Dave and Issy Sheehan

DaveandIssy

Dave and Issy Sheehan

Former TravelPod Member: the.sheehan
Joined: June 22nd, 2015

We live in Melbourne, Australia, with our three offspring Scott, Emma and Troy, Coco the dog, and cats Sidney and Chilli. As at 2015 our offspring have all left school and should, in theory at least, be capable of fending for themselves, so as long as they don't kill each other or burn the house down, we can now happily trip off into the sunset.

Issy was born in Malta. She came to Australia with her family when she was four, and as at early 2015 she's never been back.

I was born in London to Australian parents who met on a cruise ship, got married in England, had me, and then turned around and came home. I come from a long line of enthusiastic travellers, and was fortunate to have travelled a lot when I was growing up. My maternal great grandfather was a published travel writer, and even managed to die on a ship cruising to Noumea way back in 1933.

Where are all the Animals?

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Kings Canyon May 10th 2024

Ginty’s Lookout

DaveandIssy

I walk nervously into the breakfast room expecting the usual chaos. But no, it seems bus people have finally packed up and gone, and peace and tranquility has returned … and they didn’t even break the coffee machine, or burn the place down while they were trying to work out how to use the toaster... I’m keen for Issy to see at least part of the splendour of Kings Canyon, so we set off up the path onto the south rim. It hasn’t got any less spectacular overnight … and we see another animal, the second in two days, and this one’s even a native. OK it might only be a few centimetres long, a lizard sunning itself on a rock, but when you haven’t seen a single native animal in the wild since you arrived ... read more

Just One Lousy Rabbit

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Kings Canyon May 9th 2024

Kings Canyon

DaveandIssy

Today’s plan is to hike around Kings Canyon. Issy’s opted for a rest day so it looks like I’m on my own. But first I need to survive breakfast. Elderly bus people are packed in here again, and chaos reigns supreme. As was the case last night I struggle to find anywhere to sit, and the queue for the eggs is almost out the door. I wouldn’t have thought it was that hard to operate one of those hotel type conveyor belt toasters, but these guys certainly seem to be struggling. There’s half a loaf worth of slices backed up in there and no one seems quite sure how to extract them. I hope someone figures it out before the whole place catches fire. Eighty-five something lady from Florida doesn't look overly happy about the long ... read more

Looking west into the desert from Kings Canyon

When Does the Bootscooting Start?

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Kings Canyon May 8th 2024

Sunset, George Gill Range, Watarrka National Park

DaveandIssy

Today we head 300 or so kilometres north- east to Kings Canyon in the Watarrka National Park. But first a quick stop at the Yulara petrol station, where we enjoy the privilege of paying somewhere around 40% more per litre than the current price back in Melbourne. It seems the premium petrol that we’re told our chariot needs is indeed a very valuable commodity out here. There’s a padlock on the bowser, and the sign says we need to go inside and beg for a key before we‘re allowed to pump even a single drop of this liquid gold. I’m not sure we’ve ever seen anything like that before. I can only assume the whole padlock thing is to stop you driving away without paying, but I’m not sure why you couldn’t do that anyway …. ... read more

Flies, Flies and More Flies

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Kata Tjuta May 7th 2024

Kata Tjuta

DaveandIssy

As I stroll back from breakfast it’s a bit hard not to notice the “do not disturb” sign on the door of the room next to ours. And this wouldn't normally be worthy of comment, except it’s been there every time we’ve walked past since we got here a couple of days ago. I guess the inhabitants might be honeymooners. I hope so. I’m not sure I want to think too hard about other possible explanations. Issy’s legs have gone on strike after yesterday’s exertions, so I head off alone to explore Kata Tjuṯa (also known as Mount Olga), Uluṟu’s slightly lesser known neighbour, 50 odd kilometres to the west. It consists of 36 spectacular red granite, basalt and sandstone domes, the tallest of which rises 546 metres above the surrounding plain, and is thus nearly ... read more

