Day 27
Saturday, 28th February, 2009
This morning we looked around at some other bike shops for a summer riding jacket for me. No luck. After that, I went to Albany Patchworks and managed to buy a fat 1/4 and a brilliant pelican patchwork to do when I get home. It was lovely there and the lady was very helpful. She got out a map and showed me where the design of the patchwork had come from - a place called Emu Point. So, off we went so I could take some photos of the area. Albany is really starting to grow on me, it has lots of lovely little bays and I really quite like it.
After all that, we went to pick up Rosie Phoenix. I've really missed her. The guys at Great Southern Motorcycle were absolutely terrific! Steve (mechanic who did her service) even cleaned her right up and sprayed a special engine protection on her because of the travelling. She looks really terrific now.
Tomorrow we are heading towards Pemberton. I'm hoping to have a look around there for a few hours and then keep going another one or two hundred kms further towards Margaret River area.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Albany
Day 26
Friday, 27th February, 2009
It's really nice to stay in one place for a few days. This morning I put my bike in for it's 10,000 km service although it's only done a bit over 7,000 kms. The only other option for putting it in for a service was in Perth and they didn't sound particularly impressive so Rosie Phoenix is being looked after by Great Southern Motorcycles.
After riding her in, we travelled into Albany and had a bit of a look around. We decided to go out to see Whale World but before we started heading that way, found an auction. We went in and I registered (there was a lovely little violin I was hoping to pick up for Kier). When I said I was from Tassie, the lady registering me got all excited as she had booked to go to Tassie in May for a holiday. As I was wondering around the auction, another lady came up and said she'd heard I came from Tassie and wanted to know all about it. Turns out she's lady no. 1's partner and they are actually hoping to move to Tassie. It was all a lot of fun, although I didn't get the violin.
Whale World was terrific. It's actually the last whaling station to be closed in Australia with all the machinery etc still there. Our 39 yr old guide told us about an excursion in Grade 3 and visits she'd had to the station when she was a kid. It was amazing. Because the whale processing was land based, she could remember the sea being blood red and plenty of sharks always in the area. She said she'd hated the smell and it stuck to you for about a week no matter how much you washed.
After Whale World, we tried to walk to the Blowhole. It was supposed to be an 800 m walk with 78 stairs. The 78 stairs were fine but the 800 m walk was a load of hogwash. I'm sure we walked further than 800 m and never found any blowhole. The only consolation was that it was good exercise and the water was beautiful.
I forgot to mention that at the beginning of the day, I was talking to a lovely man in the caravan next to us. He has a cat called Pud and has taught him to drink water from the tap. This photo is not very clear, but if you click on it, the photo will enlarge and you might be able to see the water.
Friday, 27th February, 2009
It's really nice to stay in one place for a few days. This morning I put my bike in for it's 10,000 km service although it's only done a bit over 7,000 kms. The only other option for putting it in for a service was in Perth and they didn't sound particularly impressive so Rosie Phoenix is being looked after by Great Southern Motorcycles.
After riding her in, we travelled into Albany and had a bit of a look around. We decided to go out to see Whale World but before we started heading that way, found an auction. We went in and I registered (there was a lovely little violin I was hoping to pick up for Kier). When I said I was from Tassie, the lady registering me got all excited as she had booked to go to Tassie in May for a holiday. As I was wondering around the auction, another lady came up and said she'd heard I came from Tassie and wanted to know all about it. Turns out she's lady no. 1's partner and they are actually hoping to move to Tassie. It was all a lot of fun, although I didn't get the violin.
Whale World was terrific. It's actually the last whaling station to be closed in Australia with all the machinery etc still there. Our 39 yr old guide told us about an excursion in Grade 3 and visits she'd had to the station when she was a kid. It was amazing. Because the whale processing was land based, she could remember the sea being blood red and plenty of sharks always in the area. She said she'd hated the smell and it stuck to you for about a week no matter how much you washed.
After Whale World, we tried to walk to the Blowhole. It was supposed to be an 800 m walk with 78 stairs. The 78 stairs were fine but the 800 m walk was a load of hogwash. I'm sure we walked further than 800 m and never found any blowhole. The only consolation was that it was good exercise and the water was beautiful.
I forgot to mention that at the beginning of the day, I was talking to a lovely man in the caravan next to us. He has a cat called Pud and has taught him to drink water from the tap. This photo is not very clear, but if you click on it, the photo will enlarge and you might be able to see the water.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Esperance to Pallinup River
Day 24
25 February 2009
We left Esperance and headed toward Albany along the coast road. The countryside is mostly under pasture with sections of forest and remaining scrub. Kim stopped and took a photo of an old car sitting on a damn wall.
It was a hard day with a fair bit of wind and the continual threat of rain. Around 4.00 pm we gave it away and stopped about a 110 klms short of Albany at a roadside stop on the Pallinup River.
The river was low on our side of the road but quite majestic on the other side. It started raining soon after we arrived and poured most of the night. We were lucky to be dry and warm in our camper. We both slept well and enjoyed the change from caravan parks. Its strange how we always enjoy staying at the roadside stops better than caravan parks and seem to sleep better as well.
Day 25
26 February 2009
We decide to head for Albany to stay a few days and get Kim's motorcycle serviced. It was a hard trip for Kim with strong wind and was very cold . However, we arrived early at a caravan park and soon set out to look around Albany. We were really lucky to find a Triumph dealer (Great Southern Motorcycles) who was prepared to service the motorbike the following day and we spent much of our time looking at their selection of motorcycles. We will be staying 3 nights in Albany which should give Kim a chance to recover and see a few sites while the motorcycle is serviced.
Before we set off from Pallinup, we ran out of gas. Not a big deal as we have a spare cylinder. These days, back home, you take your empty cylinder in and swap it for a new one. Apparently in W.A. though, no-one has the small sort we have so you have to find someone who can fill it. Hopefully it won't be a problem, but it worries me a little.
25 February 2009
We left Esperance and headed toward Albany along the coast road. The countryside is mostly under pasture with sections of forest and remaining scrub. Kim stopped and took a photo of an old car sitting on a damn wall.
It was a hard day with a fair bit of wind and the continual threat of rain. Around 4.00 pm we gave it away and stopped about a 110 klms short of Albany at a roadside stop on the Pallinup River.
The river was low on our side of the road but quite majestic on the other side. It started raining soon after we arrived and poured most of the night. We were lucky to be dry and warm in our camper. We both slept well and enjoyed the change from caravan parks. Its strange how we always enjoy staying at the roadside stops better than caravan parks and seem to sleep better as well.
