Keeping up with Di and Robin

Sunday, 13 September 2015

Greetings

We are home.

Thanks for checking on us and following our journey. This has been a great and easy way to keep in touch. Much easier than group emails and texts. We have had 900 visits to our page.

The home phone will be back on in the next few days with the same number, until then just call the mobile.

We look forward to catching up

Love Di and Robin

Sunday, 13 September 2015

Oh No - the last day!!!

We enjoyed our stay with Polly and Dick in Gunnedah. The country is beautiful at present and cattle prices are very good but as Polly said they have waited 29 years for a year like this.

We helped with activities around the farm - tending horses, fixing fences and machinery and general rouse about stuff. They have 2 farms so plenty to do.

Next stop Tamworth. Our slackest day all holiday - 75km. The reason for our Tamworth stopover was to see Marianne Gaul. She is a retired colleague who now has MS. However, nothing will stop Marainne. She is involved with multiple groups and charity organisations and has commeced a PHD.

Whilst in Tamworth I also caught up with a colleague from the 80s in Sydney. Marianne had told me where she worked so I walked into her shop to say Hullo - I hadnt seen her for 25years. We headed to the Tamworth Hotel for a catch up and a good laugh.

Next stop Tenterfield for complete R and R before returning home. In fact that means golf every day trying to find some form.

Breakfast is over, time to get up, pack up and head down the range.

SEE YOU SOON!11

Sunday, 06 September 2015

Hi all

We enjoyed our few days in Port Augusta with Kevin and Caroline. They came up from Adelaide and met us there. Port Augusta is not exactly a must see place but a convenient meeting place.

We enjoyed a walk through the arid gardens, a drive out to Quorn for a pub lunch and a drive to check out the beach shacks on the waterfront. The weather was a bit breezy for a picnic so we had our picnic in the cabin at the caravan park. At least it wasnt far to go for an afternoon siesta.

We are now back in NSW. We didnt need any sign to tell us as it was evident by the sudden deterioration of the road quality. How they can be so much worse than any other state is unbelievable.

From Port Augusta, next stop Broken Hill, then Cobar, now Gilgandra. All just overnighters - we stay hitched ready for take off the next day. We dont take off too early though.

Next stop Gunnedah for a few days. We are staying out on a farm to catch up with the first person I met when I moved to Sydney in 1979 to do nursing - Polly. We are looking forward to that. I am sure a few laughs will be had.

From there onto Tamworth to see some friends, then Tenterfield for a day or two to rest up prior to returning home. Maybe a game or two of golf to get my eye back in and get rid of any rusty bits!!

Home soon
Love Di and Robin

Monday, 31 August 2015

PS
I just added a photo to the Albany etc page.

We had great weather across the Nullarbor. The first two days were picture perfect - not a cloud to be seen with great sun and moon rises plus great sunsets. The wind wasn't in our favour. My new best friend Tom said he put his vehicle in neutral and hardly used any fuel with a tail wind. In comparison we needed 4wd - haven't calculated the mileage yet. It wasn't too bad to drive in - last time we had a tail wind.

Overall we cannot complain we have had near perfect weather our whole trip. Could count the days we have had rain. Talked to a lady today who had been on the road 7 weeks and had 5 weeks of rain - quite heavy. We have had a few showers only - not bad for 6 months. Only two weeks to go.

It's nice and warm here but looks like we are heading to cooler days for the trip home
Cheers Di

Monday, 31 August 2015

Hi all

We enjoyed the last of our time in southern WA. The drive through the farm land was picturesque. Beautiful countryside, home to dairy, sheep and canola as far as the eye can see at times.

Right turn at Norseman toward the Nullar NOT bor ing at all. Love that drive. There is a roadhouse less than every 200km.

First stop Fraser Range station - a working sheep station. Enjoyed time around the camp fire with other travellers.

Next day Fraser Range to Cocklebiddy.
Cocklebiddy to Nullarbor roadhouse - visited Head of the Bight to see the southern right whales - saw 16.
Nullarbor roadhouse to Penong. A little village with lots of windmills. The last shop for 1000km if heading west. A tiny general store.

Penong to Wudinna today. A delayed start as the man next door was ill. He had had recent heart surgery so that was a concern. After getting a phone order from his GP to give him some medication, he improved but was not well enough to travel in a car so an ambulance was called. We waited till it arrived in case things went pear shaped. Think that was a reminder of my impending return to work.

Mission accomplished we departed late. First pit stop enroute was the oyster bar at Ceduna. I remember last time the oysters had only been out of the water 20 minutes when they were shucked for us. Not sure how long they were out today but they were just as good. 18 down and 2 dozen to go - Yumo!!!

Off to Port Augusta tomorrow to meet up with friends.
Plan to head to Broken Hill on Friday.

