Blogs from Goondiwindi, Queensland, Australia, Oceania

Another big day! We slept pretty well beside the river. Took our time getting ready, pommy wash this morning. First stop was just up the road in Parkes. Had some breaky in a French bakery in a VERY Aussie town, run by a smiley Asian couple. Very unique experience especially when English was definitely not their first language. Then to the DISH! Great to see. We were lucky to catch it doing its 360 degree movement. It looked great! Its huge! There was some amazing photography of the universe on their walls too. We are mere specks of universal dust when its all said and done! We continued up the Newell highway. Trucks, trucks, and even more trucks! It’s a good straight drive and though pretty repetitive, there’s still some beautiful scenery. Lunch stop was Cooney, ... read more

We are now travelling through the “Western Downs” which is cattle country, so we see lots of road trains transporting cattle. Are they supplying the new deal with Indonesia that was recently negotiated by Tony Abbot? We are also seeing lots of prickly pear plants. These are the remnants of the major outbreak which occurred early last century and was finally brought under biological control using “Cactoblastis”. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cactoblastis_cactorum One of the weird things that can occur when travelling is the change in price for specific vegetables. Back home asparagus was expensive at about $3 a bunch but here we have bought it for less than a $1, together with similarly cheap snow peas. With a little Oyster sauce they are a great combination. Yum! As we approached Miles we star... read more

Today was a bit of a late start. A great day to eat pancakes to celebrate the beginning of the journey. We headed out of Tamworth with the good intentions of making it to St George. Alas, the slow driving and late start meant a change of plans. Whichever way we travelled, we were getting to Queensland. There is something special about getting into your caravan and then making your own lunch. We chose a quiet spot by the river in Narrabri. A great way to relax somewhat while travelling. Each day doesn’t complete without it’s glitches. Today’s glitch was the hitch. Yes, the weight distribution hitch that I installed was not travelling well, and didn’t really do what it was supposed to. In fact, many of it’s parts had worked themselves loose. The worst of ... read more

This is a catch up Blog Well back to Gundy & got organised for Xmas.Poor Nicky had been bitten by a dog on her leg & was worried as she has to have an op on her knee in January. Poor Corey & Val are hoping to make it out of Chinchilla as it is threatening to flood. On Xmas Eve we had to put out the cake & beef for Santa & we headed off to the park for the fireworks. Mick helps set them up which is a big job. It had been raining so it was nice that it stopped for the night. We had a good time as the whole town turns out for it. Maddy was very excited as she knew all about it this year. Xmas morning was a fun ... read more

1st Oct to 8th Nov , Margaret & Bruce were out for the Birthday‘s as well & the Boy’s (Den & Bruce ) were kept busy moving shrubs & making a new garden & planting some trees . The Boy’s were not silly they loaded the dirt up in the wheel barrows, then got the tractor & drove them back to the house yard to save their backs. They had a bit of fun fishing & caught a few fish as Brigalow Creek at the back of Mick & Nicks was flooded & flowing. Maddy was not too keen on the worms that went on the hooks. We had a nice night out for tea for Nick’s Birthday . We woke to 3 more baby Guinea Pig’s this morning, Marg & Bruce went back to Bribe ... read more