Day 25
26 February 2009
We decide to head for Albany to stay a few days and get Kim's motorcycle serviced. It was a hard trip for Kim with strong wind and was very cold . However, we arrived early at a caravan park and soon set out to look around Albany. We were really lucky to find a Triumph dealer (Great Southern Motorcycles) who was prepared to service the motorbike the following day and we spent much of our time looking at their selection of motorcycles. We will be staying 3 nights in Albany which should give Kim a chance to recover and see a few sites while the motorcycle is serviced.
Before we set off from Pallinup, we ran out of gas. Not a big deal as we have a spare cylinder. These days, back home, you take your empty cylinder in and swap it for a new one. Apparently in W.A. though, no-one has the small sort we have so you have to find someone who can fill it. Hopefully it won't be a problem, but it worries me a little.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ceduna to Esperance (Nullarbor Plains)
Days 20 - 22
21 - 23rd February 2009
We only stayed one night in Ceduna. The caravan park was great (cheap with good facilities and free grapes). The caravan park manager identified on a map the best places to buy fuel in Ceduna and along the Nullarbor. The price differs from $1.20 a litres to upwards of $1.70 a litre so it was very handy.
Ceduna is basically the beginning of the Nullarbor.
Kim preparing for the Nullarbor
After leaving Ceduna we passed through a strange little town called Penong. Penong was strangely characterised by dozens of small windmills and an absence of a town centre.
The next interesting spot was Yalata that warned you of the sorts of animals you could encounter across the Nullarbor. Unfortunately, we didn't see any at all - except dead roos on the side of the road.
Kim managed almost 500 kms before we found a spot to camp for the night at Bunda Cliffs where the Nullarbor meets the Southern Ocean.
We arrived at Bunda Cliffs around 4.30pm and started to settle in for the night. It was interesting the way other campers seemed to sense it was a safe spot and before long more than half a dozen other caravans and campers had collected to stay the night on the cliff face. It was strange to think that we were camping in the middle of the Nullarbor.
Kim took some photos of the sunset,sunrise in the morning and got up at 2:00 in the morning to take photos of the stars. This photo is the sunset.
The following day we left amid heavy mist and decided to pull over until it had passed. We found an oversized vehicle with police escorts in a similar position. Apparently this spot (near Border Village) near the border is an area best known for the most UFO sightings - easy to imagine.
After travelling a short while we hit Border Village and passed through the quarantine inspection station on the Western Australian border. Western Australia forces you to throw away all fruit, vegetables, honey and other items before entering.
We continued on into Western Australia and found another rest stop where we stayed the night (Baxters Rest Stop).
Kim:
Chris forgot to mention a few things: The stars during our first night on the Nullarbor were mind blowing - the sky was just amass with them. I can't post any photos at the moment as I don't have the right software to use (different setting on my camera) but they were incredible.
On our second morning, the mist was also amazing. It was in front of us and behind us but I never felt like I was in the middle of it. The most amazing thing, though, was the white rainbow it created in front of us. I took a photo but it really doesn't do it justice. This is just one end of the rainbow. It was much stronger than the photo depicts:
I quite liked Baxters Rest Stop - nothing flash but there were plenty of trees and again, about half dozen other caravans/campers. The dunny was a real stinker though. For the first part of the night, we had lots of quite strong wind gusts. It didn't worry me but it did worry Chris. Anyway, it died down for the last half of the night and we managed to get some sleep.
From Baxters Rest Stop, we made it all the way to Esperance. We had plenty of little stops on the way and I was really looking forward to making it to Norseman- the end of the Nullarbor trip. Norseman was interesting - all the way in, it had signs up for ATM, supermarket, cheap fuel etc Pretty much everything you didn't have access to on the trip from Ceduna through. That was pretty much it though. It looks like a sad, dying, lonely little town. Most of the shops were closed or up for sale and even the real estate agency was up for sale. But, we made it! We crossed the Nullarbor and I did it on my bike!
From Norseman to Esperance was only another 200 kms so off we headed and pulled in around 4:00 p.m. to the caravan park. It's the biggest caravan park I've ever seen and some of the rigs here are just phenomenal.
I found crossing the Nullarbor really interesting. It changed every now and then and had very distinct sections of lands. I didn't feel particularly isolated in the S.A. side as there were roadhouses quite often, but once we hit W.A. I felt very much like we were out in the middle of nowhere. It took us 3 days without any access to mobiles, internet or radio and I found being on my bike with no outside world lovely and peaceful. Once we hit the other side of Norseman, there were farms with fences etc and a complete change of atmosphere.
We are staying another night in Esperance as we need to catch up on things like clothes washing, grocery shopping etc. I would like to look around but we have been having rain, lightning and thunder. Not the sort of weather I particularly want to be riding in.
Well, tomorrow is another day, and it'll be interesting to see what it brings.
21 - 23rd February 2009
We only stayed one night in Ceduna. The caravan park was great (cheap with good facilities and free grapes). The caravan park manager identified on a map the best places to buy fuel in Ceduna and along the Nullarbor. The price differs from $1.20 a litres to upwards of $1.70 a litre so it was very handy.
Ceduna is basically the beginning of the Nullarbor.
Kim preparing for the Nullarbor
After leaving Ceduna we passed through a strange little town called Penong. Penong was strangely characterised by dozens of small windmills and an absence of a town centre.
The next interesting spot was Yalata that warned you of the sorts of animals you could encounter across the Nullarbor. Unfortunately, we didn't see any at all - except dead roos on the side of the road.
Kim managed almost 500 kms before we found a spot to camp for the night at Bunda Cliffs where the Nullarbor meets the Southern Ocean.
We arrived at Bunda Cliffs around 4.30pm and started to settle in for the night. It was interesting the way other campers seemed to sense it was a safe spot and before long more than half a dozen other caravans and campers had collected to stay the night on the cliff face. It was strange to think that we were camping in the middle of the Nullarbor.
Kim took some photos of the sunset,sunrise in the morning and got up at 2:00 in the morning to take photos of the stars. This photo is the sunset.
The following day we left amid heavy mist and decided to pull over until it had passed. We found an oversized vehicle with police escorts in a similar position. Apparently this spot (near Border Village) near the border is an area best known for the most UFO sightings - easy to imagine.
After travelling a short while we hit Border Village and passed through the quarantine inspection station on the Western Australian border. Western Australia forces you to throw away all fruit, vegetables, honey and other items before entering.
We continued on into Western Australia and found another rest stop where we stayed the night (Baxters Rest Stop).
Kim:
Chris forgot to mention a few things: The stars during our first night on the Nullarbor were mind blowing - the sky was just amass with them. I can't post any photos at the moment as I don't have the right software to use (different setting on my camera) but they were incredible.
