Very delayed response! Hi Peter,
Alfred Douglass is Rich's great, great, grandfather. Sorry, I signed off in 2012 and haven't been back on. We are now doing the big trip with our 11 year old twins in July!
Do you have any connection to Alfred Douglass?
Thanks
Hayley
Beardmore Your photos are great, it makes traveling so much more enjoyable when you have an idea of where you are going looks like. We are embarking on our first trip with our dog, previously he has gone to the kennels.
I had put Beardmore Campspot on our list but then noticed that there are no toilets there. Is this still the case?
We live on the Sunshine Coast which is where the old fire truck at the Gully comes from. one our locals bought the Pub out there years ago. He has since passed away and the Pub is run by family members.
Thanks
Gaie
hi hayley, your trip looks absolutely amazing! i read your blog on travelling around oz with a dog! me, my partner ryan and our 2 yr old boxer jango (sounds alot like your 4yr old puppy woody) are embarking on a trip around oz in june! ive just been reading your blogs of all the places you went to, did you have many problems travelling with woody? national parks etc? if you could send me an email and tell me if you had any problems it would be great! you guys have def inspired us with your travels! thanks alot! peta
Dog questions Hi there, I have been lookin on line to try and find some info in regards to travelling with a dog.
- papers needed?
-cost?
etc.
I was wondering if you would be able to share your info with me, thanks so much,
Jen
The end of the epic adventure of a lifetime. Hi, Richard, Hayley and Woody.
Yet more wonderful photos, Indarri Falls, straight from a Tarzan movie. Ta Ta lizard, cool, very aboriginal as you said, bat in a bird's nest. It was good to hear what goes on at Mount Isa, that is definitely a familiar spot on the tv tracker when flying between Brisbane and Singapore, perhaps there is a radio beacon there for the aircraft? I thought Winnie looked lovely, poor little lady as you said her reluctance to move showed she was probably terrified of the electric storm. 'Micky' the first of our dogs was afraid of nothing apart from thunder. He would just freeze solid. I thought the frogs looked like they were in a (toilet), queue! Good that you caught up again with Woody's lady friend at Nindigully Pub, 'Foxy Roxie', going strong and happy with the same ball nine months on. I hope yopu see her again one day.
With a view like Mount Maroon at Mt Flanagan first thing in the morning, you just know it is going to be a good day! I love a start like that, inspiring!
The loop is now completed, it is a tremendous achievement for the three of you and the green machine. I have really enjoyed the photos and the blogs, they are so well written, I have actually been 'with you' for most of the journey through the very special unique, real Australia, (love the little bits of Britain too, usually lumps of old machinery). I knew it was there somewhere! seems so far away from the big Australian cities. I feel a little sad that it has all come to an end having looked forward to the next log throughout the 9 months in anticipation of the tales, adventures, sights, photos etc. Each worth waiting for, brilliant! Above all though it is good to see the three of you back home in one piece, having looked after eachother so well as I would expect. All good things come to an end and all our favourite stories have a happy ending, this has certainly got one! I suspect that as well as the wonderful memories to treasure the best is yet to come for the three of you!
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us, a treasured privilege indeed.
Lots of love, Roy and Linda xxx
Water and crocodiles Hi, Richard Hayley and Woody
We had no idea that there is so much water in that part of the world, no wonder it attracts so many crocodiles. Lesley had sent a copy of the jumping croc to Linda's mobile, there was no caption and the picture was so small we thought in disbelief that it was a croc but came to think it was the Woodster having fun in the water! After all it was a crocodile, now we have seen the awesome photographs! Is it true that if attacked by a crocodile you can hold their jaws shut because the opening jaw muscles are so weak as opposed to the closing/crushing muscles? I must have got that gem off a Steve Irwin programme, he would be the only person crazy enough to put the theory to the test. Is that tiny speck on the back of the female orb really the male or have we missed something?
The frog looked very similar to our common toad, the last one of which we saw when Linda rescued it from the wheel trim of a parked car, looked like a lump of mud and could not understand why it should be there! Loved the rock art must be lots of that still indiscovered in the outback. The green machine has done well, after the distance, heat, running surfaces etc and it is reassuring that with the odd subsequent small technical hitch it can be fixed as easily in such relatively remote areas as it could be in the cities. It is amazing how resourceful people are when they have to be. We're almost sorry your trip has come to an end as we looked forward to your updates. Still we can read them again and again. Bet you're looking forward to moving back into your house and settling down once again. Good luck with jobs etc. Take care! Lots of love, Roy and Linda xxx
Henry Angel Wow, thanks for contacting me Jennie, I feel very honoured! We had a great time walking the track head, it is a beautiful part of the country. It is always great to learn about the history of these places and how they came to be there but it isn't everyday you get contacted by a descendant of one of the pioneers!! Thanks again.
