INTERESTED...SOME GUY FROM SOME OFFICIALDOM GAVE A SPEECH PRAISING THE GREEK PEOPLE AND WHAT THEY HAD BOUGHT TO TO THE CITY OF BRISBANE...ACTUALLY I DO LIKE THE GREEKS...AND THEY DO KNOW HOW TO COOK...AND THEY MAKE A WONDERFUL GREEK SALAD...NU AND I MIGHT GO FOR A HOLIDAY THERE IN BETWEEN TRAVELLING...NEED A BREAK!
3.00PM...GREEKED FOOD/BEERED OUT...TIME TO WALK BACK TO CITY CENTRE.
4.00PM...BOUGHT NEW SHOES...SAW THEM...LIKED 'EM...BOUGHT 'EM...THEY ARE A VERY LIGHT BLUE...UNSURE OF WHEN AND WHERE I'LL WEAR THEM.
5.00PM...PHONED MOTHER.
5.20PM...BACK AT IRISH PUB.
6.00PM...OUR FRIENDS VICKY/MATT...WE FIRST MET IN LANGKAWI...AND THEN AGAIN IN SANDIKAN ARRIVE.
6.15PM...DRINKS FLOWING!
10.00PM...ON BUS BACK TO CAMP...HAD A GREAT DAY/GREAT EVENING...SPEND LOADSA MONEY MIND...PLUS ACCORDING TO NU[I CAN'T REMEMBER]...I WENT ROUND FEELING EVERYBODIES BOOBS!...WELL NO ONE COMPLAINED...SO THEY MUST'VE ENJOYED IT!

19.5.08.
8.30AM...DON'T THINK NU IS HAPPY WITH ME.
8.40AM...KETTLE ON.
8.55AM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER...I'LL MAKE THE TEA MY LOVELY!
9.15AM...NU RETURNED...I'D BETTER GO FOR MY SHOWER NOW.
9.40AM...BUTTERED TOAST AND JAM...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.00AM...PACKED UP AND READY TO MOVE...THEN A WOMAN PASSING STARTS CHATTING...EVERYTHING CHANGES.
10.10AM...SITTING WITH WOMAN AND HUBBY DRINKING COFFEE...I WAS READY FOR THE OFF...NOT IN MOOD FOR CHATTING.
10.55AM...DEPARTING CAMPSITE.
11.30AM...JUST ABOUT MADE IT TO THE OUTSKIRTS OF BRISBANE...TRAFFIC AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS APLENTY.
12.40PM...GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS...THEY ARE CALLED GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS BECAUSE A CHAPPIE CALLED JAMES COOKE BACK IN THE 18 CENTURY SAID THEY LOOKED LIKE GLASS FURNACES THAT HE HAD SEEN BACK IN HIS HOME TOWN OF YORKSHIRE,ENGLAND...I'M BEWILDERED...A BIT LIKE ANYONE WHO IS BOTHERING TO READ THIS BEWILDERING BLOG!
2.30PM...COLOUNDRA...COASTAL TOWN...QUITE WELL TO DO I THINK.
3.00PM...DICKIE BEACH CARAVAN PARK...NEXT TO BEACH.
3.40PM...NU HAPPY...NU IN SWIMMING COSSIE
3.55PM...NU ON BEACH.
4.05PM...NU SWIMMING...NU HAPPY.
5.30PM...REHEATING SPAG BOL.
6.10PM...TV.ROOM.
6.40PM...DAVE ATTENBOROUGH...TIGER PROG...WELL WATCHABLE.

20.5.08.
9.10!AM...SLEPT IN.
9.25AM...KETTLE ON.
9.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.15AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...MUSHROOM/BACON/EGG SANDWICH....CUPPA COFFEE.
11.55AM...ON BEACH...NU SWIMMING.
3.00PM...BACK AT VAN...ITS A HOT DAY...GLASS OF WINE OR TWO TO COOL US DOWN!
5.30PM...ROAST PORK/VEG AT LOCAL WORKING MENS CLUB...NICE PRICE...NU NOT IMPRESSED...I ENJOYED IT ALL.
8.00PM...STROLLING BACK TO VAN.

21.5.08.
7.30AM...HAD STOMACH ACHE IN THE NIGHT...BUT FEEL ALRIGHT NOW.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.55AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.30AM...PACKING UP.
9.55AM...ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
11.00AM...NOOSA HEADS...NU OFF FOR A SWIM...I GOT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...SO I'M HAPPY.
3.00PM...RAINBOW BEACH...IT WAS A BIT OFF THE BEATEN TRACK...BUT NU WANTED A LOOK.
3.20PM...SETTING UP CAMP FOR THE NIGHT.
3.50PM...WALKING BEACH...NOT IMPRESSED...THIS IS THE DIRTIEST BEACH I HAVE SEEN IN OZ.
4.40PM...CHEESE/BICS/BEER.
5.30PM...SUN GOING DOWN.
5.40PM...SUN GONE DOWN.
6.30PM...EARLIER WE HAD SEEN AN ADVERT FOR 'EAT ALL YOU WANT FOR 15 DOLLARS'...AT A CLUB ROUND THE CORNER.
6.50PM...AT THE CLUB ROUND THE CORNER...BUT ITS NOT THE CLUB WE THOUGHT...BUT A LADY EXPLAINS ITS ONLY A 10 MIN WALK TO THE CLUB WE WANT...GIVES US DIRECTIONS.
7.30PM...FINALLY FOUND THE PLACE...WHOOPEE!
8.00PM...OK!WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FOR 7 QUID!
9.15PM...HAVING FORCE FED MYSELF...WELL I WANNA GET MY MONEYS WORTH!...THE PUDDINGS WEREN'T BAD...IT WAS TIME TO GO...WHAT NU AND I PUT OURSELVES THRU!

22.5.08.
7.40AM...HOT NIGHT...SUN BURSTING THRU THE GAP IN THE VAN CURTAINS.
7.50AM...KETTLE ON.
8.05AM...CUPPA TEA...OH!
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE...TEA NOT GOOD TODAY...T-BAGS GONE OFF!
9.30AM...ALL SORTED...READY TO MOVE.
9.40AM...OFF WE GO.
10.30AM...TIN CAN BAY?...WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING THE RIGHT WAY!
10.50AM...HAD TO TURN AROUND...SHOULD HAVE HEADED FOR MARYBOROUGH.
12.10PM...MARYBOROUGH...AT LAST!...THIS IS THE PLACE WHERE MARY POPPINS WAS WRITTEN BY A CHAPPIE CALLED P.L.TRAVERS...THERE IS A BRONZE STATUE OF HER ON THE HIGH STREET.
1.05PM...BACK IN VAN,..BACK ON THE ROAD...DESTINATION HERVEY BAY.
2.15PM...CAMPSITE...HERVEY BAY...NEXT TO BEACH.
2.50PM...CHEESE/BICS/BEER.
3.45PM...SUN STILL SHINING...BUT I'VE GONE COOL...ALTHOUGH I'VE ALWAYS BEEN PRETTY COOL ANYWAY!
5.10PM...FISH/CHIPS/SALAD...NOT BAD.
6.00PM...PUB.
8.00PM...BACK AT VAN.

23.5.08.
7.20AM...RAINED ALL NIGHT.
7.30AM...KETTLE ON.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.55AM...SHOWER/NEEDER A SHAVE...BUT GOT NO RAZOR.
8.30AM...TRYING TO START VAN...DECIDED TO HAVE BREAKFAST LATER...EVERYWHERE WET...JUST WANNA MOVE ON.
8.50AM...VAN STILL WONT START...SHE'S NOT KEEN ON THE WET.
9.00AM...TRY PUSHING HER/JUMP START...NO LUCK.
9.15AM...OZ CHAP GIVING VAN AND ME A TOW...SHE STARTS STRAIGHT AWAY.
9.30AM...ON THE ROAD AT LAST...GETTING OUTA HERVEY BAY IS NOT EASY...VERY FEW SIGNS TELLING YOU WHICH DIRECTION.
10.55AM...CHILDERS...SUGAR CANE COUNTRY...TIME FOR BREAKFAST...FRIED EGGS/TOMATOES/BACON/LOADSA TOAST/WONDERFUL CUPPA...IF YOU ARE EVER IN CHILDERS GO TO THE SUGARBUSH CAFE...THE ONLY OTHER THING IN CHILDERS THAT INTERESTED ME WAS A BRONZE WORK OF TWO DOGS PLAYFULLY FIGHTING ON THE CORNER OF THE STREET OF THE CAFE.
11.30AM...WOOLWORTHS SUPERMARKET...NEED SOME RAZORS ETC.
11.55AM...ONWARDS WE DRIVE.
2.30PM...THE TOWN OF 1770...THIS IS THE PLACE CAPTAIN COOKE LANDED MAY 24TH 1770 IN HMS ENDEAVOUR...AND IT'LL BE 238 YEARS TO THE DAY TOMORROW THAT HE FIRST CAME ASHORE...SO IT'S FESTIVAL WEEKEND...WE DIDN'T KNOW...WE ONLY CAME HERE BECAUSE WE HAD HEARD ITS THE BEST PLACE TO CRUISE THE BARRIER REEF.
2.40PM...INFO CENTRE...WOMAN THERE SAID ALL TICKETS FOR COMEDY FEST HAD BEEN SOLD...AND WE WOULD BE HARD PRESSED TO FIND A PLACE TO CAMP.
3.05PM...CASPTAIN COOKE CAMPSITE...WELL WE CAN ONLY ASK...NO PROBLEM...THEY HAVE A PLACE FOR US...NEVER TRUST INFO CENTRES!
3.15PM...BOOKED IN...LOOKS ALRIGHT...ALSO BOOKED ALL DAY BARRIER REEF CRUISE...INCLUDES FOOD/DRINK AND LIFE JACKET!
4.00PM...CHEESE/BICS/BEER...HAPPILY SITTING IN THE SUN...THEY HAVEN'T HAD RAIN HERE FOR YEARS.
6.00PM...TOOK FREE BUS TO COMEDY VENUE.
6.30PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT TICKETS...WELL WE CAN ONLY ENQUIRE.
6.40PM...WE HAVE TICKETS!...INFO CENTRES...NEVER TRUST THEM!
7.00PM...ROAST BEEF/PORK/TURKEY AND TRIMMINGS...WHITE DRY WINE.
8.00PM...YET MORE WHITE WINE.
8.30PM...COMEDIANS IN FULL SWING...RACIST/SEXIST/LOADSA SWEARING.
11.15PM...SEVERAL WINES LATER...THE MAIN ACT WAS GOOD....BUT A FEW OF THE OTHER COMICS STRUGGLED...NEVERTHELESS A GREAT EVENING.
11.40PM...BACK AT CAMP.
11.55PM...GOOD NIGHT!

24.5.08.
9.00AM...NO HURRY...FEST KICKS OFF AT ABOUT 11.30AM.
9.15AM...KETTLE ON.
9.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...NU IN LAUNDRY...I'M GONNA GO FOR MY SHOWER.
10.15AM...BACON/EGG/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE.
10.35AM...NU RUNNING LATE...SHE'S PUT CLOTHES IN DRYER INSTEAD OF WASHING MACHINE...OUCH...I THINK THE WINE FROM LAST NIGHT AS FUDDLED HER BRAIN!
11.00AM...WASHING ON LINE.
11.10AM...ON BUS TO FEST.
11.30AM...FESTIVAL.
11.40AM...BELLYDANCING?...ON MAIN STAGE...FOUNF TWO DESCENT SEATS...WAITING FOR BANDS.
12.30PM...RE-ENACTMENT OF LANDING OF HMS ENDEAVOUR.
1.00PM...BAR OPENS.
1.30PM...ABERSECK...JAZZ BLUES...WELL LISTENABLE.
2.30PM...SUE ANNE THREE PIECE...OH...OUCH...BORING.
3.40PM...WHYTE ZEBRA...THEY LOOKED GRUNGY...BUT DIDN'T LIVE UP TO IT...THEY ARE AS BAD AS THE SAUSAGES WE HAVE JUST ATTEMPTED TO EAT...OZ AND SAUSAGES JUST DON'T HAPPEN!
5.00PM...HAD ENOUGH...WAITING FOR FREE BUS BACK TO CAMP.
5.35PM...BACK AT CAMP...HUNGRY...BUT FEEL TIRED...HEAD ON PILLOW.
8.00PM...WOKE UP...TUMMY HUNGRY.
8.30PM...CHIP BUTTY...CAN OF GINGER ALE.
9.15PM...HEAD BACK ON PILLOW...THINK THE SUN GOT TO ME TODAY!

DO I MOAN TO MUCH?
ITS ALL IN JEST!I'M A LUCKY SOD!
A LIFE WELL BLESSED!

BYE FOR NOWZ!

AUSTRALIA...PART TEN OF TOO MANY!

2008-05-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

8.5.08.
8.05AM...OH DEAR...HERE WE GO AGAIN...AFTER 4 NIGHTS IN A SEMI LUXURY CABIN IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS...ITS BACK TO BEING A VANNIE!
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.05AM...GETTING VAN SORTED.
9.25AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.05AM...VAN STARTS STRAIGHT AWAY.
10.40AM...THE TOWN OF KATOOMA...CHEMIST AND BANK.
11.05AM...THE VILLAGE OF LEURA...BOUGHT A METAL DOG...POSTED HIM STRAIGHT TO MOTHER.
11.30AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
12.10PM...PENRITH.
12.35PM...RICHMOND.
2.00PM...WISEMENS FERRY...STOPPED OFF FOR A CHEESE.CUCUMBER SANDWICH IN PICNIC AREA.
2.40PM...ON OUR WAY AGAIN.
4.00PM...TOUKLEY.
5.10PM...LAKE MACQUIURIE CAMPSITE...NOT THE BEST..BUT IT'LL HAVE TO DO...DONE ENOUGH DRIVING FOR TO DAY.
6.10PM...SPAG BOL...YESTERDAYS LEFTOVERS REHEATED...AWESOME!
7.10PM...IN BACK OF VAN...MAGAZINE READING...TIME FOR A WHISKEY.

9.5.08.
7.50AM...ITS BEEN A WARM NIGHT...WEATHER CHANGING.
8.05AM...KETTLE ON.
8.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.30AM...PRETTY MUCH READY TO MOVE...NOT MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAMPSITE...THOUGH IT DOES HAVE NICE VIEWS OF THE LAKE.
9.50AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY...ABOUT 300K TO DO TO DAY...NEXY STOP TAREE...ABOUT HALF WAY.
10.30AM...WE ARE DRIVING THE PACIFIC HIGHWAY...THERE ARE TURN OFFS FOR...NEWCASTLE/LIVERPOOL/STROUD/GLOUCESTER/GATESHEAD/CARDIFF/ SWANSEA/HEXHAM AND EVEN BIRMINGHAM GARDENS!...WHY COULDN'T THE OZZIES THINK UP THERE OWN NAMES FOR PLACES?...INSTEAD OF NICKING OURS!
12.45PM...TAREE...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS.
1.40PM...OF WE GO AGAIN.
3.30PM...PORT MAQUIRIE CAMPSITE...IT LOOKS A WONDERFUL PLACE...CLEAN AND PRETTY.
4.15PM...CHEESE/BRANSTON/FRENCH STICK...BEER...TASTE BUDS TINGLING...THINK I'LL BE IN MY SHORTS TOMORROW IF THIS WEATHER KEEPS UP.
5.30PM...WALKING SEA FRONT...DUSK HAPPENS QUICKLY HERE...15 MINS AGO IT WAS LIGHT....A SINGLE SWAN FLOATS ON THE STILL BLUE WATER...ITS PICTURE POSTCARD...THE AIR IS WARM AND STILL.
6.10PM...WALKING THRU TOWN CENTRE...VERY UNBUSY...PEOPLE WAKING/TALKING...BUT NOTHING IS HEARD...SO PEACEFUL...ABSURD.
7.15PM...FISH AND CHIPS TO SHARE...NOT THE BEST.
7.50PM...PUB/CAFE.
9.00PM...BACK AT VAN...READY FOR BED.

10.5.08.
8.25AM...ANOTHER DAY DAWNS.
8.40AM...KETTLE ON.
8.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.25AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.05AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
11.10AM...SITTING IN SUNSHINE...SHORTS ON FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TWO MONTHS!
1.00PM...WALKING INTO TOWN CENTRE...NU NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF TROUSERS...SHE LEFT A PAIR ON THE LINE AT SOME CAMPSITE.
2.00PM...PUB...ITS HARD TO FIND DECENT BEER IN OZ...NU AND I MIX A DARK STOUT WITH LEMONADE.
3.20PM...BACK ON CAMPSITE...CHEESE AND BREAD...YUMMY...WEATHER STILL WARM.
5.00PM...PREPARING VEGGIES.
6.05PM...STEAK/SPUDS/CARROT/PARSNIPS/CAULI...BELLY FULL.
6.30PM...WASHING UP DONE...SITTING OUTSIDE VAN...WITH OUR LAMP FOR LIGHT.
8.00PM...GONE COOL.

11.5.08.
7.30AM...I DON'T KNOW WHAT TODAY AS IN STORE.
7.45AM...KETTLE ON.
8.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.00AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/EGG ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
9.25AM...STARTED VAN.
10.10AM...OFF WE GO.
10.30AM...PALM COURT HOTEL.
10.45AM...WE HAVE A ROOM WITH A TELE.
12.05PM...CASINO ROYALE...JIMMY BOND MOVIE ON.
2.30PM...WE ARE GONNA WALK BACK TO CAMPSITE...ABOUT 1K...LEFT OUR WASHING DRYING ON THE LINE.
3.40PM...WE HAVE OUR WASHING.
3.55PM...PUB.
4.30PM...ANOTHER PUB/CAFE...WHERE YOU CAN COOK YOUR OWN STEAK...THEY SUPPLY THE MEAT,SALAD AND SPUD...THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO EAT AT THIS TIME ON A SUNDAY...YOU CAN WAIT TILL 6.30PM...AND THEN THEY'LL DO IT FOR YOU...SPENDING OUTA CONTROL...ALSO BOUGHT A BOTTLE OF WELL HEELED CHARDONNAY.
6.00PM...BACK IN OUR HOTEL ROOM.
7.00PM...BOTTLE OF ROSE...CHEESE AND BICS.
9.00PM...ENGLISH FOOTIE CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF LIVE ON TELE...NU READING.
12.05AM...FINAL DAY OF PREM SEASON IN ENGLAND JUST KICKED OFF...MAN U/WIGAN LIVE ON TELE...PLUS THEY TELL ALL THE OTHER SCORES AS THEY HAPPEN...NU ASLEEP!

12.5.08.
8.30AM...DIDN'T GET TO BED TILL 2.30AM...HEAD IN A DITHER.
8.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.50AM...CARRYING BAGS TO VAN.
10.10AM...OFF WE GO...VAN STARTED FIRST TIME.
11.05AM...FREDRICKSON...A SMALL VILLAGE FAMOUS FOR ITS FREDO PIES.
11.15AM...MUSHROOM/CHICKEN FOR ME...CAULI/BROCOLI AND CHEESE FOR NU...MINE HAD A WEE BIT TO MUCH SALT IN IT.
12.40PM...HEADING TOWARDS A SMALL VILLAGE CALLED TAYLORS ARM...WHICH AS A PUB WHICH IS FAMOUS FOR HAVING NO BEER!
1.05PM...THE PUB WITH NO BEER ACTUALLY SELLS BEER...BUT I DON'T KNOW WHY...CAUSE BELIEVE ME ITS PRETTY AWFUL STUFF...YEARS AGO IT DIDN'T SELL BEER AND THATS HOW IT BECAME FAMOUS...I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU...I JUST DON'T SEE ANYTHING WORTHWHILE ABOUT COMING HERE...OH WELL.
2.00PM...NEXT STOP COFFS HARBOUR...ITS TOO HOT TO DRIVE...BUT GOTTA PUSH ON.
3.20PM...THE CLOG BARN...A SMALL HOMELY CAMPSITE.
5.00PM...NU COOKING TEA TONIGHT...I'M NOT GONNA SAY A WORD...NU GETS ON A LINE IF I INTERFERE WHEN SHE'S PLAYING COOK!
5.40PM...TASTED PRETTY GOOD...VEGGIES EXCELLENT.
7.00PM...SITTING IN OUR CHAIRS OUTSIDE VAN...BOX OF WINE.

13.5.08.
8.00AM...THIRSTY...NEED A CUPPA.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...EGG/BACON SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.45AM...WALKING COFF HARBOUR JETTY...CLEAN AIR/CLEAN SEA...POPPED IN TO NEWSAGENTS...GOT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...WHOOPEE!
11.05AM...DRIVING ONWARDS TO BYRON BAY...JUST AS YOU DRIVE OUT OF COFFS HARBOUR...THERE IS A BIG BANANA...ABOUT 15 FOOT LONG...WHY?...NOT SURE.
12.30PM...DRIVING THRU A PLACE CALLED BALLINA...AS YOU DRIVE INTO THE TOWN THEY HAVE A GIANT 15 FOOT HIGH WHITE SHRIMP THAT ONCE WAS PINK...WHY?...NOT SURE!
12.50PM...STILL IN BALINA...SUPERMARKET...NEEDED SUPPLIES...BACON/EGGS/TUNA ETC.
1.20PM...STILL ON SUPERMARKET CARPARK HAVING A CUPPA COFFEE AND CHEESE AND BICS.
1.50PM...OFF WE SET.
3.15PM...BYRON BAY CAMPSITE NEXT TO BEACH...LEFT NU AND BOX OF WINE ON DECKING OVER LOOKING BEACH...BEST I SET THE VAN...ITS QUICKER MY WAY.
5.00PM...BEANS ON TOAST WITH EGG...SOMETIMES THATS ALL WE NEED...HAD TO MUCH STEAK OF RECENT...ITS FAIRLY CHEAP AT THE MOMENT.
6.10PM...SUN GONE DOWN...SITTING DRINKING WINE NEXT TO VAN...HOOKED UP A LIGHT.

14.5.08.
8.00AM...READY TO ROCK...NIMBIN NEXT STOP!
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.05AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE.
9.40AM...OFF WE TRUNDLE.
10.40AM...LISMORE.
11.20AM...NUMBIN.
11.45AM...CAMPSITE.
12.20PM...CENTRE OF VILLAGE...NOT AS HIPPY AS THE PEOPLE OF NIMBIN LIKE TO THINK THERE VILLAGE IS...THE DAY OF THE HIPPY AS PASSED...TIME TO MOVE ON.
1.00PM...CUPPA COFFEE AT THE RAINBOW CAFE.
2.00PM...STILLING SITTING AT THE RAINBOW...PEOPLE WATCHING...THEY DO A LOVELY ROAST LAMB ROLL IN GRAVY...MIGHT HAVE A SECOND.
3.30PM...ON OUR WAY BACK TO CAMP.
4.30PM...CHEESE/TOMATO/CUCUMBER ON FRENCH STICK.
5.15PM...LIGHT DESERTING US.
6.30PM...HOOKED UP OUTSIDE LIGHT...CHATTING WITH OTHER SURREALISTS.

15.5.08.
8.40AM...STAYING ANOTHER DAY...SO NO HURRY.
9.05AM...KETTLE ON.
9.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.10AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO/EGG ON TOAST...YUMMY-YUMMY.
10.50AM...READING NIMBIN MAGAZINE.
12.10AM...WALKED IN TO VILLAGE CENTRE ON MY OWN...NEEDED BREAD.
1.10PM...BACK WITH NU...SHE'S EVER SO PLEASED TO SEE ME...SHE'S LOVES HER PEACE AND TRANQUILITY DISTURBED!...THATS WHAT SHE TOLD ME!
4.30PM...HIPPY DISH.
5.50PM...WAFFERLING WITH FELLOW WAFFLERS.
7.05PM...IN VAN...GONE COOL.

16.5.08.
8.10AM...BODY NOT WANTING TO MOVE...BUT TOLD BODY IT HAD TOO.
8.25AM...KETTLE ON.
8.40AM...CUPPA TEA...WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT MY CUPPA TEA!
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.25AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.00AM...OFF WE SET...ABOUT 110K TO TWEED HEADS.
10.45AM...LOVELY LAZY LANES...SUN SHINING...EVERYTHING IS AS I LIKE IT TO BE.
11.50AM...TWEED HEADS.
12.05PM...A MONUMENT TO CAPTAIN COOK...AS MONUMENTS GO...THIS ONE IS WELL BORING.
1.00PM...DRIVING ON TO BRISBANE.
2.40PM...DIDN'T ENJOY DRIVING INTO BRISBANE...NOT KEEN ON CITY TRAFFIC.
2.45PM...CAMPSITE...ABOUT 4K[BUS RIDE] FROM CITY CENTRE.
3.10PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS...STAYING 3 NIGHTS.
4.00PM...PREPARING SPAG BOL...WILLIS RECIPE.
4.20PM...COOKING SPAG BOL...WILLIS WAY!...THIS WOMAN AS JUST WALKED INTO THE CAMP KITCHEN AND IS WAFFERLING AWAY...I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DO TO ATTRACT THEM!
4.40PM...TOOK HER TO SEE NU...IT ALWAYS HELPS TO GET RID OF THEM...I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THEY ARE CHATTING ME UP OR JUST FIND ME INTERESTING!
5.30PM...WELL EATABLE...THATS THE SPAG BOL!...THINK I MIGHT HAVE OVERDONE THE SPICES THOUGH.
6.05PM...THAI WOMAN PASSING...NU AND I HAVE JUST FINISHED EATING...WE NOW KNOW THIS THAI WOMANS LIFE STORY!
8.00PM...TIME TO GO INDOORS.

HAPPY CHAPS ON WE.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA...PART NINE OF MANY...

2008-05-09T18:12:00.000-07:00

29.4.08.
8.10AM...ITS BEEN RAINING AGAIN...LOOKS WELL WET OUTSIDE.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.10AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.35AM...TRYING TO START VAN.
10.05AM...NU AND TWO OTHERS PUSHING...VAN ROARS INTO LIFE.
10.30AM...DEPARTING CAMPSITE.
10.40AM...CARPARK...CENTRE OF TOWN.
11.00AM...WALKING HIGH STREET.
11.30AM...NU GONE FOR HER APPOINTMENT AT THE DOCTORS.
12.20PM...NU AS HER PERSCRIPTION...THATS A WEIGHT OF THE OLD SHOULDERS.
1.00PM...CAKE SHOP...PASTIE AND CHEESE ROLL.
1.50PM...NU IN INTERNET CAFE...EMAILING...I'M IN THE PUB LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO PLAY POOL WITH.
3.15PM...DRIVING TO DEVONPORT.
3.50PM...BIT EARLY FOR FERRY...WE ARE IN THE QUEUE...START LOADING AT 5.30PM.
4.20PM...NU TIDYING VAN...I'M OFF FOR A WALK...BORED OR WHAT!
5.45PM...THEY'VE OPENED THE GATES.
5.55PM...THEY WANT TO INSPECT THE VAN.
6.05PM...THEY TOOK OUR GAS CANS OFF US...THEY'LL RETURN THEM WHEN WE REACH MELBOURNE.
6.20PM...BACK IN THE QUEUE.
6.45PM...PARKED VAN UP IN FERRY...NEEDA DRINK.
7.15PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...WHITE WINE...WATCHING'OZ GOT TALENT' ON TV...NO COMMENT.
9.00PM...FINISHED IUR BOX OF WINE...SO WE'VE SEATED OURSELVES AT THE BAR...NU STILL ON THE WHITE...I'M GONNA HAVE A JACK D.
11.15PM...HAVING CHATTED TO A FEW PASSING FOLK...5 JD LATER...5 WHITE WINE LATER...WE HAVE HAD AN ENJOYABLE EVENING...TIME TO WOBBLE TO OUR PRE-BOOKED RECLINABLE SEATS.
11.35PM...GOOD NIGHT!

30.4.08.
6.00AM...AWAKE...MY RECLINABLE SEAT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIT MORE RECLINABLE!...I THINK I'VE SLEPT...FEEL UNCLEAN.
6.20AM...COFFEE...STILL HOT IN OUR CHEAP FLASK.
6.50AM...LOUDSPEAKER BELLOWS[AND IT IS A BELLOW!]...WIOLL ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS PLEASE RETURN TO THERE VEHICLES.
7.10AM...SITTING IN OUR VAN...WAITING ENTHUSIASTICALLY TO LEAVE FERRY.
7.15AM...OFF WE ROLL.
7.25AM...PICKED UP GAS CANS.
7.45AM...GOING OVER WESTGATE BRIDGE...TRAFFIC GOING SLOW.
8.20AM...CAMPSITE.
8.40AM...CUPPA TEA...ITS ONE OF THOSE MOMENTS WHEN YOU REALLY APPRECIATE A CUPPA.
9.10AM...SUPERMARKET...BREAD,BACON,EGGS ETC.
9.50AM...BREAKFAST...WELL DEVOURED...COFFEE.
10.45AM...SHOWER.
11.30AM...JOY...THE FRIEND WE MADE EARLIER ON IN OUR TRIP ARRIVES...SHE'S GONNA TAKE US ON A SIGHTSEEING TOUR OF MELBOURNE.
12.10PM...WEAVING THRU TRAFFIC IN HER TOYOTA ECHO.
1.30PM...AFTER MANY U-TURNS WE ARRIVE IN ST.KILDA...A SUBURB OF MELBOURNE...JOY MAKES MELBOURNE TRAFFIC LOOK EASY...I'M HAPPY BEING A PASSENGER.
2.15PM...JOY AND NU ARE TUCKING INTO A CHICKEN DISH...I THINK THEY HAVE GOT A WHOLE CHICKEN BETWWEN THEM...I'VE GOT DTEAK IN MUSHROOM SAUCE...VERY GENOUROUS HELPINGS.
3.40PM...BOTANICAL GARDENS...ENJOYING THE WALK...CAFE...NU AND JOY TUCKING INTO SCONES...A SLICE OF CHEESE CAKE FOR LITTLE ME!
5.05PM...PARKED IN CITY CENTRE CARPARK.
5.30PM...PUB...CAN'T REMEMBER NAME...GOT PICTURES OF A GIRL CALLED CHLOE EVERYWHERE...NAKED...CORNER TABLE...WONDERFUL VIEWS...BEER,JUST ABOUT PASSABLE.
6.00PM...WALKING THRU CITY...I COULD WALK FOREVER.
6.30PM...EUREKA TOWER...88th FLOOR...EARS POPPED ON THE WAY UP.
7.25PM...BACK IN CAR...OFF TO MEET JOYS DAUGHTER AND HAVE SOME MORE EATS!
8.00PM...MET UP WITH LACEY[DAUGHTER].
8.15PM...SCOFFING PIZZA/BOTLE OF RED TO SHARE.
9.15PM...DEPART RESTAURANT...WELL FAT!
10.00PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...A WELL PLEASANT DAY...THANKS JOY...IF YOU DO EVER COME TO ENGLAND...WE WILL CERTAINLY REPAY THE COMPLIMENT.