Shape Shifting Evil Spirits

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Uluru May 6th 2024

Uluṟu base walk

DaveandIssy

Today we plan to take the 10 kilometre odd stroll around the base of the mighty monolith that is Uluṟu. But first we must survive breakfast. I decide I must have dreamed I watched a spectacular Uluṟu sunset last night. We just can’t be out here in the back of beyond of our vast homeland; we’re clearly in some mass tourist resort hotel next to Disneyland - screaming kids, and foreign tourists of every colour and creed fighting over a buffet. As I said yesterday we hardly saw a single person on the hundreds of kilometres of road in here …. unless I dreamt that bit as well … and I know I’ve asked before, but where exactly did all these people come from and how did they get here? Anyway, nothing that a coffee won’t ... read more

Close Encounters with an Angry Dutchman

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Uluru May 5th 2024

Uluru

DaveandIssy

So today we’ll be heading 450 kms south-west to Uluṟu, the iconic monolith formerly known as Ayers Rock. It’s Mother’s Day, so I went out dutifully last night and bought my beloved a box of chocolates. I then wished her a happy Mother’s Day and espoused her virtues on our extended family chat … well I thought it was Mother’s Day … until someone pointed out that I was a week early. I hope we can still eat the chocolates. We’re up at the crack of dawn for an early getaway … well that was the plan until we notice that one of our tyres appears to be more than a tad on the flat side. Hmmm. But no worries, we’ve got a spare, and a jack, and a wheel brace, so we’ll be on our ... read more

Tap Dwelling Bees?

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » West McDonnell Ranges May 4th 2024

Simpsons Gap

DaveandIssy

Issy’s opted for another day of rest and relaxation on the large deck of our AirBnb, overlooking a small swimming pool, and why not. … well in my case it’s because I struggle with the whole relaxation thing … so I leave her to it and set off to explore the splendours of the West McDonnell Ranges. First stop is the spectacular Simpsons Gap, where a stream has again managed to erode its way through 100 metres or so depth of the mountain range. It seems this whole area was once part of the sea bed. As the waters receded they found weak points in the rock and progressively eroded them away over the billenia (is that a word?) to form the gaps, chasms and gorges that we can see today. So that explains the sand ... read more

Speared for Taking Happy Snaps?

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » East McDonnell Ranges May 3rd 2024

Trephina Gorge

DaveandIssy

Issy opts for a rest day, so I bravely set off alone along the Ross Highway to explore the wonders of the East MacDonnell Ranges. First stop is Emily Gap where a sandy dry river bed has created a deep sheer sided gap through the range … well it’s not actually dry, there’s a swimming hole here complete with jumping rope. There’s a sign to the effect that taking photos in the bit of the gap beyond the swimming hole is not allowed for cultural reasons … which is probably a bit superfluous … the water completely fills the gap, so you’d a need submersible camera, or ropes and crampons to climb around the water on the rocks … well actually no, it’s just the submersible camera option … you’re not allowed to climb the rocks. ... read more

The Distinctive Tones of the Red Centre

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Alice Springs May 2nd 2024

Sunset, Anzac Hill

DaveandIssy

We’re a bit slow off the mark after our nearly 700 kms of driving yesterday, like nearly lunchtime type slow when we finally make our way out the door. I guess we must have needed the rest. We plan to spend what’s left of the day exploring the town. First cab off the rank is Anzac Hill, where we get excellent panoramic views over the town and back towards the MacDonnell Ranges and Heavitree Gap. No surprise it’s called the Red Centre, the colours of the soil and rocks are an unmistakably distinctive dark reddish orange. Next up is the Olive Pink Botanic Garden. I ask Issy what colour olive pink is, and she rolls her eyes. It seems I should have known better; Ms Olive Pink founded the garden back in 1956. We take a ... read more

Culture Shock

Oceania » Australia » Northern Territory » Alice Springs May 1st 2024

Kulgera Pub

DaveandIssy

Today we’ll be slogging an arduous nearly 700 kms north into the Northern Territory and onto Alice Springs. We stop to get a caffeine fix and stretch our legs at the thriving metropolis of Marla, population 38. It might be small, but the roadhouse supermarket wouldn’t look out of place in a Melbourne suburb. There’s not much you can’t get here - food for both pets and humans, toiletries, clothes, and even tools to fix your caravan. There’s no mobile reception, but they’ve got that covered too - three phone boxes lined up next to each other out the front. I wonder if many of the younger generation would even know what one of these things was. I get chatting to the two young service staff, she’s from Spain and he’s from Ireland. There do seem ... read more

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