Now in NSW



Costerfield gold mine ruins



Mon 7th - Wed 9th was as relaxed as last week, with gardening and more craft, the weather has really turned cold with frosty mornings.  I rode my bike to collect the mail and passed the remains of what was once a gold mine employing up to 700 workers 100 years ago.



Autumn in Costerfield



Thurs 10th - Took the Van to Heathcote for a new radiator and some belts to be replaced, he also reset the timing from the problem I had last week and was most apologetic.  Heathcote is a very Historic town and I walked up and down looking at some of the original buildings.  The highlight was a walk through the Valley of Liquid Ambers, the colours of Autumn were absolutely spectacular.  I found more material at the Op shop so had an early tea then made up another quilt.

Fri 11th - My last day so spent it packing the Van and getting the house ready for Margaret's return.  Drove into town for petrol, gas bottle refills and some shopping.  Margaret arrived at 9.30pm tired from a day and a half travelling.  She brought me some Irish tea towels and lovely Celtic monogramm bookmark.


Yabbie fishing


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Jan and dingo pup



Sat 12th - I got away just after 8, Drove to Shepparton to leave the 5 quilts I had made with a friend of Nell's.  Found an RV shop and bought edge stripping to do some maintenance on the Van at my next stop.  I arrived at the Dingo Farm at Nalinga after lunch to meet with the CMCA Goulburn Valley Gypsies.  The afternoon's activity was to catch a yabbie in the dam to have a yabbie race tomorrow morning.  Only 1 yabbie was caught between the lot of us (it was far to cold) so no race!!!  There was chocolate cake for all the mothers at afternoon tea.  At 5pm most went up to see the dingoes, and help feed some of them.  Alan had cooked a BBQ for everyone for dinner which was very welcome.  Then we sat around the camp fire under the stars till about 9pm and the cold sent us indoors.   

Sun 13th - I woke at 7 but stayed in bed reading till 9, there was a cold wind blowing this morning.  The fire was relit & I played a few tunes on my Ukulele while others sang. It started to rain at 11 so it was time to leave.  I had heard that the name of the area near us was Upottipotpon, so I had to go for a drive and find it, I wonder what the origin of that name was?   I drove to Corowa to visit a friend so am now in NSW.



My welcome to NSW



A week in the country

This has been a quiet week with my days spent doing some gardening, sewing and watching movies from Margarets large library.
Monday 30/4 - I put binding onto a second quilt and watched the movie 'Nell' in the afternoon.

Tuesday 1/5 -  The binding went onto a third quilt and I spent the afternoon on the computer, working out how to use the Hot Spot from my Smart Phone.  It took a while but I was determined to make it work.

Wednesday 2/5 - a neighbour gave me a lift into town to collect my Van from the mechanic in Heathcote, I had planned to get a Tune Up here after the problem in Sale.  Margaret had offered me the use of her little car while she was away so I was glad of that but happy to have my own wheels back.

Thursday 3/5 - I drove to Bendigo to see the Grace Kelly Style Icon Exhibition, this was fabulous and so popular it was necessary to purchase tickets to attend at a specific time of day. After checking out a few shops I had afternoon tea with one of Margaret's friends before driving home.

Pink Cliffs - Heathcote

Friday 4/5 - Went into town this morning, drove just a few klm out of town to see the Pink Clifs, a colourful reminder of the Gold Rush era in the early 1900's, on the way home I saw an Auction at a Farmhouse so decided to stop for a look, a real country experience but I wasn't tempted to make any bids!!!  The movie after dinner tonight was 'The Kiss'.





Costerfield Post Office



Saturday 5/5 - I started sewing my 4th quilt then finished the Christmas wallhanging I began at Tannum Sands last July.  I stripped the vinyl floor of the Van and put 2 coats of sealer on it.  A friend from Kilmore phoned to invite me to dinner, so I drove with the intention of staying overnight.  I hadn't seen Fay for over 20 years when she lived in Rockhamnpton, so lots of catching up on what we and our families were doing now.

Sunday 6/5 -  When I went to leave there was oil on the road where I had been parked.  Another call to RACV and I was missing a bolt from the Distributor!!!  No damage done so it was replaced and filled with oil before I drove home, the dogs were very happy to see me.  I put 2 more coats of sealer on the van floor then watched the movie 'Beyond Borders'.  Now have less than a week before it is time for me to move a little further north.