1.5.08.
9.10AM...WAS GONNA HEAD FOR THE BLUE MOUNTAINS TODAY...ITS RAINED ALL NIGHT...SO WE ARE GONNA STAY PUT FOR ANOTHER DAY.
9.35AM...KETTLE ON.
9.50AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.45AM...BACON/EGG/TOMATO/MUSHROOM/TOAST...CUPPA COFFEE...WONDERFUL.
11.55AM...NU IRONING.
12.10PM...MANAGED TO GET ENGLISH NEWSPAPER YESTERDAY...SO I'M HAPPY!
2.00PM...NU ON THE WINE...GUESS I BETTER JOIN HER.
2.30PM...RAINS RETURNED.
3.30PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED EVERYTHING FOR SPAG BOL TONIGHT.
5.00PM...IN CAMP KITCHEN PREPARING ONIONS AND PEPPERS FOR SPAG BOL...CHATTING WITH ANYBODY WHO'S WILLING TO CHAT TO ME...THINK I'VE HAD ENOUGH WINE!
6.00PM...NU JOINS ME...SOME TIMES I FEEL LOST IF SHE'S NOT THERE.
6.40PM...WONDERFUL,WONDERFUL SPAG...I COULD BE A TOP COOK...I PROBABLY AM...ANY BODY CAN COOK...ITS SUCH AN EASY SILLY THING TO DO.
7.55PM...ITS BEEN A NOTHING DAY...I LIKE NOTHING DAYS.
8.20PM...FANCY A SQUARE OF CHOCALATE...DON'T YOU?

2.5.08.
8.00AM...MY FIRST THOUGHT...LOADSA DRIVING...THINK I'LL STAY IN BED.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.30AM...TWO FRIED EGGS ON TOAST WITH THE LAST OF THE MUSHROOMS...NU HAD A BACON AND EGG SANDWICH...COFFEE.
10.10AM...GOODBYE MELBOURNE.
11.05AM...BALLARAT.
11.50AM...CASTLEMAINE.
12.35PM...BANDIGO.
2.15PM...SHEPPERTON.
2.50PM...LAYBY...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE FROM OUR FAVOURITE FLASK.
5.00PM...FINLEY AT LAST.
5.15PM...CAMPSITE...NOT SURE...WE ARE THE ONLY ONES STAYING HERE...IT'LL DO.
5.40PM...WARMING SPAG BOL LEFTOVERS...TASES EVEN BETTER THAN YESATERDAYS!
6.30PM...SNUG AS A BUG IN VAN... CUP OF RED WINE.
8.15PM...COVERED SOME GROUND TODAY...SAME AGAIN TOMORROW.
8.25PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.

3.5.08.
7.00AM...ITS COLD...SLEPT WELL.
7.20AM...KETTLE ON.
7.25AM...,CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHOWER...A VERY DIMLY LIT SHOWER BLOCK.
8.30AM...PORRIDGE/CUPPA COFFEE.
9.00AM...STARTED VAN...LET HER WARM THRU.
9.55AM...ON OUR WAY.
11.30AM...NARRANDARA.
11.40AM...SUPERMARKET...NU FANCIES SAUSAGES...ALSO NEED BREAD AND SWEETS...SOMETIMES I JUST FEEL LIKE BUYING A PACKET OF CIGS AND EATING THEM!
2.05PM...WEST WYLONG.
4.00PM...COWRA.
5.30PM...BATHURST.
5.50PM...CHIP SHOP/CAFE...FISH AND CHIPS FOR TWO PLEASE.
6.05PM...SMELLS GOOD...BUT THEY ONLY SUPPLY FORKS...NO KNIVES...THIS IS OZ DON'T FORGET...I WOULD EXPECT THIS IN INDONESIA...BUT HERE IN OZ A CAFE WITH NO KNIVES!...OK,CALM DOWN...I'LL GET OURS FROM THE VAN!
7.00PM...BOOKED ONTO CAMPSITE.
7.20PM...CUPPA TEA...NEEDED!...1100K I'VE DRIVEN IN TWO DAYS...POOR ME?...POOR VAN!
8.10PM...IN CAMPKITCHEN...DOING WASHING UP...FULL OF OZZIES...HAVEN'T THEY GOT HOMES TO GO TOO?...PROBABLY NOT!...THERE IS A GROWING HOMELESS COMMUNITY IN OZ...SAD,BUT TRUE.
9.00PM...NU IN LAUNDRY...SHE'S JUST SPILT A GLASS OF RED WINE ALL OVER THE BED AND ME...ACCIDENTS HAPPEN...OUCH!

4.5.08.
8.00AM...ANOTHER COLD NIGHT.
8.10AM...KETTLE ON.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...VAN PRETTY MUCH SORTED.
9.30AM...BREAKIE TIME...SAUSAGE AND EGG SANDWICH...WE HAVE TRIED TO FIND DECENT OZ SAUSAGES...BUT I'M AFRAIS OZ DOES NOT TO GOOD BANGERS...BINNED'EM!
10.15AM...HAD TO PUSH VAN...SHE STARTED STRAIGHT AWAY...BLESS!...SHE JUST LIKES BEING A PAIN SOMETIMES!
11.30AM...BLACKHEATH...A SMALLISH VILLAGE IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS...FROM HERE WE CAN TAKE THE TRAIN TO SYDNEY...SAME ME DRIVING.
12.10PM...RENTED A SMALL HUT WITH COOKING FACILITIES FOR FOUR NIGHTS.
1.30PM...WALKED INTO CENTRE OF TOWN.
2.10PM...SUNDAY LUNCH...ROAST BEEF ETC/APPLE PIE AND CREAM.
3.40PM...TRAIN STATION...CHECKING TIMETABLE FOR SYDNEY.
4.00PM...PUB.
4.40PM...PHONED PAULINE/JEANIE.
5.10PM...BOUGHT A BOX OF 4 LITRE WINE...CHARDONNAY.
6.00PM...BACK IN HUT...ITS GONE COLD.
6.30PM...AUSTRALIAN WORLD NEWS.
7.00PM...CHEESE AND BICS/WHITE WINE.
8.00PM...DOCUMENTARY ABOUT NAPOLEON...WHEN YOU HAVEN'T WATCHED TV FOR A WHILE...EVERYTHING SEEMS WORTH WATCHING...ACTUALLY NAPOLEON WAS AN ALRIGHT CHAP!

5.5.08.
7.00AM...ALARM.
710AM...KETTLE ON.
7.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.05AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...ANOTHER CUPPA.
8.30AM...WE HAVE A TRAIN TO CATCH...NU AND I ARE IN TROT MODE UP THRU PARK.
9.00AM...TRAIN STATION...PHEW!
9.05AM...TICKETS.
9.13AM...ON TRAIN TO SYDNEY CENTRAL.
10.15AM...ITS A LOVELY TRAIN...NOT OVERLY GRAFITTIED.
10.25AM...WOODY AND COUNTRIFIDISH...NO SUCH WORD IS THERE?...THERE IS NOW!...WONDERFUL SCENERY IS WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY!
10.40AM...PENRITH...OH!
10.45AM...AFTER PENRITH STATION...EVERYTHING IS BUILT UP...FACTORIES AND OLD CRUMBLING GRAFITTED BUILDINGS.
11.32AM...SYDNEY CENTRAL...SPOT THE WHITE MAN!
11.45AM...ON A GREEN AND CREAM COLOURED DINGY TRAIN TO CIRCULAR QUAY.
12.10PM...CIRCULAR QUAY...PURCHASED TICKET FOR HOP ON/HOP OFF TOUR BUS...THERES ONE EVERY 20 MINS.
12.20PM...NEED FOOD...A BIG FAT CHICKEN/TOMATO/LETTUCE COB...HAD ONE EACH.
12.35PM...ON TOUR BUS.
12.50PM...OPERA HOUSE...NOT AS IMPRESSIVE OR AS LARGE AS I THOUGHT.
1.35PM...BACK ON TOUR BUS.
1.55PM...GOING OVER HARBOUR BRIDGE...NU PHOTO-ING AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY.
3.00PM...DARLING HARBOUR...TIME FOR A BEER.
4.05PM...BACK ON BUS...HEADING FOR BONDI...FANCY A SURF?
5.10PM...BONDI BEACH...DON'T KNOW WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT...ITS A BEACH!
5.50PM...RUNNING...YES RUNNING!...NU AND I DON'T DO THIS OFTEN...BUT WE HAVE A TRAIN TO CATCH!...ALTHOUGH DID MANAGE TO STOP FOR A COUPLE OF CANS AND A BAG OF TWISTIES...PLUS MADE THE LOO!
6.10PM...RAN THRU BARRIER...GUARD SHOUTING 'COME ON!'.
6.11PM...TRAIN MOVING...ITS PACKED SO WE HAD TO STAND...BUT WE WERE HAPPY TO HAVE MADE IT...WE'VE PACKED SO MUCH INTO TODAY!
7.05PM...A LOT OF PEOPLE GOT OFF AT PENRITH...SO WE HAVE A SEAT NOW.
8.24PM...BLACKHEATH...OFF WE GET.
8.35PM...WALKING HIGH STREET...NEED A MEAL...EVERYTHING CLOSED.
9.10PM...BACK AT CABIN.
9.40PM...HIPPY DISH.
10.10PM...WHISKEY!

6.5.08.
9.10AM...NO HURRY...HAVING A REST DAY.
9.20AM...KETTLE ON.
9.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...BACK IN BED...NEED A CUDDLE..DIDN'T GO TO BED TILL 1.00AM...SO BODY STILL TIRED.
10.50AM...BACON/EGG/TOMATO ON TOAST...COFFEE.
12.05PM...WALKED IN TO TOWN CENTRE...NEED A FEW THINGS...PLUS ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
12.25PM...BLACKHEATH DOESN'T HAVE MUCH APART FROM TRINKET/ANTIQUE SHOPS AND A LOUSY SUPERMARKET WITH LITTLE TO OFFER...SO HAD TO BUY VEG FROM VEG SHOP...AND MEAT FRROM BUTCHERS...WELL EXPENSIVE...BUT WE ARE WORTH IT!...ALSO HAD TO GET NU'S BEER.
1.50PM...BACK AT OUR RENTED CABIN.
2.05PM...READING NEWSPAPER...ENJOYING A BEER...I THINK WE GOT BACK JUST IN TIME...DROP OF RAIN IN THE AIR.
4.00PM...CLEANED VAN...IT NEEDED IT!
5.15PM...PREWPARING VEGGIES.
6.00PM...CABBAGE/CARROTS/SPUDS ON THE BOIL....PORK FRYING.
6.25PM...AWESOME MEAL...YOU CAN'T BEAT COOKING FOR YOURSELF...WE'VE EATEN OUT TO MANY TIMES...AND I'M AFRAID ITS HARD TO FIND DECENT FAIR...THE OZZIES ARE NOT THE BEST OF COOKS.
7.20PM...A GLASS OR THREE OF CHARDONNAY...THAT RUBBISH OZ TALENT SHOW ON TELE AGAIN!

7.5.08.
7.00AM...ALARM.
7.05AM...DO I HAVE TO GET UP?!
7.08AM NO AND YES...MEANT TO BE CATCHING 9.00AM BUS TO KATOOMBA.
7.30AM...KETTLE ON.
7.45AM...CUPPA TEA[STILL IN BED].
8.20AM...NEED THEW LOO.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.10AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...COFFEE...GONNA TAKE THE 10.40AM BUS NOW.
10.00AM...STARTED WALKING INTO VILLAGE TO CATCH BUS.
10.03AM...100 YARDS COVERED...ITS TO COLD LETS TAKE THE VAN.
10.10AM...IN VAN...SHE STARTS STRAIGHT AWAY...OBVIOUSLY MISSED US.
10.40AM...PARKED UP IN KATOOMBA.
11.10AM...ON TOU BUS.
11.25AM...ON STEEPEST TRAIN IN THE WORLD[WELL...SO THE OZZIES SAY]...GOING DOWN DEEP GAUGE TO BASIN.
11.50AM...RETURNED VIA CABLE CAR...THE EXCITEMENTS TO MUCH!
12.10PM...BACK ON TOUR BUS.
12.30PM...'BYGONE BEAUTIES'...A SHOP IN LEURA SELLING ONLY TEAPOTS...OVER 3,000 OF THEM...PLUS IT AS A LITTLE TEA HOUSE.
12.45PM...SCONES/JAM/CREAM/ENGLISH TEA...WONDERFUL.
1.40PM...BACK ON TOUR BUS...YOU COULD PROBABLY MISTAKE ME FOR A ROCK STAR I'VE BEEN ON SO MANY TOUR BUSES...PLUS I'VE GOT THE HAIR!...MUST BE HARD BEING BALD...I RECKON MEN GO BALD CAUSE THEY DON'T GET ENOUGH SEX...AND START PULLING THERE HAIR OUT IN FRUSTRATION!
2.30PM...BACK IN KATOOMBA TOWN CENTRE.
3.00PM...BOUGHT AC SWEAT SHIRT.
4.00PM...BOUGHT A ESKY[COOL BOX]
4.30PM...ON THE WAY BACK TO OUR CABIN.
5.30PM...SPAG BOL...WILLIS RECIPE...I COULD MARKET IT YOU KNOW!
7.10PM...NU MENDING VAN MATTRESS...I'M READING NEWSPAPER...IN BETWEEN THREADING COTTON!

IF I WAS A TREE,
YOU'D STILL BE IN AWE OF ME!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

australia...part eight and three quarters-ish of many....

2008-04-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

26.4.08.
8.05AM...ITS RAINED ALL NIGHT...POURED CONTINUALLY.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...STILL IN BED DRINKING TEA.
9.05AM...ITS STARTING TO BRIGHTEN UP.
9.40AM...SHOWER.
10.10AM...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE.
11.55AM...SKIES DARKENING...NEAREST PUB!
12.05PM...SKIES HAVE OPENED.
12.50PM...SUPERMARKET/BOTTLE SHOP...TWO BOXES OF WINE...ONE RED...ONE WHITE.
1.40PM...DROPPED FOOD AND DRINK BACK AT VAN.
2.10PM...WHAT DO YOU DO ON A WET WEEKEND IN BRIDPORT?...THE SAME AS YOU WOULD DO IF YOU WERE SPENDING A WET WEEKEND IN BLACKPOOL!...IT WON'T HAVE THE SAME ATMOSPHERE AS AN ENGLISH PUB...THAT I CAN GUARANTEE...BUT IT'LL DO!
5.30PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
6.15PM...COOKING TEA IN LAUNDRETTE...THEY DON'T HAVE A CAMP KITCHEN HERE...SPUDS/MINCE/CARROTS/CAULI/TIN OF PEAS/ONION...GUESS IT'S A STEW!
7.30PM...BACK IN VAN.
9.00PM...ASLEEP...CONTENT.

27.4.08.
8.45AM...IT RAINED ALL NIGHT AGAIN...LEAST THE VAN IS GETTING WASHED.
9.05AM...KETTLE ON.
9.20AM...CUPPA TEA...NO HURRY...WE ARE MEANT TO BE OF SITE BY 10AM...BUT WOMAN RECEPTION SAYS NOT TO WORRY...OBVIOUSLY GOT THE HOTS FOR ME!...NOT.
9.45AM...SHOWER.
10.15AM...BREAKIE...BACON/EGG SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.40AM...STARTED VAN...AFTER ALL THAT RAIN SHE STARTS?...FICKLE OR WHAT...THATS WOMAN FOR YOU!
10.55AM...WE HAVE DECIDED TO HEAD FOR GEORGETOWN...WHY?...I DON'T KNOW!...THINK I'M TASSED OUT.
12.10PM...GEORGETOWN...EVERY TOWN IS STARTING TO LOOK THE SAME.
1.00PM...DRIVING ON TO LETROBE.
2.30PM...CAMPSITE LETROBE...BOOKED TO NIGHTS...ITS SMALL AND NEAT.
3.10PM...REHEATED LAST NIGHTS LEFTOVER STEW...WONDERFUL.
4.00PM...RICE PUDDING FROM A CAN...NEVER THE SAME AS WHAT MOTHER USED TO MAKE!
5.00PM...WALKED INTO CENTRE.
5.50PM...PUB.
6.20PM...THERE ARE SIX GUYS SITTING AT THE BAR...ITS VERY QUIET[REMEMBER THIS IS A PUB]...THEY ARE ALL GLUED TO A TV PROG CALLED GLADIATORS...GROWN MEN WATCHING RUBBISH WHILE SUPPING LAGER FROM HALF PINT MUGS...OZ AT TIMES IS...WELL...SOMETHING AIN'T QUITE RIGHT!

28.4.08.
8.55AM...ITS COLD...OZ IS MEANT TO BE HOT.
9.10AM...KETTLE ON.
9.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...SHOWER/SHAVE.
10.30AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.20AM...WALKED INTO CENTRE OF TOWN.
11.40AM...NU AS MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE DOC...NEEDS TABLETS ON PERSCRIPTION.
12.10PM...IT'S A SHOP...BUT IT'S MORE LIKE A MUSEUM...IF YOU ARE EVER INLETROBE...YOU MUST COME SEE THE SHOP OF DOLLS...ITS ON THE MAIN STREET...ITS PACKED FULL...EVERY ROOM A DIFFERENT THEME...COULD BE SCARY!
2.30PM...CAFE...STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...NU HAD FLAKE[SHARK FISH].
4.00PM...PUB...IT MUST BE HAT DAY...ALL THE MEN BAR ONE ARE WEARING HATS.
6.00PM...BACK AT VAN.
6.40PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER SANDWICH...WHITE WINE.
7.00PM...ITS GONE VERY COLD.

TASSED OUT!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA..PART EIGHT AND THIRDISH OF MANY...

2008-04-27T20:01:00.000-07:00

21.4.08.
8.00AM...GOOD MORNING WORLD...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY NU...ITS BEEN A YEAR YOU ARE A LUCKY GIRL!
8.15AM...LETS NOT GET TO EXCITED...I'LL PUT THE KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA...WONDERFUL.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.15AM...SORTING VAN.
9.45AM...TOAST/CUPPA TEA...HANDED NU ANNIVERSARY PRESENT...TWO CURLY WURLIES...I KNEW THEY WOULD MAKE HER SMILE...I MEAN WHAT DO YOU GET THE GIRL WHO'S GOT EVERYTHING?...WELL...SHE'S GOT ME!
10.20AM...ON OUR WAY OUTA PORT ARTHUR.
10.40AM...DECIDED TO TAKE A SHORT CUT...ITS THE ADVENTURE IN ME!
10.55AM...WELL...THE ROAD WAS TARMACED AT FIRST...WE ARE NOW ON A RICKETY ROCKETY DIRT TRACK...DOING ABOUT 15MPH...ITS BENDY...FOREST ALL AROUND...NIGHTMARE...HOPE WE DON'T GET A PUNCTURE!
11.50AM...AMAZINGLY...AND IT WAS AMAZING...THE VAN MADE IT...STILL IN ONE PIECE...NOT SURE ABOUT NU...I KNOW HOW TO TREAT A GIRL ON HER ANNIVERSARY!
12.05PM...ORFORD...A NICER ENOUGH PLACE...BUT NOT GONNA STOP.
12.25PM...TRIBUNNA...BETTER HAVE A LOOK...LOADSA YACHTS...DECIDED TO HAVE A SHANDY AT THE LOCAL...LOVELY PUB...CHAP WHO OWNS IT AS HAD ALL SORTS OF MEDICAL PROBLEMS...HE'S NOW BEING TREATED FOR CANCER...I WONDER IF HE TELLS ALL HIS FIRST TIME CUSTOMERS HIS WOE'S...OR NU AND I LOOK THE LISTENABLE TYPES?...HE ALSO SAID WE COULD PARK FOR FREE ON HIS CARPARK ALNIGHT...HE WOULD ALSO PROVIDE AN ELETRICAL POINT...AFTER MUCH THOUGHT WE DECIDED TO MOVE ON...TO EARLY TO STOP.
1.35PM...DROVE ON TO WARDS COLES BAY.
2.50PM...DECIDED TO HEAD FOR BICHENO.
3.30PM...CAMPSITE AT BICHENO...LOOKS ALRIGHT.
4.00PM...SMALLS DRYING ON LINE.
5.00PM...PUB.
5.15PM...PLAYING POOL...WON TWICE.
6.00PM...TIME TO EAT...NU HAD TRAVELLA[FISH]...I HAD PORK CHOPS...COULD HAVE DONE WITH ABIT MORE COOKING...VEGGIES WONDERFUL.
7.00PM...PLAYING POOL DOUBLES...NU WATCHING WILDLIFE PROG...DAVE ATTENBOROUGH ON OZ.
8.15PM...LOST AT POOL!
9.00PM...BACK IN VAN.
9.30PM...HEAD ON PILLOW...THINK I HAVE HAD ONE TO MANY TO DRINK...HAPPY ANNI NU!

22.4.08.
8.00AM...NO HURRY...NEED A CUPPA.
8.15AM...KETTLE BOILING.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHAVE/SHOWER...ITS RAINED ALL NIGHT...SMALLS STILL WET.
9.30AM...COFFEE...BACON/EGG/TOMATO/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...BACON NOT THE BEST...EGG SPLODGED.
11.00AM...WALKED INTO TOWN CENTRE.
11.30AM...INFORMATION CENTRE.
12.05PM...GLASS BOTTOM BOAT...STINGRAYS AS LONG AS ME/GUMMY SHARKS/SOME FISH CALLED RASSE...PLUS MORE...BUT CAN'T REMEMBER THERE NAMES.
1.05PM...BACK ON DRY LAND.
1.30PM...COFFEE SHOP.
2.15PM...BOOKED PENGUIN TRIP FOR 6.40PM TONIGHT.
2.35PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...OPENED BOTTLE OF BUBBLEY...MEANT TO HAVE DRANK IT YESTERDAY...ITS THE ONE WE BOUGHT IN THE BAROSSA VALLEY...TASTES OK...NU HAPPY...I'M HAPPY TOO...CHEESE/ONION COB.
4.00PM...HAVING A LIE DOWN.
6.00PM...WHY DID WE BOOK THE PENGUINS!?...DON'T WANNA MOVE...IT'S WARM IN HERE...IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.
6.40PM...ON BUS TO PENGUIN SITE.
7.00PM...PENGUINS ABOUT ONE FOOT TALL...THEY ARE FAIRY PENGUINS...NAMED AFTER PORT FAIRY...WHERE THEY WERE FIRST SEEN...OR MAYBE PORT FAIRY WAS NAMED AFTER THE PENGUINS...NOT SURE NOW!...ANYWAY....THEY COME WADDLING UP THE BEACH IN PACKS OF 6 0R 7...MAKING A CHIRPY SNORING SOUND...GIRL NEXT TO ME SAID SHE THOUGHT THEY WERE CUTE[BLESS]...GIRLS USED TO SAY I WAS CUTE...BUT I DON'T LOOK LIKE A PENGUIN...DO I?...PERHAPS I WALK LIKE ONE!
8.05PM...BACK IN VAN...NEED TO WARM UP.
8.20PM...CAFE...TURKEY WRAP/SALAD WITH APRICOT CHUTNEY...WHY DO I BOTHER!
9.10PM...BACK IN THE WARMTH OF OUR VAN.

23.4.08
8.10AM...THAT TIME AGAIN.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...PACKING UP...NU THEN SAYS SHE'D LIKE TO STAY ANOTHER DAY...CAUSE FEEDING AT THE WILDLIFE CENTRE IS 10.00AM OR 4.00PM...AND WE ARE NOT GONNA MAKE THE 10.00AM.
9.25AM...DE-PACKING.
9.50AM...BREAKIE....BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO SANDWICH...NU HAD TOAST...NOT KEEN ON BACON I BOUGHT...SHE'S GOING FUNNY IN HER OLD AGE!
11.00AM...NEWSAGENTS...THEY'VE GOT MY ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...ITS ARRIVED A DAY EARLY.
11.25AM...HAPPY READING NEWSPAPER.
12.30PM...DECIDED WE ARE GONNA HAVE SPAG BOL TO NIGHT.
12.40PM...SUPERMARKET...MINCE ETC.
1.30PM...PUB.
3.10PM...WILDLIFE CENTRE...KASNGAROOS AND WALLABIES ROAMING FREE...PARROT LIKE BIRDS SQUAWKING.
4.00PM...FEEDING TIME...UGLY LOOKING TASMANIAN DEVILS...TEDDY BEAR LOOKING WOMBATS...AND OTHER RATTY LOOKING THINGS.
5.10PM...I'M HUNGRY...MY FEEDING TIME AS ARRIVED.
6.15PM...SPAG BOL...WHITE WINE...SHOULD'VE HAD RED WITH MINCE...GUESS WE LIKE TO BE DIFFERENT.

24.4.08.
8.00AM...TIME TO GET UP...ITS THAT TIME ALREADY.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.45AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.15AM...VAN SORTED.
9.35AM...VAN ROARS IN TO LIFE...GOSH SHE IS KEEN THIS MORNING...LEFT HER RUNNING...TIME FOR BREAKIE.
9.50AM...FRIED EGG ON TOAST/CUPPA COFFEE.
10.20AM...OFF WE GO.
11.00AM...ST.MARY'S...NOT ALOT HAPPENING HERE.
11.40AM...ST.HELENS...HAD A LOOK ROUND...BUT NOT OUR CUP OF TEA...LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE QUIETER.
12.30PM...PYENGANA...A CHEESE PLACE...YOU DON'T WANNA KNOW...AWFUL,AWFUL CHEESE!
1.30PM...DROVE ON...GOT LOST...HAD TO RETRACE OUR TRACKS.
3.00PM...WELDBOROUGH...DESOLETE...QUIET...APART FROM THE GUY BEHIND THE BAR WHO WAS FAT AND UGLY.
3.30PM...CAMPING IN FAT UGLY GUYS FIELD.
4.00PM...PLAYING POOL...LOST 2-1...OH WELL.
6.00PM...MEALTIME...STEAK IN SOME APPALLING SAUCE...NU HAD LAMB.
8.00PM...IN VAN...THINK I'LL HAVE A WHISKEY...THINK I'M TASSED OUT!

25.4.08.
7.50AM...FIDGETY NIGHT.
8.05AM...KETTLE ON.
8.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.25AM...SHOWER...THE SHOWER SMELT REAL BAD.
8.45AM...NU HAVING TOAST...NOT HUNGRY MYSELF.
9.00AM...TRYING TO START VAN.
9.20AM...STILL TRYING TO START VAN.
9.40AM...HAD TO PUSH VAN TO A SLOPEY BIT...JUMPED STARTED STRAIGHT AWAY HAVING ROLLED ABOUT TWO FOOT!
9.50AM...TURNING BACK TO CAMPSITE...NU LEFT PLATE AND CUP.
10.05AM...HEADING TO SCOTSVILLE.
10.20AM...DERBY...SPOTTED A CAFE OPEN...THE ART CAFE...AS ITS ANZAC DAY ALOT OF SHOPS/CAFES ARE CLOSED.
10.45AM...SCONES AND JAM AND CREAM/CUPPA COFFEE.
11.05AM...WONDERFUL SCONES...WELL WORTH A VISIT IF YOU FEEL ECKISH...SCONES OUTA THIS WORLD!
11.35AM...DROVE ON TOWARDS SCOTSVILLE.
12.10PM...LEGERWOOD...IF YOU EVER COME TO TASMANIA...DO NOT LEAVE UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN TO LEGERWOOD...IN THE FIRST WORLD WAR 7 MEN FROM THE VILLAGE WERE KILLED IN ACTION...AND IN THERE MEMORY 7 TREE'S WERE PLANTED...IN 1999 THE COUNCIL SAID THEY HAD TO BE CHOPPED DOWN...THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE RALLIED ROUND AND RAISED 27,000 DOLLARS AND EMPLOYED A CHAP CALLED ED FREEMAN TO CARVE THE TREE'S IN TO THE MEN THAT DIED...HE WAS ABLE TO CARVE THERE FEATURES FROM OLD PHOTO'S[TERRACOTA-ISH]...IF YOU NEVER GO ANYWHERE ELSE IN OZ...COME HERE!
1.30PM...ON WE DROVE TO SCOTSVILLE.
2.10PM...SCOTSVILLE...NO,I DON'T THINK SO.
2.20PM...ON WE DRIVE TO LILYDALE.
2.50PM...LILYDALE...ANOTHER I DON'T THINK SO.
3.10PM...ON WE DRIVE TO BRIDPORT.
3.55PM...OK...IT'LL DO...ITS BY THE SEA.
4.30PM...SPAG BOL...LEFT OVERS FROM THE LAST ONE...IT ALWAYS TASTES BETTER AFTER A FEW DAYS.
5.20PM...SORTING VAN.
6.00PM...ITS RAINING...THE WEATHER IS FUNNY HERE...BETWEEN 10AM/4PM ITS HOT...THE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE COLD KICKS IN.
7.00PM...CRISPS/NUTS/WHISKEY AND TWISTIES...DON'T KNOW IF I'VE MENTIONED TWISTIES BEFORE?...TWISTIES ARE CHEESE STICKS WITH KNOBBLY BITS...AND IF YOU WANNA GET FAT...THESE ARE FOR YOU...CAUSE ONCE YOU STARTING EATING THEM YOU CAN'T STOP...NU AND I ARE ALREADY A COUPLE OF CHUBSTERS...SO I GUESS IT DOESN'T MATTER!

REPETITIVE....NOT REPETIVE!

BYE FOR NOW.

AUSTRALIA...PART EIGHT OF MANY..

2008-04-25T19:56:00.000-07:00

18.4.08.
8.10AM...IN NO MOOD TO RUSH...THEN NU REMINDS ME BUS FOR HOBART IS AT 10AM.
8.20AM...KETTLE ON.
8.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.10AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...ALL SORTED.
10.05AM...ON THE BUS.
10.40AM...HOBART CENTRE.
10.50AM...WALKING AROUND SHOPS...YAWN.
11.55AM...INTERNET CAFE...NU NEEDS TO PUT PHOTOS ON DISC.
1.30PM...COFFEE.
2.15PM...MORE WALKING...LOTTA OLD BUILDINGS MINGLED WITH THE NEW.
3.40PM...VICTORIA PUB...HAPPY HOUR.
4.00PM...CHATTING WITH ELDERLY BROTHER AND SISTER...VERY NICE PEOPLE.
5.30PM...ON BUS BACK TO CAMPSITE...WORN OUT HAVING SEEN THE DELIGHTS OF HOBART!?
6.00PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
6.30PM...HIPPY DISH WITH POTATOES...I WAS WELL HUNGRY...CAMP KITCHEN CRAMPED.
7.30PM...IN VAN...STILL HAVEN'T FINISHED NEWSPAPER...CUPPA TEA.
8.10PM...WE HAVEN'T DONE MUCH TODAY...BUT WE NEEDED A DAY LIKE TODAY.

