Little Hartley to Canberra

Hello Everyone

At the moment I'm sitting in my 'home' in Gundagai after just having breakfast.

We spent another few days in Little Hartley, house sitting which we enjoyed. Rose and John lent us their ute so that we didn't have to take our 'homes' to Jenolan Caves which was great as the road was very windy and in some parts quite narrow. The cave were an experience I'm glad I didn't miss. There are quite a few of them but we only did a tour of one. It's unbelievable what is underground and I'm sure there are more but who knows where!!

The next day we went to Lithgow to do some shopping - boooring. After doing some housework we left Little Hartley and went to a free park close to Oberon ( which is between Little Hartley and Bathurst ). This 'park' is close to the Fish River and is a very popular spot for the locals. It was quite busy because it was Saturday but a great spot.

Next was Taralga which is just north of Goulburn. We stayed at the showgrounds and when we arrived there was a Gymkana on, so the dogs went a bit crazy with all the horses. After the horses had left a farmer decided to leave some sheep in the showgrounds so we were constantly being serenaded!! Baaaa  Baaaaa. Not only were there sheep but lots and lots of frogs who were somewhere in the creek so as you can imagine sleep didn't come easily. Apart from that Taralga is quite an old town with lots of the old buildings still standing. Had lunch at the local which was very pleasant.

On Monday we drove to Canberra. We paid $25 for a bus tour of the city, which was terrific. You hopped on and off the bus whenever you liked and the ticket lasted 24 hours so you could continue the tour the next day. We visited the usual places, National Art Gallery, Old Parliament House ( didn't bother with the new one ), National Museum and the Australian War Memorial and drove past the Embassies and Prime Ministers Residence. All very educational and more interesting than I anticipated. We couldn't see the War memorial on Tuesday cos Queen Liz was there and the crowd was unbelievable so we went on Wednesday

The weather wasn't the best, wet, cold and windy and of course we are are not used to it. We left there yesterday and drove to Gundagai where the weather was much better. we might stay 2 nights as I want to do washing and housework yuk.

Sharing our lunch at the Jenolan Caves

Inside the Orient Cave

Old house at Taralga

Me supporting the Goverment!!!

Looking towards the War Memorial

Met a 'Gypsie' and her van at The Dog on The Tuckerbox Gundagai. Wouldn't let me take a photo of her cos she wasn't wearing a bra!!!

That's it hope you are all well

Lots of Love

Jo, Kaiser, Chardy and Shiraz
xx    woof    woof            woof

Gold Coast to Little Hartley

Hi There

Here I am in Little Hartley, where you may ask. It's between Katoomba and Lithgow and I'm staying with friends of friends, but have met them before.

I left Gold Coast on Saturday. Doug did some structural work on my scooter, and put in the new shower head. I went out with the girls from work and it was sooo good seeing them all. Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of spare time so couldn't see everyone. I enjoyed my stay but was keen to get going again.

I did plan to go to Yamba as I've heard that it is a lovely spot. According to my Caravan Park book which is a few years old, there were no dog friendly caravan parks so drove to Maclean which is on the Clarence River and west of Yamba. The caravan park was only small but very nice. Took the dogs for walks along the river and saw dolphins and Water Dragons (lizards). Unfortunately the dolphins didn't surface long enough for me to take a photo. I stayed there 2 days and really enjoyed it. The lamposts are painted with different tartans and look quite spectacular.

Next was a free park just north of Kempsey. When I arrived ( it was at a BP Roadhouse) there was no one else, but by 4pm there were a large number of trucks and my little van looked like a matchbox toy surrounded by tonka trucks. I did feel safe.

I have always wanted to go to Port Stephens, why? not sure. I stayed at Caravan Park at Anna Bay but it wasn't near the water. I did drive into Nelson Bay but it isn't Mobile home friendly and found it very difficault to get a park. Anyway I took a couple of photos and walked along the beach.

I then drove to Noraville and stayed the night with the family I met in Port Lincoln. It was great to catch up. There house is on top of a 'cliff ' overlooking the ocean and you just had to walk a short didtance to the beach. The dogs loved it and from the house you could see whales a fair way out, all very pleasant!!

Next was a visit to my niece's at Ettalong Beach. Stayed a couple of nights, met my great niece who was born on my birthday. I always love going there.

I had been in touch with Linda and arranged to meet her at Wisemans Ferry which is in the Blue Mountains, well close to anyway. We then crossed the Hawkesbury River on the ferry and went to the Caravan Park which is also on the river. It was a really lovely spot and Linda and I parked on either side of a covered area which also had a bar b q. The weather was superb and I did a bit fishing as well but only caught a tree. I had to get a fishing licence which was $12 for 1 month. Linda also got one so hopefully we'll get more fishing opportunities. We really enjoyed this caravan park, so friendly and with the river so close it was quite relaxing.

Monday we arrived here at John and Rose's. They own 18 acres, have 2 dogs, 3 chooks, 2 geese, 2 ducks, and 1 cat who has gone to the 'Catery' as John and Rose go away tomorrow. We are allowed to stay for as long as we like. We plan to go to the Jenolan Caves and 3 Sisters and using here as a base, we are so lucky to be able to continue to stay here. Not sure when we will leave.

That's about it for now. Hopefully it won't be too long before I write my next blog.

Clarence River early morning

Lamposts painted in different tartans

A friend

Brach at Nelson Bay

Our site at Wiseman Ferry Caravan Park

Sunset - Hawkesbury River

Till next time, hope you are all well

Lots of Love

Jo, Kaiser, Chardy and Shiraz

xx     woof     woof          woof

Gladstone to Gold Coast

Hi everyone

Here I am on the  Gold Coast staying with Doug and Maree.

After spending a great time with Josh I then drove to  Boyne Island  ( not far from Gladstone )which isn't really an island but much prettier than Gladstone. I took a couple of photos and then headed for Gin Gin via Seventeen Seventy and Agnes Waters which were very pretty. Arrived at the free park at Gin Gin which is quite big with 2 toilet blocks!!.

Next morning I arrived at Torquay, Hervey Bay. I put my motorhome in Jamie's backyard and had an extension cord 'run' from the house. He is only 600 metres from the beach so the dogs and I walked there twice a day. Unfortunately it is not a dog freindly beach but it was great walking along the esplanade. I stayed with Jamie 2 nights and then went to Tewantin to stay with Julianne. Was there 5 nights and was spoilt rotten.

Friday I went to Buderim and stayed with a friend ( well she is one of my sisters best friends). They had a few visitors for the weekend so it was convenient that I had my own accomodation. Watched the Grand Final, AFL of course, and then drove to Brisbane and stayed with friends there.

I arrived on the Gold Coast on Sunday and Josh was there so we all went out to dinner i.e. Lachlan, Libbee, Josh, Ann and Phil and their son Rhys and his partner. Had a great meal. Over the next couple of days I had my hair tipped, saw the Tax man, visited friends and tonight I'm going out to dinner with the girls from work.

Not sure when I will leave here, hopefully Friday or Saturday. I'm not ready to finish my adventure and am extremely keen to continue. It's been great staying with Doug and Maree.

You will have to wait till my next blog to found out where I'm heading as I don't know myself at this stage. I think I'll be catching up with Linda at some stage, the last time I texted her she was heading for Tamworth.

Seventeen Seventy

 Torquay, Hervey Bay

Noosa Beach

Noosa River

Well that's it. Who knows when I will next get to add to this blog but hopefully it won't be too long

Hope everyone is well

Lots of Love

Jo, Kaiser, Chardy and Shiraz
xx     woof    woof         woof