Week 459 - Jugiong, New South Wales

Seven days ago, we were camped at Moss Vale, a yuppy little town next to Bowral. On the Saturday night, we strolled down town to the local distillary, known as the Taphouse, owned by the Highland Brewery. The joint had only been open six weeks and was doing a roaring trade with beer tastings. All the beers I tasted were excellent and I finished off the night with an English style beer known as Red Ale. You could not have asked for better.

Taphouse - Red Ale brewed at the 
Highland Brewery, Moss Vale.

To continue the beer tasting around Australia, 
I came across London Pride, a lovely drop from 
dear ole Blighty. 

The local constabulary had set up a RBT just outside Moss Vale Showgrounds, although I had only had a couple the night before, the RID was on the left, we departed right, our destination Gunning, a quiet spot beside the river for Christmas. We were the only ones there.

Christmas Day - Camped along the 
Barbour River all on our own on Christmas Day 

We had a knock on our door Christmas morning. A fellow Highway Wanderer invited us to his daughter's house for Christmas dinner, how could we refuse. We sat around a lovely decorated table with all the trimmings of the Christmas fare. A very enjoyable family afternoon.

The George Harcourt Inn - A mock English Tavern 
at Nicholls in the suburbs of Canberra 

Our next stop, only 46 kms down the road was Yass. A town we have visited several times and each time it has shown a different character. The last time it being flooded. We had finally escaped the hustle and bustle of the East Coast of Australia and could now make our way steadily South West to Adelaide.

Yass revisted - On our morning walks,
Rusti and I used to pause and
look at the beautiful scenery.

We are now camped at Jugiong. Another place revisited and we intend to celebrate New Years Eve at The Sir George, Jugiong.

So we lift our glasses to you all and hope you have a Happy New Year and an enjoyable 2018.

Stowaway - This larger than life spider could 
creep into the tiniest corners. It now lives in 
the windscreen rubber.

Week 458 - Moss Vale, New South Wales

On arrival at Salt Ash, we found the place deserted, so we parked the bus up, plugged into power and water and waited for the hosts to arrive. No sooner had they arrived back and Graham had half a dozen large crabs in the cook pot. We had a pleasant happy hour with a couple of visitors, Col and Mary from the Highway Wanderers.

Doin it is for sale - but we need to keep On On Home
for another three to four years

Our deadline to get to the Murray before Christmas was deminishing. So Monday saw another departure and another couple of hundred k's to Richmond RSL's Wanderest. However, because of the heatwave conditions, at 44 degrees, we were grateful to have power, water and a shady tree. The RSL was just 100 yards from our door and their bar and air-conditioning was also welcoming, washed down with a pint or two of Little Creatures of all things.

The eyes have it  - A tug of war for Rusti

Our need to press on, saw another departure towards Moss Vale. In total contrast there was a cool breeze and no need for us to change the temperature of the air. Moss Vale became our base camp so that we could visit Ron and Gwen in Flinders and a rendezvous with Jo's brother and family to make it a day out for Aiden and Rusti (who are both the same age) at Flagstaff Hill, Wolloongong.

Fading Light - A twilight shot of a rainbow and 
rain at the end of a hot day. 

Jo's nephew Aiden - is the same age as 
Rusti and into as much mischief

Wollongong Harbour Lighthouse - A guiding light 
into the tranquil harbour of Wollongong 

We would like to wish all of our readers a Merry and a Happy Christmas and hope that Santa brings all that is wished. We are not sure where we will be Christmas Day but it looks like we might be travelling on the road to Jugiong to spend some time beside the Murrumbidgee River.

Week 457 - Tuncurry, New South Wales

We departed Casino after four days of binge drinking and partying. The standard of pissyness ranged in the top 10, but a good time was had by nearly all. I came out unscathed but Jo was worse for wear on a couple of occasions by being spoon fed champagne.

Maclean Bridge - Steel framed with a 
wooden roadway, how antique is that? 