This was our view of Melbourne from The Edge

Where did that month + go

I am not going to try to catch up by days, as all my good intentions to finish my trip around Tasmania the day after my last post obviously went wrong. 

On Fri 9th March - I attended a concert at the Hobart Casino of The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, I had planned this since January and was not dissappointed, staying behind to have them all sign my Uke.  Saturday visited the Botanical Gardens then drove up Mt Nelson & Mt Wellington and it was a beautiful clear day, I was there in 2006 and it snowed on Mt Wellington.

The Foxhunters Return

On Tues 13th - I was given a tour in Campbelltown of the "Foxhunters Return", (usually only for paying guests) this is a beautiful B & B incorporating an amazing bookshop underneath which was once quarters for the convicts building the nearby bridge. This old building has so much history and I was included because a cousin once owned it in the 80's, they were part of the restoration process (the local council wanted to knock it down!!)  On Wednesday evening I boarded the Spirit of Tasmania, it was a long wait but next morning meant I was the 4th vehicle off and arrived to a noisy welcome at the Robert's home, for a few days was treated to Cath's great cooking, she in turn had some time out while I had fun with the girls.

Sat 17th - the 4 girls went to Daylesford for the day, Cath had wanted to see this little town before leaving Victoria.  After checking out the shops we had a picnic, hired a paddle boat, had ice creams and visited the Chocolate Factory.  On Sunday afternoon we 4 girls went to the city, afternoon tea at a River Cafe and dinner at Crown Casino.  Jonathan was happy at home quietly watching the Grand Prix. 



Therese, Louise & Helen (hippies)

 Wed 21st - I headed for Yarram to attend the Solo Rally, my last experience was at Macksville 2 1/2   years ago so I stopped at Morwell and bought Wellie boots and a hooded raincoat, which were both well used for a few days.  It was a great week, I met old friends and made lots of new ones, improved my Ukulele skills slightly, had fun at the Hippie Ball and so much more.  There were bus tours (I went to the Tarra Bulga National Park), workshops and I did enjoy the Poet's breakfast.


Sunrise at Port Albert



Thurs 29th - it was all over, I had lunch with Helen & Therese in town before leaving, we were all going in different directions, I had booked the Van in for a service, unfortunately for him I didn't fit into his shed!!  He sent me across the road to the opposition but a mate who did a fine job at short notice, one of the good things about small towns.  Drove to Port  Albert and found about 12 others from Yarram also there, it was a lovely spot beside the Marina. Next day as I contemplated where to spend the next few days, friends from Bundaberg found me and invited me to go with them to Boolarra.  I followed Arthur taking the scenic route over the Strezelecki Ranges, it was a lovely drive.  We camped beside the Pub and I met many of Arthur & Wendy's Forum friends.  A huge Hunstman spider decided to camp in my van and Allan was no help saying it was harmless, it may be but after an hour I caught it and threw it and the collander it was in out the door, lights out 10pm.  I rode my push bike part way along the Grand Ridge Rail Trail the next day, a few of the men went the whole way, but I know my limits.



A Fly Past just for us at Sale



Wed 4th April - Met Helen in Sale to drive into the Rally together, this was my 1st big rally and a bit daunting.  Like Yarram it was lots of workshops, dance lessons, Ukulele lessons, and wonderfull entertainment.  We looked through the assortment of new vans on offer and checked out the many market stalls.  At 4pm it was Happy Hour somewhere, I attended different ones but Blaze Aid was to learn about volunteering.  Met past owners of my van and Ian wired in an LED light and checked out the hot water system while at the rally, I have been invited to visit he & Gail when next going past Caloundra.  Left Sunday morning to meet friends from Qld attending a function at the Melbourne Convention Centre.  Drove to Cath's and she put me on the train to the city, after dinner at a lovely waterside restaurant I stayed the night in their apartment and we talked till late.



It's a dogs life!!

 Mon 9th - A timely visit to the Robert's family again to help with the week before their move back to Sydney.  On Sunday we all went into the City to visit the Eureka Skydeck, 85 floors up!!!  Jonathan, Lily, Georgia & I survived The Edge (a giant glass cage that slides out from the building), Cath took photos. 

Mon 16th - This was moving day, a giant truck with 2 containers pulled up outside, I kept the girls occupied at the park and having picnic's in Grandma's van.  They left to drive to Albury at 4pm.  I stayed to let the cleaners in next day etc. 

