Day 162

Lucky I had my MP4 player and Gerald slept a but we moved out at 4.00am and had a coffee and tea....free. Breakfast opened at about 5.45am so expensive $3.50 for tea or coffee.

Boat docked at Devonport at 6.00am and were off at 6.30am it took 35 min to get throught customs, but thats OK we need to keep our state disease free. It turns iut there was a lot of car space available but no passenger space, there were a lot of bike beacuse Phillip Island had been on the week before.

Into Launceston to fill with gas and then home...we were home by 9.30am but it felt like it was 3.00pm

HOME AT LAST.......Conclusion in a few days. LOVED EVERY MINUTE.

Day 161

We didn't leave the park till 3.00pm and I left all my fruit and veg with the park management. What should have taken us 30 min to travel took us 45 min , we got every red light. Any way we got as for as St Kilda pier where we stopped, and found out later there was a charge to stay there. We watched the wind surfers there were heaps, and it was very windy.

On to the boat you can start to line up at 5.00pm we get there at 5.05pm and went straight through customs into the line where we waited for an hour, but we are almost home.

Anyway found our "chairs" and put our water and books in them and went to the bar, where we saw several people from our little town. Off and had tea and on to watch a movie, chatted to a friend well that made up to 1.00am. We got back to our seats and found all our pillows and blankets had been taken and a woman was in Geralds seat, so we had to go and get security to get us more pillows and blankets.

Day 160

Our spot here is right next to the amenities block so I was going to catch up on the washing but then I thought we will be home in a couple of days why pay when I can do it for free. Most of the area was taken up with permanent caravans with solid annexes.

Once again we are only marking time before we can get on the boat. So we watched the V8's on the Gold Coast.

We asked about a late check out for tomorrow no problems no extra charge

Day 159

Back to Emerald where Puffing Billy had the stop at Lakeside and there was the model railway. Well off Gerald went and I caught up on the bolg. But he was back after and hour "You have to come and look at this" which I did and I must say it was one of the best layouts I have seen for scenery and realism and I have seen a few. You don't necessarily have to be a train person to enjoy this and it was $5.50 entry.

Forgot to say on Puffing Billy it is encouraged that you sit on the window with your feet hanging out. The guide told me to take my shoes off when I did it. I told him I would be lucky to lift my legs that far.

Gerald had done all the research and did the phone call to the Chelsea Holiday Park so he programmed the address into Nat and she took us there.

Day 158

Kurth Kiln is a lovely spot, but as for being isolated, today in came the CFA about 20 utes, they must have been doing fire training, after all we are in the area of last years devastating bushfires.

We are just marking time till we can get on the boat.

Day 157

So after much discussion we decide to find somewhere close so we could visit the model railway again. Well after a few wrong turns we ended up in the middle of nowhere at Kurth Kiln National Park. No one will disturb us here...yet on dusk down came some headlights and did several turns round an area above us and were never seen again.

This morning a large old ford car drove up next to us and he tooted his horn. It turned out that the old guy was from Tassie and spent a lot of time in the park because its so peaceful, that we can agree with.

Went for a walk and discovered there was a chap in the Rangers hut, have just made afternoon tea for a group of bush walkers (we didn't hear them). Even though there were information boards he told us a lot more. The kiln was for making charcoal at used to be used to run cars on. The Professor that started the kiln did his original research in Southport in Tasmania and the Prof is berried at Conelien Bay in Tasmania.

Day 156

Programed Puffing Billy into Nat today and she took us right there but we were too late for the big trip from Belgrave to Gemstone we could have done it tomorrow if we wanted to but there was a Lunch Train $85 each but we thought it was worth it, but it was booked out so we just went on the trip to Lakeside. I am sure that we would have enjoyed the lunch trip, the cattle class wasn't that good I am glad we didn't take the long trip, but you get what you pay for.

While we were sitting waiting for a train back for 30 minutes noticed an add for a model railway and mentioned to Gerald and he disappeared, but he only had a short time to look so we will have to go back tomorrow.

Day 155

When we left Echuca we noticed that the irrigation channels were a lot fuller than they were two years ago.

