Ceduna. At last a sleep in, can you believe it after two months I can sleep in right till 7AM. My goodness me and I actually got to 7AM and had to get out of bed. And so the day started with sorting out our caravan and then doing the washing and making cookies for morning tea and lunch as Dennis wanted to take a tour down the east side of Ceduna.
Once again we drove in and out of bays, Dacres Bay then onto Laura Bay where we saw a pod of
Dolphins and that was exciting. We drove onto Smokey Bay and walked onto their jetty. While on the jetty we were busy taking photos of birds and then excitement struck when two seals came out the water chasing one another around the jetty it looked like a baby seal and it’s mom having fun in the ocean. We watched them for a while but the photos we took are not very clear which is sad but our eye saw them and it was just lovely to watch. We sat on the jetty and had lunch too and quite peaceful.
We drove back to camp and the weather becoming increasingly hot so we had a change of clothing from a wintery to shorts and slops. I rested for the afternoon and around 4PM we went for a walk onto the Ceduna jetty and once again were graced with the presence of two dolphins in the bay.
During our travels around the sand roads we saw many Moby Shingleback Lizards, which are from the blue tongue lizard family. Interesting wee creatures they are.
We came back to camp and then the sun started to set leaving a wonderful glow across the bay and slowly the sun started to disappear and darkness fell on the ocean and our surroundings. By this time our eyes were heavy and time to retire after a most enjoyable day.
--oOo--
9:30 AM. Just after the quarantine post we turned off to Denial Bay where they oyster farm then went back onto the main road and came to a turn off where it became a sand road to Mac Kenzie ruins. Here we drove into see the ruins and it touched my heart to see what is left of our pioneer’s home. It makes one realize the value of what they gave up and did for us to what we reap today from their hard works.
Most of these dunes were quite high and at times one could hear the engine turbocharger kick in trying to get up to the next dune. Dennis had loads of fun and I must admit it was also enjoyable being able to see the beauty of the beach in another perspective. We were at times surrounded in sand mounts smooth with no marking on it and I'm pretty sure when we leave there will be no marking of our tyres to show we were there.
We
left this morning with winds, overcast and cold and yet the temps said it was
18°C but it definitely did not feel that
way. We passed through the granite country where we saw a huge statue of granite
commemorating the farmer and the people of the town in Wudinna.
We had breakfast packed up and
left at 7.42 and the temp was 11.4. The weather was
overcast and the sun
struggling to beam through all the clouds and in the distant when we looked at
the ranges it was misty and looked as if it was raining. We took some photos of
the distant terrain and as we moved towards the mountains the mist was more
evident and the roads became windy and the lights of the vehicles on the roads
were put on for safety.
Some you could see and others it leaves you looking and wondering what you
looking at but that is me, the view from up there over the terrain and its
surroundings was spectacular. I looked at Broken Hill and the mines and thought
of my ancestors and their hardships and tried to imagine their life in the late
1800’s I could see them bustling around the main street and working in various
shops. Maria Downs was a seamstress in one of the shops and Aunt Sarah use to
look after all the nieces and nephews and bake and sell cookies and pies.
Yesterday we went and took photos of their homes no 1 Argent street and of
cause my G. G Grandmother Jane who lived in 3 Argent Street and this too was
where my mother was born in the 1911.
Today is a day of catch up with the chores of our wee home on wheels and do the washing. There was a waiting line for the machines this morning but we managed to get a machine and do 2 loads, so now we have clean clothes till we reach our home in Melbourne. Dennis and I are feeling rather sad as our holiday is coming to an end. We truly enjoy the beauty of Australia and what it has to offer. Each town we have been to is unique in its own way with their strange quirks of doing things and the set-up which we have enjoyed along the way. Broken Hill is not exception with its vast arid terrains surrounding this remote town/city with loads of history to its name in regards to the silver mines. Having my family in the late 1800’s working on the mines and in the shops and hotels, a story each in its own way.
We went to my G Grandparents, Grandfather’s and his brother Joes grave today and placed wee flowers and my heart was with gratitude in what they did for this country way back then. Oh how they must have struggled but at the same time lived a life I’m sure of happiness too. The Armstrong and Downs family all united together coming from Ireland to a land here in Australia which they now could call home.
The sun was shining and the flowers were
starting to open along the roads giving it a ray of beauty in its own way
varying in colours from yellow white purple and sometimes red and pink and
blue. The terrain changed from arid to forestry back to arid and the soil
changed colours too and at times looking very salty. We had to stop to eat our
fruit we had in the car for quarantine purposes then drove on going through wee
towns all having their own symbol announcing their town and what they stand
for, and at time very interesting art
And so our journey came to an end, Kathleen and I both often reflect on the great time we had and have many times wished that we were still 'on the road' but all good things must end. We will once again venture out to the North West coast of WA but that will only be in about two years time when hopefully I can retire.
