Sunday, 9 December 2012

Goondiwindi

6 December 2012

In Boggabilla for a sandwich.

Ma and Poppa


6 December 2012

Back to Qld and normal time not daylight savings.
Will be with friends in Gundy until Monday.

Ma and Poppa

Narrabri

5 December 2012

Narrabri for tonight.
Washing to do. Then to Goondiwindi for a few days.

Ma and Poppa


6 December 2012

Great excitement! Just saw a sign in Narrabri that said Brisbane 598km.

Ma and Poppa

Coonabarabran

4 December 2012

In Coonabarabran for tonight.

Ma and Poppa

Parkes

3 December 2012

Arrived Parkes for the night.

Ma and Poppa

Sunday, 2 December 2012

Narrandera

2 December 2012

In Narrandera for tonight.

Ma & Poppa

Echuca

30 November 2012

In Echuca for two nights.

At Echuca and its cooler today. Starting our trek home. Tomorrow we go on a paddle streamer on the Murray River.

Ma & Poppa

Swan Hill

29 November 2012

At Swan Hill for tonight. Very hot Temp 45C today.

Ma & Poppa

Mildura

27 November 2011

At Mildura for two nights.

Ma & Poppa

Berri


25 November 2012

At Berri for two nights.

Ma & Poppa

Swan Reach

24 November 2012

At Swan Reach for the night.

Ma & Poppa

Adelaide

19 November 2012

In Adelaide for a week.

Ma & Poppa

23 November 2012 From email...
Hi All

Sorry I have been a bit slow in keeping you up to date with our travels but we have been busy. I see the last email was 23rd October so I will continue on.

We left Esperance and went to Coolgardie (one night) and Kalgoorlie (3 nights). Kalgoorlie we took the Super Pit Tour of the gold mine. Then had a night at Norseman before the trek across the Nullarbor. Had a free camp at Baxter and then a longer day to Eucla and a very hot day to Nundroo and arrived Ceduna 10am which was also a very hot day. There were three viewing areas of the cliffs and Great Australian Bight. An interesting drive but very boring in parts, very windy but glad we've done it.  A short drive to Streaky Bay for 4 nights and while there we had lighting storms not much rain but hot and windy and we lost power 2 days for several hours. The lighting started fires in the area so it became smoky and what could have been a lovely stay on the waterfront was a bit disappointing.

Onto Wudinna for a night and then to beautiful Port Lincoln (my favourite spot) and the seafood is amazing. We stayed there 5 nights and had a lovely spot in the caravan park overlooking Boston Bay. The boys could fish on the pier at the caravan park and caught 3 squid (a first for both) Our favourite restaruant was Dio Giornos where we enjoyed great coffee and amazing seafood pizzas. Went there everyday. Stocked up with seafood at a warehouse. Unfortunately our last night was when the bushfires broke out at Tulka which was only 11 kms away and some poor people lost homes cars etc.

Onto Wyalla again very windy and we said goodbye to Eyre Peninsula and stayed at Clare for two nights. Did a bit of wine tasting and then onto our next favourite place the Barossa Valley. I think I preferred it to Margaret River  for scenery and food and wine but both were great places to visit. We stayed at Tanunda in the Barossa for 4 nights and could have stayed longer. Then arrived in Adelaide for 5 nights and we are here now and leave in the morning. Day trips to Glenelg another lovely spot, Victor Harbour and McLaren Vale wineries. Today we visited the RMWilliams musuem.

We are stilll having some cool nights eventhough the days are warmer and some very hot. I did take the flannelette sheets off the bed today as I think they will be too hot
for our trek home. Today was 31deg and last night 19deg. We head for Mildura and Renmark for a trip along the Murray River on our home. We have travelled 25000km so
far and no problems. My sister and husband leave us in a weeks time as they want to be home 4th Dec but our plan is to get home app 13th Dec.

Lil 'L has a daycare concert on 14th Dec and we have decided to try to get home in time for that depending if we can get the caravan into storage. Then its full steam ahead for Christmas.

We are all well and sad our trip is coming to an end.

Miss you all

Love Ma and Poppa

Saturday, 17 November 2012

Barossa

15 November 2011

At Tanunda for four nights.

Ma & Poppa


16 November 2011

Spent an awesome day at Hahndorf. Amazing food and to think we do it all again tomorrow at Angaston and Nuriootpa. Wine, chocolates, fudge ,ice cream, german sausage, coffee, cheese and much more.

