On the Road Again

Barmera Loveday 4x4 ODESSEY August 2012

Day 5     

                                                 

Friday 31st August 2012

Sheryle cooking toast on the camp fire

Sorry tried to send yesterday’s blog, bad weather conditions would not allow me to connect with my server.

Paddlewheeler on the Murray River

A great day today starting off with a walk then sitting next to a nice warm fire at last! Whilst washing the dishes we heard this unusual noise like a dull drone, looking out of the door a paddlewheeller was passing on the river, this time we have photos, ye,.  The need of gas, milk & eggs caused us to make a trip into Barmera, a very clean inviting little town on the banks of Lake Bonny with the friendliest people you could meet, for a moment I thought we were back in Perth.

On return we stopped at the Loveday Tavern to pay for our wood and had a chat with the owner Tony on how and why he started this 4x4 adventure and camping park (Google: lovedays 4x4 adventure  park to get the full story) for the background history of this great camping/recreation location it is very interesting and we will be back.

The roots to this tree children can play in

As the Murray River is running too fast for us to paddle our canoe, we walked about 2kl down the track to check out a creek Tony said may be suitable, unfortunately it needs a bit more water, the way the river is going it won’t be long though as currently the authorities are letting 40k mega litres of water into the river system daily and very shortly this will increase to 45k mega litres, it is fantastic to see the flood plains covered in water.  Whilst walking we have been picking up rubbish left by previous campers most we can burn, bottles and cans we will recycle the rest will go into the bin, however, LADIES please take care of your own white tails, burn, bury, dispose as you wish, just do not leave them on the ground for the rest of the world to see where you have marked your spot…. This environment is too pristine to muck up by laziness.

Keep the shiny side up

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again

Barmera Loveday 4x4 ODESSEY August 2012

Day 4

                                                     

Thursday 30^th August 2012

Flowering pigface

OK, OK, I know I skipped a day, too much sun and fun.  Yesterday was taken up with a little engineering, thanks Ron for the tip, it worked gang busters and I used my Dremil for the 1^st time and works well.  While I was engineering Sheryle was playing with her Dreampot, yes Dreampot, I am her dreamboat and I don’t mind if she plays with me either, the 1^st meals to come out were delicious, previously she tried on osso bucco which was great yesterday was a sugarless gluten free fruit loaf, actually very nice cold with butter or as a pudding, today similar only in a loaf tin rather than round tins and minor changes to the recipe, yum, corned silverside for tea should be OK too I’ll let you know. (well after our evening Dreampot meal, totally thumbs up, corned silverside with boiled potato, carrots, broccoli with a cob of sweet corn followed by Dreampot gluten sugar free creamed rice with yesterdays left over fruit loaf hmm yummilish)

River Red Gums

Walking was the main tasking today while taking photos of the scenery and tracking the route on my phone, works well.  Due to Misty’s health and age we can’t go too far or too fast, it’s funny at night due to her age she becomes easily disorientated coupled with her failing hearing and eyesight, at times she cannot hear when called, a light attached to her collar is the name of the game, like her dad oldtimers is setting in and the arthritis is taking over.

On the weather front became overcast with an insignificant amount of rain yesterday afternoon which was fine, however, the wind would not allow us to have a fire this has carried through today, the only real downside is to move inside a little earlier than we would like but that’s OK.

Keep the shiny side up

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again

Barmera Loveday 4x4 ODESSEY August 2012

Day 2 

                                                    

Thursday 28^th August 2012

Day 2 began with the Deputy Chief of this 2 person 1 dog back to nature community springing out of bed preparing the camp site, boiling the billy and preparing the morning meal for "The Chiefette" and her trusty guard dog.  Once DC (Deputy Chief)  had cleaned up after the morning meal it was time for building the ablution block so as TC (The Chiefette) can pamper body beautiful, then onto hunting for food for TC although a 100lb Murray Cod took one set of tackle from my line, some would say a stumpfish, however, this is my story and I say it was a 100lb Murray Cod, the hunting was not a complete waste I did catch a stickfish, not a lot of meat but makes good flavour in a stew.   Whilst I was busy TC tendered her trusty guard dog then gave me meager pickings and allowed me a few minutes off before giving instructions to gather firewood, this then allowed time for pioneering / exploring this magnificent wilderness.  Prior making a camp fire and slaving over hot coals I had to prepare the evening bathing ritual for TC, darkness fell over our back to nature campsite with a little glow from the remaining embers of our fire, the three of us settled back for a restful night.

