My trip north in Zena (Now Silver Fox) started around 14th February after spending a great time in Echuca with Renee and the boys. Having spent the night before at Greens Lake, the day in Echuca, I decided to spend one last night at Girgarre before heading north.
I had intended heading over the border at Yarrawonga but at the last minute decided to go via The Big Strawberry at Koonoomoo. Had to experience the Strawberry pancakes once again and as usual just as yummy as always.
From there I headed to Nerrandera while I planned my course for the next few days. I have a way of changing my mind at the last minute.
Staying as usual at the Boat Ramp at Nerrandera was a huge mistake. When I arrived mid afternoon the sun was shining and all very dry. When it rained heavy during the night I gave no thought to the fact it was going to get very wet underfoot.
Had a great nights sleep. There would have been 5 or 6 other campers around the grounds. Just on dark a family came in and set up their van very quickly. I soon saw why when dad started carrying sleeping children into the van from the car.
By morning when I woke they were gone as were most of the others, one car and caravan was still there,that I could see.
As I went to leave I noticed deep ruts where others had left earlier, meaning it must be a bit soft. So picked a way out, I thought that looked like hard ground. I was bogged, couldn't go forward and couldn't go back.
Panicked for a bit then rang RACV who put me through to NRMA being in NSW. They asked if I needed a tow truck, if so I would have to pay for it as that was extra. I didn't think so as the NRMA man should be able to hook up a rope and have me out in no time. She said it could take up to an hour for someone to come out.
5 minutes later some boaties arrived, 4 vehicles, one towing the boat. They were so willing to help and the 4x4 not towing the boat came around the front, hooked up a rope and had me out in one nice slow pull.
I was able to ring back NRMA and cancel their asssitance.
Remind me never to go near soft areas in rain or even if it looks like rain.
From there I decided to go somewhere different to where I have been in the past, so headed out to Wagga Wagga, which I just drove through. These big towns/cities give me the creeps. Couldn't find anything other than the road out to Junee.
Camped at a great little spot not far from Junee the night, Wallacetown. Exceptionally clean toilets and very well cared for gardens. The truck area and cars/vans were separated by these gardens.
The next morning into Junee for a full day of sightseeing.
What a welcome change. Spent the whole day there with lots of Places of Interest. Firstly I went to the Licorice and Chocolate Factory. Took myself around through the factory, only looking in the windows, some busy areas were hidden behind curtains. Went up a set of steep stairs to a delightful shop ful of gifts and kitcheware. Could have bought I lot if I didn't need the money for travelling.
Back downstairs I decided to have morning tea. Cappuchino and scone with jam and cream. Not nice at all. The scone was hard like a rock cake, the cream melted on the plate before I got it on the scone and the coffee, none of the nice thick topping I know a cuppachino should have. Very disappointing. I did buy a pack of 6 passionfruit chocolates for $10 which were very yummy.
Then off to Monte Christo, the most haunted house in Australia. The ghosts must have been out for the day when I arrived. Beautiful old home full of antiques. 2 storey with narrow staircases. A family with children live there. She told me at 4pm when it closes to the public, the ropes in each room come down and they use the house as a family home. The children are over 12 yrs so no harm of anything getting broken.
Lots of barns out the back full of old carriages and other such old paraphenalia. A beautiful old place, just a shame they don't do any work around the place. The gardens were overgrown and full of weeds. The house and buildings need keeping up otherwise they will fall in to disrepair.
From there I went to the Rail Roundhouse, what a place. A huge circular building with a turnstile and filled with trains. Old carriages and mail carriage and many more. Took lots of photos of all these places. Worth the visit.
From there headed out towards Young staying the night at Wallandbeen. A small sealed street beside gardens and off the main road. Fantastic piecart in bright pink open most days till 10pm except Saturdays when it closes about 5pm. The best hamburger I have ever eaten. A bit noisy with trucks coming and going parking right beside as I was trying to sleep.
The morning saw me going into Young where I went to Rivers to buy myself a new pair of lace ups after getting bogged in that mud at Nerrandera when I jumped out of the van. No hope of washing the mud off. Drove that day in socks until they got to wet hopping out. So found my thongs again.