Ma & Poppa

Clare

13 November 2011

Arrived Clare for two nights. Looks lovely.

Ma & Poppa

14 November 2011

Wine, wine and more wine.

Ma & Poppa

Whyalla

12 November 2011

In Whyalla for the night.
Home in 5 weeks.

Ma & Poppa

Thursday, 8 November 2012

Port Lincoln

7 November 2011

In Port Lincoln for three nights.

Ma & Poppa


9 November 2011

Staying in Port Lincoln until Monday.

Ma & Poppa

Wudinna

5 November 2012

In Wudinna for two nights.

Ma & Poppa

Streaky Bay

1 November 2012

We are at Streaky Bay and camped on beachfront. Staying four nights.
Shame its windy and cool.

Ma & Poppa

Nundroo

29 October 2012

Leaving for Nullarbor tonight.

Not staying at Nullarbor now, going on to Nundroo.

Ma & Poppa

Sunday, 28 October 2012

Norseman

26 October 2012

In Norseman for one night then we cross the Nullabor.

Ma and Poppa

Kalgoorlie

23 October 2012

In Kalgoorlie for three nights. Need to stock up with food, whiskey before the Nullabor.

Ma and Poppa

Email....
23 October 2012

Hi All

Continuing on from our last email we left Pemberton on 5th October and travelled onto Walpole for one night.
Did the canopy walk at the Valley of the Giants and travelled onto Albany. We loved Albany and spent four nights there and yes watched the Bathurst Car Race all day Sunday  7th. With daylight saving the telecast started here at 4am.
We did the very spectacular drive to coastal area and beaches. Onto Lake Grace  for a night and more wildflowers.
Stayed at Tressie Caravan Park for two nights which is a farm stay with a museum. From here we travelled a short distance to Wave Rock and Hyden. Wave Rock was another sight to see. Very windy. One night at Ravensthorpe and then Bremer Bay for three nights. A lovely quiet beach holiday spot, lovely beaches, more wildflowers, and flies by the droves.
Still very cool at night but the days are getting a bit warmer. Onto Hopetoun for a night and then Esperance for four nights.
Shop to stock with groceries, whisky, car and caravan wash, and general items. Esperance is another lovely spot and the beaches are just beautiful.
We did watch the Gold Coast 600 on Sunday.  Bruce missed this race meeting very much. Saturday we travelled the national parks in the area.
Then to Coolgardie which is another small town with gold history. Today we drove the 40km to Kalgoorlie and are here for three nights.
Thursday we are booked to do the Super Pit Tour. 2 and a half hours. We need to catch with things here before we start to cross the Nullarbor.
We leave here Friday and maybe out of phone and broadband coverage for a week or so. We will free camp for a couple of nights so hope its not too cold. The nights are still cold but the days are about 24deg here.

No sure what we will do in SA but the Barossa Valley is on our list. We have had a fantastic trip so far and everything is going well.
Will be home for Christmas which is coming very fast now.

Miss everyone heaps.

Love to all Ma and Poppa

Coolgardie

22 October 2012

In Coolgardie for one night.

Ma and Poppa

Esperance

18 October 2012

In Esperance for four nights.

Ma and Poppa

Hopetoun

17 October 2012

At Hopetoun for the night.

Ma and Poppa

Bremer Bay

14 October 2012
At Bremer Bay for three nights.

Ma and Poppa

Saturday, 13 October 2012

Ravensthorpe

13 October 2012

In Ravensthorpe for one night.

Ma and Poppa

Thursday, 11 October 2012

Karlgarin

11 October 2012

At Karlgarin for two nights.

Ma and Poppa

Lake Grace

10 October 2012

At Lake Grace for the night.

Ma and Poppa

Albany

6 October 2012

In Albany for 4 nights.

Ma and Poppa


6 October 2012
Elephant Rocks at Denham


7 October 2012
Seal at Albany

7 October 2012
Wind Farm at Albany


Walpole

5 October 2012

At Walpole for the night.

Ma and Poppa

5 October 2012
We went to a Sculpture Park at Northcliffe


5 October 2012
Also at the Sculpture Park, Northcliffe


5 October 2012
Also at the Sculpture Park, Northcliffe


5 October 2012
Canopy walk at the Valley of the Giants



Pemberton

3 October 2012

In Pemberton for two nights.

Ma and Poppa

3 October 2012
Splendid Blue Wren, Pemberton



4 October 2012
Bi Centennial Tree Climb, Pemberton


4 October 2012

Email update...

