Day 12 - Urana NSW....25/10/2017

Well we have just spent a lovely few days at Tungamah. It has taken me all this time to be able to say and spell the name right as my silly brain kept throwing in Tumbulgum/tumbarumbah and god knows what into the mix lol.

I camped at the Lions Park along the Broken River. It was so quiet and so picturesque. I nabbed a position right on the edge of the water, perfect for fishing....or so I thought lol. The only thing I caught whilst there was a turtle...and about 5 large mozzie bites haha. The closest I came to an actual fish was after packing up the fishing gear and watching a 25-30cm perch jump out of the water RIGHT OUTSIDE THE VAN...ffsk...damn fish hahaha.

I was amazed at the bird life there. There were a family of Kingfishers nesting in the tree above me...and ducks, and hawks, and finches and sulfur crested cockatoos and kookaburras. I need a decent camera methinks as the phone just could not zoom into the available shots of these gorgeous creatures.

I spoke with a couple who were also camped there but further up the river. They were from Tasmania, and amazingly the wife grew up in...HAMILTON..wow and was related to the Neylons there, some of whom I know. Wow the world is small at times.

The last morning while walking Azzie, I noticed that two welds under the van along the metal strapping under the draw bar had given way. OMG I thought...what the hell will I do here? So I packed it all up and decided to visit the local and only garage. The lovely couple there who own and run it were so helpful I sipped on hot coffee while the welding was done, and even more surprisingly, when I asked how much I owed....they said nothing. I simply couldn't believe it. No I declared at least take $50...but no they insisted and then suggested I donate the $50 towards my fundraising towards finding a cure for brain cancer. So I did.

I have placed a sticker on the back of the van to promote them, and shall be sharing my great experience with every blog, Facebook page, app etc that I can.

Our next stop was Urana in NSW. I had read via WIKI-CAMPS that the caravan park there was a good one. Well let me say that 'good' is an understatement. There is a lovely young couple who have only recently taken over and they are awesome. The park is clean, neat and welcoming. I have never experienced a place quite like it. If you are travelling and need a place to stay in the area, I can thoroughly recommend it. In fact, I have decided to stay an extra couple of days. It is too good to just skip over.

So the last few days, although being out of phone/internet service, have been very eventful. I have experienced the kindness and friendliness of country people in Australia and may I say it is very rewarding. It kind of restores the faith of humanity.

https://youtu.be/unCn-puqZ2A

Day 9 - Last night at Lockington 22/10/2017

Have had a lovely few days here. This morning drove up to Echuca/Moama and wandered around the Sunday Markets. Wow there were heaps of people there and the roads were jam packed with traffic.

I stopped at Cheap As Chips in Echuca, which is conveniently located next door to Dan Murphy's lol.
A couple of mats were required, one for outside the van and one for just inside the door. I also stocked the wine levels up...have to maintain happy hour status lol.

Azzie has enjoyed our time here too, and last night I finally saw what the hell she has been staring at the house over the road for during our stay here..a black cat. She has insisted on sitting on the step for an hour every night, not walking but just sitting there. She has had a few wanders around the caravan and in the adjoining park and playground but not as curious as she has been in earlier places we have stayed. Possibly due to the many dogs that are wandering about.

Helen's Takeaway here in town is just over the road, and may I say, the hamburger with the lot was awesome....actually couldn't eat it all. They also do a mean pizza and fish and chips...so no, not much cooking by me lately haha.

I have regained my enjoyment of reading, which is something I have not done for years. Strange really considering I was a prolific reader earlier in my life. It is all part of slowing things down and living in the moment I reckon. I also pampered myself today as well, facial, mask, pedicure sigh...life is good.

I am not sure when my next blog entry will be as I will be free camping for a few days. So stay tuned for that...however, I can highly recommend this park for all travellers :)

Day 7 - Lockington VIC 20/10/2017

Hello from Lockington. It is a quaint little place with an IGA supermarket/hardware store, a petrol station of sorts, a take away food shop that looks to do a roaring trade and a cafe. There is a hotel but it looks to be closed.

I am at the Lions Park and was welcomed by the lovely Dorothy. She is an animal lover and was quite excited to hear that I was bringing Azzie. However, The Queen Azz has decided to crack the shits today. And does not want to be sociable with anyone lol. She is currently buried under and behind the pillows on the bed haha.

My last two days in Bendigo were great, especially as I caught up with an old friend who is such an inspiration to not only me but all who come into contact with her. She fosters teenagers and has done for 10 years. So far 97 young people have benefited from her amazing ability to encourage others to grow. We had a nice lunch in the mall and all too soon two hours had passed.

I hitched the van up this morning, much to Azzie's annoyance lol, not that she is a problem in the car, she travels very well. The ESC seemed to be working too so that is a good thing. I checked all the tyre pressures before I left and all seem ok. I decided to only travel about 90kms to the next spot being Lockington. I am still tired and adjusting to the new life and was amused that the Sat Nav in the car took me along not so busy roads. I arrived here at about 11.30am and soon met up with Dorothy. She was very generous and gave me a $20 donation for Cure Brain Cancer and then wandered over later in the arvo with the remains of a BBQ Chook for Azzie. Madam will love that for dinner :)

As I am only 35kms from the Murray I might take Azzie and find a spot to fish tomorrow. Will see what the day brings.