Bye for now
Regards Di and Robin

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Hi all

We continue on the road, Robin has improved. No marathons but able to manage with walking small distances.

From Albany we headed to Esperance. Not sure how far we would get. Stopped for lunch in Jerramungup, the rain got worse, the wind was up to 50km/hr and the battery for the breakaway system alarmed and was low. Good enough reason to stay. What a pleasant surprise the caravan park was.

The kangaroos were very friendly. They approached as I went outside, then when I returned they sat and scratched on the door like a cat wanting to come in.

Next morrning with great weather, a charged battery we moved onto Esperance.

We have enjoyed our stay here. The national parks are stunning, this is the home of some of Australia's best beaches. Yes we were sceptical on that claim but they are stunning. Le Grand National Park is the home to Australia's whitest beach. The sand is also very fine and quite compacted on the beach. there was a fair bit of weed too. I have attached some photos. Next time in warmer weather we will stay out in the national parks.

We leave Esperance tomorrow, head to Norseman then turn right towards the
Nullabor. We plan to arrive in Port Augusta next Tuesday and meet some friends there for a few days.

Update when next in service

Cheerrs Di aand robin

Thursday, 20 August 2015

Hi folks
I have uploaded a few photos from the last month.

We are still in Albany. Visited the ANZAC memorial that was opened November last year - impressive. What a waste of life war is!

Weather a bit dodgy - rain for 10 mins then sun, then rain then sun etc etc. Visited the Sandalwood factory yesterday. Enjoyed a tour and then got gonged - yes very Byron. A bit like the meditation session at the Crystal Castle with the bowls.

Next stop the wind farm. 18 turbines provide Albany with 80% of its power.

Forgot to mention in my last entry some wine info. To my mates that are stocking up on those 2013 reds from vineyards with low yields over east - watch out for 2015 reds from Margaret River. Yields have been low due to the dry season so keep our eyes peeled for some bargains and good reds.

Robin continues to improve. Walking small distaces but needs to be cautious.

Weather depending - may go to the Sterling Ranges tomorrow, then head towards Esperance on Saturday. After that we head for home - will probably take about 2 weeks to get home.

Cheers Di and Robin

Tuesday, 18 August 2015

Hi all

Firstly apologies for the lack of entries. The reception over the past 5 weeks has been poor at best so internet access has been limited. In fact for the last 4 weeks we have had only 3 analogue TV channels, no radio, phone or internet in the van. Outside you could get some service but continually drops out. Not good for Robin given she has been caravan bound with her back.

On that note she had a CT guided injection into her back last week. She has been slowly improving since. After 4 days we decided she was improving enough to move on toward home. The alternative is to fly home. We will make our final decision on that next week, but so far it is looking promising to head across the Nullabor.

Our delay in the Margaret River wasnt all bad - I enjoyed it there. I was starting to feel like a local. You know you have been around for a while when:
1. The caravan park owners ask you to look after the place for a day whilst they go out.
2. You go to Woolies and get recognised by the locals and BEST of ALL
3. you go to a winery and they charge you staff prices (maybe I went there once or twice??)

Many of the locals over here say that Margaret River and Byron Bay are very similar. Really the similarity is that tourism is the major industry. Residental rents are much much cheaper here and there are no nightclubs or late night venues. When I told some locals that there are security gaurds on the taxi rank after 10pm on weekends - their response was you would be lucky to find a taxi at 10pm in Margaret River. I have really enjoyed it here and have left plenty of things to do next time.

Back on the road, we moved onto Denmark where once again we had picture perfect weather for 2 days. In fact shorts and t shirt weather. We rushed around to all the beaches, rocks and lookouts. We can see why people rave about the coastline. We also went back to Walpole to the Valley of the Giants Tree top walk. Robin was unable to do the walk but a least could get a good perspective on it. It is great that she is now mobile enough to go out to lunch. We both enjoyd The Lake House and the Boston Brewery. We kept the brewery outing for a day of not so perfect weather and enjoyed all they had to offer in front of a great fire.

On the road again and next stop Albany - big day 50km! Needed to arrive here today to have something replaced on the van. A pressure valve in the hot water system needed changing - warranty job of course. All done and now in a park on the beach. We are never too far from the water! We will be here for at least 4 days.

I am getting dizzy the speed of the internet is so fast here - hooray!! I will upload some photos later now that we have good service.

Bye for now
Cheers Di and Robin x x

Saturday, 08 August 2015

We are now into our third week on the sheep farm at Margaret River. Ken and Jean stayed for a week and have mow headed north.

We are still here as Robin still unable to walk. She is having an injection into her spine on Monday. We are hoping that will give her some mobility. She has been out for a couple of drives but just cant walk anywhere.