So we gunned it down to Maclean for some rest and recuperation and take a deep breath to decide how we are going to attack our journey south. We decided the low mileage per day option but set ourselves a deadline to get into Strathalbyn/Adelaide by the 3rd February 2018.

1887 Spectacular architecture from 130 years ago 

From an overnighter at Maclean we headed further south to Kempsey Showgrounds, another night of rest and a reprieve from the pre-Christmas drinking. My liver said thank you.

Ketch me if you can - A ketch in tranquility 

Beach No. 1 - Rusti hasn't seen many beaches 
but she loved this one.

We continued our hop, skip and jump to Tuncurry Sporties Club. $5 per head per night, right next to the beach and a lovely council off-leash area for Rusti the dog. However, our couple of cheap nights at Tuncurry blew out in the Sportsman Club. $150 later we are ready to depart and head slightly further south to Graham and Jennine's at Salt Ash.

The calm before the storm - From tranquil 
clear waters to a cauldron of fire 

On shore breezes - The surf is stirred up by 
a stiff on shore breeze at Tuncurry. 

As you can see, we haven't really settled in to our nomadic lifestyle of exploring and adventure. It seems we have a timeline and a deadline. We are hoping to catch up to Petals in Moss Vale, Gwen in Woollongong and Jo's brother somewhere in Sydney. So until we get away from the big smoke, we can't relax until we get to the Murray River, hopefully around Christmas Day.

Week 456 - Casino, New South Wales

Passing through Brisbane is never calm, always hectic. Dinners, rendezvous, dentists, shopping and unavoidable business. The South East Queensland Hash House Harriers combined Christmas party was a great catch up with old hashers and great friends from the past. Everyone of them has aged, most of them gracefully.

Resting in the shade - We were parked at Peter's in 
Chandler for the SEQ Hash House Harriers Christmas Party. 

Bushy's Creek - The tranquil setting for the drunken 
frolics of hash 

The eskies were supplied by Hawkeye, a wild selection of out of date beer, many of them classics in their own right. So the sale by date didn't really effect their boutique taste. The good thing about good beer, is that it does not give you a hangover, unlike the crap XXXX and the commercial breweries produce.

Before we left Peter's, we carefully packed and prepared the bus for our journey south. We pulled into the weighbridge at Chandler and our weight was well below the weight limit of the law.

Eastern Carpet Python - A friendly non venomous snake, 
often found in the backyard of Brisbane. 

A comparatively short stay in Brisbane saw us heading down the freeway dodging the showers and the scaley's on our way to Casino.

Casino was how we left it. The new owners are still doing a great job of the grounds and facilities. The clientele of the village has certainly matured somewhat and sadly a few faces have left this planet. However, the party spirit still goes on - happy hours, the 8 ball dinner and the village Christmas party, we timed our visit well.

We hope to be on the Murray by Christmas/New Year. So keep a look out for us on the road in that area. On on Horror, Wanger and Ali Achbar (Rusti).

On On Home at home. Our house in Casino is looking 
good and the village made us welcome with 
happy hours every night. 

Week 455 - Brisbane, Queensland

We have finally pulled up our roots in the Wide Bay area and initially headed south to Maroochydore for a long awaited Novemberfest with the likes of Dregs, Whistle, Grotty Whore, Greasy, Blow Jo etc etc. We had a fine day tasting the difference between 11 beers.

Back to the country - We parked up overnight in Kilcoy
and this calf was born during the night. 
Lovely to see nature at it's best. 

On Sunday, we deliberately left late in the afternoon headng towards the country town of Kilcoy. A lovely peaceful free camp at the start of the Brisbane Valley and to our delight a cow gave birth overnight and we spent the morning watching the mother look after her child. It is amazing how the young one soon got on its feet and suckled on the udder of the mother. Rusti too was fascinated and well behaved considering.

Jo junk shopping  - A welcome coffee break at Esk
in the Brisbane Valley, a struggling township on the main drag. 