Today we passed hundreds of motorbikes, must have been at Phillip Island.

When brought the bus home last year we stayed in Seymore, but didn't see it in full, but we couldn't fit under the railway bridge so we went to the Information Centre to find out how to get out of the town. We had to take the truck route.

Shepperton was a very nice town. We saw lots more vineyards and Olive groves. Went on to look at the Eildon Dam and that is still only 30.5% full.

Then we were in the area of the bushfires earlier this year. It amazing how the bush has managed to regenerate, some of the trees were only burnt on one side, but the people are still in the process of rebuilding.

Day 154

Last time we were here Gerald went to the Holden Museum, but it was so hot he was uncomfortable, so he was very keen to go back. I wasn't that interested, but Gerald came back and got me and it was only $5 and it was worth it.

Day 153

I am going to write to Wollies and suggest they put out a broacher with their locations and GPS locations and whether they have parking for car and caravans etc. Also whether there is a Wollies SS and its locations. Because one of the first things when you hit a town is to get groceries and or fuel.

Yesterday we decided we would head home and so we rang up and couldn't get the bus on till the 25th Oct and no cabins available only sit up, if wanted a cabin it wouldn't be till the 5th November. No pensioner or CMCA discounts and we couldn't get on any wait lists for cabins or wait lists, but the girl said keep ringing and asking.

Not a lot today just washing. We had booked for two nights but decided on a third and when I booked it was for Sunday night and that is evidentially cheaper, first time we have come across that. Just a couple of pics of the Murray where we stayed

Day 152

Toady we saw Pink Lady Apple orchards and would you believe a grove of Cricket Bat Willows, they didn't look like regular willow trees.

At Lake Boga which has a rowing club and sailing club but no water Gerald found the Catalina Flying Boat museum.

On to Echuca Information Centre and found out the best place to shop was over in NSW in Moama where Wollies cater for large vehicles. So we stayed on that side in the Shady River Holiday Park

Day 151

Today we were in three states, SA NSW and Vic. Drove through the Brossa Valley, their grape seemed well in advance than those we saw in the Clare. Our of all the vineyards the only one that I recognised was Banrock Station. The grape growers must be doing well nearly all the vineyards had new houses on them and big ones. Also saw lots of olive groves. Stayed the night in the Piangil North Rest Area once again next to the Murray.

Day 150

Heading towards the Murray River today.

We used the back roads today and even though the towns looked little on the map most of them had everything there that you need. In one little town Yacka in the middle of nowhere we saw another Tassie car and camper trailer. We passed lots of vineyards and grain crops.

Went through Clare and it was only 13 deg but it has warmed up now we are here at Waikerie parked next to the Murray.

Gerald is outside waiting to get a pic with the sun shinning on the bus. Well the up shot of that is Gerald got bitten by black ants and ran back to the bus screaming and shedding his clothes.

Day 149

And blew and rained, so we packed up in between showers.

We had lunch at Kimba where they have the Big Galah,I got a pic at 20km an hour

We were lucky today we had a tailwind so pics were taken at 100km. We decided to head inland to take a different route home. We actually saw green hills had to take a pic of that and acres of purple wild flowers. When we stopped for the night the purple flowers were by the bus so I went for a close up and they werefull of little prickles.

Day 148

It blew all night our bus weighs about 9 ton and it was rocking. So I rang the park office at 8.30 and booked in for another night then went back to bed.

It eased off in the afternoon and Gerald went out and washed the bugs off the windows and cleaned the wheels. Well we all know if Gerald washed his wheels we either go on a dirt road or it rains...well it rained and rained

Day 147

Got a bit windy during the night so we had to get up about 5am and put the awning away

Had to apply to get Impaja and Central 7 got Impaja alright but still haven't got 7 yet so we had to watch the race on GWN they are 2 1/2 hours behind SA lucky they started their broadcast at 6am WA time.

Anyway seeing the awning was away we went up the street and bot fish and chips for lunch and it was lovely the fish was cooked to perfection and large pieces.

I looked out the window during the afternoon and thought I saw rain coming but it was a dust storm, and it didn't stop.