Also went to a cheap shop and bought another roll of blue wipes/cleaning cloths. Very handy for wiping down the van.
Then to Temora where I went to the Aviation Museum. Very interesting. I left a comment in honour of Uncle Hilton in the visitors book.
Finally ended up at Ariah Park where I was able to do 3 loads of washing including my Doona Covers and pillowslips. Had a lovely shower, nice and long and warm as it was a very hot day so didn't need a hot shower.
Caught up on a tidy up of the van. Have to do that ever 3 or 4 days otherwise I would be in a hell of a mess, what with Jessies's food bowls, toys etc and all my junk that keeps getting moved around. Filled up 2 of my 10 litre water bottles with water. A great place, wish there were more like that along the way.
Left there next morning heading for Goologong.
First to Grenfell where I filled with fuel and got a few things at the IGA. Very difficult to find a park. This reverse parking drives me mad. I can't use it so drive round and round looking for somewhere long enough to fit in.
Finally found a spot next to the Salvation Army Citadel. A nice area with shade for parking the bigger rigs.
After that Goologong where we parked beside the river in a free camp on the site of the old Anglican Church. Only one other van there so a very quiet night. It was a basic paddock with no other amenities but sorth a stop for a peaceful nights sleep.
This morning, now Wednesday I started out to Orange with the intention of spending a night at Macquarie Woods. Not long after I passed through Canowindra the rain started belting down. Unbelievably hairy hour long drive to Orange and headed out the other side towards Wellington and Dubbo. Saw no point in going the other way as no way I staying the night at Macquarie Woods after my Nerrandera experience.
Waste of time trying to stop in Orange with the driving rain it was so hard just seeing to drive. So I found the first camp spot out of Orange and pulled in to wait out the rain. It has rained on and off for most of the afternoon, supposed to get more overnight but clear and sunny by 7am when I will head off towards Wellington and Dubbo.
Bathurst will miss out this trip now I have decided to head back towards the Newell for a while.
Next morning heading out to Wellington where I stopped for Maccas and watched the chimney stack at Pt Kimbla collapsing, on TV. Having heard about it on the radio was pleased I happened to be there at the time.
Then on to Dubbo where I stopped at Dubbo BCF in the hope of getting a small 12 volt fridge to tide me over. They were all far to expensive so settled on a can stack cooler which I can put a few things in and it will fit in under the bed. Only 39.99. Will have to do till I can get the fridge fixed.
Dubbo up to Gilgandra where a stopped at the Truckstop for a hamburger before heading towards Coonamble. Stopping overnight halfway between Coonamble and Walgett. As we parked up there was a large group of kangaroos only feet away watching us. Even down to a little one who must have only just been out of mums pouch.
Walgett I stopped at the Rotary Park at the edge of town, emptied the cassette and filled up 2 x 10 litre water bottles with filtered water on the recommendation of travellers from WikiCamps. Then into town, dropped off a bag of bits at the op shop and bought two books for $1.50. Then down the road for a coffee and biscuit at Cafe 64. then on way back to van spotted a butcher who also sold a bit of fruit and veges. Bought a couple slices of silverside, tomatoes and apple cucumbers for tea and some green beans as I felt like something crunchie.
By noon we had arrived at the camping side of Stanley the big emu. Not a soul there so after giving Jessie a run went into town to Lightening Ridge, where I bought a few gadgets from the hardware store, checked out my lotto ticket at the bookstore.
Then to a cafe for a nice salad sandwich and coffee. Took Jessie up to the tables with me but after she did a very runny yellow poos in the grass, cleaned it up and she went back in the van. Not sure why but I have a bit of runs today too. After being the other way all week.
Had a nice shower at the Artesian Baths, Hadn't had one since Ariah Park. Will go back to Stanley the big emu to park up tonight.
Not sure where all the travellers are but only one other at the camp, right down the other end. A few trucks came and went.
Left the next morning, Saturday, to go over the border. 2 ks up the road I saw a red/gold staffy walking up the left hand side of the road. Stopped and looked at it, it did the same back, then because Jessie started growling I kept on going for a couple of ks till my conscience got the better of me. When I got back to where I had seen the dog it was nowhere to be seen. So I rang the L.R. Police station. No one had reported one missing, as he said it could be just wandering from the many camps out that way. A very good looking healthy dog.