Henry Angel Just stumbled on your travel blog. Henry Angel was my great, great, great, great, great, great uncle. I knew he had been sent to Australia on the Neptune arriving in Sydney 05.05.1818. I didn't realise that it was realised at a later date that he was wrongfully convicted. Thanks for including it in your blog.
Nomads briefly increase to 4! Hi, Richard, Hayley and Woody
Another great read. Amazing how 'bad luck' comes in packages of three although for me the little mouse was good news, I'd pay extra to have experienced that. Adds new meaning to the expression 'meals on wheels' as you innocently parked next to the family bush! Fortunately you had spent the three experiences before Shark Bay! Would have loved the billabong experience, seems that the local water hole in the evening is always the place to be in order to see all the local wild life out for a drink, (in the Newcastle environment that would be The Bigg Market?)
The HMAS Sydney memorial is very impressive, thoughtful and a poignant reminder of the futility of those wasted lives. I suspect HMAS Sydney was a sister ship of HMS Belfast, now moored on the Thames. good to read some goats survive the culling.
Take care! Lots of love, Roy and Linda xxx
Hi Babe
Sounds like you both have had a fab time can't believe its been nearly a year since you started your travels!!! I hope you have enjoyed every minute you have seen some wonderful things bet you don't want to come back be hard to get back to the real world especially the swear word WORK!!
It late at the moment so only a short one will ring you this weekend as busy last weekend be good to chat and catch up
Take care love and miss ya loads
your bessie mate xxxxxx
Fremantle nostalgia. Hi, Richard, Hayley and Woody
This blog brought back lots of memories to me. Fremantle was the first foreign port I sailed to during my career at sea, (thanks for the thoughts of me and the ship photo). It would have been September 1972 and we had sailed out directly from Tilbury on 'S.S. Encounter Bay' , the world's first new built fully cellular containership. The passage being 21 days at 21 knots, with just a brief reduction in speed to pick up mail off Cape Town (also middle of the night). We anchored off Rottnest Island early hours of the morning, to see lights twinkling onshore, first sight of land for 10 days (last being Cape of Good Hope). Sarcastically marvelled at the Navigation Departments ability to find Australia yet again. We moved alongside at about 0700hrs, quite normal in Australia to catch the start of the day shift, probably left that evening for Melbourne. In those days the berth was at the top of the harbour by the road bridge.
It rained warm water, another new experience.
Fremantle was always a favourite port, (Linda likes it too), weather always pleasant, everything a short walk away, including the nice port beach. Easy access to fresh bread and milk which we did not have onboard during those early days. Also the only port in Australia where we never got stuck in strikes. I remember the old maritime museum, there used to be pictures of some of our ships there.
Always fancied a trip to Rottnest Island but never had the time, seem to remember it was the home of the world's smallest marsupial, only ever seen a stuffed version of that.
Over the years the town slowly ran down but turned a big corner when the America's Cup races were held there and has never looked back since, now very nice again. They have also made good use of the older buildings.
My last call there would have been about April 2002, I cannot picture the new maritime museum but suspect that it has been built on the site of a small shipyard where in the 90's they built a replica of Captain Cook's 'Endeavour'. Remember the Port then had a female Managing Director, referred to by the 'wharfies' (dockers) as 'that bloody Sheila' probably quite respectful for a wharfie. interesting about Norcia, after the British the Italians were I believe the next most numerous settlers. Looking forward to more of your adventures, watch that heat.
Take care, lots of love, Roy and Linda xxx.
Beautiful Pics Lovely to read your latest adventures and see the photos. We could do with a bit of your heat and sunshine in Caloundra - not "Sunshine Coast" this month! Am on wifi in the library so have to keep this short.
Just want you to know, Hayley, that we read your blog avidly and enjoy it immensely. When you return home and read it in it's entirity you will realise what a wonderful achievement it is.
OK Rich, you do drive, cook and recharge the notebook sometimes. Maybe a sentence of yours creeps in sometimes. You must have taken half the photos (some have Hay in them) - which are memorable , by the way.
Keep on enjoying the trip. Lots of Love, Mum
Hi Hi Guys, Greg said to me this morning "strange we've not had an update from you guys in a while", then believe it or not we bumped into Gayna and John in Bunnings, so found out you were in Broom and then clicked onto the internet tonight and found the blog.
Still sounds like you are having an interesting time, love the funny stories of late, hope you don't have any similar experiences with the crocs.
All is good here, kids and Greg well and busy at school and work. Looking forward to your return, not long now.