We enjoyed a picture perfect day at Augusta and Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse. We didnt know they got such good weather in winter. It can be very wild where the oceans meet but we saw it at its calm best. Amazing!

I have made the most mot being able to move on. I have been to more wineries than planned. Free freight made some better than others. I have been surprised how most cellar doors are cheaper than the bottle shops. For example, some quaffers were $8 at the cellar door and $15 at BWS. Even more expensive wines were cheaper at the cellar door. That is not the trend over east in my experience. Will head off exploring and checking out some recommendations tomorrow, weather depending. It has been a bit wet and windy the last 2 days, plus some hail.

Rest day today for both of us. Hoping Robin will be up for an outing tomorrow.
Will keep you posted
Cheers Di and Robin

Thursday, 30 July 2015

Hi all

A week in Margaret River has passed and we have booked in for another week. Robin has been caravan bound for the week, resting with her back. She is improving, the test will be how far she can walk. Lying and sitting doesn't cause her any pain, walking is the problem.

Michelle's parents have left and headed further south. Ken and Jean Wright from Byron have arrived - they are heading north. Marjorie and Bill from golf have been over here playing bridge and golf and I caught up with them for lunch yesterday. So all in all its pretty social.

Although Robin hasnt been able to go out, I have managed to find plenty of wineries and providores to tempt my taste buds.

We are still here on the sheep farm - it is very relaxing and central to everything.

Weather mild. A bit grey at times but no rain. Sun great when its out. Our annex is like a sun room. It was 35 in the annex the other day which was great as it can be cool and damp outside.

Till next update

Love Di and Robin

Thursday, 23 July 2015

Greetings
Yes OK time for an update.
We enjoyed the rest of our time in Perth. Enjoyed some nice sunsets. Caught up with Sue our neighbour and her daughter Kelly and the family. Had a bit of a win at the Casino so gotta be happy with that.

From Perth we headed to Mandurah, about 90km south of Perth. We stayed five nights. Robin has had a bad back so needed a couple of physio treatments and a doctor visit. Her progress is very slow. She is comfortable with everything except walking. Time will tell, resting as much as pssible at present.

Mandurah has lots of waterways with housing developments. Quite amazing how many housing developments on waterways are under construction from Mandurah down to Dawesville. Dawesville has the golf course called The Cut - it looked great but I didnt get to play it - should have checked it out earlier. It was cold, windy and a bit wet so I gave it a miss. I did play Meadow Springs which was good. In fact it was very warm when I played which made it even better.

You wouldnt believe it but the people checking in behind us at Mandurah were Michelle's (from work) parents from Ballina. We had not met them before but I did know they were on the road over here somewhere. New friends for happy hour.

Next stop Busselton for a couple of days. We stopped off at Bunbury on the way - we didnt realise it was such a big port. From the road it looked like wheat and woodchip being exported. Bunbury has a black and white checkered lighthouse - not sure of the significance of that.

We stayed down on the waterfont at Busselton near the jetty. The jetty is 1.8km long. It has significant history back to early days and the war years. The underwater observatory was closed due to poor visibilty in the water after the rain. We took the train ride out as there was no way Robin could walk it, the weather was nice at the time. I walked it at sunset and it was blowing a gale.
We took a drive to Cape Nautralise and around a foodie trail at the top end of the Margaret River. The lighthouse at the Cape was nothing to speak of. The guy in the shop asked did I really want to bother given we regularly visit the Byron lighthouse, so he didnt charge me full price. At the base of the lighthouse you only see glimpes of water as you have to look over 2m of heath. Not quite the panorama of Byron. We had lunch at Eagle Bay Brewery and visited some wineries as we did the round trip out through Dunsborough and Yallingup.

We are now at Big Valley Campground in the Margaret River and we will stay at least a week. It is a working sheep farm. We have caught up with Michelles parents again - so more happy hours. In fact I am sitting with my new best friend Lacey (their dog) in their motor home. They have gone for a drive. Better internet on their site than ours. We dont get any phone or internet in our van and we are about 30 metres away. Interesting that you only get analogue TV here and only 3 stations and minimal radio. We are about 10km from the town of Margaret River.

We had heavy rain last night - the heaviest we have had since we left home. We have been blessed with the weather. It seems to rain in places after we leave and we have had minimal rain whilst on the road and after we get set up before it closes in. Can't ask for better than that. There hasnt been enough rain to make us change our plans at all so you gotta be happy with that.

Sorry no photos to add at present - havent taken many. Weather not the best at Bunbury and construction on the foreshore at Busselton obscured a good jetty shot. Internet too slow to try with what photos I have at present.

Sun is out so must go and enjoy it. Having a quiet day today.

Love Di and Robin