On our second morning, the mist was also amazing. It was in front of us and behind us but I never felt like I was in the middle of it. The most amazing thing, though, was the white rainbow it created in front of us. I took a photo but it really doesn't do it justice. This is just one end of the rainbow. It was much stronger than the photo depicts:
I quite liked Baxters Rest Stop - nothing flash but there were plenty of trees and again, about half dozen other caravans/campers. The dunny was a real stinker though. For the first part of the night, we had lots of quite strong wind gusts. It didn't worry me but it did worry Chris. Anyway, it died down for the last half of the night and we managed to get some sleep.
From Baxters Rest Stop, we made it all the way to Esperance. We had plenty of little stops on the way and I was really looking forward to making it to Norseman- the end of the Nullarbor trip. Norseman was interesting - all the way in, it had signs up for ATM, supermarket, cheap fuel etc Pretty much everything you didn't have access to on the trip from Ceduna through. That was pretty much it though. It looks like a sad, dying, lonely little town. Most of the shops were closed or up for sale and even the real estate agency was up for sale. But, we made it! We crossed the Nullarbor and I did it on my bike!
From Norseman to Esperance was only another 200 kms so off we headed and pulled in around 4:00 p.m. to the caravan park. It's the biggest caravan park I've ever seen and some of the rigs here are just phenomenal.
I found crossing the Nullarbor really interesting. It changed every now and then and had very distinct sections of lands. I didn't feel particularly isolated in the S.A. side as there were roadhouses quite often, but once we hit W.A. I felt very much like we were out in the middle of nowhere. It took us 3 days without any access to mobiles, internet or radio and I found being on my bike with no outside world lovely and peaceful. Once we hit the other side of Norseman, there were farms with fences etc and a complete change of atmosphere.
We are staying another night in Esperance as we need to catch up on things like clothes washing, grocery shopping etc. I would like to look around but we have been having rain, lightning and thunder. Not the sort of weather I particularly want to be riding in.
Well, tomorrow is another day, and it'll be interesting to see what it brings.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Coffin Bay to Ceduna
Day 19
Friday 20 February 2009
Coffin Bay is a lovely quiet spot with ample watersports and fishing going on. We wandered around the foreshore and bought heaps of oyster for an evening treat and watched the birds and pelicans playing.
The caravan park at Coffin Bay is pretty basic and nearly deserted. The days are hot with little shade and we didn't have a particularly good night. There were dozens of large kangaroos in the caravan park each night and they chewed noisily within metres of the camper and they banged their tails hard and loudly on the ground so you really knew they were there.
We left Coffin Bay at first light and saw a kangaroo crossing the road. It made us realise that its too dangerous leaving too early before full light or trying to driving at night. Many people we meet seem to have a story about kangaroos jumping in-front, into and over cars - causing damage. Kim is very exposed on the motorbike so even though many of the stories sound a bit like urban legends we are taking it carefully.
We travelled approximately 400 klms and stopped at a few sights along the way. One stop was Murphy's Haystacks so named because a leading agriculturalist passing in a carriage during the 19th century and was convinced the land owner (Murphy) had stockpiled huge hills of hay. The haystacks are actually awesome rocks.
We are going to stay at a caravan park behind the dunes a few kilometres out of Ceduna - we have been told there are security problems with staying on the roadside or too close to town.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Kim - Mt Barker to Coffin Bay
Days 15 – 18
Monday, 16th – Thursday, 19 February 2009.
I just spent ages typing and the computer crashed so I’m not real impressed at the moment. To cut a long story short, we travelled from Mt Barker to Port Augusta on Monday. The riding was good but the stopping was atrocious due to the heat. I didn’t like the feel of Port Augusta and wanted to get away as soon as we could.
On Tuesday, we moved to Cowell, halfway down the Eyre Peninsula’s coast. The heat was still horrific and sapped us of all energy. We had no phone or internet coverage which was a bit frustrating.
Yesterday, Wednesday, we made it to Port Lincoln. It was much cooler and had a much nicer atmosphere. We decided to stay at Coffin Bay which is slightly further west, and although still very hot, much easier to live with. Here, I went for a couple of walks along the water which was beautiful. There were a few pelicans and jetties and lots of trees with hundreds of Rainbow Lorikeets. It was just lovely. We still have no internet coverage but at least we have mobile coverage now. I was hoping to use the internet for information particularly as we are getting close to hitting the Nullabor. Right now, we can’t even get radio to find out the weather.
Today, Thursday, we are staying at Coffin Bay to get little bits and pieces ready for the next stage of the trip. I’m getting quite nervous about Ceduna and the Nullabor. This morning is overcast and much cooler. We’re hoping we can get a paper to help with the weather and planning but I don’t hold out much hope.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Kim's Post
Day 14, Sunday, 15th February, 2009
We are now at Mt. Barker which is not far from Adelaide. I think we arrived on Thursday (all the days are starting to merge) and are planning to leave tomorrow morning. On Friday, we visited Hahndorf, a little German village about 6 kms away. It was great but I would love to spend more time there. I loved the Candlemaker's Shop and the clock shop. We bought some sausages - spinach, pinenuts and chicken - which I'm hoping to have tonight. A lot of the shops didn't open until 10:00 so we had some strudel and coffee while we waited. It was really nice.
A pub in Hahndorf.
In the afternoon, I caught a bus into Adelaide. It took about an hour but was quite pleasant. We travelled through lots of the little towns at the base of the hills and the scenery was beautiful. I found Adelaide disappointing. It's just the same as other big cities. I didn't find any interesting or unusual shops, pretty much the same as everywhere else. BUT, I'm glad I had the experience and the pigs in the city were cute.
Pigs in the city.
Yesterday, Saturday, my cousin Steve and his wife Annette, picked us up at 8:30 a.m. and took us all around the area. We visited Goolwa and a lot of other places particularly around the Murray River. It was quite a shock to see how low the water is. Boats have been left stranded on sand and some don't have a hope of getting to the water. Very, very sad. We really enjoyed our time with Steve and Annette but unfortunately, I got car sick, which was not nice. In the evening, Steve shouted us pizza and we talked about different places to stop and stay on our trip. Quite sad to have to say goodbye.
The Murray River with boats left stranded.
Today, Chris went in to meet up with a friend from Hydro days while I stay and worked on this blog and talked to Kier etc.
We are now at Mt. Barker which is not far from Adelaide. I think we arrived on Thursday (all the days are starting to merge) and are planning to leave tomorrow morning. On Friday, we visited Hahndorf, a little German village about 6 kms away. It was great but I would love to spend more time there. I loved the Candlemaker's Shop and the clock shop. We bought some sausages - spinach, pinenuts and chicken - which I'm hoping to have tonight. A lot of the shops didn't open until 10:00 so we had some strudel and coffee while we waited. It was really nice.