Lots of love Greg, Wendy, Thomas, James and Emma.
xxxxx
Hi, Richard, hayley and Woody
Enjoyed the latest blog, thanks for the information re kauri/karri trees, that clears that up. The kauri played a big part in the early development of the New Zealand economy and now what little remains is highly protected. Loved the wild life photos as usual Hayley, stingrays certainly seem to have a thing for shallow water and jettys. Max and I had a similar encounter with a similar sized creature in a very similar location at the end of the Queen Charlotte Track. Although I suspect ours was an eagle ray. Caught the fibre optic plant spot on. Picture of Woody, such an angelic pose his best yet! Yours in the sit on canoe was good too. Even more impressed although not surprised by Woody's alertness even when in a sound sleep, awesome talent as well as handsome! He is a special dog. Any of the steam engines made in Britain I wondered? The large green one looked very British in style. Looking forward to your next blog as you resume your journey. Take care, lots of love Roy and Linda xxx
just a quickie Hi Hun and gang
was really good to speak to you last week can't believe it been 5 months already, you were planning it this time last year. have spoken to visa people have said that work wise is fine just got to tell them all about my kidney transplant and history so watch this space will keep you updated.
well not much to tell you as updated you on all info when spoke to you last week, well hope all gos well when you get home for a week and enjoy helping everyone move house!!!!!!
Anyway babe take care keep enjoying every minute of your trip as craig and ev want to start theirs all over again!!!
talk to you in Feb loads of love and hugs
Miss ya Lisaxxxxxxxx
PS hope you like your christmas pressie when you get to open it!!!
Hi, Richard, Hayley and Woody (the long jumping black smear!)
Brilliant to get another blog feels like ages since the last one, still so much has happened and all those raspberries! Seems that you have met a lot of very interesting people in WA. Wondered if Josh made it across the plains to Melbourne, he sounds like the Australian equivalent of Dick Whittington. Thought your alternative Xmas was great, very wise to avoid the rush and all the hype etc. Judy and Grant have a lot on their plate (apart from raspberries!) and still have the time to be good hosts and chat, that is nice. I could spend hours listening to his tales, still baffled how a person can run over their own head with a tractor! 'Forrest' makes me snigger too, I could have done with meeting a few more 'Forrests' during my time in the engine room! Full marks for Richards creativity (and happy birthday to him), the glooves with extra arm protection. Looks like some new pairs of socks could be the answer for a birthday present Hayley?
Is the Karri tree the same as the much loved ( in New Zealand) Kauri tree I wondered? Also what was your impression with the noise from the wind turbines? I have yet to get close to one. It seems to be a big topic in the UK at present to the extent that all future large scale development is planned to be offshore. The ladder, I can only say crikey! I am sure Louise would be game for that though. Lots of love Roy and Linda xxx
Hey Rena, Great to hear from you! I loved your pics Asia, it certainly looked like you had a good time! We are having a great time but I'm sure by the time we get back in June we will be grateful for a bit of normality...not to mention, I am craving for a new project to get my hands on! Hope Waz is well too. Let me know about your year off plans .... it is definitely a good move!!! love Hay xxx
Hi guys,
A merry xmas and happy new year to you both. It looks like you are having a fabulous time and I am incredibly jealous. I am making plans now for me to do a year long trip :-). Brisbane is well but I miss good company like yours and hope that you make it back safe and sound with more stories and photos to share. Relax and enjoy this time you have and keep writing updates as I am loving reading all about it.
Rena xoxox
Cooooool dog........! Hi, Richard, Hayley and Woody
The photo of Mohammad Ali Woody is a knockout! Even the towel very nearly has ALI on it! The way the Woodster adapted to the cool towel shows what an intelligent animal he is. A star! I had wondered how he would be coping with the heat. Did not realise Adelaide recently had new record temperatures. The best thing I remember about the heat there was that the night temperatures always seemed a lot cooler comparatively to elsewhere. I remember seeing lots of pelicans too!
The sea lion swim was a 'must do' Louise and I would have found it difficult to resist the tuna swim as well. I did a seal swim off Kaikoura, the only seal I saw was in the car park! So amazed about that, we returned the next day and there was a different seal in the car park! You don't see that in South Shields! I did read since that orca like the odd seal as a snack and can mistake humans in black wet suits for seals. Haven't tried it again! Apparently you should wear bright multi coloured wet suits, but then do sharks, orca etc have colour sight?
About 35 years ago when they were still whaling in the Bight there was a documentary doing the rounds of slaughtered whale carcasses at anchor off Albany awaiting dragging ashore for processing. The local sharks would bite off chunks and the programme made an issue over how big and ferocious they were. Therefore you are very brave.