Wed 18th - I started housesitting in Costerfield (near Heathcote in Vic) for 3 1/2 weeks, on a small property in the bush, I have 2 dogs, Gemma a Beagle and Jack a Terrier.  Not sure if they are company they sleep most of the day and bark mostly at the birds or rabbits.  I have had a chance to do lots of crafting, making rugs for the Wrapped With Love foundation and finishing off some of my UFO's.  Apart from pulling out a few weeds there is not lots to do so I am relaxing and enjoying the beautiful Autumn days.
Today Sunday 29th April - After Church in a small local hall at Tooborac, stoped at a roadside stall for local fresh supplies then had a restfull afternoon watching the movie Snow Cake (a beautiful movie) knitting another Beanie for my grandaughter Renae's Rep Hockey Team pals. 

Back on the Mainland

It has been about 3 weeks since I have used the computer, I had problems with Telstra and the Hot Spot on my new smart phone and decided to wait till I got back to Melbourne.

Friday 2nd March it was time to leave the farm life and get back on the road. 


Waterfall at Waratah



On Saturday I left early to get my 2 small gas bottles filled and that took 2 hours and a few visits to 4 different shops from Devenport to Ulverstone (a story on it's own).  My first overnight stop was to Waratah where they have a waterfall in the middle of town.  I was given a great tour of the small Museum by Mintie a very enthusiastic volunteer who worked in the local tin mine before retiring. 



Ocean Beach



Sunday 4th - I stopped at Tullah and saw the 100 year old "Wee Georgie Wood" steam train but didn't take a ride, but did visit Lyn's house of Teddy Bears.  Then on to Zeehan to the amazing museum, spent a few hours which only skimmed the surface of the things to be seen and read about.  Arrived in Strahan about 4, and went to a live theatre show of 'The Ship that never was'.  This has been running every day for 17years, has a cast of 2 with the other characters chosen from the audience.  I got to be the ships cat and thankfully was rescued.  This tells the story of 10 convicts who built a ship and escaped to Chile, how desperate they must have been.  I drove to Ocean Beach to camp for the night, still in the wind and rain.



A branch of the Myrtle Tree



Monday 5th - The trip with West Coast Wilderness Railways I had planned since coming over 6 weeks ago.  This is through a rain forrest and beside the King and then Queen Rivers.  Part of the trip on a steam train over the steepest incline and decline in the Southern Hemisphere.  It was memorable for many reasons but seeing a Myrtle tree falling on the train which caused a complete shut down of part of the track for a few days will be one I won't forget.  No one was hurt and we all got back to Strahan eventually.



Hogarth Falls



Tuesday 6th - I walked to Hogarth Falls in the rain and a couple of leeches hitched a ride, then called into "Tutt's Whittle Wonders", a collection of about 800 pieces of natural timber shapes meant to depict animals or people, very clever.  In Queenstown I met Russell & Jen a couple I had camped with at Sheffield and after taking some photos of the famous sand Football Oval then stopping to view the "Iron Blow" (part of the original mine cut, now a pool of blue water), met them at Lake Burbury Campground where Russell tightened the side mirrors on my Van which had been annoying me for some time.  I walked to the lake and paddled my feet but though it looked inviting it was to cold for a swim.



My van dwarfed by Ron's



Wednesday 6th - This morning I took a 40 minute walk into Nelson Falls, and my camera just doesn't do it justice I stood in awe of  such beauty for some time.  Next a 1.1klm walk to Donaghy's Lookout with 360o views of the gorge at the junction of Franklin and Collingwood Rivers.  Tasmanian's take their honey tasting very seriously and I have at least 4 different varieties but the most popular is Leatherwood so I stopped at Bee Hive Canal on my way through the Wild Rivers National Park.  This afternoon at the 'Wall in the Wilderness' I met Ron another Solo traveller after admiring the craftmanship of the man who is sculpting the story of the early settlers on a giant wall we camped at Bronte Lagoon. 

Thursday 7th - After a few lessons on where my water tanks and gas tank are, (I thought they were opposite to what they are, obviously still have a lot to learn!!) and suggestions for tyre pressures from an old truck driver, we drove to Hamilton, there was nothing to keep me there so I went on to stay with Ross & Lyn at Old Beach, Hobart.