A pub in Hahndorf.In the afternoon, I caught a bus into Adelaide. It took about an hour but was quite pleasant. We travelled through lots of the little towns at the base of the hills and the scenery was beautiful. I found Adelaide disappointing. It's just the same as other big cities. I didn't find any interesting or unusual shops, pretty much the same as everywhere else. BUT, I'm glad I had the experience and the pigs in the city were cute.
Pigs in the city.
Yesterday, Saturday, my cousin Steve and his wife Annette, picked us up at 8:30 a.m. and took us all around the area. We visited Goolwa and a lot of other places particularly around the Murray River. It was quite a shock to see how low the water is. Boats have been left stranded on sand and some don't have a hope of getting to the water. Very, very sad. We really enjoyed our time with Steve and Annette but unfortunately, I got car sick, which was not nice. In the evening, Steve shouted us pizza and we talked about different places to stop and stay on our trip. Quite sad to have to say goodbye.
The Murray River with boats left stranded.
Today, Chris went in to meet up with a friend from Hydro days while I stay and worked on this blog and talked to Kier etc.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Mt Gambier to Salt Creek to Mt Barker
Days 10 and Days 11
Wednesday and Thursday 11th and12 February 2009
Reminiscing Tuesday
Mt Gambier
Sink Hole
Tuesday had been spent cruising all around Mt Gambier on Kim's motorbike and seeing the sights - most of which she referred to in her last posting (a sinkhole, Blue Lake, a Nature Reserve and Valley Lake).
Nature Reserve
I doubled Kim on the motorcycle because of the weight differential and it has been working out surprisingly well - Kim normally likes riding herself and hates being doubled!
Kim in the Nature Reserve
We sorted out some of our snags or reconciled with the problems and decided to keep moving the next day.
Wednesday
Kim left early Wednesday from Mt Gambier on her motorbike and rode to Milicent before taking the coast road and continuing North West toward Adelaide. We stopped for a break at places like Beachport, Robe and Kingston SE. The camper is ideal for pulling over on the side of the road and stopping for a cold drink, lunch, a cup of tea or whatever.
A tea break at Beachport
We continued to consult the free/cheap camping guide (Camps 4) for places to stop but Kim was enjoying the ride and managing to reach the southern end of the Coorong (meaning in aboriginal - long neck of water). The Coorong is a salty channel of water running along the coast separated from the Southern Ocean by a narrow strip of sand hills called the Younghusband Peninsula.
Kim was able to continue riding so we kept going along the Coorong till we reached Salt Creek and stayed at a small park in the sand dunes. Kim had ridden 200-300 klms and while her back played up a bit she is getting used to it and has worked out the problem.
The Coorong
Thursday
We only stayed a night in the sand dunes opposite the Coorong and left early today heading toward Adelaide.
Kim riding along the Coorong
Kim would like to see the German village of Hahndorf located near Mt Barker (about 30kms south-east of Adelaide). We arrived at Mt Barker and setup in a caravan park before noon. We are finding it takes less than 5 minutes to park and setup - so we are really pleased with the rig.
After arriving here Kim lay down for a few minutes and I joined her - 2 hours later after falling asleep we realized we weren't going to make the village today and instead went into Mt Barker and walked around the shopping centre. Hopefully, we can see Hahndorf tomorrow and ride into Adelaide City on Saturday.
Among the trees staying at Mt Barker
Chris
Wednesday and Thursday 11th and12 February 2009
Reminiscing Tuesday
Mt Gambier
Sink HoleTuesday had been spent cruising all around Mt Gambier on Kim's motorbike and seeing the sights - most of which she referred to in her last posting (a sinkhole, Blue Lake, a Nature Reserve and Valley Lake).
Nature ReserveI doubled Kim on the motorcycle because of the weight differential and it has been working out surprisingly well - Kim normally likes riding herself and hates being doubled!
Kim in the Nature ReserveWe sorted out some of our snags or reconciled with the problems and decided to keep moving the next day.
Wednesday
Kim left early Wednesday from Mt Gambier on her motorbike and rode to Milicent before taking the coast road and continuing North West toward Adelaide. We stopped for a break at places like Beachport, Robe and Kingston SE. The camper is ideal for pulling over on the side of the road and stopping for a cold drink, lunch, a cup of tea or whatever.
A tea break at BeachportWe continued to consult the free/cheap camping guide (Camps 4) for places to stop but Kim was enjoying the ride and managing to reach the southern end of the Coorong (meaning in aboriginal - long neck of water). The Coorong is a salty channel of water running along the coast separated from the Southern Ocean by a narrow strip of sand hills called the Younghusband Peninsula.
Kim was able to continue riding so we kept going along the Coorong till we reached Salt Creek and stayed at a small park in the sand dunes. Kim had ridden 200-300 klms and while her back played up a bit she is getting used to it and has worked out the problem.
The CoorongThursday
We only stayed a night in the sand dunes opposite the Coorong and left early today heading toward Adelaide.
Kim riding along the CoorongKim would like to see the German village of Hahndorf located near Mt Barker (about 30kms south-east of Adelaide). We arrived at Mt Barker and setup in a caravan park before noon. We are finding it takes less than 5 minutes to park and setup - so we are really pleased with the rig.
After arriving here Kim lay down for a few minutes and I joined her - 2 hours later after falling asleep we realized we weren't going to make the village today and instead went into Mt Barker and walked around the shopping centre. Hopefully, we can see Hahndorf tomorrow and ride into Adelaide City on Saturday.
Among the trees staying at Mt BarkerChris
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kim's Post
Day 9
Tuesday, 10 February, 2009
This morning Chris was not happy with the battery charger he bought so returned it. We may get one from the net or in Adelaide that will do the job properly.
We headed to the Blue Lake which really is a stunning blue at the moment and then onto the Wildlife Reserve. It was quite a nice walk around the reserve - we saw ducks, other water birds, little willie wagtails, a couple of wallabies and lots of wombat poo. As we were riding away, a kangaroo jumped up to the fence.
After lunch, we visited the sinkhole. It was really interesting. I loved the vegetation and it's kept lovely.
Chris is doing the clothes washing at the moment (his turn). The weather has been really up and down - raining, sunny, windy, still etc.
Tomorrow we are heading for Beachport or Kingstown. We'll just have to wait and see what's in store for us. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Coorong which starts around Kingstown. Here in S.A. we are 1/2 hour behind home.
Well that's it from me today,
Kim
Tuesday, 10 February, 2009
This morning Chris was not happy with the battery charger he bought so returned it. We may get one from the net or in Adelaide that will do the job properly.