Seems that Bella and Bruce's home must be the SA equivalent of Chatton. Val sounds so much like Lisa, another wonderful person.
You definitely have a talent for making animals relax and pose for you Hayley.
The beaches are our sort of beach, pretty, peaceful and the sight of a happy dog enjoying himself (no doubt) what more could anybody want. WA was always my preference, I preferred the heat there, always seemed less humid and therefore more comfortable, hope it is for you three.
The moral of this blog Hayley and Richard is, DO NOT skip over anything, leave NO stone unturned, it is a unique, wonderful country (away from the cities) full of surprises, go for it! You have a life time to enjoy the memories and we have the next blog to look forward to, can't wait! Keep them coming!
First frost last night, day time temperature 2 deg C. Comfort is somewhere in the the middle of here and SA!
Hoping Bella brings you both the very best of health and happiness for Xmas and the New Year.
Lots of love Roy and Linda xxx
Nomads head north. Hi Richard, Hayley and Woody.
This is so different in content to the previous blogs and yet no less interesting. Some things I had heard of, such as the first cellar pack of wine I bought in Australia over 30 years ago was Clare Valley riesling, thought it was in South Australia somewhere but? Also had an idea about the massive opencast mines, opals etc but had no idea that large underground communities existed there. Makes sense I suppose yet so different.
Good to see Woody in front of the camera, looks like he has aquired the sophisticated (!!) greying look just like me! Certainly one awesome 'hot dog' in those temperatures with his coat optimised for elsewhere. It was lovely to see him enjoying the pool at Coward Springs, must have felt great for him.
I reckon the posing lizard and daddy emu are are up there with Roxy, (the stars you have met along the way and I am sure there are more to come). Loved the outdoor cinema (Oodnadatta Odeon Screen 1?) and the head nets, adds new meaning to the expression cold filtered beer! cool!! We hope all the gear is standing up to the harsh temperatures, it is a good test of man, woman machine and Woody!
Keep them coming Hayley, can't wait for your next blog.
Take care as you head west.
Lots of love Roy and Linda xxx.
Howdy!! Hey Richie and Haley! Paddy here back in Ireland, Jimbo gave me the link to your blog. Hope yee're having a great trip!! Pics look great. Im off to "write the theme tune" and "sing the theme tune"
Hi there intrepid travellers
Where is the third not so grey nomad in your opening photo? Or was he taking the photo (Woody?) You three remind us of a song called "Me and You and a dog named Boo" except of course it would have to be "Woo".
Thought Gum Tree Lodge was ideal for your stay with Les and Len - family fueds over the ironing board cover couldn't be heard from there! Bet you felt like the Princess and the Pea story sleeping in a real bed after all those weeks, it must have felt like sleeping on a cloud. We were well impressed with Len's effort to scrub up for a trip to see the penguins. He must be a real wildlife fanatic! Larry the Lobster is certainly the biggest Big Thing yet, makes the Kaikoura Crayfish look like a shrimp. Wondered if kangaroos get any bigger than the 7ft red?
Lots of Love Roy and Linda. xxx
We are now in Madeira and have treated ourselves of a review of your travel blogs to date.
Loved the story of 'Old Tom' and the latest wildlife photos. Wondered if you had gone through or around Melbourne or is there some ferry crossing that you used across Port Philip Bay to Geelong?
There were always seals around when we picked up the Melbourne pilot off Port Philip Heads but I had no idea they existed there in such large numbers, must make life very challenging for the little penguins.
Good to see the Cape Otway lighthouse from the other side!
Lots of love Roy and Linda xxx
Stars of Kites and Cockletrains Well, what can we say, darling. Our claim to fame and all because of you! THANK-YOU XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Your blogs are truely amazing Hay and a joy to read. We are thrilled to be a part of these and to be able to give joy and pleasure to all your many fans out there, especially those who know us 'personally'. xxxxxxxx
Our holiday at Gum Tree Lodge and Victor Harbor was unforgettable. Pity it was over all too soon. Our 'darling Woody' certainly made my holiday and I miss him so much----take good care of him and yourselves, and hugs and kisses to all xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Photos fab, wish we were there now, you certainly picked the good ones, except, where's my 'woofy ones? Fur seals fantastic and 'the kids' on the cockle train a 'hoot' even after 4o yrs!!!!!!!!!!!! Love ya mommy/nanny xxxx pops xxxxx poorly harry boy xxxx
We are three ... not so grey ... nomads about to embark on the adventure of a life time in the vast Australian wilderness! Come and join us!
277 days on the road!
... full info
Peter C
non-member comment
Corio Villa
Rich, what is your link to Corio Villa and the Douglass family? Cousins?? Peter