32 stupňů vlevo ve 12 hodin, dostal se na 38 stupňů cestování, zastavil se u Heifer Creek (Gatton to Warick Rd,). Krásná oblast právě posekaná, potok Creek. Stále 36 stupňů a příliš horko, takže jsem se přesunul na Alloru. Zastavil jsem se v Alloře, 37 stupňů, ale 15:00, mělo se ochladit. Čekalo se asi 15 minut, vítr se prohnal, silné poryvy, ochlazeno na asi 32 stupňů, dost na to, abych nemusel cestovat dalších 250 km. Park Dalrymple Creek. Pěkné místo vedle obrovského parku / pole, obklopené malým potokem s golfovým hřištěm vzadu přes potok. Jen neuzavřené parkoviště pro parkoviště a záchody, místo pro cca 8 dodávek. Žádná tráva, ale pár stinných stromů. Spláchnout se. Krátká chůze na hlavní ulici. Krásné staré město. Kavárna zavřená, žádný hamburger/ryba ani hranolky a hospoda nedělá take-Away. Když jsem šel zpátky, Geoff měl nudle, já pečené fazole. Trochu pršelo, ale nezvládlo velkou bouři, která zasáhla Brisbane (Forestdale mezi 2 superbuňkami, které uzavřely letiště v Brisbane). Pěkně vychlazené na cca 25 stupňů.
Vypnuto do 7:00. Zastavil jsem se ve Warwicku, abych dostal malý chladič, jogurt a kartáč na vlasy. Přijeli v 7:30, ale otevírají až v 8:00. Přesunuli se do Stanthorpe, kde mají vlněné, aldi, think coles a IGA. Cestovali jsme dále na jih po New England hwy a teplota trochu klesla, jak jsme nabírali výšku. Teplota vzrostla na 32, klesla na 24 blízko dešťové buňky, na 29, pak na 32, pak klesla v Glen Inness na 28 a pak zase klesla na Guyra, nejvýše položené město na hwy Nové Anglie. Pak zpátky nahoru, když jsme trochu sestoupili u Urally, kde jsme se zastavili brzy na noc (30 stupňů) v oblasti Fossicking. Alternativou bylo dalších 170 km a dole na pláních pod Tamworthem, kde bylo 37 stupňů. Nic moc stínu, ale snesitelné, nové kapky, pár míst, krásný malý potok, spousta rodinných skupin ke koupání, písečná pláž a skalnatá oblast. Wikicampy nás před kohoutem varovali a on tam byl. Půjdeme brzy spát a on může být naším budíkem. Jak píšu, čekám, až dorazí hluční místní obyvatelé v sobotu večer. Vše v klidu ve 20 hodin. 3 další dodávky.
No locals arrived, very quiet night, 3.30am rooster crows for about 10mins, then 4.30am again a series of crowing. Again at 6-7am. Very cold last night, 3 doonas. Headed out by 8am, 19 degrees and got hotter as morning progressed and we descended in altitude. Stopped at Tamworth fuel post office/fuel, then driver reviver then Aldi. Went via Werris Creek instead of following new england hwy on to mountains. This way about same distance but less mountainous. Stopped at Werris Creek freedom camp with showers, just ok but good on the council for providing this facility. No donation box, no shade, picnic table, annex to sports/ show ground, unmanned, patrons help to maintain. I cleaned the floor even though I didn't shower. Temp got to 35 degrees. Stopped at Black Stump rest area for lunch, but quite hot. Through Coolah, Ulan, Mudgee, Sofala historic town for loo break (no plums this year) then to Bathurst for fuel (UNITED IS PAY STATION ONLY). On to Carcoar dam, not as busy as last year but took spot from last year. Geoff took out the kayak. About 28 deg on arrival, pleasant but got cold later.Drove about 500km today.
18/12/2023 Monday
Cloudy, cool. Wind coming off the water. Temp went up as we travelled down highway. Went via Cowra, wagga Wagga, Corowa, Barmah. Basically reasonable roads. Temp got up to 35 degrees. Did 622kms today. Lovely evening with Mike and Val, had bbq then went for walk, balmy evening.
19/12/2023 Tuesday
Left Mike and Val's around 12pm. Tried to coordinate with Diane and Mick but eventually they were just leaving Melbourne as we were at Shepparton so missed out on seeing them this year. Weather turned cool and parka weather at Bonnie Doon. Set up van and Ra and Joh were to be in Melbourne for dinner but was cancelled so they arrived home at dinner time.