We headed to the Blue Lake which really is a stunning blue at the moment and then onto the Wildlife Reserve. It was quite a nice walk around the reserve - we saw ducks, other water birds, little willie wagtails, a couple of wallabies and lots of wombat poo. As we were riding away, a kangaroo jumped up to the fence.
After lunch, we visited the sinkhole. It was really interesting. I loved the vegetation and it's kept lovely.
Chris is doing the clothes washing at the moment (his turn). The weather has been really up and down - raining, sunny, windy, still etc.
Tomorrow we are heading for Beachport or Kingstown. We'll just have to wait and see what's in store for us. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Coorong which starts around Kingstown. Here in S.A. we are 1/2 hour behind home.
Well that's it from me today,
Kim
Monday, February 9, 2009
Kim's post
Chris has told most of what happened today but I thought I'd better add my 2 cents worth. This morning was a little depressing because of the snags but the guy at the information centre was wonderful. He couldn't do enough to help us and we are very grateful.
This arvo, I walked into town for a couple of hours and had a really nice time strolling around. When I returned, Chris decided to go see the Blue Lake which we'll both do tomorrow. I'm also hoping we'll get to see the sink hole which looks really beautiful.
The ride was lovely this morning. Nice and cool and I could travel at around 110 kms for most of the road. I kept looking out for the S.A. border but didn't see any signs. The velcro on one of my gloves started coming undone, so I've done a bit of a repair job on it. Hopefully it will do the trick and if it doesn't , it's not a big deal.
The little caravan park we're staying at is lovely - clean, neat and has everything we need.
Well, that's it for now,
Kim
This arvo, I walked into town for a couple of hours and had a really nice time strolling around. When I returned, Chris decided to go see the Blue Lake which we'll both do tomorrow. I'm also hoping we'll get to see the sink hole which looks really beautiful.
The ride was lovely this morning. Nice and cool and I could travel at around 110 kms for most of the road. I kept looking out for the S.A. border but didn't see any signs. The velcro on one of my gloves started coming undone, so I've done a bit of a repair job on it. Hopefully it will do the trick and if it doesn't , it's not a big deal.
The little caravan park we're staying at is lovely - clean, neat and has everything we need.
Well, that's it for now,
Kim
Nelson to Mount Gambier
Day 8
Monday 9th February 2009
KIM HEADING OFF FROM NELSON
We left Nelson and negotiated our way across the border into South Australia (paying careful attention to the rules relating to fruit and vegetables). We had arrived in the information centre at Mount Gambier by 8.45am (SA time). Kim enjoyed the ride and wanted to look around and keep going but we had a few snags.
Snag 1
It appeared that our internet wasn't working. After speaking with our carrier, we were told we couldn't fix the problem in SA and had to wait until Perth (WA). The Mt Gambier information centre was fantastic and allowed Kim to go behind the counter and check her modem module on their computer - it worked on their computer but not ours. Looked like computer problems. The information centre was fantastic in helping to check our power supply and locations for computer repairs - the morning was not looking good.
Snag 2
While checking out the computer problem we found our camper batteries had dropped to 12.6 volts (not getting enough charge from the truck and I didn't bring our ancient high ampage yacht battery charger) so the inverter wouldn't kick in to provide 240 volts. While the problem is simple - we need to drive 3-4 hours to charge the batteries (not having any other form of charging). Rather than go with solar panels, chargers, inverter generators or wind generators (as with yachting) we started with the attitude of suck it and see.
This was all a bit depressing. We decided to stay in a caravan park in Mt Gambier and see what we could sort out. While Kim stayed on the computer trying to fix it, I went into the city centre and bought an electronic charger. While I was sereptitiously cutting my own set of keys for Kim's motorbike she rang and reported that the computer was fixed. Riding around Mt Gambier is really enjoyable on Kim's motorbike, plenty of historical buildings and interesting shops.
BATTERY CHARGER UNDER CAMPERWhile I am charging the batteries, Kim has gone into town and will report back on what we should do while we are in Mt Gambier.
Chris
Fitzroy River to Portland to Nelson
Day 7
Sunday 8th February 2009
Kim left from Fitzroy River Reserve on her bike and headed for Portland (about 35klms). She hit reserve on her fuel supply just before coming into Narrawong and stopped at the service station/small shop (the only shop in Narrawong). Unfortunately, the service station part had closed down years ago but the owner hadn’t sign posted it. Kim used one of her small fuel tanks that she carries and continued into Portland.
KIM LOOKING TIRED FROM RIDING
We shopped in Portland for groceries and continued on to our target of the Nelson Pub.
Kim found the riding easy going and enjoyed the sections of State Forest, natural bushland and open road with farmland either side. There was hardly any traffic and no sign of the fires to the north and east. She arrived in Nelson and we headed straight for the Pub and Restaurant Ten years ago when we were in the same area, Kim had a few counter meals at the Nelson Pub (while Kieran and I had disappeared for a day & night up the river canoeing). Kim has never stopped talking about the food. We stopped around noon and had our counter meals and decided we might stay for the night at the local caravan park - nicely positioned next to the Glenelg River inlet.
A VIEW UP THE GLENELG RIVER INLAND
We have had a few walks and might do some fishing off the jetty tonight.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Fitzroy River Reserve Park
End of Day 6
Saturday 7th February 2009
Afternoon
We spent much of the afternoon sitting under the camper awning, reading the paper and listening to the tragic news of fires across the State - luckily there are no fires in this area. As with other places in Victoria, temperatures are around 45 C and winds are strong to gale force. A cooler csouth/west change came through mid afternoon and temperatures dropped into the low 30'sC.
Kim was fairly tired and used the day as a break (which was a good move considering the weather), but I decided on a bicycle ride and totally stuffed myself (forgot water and food as usual). A little Jack Russell terrier decided our camper was home for a while (until we stopped giving it any attention), it curled up on our mat and stayed there waiting for food or friendship.
Evening
Kim and I are both lacking energy now but we are enjoying the regime/routine and company around the camper. We took a few walks around the place and went to bed early.
Chris
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Kim's post - at last
Day 6
Saturday 7th February 2009
We're staying at a reserve on the Fitzroy River which is about 35 kms before Portland. It's a lovely, quiet spot but we had a terrible night with wind, lightning and thunder. This morning was stinking hot but a cool change has finally come through. Because the weather was supposed to be so bad - mainly the heat and wind, we decided to stay put today which would also give my back a break. We've just come back from a walk and saw a roo at the river having a drink. While we were watching, he decided to go in for a swim, and swam right across to the other side of the river.