I have made a 90 min. video for family and friends, I then taught myself to book bind and printed and bound a 140 page book for each of our children.
It has taken some time for all the posts to be uploaded, as a matter of fact in about two weeks it will be a year since we left on this journey. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for being patient.
Until next time................be patient, relax and enjoy
Day 58 September 14th
Ceduna. Derek’s birthday today and so we phoned and sang “Happy Birthday” to him. We decided to venture out on the opposite side of the bay. We made a flask and packed a lunch and left about
After being here on these open plains we carried on to the Davenport Creek. When we finally reached this destination to find it was a 4x4 beach track and Dennis’ face lit up as we drove onto the beach. There were signs there to respect the dunes and its habitat also telling us to let down our tyre pressure for the beach run.
How can a wife say no to a face full of glee? So down went the pressure on the tyres and off we went. Up and down dunes which were beautifully white and with the wind blowing one could see the sand moving and replacing old track marks and slowly but surely the dunes were changing shape.
Most of these dunes were quite high and at times one could hear the engine turbocharger kick in trying to get up to the next dune. Dennis had loads of fun and I must admit it was also enjoyable being able to see the beauty of the beach in another perspective. We were at times surrounded in sand mounts smooth with no marking on it and I'm pretty sure when we leave there will be no marking of our tyres to show we were there.
Well the wind is increasing and
becoming unpleasant and time to head back to camp and finding that the
temperature is changing to and the white horses in the ocean increasing rapidly
and becoming very rough. So Dennis and I rushed into the caravan to find shelter
and enjoy the warmth of our abode and it’s also time to pack all the things
lying around as we on our next leg of our journey tomorrow and I can assure you
it will be quite early too.
--oOo--
Day 59 September 15th
Well
it’s hard to believe it’s the last week of our holiday and feeling rather sad
at the thought as this trip has been absolutely wonderful and we have been so
blessed to have done what we have done and been able to see so much in such a
short time as this. We are on our last leg home from Ceduna to Melbourne via
Broken Hill where my mother was born and all her ancestors lived and were
buried here.
Yesterday
afternoon the weather truly turned to wild gusty nasty winds, howling around
the caravan with the temperatures dropping and all we did was close ourselves
up in the caravan and enjoyed the warmth and cosiness there.
Driving onto
Kimba which is HALF WAY ACROSS AUSTRALIA and has the Big Galah and this is
where we had morning tea but it was cold and it was a quick jump back into the
car for warmth.
We Arrived in Port Augusta and went into the town to look at shops and walk around and got some things for the caravan. We arrived at the caravan park and set up camp had dinner and retired for the night.
--oOo--
Day 60 September 16th 
It was an enjoyable journey crossing from South
Australia to New South Wales stopping at the Big Gum tree which apparently is
over 500 years old.Took a photo of me hugging it, gosh the circumference is
huge.
We then drove through Peterborough which use to be called Petersburg.
They have a beautiful entrance to their town of a train and then tin sculptures
of kangaroos and oxen.
We stopped at Yunta to put in diesel and have a cuppa
here. It was quite funny, as we were entering into this border village we had
to drive behind an oversized vehicle and they pulled over in this town for a
rest and of cause we hurried with our tea just in case they decided to pull off
and then we would be in a pickle as one could not overtake this vehicle. So off
we were to Broken Hill arriving in the afternoon, set up camp and then drove
around the town looking for the miners Memorial but sadness is as we were
unable to drive up there it was closed. Came back had dinner and retired.
--oOo--
Day 61 September 17th
Woke
up at about 7am enjoyed the sleep in, Got ready and went to Maco’s for
breakfast then off to the Desert Sculptures.
Another day of the freezer door
being left open my goodness the wind was icy and froze up the bones. It was an
interesting insight to see what sculptures see in and feels in their hearts and
minds and how they hammer at the stone to get what they want others to see.
Some you could see and others it leaves you looking and wondering what you
looking at but that is me, the view from up there over the terrain and its
surroundings was spectacular. I looked at Broken Hill and the mines and thought
of my ancestors and their hardships and tried to imagine their life in the late
1800’s I could see them bustling around the main street and working in various
shops. Maria Downs was a seamstress in one of the shops and Aunt Sarah use to
look after all the nieces and nephews and bake and sell cookies and pies.