I'M GONNA RENAME THIS BLOG...CHEESE...'THE MOST BORING REPETIVE BLOG THIS SIDE OF PLUTO'...DID YOU KNOW NU AND I ONLY HAVE DECAF TETLEY TEA BAGS?...OR WE ONLY USE SEMI SKIMMED MILK?...INTERESTING OR WHAT!...I SAY...INTERESTING OR WHAT...THATS MY FRED ELLIOTT...I DO MISS CORRIE AND DILEMMA[SAD]...I WONDER IS BIN AND BAN IS STILL ON?...AN ABSOLUTE RUBBISH OF A PROG ABOUT TWO CLUELESS DUMB WOMEN TRYING TO DRESS CLUELESS DUMB WOMEN...OR DEAD LOSS...NEED I SAY MORE...OR DICKHEAD AND DUD...WHO ARE HELPLESS AND HOPELESS...OR BENDERS...WHO SURELY ONLY EMPLOY ACTORS WHO CAN'T ACT AND SCRIPTWRITERS WHO HAVE EATEN TO MANY SMARTIES...GOSH ENGLAND IS AS WONDERFUL AS IT IT CRACKERS...WHERES THE CHEESE?...THE SILLY POINT ABOUT ALL THIS AWFUL BLOG WRITING[WROTING] BUSINESS IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE ACTUALLY READING IT...AND THEY ACTUALLY SEND ME COMMENTS PRAISING MY WOEFUL SCRIPT!

19.4.08.
8.00AM...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL...COULDN'T GET COMFY.
8.15AM...KETTLE ON.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...TRYING TO START VAN.
9.55AM...BATTERY FLAT.
10.10AM...TWO OZ GUYS PUSHING...VAN FIRES INTO LIFE.
11.00AM...SALAMINCA MARKET...NEAR HOBART CENTRE.
11.35AM...NEW TSHIRT FOR ME...NEW BAG FOR NU.
11.50AM...HOT DOG.
11.55AM...HOT DOG IN BIN!
12.25PM...BACK IN VAN.
12.40PM...PETROL STATION...I HATE BUYING PETROL...IT COSTS TO MUCH!
1.30PM...RICHMOND...THE OLDEST PRISON IN OZ...1825...AND IT'S NOT BEEN RESTORED...ITS AS IT WAS...SOME CHAP WAS CAUGHT STEALING A LOAF IN LONDON,ENGLAND...GOT SENT TO TASMANIA...PUT IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT FOR 31 DAYS...ALSO HAD 100 LASHES...I HOPE HE ENJOYED THE BREAD...THEN HE ESCAPED...THEN HE GOT CAUGHT...IT JUST WENT FROM BAD TO WORSE...POOR CHAP...ITS WELL WORTH A LOOK...YOU HAVE TO GO WITH THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PRISONERS HAD TO ENDURE...THE CELLS WERE SIX FOOT BY THREE WITH NO LIGHT!
2.30PM...CAFE...LAMB PIE[SHEPHERDS PIE]...WHY DO THEY HAVE TO OVER INDULGE WITH THE SALT?
3.10PM...BACK IN VAN.
3.50PM...SORRELL...DROVE SLOWLY THRU...NOT MUCH HAPPENING.
5.00PM...PORT ARTHUR...TODAYS DESTINATION...NOT ALOT HERE.
5.25PM...ON CAMPSITE...WILD ANIMALS EVERYWHERE...NU IN HER ELEMENT...THEY LOOK LIKE LARGE RATS TO ME.
6.30PM...BEANS AND EGG ON TOAST...FILLED A GAP.
7.30PM...NU WITH TORCH IN HAND LOOKING FOR WILD THINGS...I'M STANDING CLOSE BY TRYING TO LOOK INTERESTED!
8.20PM...CUPPA TEA.

20.4.08.
8.00AM...SLEPT REALLY WELL...MUST HAVE BEEN COMFY.
8.15AM...KETTLE BOILING...TEABAGS AND CUPS AT THE READY.
8.25AM...SIPPING GENTLY.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...SORTING CUTLERY...WE HAVE LOST A KNIFE...NU AS LOST HER KEYS.
9.45AM...KEYS FOUND...NO SIGN OF KNIFE.
10.00AM...BREAKFAST...SCRAMBLED EGGS ON TOAST...CUPPA TEA.
11.15AM...WALKING THRU WOODS TO BEACH.
11.40AM...BEACH...SEA WELL CALM.
11.55AM...OVER BRIDGE TO ANOTHER WOODED AREA...GOSH HOW EXCITING!
12.25PM...HISTORIC SITE...OLD CONVICT HOUSE...ORANGY YELLOWY BRICKED...THEY USED TO BUILD BOATS IN THIS AREA AND THE CONVICTS DID THE LABOUR.
1.40PM...CAFE...YOU CAN'T HAVE A DRINK UNLESS YOU EAT!...BARMY OT WHAT!...WALKED A KILOMETRE TO PUB...ITS SUNDAY...NOT OPEN TILL 4PM...BARMY OR WHAT!
2.40PM...WALKED BACK TO CAMPSITE VIA STEWARTS BAY...LEG ACHING...WORSE ITS BEEN FOR A WHILE.
3.50PM...CAMPSITE...DECKCHAIR...BEER...CHEESE.
4.25PM...LYING ON BED.
6.00PM...PHONED MOTHER AND PAULINE...TRIED TO PHONE WILLIAM...GOT ANSWER MACHINE.
7.15PM...STEAK/CARROTS/SWEDE/SPUDS.
7.55PM...STEAK NOT TO GOOD.
8.45PM...BACK IN VAN.
9.15PM...WHISKEY.

OH WELL....

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA....PART 7 OF MANY..

2008-04-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

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.

AUSTRALIA..PART SIX AND A HALF OF MANY

2008-04-03T22:45:00.000-07:00

29.3.08.
8.00AM...ITS MORNING ALREADY...GOT QIUTE ABIT TO DO TODAY.
8.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.05AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES...WOULD HAVE PREFERED A BACON SANDWICH.
9.30AM...ZEBO DISMANTLING.
9.50AM...SAYING CHEERIO TO ROSS AND HELEN...GONNA SEE THEM AGAIN ON MONDAY...THEY'VE INVITED US TO STAY...ROSS GONNA GIVE ME A GAME OF POOL...PROBABLY GET MY CUM-UPPAPANCE.
10.15AM...OFF WE SET FOR FLINDERS CHASE NATIONAL PARK.
11.00AM...FLINDERS CHASE VISITORS CENTRE...YOU HAVE TO PAY TO GO ANY FURTHER.
11.35AM...REMARKABLE ROCKS...FUNNY SHAPED ROCKS...IRON LOOKING SCULPTURED ROCKS.
12.20PM...DU COUEDICE LIGHTHOUSE...BEEN STANDING SINCE 1800...LOOKS NEW!
12.45PM...ADMIRALS ARCH...HAD TO WALK ABOUT 1K...BUT WELL WORTH IT...ITS AN UGLY LOOKING ARCH OF ROCK WITH STALAGTITES...ALL THREE I MENTION ARE WORTH A LOOK IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO GO TO KANGAROO ISLAND...ITS A LOVELY PLACE.
2.00PM...BACK IN VAN...BOTH HUFFING AND PUFFING...BOTH NEED TO GET FIT...PLUS ITS COLD...AND WHEN ITS COLD I ACHE.
3.15PM...PARDANA...A SMALL FOUR SHOP VILLAGE ON THE WAY BACK TO KINGSCOTE.
3.25PM...WE BOUGHT HALF A CHICKEN AND FOUR ROLLS...GIRL WHO SERVED US SAID SHE LIVED ON WALLABIES AND KANGAROO MEAT...SHE CREEPS UP BEHIND THEM AND WOLLOPS THEM WITH A BASEBALL BAT...SHE SEEMED A NICE GIRL...BUT I KINDA DISLIKED HER AFTER THAT REVELATION...STILL,EVERYBODY TO THERE OWN!
4.30PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...CHICKEN FILLED BUN/CUPPA TEA.
5.50PM...NU SEWING CURTAINS...I'M THOUGHTFUL.
7.00PM...SITTING IN VAN...ITS GONE COLD...SWEETS/CRISPS/NUTS...THEY TASTE SO GOOD...BUT AM I EATING OUTA BOREDOM?
7.40PM...READING SNIPPETS FROM NEWSPAPER...DRINKING WEAK WHISKEY...ADDED COKE.
9.00PM...SNUG AS A BUG IN OUR LITTLE VAN.

30.3.08.
8.50AM...ONLY GOT EMU BAY TO DO...SO NO HURRY.
9.25AM...CUPPA TEA/GINGER BISCUITS!...GOT NO BACON OR CORNFLAKES...OUCH.
9.50AM...SHOWER.
10.15AM...ANOTHER CUPPA.
10.30AM...NU WASHING SHEETS...SORTING MEDICINE/LOTION BOX...THE SUN IS OUT...BUT ITS NOT SO WARM.
11.05AM...FEELING HUNGRY...THINK WE SHOULD GO TO A CAFE IN VILLAGE FOR EATS.
11.30AM...STILL HUNGRY...NU STILL FIDGETING AROUND...TIDYING THINGS READY TO BE UNTIDIED...THATS HOW IT GOES IN VAN LIFE...NOTHING STAYS WHERE ITS MEANT TO BE...NU TAKING AGES!
11.55AM...COULDN'T WAIT ANY LONGER...COOKING PASTA OUT OF A PACKET...CHEESE AND MUSHROOM...MEANT TO BE CREAMY...CREAMY IT IS NOT!...FILLED A GAP...I'VE ALWAYS BEEN EASY TO PLEASE.
12.40PM...FOODLAND SUPERMARKET...I'M NOT GOING WITHOUT BACON TOMORROW!...BOUGHT PORK AND CAULIFLOWER FOR LATER...YUMMY.
1.20PM...ON THE ROAD...HEADING FOR EMU BAY.
1.50PM...EMU BAY...HOUSES LOOK EXPENSIVE...LOVELY VIEWS...BEACH NOT SO WHITE...LOTTA SEAWEED.
2.15PM...SITTING IN VAN...CHEESE COBBING.
2.40PM...WALKING BEACH.
3.30PM...BACK IN VAN...GOTTA MAKE 'FOODLAND' BEFORE 4.00PM...FORGOT CHOCALATE!
3.58PM...FOODLAND.
4.02PM...WE HAVE CHOCALATE...ITS LIKE MILKTRAY...WE LOVE IT!
4.06PM...FOUR SQUARES EACH...STRAWBERRY...TURKISH DELIGHT...CARAMEL AND ORANGE.
4.25PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
4.35PM...CUPPA TEA.
4.55PM...NU SEWING AGAIN...ME FIDGETING.
6.10PM...PEELING SPUDS...PREPARING VEG...HAVING A BEER.
6.35PM...COOKING.
7.10PM...EATING.
7.30PM...WONDERFUL MEAL.
7.45PM...WASHING UP...NU BACK TO HER SEWING.
8.40PM...IN VAN...BETTER HAVE ANOTHER FOUR SQUARES...DON'T WANT CHOC GOING OFF!
8.50PM...FANCY A BRANDY MY LOVELY?

31.3.08.
8.00AM...HERE WE GO AGAIN.
8.20AM...CUPA TEA.
8.35AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...ZEBO PACKING/VAN SORT.
9.40AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
10.50AM...IN VAN HEADING FOR FERRY PORT FOR BOAT TO TAKE US BACK TO THE MAINLAND.
11.10AM...GOT TICKETS...15 MINUTES TILL DEPARTURE...NU WANTS STAMPS...OFF WE ZOOM TO POST OFFICE.
11.15AM...OUSIDE POSTOFFICE...SHE SAYS SHE HASN'T FILLED IN THE ADDRESSES YET...WHERES THE ADDRESSES?...CAN'T FIND THE ADDESSES!
11.18AM...FOUND THE ADDRESSES.
11.21AM...NU IN POSTOFFICE.
11.26AM...NU COMES OUT OF POSTOFFICE...SHE'D FORGOT HER GLASSES...ONLY MANAGED TO FILL IN TWO CARDS.
11.32AM...WE MADE IT...LAST TO BOARD!
12.30PM...TIME GOING SLOW...BIT BORED...FINISHED CHOC.
1.30PM...BACK ON MAINLAND...NEXT STOP VIKTOR HARBOUR.
3.00PM...VIKTOR HARBOUR...BEER/CHEESE COB...BUT NOT REALLY WORTH STOPPING FOR...HAD A WALK ROUND.
4.20PM...BACK IN VAN...NEXT STOP GOOLWA...WE ARE GOING TO STAY WITH ROSS AND HELEN...FOLK WE MET ON KANGAROO ISLAND.
5.10PM...GOOLWA...WE PULL IN TO LOCAL SUPERMARKET CARPARK...NU IS GONNA PHONE ROSS AND HELEN FROM HERE...AND THEN COMING OUTA THE SUPERMARKET IS HELEN...ICE CREAM IN HAND...SHE LOVES IT...ICE CREAM FIEND.
5.30PM...FOLLOWING HER BACK TO THIER PLACE.
6.30PM...ON THIRD BEER...ROSS LIKES HIS BEER...NU AND HELEN ON CHAMPAGNE...HELEN LIKES HER CHAMPAGNE.
7.40PM...LOBSTER IN WONDERFUL SAUCE WITH SALAD.
8.05PM...MULLET[FISH]/MASHED SPUD/GARDEN PEAS...WASHED DOWN WITH RED WINE...APPARENTLY IT WAS A SPECIAL RED WINE...THEY ALL TASTE THE SAME TO ME!
9.00PM...PHOTO'S AND WAFFLE.
9.35PM...WILD TURKEY WHISKEY AND HONEY...ANOTHER OF ROSS'S FAVOURITES.
10.45PM...TIME FOR BED AND I'M READY FOR BED!

WONDERFUL DAY.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA....PART 6 OF MANY

2008-04-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

22.3.08.
10.45AM...SLEPT WELL.
11.05AM...KETTLE ON.
11.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
12.05PM...SHAVE...STRUGGLED WITH BLUNT RAZOR...SHOWER.
12.40PM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE.
2.00PM...NU RELAXING/READING...I WALKED INTO TOWN...NEED SPUDS...GOT FOUR LITRE BOX OF WINE/BOTTLE OF BRANDY/SIX BOTLES OF BEER AND A TOMATO.
3.10PM...BACK WITH NU AT HER BECK AND CALL.
4.00PM...NICE WINE.
5.00PM...VERY,VERY NICE WINE.
6.05PM...PEELING SPUDS...PREPARING CABBAGE AND CARROTS.
7.00PM...EXCELLENT MEAL...BEST WE'VE COOKED YET...DID PORK TO PERFECTION...3 SLICES OF BREAD WITH GRAVY...AWESOME!
8.00PM...STILL GOT HALF A BOX OF WINE LEFT...STILL TASTING GOOD...RADIO PLAYING SOME TUNES FROM FORGOTTEN ERA...ALL IS WELL IN OUR WORLD.

23.3.08.
9.10AM...UP WE GET...GONNA DO SOMETHING TODAY...TORN BETWEEN BAROSSA VALLEY[WINE REGION]...OR GLENEGL[SWIMMING/BEACH].
9.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA COFFEE.
11.20AM...DEBATING WHAT TO DO...THE SUN IS OUT...WE BOTH FEEL LETHARGIC.
12.05PM...STILL DEBATING.
12.40PM...AFTER ANOTHER CUPPA WE DECIDE ON THE BAROSSA VALLEY.
1.35PM...IT WASN'T AS NEAR AS IT LOOKS ON THE MAP...NOTHING EVER DOES.
2.10PM...SPOTTED A SIGN...'CHEESE PLATTER' ...NEXT TO A SIGN SAYING'TREVOR JONES WINE'...I NEED CHEESE!
2.25PM...WINE TASTING...NU HAPPY...I'VE GOTTA TAKE IT EASY BECAUSE I'M DRIVING.
2.40PM...CHEESE/CHUTNEY/BISCUITS GOING DOWN WELL.
3.05PM...NU'S BOUGHT TWO BOTTLES...EXPENSIVE ONES AT THAT!
3.20PM...BACK IN VAN...DRIVING THRU JACOBS CREEK...WE ARE GONNA DO THE CIRCUIT.
3.50PM...STOP OFF AT SOME WINE STORE...THEY ARE EVERYWHERE...BOUGHT MYSELF A 4 LITRE BOX OF DRY RED.
4.05PM...DRIVING ON...TRAFFIC PILING UP BEHIND ME...I'VE BECOME A SUNDAY DRIVER...AM I GETTING OLD?
5.30PM...CIRCUIT COMPLETED...WELL NICE SCENERY...IF YOU DO COME TO OZ...COME TO ADELAIDE...ITS CLEAN AND KINDA SMILES AT YOU...AND THERES A FAIR BIT TO DO.
6.10PM...SITTING IN GAZEBO...CUPPA TEA.
7.00PM...PHONED MOTHER AND PAULINE.
7.45PM...RED RED WINE TASTES SO FINE!
8.20PM...RED RED WINE SO DIVINE...I MIGHT BECOME A POET...NOT SURE YET!...PEANUTS AND CRISPS...WE ARE HAVING A PARTY...RADIO PLAYING...EVERY TUNE AS SOMETHING...THEY ARE DOING THE OZ TOP 500 SONGS OVER EASTER...ACDC SOUND GOOD ALL THE TIME...FOR SOME REASON KYLIE SOUNDS ALRIGHT TOO!...THEY LIKE DURAN DURAN HERE...I THINK THATS THE THIRD SONG I HAVE HEARD BY THEM...HAVE OZ FOLK REALLY EVER CONTRIBUTED TO THE WORLD OF MUSIC?
9.00PM...RELAXED...BUT NEVER CONTENT...WE'VE RUN OUTA NUTS AND CRISPS!

24.3.08.
8.55AM...DON'T WANNA MOVE...HAPPY TO SLUMBER.
9.10AM...KETTLE ON.
9.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.50AM...SHAVE...I HAVE A NEW BLADE...SHOWER.
10.10AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES...THEY NEVER REALLY FILL ME.
11.00AM...BUS TO CENTRE OF ADELAIDE.
11.20AM...BUS TO GLENELG...JAM PACKED...TRAM OUTA ACTION...TRACK NEEDS FIXING...WHY DO IT OVER EASTER BANK HOLIDAY!?...VERY ENGLISH!
11.50AM...PUB.
1.00PM...TBONE STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...BOTTLE OF COOPERS STOUT...NEAREST BEER YOU CAN GET TO A PINT OF BITTER.
2.30PM...WALKING BEACH FRONT...WEATHER COOLED.
3.40PM...PUB.
4.45PM...BACK ON BUS TO WALKERVILLE...WHERE CAMPSITE IS.
5.35PM...PANCAKES...OUT OF A PLASTIC BOTTLE...WISH I HADN'T BOTHERED.
6.40PM...TIME TO FINISH WINE...RADIO PLAYING...THEY'VE FINISHED THE TOP OZ 500...WE WERE NOT HERE FOR THE FINAL COUNTDOWN...SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT NUMBER ONE WAS...ITS ALL SO IRRATATING!
9.00PM...ANOTHER DAY SORTED...GONE CHILLY.
10.00PM...HALF ASLEEP...NEED TO SLEEP.

25.3.08
7.50AM...ANOTHER DAY...ON THE MOVE AGAIN.
8.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...CUPA TEA/CORNFLAKES...FANCY PORRIDGE.
9.10AM...PACKING UP ZEBO[GAZEBO].
9.40AM...VAN LOOKS MORE PACKED THAN USUAL.
10.00AM...SAID OUR FAREWELLS...OFF WE SET.
10.30AM...DRIVING ON RING ROAD AROUND ADELAIDE...LOADSA TRAFFIC LIGHTS...GOTTA FIND A13.
11.10AM...A13...HOW MANY MORE TRAFFIC LIGHTS!
11.40AM...CHRISTIE BAY/BEACH...NU WANTS TO HAVE A LOOK.
12.25PM...SHOPPING CENTRE...NEED POST OFFICE...SUPERMARKET...BREAD/CHEESE.
1.10PM...SITTING IN VAN ON CARPARK...FRENCH STICK/CHEESE/CAN OF SPRITE...TASTE BUDS TINGLING.
1.50PM...OFF WE GO...WE GONNA TAKE THE A15...COASTAL ROAD...ITS VERY BLUSTETRY,GUSTY,WINDY...TAKING IT STEADY.
3.00PM...DRIVING DOWN LAZY LANES TOWARDS FERRY POINT FOR KANGAROO ISLAND.
3.30PM...SPOT SIGN FOR KANGAROO ISLAND FERRY...NO MORE SAILINGS TILL TOMORROW...8.30AM.
4.00PM...SEARCHING FOR CAMPSITE.
4.15PM...TWO SEASONS CAMPSITE...ITS A BIT BLEAK...YOU CAN HEAR THE SEA...ONLY TWO OTHER PEOPLE STAYING THERE...IT'LL DO.
5.00PM...NU COOKING...TOMATO/ONION/MINCE/PEPPER/PASTA...I'M MAKING THE CUPPA TEA.
5.45PM...VERY PLEASANT MEAL...DID TO MUCH PASTA MIND.
6.40PM...ON JETTY...WATCHING THE CRASHING WAVES...QUITE ROMANTIC!
7.35PM...GONE COLD...BACK IN VAN...BRANDY IN HAND.

26.3.08.
6.00AM...ALARM.
6.15AM...KETTLE ON.
6.25AM...SHOWER.
6.40AM...LOVELY CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
7.00AM...VAN IN A MESS...HAVE TO SORT IT LATER.
7.30AM...FERRY PORT HERE WE COME.
8.05AM...IN QUEUE TO BOARD.
8.30AM...BOAT ONTHE MOVE.
9.05AM...BACON/EGG BUN...CUPPA COFFEE...PRICEY BUT WELL NICE.
9.30AM...BOAT ROCKING...NOT KEEN ON FERRY TRIPS.
9.45AM...SEMI DOZED/HALF ASLEEP.
10.40AM...ANNOUNCEMENT...10 MINS TO KINGSCOTE[KANGAROO PORT].
11.00AM...IN VAN WAITING TO DRIVE OFF FERRY.
11.55AM...BROWNLOWS CAMPSITE...OLD BUT TIDY...VERY GREEN...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS...MAY STAY LONGER.
12.30PM...ZEBO IN POSITION.
1.00PM...CUPPA COFFEE.
1.30PM...EVERYTHING COMING OUTA VAN...NEEDS A GOOD CLEAN.
2.00PM...ONE CORNER OF THE BED IS LOOKING WEAK...NEED A PIECE OF WOOD TO STABILISE IT.
2.10PM...SEARCHING CAMPSITE FOR WOOD.
2.20PM...ITS FUNNY BUT TRUE...I ALWAYS FIND WHAT I WANT.
2.35PM...ASK CHAP IN SITE OFFICE IF HE AS A SAW I CAN BORROW...HE SAYS HE'LL POWER SAW IT FOR ME...JOLLY DECENT CHAPS THESE OZZIES!...THANKS MATE.
2.55PM...BED STABLE...NU REPAIRING MATTRESS...LONG STITCH.
3.25PM...NU GONE FOR SHOWER...I'VE DELEGATED MYSELF TO PUT EVERYTHING BACK IN VAN...WELL ITS FOR THE BEST...THEN I KNOW WHERE EVERYTHING IS...PLUS I KNOW WHAT WE NEED IMMEDIATLY AND WHAT CAN DISAPPEAR FOR A WHILE.
4.10PM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
4.30PM...HAVING A BEER.
4.50PM...IN VAN.
5.15PM...PELICAN FEEDING AT KINGSCOTE BAY...NU CAMERA HAPPY.
6.05PM...WISTERIA LODGE...STEAK NIGHT...WE ARE A BIT EARLY...DOESN'T KICK OFF TILL 6.30PM.
6.50PM...GLORIOUSLY LARGE STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...NU HAVING FISH...KING GEORGE WHITING...BOTTLE OF ROSE.
8.05PM...BACK IN VAN.
8.15PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
8.40PM...SITTING AT TABLE AT BACK OF VAN...TO COLD OUTSIDE.
9.00PM...READING NEWSPAPER...TERRY PRATCHETT AS ALTZHEIMERS...SAD...WONDERFUL SATIRICAL INTELLEGENCE...I COULD HAVE BEEN TERRY...PROBABLY NOT...I COULD HAVE BEEN KEN FOLLET...AN IMMENSE KNOWLEDGE...PROBABLY NOT...FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN BY MITCH ALBOM...I WISH I HAD WRITTEN THAT...I COULD HAVE BEEN JK ROWLING...BUT I'VE GOT A WILLIE BETWEEN MY LEGS!

27.3.08.
9.30...ITS BEEN RAINING ALL NIGHT...IT DON'T HALF MAKE A NOISE AGAINST THE VAN.
9.45AM...KETTLE ON.
10.05AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.45AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/CORNFLAKES.
11.35AM...WE SET OFF FOR PENNESHAW.
12.20PM...PENNESHAW?...POST OFFICE/SUPERMARKET/3 RESTUARANTS...WE THOUGHT IT WAS A MAIN TOWN!
12.40PM...HAVING A LOOKAT THE BEACH...CAN'T FIND FRENCHMANS ROCK...APPARENTLY WAY BACK...18 CENTURY...WHEN THE FRENCH NAVY ARRIVED THEY ALL CARVED THERE NAMES ON THIS BOULDER.
1.50PM...BACK IN VAN...ITS A WET DAY...WE ARE GONNA TAKE A SLOW DRIVE BACK TO KINGSCOTE...NU LIKES A SLOW DRIVE.
3.10PM...KINGSCOTE...ATM...SUPERMARKET.
4.05PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE...WE HAVEN'T DONE MUCH TODAY...NIETHER OF US FELT LIKE DOING ANYTHING.
5.30PM...HIPPY DISH WITH POTATOES.
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH FELLOW TRAVELLERS...DRINKING WINE.

28.3.08.
8.00AM...TIME TO MOVE...WE ARE HEADING TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND TODAY.
8.15AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
9.25AM...ZEBO BEING DISMANTLED...WE ARE GETTING INTO A RYTHM...SO ITS GETTING EASIER...PLUS THE VAN IS SORTED TO OUR LIKING...SO WE ARE FINDING IT EASIER TO PUT THINGS AWAY.
10.00AM...OFF WE SET...DARK SKIES ABOVE.
11.10AM...SEAL BAY.
11.15AM...GUIDED TOUR OF SEALS SLUMBERING...PUPS PLAYFULLY FIGHTING...NU HAPPY SNAPPING...BOUGHT TWO BOOKS...THIS VAN WILL SOON BE A MOBILE LIBRARY!
12.05PM...OFF WE SET FOR FLINDERS CHASE.
1.00PM...FLINDERS CHASE...A CAMPSITE SET IN A WOODED AREA.
1.30PM...KOALA WALK...ONLY SAW ONE KOALA...LOADSA WALLABIES.
2.30PM...BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
3.00PM...HAVE MET TWO OZZIES...ROSS AND HELEN...HAVING A BEER OR THREE...NU ON CHAMPAGNE.
5.00PM...ITS GETTING COLD.
6.05PM...IN CAMPERS KITCHEN.
6.40PM...PORK/CAULI/SPUDS/GRAVY...WONDERFUL.
7.30PM...STILL GASSING WITH ROSS AND HELEN...THEY WANT US TO COME AND VISIT THEM AT THERE HOME IN GOOLWA...FINISHING WINE.
10.00PM...I'M A BIT WOBBLY...TIME TO HIT THE PILLOW.

NICE WINE.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA....PART 5 OF MANY.

2008-03-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

16.3.08.
9.05AM...AM I GONNA RELAX TODAY?CAN'T GO ANYWHERE...DON'T WANNA DO ANYMORE DAMAGE TO VAN.
9.25AM...KETTLE ON...GAZEBO STAYED ROOTED ALL NIGHT.
9.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...SHOWER.
10.15AM...ANOTHER CUPPA...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH.
11.00AM...LISTENING TO RADIO...SOME STATION PLAYING TUNES FROM 1982.
12.10PM...ICE LOLLIES FROM CAMPSITE SHOP...HORRIBLE PRICE.
1.15PM...OH NO...BIT OF A GUST...GAZEBO ON MOVE!
1.30PM...JOHN...NEIGHBOUR...BRINGS OVER SOME LARGE METAL PEGS.
3.15PM...HIPPY DISH WITH SPUDS.
5.00PM...BEERS...WOW ITS A GREAT LIFE!
6.30PM...DISMANTLING GAZEBO...VAN GOTTA BE AT GARAGE AT 8.30AM...SO GONNA GET THINGS SORTED TONIGHT.
8.00PM...NU FINISHING BRANDY...I'M FINISHING THE WHISKEY...DID I GET TO RELAX TODAY?

17.3.08.
7.00AM...ALARM...DIDN'T NEED IT...ALREADY AWAKE.
7.20AM...SHOWER.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
8.10AM...ORGANIZING VAN.
8.30AM...LEFT NU ON CAMP BY SWIMMING POOL.
8.40AM...DROPPED VAN OFF AT GARAGE.
9.05AM...HAVING WALKED BACK TO CAMP...DUMPED MYSELF ON COUCH IN TV ROOM...SWEAT OOZING.
9.10AM...INTERESTING NEWS...THEY'VE FOUND HMAS SYDNEY...12K OF PERTH...SUNK IN 1944...WHICH IS GOOD?...BUT BECAUSE OF THIS BREAKING NEWS!...THEY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THE ENGLISH SPORTS SECTION!
10.10AM...WALKED TO CENTRE OF TOWN...ABOUT 2K.
10.55AM...LIBRARY...ITS COOL IN HERE...GOTTA PHONE GARAGE AT 1.00PM.
12.20PM...CAFE...NU HAD A CHICKEN YIROS...I HAD A LAMB YIROS[PITTA BREAD/SALAD/MEAT]...I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW HOW THEY HAVE THE GAUL TO SELL SUCH RUBBISH!
1.05PM...PHONED TO SEE IF VAN READY.
1.10PM...LEFT NU WITH CUPPA TEA AT CAFE AND STARTED WALK TO COLLECT VAN.
1.45PM...PAID BILL...DON'T ASK.
1.55PM...PARKED VAN ON BIG W CARPARK.
2.10PM...BACK AT CAFE WITH MY BELOVED.
2.40PM...IN BIG W...RETURNING FRIDGE THAT DIDN'T COOL...MUTE WHISTLING KETTLE...ALSO EXTENTION CABLE THAT DIDN'T HAVE RIGHT CONNECTION ON IT...THEY LOVE US POMMES IN OZ!
3.50PM...WE ARE ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
5.00PM...PORT PIRIE.
5.25PM...WE ARE BEING BITTEN TO SHREDS...THIS PLACE IS INFESTED WITH SAND FLIES.
6.00PM...WE MOVE THE VAN OFF THE GRASS ON TO A TARMACED AREA.
6.30PM...WALKED INTO TOWN...FISH AND CHIPS...CHIPS UNDER DONE...FISH...TERRIBLE!
7.40PM...BACK AT OUR VAN...HEAT UNREPENTED.
9.00PM...HEAD ON PILLOW.