Janine - if you're reading this, get your Ps, go for a couple of rides every week, grab Leigh, and hit the Great Ocean Road as soon as you can! You and Leigh will love it. The ride from Anglesea to Warrnambool is like nothing else you'll ever get to do and is absolute magic!
We're hoping tomorrow to make it to Nelson. I love Nelson and am really looking forward to it - especially the pub lunch (or tea).
Hopefully, now that I've done my first blog, it won't be so hard to get into it again.
Saturday 7th February 2009
We're staying at a reserve on the Fitzroy River which is about 35 kms before Portland. It's a lovely, quiet spot but we had a terrible night with wind, lightning and thunder. This morning was stinking hot but a cool change has finally come through. Because the weather was supposed to be so bad - mainly the heat and wind, we decided to stay put today which would also give my back a break. We've just come back from a walk and saw a roo at the river having a drink. While we were watching, he decided to go in for a swim, and swam right across to the other side of the river.
Janine - if you're reading this, get your Ps, go for a couple of rides every week, grab Leigh, and hit the Great Ocean Road as soon as you can! You and Leigh will love it. The ride from Anglesea to Warrnambool is like nothing else you'll ever get to do and is absolute magic!
We're hoping tomorrow to make it to Nelson. I love Nelson and am really looking forward to it - especially the pub lunch (or tea).
Hopefully, now that I've done my first blog, it won't be so hard to get into it again.
Fitzroy River Reserve Park
Day 6
Saturday 7th February 2008
Early Morning
Around 5.00 am we had another storm and striking lightning and loud thunder activity. Woke up Kim but she is still dozing away now (7.40am) so I will leave her to recover from the night and keep up with this journal.
Chris
Saturday 7th February 2008
Early Morning
Around 5.00 am we had another storm and striking lightning and loud thunder activity. Woke up Kim but she is still dozing away now (7.40am) so I will leave her to recover from the night and keep up with this journal.
Chris
Fitzroy River Reserve Park
Day 5 (still)
Friday February 2009
Late Afternoon
In the late afternoon Kim went for a walk to report back on the limited facilities. At the time I was updating this journal and soon realized she had been away for 60 minutes. I unloaded the bicycle and headed in the directions she had taken (toward the beach).
The trip from the camping ground to the beach is about 1-2 kilometres and is fairly treacherous in sections along the river that have high ways and nowhere much to walk/ride. I knew the principal activity was beach fishing and assumed that she had got caught up in a conversation with one of the few beach fisherman trying their luck. The tide in the river was fairly low and it appeared shallow at certain points. I rode across the river only to find the other side deepening until it came up to my knees but powered over to the other side (wetting my leather walking boots in the process). I headed out to the beach but couldn't find her.
Upon returning to the camper (which I had locked) poor Kim was sitting on the steps looking pretty miserable. She had walked along the River (but in the other direction - inland) and had walked across a section of the bank when her feet sunk in the mud and shoes disappeared in the mire below. She has just bought these new (and fairly expensive) airated style of leather sandshoes and tried to clean them up in the river but being leather was really worried about them. So I found her sitting on the step trying to clean her shoes and sock and muddy up to her knees.
We soon sorted our shoes out with the shower and have left them to dry - should be right.
Evening/Night
The wind and rain came up in fairly decent front coming in from the north-east. I loved it (felt like being on a yacht) and battened down the hatches and wandered around closing vents that might let in rain (the pop top has 6 netted window/vents for air). The wind blew so hard I considered dropping the poptop for a few seconds and even checked the pilot light on the fidge incase the buffetting and swaying might have blown it out. But all was well, although we had trouble sleeping. I watched a DVD while Kim listened to the storm and worried a bit about being blown over.
Friday February 2009
Late Afternoon
In the late afternoon Kim went for a walk to report back on the limited facilities. At the time I was updating this journal and soon realized she had been away for 60 minutes. I unloaded the bicycle and headed in the directions she had taken (toward the beach).
The trip from the camping ground to the beach is about 1-2 kilometres and is fairly treacherous in sections along the river that have high ways and nowhere much to walk/ride. I knew the principal activity was beach fishing and assumed that she had got caught up in a conversation with one of the few beach fisherman trying their luck. The tide in the river was fairly low and it appeared shallow at certain points. I rode across the river only to find the other side deepening until it came up to my knees but powered over to the other side (wetting my leather walking boots in the process). I headed out to the beach but couldn't find her.
Upon returning to the camper (which I had locked) poor Kim was sitting on the steps looking pretty miserable. She had walked along the River (but in the other direction - inland) and had walked across a section of the bank when her feet sunk in the mud and shoes disappeared in the mire below. She has just bought these new (and fairly expensive) airated style of leather sandshoes and tried to clean them up in the river but being leather was really worried about them. So I found her sitting on the step trying to clean her shoes and sock and muddy up to her knees.
We soon sorted our shoes out with the shower and have left them to dry - should be right.
Evening/Night
The wind and rain came up in fairly decent front coming in from the north-east. I loved it (felt like being on a yacht) and battened down the hatches and wandered around closing vents that might let in rain (the pop top has 6 netted window/vents for air). The wind blew so hard I considered dropping the poptop for a few seconds and even checked the pilot light on the fidge incase the buffetting and swaying might have blown it out. But all was well, although we had trouble sleeping. I watched a DVD while Kim listened to the storm and worried a bit about being blown over.
Friday, February 6, 2009
From Warrnambool to Tyrendarra (near Portland)
Day 5
Friday 6 February 2009-02-06
We left the 4 ½ star caravan park around 9.00am and headed the 10 kms into Warrnambool to visit the Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village and Museum. It was a simple ride for Kim but she let me go first so I could scout a suitable park for the rig (plenty of bus parking in the Maritime Village).
We spent the rest of the morning at the Village and had lunch in the van while in the car-park (a common occurrence).
The Maritime Village was really enjoyable and we could have spent a lot longer but we needed to get some distance on the motorbike.
Kim sets off around 1.00 pm and started on the Princess Highway. The road quality is high and she found riding easy. Unfortunately after about an hour her back started playing up so we found the nearest free camping area having travelled about 71klm from Warrnambool (daily total of around 80kms).
The area is right on the Fitzroy River and is fairly popular with a few other campervan semi-permanently set up. We are no longer on external 240 volt power and have engaged the gas option on the fridge to avoid the 12volt drain but otherwise have 12 volt for most appliances and 240 volts through an inverter if needed (we have about 300amp hours from AGM batteries but their limits haven’t been tested yet – we may soon find out how long they last).
