Wow! I can’t believe we are done! 125 nights on the road. I’m so glad that it’s all been recorded here as it’s already a blur in my mind. Although we had our familiar van to wake up inside each day, it sometimes was a surprise to look out the window and see where were we were once the sun came up. We’ve had some incredible experiences, and have shared them with just the best people. I can’t even rank the best times…
I woke this morning feeling contemplative. It’s weird to think this trip is drawing to a close – and wondering how we will all assimilate back to normal life. Apparently crocs aren’t suitable footwear in the office 🙁 . Today was spent doing our own things. Karen and Kieran continued with touristing for one last day while Bob and I went into van prep mode – Bob and I spent a few weeks working from the van here during covid in 2021 so not…
The march south continues….we didn’t hurry to depart Evans Head this morning though as we didn’t have much time to look around by the time we arrived yesterday afternoon. The Scott’s headed out on their bikes and Bob and I went for a walk along the breakwall and the river. We arrived in Sawtell in time for lunch. Karen and Kieran called in to the Big Banana while Bob and I took the van to get washed. Time to spruce…
Another south moving day. The Scott’s took off early and hit the Glass House Mountains on their way to Evans Head. They booked an early ‘marriage saver’ van removal (which is required at the Maroochy River park) and were on their way. They also found ‘the’ pie shop recommended around the camp fire last night and enjoyed the spoils. Bob and I were on the road not far behind and headed to Brisbane to catch up with friends that we…
We spent today in and around Broken Hill. A chilly 5 degrees this morning and we all headed out to the Line of Lode memorial lookout which overlooks the city. We spent some time perusing the memorial to those who have lost their lives mining in the area over the previous 100+ years. We can be so glad that safety standards are what they are today… A quick photo on the big park bench before we headed in different directions…
This morning Karen, Kieran and I headed out for a second hike in the national park. Bob, very sensibly decided to stay at camp and continue to give his leg some more recovery time after yesterday’s mammoth effort. Our destination was Split Rock – a 7km walk to an Aboriginal culturally significant location – which had a number of interesting rock formations with more rock art. Then it was back to pack up camp and head for Broken Hill for…
Our first no travel day today. It was so good to sleep in past 6am. To round off the anniversary day yesterday, Karen celebrated her birthday today. The weather was appropriately glorious and we decided to head out on a hike this morning. It was a lovely day – aboriginal art in rocky overhangs, walking through the dry river bed, up along the ridge, rock scrambling and rope descents. We seriously underestimated the time it would take to complete the…
Today was another mostly travel day. We woke early again, packed and headed off just after sunrise. It is Karen and Kieran’s 30th wedding anniversary today, so we were privileged to share their reminiscing with them. A short stop at Wilcannia followed by our first serious dirt roading for the trip. The drive in to Mutawintji is 80km of gravel so we had our first go at deflating tyres to some set pressures…..and then reinflating them when we were too…
Today was officially the start of our trek! We left last night after a lovely family get together at our daughter’s place and headed to Muswellbrook where Karen and Kieran had had their last family goodbyes. A super early getaway this morning with a few interesting stops along the way – pie shop at Merriwa, leg stretch at Gilgandra where we found an interesting history of the ‘Cooee’ march to Sydney recruiting for the First World War. A lovely stop…
Well, here we go! 2 weeks and counting until our caravanning trip of many years in the wings finally happens. On the 30th April we are leaving our family, home and work behind for 4 months of travelling our country. Our partners in crime are Karen and Kieran, friends we met while all on student placement and studying electrical engineering in 1989. The big van has been replaced with a small hybrid so we can get to the places we…