Weggs
Judy and Rags Joined: May 5th 2007
Logged in: February 6th 2012
Logged in: February 6th 2012
In 2007 we enjoyed another 6 months. This time we organised some home exchanges to help the budget, meet new people and be able to kick back and relax in a few places. Hawaii, San Francisco, Mexico, Croatia, England, Scotland, Canary Islands, Czech Republic, Austria, Netherlands, China & Tibet were all visited either briefly or for extended stays.
In 2008 apart from a few local trips that we also decided to include on our blog we went to New Zealand. We spent 3 weeks with a home exchange in the North Island and 3 weeks in the South Island traveling around in a hired camper van.
In 2009 we went to Vietnam with a group of friends we ride with and had a great couple of weeks there. The year concludes with our trips in the north of Western Australia, including our adventures on the Gibb River Road in the Kimberleys, and our experiences in some remote schools.
2010 began with travel to Melbourne, and a slow drive back through Victoria and South Australia, on to a cycling trip to Bali, and concludes with our big adventure to Russia, Greek Islands and Turkey.
For 2011 we decided we would use our caravan and just travel in Australia. This idea didn't last long as Qantas offered less than half-price fares to USA to celebrate the direct flight to Dallas. We took the opportunity to break our around Australia trip in Queensland for 4 weeks to take this flight, giving us a chance to catch up with some American friends we met on our Russian river cruise.
Travel Blog Posts
Home again after 4 months!
Friday 2nd September 2011 We got away at about 8.30am, the van and car combination looking great. Because we had to keep our speed down to 80kph for the next 800kms we expected to put in a long day as we wanted to be near the WA border to meet our friends, Jan and Brett, for lunch tomorrow. Because of the larger fuel tank (90 litres) we now have a much greater range, even so we stopped at Katherine to top up the tank so that we wouldn't need to use the jerry cans we are carrying. Lunch was at a park just out of town, Judy then took the wheel for the first time in the new car with the van in tow. She did really well, extending what Rags thought would be a 1 ... read more
The Star from the the old "Star Theatre"
Tuesday 23rd August 2011 We had a great night's sleep at the airfield which was several kilometres from the road with no-one near us. However, at about 3am Rags woke and the thought of being so far from help and the fact the Jeep hadn't been too reliable kept him awake for some time. Not to worry, after breakfast the car started first kick and we were on our way to Mataranka by 7.30am. We arrived at the resort quite early and after checking the sites decided to stay the night. After setting up we walked to the thermal pool about 200m from where we set up. This pool was first enlarged during WW2, and has since become a great attraction to the region. Water comes from a bore at the rate of 30.5 million litres/day ... read more
Sign at Camooweal Roadhouse
Sunday 21st August 2011 An early rise (for a Sunday), saw us on the road before 9am, after saying our goodbyes to Michael and Sharon before getting John and Rosemary out of bed for the same. First stop, Camooweal the place we almost got to 4 days ago. We refuelled there and continued a short distance up the road to the billabong or Mary's Lake. This is a popular free camping spot and we had planned stop there. There was plenty of bird-life there and it would have been a great spot to stay, except we were now ready to move on after our 4 day delay. We had morning tea there, took some photos of the birds there, and we were off. Lunch was in the Northern Territory at a truck stop, we continuing on, ... read more
Burke and Wills Memorial
Tuesday 16th August 2011 We left our site at Karumba at about 8.30am and an hour later we were in Normanton, the town we had expected to stay in originally. The town was as dead as it was on Sunday, except the few shops there were open. The general store was in one spot, the butcher 3 or 4 blocks further up the street, and the bakery up a distant side street opposite the school. At the bakery we were served by an unusual gent wearing a Queensland slouch hat. A loaf of bread was all we walked out with, the only 'special' treat they had were Rottnest type cream buns. After photos of the barramundi statue outside a motel, a model of the crocodile allegedly shot by a local lady, and of course the Purple ... read more
Bridge over the Gilbert River