Kim lay down for a while to help her back recover and is a little depressed about her back that it is still aching after 5 days of riding. I fell asleep while Kim was making dinner (worked out fairly well for me). Kim has walked around the area and discovered the fairly basic amenities (a rotoloo toilet) and is now sending off a few postcards. It’s a bit late for a bicycle ride now but we may consider a ride into town on the motorbike. We’ll see how Kim’s back pulls up tomorrow morning before leaving – it may be time for her to take a day off.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
From Lavers Hill to Warrnambool
Day 5
Thursday 5 February 2009
We left Lavers Hill fairly early and headed down to Princetown. Kim enjoyed the riding coming down from Lavers Hill it was full on bend after bend. She was pushing the bike into the corners so much that she claims to have almost scrapped the pegs on some of the corners - I will believe it when she can show me the scrap marks on the motorbike peg underside. I was having a lot of trouble keeping up. Most of the road allowed for 100klms (with dire warning on corners) so Kim was well in front much of the time and when I tried to close the gaps the 4x4 control drifted around the corners (with a bit of tyre noise) so I accepted the limitation after a time.
Kim's back started playing up very near the 12 apostles (between Princetown and Port Campbell) so we had a cup of tea beside the road. She got a good rest at the 12 apostles but walked a few klms getting camera shots from every angle.
We stopped at Port Campbell after the 12 Apostles experience. I say experience because aside from the unique statue formations that form the phenomena we met people from several nationalities (Israel, Indian, Pakistan, English and Canadian). The only Australian in the area verbally accosted/challenged several person as they entered or left the interpretation centre and lecture them on the evils of the US, Jews, the inter-national monetary system - a bit weird. I won't bother you with the details but being on holidays I tried to avoid the conversation when I saw where it was going rather than argue a more balanced view and I strangely came away with quite a headache - as a lawyer the option to run/avoid rather than fight/argue is unfamiliar to me.
We stopped at Port Campbell and wandered around looking at the sights and shopping for odds and ends. Before leaving Port Campbell, Kim needed fuel. We either agreed that I would wait while Kim got fuel or as I recall it (under the influence of a headache) agreed that I would go ahead and Kim could catch me up. After driving ahead of Kim for about 8klms (she was still in Port Campbell looking me) I finally got a phone call from Kim (out of range for UHF) and discovered what had happened. Kim caught up quickly enough while I pulled over at a spot called the Grotto and entered the camper.
While I nursed a headache with a good coffee, Kim went for a few more klms worth of walking down the cliffs to the beach and took more photos (she should post them soon).
I thought she would want to stop but she decided to proceed onto to Warrnambool. We decided on a caravan park about 9 klms out of town called the Hopkins River Caravan Park - 4 1/2 stars and pretty flashy but worth the stay. They had plenty of facilities and very few patrons. We played table tennis several time (I lost all games - she wanted me to add that), swam in the pool and played in the spa. We are hoping the spa and some muscle cream will help her back for tomorrow.
We did a bit of tripping around on the Triumph (the only time I get to ride is doubling Kim - I am a bit heavy for her to double). We saw a museum and went to a cheese tasting emporium. We ended up buying some herb and garlic cheese for probably twice the going rate (but it was worth the experience). The museum display this monolith of an old 1930's engine that only created 88hp. It's incredible to think that with a few minor upgrades (she won't let me do them) I can get 90-100hp out of the triumph - picture of engine below.
We also went into the suburbs leading to Warrnambool and picked up those precious lamb chops. I had noticed a Suzuki motorcycle shop in the area so later I rode on the bicycle up to the motorcycle shop and got some advice on the Triumph rear spring/suspension settings (they were too soft when doubling and Kim bottomed out while riding by herself coming into Warrnambool). After the bicycle ride Kim and I reposition the spring sittings and we are hoping it might help her back tomorrow.
We had a pretty full day and burned some serious calories so we barbequed a few lamb chops and really lived it up. Everything going well and Kim fast asleep by 8.30pm.
Thursday 5 February 2009
We left Lavers Hill fairly early and headed down to Princetown. Kim enjoyed the riding coming down from Lavers Hill it was full on bend after bend. She was pushing the bike into the corners so much that she claims to have almost scrapped the pegs on some of the corners - I will believe it when she can show me the scrap marks on the motorbike peg underside. I was having a lot of trouble keeping up. Most of the road allowed for 100klms (with dire warning on corners) so Kim was well in front much of the time and when I tried to close the gaps the 4x4 control drifted around the corners (with a bit of tyre noise) so I accepted the limitation after a time.
Kim's back started playing up very near the 12 apostles (between Princetown and Port Campbell) so we had a cup of tea beside the road. She got a good rest at the 12 apostles but walked a few klms getting camera shots from every angle.
We stopped at Port Campbell after the 12 Apostles experience. I say experience because aside from the unique statue formations that form the phenomena we met people from several nationalities (Israel, Indian, Pakistan, English and Canadian). The only Australian in the area verbally accosted/challenged several person as they entered or left the interpretation centre and lecture them on the evils of the US, Jews, the inter-national monetary system - a bit weird. I won't bother you with the details but being on holidays I tried to avoid the conversation when I saw where it was going rather than argue a more balanced view and I strangely came away with quite a headache - as a lawyer the option to run/avoid rather than fight/argue is unfamiliar to me.
We stopped at Port Campbell and wandered around looking at the sights and shopping for odds and ends. Before leaving Port Campbell, Kim needed fuel. We either agreed that I would wait while Kim got fuel or as I recall it (under the influence of a headache) agreed that I would go ahead and Kim could catch me up. After driving ahead of Kim for about 8klms (she was still in Port Campbell looking me) I finally got a phone call from Kim (out of range for UHF) and discovered what had happened. Kim caught up quickly enough while I pulled over at a spot called the Grotto and entered the camper.
While I nursed a headache with a good coffee, Kim went for a few more klms worth of walking down the cliffs to the beach and took more photos (she should post them soon).
I thought she would want to stop but she decided to proceed onto to Warrnambool. We decided on a caravan park about 9 klms out of town called the Hopkins River Caravan Park - 4 1/2 stars and pretty flashy but worth the stay. They had plenty of facilities and very few patrons. We played table tennis several time (I lost all games - she wanted me to add that), swam in the pool and played in the spa. We are hoping the spa and some muscle cream will help her back for tomorrow.
We did a bit of tripping around on the Triumph (the only time I get to ride is doubling Kim - I am a bit heavy for her to double). We saw a museum and went to a cheese tasting emporium. We ended up buying some herb and garlic cheese for probably twice the going rate (but it was worth the experience). The museum display this monolith of an old 1930's engine that only created 88hp. It's incredible to think that with a few minor upgrades (she won't let me do them) I can get 90-100hp out of the triumph - picture of engine below.