There are only about 3 other campers here, and even if all the bays are full it only holds about 8 in total. At only $15 per night for power, water and hot showers and a camp kitchen, and dump point, it is great value.

So until the next entry, taa taa for now :)

Hitched up ready to leave Bendigo

A Line Tourist Park Big Hill, Bendigo

Travellers Rest Lockington

The Queen Azzie found her spot to settle.

Day 5 - Bendigo 18/10/2017

Well today threw me a tad....I am not sure but I believe my driving a small way without the Hayman Reese bars attached threw out the ESC on the van. I visited a mate in Creswick late morning and then put the bars on....however, quickly realised within a few Km's that the ESC wasn't working properly. So as I tentatively progressed I brainstormed the possible reasons..and suddenly thought ohh....what if I stop disconnect it all and re do the lot...sort of a reset.

It sort of worked but my nerve had dissipated somewhat lol. So I snaked through Daylesford and Hepburn Springs...and then hit the main highway to Bendigo....too sketchy to do more than 80kms per hour. Hahaha....sorry all those that got stuck behind me. Luckily I only had to travel 75kms to my stop for 2 nights. The A Line Holiday Park just south of Bendigo. I was so jittery and tired that I managed to convince the very nice man Dwayne to back the van into the site for me. I actually reversed it out of the Creswick site with ease, but my nerves were shattered during the ensuing trip. Yep I am a newbie and I will always choose caution hahaha.

The park here is lovely, and the people friendly. I have opted for an ensuited site so have my own personal bathroom. This is a luxury I cannot get used to but as it is still early days and I am still working out the teething problems I reckon I deserve a treat hahah. I set the van up and then went to Kangaroo Flat Shopping Centre to buy some supplies. I also went to the HUGE Pet store and bought the Queen Azzie a scratching pad thingy....It is supposed to be assembled as a free-standing unit....but I used a part of it to attach to one of the cupboard doors in the van for a permanent feature so that she will us it instead of the upholstery lol.

It is so humid and hot tonight with no breeze so the aircon had a run....but the cat is out cold on her seat here. I am here for two nights and will get onto a friend later to see if she can catch up with me tomorrow.

I am so tired and suddenly aware of my huge decision to do this trip....I knew this feeling would come and it is no less than I imagined. I am so proud of myself for recognising the emotional tugs and pushes...and will not let it beat me....it may slow me down...but I will not stop!!

Tomorrow shall be checking the tyre pressures as this may have contributed to the less than stable trip too. If all else fails....I will give the guys who fitted it all a call.

Day 4 - Creswick 17/10/2017

Wow, well this is nothing if not a learning curve lol.

So yesterday I free camped at a lovely river side camping ground in Avoca. I opted travelling via my favorite place in Victoria, Halls Gap in the Grampians. It was a great choice as there was not much traffic between Cavendish and Ararat, where I stopped to have a second key made for the Pajero. Once that was completed, I then traveled onto Avoca and picked out a nice level bit of ground. It was quite warm so once the van was set I thought I would drop down the awning. Therein was the problem. One of the nuts was cross-threaded and it would not budge. I remember the fellow who completed my handover when I bought the van had trouble with it and as I hadn't tried it thus far...I was buggered.

After much swearing and frustration, I put Azzie in the stinking hot van and jumped in the car to find some cold water for us both. By the time I got back I realised that the other few people in the reserve had left and I was the only one there. This presented me with a couple of considerations....one being I wasn't in the shade and needed to move the van, and the other, me alone all night...I needed to hook the van on and leave it like that all night.

So, despite my fatigue, I hooked it up and moved to a shady spot in a position to capture as much breeze as possible. Once satisfied with my second position, I then thought ...I need a drink lol. Fortunately a group of locals had gathered for a Tai-Chi class, so I wandered past them and asked if they could keep and eye out on my van while I walked to the nearest (and only open) pub.

I was hot, sweaty and irritated at the non usage of the awning. So I decided then and there to travel the 45 minutes back to Ballarat to where I bought the van from.

Azzie went for a lovely walk when it was dark (this is her favorite time, well she is a cat and they do hunt at night if let out). I then suddenly realised I had no hot water, and that I hadn't actually tried to use hot water in the previous days. I dragged out the AVAN pouch containing all the relevant paperwork for all the appliances and decided to leave it rather than stuff around with the gas while the car was attached. This too would be rectified the next day at Ballarat.