Hi All

Continuing on from the last email. We enjoyed Perenjori which had some beautiful wildflowers and again saw the wreath flower. Very spectacular. Went to a Wildflower Farm at Moora which was a little disappointing.
Then arrived in Perth for 5 nights. Loved Perth. Used the bus and train there to travel around and it was very economical for us pensioners. Went to Church, had haircuts, stocked up the pantry and whisky, put the car through a car wash, washed, went to Kings Park, went to Fremantle and yes had fish and chips there.
It was showery, very windy some days, and cool.
After Perth we discovered Harvey and delightful place with the best camenbert and blue vein cheese ever.
We spent 3 nights in Bunbury and again the weather was a bit rugged. Two nights there we spent with the poptop roof down as the winds were very gusty. Still showery.  The Ferguson Valley was so green and very pretty. Cattle and sheep country and wineries and more wildflowers and some orchids.
Then to Margaret River which has the best food - thats if you call chocolate, fudge, cookies, wine, cheese and lollies FOOD. All I can say is WOW. A must visit. We had two nights there.
Then we went to Bridgetown and they call it FRIDGETOWN and yes very cold. Still showery and very cold.
More wildflowers and orchids. The local cidery was a treat and we are still enjoying the cider we bought there.
Onto Kojonup for two nights - one day was cool and the other was warm and we actually got back into summer clothes for a  day. Mt Barker was next and was a treat - orchids, a banksia farm, and the stirling ranges.Then here Pemberton. Pemberton has the famous Gloucester Tree Climb (We chickened out) more wineries and the Karri Tree Trail. The Holy Smoke Shop (Smoked Trout Pate ) YUM and the Lavender and Berry Farm (Big Pancake, 3 scoops of ice cream and hot berry sauce) YUM Splendid Blue Wrens (Very blue) enjoyed the crumbs from the tables and were a delight to watch so close.
We leave here tomorrow bound for Albany and will stay several nights as the Bathurst Car Race is on (Sunday) and we must watch that. Done 16000 kms so far and still in WA. WA is a must see for everyone.
Must away as its Happy Hour soon. Miss you all.
Love Ma and Poppa


Mount Barker

1 October 2012

In Mount Barker for the night.

Ma and Poppa xx

1 October 2012

Staying two nights now in Mount Barker

Ma and Poppa

1 October 2012
Albany Banksia, Mount Barker


1 October 2012
Gumnuts, Mount Barker


2 October 2012
Dancing Spider Orchid, Mount Barker


2 October 2012
Stirling Ranges

2 October 2012
Stirling Ranges

Monday, 1 October 2012

Kojonup

29 September 2012

In Kojonup for two nights. They are having a wildflower festival.

Ma and Poppa

29 September 2012
Boyup Brook, Kojonup


29 September 2012
Kojonup Visitor Centre

30 September 2012
Pink Enamel Orchid, Kojonup


30 September 2012
At an entrance to a property, Kojonup


30 September 2012
Kojonup


Bridgetown

26 September 2012

At Bridgetown for 3 nights.

Ma and Poppa

26 September 2012
Yannup, Bridgetown


27 September 2012
Photo from Green Bushes, Balingup
Balingup Visitor Centre

27 September 2012
The Packing Shed, Balingup


28 September 2012
White Spider Orchid, outside Bridgetown


28 September 2012
Outside Bridgetown

Monday, 24 September 2012

Margaret River

24 September 2012

Arrived Margaret River for 2 nights. Now for some serious wine, chocolates, fudge etc etc.

Ma and Poppa

24 September 2012
In Margaret River for a couple of days. What amazing food. Camenbert to die for, Chocolate and Fudge for the sugar hit, and Wine Wine Wine for a good nights sleep. Truly a tick on the bucket list. And we do it all again tomorrow. What a life.

Ma and Poppa

24 September 2012
Donkey Orchid, Busselton near Margaret River



24 September 2012
Red Beaks Orchid, Busselton near Margaret River, one of the many orchids



25 September 2012
Ringnecked Parrot at Margaret River Caravan Park



24 September 2012
Main Street, Margaret River




25 September 2012
Cows at Cowaramup

25 September 2012
Candy Cow at Cowaramup










Bunbury

19 September 2012

In Bunbury for 3 nights.

Ma and Poppa


22 September 2012

Staying in Bunbury until Monday.

