July 2020 – Gadget and Puddles "Kickenback"

July 27, 2020

Week 4 – So who lost the bet?

Day 22 to Day 25 – Gregory Downs to Adels Grove – Lawn Hill – 119.7 klms

So everyone one month down! So who is out of the race as far as the tab running on how long we would last? George reckons Bondie is definitely a loser at this stage.

So week 4 and we are still learning the ropes. We are getting the setting up and packing up down to a fine art. I do inside (then its done right) and George does outside (which keeps him out of my hair). Works perfectly (well most of the time).

So after Gregory Hills we travelled 119.7klm on dirt roads to arrive at Adels Grove, an absolute oasis in the middle of nowhere.

After setting up, we hoped on our bikes and took a quick ride around the property. We came across the beautiful shaded “grove” and the beautiful green waters of Lawn Hill Creek.

On the way back to the van to cook dinner and have an early night, George managed to stumble upon the bar with a happy hour. So after the trauma of the dirt road, he was in heaven.

After dinner we enjoyed the beautiful sunset before turning into bed.

Over the next few days we ventured into the Boodjamulla National Park. Please note NSW National Parks, no entry fees and no car parking fees.

The emerald waters and lush vegetation of the gorge form a beautiful oasis in this desolate outback. Whilst we did not canoe the gorge we did quiet a few walks and ended up at the Indarri Falls where I actually got to have my first swim of our trip.

George also decided to test out his jaffle iron mark II for breakfast. Robert, this one did not melt!!

After brekky we ventured to the top of the Adels Grove hill to the lookout over the camp ground and marvelled how the landscape changed so quickly back to ruggered landscape only a short distance from the creek.

Whilst in Lawn Hill we also took a boat tour of Lawn Creek and took in the wildlife and plant life. We also took a drive out the Riversleigh Fossil Centre an amazing place with so much history. We then travelled onto the Gregory River for lunch by the river in to cool.

Day 26 – Lawn Hill to Camooweal – 264klms

Oh yes 264klms of DIRT!!! This took a toll on both George and the Caravan. We managed to break drain tap on the water tanks and of course lost all our water and the Anderson plug to our stability system on the van. Oh well at least my man is handy and we managed to bogey up the leak and well the Anderson Plug is an auto electrican and will need to be fixed when we get to Katherine. George did inform me that he had spare Anderson’s plugs in the shed at home. Really helpful that.

We arrived in Camooweal nice and early and spent two hours cleaning the van and car of red dirt. The inside of the van was pretty good thanks to George’s positive pressure system but the outside of the van and car were a mess.

After 2 hours of cleaning we earned dinner and drinks at the pub where we drank to Lee Hallett’s health, 21 again Lee.

Day 27 – Camooweal to Barkly Homestead – 260 klms

George had a smile on his face this morning – 260klm of tar road to Barkly Homestead.

We both enjoyed the changing landscape again along the straight roads to somewhere. The road trains are enormous and there are plenty of caravans on the road but not so much so that we are crowded out on reaching each destination.

Our destination tonight was the Barkly Homestead where we enjoyed some downtime and George got to have a nice nap without me pestering him.

Day 28 – Barkly Homestead to Banka Banka Station – 264klms

We seemed to have our packing down to a fine art and after an early “cool” start we headed only as far as Banka Banka Station. Wow what a gem this turned out to be. At Barkly Homestead we meet a few different people and whilst we were the first to reach Banka Bank, the same crew pulled in not too far behind us. As everyone is making their way north it seems we will keep running into people from previous nights from here on in.

Banka Banka Station is run by a couple by the name of Karen and Peter and after setting up and enjoying the grass, shade and a quick nap, we spent the rest of the day and night meeting everyone and chatting. After dinner Peter opened the “bar” and we all enjoyed a quiet drink and camp fire. Whilst this stop appeared to be a very ordinary place to stay I would say it was one of the highlights of our trip as a result of the people we met and the hosts of the property. Highly recommend this stop,

Well another week down. We hear our hometown is coping a bit of nasty weather and hope you all stay safe. The boys in Melbourne are hanging on tight as things seems to be getting worse rather than better.

We will now be back in communication range and hope to talk to nearest and dearest and of course Hozack Clisdell over the next week.