18.3.08.
6.45AM...I JUST WANNA GET OFF THIS PLACE...THIS IS WORSE THAN BALLADONIA...DON'T EVER COME TO PORT PIRIE.
7.10AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.30AM...SORTING VAN...YESTERDAY WHEN IT WAS AT THE GARAGE...THE CLENING BOX TUMBLED...WASHING POWDER EVERYWHERE.
7.55AM...SHOWER.
8.15AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES...GOTTA FINISH MILK...IT WON'T LAST THE JOURNEY IN THIS HEAT.
8.50AM...HERE WE GO...250K TO ADELAIDE.
11.00AM...STOPPED OFF IN TWO WELLS...NEED A FEW FOOD ITEMS...CHEESE/TOMATO FRENCH STICK TASTED GOOD.
12.20PM...ADELAIDE...NEWSAGENTS...GOT ENGLISH NEWSPAPER.
1.10PM...EVENTUALLY FOUND CAMPSITE.
2.00PM...SETTING UP CAMP.
2.25PM...GAZEBO IN PLACE.
4.00PM...WALKING BEACH...LOADSA SHELLS.
5.10PM...TI ME TO EAT...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...BACON SHRIVELED UP TO NOTHING!
6.40PM...BIT OF A CHILL IN THE AIR.
6.55PM...MOVING TABLE INTO VAN...GOT MY PAPER TO READ.
7.25PM...KINDA COMFORTABLE...NU READING ON BED...ME HAPPY AT TABLE.
7.50PM...FANCY A BRANDY DARLING?...YES PLEASE[I KNEW SHE'D SAY YES]...I'D BETTER HAVE A WHISKEY THEN.
8.00PM...PEANUTS/CRISPS.
8.15PM...SNAKES?...A CHEWY JELLY SWEET IN THE SHAPE OF A SNAKE...MANY FLAVOURS...NU AND I ADORE THEM...ALSO JELLY BEANS...NO NEED TO EXPLAIN THEM.
8.25PM...ANOTHER ROUND OF DRINKS...WE ARE WELL COSY IN OUR LITTLE VAN...AND I JUST WANNA SAY/WRITE...THER IS NO OTHER PERSON I WOULD WISH TO SPEND THIS EXPERIENCE WITH...SOMETHING TELLS ME I GOT IT RIGHT THIS TIME.
9.05PM...ANOTHER BRANDY MY LOVELY?...YES PLEASE!
9.20PM...GOOD NIGHT!

19.3.08.
8.20AM...STILL TIRED...BUT GOTTA GET UP...WANNA TAKE 10.00AM BUS TO ADELAIDE CENTRE.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
9.15AM...NU DECIDES WE SHOULD DO CLOTHS WAS...GET IT ON THE LINE AND IT'LL BE DRY BY THE TIME WE RETURN.
9.25AM...CLOTHES IN...TWO LOADS.
9.45AM...WASHER FINISHED...OH...ONLY ONE WASHER AS COMPLETED ITS CYCLE.
10.10AM...EXPLAINED AT RECEPTION...THEY SAID THEY'D SEND SOMEONE OVER TO SORT IT.
10.20AM...MAINTENANCE MAN ARRIVES.
10.30AM...CLOTHES HALF WASHED ARE LUMPED INTO ANOTHER WASHER...WELL WE'VE MISSED THE 10.00AM BUS...DON'T THINK WE'LL MAKE IT FOR THE 11.00AM EITHER!...LOOKS LIKE THE MIDDAY BUS.
11.20AM...HANGING WASHING OUT.
11.40AM...UNSURE ABOUT TAKING NOON BUS...NEED A CUPPA TEA.
12.20PM...AFTER A LOTTA THOUGHT OVER A CUPPA WE DECIDE TO TAKE THE 1.00PM.
12.55PM...BUS STOP.
1.35PM...ADELAIDE CITY CENTRE...HUNGER AS CREPT UP ON US.
2.30PM...I ASKED FOR A STEAK SANDWICH/CHIPS...I GOT THE THE SMALLEST PIECE OF STEAK OUT WITH FRIED EGG/BACON AND TOMATO...OZ FOOD JUST GETS WORSE...NU HAD MEATBALLS IN SPAGHETTI...SHE LEFT IT AFTER THREE MOUTHFULS...THIS APPARENTLY IS MEANT TO BE A POSH UPMARKET RESTAURANT!
3.30PM...SEARCHING FOR THE MUSEUM OF ABORIGINAL ART.
3.55PM...MUSEUM OF ABORIGINAL ART...WELL WORTH A VISIT.
5.05PM...THE ELEPHANT...AN ENGLISH STYLE PUB...NEWCASTLE BROWN?...NOT REALLY!...IT HASN'T GOT THE TASTE...SOMETHINGS WRONG...TOLD BARTENDER...HE JUST SHRUGGED HIS SHOULDERS.
6.20PM...WAITING FOR BUS BACK TO CAMPSITE.
6.45PM...THE BUS TURNS UP AT LAST...THEY WANNA GET THERE TIMETABLES SORTED...SHOULD HAVE BEEN HERE 20MINS AGO!
7.15PM...WOMAN BUS DRIVER EXPLAINS THAT WE CAN GET OFF IN GLENEGL FOR 25MINS...THEN SHE'LL COME BACK ROUND AND PICK US UP...WE THOUGHT GREAT.
7.20PM...WE DECIDE WE WANT A TAKE AWAY...NOODLE BOX.
7.45PM...GUESS WHAT...WE MISSED THE BUS...GOTTA WAIT ANOTHER HOUR...NOODLES TASTED GOOD THOUGH.
9.20PM...BACK AT CAMP
9.35PM...NU IRONING WASHING.
10.15PM...I'M REFLECTING IN ANOTHER WONDERFUL DAY?

20.3.08.
8.30AM...BLEARY EYED...NEED A CUPPA TEA.
8.45AM...CUPPA TEA...WEATHER NOT SO WARM TODAY.
9.05AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
10.05AM...SORTING COOL BOX.
11.00AM...ON THE WAY TO CENTERE OF ADELAIDE...NU SAYS WE'LL MISS THE ABORIGINAL DANCERS...I PROMISE TO DANCE FOR HER LATER...I MEAN ANYONE CAN DANCE...YOU WANNA SEE ME IN THE MORNING SEARCHING FOR MY SPECS!
11.40AM...WALKING TO IMMAGRATION MUSEUM...GOT MY TROUSERS ON...FIRST TIME THIS YEAR...THE WEATHER AS COOLED.
2.30PM...WALKING OUTA IMMAGRATION MUSEUM...A MUSEUM WELL WORTH A VISIT...A THOROUGHLY INTERESTING PLACE...LOTTA FILMS...LOTTA ARTEFACTS.
3.00PM...THE ELEPHANT PUB...NEEDA PINT.
4.10PM...HAVING TWO KEYS CUT FOR VAN...THE ONE WE INHERITED IS ABOUT TO BREAK IN TWO...WAS GONNA GO TO CHOCALATE FACTORY...BUT ITS TO LATE NOW...CLOSES AT FIVE...BOUGHT NU A CURLIE WURLIE INSTEAD!
4.50PM...ON TRAM HEADING FOR GLENELG.
5.30PM...PUB...HAPPY HOUR.
6.45PM...STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD...BEST YET...AND THE CHEAPEST...GLENELG IS A SMALL VILLAGE/TOWN ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF ADELAIDE...LOVELY PLACE...WELL WORTH A VISIT.
8.20PM...BUS BACK TO BASE.
8.40PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
9.00PM...SNUG IN OUR VAN.

21.3.08.
8.00AM...TIME TO GET UP...READY TO ROCK?...ER NO!...10.AM GOTTA BE OFF SITE...MOVING TO WALKERVILLE...OTHER SIDE OF ADELAIDE FOR FOUR NIGHTS.
8.20AM...SHOWER...NEED SHAVE...CAN'T BE BOTHERED.
8.45AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
9.20AM...PACKING GAZEBO UP...ACTUALLY WE'VE MODIFIED SO IT SITS QUITE NEAT AT THE BACK OF THE VAN.
9.50AM...READY TO ROLL...THE CAMPSITE WE ARE MOVING TOO IS ONLY 20MINS AWAY APPARENTLY?
10.40AM...LEVI CAMPSITE...WALKERVILLE.
11.05AM...BOOKED IN.
11.25AM...COOKING BACON/MUSHROOM/TOMATO...WONDERFUL.
12.10PM...BACK IN VAN...WE ARE OFF TO MOUNT LOFTY.
1.05PM...MOUNT LOFTY...THE HIGHEST POINT IN ADELAIDE...COLD UP HERE...NU HAPPILY SNAPPING!
1.50PM...MOUNT LOFTY WILDLIFE PARK...EMU'S...WOMBATS....KANGAROOS...DINGOES...EXOTIC BIRDS...I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY CALL THEM WILDLIFE PARKS BECAUSE ALL THE ANIMALS ARE TAME...YOU CAN WALK RIGHT UP TO THEM AND FEED THEM IF YOU WANT[I DIDN'T]...ITS A BIG PARK AND YOU CAN EASILY GET LOST...NU AND I ARE GOOD AT THAT...IT WAS WELL WORTH THE MONEY AND ITS PROBABLY THE BEST 'WILD' LIFE PARK I HAVE BEEN TO SO FAR.
4.40PM...BACK IN VAN.
5.10PM...TOOK WRONG TURN...ENDED UP ON WRONG SIDE OF ADELAIDE.
6.05PM...BACK AT OUR NEW CAMPSITE.
6.15PM...SETTING UP GAZEBO...ITS GETTING SIMPLER...BASICALLY NU AS REALISED ITS BEST TO LET ME SUPERVISE...SHE'S BEGINNING TO UNDERSTAND A MAN KNOWS BEST!
7.05PM...BOUGHT A COUPLE PIECES OF STEAK EARLIER...SO I'VE DONNED MY PINNY.
7.40PM...STEAK/NEW SPUDS/SALAD...I THINK I'VE LOST MY TOUCH...IT JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN...THE TASTE WASN'T RIGHT.
8.30PM...NU HAVING SHOWER...I'M TIDING THE VAN.
9.30PM...GONE A BIT COOL...TIME TO GO INSIDE VAN.
11.15PM...WENT FOR A WEE...NU FOLLOWED ME ACROSS...SHE WADDLED BEHIND ME...SHE LOOKED EVERYTHING I EVER WANTED...SHE IS ALL I EVER WANTED...SHE IS WONDERFUL...SHE IS ALL...THANKS!

NO OFFERS AS YET FOR GAZEBO....

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA...PART 4 OF MANY.

2008-03-16T17:43:00.000-07:00

8.3.08.
8.30AM...AWAKE...NU REMINDS ME WE ARE OF TO SEE THE PINK LAKE.
9.00AM...CORNFLAKES/CUPPA TEA.
9.40AM...SHOWER.
10.15AM...WONDERING WHATS BEST TO DO WITH GAZEBO.
10.50AM...IN VAN...OFF FOR 35K DRIVE DOWN OCEON DRIVE...HOPEFULLY TAKING IN PINK LAKE AND OTHER DELIGHTS!
11.40AM...PINK LAKE...IT DOESN'T LOOK PINK TO ME!
12.10PM...CUPPA COFFEE FROM OUR FLASK...BIT WEAK.
1.00PM...HEADING BACK TO ESPERANCE CENTRE.
1.40PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED SOMETHING TO EAT...BOUGHT SOME BEER.
2.35PM...BACK ON CAMPSITE...COLD SLICES OF BEEF[IT WAS ON OFFER]...CARROTS/TINNED SPUDS...ENJOYED IT.
3.15PM...HAVING MANAGED TO MODIFY GAZEBO...KINDA HOOKED UP TO REAR OF VAN...MAKING A SHELTER FROM THE FLIES AND OTHER CRAWLIES...NO DOUBT THEY'LL STILL FIND A WAY IN!
4.30PM...BEER...READING NEWSPAPER.
5.30PM...ANOTHER BEER/CHEESE AND BISCUITS...RADIO PLAYING SOME WONDERFUL TUNES.

9.3.08.
7.30AM...ALARM...GOTTA DEPART CAMPSITE BY 10AM.
7.50AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
8.15AM...PACKING UP...HAVING A HARD TIME...TRYING TO KEEP THIS DAMN GAZEBO NEAT.
8.55AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...ABOUT READY TO MOVE...EVERYTHING PACKED IN...IN A FASHION!
10.15AM...PETROL STATION...GOT A LONG DRIVE TODAY...HEADING DOWN THE NULLABOR...GOTTA FILL SPARE PETROL CAN UP.
11.20AM...SALMON GUMS...A SMALL PLACE...STOPPED FOR A BANANA...NU POSTED SOME LETTERS.
1.00PM...NORSEMAN...ANOTHER SMALL PLACE...DECIDED TO STOP FOR AN HOUR...LET THE VAN COOL DOWN...HAD A GAME OF POOL WITH OZ CHAP..I WON EASY...HE DIDN'T WANNA PLAY NO MORE...NU HAD A BEER.
2.05PM...ON THE NULLABOR ROAD...800K TO GO!
4.30PM...BALLADONIA...A SMALL SMALL PLACE...DECIDED WE WOULD STOP HERE FOR THE NIGHT...I THINK THE CAMPSITE IS THE WHOLE OF BALLADONIA.
5.15PM...TIOLETS/SHOWERS...COCKROACH INFESTED!
6.05PM...PHONED MOTHER AND PAULINE.
6.50PM...PASTA IN VEG/TOMATO SAUCE...NEVER AGAIBN...FLIES EVERYWHERE...MANAGED TO MODIFY GAZEBO AGAIN...SKIPPY[KANGAROO]BOUNCING AROUND OUTSIDE.
8.00PM...HAVING A WHISKEY.

10.3.08.
8.00AM...HAVE I SLEPT?...NOT SURE.
8.30AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
8.45AM...SHOWER.
9.15AM...PACKING UP.
9.40AM...NU FEEING SKIPPY GINGERNUT BISCUIT.
10.00AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
11.15AM...MADURU...NEED PETROL...140 CENTS IN CITY...189 CENTS HERE!...HAD PIE AND CHIPS...AWFUL!...FEEL TIRED...NU GONNA DRIVE.
12.10PM...THIS IS A WELL BORING STRETCH OF ROAD...SWEAT DRIPPING...HEAT EXHAUSTING.
3.00PM...EUCLA...TIME TO SET UP CAMP AGAIN...CAMPSITE LOOKS CLEAN ENOUGH...AFTER THE LAST ONE...THIS CAN'T HELP BEING LIKE THE HILTON...NO COCKROACHES IN SIGHT.
4.00PM...BEER OR TWO.
5.00PM...HIPPY DISH...GOTTA USE ONION...NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE VEG OR FRUIT OVER BORDER.
8.00PM...WHISKEY...CAN'T GET A CLEAR STATION ON RADIO.

11.3.08.
7.00AM...UP WE GET...GONNA MAKE FOR CEDUNA TODAY...HAD ENOUGH OF NULLABOR AND FLIES...THERE ARE FLIES EVERYWHERE...BUT ON THE NULLABOR THEY ARE TENFOLD!
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA...DON'T FEEL HUNGRY.
8.00AM...SHOWER/SHAVE.
8.40AM...TRYING TO GET VAN SORTED...NOT IN MOOD.
9.10AM..LETS GO!
11.00AM...NUNDEROO...NEED PETROL...I'M GETTING SICK OF SPENDING MONEY ON PETROL...NU TAKES THE WHEEL.
12.40PM...PENONG...TIME TO CHANGE SEATS AGAIN...THIS NULLABOR IS NEVER ENDING...ALL YOU SEE IS TREES AND DRIED ORANGE EARTH...CROWS/EAGLES EATING ROADKILL...INSECTS SPLATTING YOUR WINDSCREEN...APPARENTLY THE NULLABOR IS THE UTOPIA FOR CAVE DIVERS...SO IF YOU ARE A CAVE DIVER I GUESS YOU WOULD FIND THIS THE MOST INTERESTING PLACE IN THE WORLD.
2.30PM...CEDUNA CHECKPOINT...ASKED IF WE HAD ANY VEG OR FRUIT...WE ANSWERED NO AND OFF WE DROVE...GOOD CHECKPOINT THAT...STILL IT KEEPS SOMEONE IN A JOB.
3.00PM...FOODLAND...NEED FOOD...ALSO GOT NEWSPAPER.
3.30PM...CAMPSITE.
4.15PM...SHOWER.
5.30PM...THERES A SAUSAGE SIZZLE NIGHT ON CAMPSITE...PAY 2 AND HALF DOLLARS...EAT AT MANY AS YOU LIKE...3 WAS ENOUGH...WELL NICE!
7.00PM...CUPPA TEA/READING NEWSPAPER.
8.15PM..DARKNESS CREEPING IN.

12.3.08.
9.00AM...HOPING TO DO DO SOME RELAXING TODAY...SOMETIMES ITS THE HARDEST TING TO DO...SO NO GREAT HURRY...GONNA TAKE IT STEADY.
9.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.50AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/BACON AND MUSHROOM SANDWICH.
11.05AM...READING NEWSPAPER.
12.30PM...FIRST BEER OF THE DAY.
2.20PM...STILL READING NEWSPAPER...NOT A VERY GOOD EDITION THIS WEEK...CROSSWORD WAS WELL EASY.
2.30PM...SPAGHETTI IN TOMATO AND CHEESE SAUCE...THINK THEY FORGOT THE CHEESE.
3.00PM...THE HEAT IS TO MUCH...APPARENTLY ITS EVEN TO HOT FOR THE LOCALS...PLUS THE INSECTS SEEM TO HAVE TAKEN A LIKING TO ME...I MEAN THEY'VE ALWAYS KINDA LIKED ME...BUT IT SEEMS EVEN MORE SO TODAY!
5.00PM...TIDING UP VAN...IN SUCH A CONFINED ITS HARD TO KEEP THINGS NEAT...WHATEVER YOU WANT IS ALLWAYS UNDER EVERYTHING ELSE.
5.30PM...GOING FOR MEAL AT LOCAL EATERIE.
6.00PM...PORK/NEW SPUDS/PUMPKIN AND BEST CARROTS I HAVE TASTED IN A LONG TIME/COUPLE OF BEERS.
6.40PM...NU ON GIN AND TONIC...COOPERS DARK FOR ME...THATS THE NEAREST THEY GOT TO BITTER.
8.00PM...BACK AT VAN.

13.3.08.
9.15AM...ANOTHER DAY OF RELAXING...WELL TRYING TOO...WITH THIS HEAT ITS HARD.
9.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
12.05PM...CHEMIST...NU ENQUIRING ABOUT HER TABLETS...NEED DOCTORS PERSCRIPTION...OUCH...HAD NO PROBLEM GETTING THEM IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
1.00PM...SITTING IN GAZEBO...EXHAUSTED FROM DOING NOTHING.
4.00PM...BACON/MUSHROOM/SPUD...WENT DOWN A TREAT.
5.00PM...HAVING A BEER.
5.40PM...TIME FOR A YOGHURT...GOTTA EAT THEM BEFORE THEY GO OFF.
6.15PM...ONE THING I DO WANNA SAY ABOUT OZ...OK ITS GOT LOADS OF WONDERFUL LOOKING BEACHES...ENDLESS BLUE OCEON...BUT THERE IS AN AWFUL LOT OF SEA YOU CAN'T GO IN BECAUSE OF LURKING CREATURES...IT MIGHT LOOK PICTURE POSTCARD...BUT NOT ALL IS WHAT IT SEEMS!
6.45PM...OFF WE GO TO THE PUB...ITS GOT AIR CON.
7.00PM...A BEER EACH IN THE COOL...THE PUB IS ALSO BETTING SHOP.
9.30PM...56 DOLLARS UP!...ALTHOUGH BY NOW WE HAVE SPEND 40 DOLLARS ON BOOZE!

14.3.08.
7.15AM...EARLY START...HARDLY SLEPT...TO HOT.
7.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
8.40AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
9.10AM...PACKING UP...THIS GAZEBO IS A NIGHTMARE.
10.10AM...OFF WE GO.
10.20AM...POSTOFFICE...NU AS LETTERS TO POST.
10.55AM...PETROL STATION.
12.10PM...STOPPED AT MINEPPA...CHEESE ON TOAST/MANG MILKSHAKE.
2.00PM...HAPPILY TOOTERLING ALONG...HALF WAY BETWEEN KIMBA AND IRON KNOB THE VAN COMES TO A HALT!...I START CHECKING EVERYTHING...CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THE PETROL WASN'T GETTING THRU...IT WAS DEFINITLY SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PETROL...ALSO WE HAD NO SIGNAL ON OUR MOB PHONES.
2.40PM...TWO WOMAN STOP AFTER I FLAG THEM DOWN...EXPLAINED OUR SITUATION...THEY TOO HAD NO SIGNAL ON THERE PHONES.
2.50PM...I TURNED THE KEY...ONE LAST CHANCE I THOUGHT...THE VAN ROARED INTO ACTION!
5.00PM...PORT AUGUSTA...CAMPSITE...RELIEVED...BUT PEEVERED.
6.00PM...GAZEBO UP...KINDA SORTED.
6.45PM...CHICKEN SOUP/BREAD...NOT REALLY HUNGRY.
7.35PM...MAN IN CARAVAN NEXT DOOR GAVE US ICE COLD WATER...WONDERFUL.
9.00PM...TIME FOR BED...HOT...TIRED...IRRATABLE.

15.3.08.
6.45AM...AWAKE...FEEL DIRTY...NEED SHOWER.
7.00AM...STEPPED OUTA VAN...GAZEBO HAD TAKEN FLIGHT IN THE NIGHT...LUCKILY IT HADN'T GOT FAR...WEDGED ITSELF BETWEEN NEXT DOORS CARAVAN AND TREE!
7.10AM...RETRIEVING GAZEBO.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.00AM...SHOWER AT LAST.
8.30AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH.
9.30AM...AFTER SEVERAL TURNS OF THE KEY THE VAN STARTS.
9.50AM...GARAGE...EXPLAINING SITUATION THE MECHANIC...HE ASKED IF I HAD PUT ANY PETROL IN IN CEDUNA...I HAD...AND I WAS THE THIRD PERSON WHO HAD BEEN IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM...APPARENTLY CONDENSATION/WATER HAD GOT INTO THE PETROL...ANYWAY I BOOKED THE VAN IN FOR 8.30AM MONDAY MORNING FOR CLEANSING OF PETROL TANK AND WHATEVER ELSE NEEDS DOING.
11.30AM...BIG W...A HUGE STORE THAT SELLS EVERYTHING AT SUPPOSEDLY DISCOUNT PRICES.
12.20PM...PEGS AND ROPES FOR GAZEBO...PLUS WE BOUGHT A MINI FRIDGE?
12.55PM...PUB...LAMB CHOPS/MASHED SPUD/COURGETTES...OH WELL IT WAS ONLY 5 DOLLARS EACH.
3.00PM...BACK ON CAMPSITE...GAZEBO HAD TAKEN FLIGHT AGAIN.
3.20PM...GAZEBO BACK IN POSITION...ROPED AND PEGGED.
3.50PM...CLOTH WASHING TIME.
4.10PM...ALL PEGGED ON LINE.
4.30PM...NU SWIMMING IN POOL.
6.20PM...DON AND JUNE...OUR NIEGHBOURS INVITE US ROUND FOR A DRINK AND A CHAT.
9.00PM...A WELL PLEASANT EVENING.

GAZEBO FOR SALE!!!!!!!!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA...PART 3 OF MANY.

2008-03-12T19:32:00.000-07:00

28.2.08.
7.00AM...ALARM...DIDN'T NEED IT...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL.
7.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.45AM...SHOWER.
8.10AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
9.00AM...TIDING VAN...GOTTA BE OFF SITE BY 10.00AM.
9.45AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY...MARGERET RIVER NEXT.
10.30AM...STOPPED AT DUNSBOROUGH...NEEDA COLD DRINK..
11.45AM...JUST OUTSIDE THE VILLAGE OF MARGERET.
11.50AM...IN A LAYBY...BOILING A PACKET OF CHEESE AND BACON IN RICE...AWFUL!
1.00PM...MARGERET RIVER EAGLE AND OWL RESCUE CENTRE.
1.30PM...LADY GUIDE VERY WELL SPOKEN AND VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE...AN INTERESTING PLACE...WORTH A VISIT.
4.00PM...BACK IN VAN FOR DIVE TO HAMLIN BAY...WHERE WE ARE GONNA STOP FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS.
5.10PM...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS STAY...PARKED UP ABOUT HUNDRED YARDS FROM BEACH.
5.50PM...NU SWIMMING.
6.35PM...BAKED BEANS/BREAD BUN/CUPPA TEA.
7.00PM...A FEW DROPS OF RAIN...FEELING TIRED...NO SIGNAL ON MOB PHONE.

29.2.08.
9.00AM...FEEL STICKY...NEED SHOWER.
9.15AM...KETTLE ON.
9.25AM...QUICK SHOWER.
9.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.15AM...BACON SANDWICH.
10.40AM...SEEMED TO HAVE DONE EVERYTHING IN A HURRY...NO NEED...NOT GOING ANYWHERE TODAY...APART FROM SUPERMARKET.
12.20PM...SUPERMARKET...GOT TWO PIECES OF STEAK...GONNA TRY MY NEW GRILL OUT!
1.30PM...CHEESE/PICKLED ONION COB...NOT SURE...GOOD CHEESE IS HARD TO FIND...GOT SOME BOTTLES OF BEER...BUT THE TASTE NOT SO GOOD.
2.15PM...READING NEWSPAPER...RERADING EVERY SNIPPET...WHEN IT COST 2 QUID...GOTTA GET MY MONEYS WORTH.
4.30PM...SET MY NEW GRILL IN POSITION...GOTTA GET IT RIGHT...LOOKING FORWARD TO STEAK...GOT PEAS AND NEW POTS TO DO TOO.
5.20PM...STEAK WAS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE...POTS OK...PEAS TASTELESS!
8.00PM...HAVING A WHISKEY...NU ON BRANDY...GOT AN EARLY START TOMORROW...SO ONLY GONNA HAVE A COUPLE.
9.35PM...BETTER HAVE ONE MORE...THAT COKE NEEDS FINISHING.

1.3.08.
7.30AM...TIME TO RISE...GOTTA BE OFF SITE BY 10.00AM.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...CUPPA TEA...I DIDN'T FEEL HUNGRY...NU HAD CORNFLAKES.
9.00AM...PACKING EVERYTHING IN...DON'T WANT ANYTHING FALLING OR RATTLING.
9.40AM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY.
10.20AM...LEEUWIN[I USUALLY DO]...THIS IS A LIGHTHOUSE...THE POINT WHERE THE INDIAN OCEON MEETS THE SOUTH OCEON...CHANCE BROTHERS OF BIRMINGHAM,ENGLAND MADE THE MECHANISM/WORKINGS OF THE LIGHTHOUSE IN 1889...NU BOUGHT SOME POSTCARDS.
11.30AM...I WAS HUNGRY BY NOW...COOKING BACON IN LAYBY/CUPPA COFFEE...GOT BIT BY A MARCH FLY...OUCH.
12.10PM...ON OUR WAY TO PEMBERTON...ABOUT 100 MILES.
1.50PM...PEMBERTON...THEY CALL IT A TOWN...I WOULD CALL IT A VILLAGE...CYCLISTS EVERYWHERE...SOME CYCLE EVENT GOING ON...COULD'VE WON A BIKE...DROVE ON TO SHANNON NATIONAL PARK.
2.40PM...STANDING NEXT TO THE DAVE EVANS BICENTENIAL TREE...OK ITS A TREE...QUITE A TALL TREE...BUT I'M NOT TO SURE WHY WE CAME...NEITHER IS NU!
3.10PM...WENT AND HAD A LOOK AT SHANNON CAMPSITE...NOT FOR US...WE LIKE QUIET...BUT THIS WAS DESOLETE.
3.40PM...DROVE ON TOWARDS WALPOLE...SAW A KANGEROO OR TWO.
5.30PM...CAMPSITE BY LAKE...5K FROM WALPOLE...22 DOLLARS A NIGHT...IT'LL DO.
6.35PM...VEGETABLE SOUP/BREAD.
8.00PM...WHISKEY...STARTING TO RAIN...EVERYTHING IN VAN...FEEL QUASHED...CAN'T RELAX.
9.00PM...HEAD ON PILLOW...I WANT TO BE TIRED...GOSH THIS IS HARD GOING!

2.3.08.
8.30AM...TRIED TO PHONE WILLIAM[11.30PM IN ENGLAND]...CAMPSITE PHONE NOT WORKING.
9.10AM...WE ARE NOT HAPPY BUNNIES...WE ARE NOT COMFY IN OUR VAN
9.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/BACON SANDWICH.
11.40AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA...GOT MY THINKING CAP ON...GOTTA SORT THIS VAN...NU IN LAUNDRETTE.
12.05PM...STILL IN THOUGHT...BASICALLY THE BED TAKES UP TO MUCH ROOM AND IS IN THE WRONG PLACE...PLUS ITS TO HIGH OF THE FLOOR...NEED TO LOWER IT FOR MORE HEAD SPACE...GOTTA MAKE ROOM AT REAR OF VAN FOR TABLE FOR WHEN ITS TOO WINDY TO SIT OUTSIDE...ALSO WHEN IT RAINS.
3.00PM...DECIDE TO DRIVE INTO WALPOLE...NEED SOMETHING TO EAT.
3.40PM...STEAK/MUSHROOM PIE AND CHIPS...AWFUL.
4.30PM...PUB.
6.00PM...TRIED TO PHONE WILLIAM AGAIN[9.00AM IN ENGLAND]...THIS PHONE ISN'T WORKING EITHER!
6.20PM...WE DRIVE TO COALMINER BEACH...10K OUTA TOWN...THAT ONE BETTER WORK!
6.40PM...EVENTUALLY...AND I MEAN EVENTUALLY WE MAKE CONTACT...ONLY FOR THE LINE TO GO DEAD AFTER ABOUT 90 SECONDS!
6.50PM...I WAS DETERMINED TO GET THRU...BECAUSE TOM HAD MADE THE EFFORT TO BE AT WILLIAMS SO HE COULD HAVE A CHAT WITH ME...THINK HE'S MISSING ME...BLESS!
6.55PM...PERSEVERENCE WON THE DAY...THOUGH I HAVE TO SAY THE OZ PHONE SITUATION NEEDS IMPROVING.
7.50PM...BACK AT OUR CAMPSITE...STILL THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH VAN.