Yesterday we went and took photos of their homes no 1 Argent street and of
cause my G. G Grandmother Jane who lived in 3 Argent Street and this too was
where my mother was born in the 1911.
When
we left the Living Desert we decided to take the back road to Silverton which
of cause ended up being a 4x4 drive through the outback. It was a lovely
experience seeing kangaroos, sheep and goats in this vast arid piece of land.
Driving through dry river beds and opening and shutting farm gates. It was a
lovely experience being in the true outback of Australia. We hit a snag when
reaching the main road the farmer had locked the gate and of cause we had to
back track to another road which we found was the Kelly’s farm which had an
open gate leading onto the Dreamers mine road. Whew, we were so grateful for
that as we had been on the road at least 2 hours 4x4ing.
So off we went to
Silverton and had lunch there and a cuppa, a well-deserved one at that. We came
back to camp and rested the afternoon and now it’s time for the smell of a
homemade meal and then to retire for the night.
Day 62 September 18th 
--oOo--
Today is a day of catch up with the chores of our wee home on wheels and do the washing. There was a waiting line for the machines this morning but we managed to get a machine and do 2 loads, so now we have clean clothes till we reach our home in Melbourne. Dennis and I are feeling rather sad as our holiday is coming to an end. We truly enjoy the beauty of Australia and what it has to offer. Each town we have been to is unique in its own way with their strange quirks of doing things and the set-up which we have enjoyed along the way. Broken Hill is not exception with its vast arid terrains surrounding this remote town/city with loads of history to its name in regards to the silver mines. Having my family in the late 1800’s working on the mines and in the shops and hotels, a story each in its own way.
We
decided to go to the lakes at Menundee and this is where Joe Armstrong had
drowned. It was over 100k’s to this lake and when we arrived there it was lunch
time so we stopped off at the Maidens Hotel and had an Outback hamburger with
the lot.
It was tasty and not too bad. Just outside the hotel is a memorial to
the men Burkes and Wills expedition and the history there when it was their
last post before leaving civilization and heading out to the vast and treacherous
outback way back then. I find it ironic that Dennis would end up at this place
as our last outback experience was all about these two men and where they had
died in Innamincka so here we are taking photos of these memories to their
lives and their exhibition. We left there for the lakes and drove around there
and discovered Burkes and Wills last camp site on the edge of the lake so we
were rather elated in our find today and a wonderful ending to this trip in
Broken Hill and Darling district. We drove back to Broken Hill and went to the
shops then back to camp and packed up a few of our things, had dinner and then
retired as it’s an early start tomorrow for out long stretch home.
Up
to now we have driven 18,166k’s
MY GREAT GRANDPARENTS HOME 3
ARGENT STREET BROKEN HILL. MY MOTHER KATHLEEN THELMA ARMSTRONG WAS BORN HERE IN
1911
--oOo--
Day 63 September 19th
Up
early today and decided to have our famous Makco’s for breakfast. We felt quite
refreshed for our journey back to Melbourne. After having breakfast we said our
farewells to Broken Hill and the town of my ancestors with a sadness in my
heart and yet it was just wonderful being here to look around and be at peace
with knowing something of their past.
The sun was shining and the flowers were
starting to open along the roads giving it a ray of beauty in its own way
varying in colours from yellow white purple and sometimes red and pink and
blue. The terrain changed from arid to forestry back to arid and the soil
changed colours too and at times looking very salty. We had to stop to eat our
fruit we had in the car for quarantine purposes then drove on going through wee
towns all having their own symbol announcing their town and what they stand
for, and at time very interesting art 
CROSSING
THE MURRY RIVER INTO VICTORIA.
Crossing over the border into Victoria made us realize that our
journey was coming to an end and feeling quite emotional as we wanted to
continue with this wonderful adventure.
HOME AFTER 19,013 Km
God
has been our strength and our shield throughout this journey He watched over
Dennis and myself and looked after our car and caravan and provided us with
shelter each night protecting us and allowing us to experience and see His
creation. We give Him all the glory and praise. Thank You Jesus! Amen.
And so our journey came to an end, Kathleen and I both often reflect on the great time we had and have many times wished that we were still 'on the road' but all good things must end. We will once again venture out to the North West coast of WA but that will only be in about two years time when hopefully I can retire.
I have made a 90 min. video for family and friends, I then taught myself to book bind and printed and bound a 140 page book for each of our children.
It has taken some time for all the posts to be uploaded, as a matter of fact in about two weeks it will be a year since we left on this journey. I hope you enjoyed it and thank you for being patient.
Until next time................be patient, relax and enjoy