Miss you all soooo much but aint coming home yet!

July 20, 2020

Week 3 – Queensland Outback

Well after the 2nd week throwing us some curved balls week 3 has us venturing further into the Queensland back.

Day 15 – Cunnamulla to Charleville

After leaving the lovely Riverside Caravan Park in Cunnamulla, we fueled up and headed north again. It was only a short hop today of 200klms to Charleville. As we tend to find ourselves on the road byy 8.30am we made it into Charleville at around lunch time leaving us time to check out the town.

As it was a Monday everything (lol) was open so we had a nice browse around town before heading out to the Cosmos centre and WWII memorial.

Keeping George out of all the country pubs is becoming a challenge. He says he likes the vibe but I am sure there is another reason!

Day 16 – Charleville to Blackall

Todays drive took in Augathella, Tambo and finally our freecamp night on the Barcoo River at Blackall. A distance today of 309 klms.

Augathella was a petrol stop with an amazing art on their water tank and stop over for a stretch of the legs and coffee at Tambo before heading onto Blackall.

Another outback town which has designed a great entrance to its town. The backgroud are all made up of photos of locals

As we decided not to unhook, we decided to take a bike ride around town to take in the sights and get some supplies. The most expensive loaf of bread yet $5.20! Ouch but it was local bakery and I won’t get caught again.

Yep we dont do selfies very well and certainly as the local bikies. Blackall Qld

We finally made the Black Stump. Now what lays beyond? Blackall Qld

Our campsite was a gem. We were able to have a campfire and had a great facetime chat with Lee and Kerry.

George enjoying his first beer beside our own camp fire. Yes a little late in the night. Barcoo River Blackall Qld

Day 17 and 18 – Blackall to Ilfracombe and Longreach

Today after tearing ourselves away from our lovely campsite, we headed off to our next stop at Ilfracombe (just outside of Longreach). We paused at Barcaldine on the way which was such a great place to stop to take in this town we visited over 40 years ago. My how it has changed (except for the pubs). Today’s trip was a short one – 187klms.

How nice these country towns display their town.

Our campsite for the night was at the Ilfracombe Caravan Park . Even though we were 28klms outside of Longreach it was a far better choice for our two day stopover as it was grassy and friendly. Of course the Wellshot Pub at the back of the van park was to George’s pleasing. I even got kind and shouted him a pub meal and drink for the night.

We spent the next day at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame at Longreach, Thompson’s River and a general look around the township of Longreach .

Nice of them to welcome us. If they knew George was onboard they might of changed their minds!!

Day 19 and 20 – Longreach to Cloncurry

Omg thought George was going to kill me. Today’s haul was 554klms.

We got away at 8am today with the aim of free camping somewhere along the road halfway to Cloncurry. However, after stopping at Winton, we decided that we would push on to Cloncurry for two nights to stock up, re-arrange and carry out general maintenance before heading up to Gregory Downs on day 21.

We long drive was amazing in that it was more dry and arid than anything we had seen.

Our site at Cloncurry is shady and the weather is decidedly hotter. We have stowed away the winter clothes and heater and dug out the summer clothes. The nights are still coolish and the days are hot but not humid yet.

Went for a drive around and came across Chinaman’s Creek Weir, the dam and lookout.

Day 21 – Cloncurry to Gregory Downs Hotel – 333klms

We left Cloncurry this morning and travelled north to Burke and Wills Roadhouse for a fuel stop at $1.74 per litre – ouch. Lucky is wasn’t a full tank of fuel.

From there we headed west to Gregory Downs Hotel for an overnight stop before going onto Lawn Hill tomorrow.

So week 3 didn’t leave us unscathed. On arrival at Gregory Downs, George whipped out the portable solar panels, as we are unpowered site, and low and behold we have blown a regulator in the solar panels we use. We at least have the ones on the caravan and another set of portable solar panels which should get us through the next five days.

As we now know the NT border opened on 17 July , so we have decided to continue to push north with a view to going to Lawn Hill for a week before entering the NT on 25 July. Well thats the current plan. I am quickly running out of alphabet for my plans.