That was my version of events; this is Sheryle’s:

John fell out of bed, had to have two black coffee’s before he could open one eye, yes, he cooked breakfast on the Webber, put up the shower tent, mucked about for three hours with fishing gear that has not been touched for 12 years and lost a set of tackle on a submerged log, pulled in a stick with another rod and reel, ate a hearty chicken burger for lunch before going to sleep for an hour then drove to the tavern to pick up a trailer load of wood, played 4x4 driving before showers and a BBQ tea.

Personally I believe my version of events is the accurate version!

The weather has been fantastic, mostly sunny all day with some cloud covering this afternoon certainly short sleeves was the call for the day.  The scenery is awesome, river red gum’s standing proudly on the edge of the river with their silhouette reflected in the water, willywagtails dancing with each other and catching their meal on the wing while pelicans are gracefully flying/sailing along the river, parrots of various description landing close by and feeding with a flock of about 500 sulpher crested cockatoo’s flying less than 2 metres from the water in formation, apart from their usual chattering the sound of their flapping wings was like a loud thumping, these sights are only ever seen when one does not have a camera to catch the event, neither Sheryle or myself have ever seen anything like this previously.

We are running the Everkool fridge from the caravan batteries, along with my CPap machine running all night and lights last night the batteries were fully charged 13.8v by 8.30am, I am so pleased especially after my mishap in Queanbeyan. 

 Keep the shiny side up

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again

Barmera Loveday 4x4 ODESSEY August 2012

Day 1     

                                                

Thursday 27^rd August 2012

Well here we go again; On The Road Again after a 2 and a bit days at home, great to catch up with the family and finally get to hold and cuddle Eden, she is beautiful, just like her new cousin she eats, sleeps, poops and pee’s we have perfect grandchildren.

We left this morning for a 10 day camping holiday with our dog Misty on the banks of the Murray River on a private property just to the south of Barmera,  Loveday’s 4x4 Adventure Park, with care we were able to get our van in and have set up camp, Waratah campsite 34⁰22.954’S  140⁰26.291’E  quite comfortable thank you.    

Keep the shiny side up

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 14    

                                               

Thursday 23^rd August 2012

Awoke early at Birdcage Reserve due to rain, we decided to leave early to spend time sitting on the banks of the mighty Murray River at Bottleneck Bend east of Gol Gol N S W.  After driving through the rain we arrived at our destination only to find the gates were locked, therefore entry was not possible.  Plan B was then invoked, Martins Bend at Berri South Australia, another 180kl further west, at least a shorter day’s travelling tomorrow.  

Travelling between Mildura and Renmark there was a huge dust storm for about 50kl, visibility was down to about 200 metres at times, regrettably it was sad to see drivers overtaking with this low visibility, however, the scenery it was making was fantastic, one minute low visibility then it clears and looking to either left or right in the recently ploughed fields we could see the dust storms either blow out or start up, a great vision.

There are storms forecast for Adelaide tonight with some rain here, looking at the weather radar the worst of the weather will be far south of the Riverland, thank goodness.  Tomorrow on the way home we will check out a campsite on Lake Bonnie not too far from our present location, then home to our new granddaughter Eden.

Whilst driving we noticed how many caravans were on the road travelling in both directions.  Hand waving to caravaners, motor homes and campers is the accepted practice of those travelling in the opposite direction, those who are On The Wallaby (full time touring) both people in the front seat give a full wave, right arm arcing from left to right across the windscreen of the car, the response is at times is hilarious from enthusiastic waving to maybe an index finger lifted or no response at all. 

The holiday makers, (those who are on their annual leave) mostly male drivers, two hands on the steering wheel, head fixed in one direction, driving at maximum speed; one index finger is raised (it’s a bloke thing you know) .  Those recently retired or at least looking forward to retirement, similar to the previous only sometimes you see the male sitting in the passenger’s seat; head may be fixed in any direction rarely the front, speed has dropped a little to 90kph whilst not being brave enough to return the whole hand wave four fingers on the right hand are raised whilst gripping the steering wheel with the thumb.  The women; if they are awake or game enough to move their eyes from the road due to fear that the male driver will either hit something, run off the road, drive too fast or go in the wrong direction if they are not diligently keeping an eye and full concentration ahead for their man, usually return the pleasant gesture of waving with a warm spirit of a hand flapping.  All this makes for a pleasant days driving.

Keep the shiny side up

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 13   
                                               

Wednesday 22^nd August 2012

Today back on the road, leaving one newborn to see another newborn. Yes, we actually left on time with our son and 2 year old Thomas to say goodbye, I must admit it was hard and once out of sight the tears flowed from both of us, apparently Thomas said “No, No goodbye Nanna & Poppa”, dad soon took his mind off the subject and they went to Bunnings.

We received a text from our daughter saying they were both being discharged from hospital and Edan is doing fine and feeding well.  Edan’s big sister Chloe did not know mum and Edan were home, her dad just said when he picked her up from school someone special was waiting for her at home, what a surprise, she was so very excited.