20/12/2023 Wednesday
Very cold, very windy night. Cleared to sunny morning but still breezy and cool. Was to leave van there but they were having a big contingent of visitors and vans over the xmas period so Rob said good to leave van there (they had offered previously but Phil had just had surgery and didn't want to ask initially, but he was home and doing well). Travelled to Rob and Phil's to drop off van, say hello to Phil and see his progress after heart surgery and to see Lyn. Went to Dave and Trish's.
21/12/2023 Thursday
At D&T. Out for dinner including Robyn and Shawn. Talked to K for some time later.
22/12/2023 Friday
Chatted with D&T in the morning. Went to Bunnings, and other shops. Dinner with D&T.
23/12/2023 Saturday
With Dave and Trish, dinner at Slicers pizza.
24/12/2023 Sunday
Shopping. Fish and chips for dinner.
25/12/2023 Monday
To Chris and Sue's for xmas lunch. Back to Dave and Trish's.
26/12/2023 Tuesday
Pick up Lyn, all to Mary and Jim's. Lots of cuppas and a walk.
27/2023 Wednesday
Sat around, then to Pakenham with Mary. Stormy day. Had lots of cuppas.
28/12/2023 Thursday
Kids coming home at 3pm so needed to leave as Jackie tested positive for COVID and Lyn didnt want to risk giving to Phil. Went to Lyn's in convoy from Rob and Phil's. Spoke to Kristi in evening for her birthday. She was good, but tired. Chips and potato cakes for dinner.
29/12/2023 Friday
Did some washing. Went for walk then shops then sat in afternoon chatted and had lots of cuppas. Chicken Kiev for dinner.
30/12/2023 Saturday
To Queenscliff for red shed theatre group storage, to beach and light house then to Laura and Ross's. Salmon Wellington and crumbed fish for dinner.
31/12/2023 Sunday
To Rob's for van pick up then to Mary's. Weather turned nice. Went in and out of Knox Westfield car park. Aldi at Scorsby. Good trip to Mary's. Jim spoke to neighbour and we parked across their nature strip (Spoke to Bev on our way out, lovely lady). Spent quiet New Year eve chatting, cuppas, and in bed by 9.30pm. 1/1/2024 Monday
Left Mary and Jim, met Ivan for couple of hours in Traralgon, shopped at Woolies, fueled at United Rosedale, pulled into Willow park, Rosedale around 5.30pm. Met Patsy the farmer, first time pulling van (used to sleep in swags). Temperature was 29 degrees, lovely. 2/1/2024 Tuesday
After Geoff spoke with Patsy about roof and awning pull down, left heading to Sale. Spoke to Aunty Lois and will see her tomorrow.Stopped at Sale for food and went to Mount Taylor mountain bike area, camping. peaceful, drop loos (watch the mozzies in the loo). lots of little blue wrens or robins, resident monitor lizard. Quiet with mountain bike riders arriving (in cars) and going, and families for the bmx track. No issue, most drove slowly on gravel road. sealed road, only about 100 mtrs of good gravel road from camp. 4 other vans by 5pm. (Back home Never thought we'd think ourselves lucky to just get 119mm of rain at Forestdale in 24hrs. But we missed most of the 3.5m lightning strikes (15/12 to 31/12) (compared to 350,000 last year at same time), destructive winds and tornados.) Huge heavy rain just bypassed us all day and rained light to medium all night.
Slunečno, poté oblačno. Zastavili jsme se na sprchu na rampě lodi Johnsonville. Pak jel přes vchod do Lakes do Orbost za tetou Lois. Měl krásný rozhovor, Geoff měl nějaké staré fotky, pak nás vzala do svého pokoje a ukázala nějaké staré fotky a aktuální rodinné fotky a něco ze svého umění. Už nehraje bowls a ve svých 92 letech má právo dělat, co chce. Je stále bystrá jako knoflík, s celoživotním problémem s plícemi. Left a Geoff se zastavili a velmi rychle pozdravili jeho bratrance Stevena, pak jsme zamířili k řece Cann River, kde se tvořila bouře. U Cann River se chytila bouře, ale naštěstí jen slabý déšť. Vytáhněte zadní markýzu, jen asi potřetí za 10 let, ale byla užitečná, protože pršelo a funguje jako veranda pro naše zadní vstupní dveře. Slunce vyšlo kolem 18:00. Doufám, že zítra bude slunečno, ale ne příliš horko.