3.3.08.
9.10AM...ANOTHER MISERABLE SQUASHED UP NIGHT...GOTTA DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT TODAY.
9.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.15AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
11.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
11.40AM...WE HAVE NEW NIEGHBOURS...HE'S RATHER PROUD OF HIS CARAVAN AND WANTS TO TELL US ALL ABOUT IT...PLUS HIS LIFE STORY TOO!
12.20PM...I ASKED HIM IF HE HAD A SAW...HE SAID NO BUT HE KNOWS A MAN WHO MIGHT...ACTUALLY JOHN AND HIS WIFE TURNED OUT TO BE REALLY NICE PEOPLE.
2.00PM...JOHN APPEARS WITH A SAW...NU'S FACE WAS 'OH MY GOD'.
2.15PM...WE START MOVING EVERYTHING OUT OF THE VAN SO WE CAN GET THE BED OUT...NU'S FACE IS ONE OF DISBELIEF.
2.40PM...A CHAP NAMED IVOR LENTS ME HIS TAPE MEASURE...NU SLURPING BEER READILY...FACE LOOKING A LITTLE WRY...DREADING THE OUTCOME OF MY SOLUTION...HAVE FAITH IN YOUR HUBBY DEAREST...HAVE A BRANDY!
2.55PM...I'M SAWING!...NU WATCHING!
3.10PM...ROSS APPEARS...HE IS EAGER TO ASSIST[HELP]...PLUS HE KNOWS HOW TO USE A SAW...PLUS HE AS A WONDERFUL CHUBBY LITTLE DOG CALLED GYPSY...QUITE A FEW PEOPLE CAME TO WATCH...WELL ITS NOT EVERYDAY YOU SEE SOMEONE CUTTING THERE BED IN HALF!
5.00PM...WE HAVE A NEW BED...NU'S AMAZED...I'M NOT...I BELIEVE IN MYSELF...MY MEASUREMENTS WERE SPOT ON.
5.30PM...HAVING A BEER...GOTTA BE QUICK ELSE THEY DISAPPEAR RATHER RAPIDLY WITH NU AROUND!...LOADS STILL TO DO...THE BOXES WE HAVE NOW ARE TO BIG TO FIT UNDER THE BED...SO ALTHOUGH WE HAVE MADE MORE ROOM...UNTIL WE HAVE NEW SMALLER BOXES THE ROOM WE HAVE MADE IS BEING TAKEN UP BY THE BOXES...DOES ALL THAT MAKE SENSE!?
6.50PM...EVERYTHING KINDA BACK IN VAN...ROSS AND HIS WIFE HAVE ASKED US ROUND FOR DRINKS.
8.00PM...I'M A PRETTY HAPPY CHAP...FOUR WHISKEY'S LATER...ROSS LIKES HIS WHISKEY TOO.
9.00PM...BACK IN VAN.
9.20PM...ASLEEP.

4.3.08.
7.30AM...SLEPT WELL...WAS IT THE WHISKEY OR MY NEWLY DESIGNED BED?
7.50AM...CUPPA TEA/ORANGE JUICE...FEELING A BIT DRY.
8.10AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
8.40AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.10AM...PACKING UP...GOTTA DEPART CAMPSITE BY 10.00AM.
9.55AM...OFF WE GO.
11.00AM...DENMARK...BUYING NEW BOXES THAT'LL FIT UNDER OUR NEW BED...ALSO GOT POWER CABLE AND LAMP...AND CURTAIN WIRES.
1.30PM...BACK ON ROAD...NEXT STOP ALBANY.
3.15PM...EMU POINT CAMPSITE,ALBANY...NU PUTS HER MOB PHONE ON...IT HADN'T HAD A SIGNAL FOR THE LAST FEW DAYS...SHE GOT MESSAGES FROM HER CHILDREN...IT WAS MOTHERS DAY ON SUNDAY...I DIDN'T KNOW...QUICKILY PHONE JEANIE.
4.00PM...SETTING UP CAMP...BOXES TO SORT...I'LL HAVE A BEER FIRST.
5.00PM...WATCHING QE2 SAIL BY...APPARENTLY ITS THE LAST VOYAGE BEFORE ITS SOLD TO SOMEONE WHO'S TURNING IT INTO A HOTEL IN DUBAI.
5.40PM...SALMON/TOMATO SANDWICH.
6.15PM...STILL SORTING VAN...MY NEW OUTSIDE LAMP WORKING WELL.
7.40PM...THINK WE ARE KINDA SORTED.
8.15PM...SPOTTED A BANDIKUTE...A RATTY LOOKING ANIMAL...WHAT EVER FLOATS YOUR BOAT...LOTTA PEOPLE INTERESTED...IT DOESN'T INTEREST ME.
9.00PM...SNUGGLING DOWN...FEEL TIRED TONIGHT.

5.3.08.
8.00AM...SNUG AS A BUG...BUT NEED LOO.
8.20AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.30AM...PACKED AND 'RARING TO GO'?
10.10AM...CENTRE OF ALBANY...KMART[A SORT OF C AND A]...CURTAINS LIGHT BLUE...THEY'LL DO...REDUCED TOO!...BOUGHT A SWEAT SHIRT AS WELL...NU GOT SOME CHEAP SPECS.
11.30AM...ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
1.30PM...STOPPED OFF AT JERRAMUNGUP...NEEDED A DRINK...GOT NEWSPAPER TOO...ENQUIRED ABOUT REGISTERING VAN...I'D BEEN TOLD IT WAS BEST TO DO IT IN SMALL TOWNS...POSTOFFICE TOLD ME TO GO TO ADMIN BUILDING.
2.00PM...WE HAVE REGISTERED...WE HAVE NEW STICKER ON WINDOW TILL JAN 08...WITH VERY FEW QUESTIONS ASKED...THE REASON I HAD TO GET THIS DONE...AFTER WE LEAVE THE STATE OF WEST OZ...THE VAN WOULD NEED A MOT OF SORTS...BUT AS LONG AS I HAVE THIS STICKER ON MY WINDSCREEN THE VAN IS EXEMPT...I'M NOT SAYING THE VAN WOULDN'T PASS AN MOT!...TODAY I FOUND OUT THE HORN DOESN'T WORK!...ANYWAY WE ARE SORTED TILL THE NEW YEAR...BY WHICH TIME WE SHALL BE BACK IN WEST OZ...PHEW!
2.30PM...ON WE GO...RAVENSTHORPE NEXT.
4.10PM...RAVENSTHORPE AT LAST...LIQOUR STORE...AS LONG AS NU'S HAPPY!
4.30PM...CAMPSITE...CHEAPEST YET...VERY COLOURFUL.
5.10PM...VEG SOUP/BREAD/BEER.
5.40PM...NU SORTING CURTAINS...I HAVE MY NEWSPAPER.
6.45PM...NU GETTING FRUSTRATED...ME HAPPILY READING.
7.10PM...NU SWEARING...I'D BETTER DO SOMETHING.
8.00PM...NEARLY SORTED...NO SIGNAL ON MOB PHONE...KINDA HAPPY ABOUT THAT...GET TO MANY TEXTS SOMETIMES.

6.3.08.
8.50AM...GOTTA MOVE...GOTTA BE OFF CAMPSITE BY 10.00AM.
9.00AM...SHOWER.
9.20AM...CUPPA TEA/GINGER BISCUITS.
9.50AM...VAN STILL A MESS.
10.20AM...THROW IT ALL IN...WE'LL SORT IT LATER!
10.40AM...OFF WE GO.
11.40AM...A DULL DRIVE...A FAIRLY STRAIGHT ROAD.
1.30PM...ESPERANCE...NEED FOOD...NEED DRINK.
1.50PM...NU SPOTS CAMERA SHOP...CALLED THE CAMERA SHOP...SHE STILL NEEDS TO GET HER CAMERA DEVIRUSED.
2.15PM...LEFT CAMERA AT SHOP...THEY SAID COME BACK IN HALF AN HOUR.
2.35PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED LOADS...SETTING UP CAMP FOR THREE DAYS.
3.50PM...BACK AT CAMERA SHOP...CAMERA DEVIRUSED...ITS AMAZING HOW SOME SHOPS CAN HELP AND OTHERS JUST DON'T HAVE A CLUE...GUESS WE GOT LUCKY...NU HAPPY.
4.30PM...CAMPSITE.
4.50PM...NEED BULB FOR INSIDE LIGHT...OFF I TROT TO BUNNINGS...A BIG DO IT YOURSELF PLACE.
5.40PM...RETURN WITH BULBS AND A BUCKET...PLUS I GOT A GAZEBO!...WELL IT WAS ON OFFER!
6.35PM...OUR GAZEBO IS ERECT AND LOOKING WONDERFUL.
7.00PM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA...SOMEHOW I MANAGED TO STAVE OF MY HUNGER TILL NOW.
8.30PM...RELAXING...COMFORTABLE IN OUR GAZEBO...HAVING A FEW BEERS.

7.3.08.
8.30AM...NU HADN'T SLEPT WELL...LOTTA NOISE.
8.45AM...UP I GET...GAZEBO STILL STANDING...NU GOES FOR SHOWER.
9.30AM...CUPPA TEA/BACON SANDWICH.
10.10AM...ANOTHER CUPPA TEA...MILK DON'T LOOK OR SMELL TO GOOD...BETTER HAVE COFFEE...WE'VE GOT POWDERED MILK.
10.40AM...NU GOES TO DO WASHING.
10.50AM...A GUST OF WIND...GAZEBO NEARLY TAKES FLIGHT...TABLE AND ALLSORTS GO TUMBLING.
11.55AM...DISCUSSING WHATS BEST TO DO WITH OUR GAZEBO.
12.05PM...ANOTHER GUST GIVES US OUR ANSWER...TIME TO DISMANTLE GAZEBO.
12.35PM...THREW EVERYTHING INTO BACK OF VAN.
1.10PM...WALKING INTO TOWN...I'VE BEEN TO A LOT OF HOT COUNTRIES...BUT BELIEVE ME THIS IS HOT...EXTREME HEAT.
1.30PM...NU THOUGHT SHE WAS GONNA FAINT...TOOK SHELTER.
2.10PM...MADE IT TO CAFE ON SEA FRONT...SWEAT DRIPPING INTO MY EYES...FOUND OUT IT WAS 42 GOING ON 45!
2.50PM...STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD/MILKSHAKE...BLUE OCEON CAFE...RECOMMEND IF YOU ARE EVER IN ESPERANCE.
4.00PM...WALKING INTO TOWN.
4.25PM...PUB.
6.10PM...3 PINTS LATER...VERY PLEASANT BUT TIME TO WADDLE BACK TO OUR VAN.
7.00PM...BACK ON CAMPSITE...OUR CRUMPLED GAZEBO STILL LYING ON THE GROUND...I WAS HOPING SOMEONE MIGHT HAVE TAKEN A SHINE TO IT AND TAKEN IT.
7.40PM...CHEESE AND BISCUITS.
8.50PM...I'VE BEEN TO A LOTTA PLACES[GUESS I'M LUCKY]...BUT BELIEVE ME TODAY AS GOTTA BE ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED...TO MUCH...OH TO MUCH...EVEN THE BREEZE IS HOT!

GAZEBO FOR SALE!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSTRALIA...part two of many.

2008-03-03T19:37:00.000-08:00

18.2.08.
6.30AM...ALARM...HERE WE GO...GOTTA RETURN CAR TODAY BY 9AM.
6.50AM...SHOWER.
7.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.30AM...BETTER GET MOVING...DON'T KNOW WHAT TRAFFICS GONNA BE LIKE.
7.50AM...I THINK WE'VE GOT EVERYTHING...HARD CHEESE IF WE HAVEN'T.
8.00AM...ON OUR WAY.
8.15AM...TRAFFIC JAM!
8.30AM...HEARD ON LOCAL RADIO STATION THERES BEEN A CAR ACCIDENT ON STIRLING HIGHWAY...THATS THE ROAD WE ARE TAKING!
9.00AM...NEARLY IN PERTH.
9.20AM...IN CAR RENTAL CAR PARK.
9.30AM...THEY'VE CHECKED THE CAR AND ITS ALL OK...THEY WEREN'T CONCERNED WE WERE A BIT LATE.
9.50AM...ON FREE BUS TO CENTRE OF PERTH.
11.00AM...FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST.
12.40PM...RAC...ENQUIRING ABOUT VAN INSURANCE.
2.00PM...PUB.
4.00PM...ON TRAIN BACK TO FREMANTLE...VERY CLEAN.
5.10PM...IN SUPERMARKET IN FREMANTLE...NEED MILK...ASKED A FELLOW LADY SHOPPER WHERE THE BEST FISH/CHIP SHOP WAS...SHE ENDED UP DRIVING US THERE!...VERY NICE LADY.
6.15PM...FINISHED FISH AND CHIPS...AND IF THEY ARE THE BEST FISH AND CHIPS IN TOWN...THE PEOPLE OF FREMANTLE NEED THERE TASTE BUDS SORTING!
6.55PM...ON BUS BACK TO OUR ABODE.
7.40...CUPPA TEA.

19.2.08.
8.00AM...PHONED WILLIAM (11.00PM IN ENGLAND)...HE WANTS TO COME AND WORK IN OZ.
8.50AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
9.50AM...BOOKED TICKETS FOR ROTTENEST ISLAND TOMORROW AT SITE OFFICE.
10.40AM...TOOK BUS TO FREMANTLE...WELL HOT.
11.10AM...SHOPPING...GOT MY CAMPS OF AUSTRALIA BOOK...ONLY 20 DOLLARS...NU BOUGHT 3 BOOKS...ALSO GOT TWO TOWELS HALF PRICE...NU ALSO GOT HER COWBOY HAT...I GOT AN ENGLISH NEWS PAPER...SO WE ARE WELL HAPPY!
2.00PM...PUB...NEWC BROWN ON TAP!...NU HAD STELLA.
3.30PM...NEARLY FORGOT THE SUN LOTION...ENDED UP BUYING THE BIGGEST CHEAPEST ONE THEY GOT.
4.30PM...BACK ON BUS TO OUR ABODE.
5.05PM...RESTING.
5.40PM...NU AT THE BARBIE DOING THE STEAK...I'M DOING THE CHIPS.
6.15PM...STEAK A BIT TOUGH...CHIPS NOT THAT MUCH BETTER.
7.20PM...READING NEWSPAPER...ALLS WELL IN MY WORLD!

20.2.08.
7.00AM...ALARM.
7.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.35AM...SHOWER.
8.05AM...CORNFLAKES/CUPPA TEA.
8.30AM...PREPERING SANDWICHES FOR TRIP TO ROTTENEST ISLAND.
9.00AM...RUCKSACK FULL...CRISPS/SANSWICHES/BEER/WATER/ORANGES.
9.15AM...ON BUS HEADING FOR JETTY TO TAKE BOAT TO ROTTENEST.
10.00AM...ARRIVE AT ROTTENEST.
10.25AM...ISLAND TOUR BUS.
11.10AM...GOT OFF AT GEORDIE BAY.
12.05PM...WALKED TO BASIN BAY...NU HAD A SWIM.
1.15PM...WALKED TO LONG BEACH...THEN ON TO THOMSON...BREEZY BUT SUN BURNING...SAW A QUAKKA...A RAT LIKE SQUIRREL...ROTTENEST MEANS RAT IN DUTCH...SOME DUTCH CHAPPIE NAMED IT A FEW CENTURIES AGO.
2.10PM...MIXED GRILL/BEER...PASSABLE.
4.00PM...BACK ON BOAT TO FREMANTLE.
5.00PM...BACK AT OUR LITTLE ABODE.
6.50PM...SPAG BOL.
8.00PM...WHISKEY.
8.30PM...WATCHING LEWIS...THERE IS LIFE AFTER MORSE.

21.2.08.
10.00AM...KETTLE ON.
10.10AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.40AM...SAUSAGE SANDWICH...OH DEAR...OZ SAUSAGE NOT THE BEST.
11.30AM...BUS TO FREMANTLE...NEED BREAD ETC.
11.55AM...SHOPPING MALL...NO ONE SEEMS TO SMILE...ITS A FUNNY OLD PLACE...PERHAPS THEY DON'T LIKE THE ENGLISH...PERHAPS THEY DON'T LIKE ME.
12.40PM...THOUGHT WE ONLY NEEDED BREAD AND A COUPLE OF OTHER ITEMS...GOT A TROLLEY LOAD OF WHATEVER!
1.05PM...WAITING FOR BUS '825'...HERE IT COMES...AND THERE IT GOES...IT DIDN'T BOTHER TO STOP...DO I LOOK ENGLISH?...CAN THEY TELL FROM AFAR?...PERHAPS THE DRIVER THOUGHT I WAS TO FAT...AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH ROOM ON THE BUS!
1.20PM...THERES A GUY ALSO WAITING FOR THE BUS...WEARING LUMINOUS SOCKS...NOT THE FULL BISCUIT I THINK...THERE IS ALSO A WOMAN WAITING...I ASK HER THE TIME...SHE DOESN'T SEEM TO UNDERSTAND ENGLISH.
1.35PM...'825' APPEARS...I WAVE...HE STOPS...THANK GOD FOR THAT!
2.00PM...BACK AT OUR LITTLE ABODE.
2.10PM...BEER X 2...THEY ARE SMALL BOTTLES.
2.30PM...WRITING LETTER TO WILLIAM.
4.00PM...HAVING A CAT NAP...WHEN WE WENT TO ROTTENEST NU MET A LADY CALLED JOY...SO TONIGHT AT 7.00PM SHE'S COMING TO PICK US UP TO TAKE US FOR A MEAL...ALTHOUGH WE FEEL HUNGRY WE ARE SAVING OURSELVES FOR TONIGHT.
6.00PM...SHOWER.
6.45PM...JOY ARRIVES...BIT EARLY.
7.20PM...PREMIER RESTAURANT?...NAMED LEFT BANK...WE SHALL SEE...THE PRICES ARE PREMIER!
7.55PM...SMALL PORTIONS...NEED TO TIMES IT BY THREE...OH WELL...NU HAPPY...AND THEY DO A NICE PINT OF BITTER...SO I'M OK...GIRLS ON WINE.
9.30PM...PLAYING POOL...CHATTING WITH OZ GUYS ABOUT ENGLISH FOOTIE.
11.00PM...TIME TO GO...CLOSED SIGN UP.
11.30PM...BACK AT ABODE...BETTER HAVE A WHISKEY.

22.2.08.
10.00AM...NEEDA CUPPA.
10.05AM...KETTLE ON.
10.10AM...SHOWER.
11.10AM...TOMATO/MUSHROOM SANDWICH.
12.30PM...READING...NU SWIMMING.
4.00PM...LAMB/MASHED SPUD/VEGGIES.
5.30PM...JOY...OZ LADY KNOCKS ON DOOR...ASKS IF WE WANA GO FOR A DRINK THIS EVENING.
7.30PM...JOY PICKS US UP...BY NOW WE ARE NOT SURE WHETHER WE REALLY WANNA GO...BUT WE'VE SAID YES...SO WE HAD BETTER GO.
8.15PM...AN AUSTRALIAN WATERSIDE PUB...ITS TRYING TO LOOK TRENDY...BUT ITS MISSING SOMETHING...NOT TO WORRY...IT ONLY SELLS ONE SORT OF LAGER AND THE CHAPPIE BEHIND THE BAR IS NOT TO SURE ABOUT THE BITTER...AS I SAY NOT TO WORRY!
10.10PM...HAD TWO LAGERS...THATS ENOUGH.
10.40PM...BACK AT OUR ABODE.

23.2.08.
9.45AM...WONDERING WHAT TODAY AS IN STORE...WE'VE BEEN ON THIS CAMPSITE 2 WEEKS NOW...BOREDOM AS CREPT IN...NEED TO MOVE...WAIYTING ON CALL FROM GIRLS ABOUT VAN.
10.10AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.30AM...SHOWER.
11.00AM...TOMATO/MUSHROOM SANDWICH.
12.30PM...BUS IN TO FREMANTLE...NU NEEDS TO CHECK EMAILS...BOUGHT A CALANDAR.
3.30PM...BACK ON BUS.
4.10PM...BEER.
5.00PM...STEAK SANDWICH...TOUGH AND CHEWY...OZ MEAT!
7.00PM...STILL WAITING ON CALL FROM GIRLS ABOUT VAN...SOMETIMES I WISH I HAD A TICKET IN MY HAND FOR A FLIGHT BACK TO ENGLAND THIS MINUTE...THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SOMETIMES.
10.15PM...GIRLS HAVE PHONED...I RISK A WRY SMILE.

24.2.08.
9.00AM...ANOTHER LAZY DAY...GOT PACKING TO DO...THINK I'LL STAY IN BED.
9.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.15AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH...CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...SHOWER.
12.10PM...SEMI PACKING...WE'VE BOUGHT THINGS WE NEED FOR VAN LIFE...EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE!
1.40PM...NU SWIMMING...I'M RELAXING WITH A BEER...ITS HARD TO RELAX SOMETIMES...TO MUCH ON MY MIND.
5.00PM...LAMB/PARSNIPS/CARROTS/MASH SPUD...NOT BAD.
7.00PM...PHONE MOTHER/PAULINE/WILLIAM...10AM IN ENGLAND.
9.00PM...BETTER FINISH OFF THE BRANDY...DON'T WANT IT GOING FUNNY IN THE HEAT...OR IS THAT ME?
9.40PM...READING/VILLA ON TELE.
11.30PM...VILLA WON 2-1.
11.45PM...TIME FOR BED.

25.2.08.
7.00AM...UP WE GET...GOTTA VACATE CHALET BY 10.00AM.
7.15AM...CUPPA TEA.
7.30AM...SHOWER.
8.10AM...I THINK THATS EVERTHING PACKED.
8.40AM...BACON SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...CHECKED OUT...GIRLS SHOULD BE HERE ABOUT MIDDAY.
10.30AM...CHATTING WITH IRISH COUPLE AS WE WAIT OUTSIDE SITE OFFICE.
11.55AM...GIRLS AND VAN ARRIVE.
12.25PM...AT CAFE UP THE ROAD...MONEY COUNTED...ALL OK...HAD A MILKSHAKE.
1.00PM...DROPPED GIRLS OFF AT RAILWAY STATION.
1.15PM...NU AND I ARE ON OUR WAY.
3.00PM...TAKING IT STEADY...THERE ARE A FEW RUMBLES!
4.00PM...BINNINGUP CAMPSITE...JUST OUTSIDE BUNBURY...AN PLACE THAT ENDS IN UP...USED TO BE ABORIGINAL.
5.00PM...FISH AND CHIPS...NOT TO GOOD.
5.45PM...CLEANING VAN...AND BOY DOES IT NEED CLEANING!
8.00PM...LIGHT FADING...BUT VAN KOOKING GOOD.
9.00PM...HAVING A FEW BEERS...THE EVENING AIR STILL WARM.
10.15PM...WE SETTLE DOWN FOR OUR FIRST NIGHT IN THE VAN...ITS WELL HOT.

26.2.08.
9.00AM...NEITHER OF US SLEPT WELL...NEED WATER...WE DON'T HAVE A COOKING STOVE YET...GONNA BUY ONE TODAY...SO NO CUPPA TEA THIS MORNING.
9.45AM...SHOWER.
10.20AM...STARTING CHATTING TO A WOMAN WHO IS STAYING ON THE SITE...SHE'S SOON MAKING US A CUPPA...I CAN STILL CHARM YOU KNOW!
11.40AM...STILL CHATTING...SHE COMES FROM STOURBRIDGE...WELL SOMEONES GOT TOO!...ON MY SECOND CUP...SHE'S GOT NO DIGESTIVES THOUGH!
12.25PM...WE ARE ON THE ROAD AGAIN.
1.50PM...'BIG W'...A MAJOR DISCOUNT STORE...APPARENTLY.
3.20PM...WE THINK AND HOPE WE HAVE BOUGHT ALL WE NEED...210 DOLLARS WORTH!
3.40PM...TOMATO AND PATE BUN...YUM YUM!
4.10PM...OF WE GO AGAIN.
5.05PM...BUSSELTON...A SMALL TOWN.
5.40PM...CAMPSITE...BIT SHODDY...BUT IT AS ALL AMENITIES.
6.10PM...SORTING VAN...SO MUCH TO SORT.
8.00PM...WE'VE DONE WELL...SITTING AT REAR OF VAN...CUPPA TEA AND PATE BUN...RADIO ON...WE ARE HAPPY...WE ARE A FUNNY OLD PAIR...WE'VE GOT EACH OTHER AND SOMEHOW IT WORKS.
10.10PM...GOOD NIGHT!

27.2.08.
9.15AM...NEED THE LOO.
9.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.00AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/CORNFLAKES.
11.00AM...WE HAVE DECIDED TO STAY ANOTHER NIGHT HERE AT LAZY DAYS CAMPING SITE...WE'VE GOTTA GET A TABLE AND ALSO GET THE VAN TRANSFERED IN TO OUR NAME AT THE POST OFFICE.
11.40AM...WE HAVE TABLE.
12.20PM...TRANSFERED VAN IN TO OUR NAME.
12.50PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED MILK.
1.30PM...WALKING BUSSLETON PIER...THE SECOND LONGEST IN THE WORLD AT 1.8K...THE LONGEST IS SOUTHEND,ENGLAND AT 2.1K.
2.00PM...WE MADE IT...PRETTY TOUGH MIND...AT THE END IS THE UNDERWATER SEA LIFE OBSERVATORY...NU LIKES HER FISH...I PREFER THEM COOKED AND READY TO EAT.
4.10PM...HAVING WALKED BACK THE 1.8K ALONG THE PIER...NU AND I ARE STRUGGLING...NEED WATER.
4.40PM...NU GOES FOR A DIP IN THE SEA...I'VE GOT MY PAPER...SO ALL IS FINE.
6.00PM...BACK AT CAMPSITE.
6.20PM...HIPPY DISH...TUNA AND FRIED ONIONS WITH FRESH SOFT ROLLS...GLORIOUS!
6.55PM...RADIO ON...SOME GUY TALKING ABOUT BENIZITO[PAKISTANI WOMAN]...ABOUT THE BOOK SHE WROTE BEFORE BEING MURDERED.
7.20PM...BEER OR THREE...TIRED BUT HAPPY.

SOMETIMES....

BYE FOR NOWZ.

AUSRALIA...PART ONE OF MANY.

2008-02-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

6.2.08.
12.20AM...WAITING FOR TAXI...CHECK IN GONE PRETTY SMOOTH...FEW FORMS TO FILL IN...JUST TO SAY I'M NOT CARRYING A SUB MACHINE GUN OR LOADSA DRUGS OR A RARE SNAKE...DABATABLE!...IF YOU GET MY DRIFT!...SILLY QUESTIONS REALLY...AS IF I'D CARRY ANY OF THEM...I GIVE NU ALL THE GOOD STUFF TO CARRY...THEY WOULDN'T SUSPECT HER!
1.00AM...THE GIRL SITTING NEXT TO ME IS A RIGHT FIDGET...SHE'S THROWN THE BLANKET OVER HERSELF...BUT HALF OF ITS LANDED ON ME!...SHE'S FIDDLING WITH THE VOLUME CONTROL ON THE ARM REST...HER RIGHT LEG IS IN MY LEG SPACE!
1.20AM...I THINK I WAS ASLEEP...NOW I'VE GOT WHISTLING IN MY EAR...HER BLOW UP PILLOW IS NOW DEFLATING!...I'M QUITE AWAKE NOW...THANKS!
1.30AM...FREE SMALL BOTTLE OF RED WINE...THANKS.
1.45AM...FOOD...LAMB CURRY/PIECE OF CHEESE WITH BUN/TOBERONE/CUPPA COFFEE...QUANTAS I RECOMMEND!
2.10AM...ANOTHER RED WINE...QUANTAS DOUBLEY RECOMMENDED!
2.50AM...I THINK I'M ASLEEP.
3.15AM...SHE'S NUDGED ME...SHE NEEDS THE LOO...SOME PEOPLE!
4.30AM...LANDED SAFELY.
5.05AM...VERY SLOW THRU IMMAGRATION...DECLARED MY LITTLE WOODEN PIG...NAMED PAI.
5.50AM...CUPPA COFFEE.
7.00AM...STILL SITTING IN AIRPORT.
7.30AM...BUS TO PERTH CENTRE...30 DOLLARS...THE DRIVER IS QUITE A JOVIAL CHAP.
8.15AM...DROPPED US OF AT PLACE THAT HAD BEEN RECOMMENDED TO US.
8.25AM...THE PLACE AS NO ROOMS AVAILABLE.
10.00AM...BY NOW WE HAD KNOCKED ON SEVERAL DOORS...PERTH IS CRAMPED WITH BACKPACKERS!
10.30AM...FOUND A ROOM...HOW DIRE IS DIRE!...THIS ROOM IS PURE DIRE...WE'VE BEEN ACROSS ASIA TO SUPPOSEDLY POORER COUNTRIES...BELIEVE ME PERTH ACCOMADATION IS BORDERING ON 3RD WORLD!
11.00AM...BAGS GETTING HEAVIER AS WE TROOP ON.
11.15AM...COFFEE BREAK...WE DECIDE WE WILL HIRE A SMALL CAR AND DRIVE TO FREMANTLE...ABOUT 20KM OUTA TOWN.
11.40AM...TAKE A FREE BUS...BLUE CAT...TO OTHER SIDE OF TOWN WHERE ALL THE CAR RENTAL PLACES ARE.
12.20PM...OFF THE BUS WE GET...SPOT A BACKPACKERS...GONNA TRY MY LUCK.
12.30PM...NO ROOM...DECIDE TO LEAVE NU AND BAGS ON STEPS...I CAN MOVE SWIFTER THEN...NU NEEDS TO REST...SO ITS FOR THE BEST.
12.50PM...HAY STREET BACKPACKERS...YES THEY HAVE A ROOM...65 D0LLARS A NIGHT...[45PENCE TO A DOLLAR]...IT'LL DO!
1.10PM...GIVING NU THE GOOD NEWS.
1.40PM...IN OUR 'NEW' ROOM.
2.20PM...SHOWER...DID I NEED THAT!
3.15PM...KEBAB...DID I NEED THAT!
4.30PM...BACK IN ROOM...ASLEEP...DO I NEED THAT!
10.00PM...AWAKE...CUPPA TEA.
11.00PM...BACK TO BED.