Day 146

When we did our shopping yesterday we got a cooked chook and I noticed that they had flake, I have been hanging out for a decent piece of fish. Anyway I was going to walk up to the town and get some for lunch, but it was so hot I would not have make it.

Any way we did go for a walk and saw some fishermen cleaning what looked like whiting and the pelicans were there to get the scrap's.

Day 145

We decided to spend the Bathurst weekend at Streaky Bay, so that's where we headed after filling at Ceduna only $0.739 per.

Streaky Bay is a very nice town it has everything there. The caravan park is right on the water with fisherman's cabins, family cabins and one of the best set up kitchens that I have seen, with 3 stoves and an inside dinning area plus a an outdoor BBQ area.

So warm there Gerald had to put the air con on.

Day 144

Well we are in South Australia now filled up at the Nullarbor Motel $1.140 per lt. The free camps in SA aren't quite as well set up as the ones in WA the one we ended up in tonight wasn't well sign posted an very near the highway, there was a small bus in there already. It was Koonibba Rest Area and the flies, Gerald had to put his fly net on just to set up his TV dish. We spent a lot of time watching people come in and try and fight off the flies while trying to find the right place for their vans.

But we did see the shoe tree and I think there was a bra tree and the nicker tree

Day 143

The Nullarbor, well the WA side it has really been cleaned up. Only saw two old burnt out cars.

We fuelled up at Mundura, we also got some unleaded as we have been fighting a head wind. The ULP was $1.772 further along the road at Mundrabilla Roadhouse the ULP was $1.54 that 23c per lt difference, what a rip off. So if you can last fill up at Mundrabilla Roadhouse.

By the way we did stop at the top of the Mudura Pass, Gerald wanted a pic.

But the Nullarbor is long and boring.

Day 142

Had thunder and lightening and a bit of rain last night, but woke to a fine day still in shorts and singlet.

Gerald is a pissed off today we have a huge head wind and we are having to use petrol to keep the speed up only doing 90kl anyway.

I wanted to get a pic of the sign for the 90 mile straight, but I think for now all pics will be taken out of the bus' front window at 80km an hour. We are on our way home and not stopping for anything.

Called into the museum at Belladonia, it was suppose to interactive. Couldn't see anything like that lucky it was free. A big piece of Sky Lab fell there a few years ago.

Diesel was $1.669 there.

Day 141

Rang the Coolgardie post office and Geralds parcels are there so we picked them up and off down to Norseman. I think between Coolgardie and Norseman was the worst bit of road that we have been on very roly couldn't even drink our cups of tea.

At Norseman we did a bit of shopping as we will lose our vegies when we go over the boarder. We also filled with LPG.

We kept going for a while and ended up at a free camp Forest Range Rest Area, quite nice even had a dump point.

Day 140

When we got up this morning we were the only ones left every the 4 wheel bikes had gone.

About half an hour later we heard bikes coming through the bush about 6 dirt bikes then their vehicles arrived and they kept coming in the end there were about 30 bikes and cars. They rode out and came back for lunch then out again and back for afternoon tea. Brought back memories when we used to go bush on our bikes. Dena had text me that Brandon, who was competing in the Australian Championships in Sale hadn't had a good day with 3 DNF out of five races. But he still came 17th overall in the 85 class and 19th overall in the 125's and wasn't sure with the 250's but within the top 40, she said they were going home with 3 broken bikes.

Anyway Gerald spent the day constructing a model plane and I watched Dr Who on UKTV and read. Got a heap of second hand books in Bolder

Day 139

Had to go to the chemist in Kalgoorlie this morning to pick up my script, (the chemist was from Devonport) they didn't have the item yesterday and got it from Perth the next day, somethings can move quickly up here.

Had brunch in Bolder while we waited for our tour. There was an half hour induction where we had to learn about safety in the mine. We were also told that we could take pics but we;t allowed to publish them with out permission. The tour was great expensive $55 each with our discounts normally $60 but it did go for two and a half hours.

Back to Wollies to do some shopping, bit busy but found out they close at 5pm and aren't open on Sundays.

Back at camp the 4 wheelers rode round till about 8pm, not that that worried us.