Včera v noci slabé přeháňky, dnes oblačno. R&R dnes. Na chvíli vyšlo slunce. Krátká procházka k řece, pak do města. Čistič záchodů musí stávkovat, záchody se dnes nečistí bez papíru na toaletu (vždy si přinášíme vlastní) ani na veřejných záchodech ve městě (neobvyklé, protože veřejné záchody jsou vedle růžové zahrady, knihovny a komplexu RSL, ne nějaké záchody na záchodě strana silnice). Tábor dnes v noci trochu hlučný, dodávka zastavila blízko, aby nabrala vodu, rodina s teenagery. Není to velký problém, ale jen jsem mluvil nahlas, smál se a křičel, bavil se, žádný koncept osobního prostoru je tak blízko ostatním. (dodávky asi 2m od nás).
Opustil Cann River asi v 7:30, zastavil se v Cooma a pak u elektrického displeje Hyrdo trochu na sever. Zastavil se přes noc v hostinci Bredbo (stejně jako minulý rok). Večeřel v Inn, Geoff si dal rybu a hranolky se salátem, já jsem měl pečené vepřové maso a zeleninu. Backbackers mluvili až do pozdních hodin, ale vše v pořádku. Pamatujte, že na odpočívadle Anzac v Bredbu jsou koše.
Left Bredbo around 9am. Decided to give Canberra a miss, seen it before and don't want to delay unnecessarily (Kristi wasn't well last night so don't want to delay getting home unnecessarily). Stopped briefly at Gurney VC rest stop where we had intended to stay tonight. Went into Goulburn for fuel (Metro on Braidwood rd, auto pay, was 169.9c/ltr, other were in 80's and 90's). Got shopping then moved on to Black Springs rest stop middle of town, pine plantation backdrop, generally quiet road. Lovely spot. Met a local on our walk who had lost 2 tiny, young goats, gave us his number in case we found them, he'd been searching everywhere. At end of our walk, can across his house and he said he'd found them. they had been locked in the laundry all the time! Weather was partly cloudy and in the very low 20's. Stayed here as it was Saturday night and the lake near Oberon (23km away) would probably be busy. 7/1/2024 Sunday
Bit cool but not too bad. Geoff tested the heater and it started ok but got an error message primed it a couple of times, it started, with smoke and went for a while then error message again. Heated the van ok so will fix it at home. Headed for Reef Reserve at Oberon about 10am. Maybe a little early as some sites became available about an hour after we arrived. Difficult to find level spot. Guy was leaving so we left the very unlevel site and spent 30 mins trying to level the van on the more level site. Lady asked if we were leaving, I said no, they tried our original the site then drive off, then came back later and stayed. Geoff took out the kayak as tomorrow is expected to be 22 deg and rain. Had showers on top of the hill. Unhitched the car to take kayak to boat ramp (only lake access) and to the showers. From our highish slopy site we had a beautiful view of cows, green grass and lake. Lake is pretty, green grass to waters edge (limited access). Non-powered craft only (Petrol heads go to Carcoar dam). Exposed rocks in lake, concrete boat ramp. Last 1 or 2 kms in from main road is good, but dusty, gravel. Hard to see the sites, lots down tracks. Overall a lovely spot. Internet outside the van, none at all inside.
