Preparing for our 2017 Road Trip

With less than a month to go, preparations for our next road trip are well underway, a few upgrades/mods to the caravan have been completed as well as a service, I even stripped, cleaned and re-greased the stabilizer jacks, what an improvement - they now work as smoothly as I expect them too.

We depart on the 3rd June and trundle up to Poona, we then spend a week on Fraser Island, up the coast to Midge Point. here we turn inland (West) to Mt Isa then to the Stuart Highway and down to Alice Springs, we leave the caravan at Kulgera and head East towards the Simpson Desert. 

Old Andado

Molly's place

We will be caretakers at Old Andado (it is a heritage listed station) for about three weeks then spend two nights at Dalhousie Springs back to Kulgera to hook up the caravan and on to Coober Pedy for a few days. then to the Flinders Rangers for five days and on to the Barossa Valley for a few days then on to Broken Hill to do some research on the family tree as Kathleen's mum was born there. our final stop will be at Mildura for a few days and we should arrive home towards the end of September. We will cover some 10,000 Km without side trips

Our Planned Trip

The map does not include Broken Hill, I intend to post as we go, however it all depends on the time available.

Until Next Time: Turn your dreams into reality!

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.

Crossing The Simpson Desert - Part 1

After months of preparation the day of our departure had finally arrived. 

Day 1 (8 Aug 2009)

Up early to pack the last few things then to the big "M" at Hogans Corner, Hoppers Crossing to meet with the others for our traditional breakfast before leaving on a 4 x 4 adventure. At 6:12 AM we left for our 14 day journey that would prove to be challenging yet rewarding and the most memorable. My notes read - 'left pillow at home' - at least I discovered this before we reached Adelaide so was able to purchase one there.

The 'Magnificent Seven'

Our first night stop was Port Wakefield some 800 Km, the first casualty was my 7" display screen mounted on the dashboard which I used to display Memory Maps to track and folow our route, packing up just outside Horsham.    Problem was solved by adjusting the rear-view mirror so I could see my PC screen, I became quite proficient in reading the maps in the mirror image.

We reached Port Wakefield around 5:30 PM after a brief stop in Adelaide to purchase fruit and vegetables which cannot be brought across the Victoria boarder.

Day 2 (9 Aug.)

We were up and on the road by sunrise as we had another long day of driving to our next night stop.

We stopped at Hawker to refuel then on to Wilpena Pound and the Flinders Ranges, sad to see them so dry but still a spectacular drive and our first taste of sand.

We left the ranges through Blinman then on to Leigh Creek (our night stop) arriving at 5:30 PM after some 540 KM.

Day 3 (10 Aug)

Early departure and made a brief stop at Farina (63 Km) now a ghost town, it was settled in 1878, in its heyday it had two hotels, an underground bakery, a bank two breweries, a general store, an Anglican Church, five blacksmiths, a school and a brothel. The post office closed in the 1960's  and the railway line closed in the 1980's.

We left at 8:46 AM then it was on to Marree and then Birdsville Track

along the way we found a place to "play"

Then we were on our way to Mungerannie hotel for lunch and Joff was able to replace the tyre he had "shredded" on the track when he did not realize that he had a puncture!   We continued up the track to Tipipilla Creek camp site arriving at 6 PM after some 461 Km.

Day 4 (11 Aug.)

Sun Rise

We departed for the last 182 Km to Birdsville at 9 AM arriving before lunch. After setting up camp and doing the washing it was off to Big Red for some fun and did we have some fun! We all got up the West side left track which is the most difficult and it was late when we finally called it a day and returned to camp. Big Red is the largest and most famous dune in the Simpson, it is 40 meters high.  

(Click on photos to enlarge)

Until next time ............................ Remember life is an adventure, enjoy it.