7.2.08.
9.00AM...AWAKE...CUPPA TEA...RAIN POURING DOWN.
9.30AM...SHOWER.
10.10AM...WENT TO SHOPS...NEED MILK/CORNFLAKES.
11.15AM...TAKE BUS TO CENTRE OF PERTH
11.50AM...BUYING ASIA PHONE CARD...RAIN POURING.
12.30PM...HOT CHOCALATE/COFFEE.
1.10PM...ENQUIRING ABOUT BUYING A NEW CAMERA.
2.00PM...CHICKEN SALAD COB...RAIN POURING.
2.40PM...BOUGHT UMBRELLA.
3.00PM...WALKING AROUD PERTH CENTRE.
4.00PM...ENQUIRING AT BANK ABOUT HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT GETTING A LARGE SUM OF MONEY OUT OF OUR ACCOUNT IF WE WANT TO BUY A VEHICLE.
5.00PM...BACK ON FREE BUS...RAIN POURING.
6.10PM...BACK IN OUR 'NEW' ROOM.
7.00PM...LOCAL SUPERMARKET...I'M COOKING TONIGHT!
8.15PM...MINCE MEAT/CARROT/ONION/PEAS/MASHED SPUD.
9.10PM...TUMMY CONTENT...WELL FULL.
9.20PM...CUPPA TEA.
10.05PM...BOTTLE OF BEER OR TWO.
11.00PM...BED.

8.2.08.
10.00AM...SLEPT IN...GOT A BUSY DAY AHEAD.
10.20AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.15AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
11.40AM...PHONED A COUPLRE OF NUMBERS ABOUT VANS...NO JOY.
11.55AM...ON FREE BUS TO NORTHBRIDGE...THERE ARE A LOT OF BACKPACKERS PLACES THERE AND YOU GET A LOTTA PEOPLE SELLING VANS.
12.50PM...IN AND OUT OF HOSTELS...RINGING NUMBERS...NOT HAVING MUCH SUCCESS...GOTTA MEET AN IRISH CHAP AT 3.30PM...HE WANTS 4000 DOLLARS FOR HIS MAZDA...WE'LL SEE...ALSO A GERMANY CHAP SELLING HIS VAN...GONNA CALL US BACK...NOTHING I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THOUGH...WERE TOLD THEY WOULD BE QUEUEING UP TO SELL US THERE VANS.
2.05PM...THE SHED...PUB/RESTAURANT...BEER/STEAK SANDWICH.
3.00PM...BACK ON FREE BUS...HEADING HOME.
3.30PM...WAITING FOR IRISH CHAP WITH VAN TO SELL.
4.05PM...IRISH CHAP TURNS UP...HE WANTS 4000 DOLLARS FOR THIS!
4.20PM...HE SOON TELLS ME HE'S OPEN TO OFFERS...I'LL ACCEPT 3,500 HE PIPE'S!
4.45PM...TOLD HIM I WOULD THINK ABOUT IT...DON'T WANNA HURT HIS FEELINGS...IF HE'D DROP IT TO 1,500 I MIGHT MAKE A PURCHASE...DIDN'T SAY THAT MIND...HE'S A BIT BIGGER THAN ME!...MIND YOU...WHO ISN'T!
5.20PM...PHONED A GERMAN GIRL WHO'S SELLING...I HAD TRIED EARLIER...BUT HER PHONE WAS ALWAYES ENGAGED.
5.40PM...WE ARE ON OUR WAY TO SEE GERMAN GIRLS VAN VIA FREE BUS.
6.20PM...WITH GERMAN GIRLS AND VAN...ITS VERY GIRLIE...NU LOVES IT...THEY WANT 4000 DOLLARS.
7.00PM...HAVING DRIVEN IT AND CHECKED IT OUT WILLIS STYLE...WE AGREE 3,800...BUT WE CAN'T HAVE IT TILL THE 25TH FEB...OUCH...NU DOESN'T CARE...NU WANTS THE VAN...ITS VERY CLEAN AND TIDY...MEETING THEM TOMORROW TO SORT OUT PAPERS.
7.45PM...IN PUB...A WELL NOISY PUB...CELEBRATING WITH BEER/T BONE STEAK/CHIPS/SALAD.
9.30PM...WALKING BACK TO OUR ABODE.

9.2.08.
9.30AM...COMFY BED...ENJOYABLE NIGHTS SLEEP.
9.50AM...COFFEE.
10.10AM...SHOWER.
10.35AM...CORNFLAKES/COFFEE.
11.30AM...WAITING FOR GERMAN GIRLS...GOTTA SORT OUT PAPERS AND CONTRACT FOR HAND OVER OF VAN IN TWO WEEKS TIME.
12.10PM...GERMAN GIRLS ARRIVE...THEY REALLY ARE NICE GIRLS.
12.40PM...CONTRACT SORTED AND EVERYONE HAPPY.
1.10PM...IN SUPERMARKET...CHEESE/BACON/TIN TOMATOES/BEANS/COKE/MILK.
2.00PM...WHERE WE ARE STAYING AS A POOL...SO NU HAPPY IN THE DIP...ME TRYING MY BEST TO LOSE AT POOL!
3.30PM...UB40 ARE IN TOWN...WE ARE ABOUT 10MINS WALK FROM STADIUM...WALK DOWN TO ENQUIRE ABOUT TICKETS.
3.55PM...117 DOLLARS A TICKET...[45 PENCE TO A DOLLAR]...I THINK NOT!
5.00PM...CHEESE/ONION SANDWICH.
6.00PM...WATCHING 10 MOST EXPENSIVE DIVORCE PAYOUTS OF ALL TIME ON TELE...HOW DID LIFE GET THIS EXCITING!...ENGLISH FOOTIE KICKS OFF AT MIDNIGHT.

10.2.08.
10.30AM...WOKEN BY NU BRANDISHING A CUPPA TEA...2.30AM I GOT TO BED!...COMMANDEERED THE TV ROOM...KICKED ALL THE FORIEGNERS OUT!
11.10AM...SHOWER...TRYING TO WAKE UP.
12.05PM...APPARENTLY WE ARE OF TO THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM...WHOOPEE!...APPARENTLY I AGREED TO THIS YESTERDAY...CAN'T REMEMBER.
12.40PM...WALKING ALONG SWAN RIVER.
1.10PM...ICECREAM...A TRIPLE DIPPLE!
1.50PM...JUMP ON FREE BUS TO MUSEUM.
2.20PM...MUSEUM...FREE OF CHARGE...JUST A DONATION REQUIRED.
2.50PM...LOTS OF ANCIENT ARTEFACTS...I DON'T THINK NU AND I LOOKED OUTA PLACE!
4.40PM...CAN OF COKE...COULD DO WITH A LINE...BACK ON BUS TO TOWN CENTRE.
4.55PM...GOTTA WALK ABOUT 1KM FROM TOWN CENTRE TO OUR ABODE...TURNED OUT TO BE A PLEASANT WALK.
5.35PM...CHEESE/ONION SANDWICH...AN OCEON OF COKE...WELL DRY...SUN TORMENTING.
6.40PM...LYING ON BED.
7.35PM...PHONED MOTHER IN ENGLAND.

11.2.08.
7.00AM...ALARM.
7.20AM...SHOWER.
7.40AM...CUPPA TEA...PACKING.
8.15AM...CUPPA TEA/BACON SANDWICH.
9.00AM...NO BIRDS...NAME OF RENT A CAR PLACE...SEVEN DAYS RENTAL...100 QUID...TOYOTA COROLLA.
9.30AM...ON WAY TO FREMANTLE...GOT LOST!
10.20AM...FREMANTLE AT LAST!
11.00AM...1ST CAMPSITE...NOT SURE.
11.30AM...2ND CAMPSITE...MAYBE...NOT SURE.
12.10PM...3RD CAMPSITE...2 WEEKS IN A CHALET...ABOUT 40 QUID A NIGHT...KITCHEN/LOUNGE/2 BEDROOMS/BATHROOM/TV...EVERYTHING YOU NEED...OK IT'LL DO!
1.30PM...SUPERMARKET.
3.30PM...FRIDGE BURSTING...FOOD OVERFLOWING!
4.00PM...NU SWIMMING.
5.30PM...HOME MADE SPAG BOL.
7.20PM...ON VARANDA...OUR CHALET IS UNDER A BIG OLD NUT TREE...BIRDS OF MANY COLOURS/SIZES DROPPING EMPTY SHELLS ON OUR TIN ROOF...NOISEY DEVILS...NEED A BRANDY AND COKE.

12.2.08.
9.30AM...SITTING ON SIDE OF BED...NEED A CUPPA...BIT DRY.
9.45AM...SHOWER.
9.55AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.20AM...CORNFLAKES/TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...IN CAR ON WAY TO ROCKINGHAM BEACH.
11.50AM...OUTSKIRTS OF ROCKINGHAM...PARKED UP BY BEACH.
12.05PM...WALKING ALONG BEACH.
12.35PM...FISH AND CHIPS.
1.45PM...ROCKINGHAM SHOPPING CENTRE...EVERY SHOP YOU REQUIRE...SELLING EVERYTHING YOU REQUIRE...LOOKING AT WHAT WE MIGHT NEED WHEN WE GET THE VAN...DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU AUSTRALIA IS CHEAPER THAN ENGLAND...IT IS NOT...WHETHER YOU ARE BUYING A PLASTIC BUCKET,MARS BAR,MINCE MEAT,A LOAF OF BREAD...I PROMISE YOU AUSTRALIA IS FAR MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ENGLAND...ACTUALLY,ALTHOUGH I'VE ONLY BEEN IN PERTH,AUSTRALIA FOR ONE WEEK...MY INITIAL THOUGHTS ARE THAT THERE IS LITTLE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ENGLAND AND OZ...THERES IMMIGRANTS EVERYWHERE...GRAFITTI EVERWHERE...BOY RACERS...STREET FIGHTING...EQUAL AMOUNT OF BAD NEWS ON TV...OZ AS GOT ITS RAPISTS AND MURDERERS THE SAME AS ENGLAND...THE HOUSE PRICES ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS ENGLAND...THE ONLY THING AUSTRALIA AS DIFFERENT TO ENGLAND IS THE WEATHER...AND THAT ONLY BRINGS MORE INSECTS...DON'T GET ME WRONG I'M NOT PUTTING AUSTRALIA DOWN...I HAVEN'T SEEN ENOUGH OF IT YET...I'M JUST WRITING MY FIRST THOUGHTS DOWN.
3.00PM...NU SWIMMING...I'VE BOUGHT MYSELF AN ENGLISH NEWSPAPER...HAPPY...I AM!
4.30PM...BACK IN CAR...NU STILL DRIPPING.
5.10PM...BACK AT OUR CHALET.
6.00PM...BEANS ON TOAST...WONDERFUL.
8.30PM...PHONED PAULINE.
9.00PM...WATCHING FILM...JODIE FOSTER...THE BRAVE ONE.

13.2.08.
11.15AM...RESTLESS NIGHT...TOO HOT...COULDN'T SLEEP.
11.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
11.55AM...SHOWER.
12.40PM...A LATE LATE BREAKIE...BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
1.50PM...NU GONE FOR A SWIM...ME READING ANOTHER KEN FOLLETT NOVEL.
2.50PM...RELAXING ON VARANDA.
4.30PM...PREPARING VEGGIES...SPUDS/CAULI/CARROTS...LOOKING FORWARD TO LAMB TONIGHT.
6.00PM...THIS IS WHAT I CALL A GOOD MEAL...PUT TOGETHER BY MY GIRLIE AND ME.
6.30PM...WONDERFUL...APART FROM THE GRAVY...BIT SALTY!...ACTUALLY A WHOLE LOT TOO SALTY!...BUT AS YOU WELL KNOW BY NOW...I'M NOT ONE TO MOAN!
7.30PM...WASHING UP DONE...TV NEWS ON...OZ PRIME MINISTER KEV RUDD SAYING SORRY TO THE ABORINALS...NOT A LOT GOOD ON OZ TV.
9.00PM...WHISKEY FOR ME...BRANDY FOR NU.
9.25PM...FOUR INCHED LEGGED SPIDER ON VARANDA!
10.15PM...TIME FOR BED.

14.2.08.
9.30AM...SLEPT A BIT BETTER THAN LAST NIGHT...NEED A CUPPA.
9.50AM...CUPPA TEA...PLACED NU'S VALANTINE'S CARD ON TABLE.
10.10AM...SHOWER.
10.30AM...NU'S NOTICED CARD...BUT SHE HASN'T GOT ME ONE!...WELL I SUPPOSE WE HAVE NEARLY BEEN MARRIED A YEAR NOW...SO...WELL I SUPPOSE ITS OK...OH WELL.
11.10AM...BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH/COFFEE.
12.05PM...IN CAR...HEADING FOR MADOURAH.
12.30PM...STOP OF AT SECRET BAY...THATS NOT SO SECRET...I MEAN THERES SIGNS EVERYWHERE FOR IT...PERHAPS THEY SHOULD RENAME IT OPEN SECRET!
1.50PM...BACK IN CAR HEADING FOR MADOURAH.
2.20PM...FISH AND CHIPS...BETTER THAN THE LAST LOT.
3.00PM...WALKING THE SHOPPING MALL.
3.20PM...HAIR DRESSERS...[HAIR SCALPERS].
3.50PM...OH WELL IT'LL GROW AGAIN...NU HAD HERS DONE TOO...IT LOOKS ALRIGHT.
4.20PM...BACK IN CAR...ONLY HAD TWO HOURS FREE PARKING.
5.10PM...ON VARANDA...BEER IN HAND.
6.00PM...SCRAMBLED EGG ON TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
7.00PM...SHOWER...GOD MY HAIR FEELS REAL SHORT!
8.00PM...ANIMATED CARTOON FILM...POLAR EXPRESS...AUSSIE TV?...ITS AN XMAS FILM!...PERHAPS GLOBAL WARMING AS GOT TO THEM.

15.2.08.
10.10AM...FEELING LAZY...GETTING LAZIER.
10.30AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.55AM...SHOWER.
11.35AM...COFFEE/BACON AND TOMATO SANDWICH...GOT LOADSA BACON...DIDN'T REALIZE I'D BOUGHT SO MUCH TILL I OPENED THE PACKET.
1.00PM...SHOPPING AT LOCAL MALL...JUST OUTSIDE FREMANTLE...THERES A CHEAP/DISCOUNT STORE THERE...BOUGHT THE EAGLES GREATEST HITS...I HOPE THE CD WORKS IN THE VAN!?
3.30PM...BACK AT ABODE...BEER ON VARANDA...NO SIGN OF HARRY THE SPIDER.
5.00PM...WALK DOWN TO LOCAL BEACH...LOTS OF FOLK FISHING OF THE JETTY...SIGN SAYS BEWARE OF SNAKES...NU WIDE EYED!
6.40PM...FOOD TIME...MINCE MEAT/ONION/CAULI/CARROTS/MASH SPUD...ITS GREAT BEING ABLE TO COOK FOR YOURSELF...I NEVER WANNA SEE ANOTHER RESTAURANT AGAIN...NO DOUBT I SHALL.
7.30PM...FEEL FED...FEEL FULL...BETTER HAVE A WHISKEY.
8.00PM...BLACK AND WHITE FILM ON TV...OZ TV...OUCH.

16.2.08.
9.30AM...HAD A LATE NIGHT...NEED A CUPPA.
10.00AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...BACON/TOMATO SANDWICH/COFFEE.
11.15AM...NOT MUCH HAPPENING TODAY...A BIT LIKE YESTERDAY.
12.50PM...STILL NOT ALOT HAPPENING...GOTTA GO TO ATM...NEED SOME GROCERIES.
2.30PM...DONE MY DUTIES FOR THE DAY...GONNA HAVE A BEER.
4.00PM...THE ROGUE ASSASSIN...A WELL ENJOYABLE FILM.
6.00PM...READING...KEN FOLLETT GETTING SLOWLY PREDICTABLE.
7.00PM...CHEESE/TOMATO SANDWICH...SULTANA/CUSTARD CAKE!

17.2.08.
9.00AM...TIME TO SHAKE A LEG...OFF TO COTTSLOE BEACH TODAY.
9.20AM...SHOWER.
9.35AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.55AM...BACON/MUSHROOM SANDWICH...COFFEE.
11.00AM...IN CAR HEADING FOR COTTSLOE BEACH.
12.05PM...WATCHING SURFERS...TRYING TO GET MY TUMMY BROWNED...THE SUN KEEPS MISSING IT...ALTHOUGH ITS ONE OF MY BIGGEST BITS!
2.40PM...BACK IN CAR...GONNA GO TO A MORE CENTRAL BEACH.
3.10PM...PARKED UP...SITTING ON BENCH WITH CAN OF COKE...BEACH PACKED.
4.10PM...FEELING HUNGRY...GONNA HEAD HOME.
6.15PM...LAMB/CAULI/CARROTS/MASHED SPUD.
7.00PM...TV NEWS...LIVERPOOL GOT KNOCKED OUTA FA CUP BY BARNSLEY.
8.50PM...ELECTRIC GONE OFF...I WAS ON THE PHONE TO WILLIAM AT THE TIME.
10.00PM...IN EXTREME PAIN...BURNT TOPS OF LEGS ON BEACH...NU HAVING TO RUB AFTER SUN CREAM ON...AS I SAY...EXTREME PAIN!

SOMEONE TELL ME WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirtyseven....last 3 days in bali.

2008-02-04T21:01:00.000-08:00

3.2.08.
10.30AM...WENT TO BED LATE...SO I'M GETTING UP LATE.
11.05AM...SHOWER.
11.30AM...BREAKFAST...GIMME COFFEE!
12.15PM...WAFFLING WITH SOME AUSSIE AT BREAKIE TABLE.
1.00PM...SITTING BY POOL...NU IN THE DIP...STARTED MY NEW READING BOOK...BUT NOT SURE...ITS WRITTEN BY A WOMAN.
4.00PM...SUNDAY DINNER...PORK/MASHED SPUD/UNDERCOOKED VEG.
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH A CROCADILE DUNDEE LOOK ALIKE...LIVES NEAR BYRON BAY...GOT HIS ADDRESS...HE SAYS POP BY...WE MIGHT?
9.30PM...KIETH[SUNDERLAND CHAP] AND I GO TO WATCH FOOTIE...NEWC V BORO.
11.55PM...VILLA/FULHAM MATCH ABOUT TO KICK OFF.
12.45AM...KIETH CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO STAY FOR SECOND HALF.
1.45AM...I WISH I HADN'T!
2.10AM...GOOD NIGHT...NOT REALLY!

4.2.08.
10.00AM...ANOTHER LATE START.
10.20AM...COFFEE.
11.15AM...BREAKFAST...FRUIT SALAD/TOAST AND JAM.
12.10PM...AT POOLSIDE...BEER...CHATTING WITH SUNDERLANDS...NOT SURE KIETHS WIFE HAPPY WITH ME...KEPT HIM OUT LATE TWO NIGHTS RUNNING!
3.30PM...TOO HOT...IN ROOM...STILL TO HOT.
6.00PM...RESTAURANT...MINUTE PORTIONS...IF I WAS A MOUSE I MIGHT BE FULL!...I DID TRY TO EXPLAIN...THEY JUST SMILED.
7.00PM...HEAVENS OPENED...LIGHTENING...BALI RAIN/MONSOON SEASON AS STARTED.
9.00PM...BACK AT HOTEL...SOAKING WET...CHATTING WITH OTHER WET SOULS.

5.2.08.
9.00AM...TIME TO RISE...NU CALM DOWN!
10.05AM...BREAKFAST...BACON SANDWICH/COFFEE.
11.25AM...PACKING...THIS TIME TOMORROW WE WILL BE IN OZ...BALI ACTUALLY HASN'T BEN TO BAD...WE'VE MET SOME NICE PEOPLE...SAT AROUND THE POOL MOST DAYS/EVENINGS...CHATTING/BEERING...AFTER THE PHILIPINES...WHICH WAS A COMPLETE NON EVENT AND A WASTE OF MONEY...AND THE AGGRO WE GOT OF THE INDO DICKHEADS AT THE AIRPORT...THIS PLACE COULDN'T FAIL TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT...THE RAINY SEASON AS HIT BALI...STILLHOT AND STICKY...BUT I WELCOMED THE RAIN...MAYLASIA IS WELL WORTH A LOOK...PRICEY...BUT I'M VERY HAPPY I WENT...I DIDN'T DO AN OVERALL VIEW OF THAILAND BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE ONLY READ...DON'T BOTHER!...LOOKING FORWARD TO PERTH,OZ?...YES,I THINK I AM...MAYBE ONLY FOR SOME DECENT CHEESE!
1.30PM...WELL THIS TRIP AS CERTAINLY BEEN AN ADVENTURE...
2.30PM...BOOKED TAXI FOR AIRPORT AT 10.PM...I'M OFF FOR A BEER.

BYE BYE ASIA.... AUSTRALIA HER WE COME!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirtysixth...more fili ouch/hello bali!

2008-02-02T20:18:00.000-08:00

25.1.08.
8.00AM...ALARM.
8.40AM...SHOWER.
9.05AM...PACKED.
9.30AM...WALKING TO TICKET OFFICE...WHER CHAPPIE TOLD US TO GO LAST NIGHT.
10.05AM...WE HAVE TWO TICKETS...24 QUID EACH...AMAZING!
10.15AM...BACON SANDWICH/CUPPA TEA.
10.40AM...BACK AT TICKET OFFICE...JUMP IN A JEEPNEY...A MOTORBIKE WITH REAR SEATS.
11 10AM...CLARKE AIRPORT.
11.35AM...DOUGHNUT/PEPSI.
12.15PM...FLYING.
1.30PM...LANDED...CEBU HOW DO YOU DO!
1.45PM...BAGS COLLECTED.
2.00PM...TALKING AT INFO DESK...TRYING TO DECIDE WHICH DIRECTION TO HEAD.
2.20PM...IN TAXI HEADING FOR A HOTEL CALLED THE KIWI LODGE.
2.25PM...DRIVING THRU CENTRE OF CEBU[IT RHYMES WITH LOO!]...ITS A DIVE OF A PLACE.
2.50PM...KIWI LODGE...FULL OF AGEING MEN...BEER GUTS...HAPPY SOULS THOUGH.
2.55PM...NO ROOM AVAILABLE...BUT GIRL RECEPTIONIST PHONES A PLACE ROUND THE CORNER...THEY HAVE A ROOM AVAILABLE AT A REASONABLE PRICE.
3.05PM...BEER.
3.15PM...PLAYING POOL WITH A LONDONER...HE'S VERY CHATTY...BEEN HERE 8 YEARS.
4.10PM...GO TO OUR NEW ACCOMADATION...DROP BAGS OFF...SHORTS ON.
4.35PM...BACK AT KIWI LODGE...NEED SOME EATS.
4.55PM...PORK/MASH SPUD/MIXED VEG...NU HAD LAMB SHANK.
5.40PM...PLAYING POOL.
5.55PM...RUM AND COKES.
7.00PM...BACK AT OUR NEW RESTING PLACE...A SMALL ROOM IN A SMALL COURTYARD.
7.30PM...BED.

26.1.08.
5.30AM...ALARM.
5.50AM...SHOWER.
6.10AM...COFFEE.
6.35AM...ON STREET LOOKING FOR TAXI.
6.50AM...TAXI.
7.10AM...PORT.
7.40AM...DOUGHNUT/PEPSI...WAITING TO BOARD SEA CAT[BOAT].
7.55AM...BOARDING.
8.10AM...MOVING STEADILY ACROSS OCEON.
8.25AM...AMERICAN FILM PLAYING STARRING JACKIE CHAN...ITS NOT SOMETHING I WOULD BOTHER WITH USUALLY...BUT IT HELPS TO KILL THE BOREDOM.
9.55AM...ARRIVE AT THE ISLAND OF BOHOL.
10.10AM...TOURIST INFO CENTRE...WELL THATS WHAT IT SAYS ON THE DOOR...NO MAPS AND LITLE INFORMATION!...JUST ABOUT SUMS UP THE PHILIPINO ATTITUDE.
10.25AM...TAKE A TXI TO PANGLAO...A SMALL PLACE IN THE SOUTH OF THE ISLAND.
11.05AM...ALONA BEACH HOTEL...NO ROOMS.
11.20AM...NEXT DOOR...BANANA RESORT...ROOM 1,500 PISO...80 TO POUND...NEWLY BUILT HUTS...VERY CLEAN...TWO NIGHTS...IT'LL DO!
12.30PM...BEACH SIDE RESTAURANT...BURNT PORK CHOPS...UNDERDONE CHIPS...SMALLISH SALAD...PAPAYA MILKSHAKE...OK?
1.40PM...NU SWIMMING...BUT NOT COMFORTABLE.
2.20PM...BEER.
3.00PM...NU STAYED IN HUT...I HITCHED A RIDE ON THE BACK OF A MOTORBIKE TO VILLAGE CENTRE.
3.15PM...CORNER SHOP...BRANDY...68 PISO!/BREAD/TUNA/TOMATO/COKE/WATER/BEER.
3.40PM...ON WAY BACK TO HUT...CHAPPIE AND BIKE WAITING FOR ME...GAVE HIM 20 PISO.
4.00PM...BACK WITH MY FAVOURITE GIRL.
4.15PM...HANDED IN LAUNDRY.
4.30PM...SITTING ON VARANDA OF OUR LITTLE HUT WITH READING BOOK/BRANDY AND COKE...THIS PLACE IS ACTUALLY QUITE IDYLIC...VERY QUIET...WE SAW A FEW WESTERNERS ON THE BEACH...BUT I THINK WE ARE THE ONLY TWO STAYING HERE.
7.30PM...THIS PLACE IS FULL OF MOSSIES...BEEN BITTEN TWICE...HAD ENOUGH...GOING INSIDE.

27.1.08.
8.30AM...WOKE...NOT HAD A VERY GOOD NIGHT...DON'T THINK THE PORK AGREED WITH ME...SWANKIEST RESTAURANT IN THE PLACE AND THEY CAN'T COOK PORK!
9.10AM...OUTA BED I GET...NU ALREADY UP.
9.20AM...COFFEE.
9.40AM...SHOWER.
10.10AM...BREAKFAST BAR...ASK FOR TWO SUNNY SIDE EGGS...GOT AN OMMELETTE!...THE GERMANY SAUSAGE WAS WELL PLASTIC...THE BROWN BREAD WAS SURPRISELY EATABLE!...THE TEA WAS SOME FORIEGN MIX.
11.00AM...WALKED INTO TOWN.
11.20AM...INTERNET CAFE...GOTTA FIND QUICKEST AND EASIEST ROUTE OUTA HERE!
2.00PM...ARMPITS SWEATING...COMPUTERS ARE A GREAT HELP...BUT ALSO VERY FRUSTRATING...ITS TAKEN ME 3 HOURS TO GET THE RIGHT PRICE/DEAL TO GET US TO INDONISIA...1ST TO CEBU VIA BOAT...2ND FLIGHT TO MANILLA...3RD FLIGHT TO JAKARTA...ABOUT 110 QUID FOR BOTH OF US...YOU REALLY HAVE TO DELVE DEEP...AND YOU HAVE TO GET TIMES TO MATCH.
3.15PM...SWEET/SOUR PORK...I REALLY DON'T KNOW WHY I BOTHER.
4.00PM...I'VE BOOKED OUR ESCAPE FOR WEDNESDAY...SO GONNA BOOK SOME WHERE ELSE TO STAY...WHERE WE ARE NOW IS OVERPRICED.
4.40PM...WE'VE KNOCKED ON A FEW DOORS...FOUND THE PARAGAYA...900 PISO A NIGHT WITH FAN...NO AIR CON...HAD A LOOK...VERY CLEAN...IT'LL DO.
5.10PM...BEER.
6.00PM...SHOPPING...NEED INSECT REPELENT...BOUGHT A BOTTLE OF BRANDY.
7.00PM...BACK AT HUT.
7.30PM...CUPPA SOUP...MUSHROOM/CHICKEN.
7.45PM...BRANDY/COKE...READING.
9.00PM...THINKING ABOUT WHEN I EVENTUALLY GET MY BLOG PUBLISHED AND IT BECOMES THE BIGGEST SELLING BLOG OF ALL TIME AND I MAKE MILLION QUID AND BUY AVFC AND MAKE IT THE BIGGEST CLUB IN THE WORLD...AND I BETTER HAVE ANOTHER BRANDY...AND I BOUGHT THESE MONKEY NUTS THAT ARE STILL IN THERE SHELLS...YET THEY'RE SALTED...FUNNY...AND THE BREAD HERE IS SUGARED...TASTES AWFUL...THE BRANDY IS ALRIGHT THOUGH...68 PISO A BOTTLE[80 TO THE QUID]...MY HAIR IS A MESS...HAD IT CUT IN THAI...BUT ITS GROWN AGAIN...THE THAI'S CAN'T CUT HAIR...IN FACT THEY CAN'T COOK EITHER...OR DRIVE PROPERLY...I FIND IT HARD TO FIND ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT A THAI...YOU MUST LET ME KNOW IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING GOOD ABOUT A THAI...ALSO THEY CAN'T PLAY POOL...THE RUSSIANS WERE ALSO A BIT OF A FUNNY BUNCH...I CAN'T REMEMBER THEM BEING GOOD AT ANYTHING...THEY CERTAINLY DON'T KNOW HOW TO MAKE MILKSHAKES...THEY WERE VERY LIKE ITALIANS...THOUGH ITS THE ASIANS YOU FEEL SORRY FOR THE MOST...THEY ARE AN UGLY LOT...I'M NOT SAYING I'M THE PRETTIEST...BUT I'D BE SUICIDAL IF I LOOKED LIKE THEM!