We are still worried about the boys in Melbourne. I just wish the Victorians would get their shit together. WA is still doubtful but we are hoping that once we have been in the NT for a couple of months we may be given permission to enter.

We are definitely going to be slowing things down that we have nearly reached Lawn Hill and have our permits to enter the NT.

Stay safe everyone. Missing everyone but not ready to come home. Caitlin give our Tilly a hug for us.

“We loves you all”

July 13, 2020

Week 2 – Oh boy what a week

Day 8 to Day 12 – Broken Hill

Well we stayed in Broken Hill from Monday through to Saturday leaving Broken Hill on Saturday bound for Cobar. Oh yes Cobar.

Who said we were going to South Australia. You must have been hearing things!!

Broken Hill was great but it really has been a week and a half. We spent Monday through to Thursday with the crew from Ulladulla. Whilst all doing different things we caught up each afternoon for a drink and or dinner. It was nice to still have a bit of home with us.

The sites of Broken Hill are varied and interesting. It has this working mine right in the middle of town and is surrounded by art, history, scenery and amazing sunsets. Haven’t seen too much of the sunrises as it has been pretty cold with one morning being -1 degrees.

We booked the van in for repair of the leaking water pipe on Thursday which meant packing the van up to get it to the workshop and picking it up and re-setting everything up that night.

We have had a roller coaster ride with the boys with Jayden letting us know his suburb in Melbourne had been locked down and then two days later Ty was in the same situation. I feel rather helpless knowing how bad things are down there and not being there to “protect” them. However they are amazing young men who are fit and well so hopefully they will stay well and be safe.

The morning the van was being taken to the caravan workshop, we had a small incident with a stabliser on the van and bang we were up for another stabliser. Well $184.00 later (which was quite reasonable) the leak is fixed and we have a brand new stabliser.

One highlight of our week, was visiting Silverton, the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Broken Hill and catching up with Dr Brett Thomson and his wife Barb. Brett is currently working for the RFDS and it was a great tour of the base and catching up with them.

We farewelled the O’Sullivans, Lameks, Robinson and Clare’s on Thursday and spent Thursday touring the Minindee Lakes with Chris and Norma Lowe. There are several lakes out this way with a lot of them empty due to the rivers running through this area being damed in Queensland therefore the water not reaching some of the lakes.

Copi Hollow was a treasure, on the road to Minindee, 3klms in and it was like a small Oasis, grass and water. The only thing at thwe end of the road was the lake and the caravan park. would recommend it anyone who wanted peace quiet and tranquility.

We spent an afternoon catchin up with laundry and visiting the famous Bells Cafe whilst waiting for our clothes.

Friday saw Norma and Chris head north to Tibooburra, our original destination on Saturday. Norma and Chris got to Tibooburra only to report that the road north of Tibooburra into Queensland had been closed due to rain. Rain and red dirt isnt the most condusive travel conditions. I put a call into Tibooburra Caravan Park to see what there thoughts were and like a true aussie, she responded “its manic up here don’t come!”.

On our last night we decided to head up to the Living Desert and the Sculptures for sunset. Wow!

So without any answer from South Australia to be allowed to travel into their state, we decided to head to Wilcania and up to Louth and through to Bourke. Alas this too was thwated with a late arrival at the Broken Hill Tourist Park advising that this road too had been closed and was hairier that a goat. So plan (lost count) was to stick to the tar, get our passes into Queensland and head east again to Cobar.

Day 13- Broken Hill to Cobar

Well it was a long day driving on the tar through to Cobar a distance of

We stopped in Wilcannia to fuel up. Was not getting out of the car there for love nor money. Thank goodness George is not as big a princess as me.

From Wilcannia we headed to Cobar with a quick coffee stop on the way.

Arrived Cobar about 3.30. Rode bikes into town and then back for early night. This travelling stuff is exhausting.

Day 14 – Cobar to Cunnemalla

Well we made it into Queensland. Woohoo!! Finally out of NSW. From Cobar we headed out early with every intention to stop for a coffee break in Bourke. Alas not like our coastal townships, not a cracker open on a Sunday. So we fueled up and kept going.

We reached the Queensland Border and was greeted by a very friendly Queensland Police Office who George sweet talked and gave her one of his Dad jokes, which was sure to secure our passage. After a yahoo for being let through we headed into the Riverside Caravan Park at Cunnemalla for the night.