He said they would be going out that way later and would keep an eye out for it.
I moved on to Hebel where once again I stopped for coffee and eats. I've never had a good one there yet and time I stopped stopping there. Had a small quiche which they had put sweet chilli sauce over everything. Quite strong. A small salad on the side had wilted leaves the same as last year which once again I threw some of them in the garden.
Was going to stop at Dirrambandi CP but as I had a shower only the day before, thought I would leave it for another day or so.
The river camp which I queried last time I came through as I sign had been put up, No Camping, all signs were now gone. I wonder if it has gone back to camping or if sime angry person just ripped them all down.
So I moved on to St George where I looked for the riverside camp over the bridge. Even though the river was practically dry I didn't want to chance the dirt tracks down to it.
So moved on with the intentions of camping at Nindigully pub. Got there and parked just before the rain started. After lying down for 10 minutes checking on messages realised the rain was getting very heavy, got up to find the whole park was a river of sorts and the rain had come in my open door wetting all my mats.
Quickly packed up and climbed through to the front and got out of there fast. Drove along the road for a couple of ks till I found a wayside for a shool bus stop but at least it was sealed.
While sitting there looking through my map I realised I wasn't on the road for Goondi, so backtracked to Nindigully as it was still daylight but stil raining heavy and found the right intersection and headed up there.
The first camp spot I came to was Weengallon which had it's own toilets and parking spot but when I drove in there and got out of the van I realised just how soft it was underfoot. So hotfooted it over to the otherside of the road to what looked like a pull over for trucks all sealed and big enough if any came in. One house there right on the road which had a phone box outside at one end and a post box at the other end. A very strange sight indeed.
Only a few minutes later a boy of about 12 came out and knocked on the door asking me for his mum and dad if I had any tailer-mades. As I don't smoke I couldn't oblidge them so apologized.
A few minutes later he was out again asking if I would like to go in and share their meal of silverside with white sauce with them. I would have loved to but was so tired from the travelling and just wanting to sleep, I said no thanks, but that was very kind.
Went to bed not long after and slept the night through including the change from day light saving to Qld time.
In the morning when I was dressed I popped out with Jessie on the lead to find them working about in the front garden.
Had a long chat, 5 kids, stuck out in the wop wops through no fault of their own. Felt very sorry for them. If there was something I could have done to help I would have. Realised after I have some clothes I will drop into an opshop when I do a bit of sorting in my wardrobe. The mum could have had those and a bag of boys tshirts I'm taking up to Hervey Bay for the boys, I could have given them those as well.
Why didn't I think of it while I was still there. I don't think quick enough in those situations.
After leaving there heading along the raod from St George to Goondi, stopped at a couple of more little towns, too small to do anything there but did let Jessie off for a run and used the loo at the 2nd one.
Then on to Goondi where I went to Maccas for a very nice cappuchino and pastries. Jessie enjoyed a little run out in the garden as well before we headed off for Inglewood where we have parked in the park beside the bridge.
Heading off to Boonah tomorrow to catch up with Jules and Billeeee.
Two nights in Boonah with Jules and Billeeee. Beautiful lamb roast dinner the night I arrived with roast vegetables.
I parked across in front of them for 8.00 a night. The next morning I was able to have a shower and do 2 loads of washing. Late morning Beth and her friend Raewyn arrived for a visit, great to see her again. Jules, Beth, Raewyn and I went up town for lunch at The Aussie. I had Beer battered Barra with chips and salad. $13.00 great meal. Had a few good purchases at the opshops around town.
The girls left mid afternoon to head back to Logan, Beth not very well with health problems.
The next morning we packed up, emptied cassette, filled the 4 x 10 litre water bottles with drinking water. Once ready to go we went up town for a Frappas whic hcooled us down nicely.
Then goodbye to Billeeee and Jules as they went into Ipswich for the night to see friends. I headed off north going around Ipswich until I got lost and ended up going right through the middle finding the motorway north on the otherside, heading out over wivenhoe dam, Esk etc. Stayed the night at Moore. Little town in the Blackbutt ranges, Kai Lounge was there, took photo..
