An Update

It has been some time since I last posted, there have been a few reasons but I guess the main one is that I was just slack! So here is a short update, I'll expand over the next few months.

Not long after our return from the 19,000 Km trip to Perth via Darwin we decided that it was time we upgraded to a caravan with a shower etc., so it was visits to all the dealers to find the one that suited us and the bank balance. We found a 19ft Bluestone and so traded our Snowy which had given us such great service.

Melbourne Cup weekend (1st Tuesday in November) we did a 'shake down' 91Km trip to Daylesford where we spent a most enjoyable weekend. There were a few small problems so returned the caravan to the supplier who did the necessary repairs.

Next was our week at Lakes Entrance from Boxing Day to the 4th January with two of our children and their families, unfortunately Paul and Derek had to work, but we had Derek's three boys with us and a great time was had by all.

We then spent a long weekend at Sorrento which is near Point Napean with Maryleen and family, a most relaxing and enjoyable time.

After that it was planning for our next Simpson Desert crossing. This time it would be just two vehicles Derek and his two youngest boys and Chareen and her youngest with me. We left on the 12th September 2015 for Broken Hill, Tibooburra, Innamincka, Birdsville, Mt Dare, Old Andado, Ayers Rock, Coober Pedy, Leigh Creek and arrived home after 6,983Km on the 3rd October. A fantastic trip that just went too fast and a bit sad as this is my last hard 4x4 trip.

In November we traded the Terracan for a more comfortable Pajero and then it was to Lakes Entrance Boxing Day to the 3rd January, Three of our children and their families joined us, unfortunately Paul could not get time off but they were able to spend two nights with us. It was such a blessing to have all our children and their families together, only Jane who is in the UK and Tim were missing.

Our site at Lakes Entrance

  In April this year we had a three week holiday we visited Canberra, Batemans Bay and Huskisson Beach, returning home via the spectacular Kangaroo Valley in NSW, all in all a relaxing and enjoyable time.

After this month I will have more time to write on this blog as after 50 years and 7 months I'll be retiring, in all that time I'm proud to say that I was only out of work for three months when we emigrated to New Zealand back in 1994. I will be working a three day week in a temporary position until the end of November and then? Who knows?

Until next time.....................Safe travels, make happy memories and enjoy this wonderful land.

The Outback - A Dream Come True Part 6 (Conclusion)

THE STORY OF OUR OUTBACK ADVENTURE CONTINUES 

Thursday 14^th June:

Had breakfast and the trek to find Burkes grave and the Dig Tree. History is wonderful and when we looked around this area and to think back to those early days when they trekked around Australia it must have been extremely hard especially the heat let alone all the insects and lack of water etc. For those who do not know this history I strongly suggest you get a book out about these fellows it’s very interesting. The Dig Tree has a sculpture calved out in the tree trunk and next to all this the whole history of this camp 65 and where all the trouble of loss of lives etc happened.

The Dig Tree

We went back to camp had lunch then off to Wills grave but this whole river bed is full of history and each camp place has its story

Burke

Friday 15^th June:
Innamincka, a day of rest for all, I think the travelling has got to us a bit so Nathan, Dennis

Time to relax

and Maryleen decided to go and get some more fire wood for the night and also to do some more sight seeing around this area. Me, I sat put, placed my chair by the river and knitted and watched the bird life. This place has the most amazing bird life, I had my book of birds and every now and then would have to look up to see what sort of bird that flew by. It was so lovely just sitting there and doing nothing, it also gave my body some time to recuperate from all the bouncing of roads that I have been on for the last couple of weeks.

Some Bird Life

King

Wills

Saturday 16^th June:

We left at about 9h15am going through the Bore track down to Ballards Lagoon which is private property charging $10 to use their roads. This track is through part of the StrzeleckiDesert. Thank goodness for the directions which Dennis got of the net, it was a life saver in the beginning.The desert is red sand and most places very sandy the photo is of the rains that had fallen a couple of weeks back covering the roads hence us having to drive around the edges to get to the other side.

The desert is another place and very hard to describe the feeling driving through, peaceful and yet it can be very treacherous especially if you get bogged in and you have told nobody of your travel plans.

                                        'Roos'                                                             'Dingo'

We were going to stay at Cameron’s Corner stopped there and decided to carry onto Tibooburra arriving there dusk and tired and Motel rooms were the answer. We also went to dinner at the Tibooburra Hotel which served up a wonderful dinner. It was just wonderful sleeping in a bed again.

Cameron's Corner

Tibooburra 

Sunday 17^th June:

We drove straight through to Broken Hill arriving at 13h15 first stopping for lunch at Burger King for lunch set up camp Weather cold and windy and not pleasant.

Monday 18^th June:

It is bitterly cold this morning the wind is blowing and not pleasant at all thank goodness for the field kitchen but we spoilt ourselves and had Maco’s for breko. That coffee was just wonderful and the warmth of the restaurant wonderful.
It was off to Silverton which is known as a ghost town to show Maryleen and Nathan walked around there.

This gentleman that does the coin carvery looks after injured animals it’s too cute to see. He also makes the most beautiful jewellery

It was then back to Broken Hill ton have a look at 3 Argent Street where

 my (Kathleen's) Great Grandmother lived and mother was born. 

Maryleen decided to sit on the park bench

and watch the sunset

Tuesday19^th June:

Packed up camp and on the road homeward bound. Stopping at Mildura for Petrol and Lunch. Stopping at Birchip 3h30 for afternoon tea, too cold to carry on camping so home it was and arriving after 7pm

DOZER ALL IN ONE PIECE

Maryleen and Nathan safely home

DINGO ALL IN ONE PIECE.

Dennis and Kathleen’s dream complete!

Until next time.......................Share Happiness