Day 138

Parcels weren't there again this morning so we headed for Kalgoorlie. There is a free camp just 12 kl out of town so we called and had a look it was fine but Gerald had washed the wheels the night before and it was 3.5 kl down a good dirt road, but dirt just the same.

On to the visitors centre, we always go to the centre in what ever town we are in they usually have a map of the town and have lots of information. I find my beauticians address from there and recommendations. When we were here 14 years ago we did the underground tour so this time we booked the Superpit tour for tomorrow. We went to the Museum in town and spent ages there, its by donation.

Back to Lake Douglas for the night. There were another couple of motorhomes there but there was a group with tents and their 4 wheel mororbikes only about 5 bikes and mostly little kids.

Day 137

We filled up with LPG in Merredin and I noticed that diesel was 130.9c per lt. Further down the road I noticed cheap fuel at Westonia but I didn't get a price then again a Yellowdine and it was well diesel anyway 119.9, that's 11c per lt. So If you can hold out get it at Yellowdine, it wasn't as cheap at Coolgardie and 132.9c in Kalgoorlie.

Picture of the fast train between Kalgoorlie and Perth

Anyway back to us. Parcels weren't at the PO so we booked a night at Coolgardie and believe it or not went to the Denver Hotel for tea. Excellent pub meal and reasonable prices, Gerald was tempted to get a menu and take it to our local pub to show them what the need to do, but no one at our local would care we hear that is just as bad as when we left. Well that was our 40th anniversary tea.

Day 136

Spent a freezing night at Gingin. Heading for Merredin today where we broke down in the Fairlane 14 years ago. We were lucky then we had the most awarded Ford mechanic in Australia to work on the car, never did a thing wrong after that.

Merredin is in the heart of the Wheat belt and there were fields of wheat all around us. While we were in the park the Gahn went past, so Gerald was happy. We took a tour on a bus that takes you all round Merredin and the driver was most enthused about his town and had lots of stories. The town trains pilots for Air China, and every building has to manage the rain water that comes off their roof as Merredin only gets 12 inches a year and tries not to draw from the Kalgoorlie pipeline. It was an excellent tour and would recommend it to anyone it goes 9 months a year leaving from the caravan park or will pick up in town at about 4.30 pm, you do get to see a sunset.

Day 135

Headed out today and just because Gerald cleaned the tyres on the bus yesterday it started to rain and they got muddy heading out.

Kept to the coast road and went down as far as Jurien Bay, then had to use Natalie to get us back to the Brand Highway it was very badly sign posted.

Saw a huge wind farm Emu Downs. Lots and lots of wild flowers but it was too wet to get out and take pics.

Day 134

Being school holidays as well as a long weekend I thought some of the shack people would stay, but by lunch time there was just Denise and John and Gerald and myself left. We had decided to stay the extra day as to not get caught up with the traffic heading home.

Went for a walk along the beach the other way today, still full of seaweed and you can tell why its called Cliff Head...lots of cliffs.

Day 133

I said a few days ago that all the shacks were empty, but now they are full with people, kids, dogs and motorbikes. The bike track seems to be round the caravans and motorhomes there are about six or seven of us each night changing most days

Day 132

We have swapped some books with Denise and John so we have been reading and Gerald did watch the football, it must have been a good game being so close but I wanted St Kilda to win, must admit I was out in the sun.

The wind has been blowing a bit here and it sounded like we had a branch stuck up on top of the bus, which wouldn't be surprising as a branch wiped out one of our top lights. So I had to get up and look, no branch but a lot of leaves on the tyres we have roped to the roof. I did have to tape up the light so water didn't get in when we get to the wet part of our trip.

Day 131

Well what a contrast today is the wind has picked up and the water is very dirty. I didn't mention before but the beach what there is of it is covered with sea grass, what we get on our beaches in Bridport, but its 2 to 3 foot deep here.

We walked up the other end of the beach today and there were about another 12 vans poked into the bush. Back our end there have been some comings and goings, Denise and John are still here. There have been a few come in just for the night and its very interesting watching them position their vans. But Gerald said that some vans have to be dead level to get their gas fridges to work.