Saturday 13th August 2011 We managed to get away by 8.15am going south through Cairns continuing until just before Innisfail. The 90kms or so to the town of Ravenshoe was up and down, but nowhere near as hilly and steep as through Kuranda or Mareeba. We had no problems with the Jeep, our confidence in it slowly increasing. We stopped by the oval in Ravenshoe for morning tea where we talked to a couple from WA going the other way, and another couple headed to Normanton. The latter couple before us but it didn't take long to catch up and pass them. Perhaps we'll see them at the Gilbert River stop-over we are headed for. Lunch was had in Georgetown, a pretty little town from what we could see, with clean conveniences and a 'dump point' ... read more
Afternoon tea
Tuesday 9th August 2011 We must have slept well because whilst having our breakfast just after 7.30am we were told that one of the ladies parked near us had fallen at 6.30am, hurting her shoulder and cutting her face. She had called for help which we hadn't heard, luckily someone else had and an ambulance was called. After readying the van for departure and hitching up, we went for our final walk with John and Marilyn. On our return we had a shower, made our farewells, and set off. We have in our mind that this may be our destination next July, after we return from Europe, both of us loving the area and being able to catch up with the people we have met. The 100kms to Cairns passed quickly, we settling into our spot ... read more
Cardwell cyclone damage
Saturday 6th August 2011 After an early breakfast and hugs and farewells to Michelle and Paul, and we were on our way. The Jeep didn't miss a beat and the tension in both of us started to subside. It appears the repairs have been successful. The 100kms or so to Ingham, the next major town, passed quickly with everything going as it should. Here we stopped for a break and walked down the main street with its older type shops lining it, a wide, grassed median strip dividing it. The town was celebrating an Italian/Australian show over the weekend but this started later and was on the edge of town. Even so, you could see the Italian influence in the town with its cafes, grocery shops, and the people about you. It seemed like a friendly ... read more
Castle Hill
Saturday 30th July 2011 By 8am we had left the park, stopping at Airlie Beach to go to the Saturday Market they hold there. This had the usual type of stall we have often seen, with a few fruit and vegetable stalls as well. We left with a couple of bags of vegetables and fruit, plus some gifts and a few photos we took. Lunch was had in the van at Ayr, where we arrived just before lunch with time to buy some fresh bread and a hot chicken at the Coles store there. We continued on, reaching Townsville about 2pm. We had chosen a caravan park from one of the brochures but on arriving we were told there were no vacancies. The manager did ring a couple of other places, all full, until he rang ... read more
Airlie Beach Swimming Lagoon
When one hears the words "Whitsunday" most think of a group of islands off Queensland. In fact, the area has been named after the Whitsunday Strait which passes between the islands and the mainland.The islands belong to the Cumberland group. No matter, besides this piece of trivia, we found this a wonderful area to visit and we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Sunday 24th July 2011 We had done most of the preparation for our departure yesterday and after completing the last few things we could only do before leaving we joined John and Marilyn for breakfast. This had been arranged last night over some drinks we had on our return from dinner. John presented us with scrambled eggs and bacon, cooked tomato, toast, with a side of black pudding for the men. Delicious! Brendan, the ... read more
Lunch at Clairview
Saturday 16th July 2011 Rags awoke at 4.30am with rain beating steadily on the roof of the van. He dozed a little between then and sunrise, but Judy was also restless. By 7am he was up and about, soon followed by Judy. After a quick breakfast and shower we soon had the van packed and ready to go, leaving by 8.30am. John and Marilyn intended leaving shortly after, so we agreed to meet for lunch. The GPS told us a different route to what we were expecting to take, by-passing Rockhampton altogether. This was a pleasant drive and about 15kms shorter. By 11am we were near the town of Marlborough, so we detoured off the Bruce Highway and entered the town. This consisted of a few houses, a Post Office and a service station/deli and little ... read more
