Bring your wet weather gear! Thanks Mam, I think you'd better bring your wet weather gear next week. We've just been to Mt Schank and got soaked! Rain forecast for all of this week!!! Ah well, I'm sure you'll still have a great time despite the weather. We are!!!! See you soon xxx
'Our Little Star' hi hay/rich/woody,
what little stars you are entertaining your many fans about your 'adventures'. It all sounds so fabulous despite the atrocious weather. Your bloggs are so interesting Hay, so professional, humorous and photos just fab. Clearly you are enjoying your travels and seeing the sights and sounds of native Australia. Hopefully, Dad and I will get to share your experiences this weekend and spend an 'idylic week' with you all, can't wait. xxx Keep the bloggs coming and promise me you will publish them when your finished?
Love ya 'Mommy' xxxxxxxxxxxxHarry x Oskie xxx 'DAD' XX
Hitting the coast The sky and scenery are such a change in this blog, hitting the coast and the sea air must have been invigorating, good for Woody too! It's great being able to watch the migrating whales so close in to land, (I remember there is a very strong southerly current along there), I've only ever saw them from a ship and often well out to sea. Seeing whales, dolphins, porpoises (or dolpoises and porphins as we called them when we were not sure what they were!) was always good for moral on the ship as was being followed for days on end by the same albatross across the remote, inhospitable wilds of the Southern Ocean. It was a pity that Montague Island was 'closed' sounds like it would have been interesting. The little penguins are known as blue penguins and fairy penguins in NZ. Koroa is their Moari name. Apparently I read somewhere once that their one difference with the Australian birds is the colour of their feet. Can't remember which but I think one has blue feet!
My Australian relatives are very proud of Canberra, never made it there myself, it was pleasing to read that the war memorial is so magnificent.
It is interesting trying to anticipate which direction you are going in next, back in land or along the coast? Whichever direction it is we hope the nights are getting warmer for the three of you.
Looking forward to the next blog!
Roy and Linda XXX
Big, scary things! Relieved to read that the scary black object in the Murray River was the 'Woodster' and not a lost shark. Incidently we think his rain coat looks very good, sort of Barber jacket for dogs, lots of pockets for compass, treats etc.
As you can imagine I was fascinated with the small marine engine. I had no idea that such things were built in Gainsborough, then I realised from it's size, age and Gainsborough being on the Trent that there must have been a need for barge engines there all those years ago. The condition is a real credit to the engineers and enthusiasts that maintain it, looks fabulous. The Catalina and the history of the locality were very interesting, it is amazing what turns up in these relatively remote corners, there are still some of those around flying at air shows.
The Dunnings looked just like the branch on the way to Red Cliff! I had heard that Richard is an avid fan and customer.
I thought the 'Big things' were a NZ fad, having seen the world's largest carrot, sandfly and crayfish to name a few, never a big beard though! Perhaps Richard was growing it ti help keep him warm?
Great to read, take care.
Love Roy and Linda XXX
Beautiful....thanks :-) Beautiful, beautiful.......stunning photography too....thank you for sharing it with us! Must've been lovely meeting up again after so long.
Take care and keep enjoying yourselves :-) xxx
4th September Hi there happy campers!
We love reading your entries and are really impressed with your adventures. This has to be worthy of publication in the future so make sure you edit it all on your return and send it off to a pubisher! We can see it now on the shelves in the travel sections of all good book shops! Yet another talent you have Hayley! You and Woody look fab in your wet weather gear - not sur though about that scary man with the big ginger beard! Keep trucking and stay safe! Lots of Love Roy and Linda xx
Beautiful....thanks :-) Hi again dear Hay and Rich :-) My what a long distance you've covered already! Thanks so much for the lovely newsy updates and beautiful pics....far from being boring, it's great to be able to tag along with you for the adventure! Rich you look most distinguished with that 'big ginger beard'....it gives you the appearance of a Prof....but I really can't see what's so unsightly about the wet-weather gear.....especially Woody's which looks even elegant....he looks a perfect nobleman...I mean noble-dog...in it. Congratulations to you both on your foresight and preparedness....you seem to be managing like seasoned nomads. Have a safe and wonderful week. Take care, Ayanthi.
3rd Blog Hasn't Richard shrunk? Better check the temperature on your camp shower!
I was aware of Broken Hill Pty the mining and shipping company so it was good to learn about the place too!
Loved the goanna trail and we are very impressed with Richards culinary skills from the camp oven. Hadn't realised such ovens existed and wondered how they worked? We can only imagine what the Bourke-Wilcannia Road can be like after heavy rain. Does that ever happen there?
Hoping night times are warming up for you all, looking forward for the next blog.
Take care, love Roy and Linda xxx
2nd blog See Woody the red dog is having a great (also well deserved) time. Would foxy Roxie still fancy him now? Will they ever meet again? I hope so!
This is all so fascinating Hayley with a nice touch of humour that I am thinking it would make a great book. This is truly, the real Australia so far away from the cities and the crowds, unique. We are so pleased that you are able to enjoy it.
Lots of love Roy and Linda XXX
1st blog Great to read that the three of you are on the way. We have only just found a computer that would access your blog. It was well worth waiting for. Fabulous! the detail is so good (as we would expect) that we are there with you all the way! We cannot wait for the future instalments. Lots of love Roy and Linda XXX
What about Woody? ....um, so which shower did Woody get to use after his grubby dip in the ground water?.....as if I couldn't guess....something about men and dogs....:-P Thanks for the lovely newsy update Hay- you certainly have a talent there....and what's this about Richie being camera shy? I can't see any trace of it!....why, he's as natural as Woody! ;-) You both have a lovely week! (....you know, you could probably write a very engaging travel guide using your blogs once you've finished!)
As good as being there! Well done both of you for your successful travelling. Especially well done Hayley for the commentary. It can't be easy typing away in a cold tent. Rich sent us a beautiful action shot of you at the laptop.Wonder why you didn't blog that one! The pictures are superior quality. Good luck go with you.
Glad to see evidence that you two are showering : ) disappointed not to see the ginger beard but hopefully see it 'in the flesh' very soon!! So lovely to read your blog, feels like we're there with you, photos are great, please keep it up!! Is making me smile after a very long late shift!! Gayna and I drank way too much wine last night : ) missing you loads, speak to you soon xx
Hi Honey
sounds like you having a great time, keep up the good work making us all jealous as hell, wish I could take a year off, not that i'm jealous MUCH haha!!
Take care keep away from all the creapy crawlies.
miss you loads Lisa xxxx
Hi Aunty K, sorry I somehow deleted your comment while I was getting used to the website. Thanks though, it was great to see that you had read it. love Ya' , Hay xxx
just a quickie Hi honey
Sounds like your having a fab time got loads of pics already, can't believe you only left 27th only 3 weeks late, never mind your off now. can't believe how much you have written, sounds fantastic and you both look so happy in your element camping with the animals (especially Rich) haha!!.
Anyway hun I am at work (crappy) unfortunately and got to go and look after some patients, saving hard for my next trip to see you both.
Take care and enjoy every minute
loads of love Lisa xxxxx
You're superb- thanks heaps! Wow....that's a full-length essay complete with illustrations!.....are you sure you're not working too hard for being on holiday?...just kidding....hope you'll keep it up, I'm enjoying the trip with you! Take care and keep having a great time!
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
cruizin in the green machine
Hayley Charlton
Bring your wet weather gear!
Thanks Mam, I think you'd better bring your wet weather gear next week. We've just been to Mt Schank and got soaked! Rain forecast for all of this week!!! Ah well, I'm sure you'll still have a great time despite the weather. We are!!!! See you soon xxx