Ma and Poppa

20 September 2012
From Collie, Ferguson Valley



22 September 2012
Lighthouse, Bunbury



22 September 2012
Gnomesville
Donnybrook, Ferguson Valley



22 September 2012
Donnybrook Fun Park




Saturday, 15 September 2012

Perth

14 September 2012

In Perth for 5 nights.

Lots of traffic!

Ma and Poppa

17 September 2012
Perth from Kings Park


19 September 2012
Camel at Harvey Cheese

Moora

13 September 2012

In Moora for one night.
Off to The Wildflower Farm.

Ma and Poppa

13 September 2012
Sheep just shorn at Moora


Monday, 10 September 2012

Perenjori

10 September 2012

In Perenjori for three nights and more wildflowers.

48th Wedding Anniversary today.

Ma and Poppa

11 September 2012
Everlastings, Perenjori

12 September 2012
Hi All

We are at Perenjori in the middle of wildflower territory. The locals say the wildflowers are not as good this year due to little rain but we have seen over 800 and they are just amazing. You do not have to look very far as they are just on the side of the roads but when you get out of the car and do a bit of exploring you find plenty. We leave here tomorrow and stay at Moora the night and should arrive in Perth Friday for 5 days or so.

The last update was from Carnarvon where we stayed 5 nights. Carnarvon is known for tourism and fruit and veges. We really enjoyed the fresh fruit and veges. The pawpaws very yummy. Also mango ice blocks dipped in chocolate. Did all the local trips in the area.
The night after leaving Carnarvon we stayed at Hamelin Station Stay which we enjoyed very much. Met some lovely people and plenty of wildflowers.
We then went onto Denham and I just loved Denham. Of course we went to Monkey Mia to see the Dolphins being fed. Met the same people we met at Hamelin.
Then onto Kalbarri and plenty of wildflowers, coastal cliffs which were amazing. Through Northampton (more wildflowers) to Geraldton.
We stayed in Geraldton  5 nights. Met the same people we had met on two previous occasions and at Happy Hour at our van one night we discovered they knew friends of ours very well from Bli Bli.  When R was in Nambour years ago they ran the Youth Group at Nambour where R attended. R was very friendly with their kids and they couldnt believe we were R M's parents. Small world. Geraldton was very windy and I mean very windy and showery.
We both had our cars serviced there. Visited the HMAS Sydney Memorial and did the tour and the volunteer guide explained it all to us. Very amazing and spectacular. Then to Mullewa for two nights and we did the wildflower walk and the drive to see the famous Wreath Flowers. Yes they are spectacular.
Decided to go onto Western Flora Park at Ebeabba for two nights. Its run by a botanist and he took us on a tour of his place explaining the insects wildflowers and conservation. Leaving there we went to Cervantes and the Pinnacles. Another amazing sight. At Cervantes we both celebrated our wedding anniversaries and went to the local Country Club for Seafood Night. The local lobster was the best I have ever tasted. Very enjoyable. Then to Perenjori where are now.

We have seen some beautiful wildflowers and all we seem to do is take photos. All travelling well. M and H have had colds but other than that we are going great. Travelled 14000 km so far and been on the road 16 weeks. I can why people do the grey nomad thing.

Must away. Miss you all.

Love Ma and Poppa

Cervantes

9 September 2012

At Cervantes for one night. Off to The Pinnacles this arvo.

Ma and Poppa

9 September
Pinnacles, Cervants

Eneabba Flora Park

7 September 2012

At Eneabba Flora Park for one night.

Ma and Poppa


8 September 2012

Staying an extra night at Eneabba Flora Park.

Ma and Poppa


7 September 2012
Sunset at Eneabba Flora Park


7 September 2021
Eucaptylus Mottlecah in Eneabba Flora Park


Mullewa

5 September 2012

In Mullewa for the night.

Ma and Poppa


5 September 2012

Staying two nights.

Ma and Poppa

6 September 2012
These cutouts were everywhere in the Mullewa area.

6 September 2012
Wreath flowers, Mullewa area


6 September 2012
More cutouts near Canna


Saturday, 1 September 2012

Geraldton

31 August 2012

In Geraldton for 5 nights.

Ma and Poppa

31 August 2012
After all the red country this was a pleasant sight near Geraldton

1 September 2012
Little sub
3 September 2012
HMAS Sydney Memorial, Geraldton

Kalbarri

28 August 2012

Arrived at Kalbarri for 3 nights.

The wildflowers are fantastic.

Ma and Poppa

29 August 2012
Wildflowers near Kalbarri







31 August 2012
Northampton





30 August 2012
Natural Bridge, Kalbarri coast