(Heater: NOTE check duct under bed stays connected to unit, only noticed as side of bed getting hot. Also don't use milk bottle platic to cover blank end of duct, it melts) 8/1/2024 Monday
As expected rain started early morning. Were able to get internet very briefly, only long enough to check weather and news headlines, then cut out. Rain persisted through the day, but edged the deluge that was heading to Sydney. Got internet on and off all day but able to catch up on news, texting, emailing, etc. Went for another hot shower and checked our other sites, many of which were muddy messes or smaller roads washed away but we were next to good gravel. Spent arvo trying to check road conditions, etc. Walked down to boat ramp around 7.30pm, sun had cone out, was lovely. Rain clouds starting to come over hill so went back to van. NOTE; smelly, drop loos at boat ramp, but loos on top of hill flush loos, hot showers, new facility. 9/1/2024 Tuesday
Long drive 310km (For road description read on. From oberon took tarana, hazelgrove rd, scenic, good windy rd, down hill gentle 1 up and down but not anywhere near as steep as abercrombie River hill. at tarana sign to Oberon orher way so alernate road woukd gave been good, bur google maps tooks us via hazelgrove. from tarana heading north flattens follows river. a few pot holes from last nights and recent rain. curly dick rd sealed, then range road sealed, portland historic town. cullen bullen to ilford good road lookout up and down wth probably 1 lower gear up and down then on to Ilford, turned to kandos, on bylong valley way, another down heading north and various ups and downs.quite a few potholes along the way. road closer to bylong much rougher really bad patch after bylong, then a steep up and down, road worse after bylong. 33 degrees just before highway to Muswellbrook. Took Wynong road cut across. Went through heavy rain for short time, temp went down to 24 then up again. Near Muswellbrook took back road to Aberdeen, good road). Came out at Aberdeen stopped for loo break.Stopped at Burning Mountain rest area overnight, found same spot as last time, as most uneven. Rain held off and magnificant sunset. Geoff met lady from WA in small white van heading to Tamworth music festival. 10/1/2024 Wednesday
Headed out late. Stopped at Wallabadah for shower and temp was 30 degrees, then to Nundle (always bypass this). Rained on the way and temp went down to 24 deg. Arrived at Nundle and temp back up to 32deg. checked out camp 5km gravel road, spoke to young couple with baby, lady told us a brown snake had been spotted. Above an inaccessible river, not much shade so had lunch and headed back to Bowling Alley point to go for a paddle. Temp 32deg, whilst looking for best place to launch, rain came over heavy. Decided not to stay, rained for a while on the road to Woolamin, temp went down to 28deg and on arrival 10km down the road, they didn't have any rain. Set up, thunder rumbled all afternoon in the hills just south of us where we had been, so lucky with weather again. Got hamburger from general store, biggest hamburgers we've ever seen.
(We are seeing more people who are semi permanent in overnight spots. We are careful when we ask the standard 'where are you headed', some seem to keep work hours, off in the morning then home in the afternoon)
Geoff si promluvil s Ivanem, pak jsme se vrátili k jezeru Bowling Alley point a Geoff měl pádlo. Pak po silnici na sever z Tamworthu po náhorní plošině do chladnějšího počasí. 35 stupňů v Tamworthu kousek od jezera. Velmi strmé kopce na Moonbi 1 a 2 z Tamworthu, 35 stupňů. Geoff hlídal teplotu auta, když jsme stoupali, pak naštěstí šel do velmi silného krátkodobého deště. Teplota klesla na 23 stupňů, auto se tak moc nepřehřálo. Cestoval po náhorní plošině Nové Anglie a vrátil se na 29 stupňů (nejméně na 35 stupňů) a zůstal tam až do Armidale. Zastavil se v parku Uralla, za krásným městským parkem, jako v Glen Innes. Jak jsme stoupali výš do Guyry, teplota klesla na 23 stupňů a pak stoupala, když jsme se blížili ke Glen Inness. Rozhodl jsem se dostat do Beardy Waters severně od Glen Inness. Pátek 1.12.2024
V parku Beardy Waters Heritage Park. Celou noc foukal vítr, bylo potřeba stáhnout střechu, kousek se zkroutil na markýze a nešlo ji zavřít, takže k ní Geoff musel ve větru a ve tmě zahlédnout déšť, když jsem držel baterku mobilního telefonu. baterku, ale aspoň jsem mohl spát a markýza byla v bezpečí před roztržením. Geoff mluvil s chlapem, který tam byl 3 měsíce - každý má svůj příběh. Vítr stále foukal, když jsme odcházeli a celou cestu domů. Zastavil se v parku Tenterfield Jubilee, krásný, ráno nějaký stín, ale bylo zataženo, takže na tom nezáleželo. Když jsme odcházeli, uviděli jsme dobrý stinný rd u řidiče oživujícího, vedle řeky na cestě na sever, POZNÁMTE NA PŘÍŠTĚ, POKUD JE HORKÉ. Zastavil se u Wallangara driver reviver tea and bikkie, King Storm dam, krásná travnatá plocha, bez přespání. Jel jsem do Warwicku pro palivo a já jel do Allory. Geoff se cítil méně unavený a jel zbytek cesty domů a dorazil kolem 16:30.