With no intended rush in mind, we headed on late morning through Esk, Wivenhoe Dam to Lowood for a rendeavous with my mother. Nothing much has changed there, apart from a slight deterioration in her weight, health and diet and I do believe her mental state is not good, probably some type of depression. Not a good snapshot, probably my last images of mum. However, she has had a good and varied life and there is no need for her to suffer for too long.

On the road again - South of Gympie is this 
magnificent road through the Mary Valley. 

Brisbane awaited us once again with its traffic and congestion with a huge downpour to greet us on arrival at Werriwood Road, Chandler. We are camped at Bushy's next door neighbour as there is a big hash function at his place this weekend.

Hash Reunion Dingo, Dosage, Horror and Wanger -
over 100 years of hashing with Halfway Hash

We are only in Brisbane for about 5 days and have already done some catching up and with a lot more to do but at least we have managed to get our blog to you on time.

Week 454 - Hervey Bay - Dundowran Beach, Queensland

Sorry about the absence of the blog for two weeks, we have been busy busy finishing the repairs on the bus and all the other jobs around the place that needed doing. Bill also treated Jo to a custom built office in our motorhome. She is truely spoilt. So after a four week stay at Bill's maintenance shed, we departed to the other side of Bundaberg to spend some time with Jo's mum preparing for our departure south.

Rusti and Narelle - Narelle and Rusti share a joke 

Rusti sits out the cold weather - A bout of wet cold
weather hit us again in Bundaberg 

Our next stop Hervey Bay to catch up with fellow motorhomers at "God's waiting room". Five days of happy hours was a bit exhausting, but it was a great catch up.

Office works! Jo sitting in her refurbished office. 
After finalising the necessary repairs, 
Jo asked one more favour of Bill, 
an office desk fit for a queen. 

We write our blog enroute to Maroochydore to participate in the well alligned Novemberfest. The Novemberfest is a dangerous cocktail of beer, wine and song with a few of my bestest mates.

Relaxing in Alan and Di's shed, Hervey Bay - 
Hervey Bay has got a dozen or so Highway Wanderers 
who meet and gather on many occasions throughout the year 

So it feels good to be back on the road with the bus in tip top condition. However, we have a grumbling starter motor which has a mind of its own and will have to be fixed sooner rather than later.

Hervey Bay - Camped at Bruce and Di's 
place Hervey Bay, dodging the rain clouds 

Our plans for the not too distant future is to travel to Adelaide then to Western Australia for a couple of years. We hope to reinvent the sense of adventure we started off with nine years ago, exploring, fossicking and searching out some of the unusual places in Australia.

Week 452 to 453 - Bundaberg, Queensland

Our bus should be ready for the road in about 7 days. The last and final job is in the process of being built. Jo is getting a luxury office desk installed in the motorhome as she spends most of her time on the computer, knitting or sewing.

Before - The rain damage is obviously evident 
in this photograph 

We have now been in Bundaberg 10 weeks and have been through hail, wind and storms. The worst weather we have encountered over our 9 years of travelling. But now we are at the stage to put that all behind us.

After - Bill's cabinetry work is excellent and
 we are very appreciative of his skills

Bill's bees - This swarm of native bees are also 
resident at Bill and Narelle's maintenance facility

A few highlights of our week has been a swarm of native bees that spread across the driveway and were there on and off for a few days; and a lovely early morning bike ride from Mon Repos to Bargara and back. The ocean views, the beaches and the heads of the Burnett River were spectacular in the early morning sun.

Beyond blue - A peaceful mornings' ride with the 
Prime family took us along the coastal cliffs of Bargara. 

Peaceful Peaceful - Not a storm in sight, however 
we were buffered that night by a ferocious storm. 
Fortunately we were under cover.

Prior to the Tuesday (Melbourne Cup), Jo rang a lovely seafood restaurant to see if they had a Melbourne Cup function, but they regretfully said no. Jo said that's good, we would like to book a table for 6 and Alan, Di and Bill, joined us. It is the first time in many years that we have not had a bet nor watched the race of the Melbourne Cup but we had lovely company and magnificent river views.