Enjoying the quiet pace

Wednesday had a lazy day, apart from my usual animal chores.  When I went to feed them after lunch found one Bantam dead, it didn't look well when they left so when I phoned was told to bury it under the artichoke bush!! Oh well that's farm life I guess.
Thursday was really windy so was good for getting washing dry, it has been cold by my standards and I still need winter type clothes.  I was going out about 4.30 in the afternoon so tried to fool the fowls by feeding them a little earlier so I could put them to bed earlier than usual but it took some coaxing.  My mail finally caught up with me, I had left Launceston by the time it arrived there so they sent it on to me at Don.
 Friday I rode my bike along the path beside the Don River (though it was low tide so I didn't see much water) to Coles Beach.  There were a few brave swimmers but not me today.  When I arrived home 4 of the Bantams had escaped the area they should be in and I had to persuade them to go back through the small hole in the fence from whence they came!!  Cooked pumpkin soup for dinner, with pumpkin from the garden, I will miss having all these fresh fruit & vegies when I leave next week.  This afternon I sat doing some embroidery for the 1st time in months, not sure where all the spare time I thought I would have goes.


Looks like fun?



Just saw the view before the cloud decended

Saturday was a day for the garden, watering takes a while then I pruned some of the roses.  Peter a Solo CMCA member invited me to his place for a BBQ to celebrate his birthday, his cat's 21st birthday and his farewell from Tassie, his sister Mary is who I climbed Cradle Mountain with.  I will include a few Cradle Mountain photos here now as Mary has given me copies of hers, my camera batteries went flat & I didn't have spares, Oh Bother!!
Sunday I had planned to go to the little Church just up the road but when I checked they didn't have a service this week, I enjoyed listening to a CD from Bal Ram in Hervey Bay.  One of the Bantams has gone broody so is sitting on 4 bantam eggs and 2 guinea fowl eggs, hope she doesn't get confused.  Peter's daughter loaned me a rotary cutter yesterday (I left mine in Melbourne) & I spent the afternoon cutting out bags for Oncology patients to use.  This is one of the ways people who attend the CMCA Rallies help in the communities they meet each year.  Cath loaned me the Barchester Chronicles series on DVD, I have been enjoying watcing these in the evening on the computer.
Monday I did some pruning in the garden this morning, after lunch I rode my bike to the Don Rail Museum and had a ride on the steam train to Coles Beach, much easier than riding my bike.  I was the only passenger so rode up front with the driver.
Tuesday a big washing day as the forecast is wet for the rest of the week, and I leave on Friday.  Mary came to me for lunch, I made salad sandwiches with produce from the garden and Mary brought Hedgehog slice for afters.  I pruned the last rose bush today and hope the exercise results in lots of roses in the summer for Robyn.  Have checked the maps for my next trip which will take me down the West Coast, I am looking forward to getting on the road again, photos are not playing the game today and I have been at the computer long enough.

Housesitting in Don Part II



Would be spectaclar after rain



After a sleep in and a lazy morning, I will continue.  On Thursday we drove to St Columba Falls, a beautiful 10 min walk through Rain Forrest into the highest falls in Tasmania, a drop of 90mtrs had picnic lunch there before visiting the Holy Cow Cafe and Cheese Factory and indulging in REAL ice creams. Had a quick visit to St Helen's on the way to The Bay of Fires, the water was the most amazing colour blue which beckoned for a swim, then we sat on the beach watching the board riders till after 5. 

Friday after talking to locals last night decided against going out to Cape Naturaliste, the roads were not good, so I didn't get to visit Gladstone in Tassie and came back to Scotsdale to stay the night, Therese was heading south so stayed it was such a lovely spot, it was nice to have a travelling companion for a few days.



Any guesses what this is?



Saturday morning I walked through the wetlands behind the camp spot and heard then saw lots of Paddy Melon wallabies then drove up to Bridport.  Had fish & scallops (wasn't specific and got the fishy kind Yuk, not potato ones I was inticipating!!) for lunch.  Then to George Town a place with lots of history, at the Bass & Flinders Centre I climbed aboard a replica of the "Norfolk" and had a rest on the Captain's bed then Ivy the volunteer guide explained the bathroom facilities and I decided it wouldn't be much fun after all!!  Drove out to the Lighthouse and walked around the cliff edge, before camping with others at the Information Centre.