A trouble free trip so far about 480 kl today staying again at Birdcage rest area on the Murrumbidgie River, just set up camp when an elderly couple pulled up in a quiz bang asking if it was ok to camp with us, well, it’s a big river and plenty of space why not, so peaceful and serene.

Keep the shiny side up

John & Sheryle

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 11                                                   

Monday 20^th August 2012

“IT’S A GIRL”

Edan Emily joy 

  

Was born at Flinders Medical Centre at 9:20am a sister to Chloe and Landon, Robyne and Josh are tired but well, 2 1/2 hr labour.  Your prayers are sought for Edan as she has a lung infection and is on an I V drip in intensive care.

This now brings our final quota of grandchildren to 8, each of the parents are saying this is the last, however, we have heard this before and received a special gift Bethany, we still have lots of love to give for more, yet, we are not the ones giving birth and bringing them up, just loving and spoiling; spoiling, no, you can’t spoil gold as Sheryle’s dad would say.

We are planning our return trip home, looking at the weather we had planned travelling the Murray Valley Highway regrettably the weather will be wet, after checking the Hay Plain appears the way to go with only a 30% chance of rain instead of 90%.  Departing Queanbeyan at 9am with a farewell of 2, Brett and Thomas is the plan. 

Today has been a beautiful day another joyous day bonding with two little angels we will see too little of, sun warm almost short sleeves, tonight freezing cold, all I can say I am pleased I am not paying the electricity bill for the caravan park, as you brave the cold for that short walk the sound of all the air-conditioners running flat out must be spinning the electricity metre off its head.

Keep the shiny side up

John

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 10          

                                         

Sunday 19th  August 2012

Sheryle

All has been going well so far, yesterday was Sheryle’s 21^st birthday again, Brett took time to cook her a surf & turf lunch with phone calls from the family and grandchildren at home asking when she will be home as they miss her.  

Thomas

Today we celebrated Thomas’s 2^nd birthday actually tomorrow, however, more convenient today as he will not understand, he was lost with his new Thomas train set, trucks, “cars” suit case, push bike and books.   With a nice chocolate cake for his birthday he was in 7^th heaven, he takes very much after his mother with chocolate and tomato sauce.

Harry

Thomas is very protective of  Harry as soon as he makes a sound Thomas tells who ever is closet “Hadda (Harry) Nanna go Hadda” he likes to watch him being fed and changed, not too much in the touch  and kiss yet, that will come.

Yesterday was ice cold, the Brindabella Mountains were snow covered, yet, by 9am it was all melted, today a bit more snow in the mountains, our windscreen on the car was covered in  ice.

Keep the shiny side up

John

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 4 – 5 – 6- 7-    
                           

Thursday 16th August 2012

Much time spent with the family, bonding with our 2 year old grandson and getting to know our new grandson Harry whom I’m pleased to say is home and doing extremely well, home Thursday morning all going gang busters.

We have moved back into the van today and wouldn’t you believe, it has rained for the first time since we have been here.  I went to play some music and soon found I had no 12v power, after much searching, checking fuses, I went for the multi metre and that battery was flat, you guessed it no spare 9v batteries, needed 2, 1 for the multi metre and 1 for the smoke alarm.  Sheryle was great she did not blow her stack just went to the shop and bought some.  Thinking I must have left something on I felt I had checked and double checked everything, in the end I rang The Home of 12 Volt in Mt Barker Adelaide whom I know well, spoke to John within a couple of minutes I realized on Sunday when leaving the van I switched the fridge to a/c, no, dumbo turned the switch to d/c flattening both very new 120amp batteries quickly.  John suggested a number of ways of charging, however, Sheryle and I felt taking 1 battery out taking it to the auto electrician who has a special AGM charger would be the best move.

On returning to the van after dropping the battery off then cuddles with Harry the penny dropped, lights! All but 2 of our lights are 12volt, luckily we had purchased an led strip light from The Home of 12 Volt in Mt Barker a few months earlier, until now we have never had the use for them, out with the Thumper whammo we have good lighting for the night.

Whilst traversing the Hay plain there had been road repairs from the flood damage earlier this year, loose gravel lay across the road several semi trailers passed in the opposite direction that threw up stones onto our windscreen and left star chips, when we re-fueled at Yass Sheryle noticed a crack in the base of the windscreen right in the middle, between Yass and Queanbeyan that little crack is now about 6 inches long this will be replaced tomorrow providing the rain holds off, it’s good to have good insurance.