Less stress - In this stress related environment, 
I have taken to drinking several drinks at the same time.

So fingers crossed and legs crossed, we are eagerly awaiting completion of repairs.

Week 451 - Bundaberg, Queensland

We are still at Bundaberg at Bill's maintenance facility and at last the weather is on our side.


The inside of the bus is now complete, new cupboards, bedroom rear wall replaced, redecorated and faulty seal on the back window repaired.

Self leveling sealant - An amazing product, 
easy to work with and can be painted. 

The roof has now been resealed with an amazing product called "Self Leveling Sealant by Dicor Products". American of course but it has done the job. All we need to do now is give the roof a couple of coats of specialised roofing paint. However, we have to wait 7 to 10 days for the sealant to cure but at least we now have a bright light at the end of the tunnel.

Kerry and Jan - Fellow travellers from Tasmania 

This week we have had a couple of fellow motorhomers, Jan and Kerry - from Tasmania, staying over. A medical problem necessitated that they do not drive and be near a hospital. In fact one day they even travelled to the Royal Brisbane Hospital by train for a specialised visit. Their future is uncertain and are parked here in limbo with us, courtesy of Bill and Narelle.

Before - Jo sitting on the bull bar of the 
motorhome with it's old decals. 

After - New decals give the motorhome 
a fresher look. 

During the week we took a short break from repairs to visit the Bundaberg Botanical Gardens. A breath of fresh air as it were. The gardens had been flooded in the last flood and have recovered to their former glory, however, a flock of Ibis has taken residence on one of the islands and are slowly destroying it for the other critters around the lakes.
So with the work almost finished, we will soon have time to play.

Cranky Franky - We came across this old photograph 
of this blue face honeyeater that travelled with us for 
some 5 weeks. Here he is doing some computer work. 

Eastern Waterdragon 

Bert Hinkler's house - Bert Hinkler's house 
on a sunny day is glorious 

Week 450 - Bundaberg, Queensland

Another week in Bundaberg. We had more rain and storms but have now settled down to 30 deg steaming heat.

Billings Warehouse - The workshop in action 

The progress on the bus has been steady and at some times alarmingly slow. I have been on the roof for approximately four days in a crouching position, not good for your knees nor your brain. Bill has completed rebuilding the front cupboards and reskinning the back wall.

Back wall clad - More work than you think 
went to repairing this back wall

So at the end of this week, we have made some achievements punctuated by trips to Across the Waves with a small group of Highway Wanderers.

Cabinetry - Bill's skills are excellent 

As you can see by the photographs, we are deeply in debt to Bill and Narelle for their hospitality, help and friendship. All part of being in the Highway Wanderers' family.

Week 448 to 449 - Bundaberg, Queensland

We apologise for our absence for the last 15 days. We have been busy, busy, busy at the CMCA Rally at Bundaberg and what has made matters worse, we have also suffered torrential rain for approximately 5 days. The rains made the rally site a quagmire and eventually damaged our bus. The rain poured in at two locations but isn't covered by Ken Tame Insurance on a technical term as the evidence points to the leaks having been there for some time.

Bundy bash - Super power collides 
with genie on a carpet! 

Fame at last - Rusti sings happy birthday on 
stage to 1000 people accompanied by 
Ray and Horror 

We are now parked up at Billing's Warehouse for a major repair. As I have said before the CMCA Rally was hectic to say the least and at the finale Rusti, Ray and myself sang happy birthday to an audience of over 1000 people. Rusti received raptuous applause and calls for an encore. I believe there is a bootleg video doing the "youtube" rounds.

A break in the storm - Bundaberg has been inundated 
with 550 mls of rain and we were stuck in the middle of it

Tongue stage left - Rusti enjoys a long hot bath 

So as we literally tred water in Bundaberg, we have the time, the know how and the skills of Bill Prime to repair our bus.

Flood damage - Torrential downpours discover a 
couple of leaks in our motorhome and cause 
mass destruction.