This morning, Thursday stopped at Nanango for over an hour talking to Marion on the phone. She's busy looking for a van with the intention of coming on our trip. I do hope she can.
Now at Kumbia, didn't have a 2.00 coin so had a refreshing cold shower.
Spent over two weeks at Steve and Jacinta's in Hervey Bay, great to spend some time with them and the kids. We went over to Maryborough for Connah's cross country run at school. Was so exciting, he got the Top Kid medal for having run the most laps.
Also while in Hervey Bay I had some work done on the van, firstly getting the fridge looked at, turned out it wasn't the fridge but a loose wire into the fuse box that was the problem. So took it to the Auto Electrician where they replaced the fuse box. The next week got two heavy duty 12 volt plugs installed with the intention of taking Stephens ARB freezer. Unfortunately it didn't work out running my batteries right down so popped back over to HB from Wuruma Dam where I had been for a few days, and took it back to Stephen.
Also found a lovely new home for Jessie. Sad to let her go, but she was hating the travelling, staying on edge for the whole trip and not calming down till we arrived making her so tired and needing to catch up on sleep.
The couple who took her have a little girl who fell in love with Jessie as the parents did. They both do volunteer work at Nikenbar Animal Refuge so it worked out very well as they will have lots of empathy for her small problems caused by whatever happened to her in her first 12 months of life.
Finally got to spend a couple of weeks at Wuruma Dam with other GNs, Jules and Billeee, Steve (Solo Steve), Rod (Rover), John Yeoeleven), Roy (Highwayman), John and Marjorlena (Cruising Cruise).
Had a great time with lots of welcoming company, chats, happy hours, meals, cattle coming through the camps most days, lot of birdlife. A great spot.
Left there Monday 7th April, heading to Monto for a bit of a shop, catching up with phone calls and txts. Solo Steve left at the samer time as did Jules and Billeee. Steve did laundry in Monto. I bought a few groceries. Then we moved on early afternoon heading north. Jules and Billeee made it to Biloela where they stayed in a caravan park the night. Steve and I stayed at Lawgi Park, 27 ks south of Biloela.
We all caught up at the Biloela Shoppingworld Tuesday morning where we had coffee and did a bit of shopping. Got quite a few food bargains from Reject shop. Drove around town picking out points mentioned by Jacinta as she was born and grew up in Biloela.
We all moved on to Dululu where we stayed in Bryant Street. Got a shower key from the Dululu Pub, very smelly showers, wouldn't want to use them again.
Slowly making our way north with Westwood next onto the Capricorn Highway spending the night at Duringa, all going well. Thats the beauty of this travel, we can change our mind on any day.
Moved onto Duaringa where we spent a night, refueled and I used the truckies laundromat. Thousands of bats in the trees, the council are trimming back the trees in the hope of eradicating them.
Stopped at Dingo on the way through to Duaringa, Just a roadhouse with all amenities, showers etc. The owner/manager? is a kiwi with a kiwi wife. Lovely chap, printed me out a copy of the weather of the BOM site and chatted about NZ. He knew the O'Neils who owned the Grand Hotel.
Next onto Blackwater where we did a bit of a shop at the local shopping centre where for a small town they had quite a lot of shops. Did a grocery shop then on out to the Bedford Weir. Been here about 10 days because of Easter. Moving on Tuesday into Emerald.
Great spot here, lots of lovely people to chat too. We've certainly been spoilt with a roast then a BBQ after Steve's freezer played up leaving some meat to be eaten quickly.
We've had 3 more grey nomads turn up. Gayle (Sheba) Paul (my van) and Colleen (Ame25). Tonight we had mud crabs supplied by Colleen for tea and scones with Jam and Cream supplied by Jules.
We popped back into Blackwater last week, the 4 of us in Billeeees M/H for a bit of a shop which included getting scripts made up, having a cake and coffee and getting a few groceries.
Also buying the paper after being interviewed out here by Megan and getting a photo and write up in the local Blackwater paper.
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