Keep the shiny side up

John

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 3

Sunday 12^th August 2012

We were fast asleep last night when we were awoken by the phone just after 11pm with the news

“IT’S A BOY”

 HARRY PETER  

 was born at 10:58pm weighing in at 3.2kl (7lb) length 48cm head 32cm,

With a labour of 1hr 20min; eat your hearts out girls

This is getting old hat leaving on time; however, for the next 10 days at least we will not have to worry as we will be in Queanbyan.  Today was trouble free, filling up with fuel at Narrandera I asked the attendant how long cotton had been grown in the area, about 12 months with a cotton gin in Darlington, apparently cotton grows very well in this area, damm it!!

We were met at the caravan park by Thomas & Brett, after a short time Thomas took to us as if he see’s us every day.  Time only to set up the van then off to the hospital to see Harry and Mary, he is so gorgeous.  The first photo we saw I feel he looks like Brett, seeing him in person he has features of my brother Bill, I have a photo of Brett nursing Harry, a lot of similarities in the face and forehead.

We are staying with Brett & Thomas for a few days whist Mary & Harry are in hospital, Thursday will see us back in the van, until then we are forced to endure hot showers and toilet in an adjoining room and being entertained by our little man Thomas.

Keep the shiny side up

John

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 2  

                                                   

Saturday 11^th August 2012

EXCITING NEWS;;;;   we left on time this morning; I’ve always said we could do it.

Again an uneventful day of travelling, apart from stopping to assist a couple broken down on the Hay Plain 60kl west of Hay.  Barbara and Graham left Canberra after spending $3,000  on their Jeep, ran out of fuel on the way to Hay, broke down in Hay and had the NRMA out to get them going and now 60kl further on just cut out, obviously a Jeep thing and we wouldn’t understand.  As soon as we had phone coverage we rang the NRMA for assistance for them, last heard of being towed into Balranald, we will check on them later.

Dexter Too climbing treesBirdcage Reserve is a beautiful location, the trees are tall and proud quite mixtures of gums including the magnificent River Red Gum, easy access off the Sturt Highway.  The trees show clearly the water level during the floods earlier this year, without swimming across and measuring it appears to be down about 1.5 metres.   We ere greeted by a Kookaburra on arrival, Sheryle was in 7^th heaven. Sitting out basking in the afternoon sun, drinking instant coffee and reading, Sheryle popped into the library before leaving and grabbed 6 books, me, myself just a mere 320 on my E-Reader.

Water marks on the trees from the recent floods

The amount of cotton on the side of the road between Balranald and our campsite tonight at Birdcage Reserve (34⁰ 31 230S   145⁰ 41 957E) is incredible, I thought we were travelling north west NSW along the Darling River, please don’t tell me they are growing cotton along the Murrumbidgee as well as rice, if so, may the lice of a thousand camels infest their armpits.

View from our van

Keep the shiny side up

John

On the Road Again

CANBERRA ODESSEY August 2012

Day 1                                                     

Friday 10^th August 2012

Well here we go again, this trip will take us through the Riverland across the Hay Plain and into Queanbeyan NSW for the arrival on Monday we hope of our 7^th grandchild, and then back home for the arrival of our 8^th grandchild towards the end of August.

Today we almost left on time just 15 minutes late that is a major record for us.  We took the new Northern Expressway between Pt Wakefield Rd and the Sturt Highway to Gawler, this saves at least 30 minutes.  A trouble free run saw us lunch at Blanchtown with our overnight stop at Bottleneck Bend (34⁰  18. 218S  142⁰ 17. 949E) about 10kl out from Gol Gol NSW, 3 states within 7 hours, are we travelers or what!

As we were entering Mildura minding our own business a plane was coming into land, it was so low Sheryle wanted to s top to see if it left rubber on the car roof, we have not experienced a plane so low previously.

It was beautiful sitting on the bank of our mighty Murray River enjoying the peace and serenity of each other’s company listening to the songs of the local birds and watching their dancing, just beautiful and serene with a great cup of instant coffee in hand just to cap it off, when, you guessed it, a !@#$%^&*( whiz-bang arrived with mandatory radio volume turned up, they were just about to set up behind us when they must have seen or felt my eyes pierce through their low intellect, they then moved about 50 metres away.

Before leaving we fitted new Holland blinds to the caravan, night 1 we cannot get over the difference they make in temperature, there was always a draft through the door that we had to try and block out, sitting with our backs to the windows was always cold and uncomfortable, Meredith and Allen will vouch for this, now it is snug and warm.

On the way we picked up a hitchhiker, we have named him Dexter Too, as our original Dexter was not satisfied in travelling with Sheryle between home and work, he, wanted more adventure and took off by himself, just goes to show you can’t trust any stuffed dog after giving them so much dedicated love and attention.

Keep the shiny side up

John