Sunday I attended the Baptist Church and again thought I knew someone.  While having morning tea later realised we had worked together in Gladstone in the late 70's on CWCI Committee for a year, Mary Hawkins is now an accomplished author, a long held dream so look out for her books.  At Low Head the Fog Horn goes off at 12noon, there are only a few working "G" Diaphones left in the world (all done by volunteers).  A powerfull yet eerie sound, likened to the roar of 1,000 elephants.  Visited the Pilot Station Museum then went to the George Town Watch House, a local had made a scale model of the town in pioneering days and there was a DVD of the work started by one woman to tell the story of the convict women and babies in those harsh times.  Then drove to Don which is a suburb of Devenport to housesit for 12 days, I talked with the owners for a few hours then set up camp, it was raining so I got into bed to read.

 Monday  I did some washing early then Robyn showed me round their little farm, I have 5 sheep, 8 guinea fowl, 4 geese and 11 bantams to care for.  There is a vegie patch and an orchard so I will be enjoying eating apples, pears and grapefruit (occassionally) straight from the trees and picking my tomatoes, lettuce etc as needed.  They left about 11 and I began a thorough clean of my little vehicle, I had picked up grease at a car wash bay in St Helen's and walked it on my mats, Napisan did the trick, then I rearranged all the bits behind my seats making better use of the space.  I fed the animals about 2.30 then go again about 5 to put the bantams to bed looking like farmer Joe in my wellington boots as there are snakes about.

Tuesday The sewing machine is getting a workout, I bought a flanelette sheet and Doona cover and had to cut them down to size, then I set about making bags for all my electrcal appliances (which I haven't used at all yet!!) to stop any rattles.  Mary who I walked up Cradle Mountain with invited me to morning tea today and I met her brother, another Motorhomer from Tasmania who will be going to the Rallies at Yarram and Sale that are on my itinerary.  I check the creek each evening in the hope of seeing a Platypus, no luck yet but who knows.

Housesitting in Don

It is nice to be going at a slower pace for a while as my days have been filled to capacity.  While still at the Rally my bowling partners & I spent Sunday morning together, first at the Worship service then the local markets, I bought some f & v along with a Teddy I just couldn't resist for $1.  After lunch Therese & I went looking for the Planetarium we were given directions and walked for half an hour only to find it was back where we started and closed!! 

On Monday 4 of us went to the Planetarium and watched the film on the 'Dawn of the Space Age', after lunch of Tasmanian Salmon on Sourdough Yum! we looked through the new Queen Victoria Museum and I enjoyed the incredible display especially the fauna and birdlife.  There had been a tram running each day from our camp site to the Museum, I kept missing it so decided to wait the 1/2 hour for my 1klm ride (still a big kid) the others walked to their Vans.  I had the benefit of a guided tour of the Tram Museum as a group of Probus people came and I was allowed to join them.  Back at camp we were treated to a BBQ Dinner tonight followed by another concert.

Tuesday and time to leave Launceston, said my goodbye's and drove into town to collect my phone (that's another story) but it is now working properly.  I caught the free Tiger bus around town and visited the National Trust 'Odd Umbrella Shop' built in the 1860's, there was a parasol that was made for a horse among other things.  I found the 'Honey Tasmania' shop and bought blackberry honey. Then I rode the Tiger Bus on the River run and got off to see the old Queen Victoria Museum building that is now an Art Gallery.  Left to drive to Scottsdale for the night where I was to meet up with Therese, I met another Solo at a Lookout who said there was no room, in van parks or free camps so we stayed there the night.  Along with a Korean girl and her mum, they gave us a pkt of noodles each in exchange for hot water, we talked till 9.30 with the daughter translating.

Wednesday I went to look at the Memorial Tree carvings at Ledgerwood then to Branxholm, where Therese spent the night.  This little town has lots of history of the Chinese tin miners and the famous Red Bridge.  On the way out of town I stopped to take a photo, that could have cost me dearly.  I backed into a ditch and with one front wheel off the ground I needed a tow, but a couple of Forrestry workers had me out while I was on the phone to RACT, giving thanks to God for His protection.  We had lunch at the Berry Shop at Moorina of home made soup followed by shared scones and jam.  Camped tonight at the 'Pub in the Paddock' at Pyengama.  Fed the pigs a bottle of (watered down) beer before yes another meal, this time the biggest steak I have ever seen and I enjoyed every mouthfull.

To be continued tomorrow.