We also went into the suburbs leading to Warrnambool and picked up those precious lamb chops. I had noticed a Suzuki motorcycle shop in the area so later I rode on the bicycle up to the motorcycle shop and got some advice on the Triumph rear spring/suspension settings (they were too soft when doubling and Kim bottomed out while riding by herself coming into Warrnambool). After the bicycle ride Kim and I reposition the spring sittings and we are hoping it might help her back tomorrow.
We had a pretty full day and burned some serious calories so we barbequed a few lamb chops and really lived it up. Everything going well and Kim fast asleep by 8.30pm.
From Lorne to Lavers Hill
From Lorne to Lavers Hill
Day 3
Wednesday 4 February 2009.
We woke fairly early but couldn’t leave the caravan park in Lorne till around 8.30 am (after the office opens so we could recover our key deposit). The couple from Brisbane (Tony and Von) in the camper adjacent came over before we left and gave us about $30 worth of excess food that they would have to dispose of before flying back from Melbourne later in the day – very generous. The couple have offered to put us up for a day when we come down past Brisbane and Von runs a hair/beauty salon and has offer us a haircut – very generous, although since it was directed at me I fear my hair might look a bit sad and unstylish to a professional hair stylist like Von.
We continued following the Great Ocean Road route, which is very scenic but only a single lane with extreme bends and blind spots. Kim found the winding road and extreme bends leading to Apollo Bay fantastic riding – very hard to watch for me (a fellow rider in a 4x4camper following). She kept the speed up through the corners but unfortunately we were soon slowed down by other traffic and she found it tiring from then on and we started making stops for cups of tea and general diversion. Some of the diversions were koalas in trees on the side of the road and a killer whale popping up from time to time along the Great Ocean Road.
Kim is still building up her physical condition for the trip and started to ache (mainly back) quite a bit so we decided to stop at Lavers Hill rather than continue on to our general target of Princetown (a further 50 kms). While she probably only travelled about 100 kms riding, it was hard riding and would have involved a lot of concentration. Kim slept an hour or two in the afternoon and fell asleep around 7.30 pm reading motorbike magazines (the March/April edition of Road Rider – a good Australian Publication).
We are camped at a small (no tiny) caravan park at Lavers Hill – it is so cheap that it is virtually free and includes the basic amenities.
They have an undercover barbeque at the caravan park and I wanted a lamb chop or two to go with the three remaining sausages from our fridge. The local shop wanted about $20 a kilogram for some very poor examples of mutton so I just couldn’t buy them – too used to eating our own sheep and not paying for meat I suppose. I had gone for a bicycle ride for that illusive chop so I used the opportunity to burn off a bit of energy by continuing on and riding up Lavers Hill on the alternative route back toward Geelong cross country – great fun but started to realize I was unprepared physically or practically to go far so gave it away after 10 klms – I have had to call Kim or Kieran (my son) for a pickup on a few previous occasions when unfit and was too ambitious and I really could do without the embarrassment.
We enjoyed our 3 sausages between us with some side salad before Kim fell asleep with her motorbike magazine. We are having a good time and finding plenty of practical things to do around/in the camper & trailer to keep us occupied.
We have no mobile internet coverage up here so this posting will not be real time.
Day 3
Wednesday 4 February 2009.
We woke fairly early but couldn’t leave the caravan park in Lorne till around 8.30 am (after the office opens so we could recover our key deposit). The couple from Brisbane (Tony and Von) in the camper adjacent came over before we left and gave us about $30 worth of excess food that they would have to dispose of before flying back from Melbourne later in the day – very generous. The couple have offered to put us up for a day when we come down past Brisbane and Von runs a hair/beauty salon and has offer us a haircut – very generous, although since it was directed at me I fear my hair might look a bit sad and unstylish to a professional hair stylist like Von.
We continued following the Great Ocean Road route, which is very scenic but only a single lane with extreme bends and blind spots. Kim found the winding road and extreme bends leading to Apollo Bay fantastic riding – very hard to watch for me (a fellow rider in a 4x4camper following). She kept the speed up through the corners but unfortunately we were soon slowed down by other traffic and she found it tiring from then on and we started making stops for cups of tea and general diversion. Some of the diversions were koalas in trees on the side of the road and a killer whale popping up from time to time along the Great Ocean Road.
Kim is still building up her physical condition for the trip and started to ache (mainly back) quite a bit so we decided to stop at Lavers Hill rather than continue on to our general target of Princetown (a further 50 kms). While she probably only travelled about 100 kms riding, it was hard riding and would have involved a lot of concentration. Kim slept an hour or two in the afternoon and fell asleep around 7.30 pm reading motorbike magazines (the March/April edition of Road Rider – a good Australian Publication).
We are camped at a small (no tiny) caravan park at Lavers Hill – it is so cheap that it is virtually free and includes the basic amenities.
They have an undercover barbeque at the caravan park and I wanted a lamb chop or two to go with the three remaining sausages from our fridge. The local shop wanted about $20 a kilogram for some very poor examples of mutton so I just couldn’t buy them – too used to eating our own sheep and not paying for meat I suppose. I had gone for a bicycle ride for that illusive chop so I used the opportunity to burn off a bit of energy by continuing on and riding up Lavers Hill on the alternative route back toward Geelong cross country – great fun but started to realize I was unprepared physically or practically to go far so gave it away after 10 klms – I have had to call Kim or Kieran (my son) for a pickup on a few previous occasions when unfit and was too ambitious and I really could do without the embarrassment.
We enjoyed our 3 sausages between us with some side salad before Kim fell asleep with her motorbike magazine. We are having a good time and finding plenty of practical things to do around/in the camper & trailer to keep us occupied.
We have no mobile internet coverage up here so this posting will not be real time.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Leaving Geelong
Its Tuesday 3 Feb 2009 in the morning and we are about to leave Geelong. Good night in the van but it can get rocky even with the beefed up springs and airbag suspension if you move around alot. I woke really early and just potted around organising everything and speaking with interesting people in the amenity block. One guy has lived in this caravan park for 20 years, he started in a van and is now in a cabin, apparently he got layed off from driving a roadside slasher/tractor because his epilepsy caused him to lose control and vere all over the road and roll the tractor - he's ok now with medication.
The people next door have a 12 metre plus full blown motor home and are carting a massive trailer which carries their V6 4x4 - what a rig. They just move from place to place as the whim takes them and are probably in their late 60's. Have attached a picture of the motorbike I sold (2008 model KLR650) and Kims bike ready for action in Geelong.
The people next door have a 12 metre plus full blown motor home and are carting a massive trailer which carries their V6 4x4 - what a rig. They just move from place to place as the whim takes them and are probably in their late 60's. Have attached a picture of the motorbike I sold (2008 model KLR650) and Kims bike ready for action in Geelong.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)