Word through other travellers is the dirt roads are a no go for another few days due to rain they have had up here. We have been told lots of stories about cars and vans being towed out of the red mud even just pulling over onto the side of the road.

Tomorrow and the beginning of Week 3 is anyones guess but the plan is to head north to the NT border for its opening on 17 July.

Hope you are all well and staying safe in these strange times. It is great being the fresh (very fresh) outdoors. We are looking forward to the warmer weather when it arrives.

July 6, 2020July 6, 2020

Finally on the Road

Day 1 – Ulladulla to Gundagai

So we did it!! We finally left our beautiful home and our precious Tilly.

We pulled out of the driveway, farewelled by our neighbours and got to the top of Simmons Drive and George says “oh shit”. Really, he couldn’t have changed his mind already. Luckily it wasn’t a change of mind but an oil light in the car. The car I could deal with, George changing his mind was going to be another whole ball game.

The oil light turned out to be a maintenance light only so all good as the car had only been serviced.

We then made our way to Goulburn via the trunk road, stopping briefly to check on bits and pieces. Whilst stopped another van pulled over and out came Roger and Anne Halls travelling onto Gunning that night before travelling north to Queensland.

We arrived at Gundagai late in the afternoon, stopping at Goulburn for lunch. After setting up we strolled down to the loal RSL for dinner and a light ale. We had only just finished laughing about running into Roger and Anne when I looked up and there sitting in the Club was Richard Hogan. What a small world. We haven’t seen Dicky Knee for over 10 years.

So we spent a nice night catching up with Richard before heading off to bed.

Day 2 – Gundagai to Hay

After a quick load of washing we packed up and headed off to Hay. Our first stop was Wagga Wagga for fuel and then Narrandera for lunch. We are really pleased to see that the farmlands are green and the cattle and sheep looking well feed.

From Narrandera we headed to Hay over the long straight plains. Lots of double D trucks and cotton beside the road.

We arrived in Hay to our free camp at the Sandy Point Reserve on the banks of the Murrimbidgee. Thanks to Maggie Hope for the tip.

Day 3 – Hay

Had a fun day exploring on the bikes. Only downfall was my two flat tyres from the three quarter jacks. We also developed a water leak in the van which seems to be good now.

Met a family of seven travelling from WA on the road full time. So amazing just to up stumps and travel with five small kids.

Our campsite here was convenient and we spent the afternoon setting up, topping up food and enjoying a quiet night catching up on our budget and paperwork.

Day 4,5 and 6.

Today we took the opportunity of showering in the free showers at Hay Tourist Centre. An absolute must for free campers. We then visited the local bakery whose decor was interesting but brekky and coffee very good.

After a quick fuel stop we then ventured back on the road weaving our way over the Hay plains to Buronga on the NSW side of the Murray river.

We spent the next two days enjoying our “time out”. As we had been to Mildura before we used this on the Murray to carry out repairs to my bike (still not fixed), sorting out bits and pieces and sneaking off for a quiet ale at a local watering hole.

So our last day in Buronga was George’s birthday. We spent the morning sleeping in, talking to the kids, carrying out some more changes to the van, visiting the local Holden Museum and having a pub meal and ale for his big day.

One of the highlights of the day for me was Brockie’s 05 racing car in the Holden Museum. Wow what memories.

Day 7 – Buronga to Broken Hill

Well from here we finally started on roads untravelled by us before. We set off early with the plan to have brekky in Wentworth. Wrong, Sunday and early are not two words which go together in Wentworth so we kept on travelling. It is truly amazing landscape out here, bushy, flat, sandy, red dirt and very little of anything.

We arrived Broken Hill just after midday, set up and waited for the Lameks, Clare, O’Sullivan and Lowe crew to arrive. I finally got back on to the walking trail and walked into town and home – a 9klm round trip.

We started our first night in Broken Hill with good company and food at the Palace Hotel.

There you go, first week down. For all those who bet we wouldn’t make the first week, bong bong your out!!

So here is to the second week of more adventure! We are missing our little Tilly and of course all our friends but hey its only been a week guys!!