28.1.08.
8.30AM...FEEL DRY...NEEDA A CUPPA.
8.45AM...OFF FOR HOT WATER.
9.05AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.30AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.55AM...ANOTHER CUPPA/CORNFLAKES.
10.25AM...PACKING...EVERYTHING STREWN...NOT IN THE MOOD FOR THIS.
10.55AM...PACKED...I TAKE OUR TWO RUCKSACKS TO OUR NEW ABODE.
11.10AM...DRIPPING WITH SWEAT I DROP THE BAGS IN THE RECEPTION OF THE PANGLAO AND TURN AROUND AND WALK BACK.
11.30AM...BACK WITH NU...OFF WE SET WITH OUR OTHER BAGS.
11.55AM...BOOKED INTO NEW ACCOMADATION.
12.25PM...READING/BEERING.
3.10PM...HUNGRY...POWDER KEG[PIZZA PLACE].
3.40PM...SALAMI/MUSHROOM PIZZA/STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE.
3.55PM...PIZZA WELL SALTY/SHAKE OK.
4.20PM...SITTING ON CHAIRS ALLOCATED TO US OUTSIDE OUR ROOM...READING UP ON INDONISIA.
6.00PM...BRANDY AND COKE...WONDERFUL PINKY RED SKY ABOVE.
7.00PM...CHATTING WITH THE HOTEL WORKERS...THEY ONLY EARN 30 QUID A MONTH...PLUS FOOD AND LODGING...BUT THEY'VE ALL GOT MOBILE PHONES!

29.1.08.
8.00AM...HARDLY SLEPT...FAN MAKES AN AWFUL RACKET.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
9.00AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
10.00AM...FEELING LOW...THINK I HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF GOING FROM ROOM TO ROOM WITH RUCKSACK ON MY BACK...AM I LOOKING FORWARD TO INDONISIA?...BALI IS THE ONLY PLACE WE HAVE DECIDED TO VISIT...THEN ITS ON TO SINGAPORE...BUY CAMERA/LAPTOP...THEN GET ON THE NEXT PLANE TO OZLAND...I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE COME BACK TO ENGLAND AT XMAS...ME AND NU NEED A BREAK...ITS GREAT SEEING ALL THESE COUNTRIES...BUT THEY ALL TEND TO BLEND INTO ONE...WE CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY DONE...BUT WE BOTH NEED A REST...AFTER WE HAVE DONE A WEEK IN BALI...IT'LL BE 23 WEEKS!...AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME I CAN'T SEE NU AND I DOING 9 MONTHS IN OZ...MAYBE 3...AND MAYBE 3 MONTHS IN ZEALAND.
11.30AM...DRINKING BEER...WISH IT WAS WHISKEY...WE ARE NOW TALKING ABOUT NOT BOTHERING WITH INDONISIA...INSTEAD HEADING STRAIGHT FOR OZ...BALI SOUNDS OVER RATED AND IS PROBABLY JUST LIKE HERE...WE CAN'T DECIDE WHATS BEST TO DO...WE HAVE ALREADY BOUGHT OUR AIR TICKETS FOR INDONESIA...SHOULD WE BIN THEM AND JUST HEAD FOR OZ?...VIA MANILLA...GOTTA FIND SOME PRICES...GOTTA GET ON THE INTERNET...BUT I HATE THE INTERNET...IT MAKES ME ANGRY...MAYBE ITS THE HEAT...LACK OF SLEEP...THAT GOD DAMN NOISEY FAN!...MAYBE I JUST NEED SOME DECENT FOOD...CHEESE PLEASE!...OK WE WANTED TO GO TO SINGAPORE FOR CHEAP ELECTRICAL GOODS...BUT WHAT THE HELL...YOU TRY TO SAVE HERE...BUT YOU WASTE ELSEWHERES...WHO CARES...I DO!
2.00PM...HEAT GETTING TO ME...HEAD FOR CAFE AND SHADE...PORK BURGER/CHIPS/STRAWB SHAKE.
3.00PM...LYING ON BED...HALF DOZING.
5.00PM...NEED THE LOO...UP I GET.
5.45PM...BRANDY AND COKE...STILL CAN'T MAKE A DECISION ON WHATS BEST TO DO...NEARLY FINISHED READING BOOK...IT'LL HAVE AN HAPPY ENDING...KEN FOLLETT BOOKS ALWAYS DO.
9.00PM...WALK TO BEACH.
9.20PM...WAITING FOR SPAG BOL...DECIDED TO HEAD FOR BALI.

30.1.08.
8.00AM...NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO TO DAY...BUT I'D BETTER MOVE...PACKING TO DO.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.35AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.05AM...PACKING.
9.40AM...CUPPA TEA/CORNFLAKES.
10.20AM...WAITING FOR TAXI TO PORT[400 PISO].
10.50AM...FERRY PORT.
11.00AM...CHECK IN...THEY WANT ANOTHER 123 PISO!
11.15AM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE/CAN OF COKE.
11.50AM...ON BOARD...OFF WE SAIL.
1.45PM...AT CEBU DOCKS.
2.00PM...TAXI TO AIRPORT[300 PISO].
2.40PM...CHECK IN...VERY SLOW.
3.00PM...CHICKEN SANDWICH...ABSOLUTELY AWFUL!
3.15PM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE...HAD TO PAY ANOTHER 400 PISO TO COME THRU!
3.35PM...BOARDING.
3.50PM...FLYING.
4.10PM...ASLEEP.
5.05PM...LANDED AT MANILLA...SHAKEN AWAKE.
5.20PM...BAG COLLECTION.
5.55PM...SHIFFLED ONTO A SHUTTLE BUS TO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT.
6.30PM...CHECK IN.
7.10PM...HUNGRY...CHEESE SANDWICH/BEER.
8.15PM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE.
8.40PM...BOARDING.
8.55PM...FLYING.
9.20PM...ASLEEP.
11.45PM...LANDED AT JAKARTA.

31.1.08.
12.20AM...GOING THRU IMMAGRATION...10 DOLLARS EACH FOR VISA.
12.30AM...STOPPED AT IMMAGRATION...CAN'T GO THRU UNLESS WE HAVE A VALID TICKET FOR NEXT DESTINATION...GIVE US A BREAK MATE WE HAVE ONLY JUST ARRIVED IN YOUR BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY?!
12.35AM...STANDING AT TICKET COUNTER.
12.40AM 3 CHAPS SEND US TO ANOTHER COUNTER...WHICH IS CLOSED...AND WHATS MORE THEY CAN SEE ITS CLOSED...DICKHEADS!
12.55AM...STILL WAITING AT DESK/COUNTER...HOPING IT MIGHT OPEN ANY TIME SOON...WE HAVEN'T COLLECTED OUR BAGS...PRESUME THEY ARE STILL GOING ROUND ON CAROUSEL.
1.10AM...MAN APPROACHES...LOOKS AT OUR PASSPORTS...STAMPS THEM AND LETS US THRU...WHY THEY COULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT IN THE FIRST PLACE...I DON'T KNOW.
1.20AM...COLLECTED BAGS.
1.30AM...WALKING OUTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT...GOTTA TAKE A TAXI TO DOMESTIC.
1.40AM...ABOUT 20 TAXI DRIVERS APPROACH US.
1.50AM...TAXI CHOSEN...AGREE A PRICE...50,000 RUPIAH[18,000 TO POUND].
2.05AM...DOMESTIC AIRPORT...OUT THE TAXI WE GET...I HAND THE INDONISIAN DICKHEAD 100,000 NOTE...HE GIVES ME 40,000 BACK AND SMILES...ARE ALL INDO DICKS THIEVES?...TOSSER!
3.00AM...A SWEDISH COUPLE HAVE JOINED AS WE WE SIT WAITING FOR THE AIRPORT TO OPEN.
4.00AM...AIRPORT OPENS...BUT WE CAN'T GO IN WITHOUT A TICKET.
4.15AM...ENQUIRE ABOUT PRICES TO FLY TO BALI...60 QUID EACH!
4.45AM...AFTER MUCH DELIBERATION WE PAY UP.
4.55AM INTO THE AIRPORT WE GO.
6.00AM...THERES A LUXURY? LOUNGE...PAY 50,000[18,000 TO POUND]...AND YOU CAN DRINK AS MUCH COFFEE/TEA AS YOU LIKE...ALSO THERES SOME SORT OF FOOD ON OFFER.
6.10AM...SOME NOODLE/RICE DISH...WEAK SOUP...DON'T OVER DO THE CHOICES WILL YOU!...COFFEE OK.
6.25AM...BUSY ON INTERNET...TRYING TO GET ENGLISH PREM SITE ON...SLOWEST NET I HAVE EVER COME ACROSS.
7.00AM...FINALLY GETTING SOMEWHERE...OFF I GO TO LOO.
7.05AM...COME BACK AND SOME INDO DICK IS ON 'MY' COMPUTER AND AS RUBBISHED MY SITE!
7.30AM...OFF I GO AGAIN...PERHAPS THIS COMPUTER AS WARMED UP NOW AND WON'T TAKE SO LONG...COFFEE STILL GOOD...SIXTH CUP.
8.00AM...AT LAST...GOT THE INFO I WANTED...ONE LAST CUP OF COFFEE...THEN WE'LL GO FOR CHECK IN.
8.30AM...CHECK IN...SOME INDO DICK IS STANDING ABOUT SIX INCHES BEHIND ME AS I TRY TO CHECK IN...I ASK HIM TO MOVE BACK...HE JUST STARES...YOU ARE MEANT TO BE BEHIND THE YELLOW LINE DICK HEAD!...HE JUST STARED...TOLD HIM HE WAS AN IDIOT...HE JUST STARED.
8.40AM...COMPLETED CHECK IN...TURNED AND TOLD HIM YET AGAIN WHAT AN ARSEHOLE HE IS...HE JUST STARED.
9.00AM...IN DEPARTURE LOUNGE.
9.35AM...FLYING.
9.50AM...ASLEEP.
12.05PM...LANDED AT BALI.
1.00PM...TAXI TO A HOTEL CALLED FLASHBACKS.
1.50PM...STEAK/CHIPS/BEERS.
3.00PM...EATING AUSTRALIAN CHEDDAR CHEESE SANDWICH WITH SALAD.
4.00PM...BED...SHATTERED...ALTHOUGH HAD SLEPT ON PLANES...WE BOTH JUST WANTED TO CRASH!

1.2.08.
7.00AM...NU ALREADY UP...WAKES ME WITH A CUPPA.
7.50AM...SHOWER.
8.20AM...EGG ON TOAST/TOAST AND JAM/COFFEE.
10.15AM...GOTTA FIND INTERNET CAFE...GOTTA LEAVE BALI BY 6TH FEB...ONLY GOT 7 DAY VISA...GONNA GET A FLIGHT TO PERTH,OZLAND...NOT BOTHERING WITH SINGAPORE.
11.00AM...INTERNET CAFE.
11.30AM...FRUSTRATION SETTING IN...IT KEEPS GOING OFF LINE...DECIDE TO GO TO QUANTAS OFFICE...IT MIGHT COST A BIT MORE...BUT WE DON'T CARE ANYMORE!
12.35PM...QUANTAS OFFICE...450 QUID FOR BOTH...IT'LL DO...FLY 12.20AM WED 6TH FEB.
1.30PM...ENJOYING A BEER...RAINING...I WANT IT TO RAIN FOREVER...I WANNA SEE SNOW...I WANNA HEAR THE WIND...I MISS ENGLAND...I REALLY DO!
3.00PM...SUPERMARKET...CHEESE/CRACKERS/COKE.
4.00PM...AUSSIE RESTAURANT...PORK SNITZEL...VERY SALTY...AUSSIE GUYS BEING VERY LOUD...AUSSIE CRICKET ON BIG SCREEN...VERY LOUD...I'M NOT SURE WHETHER I'M GONNA ENJOY OZ?
6.30PM...CHATTING WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS...ACTUALLY ENDED UP BEING AN ENJOYABLE DAY/EVENING.

2.2.08.
9.00AM...COFFEE.
10.00AM...SHOWER...ANOTHER SLOW DAY AHEAD.
11.00AM...BREAKFAST.
12.05PM...CHATTING POOLSIDE WITH COUPLE FROM SUNDERLAND.
1.30PM...SWEDISH RESTAURANT?...INDIAN CURRY?...CHICKEN IN A CURRY SAUCE ON A BED OF PASTA AND SALAD?...DIFFERENT...THATS FOR SURE!
3.20PM...BACK AT POOLSIDE.
7.00PM...CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH.
9.00PM...SUNDERLAND CHAP AND ME GO OFF TO BAR TO WATCH FOOTIE.
3.00AM...THREE GAMES LATER BACK IN NU'S ARMS!

ASIA-ED OUT!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirtyfifth....Borneo so so/Philipines ouch!

2008-01-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

17.108.
9.30AM...ACHING...STILL SLEEPY...NU WANTS A CUPPA.
9.50AM...TWO CUPS OF COFFEE.
10.20AM...SHOWER.
10.45AM...TOAST.
11.30AM...ON THE NET...TRYING TO BOOK FLIGHT FOR SANDAKAN TOMORROW.
11.55AM...ITS GETING FRUSTRATING...DECIDE TO BOOK ACCOMADATION FIRST.
12.20PM...BOOKED FOUR NIGHTS IN SANDAKAN...18TH,19TH,20TH,21ST.
12.35PM...RETURN TO BOOKING A FLIGHT...FILL IN SCREEN FORM.
12.55PM...SCREEN SAYS ITS TO LATE TO BOOK AN EMAIL TICKET...NEED TO DO DO IT 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE...OUCH...IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE IF THIS INFORMATION HAD BEEN GIVEN ME AT THE BEGINNING!
1.15PM...NOW WE ARE IN A MESS...BOOKED ACCOMADATION...BUT CAN'T FLY TILL 19TH!
1.50PM...BOOKED FLIGHT...FLY NOON 19TH...ARRIVE 12.45PM.
2.20PM...PHONE ACCOMADATION PLACE IN SANDAKAN...EXPECTING THE WORSED...BUT TO MY SURPRISE THERE IS NOT A PROBLEM...AND THEY WANT CHARGE US FOR 18TH...WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS BEFORE LIKE THIS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN CHARGED...BUT THESE PEOPLE SEEM OK.
3.00PM...PORK AND RICE...YES I HAVE FOUND AN OUTLET SELLING PORK!...DOUSED IN SOME SPICY SAUCE.
4.00PM...READING...NEW BOOK...BIT SLOW.
5.00PM...BBC NEWS 24...WAITING FOR SPORTS NEWS...BUT WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT...SOME PLANE AS CRASHED AT HEATHROW...SO SPORTS BEEN DELAYED...SO INCONSIDERATE.
6.25PM...CHEESE/CUCUMBER/TOMATO SANDWICH...BEER.
7.20PM...WAFFLING WITH OTHER RESIDENTS...BIT BORED...ALL IN ALL ITS BEE A GLOOMY DAY.

18.1.08.
8.50AM...NOT TOO EAGER TO GET UP...NOT GOT ANYTHING PLANNED FOR TODAY.
9.20AM...COFFEE.
9.40AM...SHOWER.
10.15AM...COFFEE/TOAST.
11.20AM...WALKING TO JESSELTON POINT[PIER].
11.50AM...PHARMACY.
12.20PM...JESSELTON POINT[PIER]...LOOKING OUT OVER THE SOUTH CHINA SEA...WELL I THINK ITS THE SOUTH CHINA SEA!
2.00PM...SUPERMARKET...NEED CHEESE.
2.35PM...ITALIAN RESTAURANT...HAD PIZZA...WISH I HADN'T!
4.00PM...ANOTHER PHARMACY...TOLD TO GO TO DOCTORS...NU NEEDS A PERSCRIPTION.
4.40PM...DOCTORS...NU WEIGHED AND MEASURED...NU NOT OVER THE MOON ABOUT THAT!
5.10PM...ALLS WELL...NU AS HER PILLS.
5.20PM...WALKING BACK TO LODGE/HOTEL.
6.00PM...BBC NEWS 24...WELL NU GOT WHAT SHE NEEDED FROM DOC'S...SO TODAY NOT BEEN A TOTAL WASH OUT...PLUS SITTING ON THE END OF THE PIER...A SLIGHT BREEZE BLOWING...NU AND I SITTING HAPPILY...WAFFLING...ENJOYING EACH OTHERS COMPANY...THAT WAS SPECIAL...FLY SANDAKAN TOMORROW...SO NEW PLACE,NEW THOUGHTS,NEW PEOPLE...LIFES WELL OK...I GUESS I JUST LIKE TO MOAN SOMETIMES.

19.1.08.
8.00AM...ALARM.
8.25AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.55AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.20AM...TOAST/CUPPA TEA/2 PARACETEMOL.
9.45AM...PACKING COMPLETED.
10.00AM...WAITING FOR TAXI.
10.05AM...TAXI HERE.
10.20AM...AIRPORT.
10.45AM...CHECK IN.
11.05AM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE...CHATTING WITH ENGLISH CHAP WHO BROKE A BONE IN HIS FOOT IN BANGKOK...HE'S MANAGING WELL...BRAVE CHAP...I WOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE NEXT PLANE HOME!
11.25AM...BOARDING.
11.40AM...WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE OFF...IT'S ONLY 11.40AM...WE WERE DUE TO TAKE OFF AT 12.00 NOON...THESE ASIANS ARE A BIT KEEN!
11.50AM...IN THE AIR.
12.05PM...EATING CHEESE AND CUCUMBER SANDWICHES WE MADE EARLIER.
12.30PM...TOUCH DOWN.
12.40PM...BAGS COLLECTED...THEY ARE VERY SWIFT HERE.
12.50PM...IN TAXI HEADING FOR NEW ABODE.
1.20PM...NEW ABODE...IT LOOKS VERY MUSLIM...MAUVE PAINTED ROOM...ONLY COLD WATER...54 RINGETTS A NIGHT...OH WELL ITS ONLY FOR 3 NIGHTS...IT LOOKS CLEAN ENOUGH.
2.00PM...LOOKING FOR CAFE/BAR.
2.20PM...STILL LOOKING FOR CAFE/BAR.
3.30PM...WE HAVE WALKED THE WHOLE TOWN...IT COMPRISED OF 3 ROADS.
3.45PM...HAVING A CAN OF COKE.
4.00PM...KFC! ON CORNER...HOW LOW CAN I GO!
4.15PM...QUITE LOW!...ACTUALLY THE CHICKEN TASTES OK...THE CHIPS WERE THIN AND HARD.
5.00PM...SUPERMARKET...THEY HAVE BEER...EXPENSIVE THOUGH...OH WELL.
6.10PM...IN ROOM...READING...BOOKS IMPROVING.
7.20PM...CHICKEN NOODLE TAKEAWAY...1 FOR NU...1 FOR ME...4 RIGGETTS EACH!...EATS FROM THE STREET...WELL CHEAP...WELL TASTY/BEER.

20.1.08.
6.40AM...NU UP EARLY...LOOKING OUT FOR SEA EAGLES...WE ARE IN A ROOM OVER LOOKING THE HARBOUR...MANY BOATS.
7.00AM...BLINKING...BUT STILL SLEEPING...ITS TIME TO SHIFT.
7.20AM...SENT FOR HOT WATER...ONE THING THAT IS ALWAYS FREE IN THESE MUSLIM HOTELS...A FLASK OF HOT WATER...ANY TIME...NIGHT OR DAY.
7.30AM...COFFEE.
8.00AM...COLD SHOWER.
8.20AM...TOAST.
8.40AM...WAITING IN BUS STATION...ABOUT FIFTY YARDS FROM WHERE WE ARE STAYING.
8.50AM...TOLD BUS AS BROKEN DOWN THAT GOES TO THE ORANG ATAN CENTRE...NO BUS AT 9.00AM...NEXT ONE 10.00AM...OUCH!...GOTTA BE THERE ABOUT 9.30AM TO SEE THEM FEEDING!
9.00AM...TAXI...35 RIGGETTS...IT WAS ONLY GONNA BE 3 RIGGETTS ON THE BUS.
9.25PM...ORANG ATAN CENTRE.
9.50AM...WAITING FOR THE BEASTS TO APPEAR...MAYBE BECAUSE ITS SUNDAY THEY ARE ALLOWED A LIE IN...FEEDING TIME THIS MORNING IS 10.00A.M.
10.10AM..ORANGS...SHOWING OFF...EATING BANANA'S...VERY ATHELETIC...VERY ORANGI TANGY!
11.00AM...FILM ON ORANG ATANS...BLESS!
11.40AM...COFFEE/SOUVENIR SHOP.
12.05PM...IN TAXI BACK TO TOWN[YAWN].
12.40PM...IN TOWN...SEARCHING FOR TOUR SELLING PLACE.
1.00PM...FORGOT IT'S SUNDAY...ALL CLOSED...OUCH!
1.30PM...SUPERMARKET...BRANDY/COKE.
2.10PM...WALKING.
2.50PM...BACK IN ROOM.
3.10PM...NU WANTS NOODLES...I FANCY THEM TOO.
3.50PM...WONDERFUL YELLOW NOODLES/CHICKEN/MUSHROOM/ONION/PEPPERS ETC.
4.30PM...BRANDY AND COKE.
5.30PM...ATTEMPTING TO READ...NOT REALLY IN THE MOOD.
6.35PM...CHATTING WITH OTHER TRAVELLERS.

21.1.08.
8.30AM...NU FIRST TO RISE...LOOKING FOR EAGLES.
8.45AM...SENT FOR HOT WATER.
9.10AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
9.50AM...TOAST/CUPPA TEA.
11.00AM...IN TOUR SHOP.
11.30AM...BOOKED TOUR TO TURTLE ISLAND...ONERNIGHT STAY IN WOODEN HUT...THEN WE ARE ON A BOAT UP SOME RIVER LOOKING FOR WILDLIFE...HAVE THEY HEARD OF BIRMINGHAM TOWN CENTRE?
12.40PM...FOUND POST OFFICE AT LAST...ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN...SILLY PLACE TO PUT IT...ITS THE ONLY PLACE YOU CAN BUY STAMPS.
1.20PM...WALKING BACK TO OUR MAUVE ROOM...A MONITOR LIZARD...ABOUT AS LONG AS I AM TALL IS WADDLING ALONG THE PAVEMENT LOOKING FRIGHTENED...UGLY THING...SOME BOYS ARE CHASING IT...NU AND I KEPT OUT THE WAY...THE CHINESE EAT THEM...APPARENTLY THE CHINESE EAT ANYTHING!
2.05PM...SUPERMARKET...SUPPLIES FOR NEXT TWO DAYS...ALTHOUGH WE GET FED...WE LIKE TO TAKE OUR OWN DRINK!
2.55PM...BACK AT HOTEL[MAUVE ROOM]...NU NOT FEELING TO GOOD.
3.30PM...ON INTERNET...GOTTA BOOK A FLIGHT BACK TO KINABULU AND THEN A FLIGHT ONWARD TO MANILLA,PHILIPINES...ITS A NIGHTMARE!
5.10PM...SORTED...90 QUID FOR BOTH FOR TWO PLANE JOURNEYS.
6.00PM...PACKING...HAVING A GOOD SORT...WE WILL BE RETURNING TO THE MAUVE ROOM AFTER OUR EXPEDITION...BUT WE HAVE TO PUT OUR BAGS IN THE STORE ROOM.
7.30PM...SIGNATURE RESTAURANT...BIT UP MARKET...BUT WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THEY DO EXCELLENT FISH AND CHIPS.
9.00PM...WONDERFUL MEAL...FOLLOWED BY A WONDERFUL BANANA SPLIT.

22.1.08.
7.00AM...AWAKE.
7.20AM...SHOWER
7.50AM...CORNFLAKES/COFFEE/TOAST.
8.30AM...WAITING FOR PICK UP TO START OUR TRIP TO TURTLE ISLAND.
8.45AM...PICK UP MINIBUS ARRIVE.
9.15AM...JETTY.
9.30AM...IN BOAT HEADING FOR TURTLE ISLAND.
10.30AM...TURTLE ISLAND.
11.00AM...IN ROOM...VERY BASIC.
12.30PM...LUNCH...CHICKEN CURRY...INDIAN FLAVOUR...IN MALAYSIA THEY NEVER DEBONE THERE CHICKEN...SO NONE TO PLEASANT...RICE ALRIGHT...PINEAPPLE FOR DESSERT.
1.55PM...ON WHITE BEACH...NU SWIMMING...I'VE PLANTED MYSELF ON THE LIFE GUARDS PLATFORM.
3.00PM...BACK IN ROOM...TO HOT FOR ME...NU HAPPY ON BEACH...FELL ASLEEP.
5.00PM...NU BACK IN ROOM WITH ME...LOOKING A BIT TOMATOED!
6.00PM...GIUDE SHOWING US PICTURES AND SKELETONS OF TURTLES AND TALKING RAPID ENGLISH...HE WASN'T THE BEST...WATCHED A FILM TOO.
7.30PM...EVENING MEAL...BEEF CURRY...NO COMMENT...MORE FRUIT FOR DESSERT...LUCKERLY WE'D BOUGHT OUR DRINK FROM THE MAINLAND...DOUBLE THE PRICE HERE!
8.20PM...WAFFLING WITH FOUR DANISH LADS.
10.00PM...SITTING ON BENCH NEXT TO SANDS WAITING FOR MYRTLE THE TURTLE TO SHOW UP.
10.35PM...MYRT THE TURT IS DOING THE BUSINESS.
10.50PM...MYRT THE TURT...BIT OF A FLIRT...GIVING BIRTH!
11.15PM...ALL OVER.
11.30PM...MYRT WADDLING BACK TO SEA.
11.45PM...RANGER GATHERS EGGS TO REBURY IN SAFE PLACE.
12.10AM...TIME FOR BED.

23.1.08.
5.00AM...ALARM.
5.30AM...UP.
5.40AM...QUICK WASH.
6.10AM...IN BREAKFAST ROOM.
6.25AM...SCRAMBLED EGGS/COFFEE.
7.00AM...IN BOAT HEADING BACK TO MAINLAND.
7.20AM...BOAT STOPS...SOMETHING WRONG WITH ENGINE.
7.30AM...OFF WE GO AGAIN...WELL ROCKY SEA.
7.50AM...BOAT STOPS AGAIN.
8.00AM...OFF WE GO AGAIN.
8.15AM...AT JETTY AT LAST...DIDN'T THINK WE WERE GONNA MAKE IT...OWNER NEEDS TO GET THAT ENGINE SORTED.
8.35AM...BACK AT HOTEL...GIRL RECEPTIONIST TELLS US OUR FRIENDS FROM LANGKAWI HAVE TURNED UP.
9.00AM...IN SHOWER...GLORIOUS!
9.30AM...IN BREAKIE ROOM TALKING WITH MATT AND VICKI.
10.30AM...MINIBUS ARRIVES TO TAKE US TO SEPILOK FOR START OF TRIP UP RIVER.
11.00AM...SEPILOK...GOTTA WAIT HERE FOR NEXT PICK UP AT 12.454PM FOR KINABATTENGEN RIVER CRUISE.
11.15AM...RESTAURANT...SWEET/SOUR CHICKEN....SAUCE WELL WEAK.
12.30PM...INTO ANOTHER MINIBUS FOR 2 HOUR DRIVE TO RIVER.
12.50PM...FELL ASLEEP.
2.45PM...ON SOME BUMPY TRACK...I BLINK BACK TO LIFE AGAIN.
3.05PM...ARRIVE AT RIVER...ALTHOUGH ITS WARM...RAIN LASHING DOWN...WE WAIT UNDER A WOODEN SHELTER.
3.40PM...ITS STILL RAINING...BUT NOT SO HEAVILY...WE CLAMBER INTO A LONG CANOE TO GO TO ISLAND IN CENTRE OF LAKE.
3.55PM...ON CENTRAL ISLAND...BUM WELL WET.
4.15PM...I DECIDE I WOULD RATHER STAY UNDER SHELTER THAN ROAM UP AND DOWN A RIVER IN THE THE HOPE OF SEEING SOME WILD ANIMALS...RAIN STILL POURING...NU SETS OUT WITH OTHERS.
6.30PM...NU RETURNS...FULL OF THE JOYS...SHE AS SEEN WHAT SHE WANTED TO SEE...NU HAPPY...I'M HAPPY!
7.00PM...BACK IN BOAT TO MAINLAND.
7.20PM...BACK IN MINIBUS.
9.15PM...BACK IN MAUVE ROOM.
9.40PM...TUNA/TOMATO SANDWICH/BEER...CHATTING WITH FRIENDS.

24.1.08.
5.30AM...ALARM.
5.50AM...SHOWER.
6.05AM...PACKING.
6.40AM...CORNFLAKES/COFFEE.
7.05AM...TAXI.
7.30AM...AIRPORT.
7.45AM...CHECK IN.
8.10AM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE/COFFEE.
8.50AM...FLYING.
9.45AM...KOTA KINABULA AIRPORT...TERMINAL 1...NEED TERMINAL2...7K AWAY!
10.15AM...TAXI.
10.35AM...TERMINAL 2.
11.00AM...CHECK IN NOT TILL 12.30PM.
11.45AM...SWEET/SOUR CHICKEN...CAPPUCINO.
12.45PM...CHECK IN...THEY ARE GETTING ON MY NERVE'S...BAG CHECK...THEY'VE TAKEN OUR CAN OPENER OF US!
1.15PM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE...BORED.
2.15PM...OM PLANE HEADING FOR MANILLA?
4.15PM...LAND AT CLARK,MANILLA?
4.25PM...PASSPORT CONTROL.
4.40PM...NEED SOME PESO...ATM...NOT WORKING...THIS IS AN AIRPORT!...ITS GOT ONE CASH POINT AND THAT DOESN'T WORK!
5.00PM...TAXI...EXPLAIN WE NEED ATM...OK.
5.05PM...TAXI DRIVER TELLS US WE ARE NOT IN MANILLA...WHAT?!...WE ARE IN ANGELES...WHERE?!
5.10PM...WE ASK HIM TO TAKE US TO A TICKET OFFICE...WE NEED THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLIGHT TO CEBU...GOD KNOWS HOW WE ENDED UP HERE...PHILIPINE TICKETS NOT VERY CLEAR/CONFUSING...NU AND ME NOT HAPPY.
5.35PM...IN TICKET OFFICE...WE ARE INTRODUCED TO A WOMAN...WE HAVE TO FOLLOW HER TO ANOTHER OFFICE...BACK IN TAXI FOLLOWING HER.
5.55PM...AT HER OFFICE?...SHE QUOTES US 18,400 PESO[255 QUID]...WHAT!...NO WAY...NU GETTING WELL FRUSTRATED.
6.15PM...WALK OUT OF OFFICE.
6.25PM...ASK A WESTERN LOOKING GUY DIRECTIONS...IT JUST HAPPENS THAT HE OWNS AN HOTEL.
6.40PM...AT THE ANCHORAGE INN...1,000 PESO A NIGHT...ITS OK...ITS CLEAN...BUT THE AREA IS FULL[AND I MEAN FULL] OF GIRLIE BARS!...ITS PORNO STREET!
7.15PM...PORK/MASH SPUD/MIXED VEG...I'M IN HEAVEN!
8.30PM...IN OUR 'MIRRORED ROOM'.
9.00PM...NU DECIDED TO STAY IN AND WATCH TELE...I THOUGHT I'D TAKE A STROLL...LOOSEN THE ACHING JOINTS.
9.15PM...SHONA'S BAR...THEY'VE GOT A POOL TABLE...FULL OF SCANTILY CLAD GIRLS...HAD ONE BEER AND LEFT...HONEST!
10.05PM...BACK WITH NU...YOU SAID YOU WOULD ONLY BE HALF AN HOUR!...GOT A LITTLE LOST MY HONEY BUNCH.
10.15PM...WENT TO HOTEL BAR...NU FANCIED A BEER...I HAD A JACK D...CHATTING WITH CHAP WHO SEEMS TO KNOW HIS STUFF...THERES A FLIGHT TOMORROW...25 QUID EACH... AT 12.05PM...HE TELLS US WHERE TO GO...ALSO HE'S VERY KNOWLEDGABLE ON THE ISLANDS...NU'S IMPRESSED.
11.20PM...BED.