So today I arrived at Jayco Ballarat at around lunchtime. They remembered me and were more than happy to help me out. So in the space of 20 minutes everything was sorted. Yayyyy. I then drove over to my friend Jenny's place and spent a few hours chatting and catching up with her. I decided to spend the night at Creswick with power to recool the fridge as I had stupidly put it on the wrong setting the previous day and so no refrigeration...doh me. (lesson one lolll)

I arrived at the park at Creswick and it is so quiet and clean. Very impressed with it. Lesson two was when I successfully used the ramps on one side of the van to level it....and then promptly realised I had forgotten to chock the opposite side when the van rolled forward once I took it off the towball....lol. Wow I will not be doing that again hahaha.

I pulled down the awning, turned everything on and am now about to hit the laundry and showers. I am stuffed from the days adventures. Too tired to attend a lovely picnic with some friends here, but that is okay as I will probably be winding my way back through this area in a couple of months, so will catch up then.

So that is the latest update from Lee and Azzie's crazy adventure.

old train set in a shop window in Avoca

Avoca Second spot lol

Creswick site 

Someone is tired...she has been sooo good !!

Day 2, still at Cavendish - 15/10/2017

It is a gorgeous day here today. Blue skies and all the other campers have left so it is only me at this stage (2.30pm). I drove to the local store and grabbed a paper, a delicious sausage roll and yes some ciggies. I plan to give up but as I am still adjusting to the 'new gypsy life' I am still puffing away. (yes I know this is an excuse but the cost of them cannot be sustained)

I set up the comfy chair outside this morning after my shower, and also the cat's outdoor pen. Azzie however was not impressed. She is a real cat and prefers outdoor activities at night. She put up with the pen for about half an hour but then started vocalizing her dissatisfaction with it lol....so I let her back into the van.

I have now finally put all my clothes away and found 'homes' for everything else in the van. My back is still a tad sore and my energy levels have fallen so this arvo will be spent resting again. This is the joy of my new life...I only have to do what I need to do and then...pfft can relax anyway I want.

I had planned to try my luck fishing, but seriously, cannot wrangle the energy to walk down to the river yet. Maybe later on today, and if not...that is quite okay by me.

I opened my card from a friend in Hamilton who I only recently found a connection with. Totally unexpected but if I was to try and describe it...it would be a lightning bolt moment for both of us. To put it another way, I shall quote ( maybe not word for word but...) my favorite author, Stephen King, from one of his books..."we approached each other and immediately recognised our similarities." I wish I had of gotten to know her before I did, but then again, it would never have been possible up until that moment, as previously life wouldn't have allowed it. Absolute serendipity methinks!

I shall take some photos to accompany this entry later on today....and if the mood hits....add some more words.

Day 2 is pretty darn good :)

...I went for a walk along the river...sooo beautiful...the sounds of the bush are interrupted only by the continuous whirring of a pump that fills the damn by the oval. Azzie opted for the usual afternoon sleep and is still snoring away lol.

afternoon snoozes

down to the river...

there has to be fish here...

and here too

the sheep are actually standing in the water lol

Day 1: Cavendish VIC-14/10/2017

After a frantic two days finishing up at my old house in Hamilton, I decided to only travel a short distance to Cavendish.  The physical and mental efforts of donating furniture, selling household items, cleaning the house and saying goodbye to everyone took its toll, and my poor old back was screaming by Friday afternoon.

Azzie was so good in the car and only meowed for a short time, which is very different to every other time she has traveled with me. Perhaps she sensed my calm or maybe it was the smaller carry cage I decided to use. Cats like to feel enclosed when strange things are happening.  I drove out to Tarrington, 11kms from Hamilton, where my van had been parked at Rob and Di Barker’s property. They are the loveliest people and I will miss them greatly.

I hooked up the caravan, and then we were off. The drive to Cavendish was filled with many different emotions. Excitement as our journey was beginning, sadness at leaving behind great friends, amazement because we were finally on our way and impatience to finally set up the van so I could rest. I was exhausted.

Upon entering the camping area there was only one other occupant. Great, I thought, it will be quiet. I picked out site #2 and parked the van. As I was unhitching the car, the caretaker Steve came over and introduced himself. He is such a nice friendly bloke and he explained all the amenities and local area completely. As I opted for a powered site for three nights, the total fee was $45, which I think is very reasonable. 

Once the van was levelled and stable, I put Azzie inside. She spent a good half hour sniffing all over it and demanding to look inside every cupboard. I am sure if she was able to she would be contacting the Avan builders questioning why she cannot just pull open the cupboard doors like she used to at home

.

The first half an hour was spent searching for the pain killers to ease the scorching sciatica that had set in and I washed them down with a glass of my favorite chardonnay, The Drives. I was totally spent.  Rather than unpack and sort things, I opted for a hot shower and then early night. I slept like a baby until about 5.30am when a flock of screeching cockatoos infiltrated the trees surrounding us. Poor Azzie didn’t know what they were and was quite upset by them. However, once daylight hit I opened up the blinds and she could finally see what the hell was making all the noise.

My back really needed rest, so after a mandatory coffee I popped my favorite DVD into the TV and laid back relaxing watching Disc 1 of the complete series of Seinfeld. I must admit that today has been a very lazy one, but I don’t care. I have pottered about and found homes for things and now as I write this my first entry, I feel at peace.