Day 6 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

We see the sun every now and again but bed was very comfortable. We were going to go and do a bit of shopping and catch up with Clem and Vicki, but we had a nothing day watch "The Dish" and read. Gerald went and enquired about staying a few more night and they said see them tomorrow after 11am and they would know what site. Gerald said that there were about 25 people in each of the pools, so we waited till after tea and went in then and there was only six people all up. Very relaxing.

Day 5 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

One of the good things about free camps is that you can leave when you like. So we had a leisurely breakfast and headed off.

Once again drizzling rain. Gerald is always very conscious of the truck drivers, as they have a schedule to keep. So he tries to let them pass as soon as possible and most of them flick their blinkers and acknowledge him, gives you a nice feeling.

Saw a bit of blue sky for a moment today.

Booked into the Gwydir Caravan park And Artesian Thermal Pools for two night. I went in and had a soak after we set up. Five pools, one lap pool, one at 35 deg, one at 36 deg, one at 37 deg, and one at 39 deg........Bliss. After tea we both went in for another soak. Yes Viv I do know how a crayfish feels.

Day 4 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

Left Forbes at 10.15 am. Drove to the Parks CSIRO Radio Telescope to see The Dish and we watched a couple of 3D movies about space and about the dish. We also brought the movie The Dish.

Passed through Dubbo to miserable to go to the zoo, I know that I really wanted to go, but maybe another time when the weather is better and my knee is better. Next to Gilgandra where two brothers started to walk to Sydney to join up for WW1. As they entered a town they let out a Coo-ee, by the time they reach Sydney they were 200 strong and it became known as The Coo-ee March.

Found a nice little area to park for the night but then Gerald pointed out that we were in a valley and lots of tree so we wouldn't get TV and Collingwood was playing!!! We found a spot north of Coonabarrabran, and guess what the dish didn't leave the bus, we got normal TV and the game wasn't on till 10.30.

Day 3 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

When I checked out this morning the manager asked if we had had a good night and I mentioned about the guy trying to park right on top of us and the manager said we should have told him to p**s off. We did both take notice of his rego and he wasn't Tasmanian.

We noticed how flat it is and all the paddocks look dead or dry, but there are pools of water everywhere. In West Wyalong Gerald got out to take a photo of a DC 3 and got very wet feet.

At home we have spilt onions and potatoes here they have spilt wheat, its wheat country.

We have just come through wet and muddy road works and Geralds new chrome exhaust looks like a rusty pipe, I bet he is out there tomorrow cleaning it.

We are in Forbes for the night there is a nice free camp by the river, its a RV Friendly town. Gerald is in theMcFeeters Motor Museum at the moment and I am trying to keep on top of the blog this time by doing as we go. But this is the second time for this page and Day 1 I have done three times, ahhhh.

Must thank Pat for the carrot cake we have had it for morning tea, thanks Pat

Day 2 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

Had a great sleep until the crew started clanging a chain on deck about 5am. Didn't bother going down for breakfast. We got off the boat very quickly, BUT what a bum fight it was to get our gas bottle. We had to wait about 45 min for the trailer to be unloaded and nearly every motorhome and caravan has one (gas bottle) and we were stacked to one side to wait. I think in the end the queue blocked cars getting off the boat.

Nat our Sat Nav directed us to Pat and Ty's (rellies) where they kindly provided us with breakfast.

Not far out of Melbourne it started raining Gerald was cross because his tyres would get dirty and we all know how particular he is with his tyres.

Drove on to Tocomwal and stayed in the Big 4 there. Only one other van in there. We picked a spot and of course the dish had to be set up, but that was ok I had unbandaged my knee and it was throbbing a bit so I watched my UKTV. AS I said only one other van there so in comes a car and camper trailer and parked almost on top of us. Gerald was going to have a go but I said just leave it. The guy had the nerve to ask Gerald to move his dish as he wanted to put a peg where it was!!!!

Day 1 We Explore Aust Part 2 2010

We here we are on the road again. We did try to book for the 16th May but the best TT Line could offer us was 21st June with a wait list for 26th May which we got luckily. Mean time my 18 month wait for my knee op came up for the 20th May, so I have a sore knee.

We left home at 1.45 and met Mandy at Devonport where we put some things in the bus the reason for this will become apparent further into our trip.

We had to wait in line for about an hour to get on the boat. As we were being directed on one of the men there said what a nice rig we had, it was nice to hear as he probably see a hundred a week. Must admit it was washed the day before and the tyres painted. We had a nice cabin on the 8th deck.

I had a little flutter on the pokies and that paid for our tea. While I was doing that Gerald had caught up with a couple Lance and Cynthia Wilson who we had meet on Munro Springs Station in WA where they were managing it for 6 months. They were heading to Broome with a load of Lances books that he has written about the Kimberley and Tassie. We got our signed copies last year.

Conclusion 2009

We were away 162 days, spent $2649.60 on accommodation,$4235.13 on groceries and eating out and $5118.40 on fuel and travelled 15865 km