FUNNY OLD DAYS.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirty fourth...hello,hello from some place called Borneo!

2008-01-17T01:04:00.000-08:00

14.1.08.
7.30AM...ALARM.
8.00AM...CUPPA TEA.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.55AM...TOAST/ANOTHER CUPPA.
9.25.AM...SAYING FAREWELLS.
10.00AM...IN TAXI...HEADING FOR AIRPORT.
10.20AM...AIRPORT.
10.35AM...QUICK BAG CHECK...QUICK CHECK IN.
11.05AM...BEER.
11.30AM...ON PLANE.
11.45AM...IN THE AIR.
12.45PM...LANDED SAFELY...BIT TIGHT 'AIR ASIA'...DIDN'T EVEN GET A SNIFF OF A CUP OF COFFEE!
1.05PM...COLLECTING BAGS FROM CAROUSEL.
1.25PM...GOING THRU NEXT CHECK IN FOR ONWARD FLIGHT...ALL GOES WELL.
1.40PM...DEPARTURE LOUNGE...FELT PECKISH...MY MEELEK...A SLIGHTLY SPICY DISH OF NOODLES...OK.
2.05PM...BOARDING.
2.15PM...TAKE OFF...ASIAN FLIGHTS ARE ALWAYS ON TIME...WE BRITISH HAVE A BIT TO LEARN!
3.05PM...TWO HOURS THIS FLIGHT AND NOT A SNIFF OF A FREEBIE DRINK...THESE ASIANS COULD LEARN A BIT FROM US FOREVER GIVING BRITS...'AIR ASIA'...NIL POINT!
4.45PM...LANDED...BREAKING LOUDLY.
5.05PM...BAG COLLECTION...THOUGHT WE'D LOST NU'S BAG...LAST TO COME THRU.
5.40PM...TAXI
6.15PM...HOTEL PARADISE!...NOT!...THE PLACE WAS DEAD...WE WERE THE ONLY ONE'S STAYING...THE BALCONY DOORS DID NOT FIT PROPERLY...THE ROOM HADN'T BEEN CLEANED...ALSO THEY DIDN'T SELL ALCOHOL!...NU'S HEAD DROPPED.
7.00PM...WENT TO GET OUR MONEY BACK...FELT DETERMINED...HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ME BEING DETERMINED?
7.10PM...OH...OK...MONEY BACK!
7.20PM...CHAPPIE IN HOTEL GAVE US A LIFT BACK TO CENTRE OF TOWN.
7.40PM...BOOKED INTO HOTEL KINABULU...IT'LL DO...NO WINDOW!...FOR ONE NIGHT...OK.
8.10PM...RESTAURANT...SWEET/SOUR CHICKEN...WOW...WAS IT GOOD.
8.55PM...ENQUIRED AT THE LAVENDER LODGE GUEST HOUSE...IT COULDN'T FAIL TO BE BETTER THAN WHERE WE ARE...BOOKED TWO NIGHTS.
9.20PM...HAVING A BEER IN FISH SQUARE...I CALL IT THAT BECAUSE ITS FULL OF TANKS WITH FISH WAITING TO BE BOILED OR FRIED FOR THE PLEASURE OF HUMAN COMSUMPTION...THEY QUOTED US 200 RIGGETTS FOR A LOBSTER...I BET IF I WAS A MALAYSIAN IT WOULD COST ME ABOUT 50 RIGGETTS!...IF THAT!
10.10PM...BACK AT HOTEL...IT FEELS DIRTY...OH WELL IT'S ONLY FOR ONE NIGHT.

15.1.08.
8.00AM...DIDN'T SLEEP WELL.
8.15AM...NU SENTS ME FOR HOT WATER FOR A CUPPA.
9.00AM...SHAVE/SHOWER.
10.05AM...CHECK OUT...THEY HAD TO GO AND CHECK ROOM...AS IF THERE WAS ANYTHING WORTH TAKING!...YES THE SHEETS ARE STILL THERE!...KEY DEPOSIT BACK...THANK YOU...OUT THE DOOR WE GO...THANK GOD!
10.25AM...LAVENDER LODGE...OUR NEW ABODE FOR A FEW DAYS AT LEAST.
10.40AM...DROP BAGS IN ROOM...ITS GOT A WINDOW!...LADY RECEPTIONIST ENQIURES IF WE WOULD LIKE COFFEE AND TOAST...YES PLEASE!
11.00AM...DISCUSSING TRIPS WITH OWNER...HE WANTS TO BE HELPFUL...MAYBE OVER HELPFUL.
11.40AM...BOUGHT J.BLUNT LATEST CD IN THAILAND...ASK IF I CAN PUT IT ON IN LOUNGE?
12.05PM...LADY RECEPTIONIST SAYS ITS OK...I HAND IT OVER.
12.15PM...NOT PUT CD ON YET...SEEMS MORE CONCERNED WITH OTHER GUESTS...WHO'S MORE IMPORTANT THEN ME?!
12.30PM...AT LAST...EARS AGOG!
12.40PM...THERES TO MANY PEOPLE TALKING...ITS HARD TO HEAR...I THINK SHE'S TURNED THE VOLUME DOWN...ITS SO UNFAIR!
1.35PM...SORTED TOMORROWS TRIP...GO AT 8.10AM...LOTTA WALKING.
2.05PM...WALKING TOWARDS HARBOUR...NEED SOMETHING TO EAT.
3.00PM...AT AUSSIE BAR ON HARBOUR FRONT...ORDERED CHICKEN IN MUSHROOM SAUCE...BEER...WOULD HAVE PREFERED PORK...BUT THEY DON'T SELL PORK IN MUSLIM AREA'S.
3.20PM...THEY FORGOT THE MUSHROOM SAUCE!
3.30PM...I HAVE WATERY MUSHROOM SAUCE NOW...BUT BY NOW I'VE ALREADY DEVOURED HALF MY CHICKEN!
3.55PM...CHAPPIE PASSING SELLING BELTS AND SUNGLASSES...BELT FOR ME...40 RIGGETTS...SUNGLASSES FOR NU...RAY BAANS...YEAH RIGHT!...10 RIGGETTS.
4.25PM...WALK TO OPEN AIR MARKET...SMELLY OR WHAT!...BOUGHT TOMATO'S.
4.45PM...SUPERMARKET...WATER/CHEDDAR CHEESE!/BREAD/TUNA/CAMPBELLS CUPPA SOUP.
5.40PM...BEER.
6.10PM...AITKINSONS CLOCK TOWER...SOME ENGLISH GUY ERECTED IT YEARS AGO...A MINOR WOW.
7.05PM...BACK AT LODGE/HOTEL.
8.10PM...J.BLUNT CD PLAYING...THEY LIKE IT...CAN OF 7UP.

16.1.08.
6.30AM...WOKE WITH A BANG ON THE DOOR...OUR EARLY MORNING CALL.
6.55AM...SHOWER.
7.15AM...COFFEE/TOAST.
8.10AM...MINIBUS ARRIVES FOR OUR TRIP TO MOUNT KINABULU.
9.00AM...NABULU MARKET...NU TAKING PHOTO'S OF SURROUNDING AREA...BOUGHT HER A TSHIRT WITH SOMETHING ABOUT THE MOUNT SOWN ON THE FRONT...NU CHUFFED.
9.10AM...NU WEARING NEW TSHIRT.
10.00AM...MOUNT KINABULU PARK...GUIDE GIVES US A SHORT HISTORY IN WORDS AND PICTURES ABOUT THE PLACE.
10.30AM...OFF WE GO A TREKKING THRU THE TROPICAL FOREST.
10.50AM...HEAVENS OPEN...RAIN GLORIOUS RAIN...PONCHO ON!...GUIDE VERY INFORMATIVE.
11.40AM...MORE TREKKING...RAIN POURING...FELT WARM AND DRY UNDER MY PONCHO...WOULDN'T BE SEEN DEAD IN IT IN ENGLAND!...NU AND I DID WELL...RUGGED UPHILL TWO FOOT WIDE TREE LINED TRACK...GUIDE INFORMING US ABOUT FLOWERS AND TREES ALONG THE WAY.
12.45PM...BACK IN MINIBUS.
1.20PM...LUNCH...SWEET AND SOUR FISH...VERY,VERY NICE...SOUP WENT DOWN A TREAT AS WELL...NOT SURE WHAT WAS IN IT MIND!
2.35PM...TREE TOP CANOPY WALK...41 METRES HIGH...IT TOOK US 50 MINUTES TO WALK TOO...VERY SLIPPY
3.25PM...WALKING ROPE BRIDGES...VERY CAREFULLY...DARE NOT LOOK DOWN!
3.50PM...MAD DOG AND IRISH WOMAN...BUT WE'VE DONE IT!
4.25PM...BACK ON SOLID GROUND.
4.35PM...HOT SPRINGS...THE SPRING WATER WAS HOT...BUT WHO REALLY CARES?
4.55PM...BACK IN BUS...HEADING BACK TO LODGE...CRAZY DRIVER.
6.20PM...BACK AT LODGE.
6.30PM...BEER.
6.50PM...TUNA AND TOMATO SANDWICH...SHOWER CAN WAIT.
7.40PM...WATCHING BBC NEWS 24...BODY ACHING...ENJOYED THE DAY...WELL WORTH THE PAIN!

NU AND ME RULE OK!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirty third...relax lankawi

2008-01-16T22:50:00.000-08:00

10.1.08.
9.40AM...AWAKE.
10.05AM...COFFEE/CORNFLAKES.
10.35AM...SHOWER.
11.30AM...BOOKED 3 NIGHTS AT PARADISE BEACH HOTEL,BORNEO?...SWIMMING POOL ETC...A BIT POSH!
12.30PM...A DAY OF LAZING IN THE SUN...I'VE GONE BROWN...BUT STARTING TO PEEL IN PLACES...PLUS I'M FAIRLY WHITE IN PLACES!...SPENT MOST OF THE DAY READING AND SUNNING.
5.00PM...HAD A CHICKEN/VEG CURRY...WANTED SOMETHING SPICY...IT TASTED LIKE SICK...NOT GOING THERE AGAIN!

11.1.08.
9.20AM...SITTING ON SIDE OF BED...NOT SURE WHETHER I WANNA GET UP...KETTLE ON.
10.00AM...KETTLE TWICE BOILED...BETTER GET GOING...NU THIRSTY!
10.15AM...SHOWER.
10.40AM...CORNFLAKES AND ANOTHER COFFEE.
11.05AM...LAST OF OUR AQUINTANCES DEPARTED THIS MORNING...SWOPPED EMAILS AND MOB NUMBERS.
12.15PM...SUN BEATING DOWN FROM DAWN TILL DUSK AND THEN ITS JUST HEAT...HEAT...HEAT!...SOMETIMES I WONDER HOW I COPE...STARTED WEARING FLIP FLOPS...TRYING TO TAN MY TOES.
3.00PM...STILL LAZING IN THE SHADE...READING...THE BOOK I'M READING GOES IN AND OUT...SOMETIMES IT GRIPS YOU...THEN LOADSA WAFFLE.
3.35PM...MANAGED TO GET SOME CHEDDAR CHEESE...HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY!
6.10PM...HAD A THAI CURRY TAKE AWAY...ITS ONE OF THE CHEAPEST MEALS YOU CAN GET...ALSO ONE OF THE TASTIEST...4 RIGGETT!
7.55PM...NU AND I SPENT THE EVENING CHATTING OVER A BOTTLE AND HALF OF ROSE.

12.1.08.
9.45AM...CUPPA TEA.
10.20AM...CORNFLAKES/ANOTHER CUPPA.
11.00AM...SHOWER.
12.05PM...NU HEADED FOR BEACH...I'VE GOT SHOPPING TO DO.
1.00PM...JOIN NU ON BEACH.
1.15PM...TOO HOT FOR ME...GO BACK TO HUT.
3.00PM...NU RETURNS...CUPPA CAMPBELLS CHICKEN/MUSHROOM SOUP/BREAD...YUMMY.
3.10PM...RAINING!
3.30PM...RAIN STOPPED...SWEAT DRIPPING OF MY NOSE.
4.00PM...NEW PEOPLE FROM HUT OPPOSITE JOIN US...HAVING A FEW BEERS.
6.00PM...THE NEW COUPLE WENT FOR A MEAL...NU AND I HAD A CHEESE TOASTIE...WILLIS STYLE...PERFECT.
7.00PM...WAFFLING...DRINKING WINE...WE HAVE TRAVELLED SO MUCH...WE OFTEN TALK ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED ALONG THE WAY...SO MUCH TO SMILE ABOUT!
9.00PM...2 OZ LADS JOIN US...A BALLET DANCER...A VIOLINIST...FROM 'QUEENSLAND'...HONEST!
11.50PM...WONDERFUL TALKITIVE GUYS...WELL PLEASANT EVENING...BUT NOW WE ARE ALL YAWNING.

13.1.08.
9.55AM...CAN'T BE BOTHERED TO SURFACE...FEEL LANQUID.
10.20AM...KETTLE ON.
10.40AM...SHOWER.
11.10AM...CORNFLAKES/COFFEE/TOAST.
11.55AM...NU OFF TO BEACH...I'M STAYING IN THE SHADE...FEEL A BIT FEEBLE!
12.15PM...READING/BEERING.
2.00PM...JOIN NU ON BEACH...SHE'S SO HAPPY SOAKING UP THE SUN...DON'T THINK SHE'S MISSING ME!...I'M TRYING TO GET USED TO MY FLIP FLOPS!
2.50PM...STEAK/ONION BAGUETTE...HUMMUS PITTA BREAD...BEER.
3.40PM...BACK AT HUT...BACK IN THE SHADE.
6.00PM...BACK WITH NU ON BEACH...DRINKING COCKTAILS...WATCHING SUNSET...NU GETTING ROMANTIC...HAD FISH AND CHIPS...BLACKCURRANT ICECREAM CRUMBLE!
7.25PM...BACK AT HUT...GOTTA PACK...OPENED A BOTTLE OF WINE.
7.50PM...PACKING.
8.55PM...CHEESE/TOMATO TOASTIE.
10.00PM...FINISHED READING BOOK...BIT OF A ANTI CLIMAX...FINISHED WINE...BIT OF AN ANTI CLIMAX!

I'VE ENJOYED LANKAWI AND WOULD RECOMMEND.

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirty second....gimme water

2008-01-09T22:53:00.000-08:00

7.1.08.
9.05AM...SLEPT WELL...KETTLE ON.
9.20AM...COFFEE...MCV DIGESTIVES.
10.OOAM...ENQUIRING ABOUT HIRING A CAR FOR TOMORROW...GOTTA COME BACK LATER.
11.40AM...WENT TO ENQUIRE ABOUT A CAR AGAIN...LADY RECEPTIONIST GONE HOME EARLY...NOT WELL.
12.10PM...ENQUIRE WITH CHAPPIE WHO OWNS THE PLACE...SAYS HE'LL SORT IT...HE'S NOT FEELING TO GOOD EITHER.
12.40PM...A GIRL WHO WE HAD MET A FEW DAYS EARLIER COMES AND SITS WITH US AT OUR TABLE OUTSIDE OUR HUT...VERY CHATTY...KNOW HER LIFE STORY NOW!
1.15PM...OFF WE ALL GO TO THE OASIS RESTAURANT/BAR...FISH AND CHIPS...NO BAD...NOT SURE WHAT THE FISH WAS.
3.30PM...ENQIRING AGAIN WITH CHAPPIE WHO OWNS PLACE ABOUT A VEHICLE FOR TOMORROW...HE SAYS NO WORRIES...10.00AM TOMORROW WE WILL HAVE A CAR...NU NOT HAPPY...WE'VE NOT FILLED IN ANY FORMS...UNTIL SHE SEE'S THE CAR SHE WON'T BE HAPPY.
4.20PM...WE WALK TO NEXT BEACH...DON'T KNOW WHY WE BOTHERED...THIS IS THE POOR END OF TOWN.
5.30PM...BACK IN HUT.
7.00PM...JOIN VICKI AND MATT...ITS THERE LAST NIGHT...BEERS AND ONE BRANDY...5 OTHER PEOPLE JOIN US...STORIES TO TELL.
10.15PM...TIME FOR BED.

8.1.08.
9.10AM...UP...STRAIGHT INTO SHOWER...GOTTA SEE IF CAR IS SORTED.
9.40AM...NO ONE AT RECEPTION.
9.45AM...CAUGHT SIGHT OF OWNER WALKING.
10.00AM...HE MAKES AN EXCUSE...BUT PROMISES ME A CAR IN TWENTY MINS.
10.15AM...GOTTA MEET CAR RENTAL CHAPPIE ON CAR PARK.
10.35AM...CHAPPIE IN'PROTON' TURNS UP...RENT A WRECK!
10.50AM...IN OFFICE FILLING IN FORMS...COULD HAVE WRITTEN ANYTHING!...60 BAHT...WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR A TENNER!...A GIRL WHO IS STAYING IN THE HUT TWO DOORS DOWN JOINS US.
11.15AM...CABLE CAR...WATERFALLS HERE WE COME!
11.50AM...YACHTING HARBOUR...FANCY CAKE...CAN OF SPRITE...LOVELY...EXPENSIVE...SWEAT DRIPPING OF MY NOSE.
12.50PM...BACK IN RENT A WRECK...STEERING IS A BIT WONKY!...BUSHIES GONE!
1.20PM...CABLE CAR...NU AND TINA EXCITED!
3.10PM...CABLE CAR JAUNT OVER...AMAZING VIEWS.
3.45PM...WATERFALL...BIT OF A CLIMB...NU SHATTERED...NU SWIMMING...NU IN HER ELEMENT...ME CAMERA HAPPY.
5.10PM...ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN YACHTING HARBOUR...SEA FOOD PLATTER...OYSTERS/LOBSTER/CLAMS/MUSSELS[SALTY]/SALMON/PRAWNS/SQUID...DISH PILED HIGH...COST ALOT...BUT IT WAS WORTH IT...WELL FRESH!...I THINK THE LOBSTER DIED SMILING...POOR CHAP...HE WAS DELICIOUS!
6.05PM...STICKY FINGERS...DIDN'T ENJOY THE CLAMS OR MUSSELS...STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE...EXCELLENT.
7.30PM...CAR RETURNED...BACK AT HUT...TWO ENGLISH FROM CAMBRIDGE JOIN US.
10.00PM...EYELIDS FALTERING.

9.1.08.
7.45AM...ALARM...ISLAND HOPPING AT 9.00AM.
8.05AM...COFFEE.
8.20AM...SHOWER.
8.35AM...DIEST BICS AND ANOTHER COFFEE...I DO ENJOY A DUNK.
9.00AM...WAITING FOR PICK UP.
9.25AM...PICK UP ARRIVE.
9.50AM...ON BOAT...THE ROCKIEST BOAT I HAVE EVER BEEN ON!
10.10AM...ISLAND OF THE PREGNANT MAIDEN.
10.40AM...BUNTING ISLAND...LOADSA MONKEYS.
11.35AM...EAGLE WATCHING.
12.20PM...ANOTHER ISLAND...CAN'T REMEMBER ITS NAME...TOO HOT FOR ME...MY BACK IS ACHING FROM THE BOAT JOURNEY...HAD A BEER...NU SWAM.
1.40PM...BACK IN BOAT.
2.00PM...BACK ON MAIN ISLAND.
2.20PM...BACK AT HUT.
2.40PM...OASIS RESTAURANT...WAITING FOR MY SIRLION STEAK.
3.15PM...STEAK...BEST I'VE HAD FOR AWHILE...DOUSED IN MUSHROOM SAUCE.
4.05PM...NU SAYS I HAD BETTER SORT AIR TICKETS FOR BORNEO...THERES A PROMOTION ON...SO I HAD BETTER GET IT SORTED...WE ALL LIKE A BARGAIN!...I RECKON THE PROMOTION IS ALL YEAR ROUND!...BUT I DO AS I AM TOLD...OFF I TROT...NU SNUG ON HER BEACH LOUNGER!
4.20PM...BOOKING OFFICE...58 QUID EACH...THAT'LL DO!
4.55PM...WHAT A NIGHTMARE...THEY ARE SO SLOW...BUT ALL SORTED NOW...FLY 14TH JAN...11.45AM...ARRIVE K.LUMPAR 12.45PM...NEXT FLY 2.15PM...ARRIVE BORNEO 4.45PM.
5.10PM...BACK WITH NU ON BEACH...ITS TO HOT FOR ME.
5.30PM...HEAD BACK TO HUT.
7.00PM...INTERNET CAFE...NEED TO BURN PHOTO'S ON TO DISC.
8.30PM...TUNA/TOMATO SANDWICHES...BOTTLE OF ROSE...SOMETIMES I T5HINK I'VE EATEN AND DRUNK MY WAY ACROSS ASIA...I HAVEN'T...HAVE I?

ICE COLD WATER NEEDED!

BYE FOR NOWZ.

thirty first.....bacardi

2008-01-07T01:10:00.000-08:00

3.1.08.
6.45AM...ALARM.
7.00AM...SHOWER.
7.20AM...HADN'T UNPACKED...SO DIRTIES IN TO DIRTY BAG...CLEAN WEAR ON.
7.40AM...BREAKFAST...NO BREAD!...JUST A COFFEE WILL DO.
8.00AM...HANDED IN KEY...GOT DEPOSIT BACK PLUS PASSPORT.
8.20AM...IN TUK TUK ON THE WAY TO FERRY PORT...200 BAHT.
8.45AM...FERRY PORT...COFFEE...BOUGHT TICKETS...300 BAHT EACH.
1030AM...SPEEDING ACROSS THE WATER...SOME THAI GUY SINGER ON TV SCREEN TRYING TO BE FUNNY...SO UNFUNNY...THOUGH I HAVE TO ADMIT I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND A WORD HE WAS SAYING...HAD A BRANDY AND LEMONADE.
11.40...DOCKED...FAIRLY PLEASANT JOURNEY...PASSPORTS STAMPED.
12.05PM...IN TAXI TO PANTAI BEACH.
12.35PM...TAXI DROPS US OFF AT PANTAI BEACH GUESTHOUSE...NO ROOMS AVAILABLE TO SATURDAY...OUCH...I'D CHECKED THE NET AND THEY HAD PLENTY TWO DAYS AGO...PLUS THE PRICE AS DOUBLED!...IT'S A PLACE WE WANNA STAY BECAUSE IT'S NEAR THE BEACH IN A NICE AREA...SO I BOOK FOUR DAYS STARTING SATURDAY...GOTTA FIND A PLACE TO STAY FOR TWO NIGHTS NOW...SINCE MINIBUS FROM THAILAND WE'VE MADE A COUPLE OF FRIENDS...THEY STAYED IN THE MUSLIM HOTEL AND CAME IN THE TUK TUK WITH US AND ARE WITH US NOW IN THE SAME POSITION...BEING A BIT YOUNGER AND A BIT MORE SPRIGHTLY THEY SET OF TO LOOK FOR A PLACE...WE BOOKED INTO THE NEAREST OVERPRICED HOTEL...FOR TWO NIGHTS IT'LL DO.
2.00PM...OUR NEW FOUND ALLIES JOIN US AT THE WATER HOLE OPPOSITE OUR HOTEL...THEY'D HAD NO LUCK...EVERY WHERE DECENT WAS BOOKED.
3.00PM...2,3 BEERS LATER WE ARE ALL TRYING TO PUT THE WORLD TO RIGHTS.
3.20PM...WE ARE IN MALAYSIA AND I'VE JUST TASTED THE BEST THAI FRIED CHICKEN RICE.
4.30PM...BACK AT HOTEL...OUR FRIENDS BOOK IN TOO.
4.50PM...SHOWER.
6.30PM...OUT STROLLING...NU INVESTS IN TWO NEW TOPS...ITS VERY QUIET.
7.15PM...BEACH.
7.50PM...IKEA DEBRIS RESTAURANT...HAM AND CHEESE TOASTIE...OH DEAR...FANTASTIC STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE.
9.05PM...WALKING BACK TO HOTEL.
9.35PM...TELE DON'T WORK...READING...GOODNIGHT.

4.1.08.
8.05AM...DIDN'T SLEEP TO WELL...NOT SURE WHETHER I'M HAPPY WITH THE BED.
8.25AM...COFFEE.
8.45AM...SHOWER.
10.00AM...THE STREETS ARE QUIET...LOOKING FOR BREAKFAST...EVERYWHERE CLOSED.
1045AM...WALKED TO SUN CAFE...CLOSED!...IT SAID WESTERN BREAKFAST ON MENU WHEN I READ IT LAST NIGHT...NU ASKS SOMEONE...ITS FRIDAY...HOLY DAY...OH AND OUCH.
11.30AM...THE CHINESE IS OPEN...WE SIT DOWN...CHINKY MAN IN DIRTY TROUSERS ASKS IF WE WANT SPRING ROLLS...NO...COFFEE WILL DO...ARE SURE YOU DON'T WANT SPRING ROLLS...YES...COFFEE WILL DO!
11.40AM...COFFEE ARRIVES WITH CARNATION SWEETENED MILK...OUCH.
11.45AM...DO YOU HAVE FRESH MILK?
11.48AM...CHINKY RETURNS WITH POWDERED MILK!
11.55AM...TASTING COFFEE.
12.05PM...AFTER 3 SIPS PAY 4 RIGGETT AND LEAVE...[6.5 TO THE POUND].
12.30PM...BAR/RESTAURANT JUST OPENED...IN WE GO...NU HAD OMELLETTE...JUST COFFEE FOR ME.
1.30PM...STILL AT SAME OUTLET...THAI FRIED CHICKEN RICE...NOT AS GOOD AS YESTERDAY'S.
5.00PM...BACK IN ROOM...NEED SHOWER.
5.30PM...ON BED...READING.
7.30PM...TASTE BUDS SAY PIZZA.
8.05PM...T.JAYS...NUMBER 1 PIZZA PLACE IN TOWN...APPARENTLY?
8.30PM...SALAMI/MUSHROOM PIZZA...HOW MUCH SALT!?...NU HAD FISH AND CHIPS...STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE TO DIE FOR...HAD TWO!
9.35PM...HEADING BACK TO ROOM.

5.1.08.
8.10AM...DON'T THINK I SLEPT THE LAST TWO HOURS...PROBABLY DID...IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL LIKE I DID...AT ABOUT 3AM I SAT EATING MALTESES ON THE SIDE OF THE BED...STRANGE NIGHT...TOO MUCH SALT ON THAT PIZZA I RECKON.
8.25AM...COFFEE.
8.50AM...SHOWER.
9.45AM...SITTING ON BED...PACKED AND READY TO GO...MOVING TO OUR LITTLE HUT BY BEACH TODAY...GOTTA A FRIDGE AND WE CAN COOK FOR OURSELVES.
10.10AM...DROP BAGS OFF AT RECEPTION...HUT NOT AVAILABLE TO NOON.
10.45AM...MUSLIM BREAKFAST PLACE...TASTY CHEESE OMELLETTE...CAPPUCINO OK.
11.30AM...DEPARTMENT LIKE STORE...10 CANS OF BEER TO CHRISTIAN OUR FRIDGE...BOTTLE OF ROSE...AND NU AS NEW FLIP FLOPS...WITH HER TWO NEW TOPS AND TROUSERS SHE HAD MADE UP IN VIETNAM...SHE'S GETTING QUITE 'WITH IT'.
12.55PM...SETTLING IN TO OUR NEW ABODE.
1.40PM...NU SENDS ME OUT FOR SUPPLIES...CORNFLAKES/MILK/BREAD/BUTTER/TUNA AND TOMS.
2.35PM...READING...WELL HOT...WELL STICKY...MIGHT HAVE A SHOWER...MIGHT HAVE A BACARDI?
2.50PM...BACARDI AND COKES!
4.00PM...MATT AND VICKI...OUR TRAVEL COMPANIONS JOIN US.
5.30PM...TINA JOINS US.
7.00PM...A DUTCH COUPLE JOIN US.
7.30PM...NU MAKES TUNA/TOM SANDWICHES.
9.00PM...TWO IRISH GIRLS JOIN US...THE PARTY IS HAPPENING...BACARDI AND BEER FLOWING.
11.30PM...3 LITRE BOTTLES OF BACARDI AND SEVERAL BEERS LATER...TIME FOR BED.

6.1.08.
9.30AM...FEEL ROTTEN.
10.00AM...TOAST/CORNFLAKES/COFFEE.
10.30AM...WHOLE BODY ENERGILESS.
11.00AM...MORE COFFEE/PARACETEMOL.
12.10PM...UNDERWATER SEA WORLD...FISH GALORE...BIG/SMALL...THE BEAUTIFUL/THE UGLY...IF YOU EVER COME TO LANKAWI...IT'S A MUST SEE!
3.00PM...BACK IN HUT.
3.15PM...IN BED.
5.25PM...TIME TO GET UP...GOING FOR A MEAL WITH MATT AND VICKI AT 6.00PM.
6.30PM...RESTAURANT...POTATO AND LEEK SOUP...LOVELY...SIRLION STEAK?...NOT AS SIRLION AS I WOULD LIKE...STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE...DELICIOUS.
9.00PM...PLAYING CARDS...MATT EXPLAINING GAME...CUPPA TEA.
11.00PM...BED.

CUPPA TEA.

BYE FOR NOWZ.