Blogs from Australia, Oceania - page 4865

May 15, Friday: The trip to Desert Oaks Caravan Park was interesting. Especially when I stopped the car and went into the bush to do some photography. I’ve been passing the same type of landscape most of the day but only appreciated it when I stopped the car and took a walk over the red soil that is typical of Central Australia. The caravan park where I am tonight is a dump. I had to move the tent three times before I could get the pegs into solid ground. Finished up on top of a dirt mound. It’s like a junkyard all around me. Weather it getting better. The car is going great, now it has a new exhaust. May 16, Saturday: Drove 265 kilometres west to Ayers Rock today. Climbed the “Rock” it was fantastic ... read more

9 May, Saturday: This morning filmed around the settlement and went out to Burkes Monument, which is about 8 kilometres out of town on the banks of the Cooper Creek. I couldn’t help feel sad at the sight of this marker (his actual grave is in Melbourne). Burke’s exploits across this continent from south to north and back to this part of the country where he died was an epic journey, which helped open up the country for future development of the cattle industry. Because of the reported bad roads out to the Dig Tree I couldn’t reach his last depot. I spent more time with another mechanic repairing the exhaust. This time it cost me $90; at this rate my time away from Melbourne may have to be cut short because finances may become non-existent. ... read more

4 May, Monday: After a late night packing the gear I left this morning about 7:45. On the trip up through central Victoria I used the full tank and two of the three spare cans of fuel. This will give me a range around 780 kilometres, which is well within my longest distance between service stations. It was a long days driving to the border town of Wentworth, which was reached around 5:00 that evening. Did 356 kilometres today was advised by the police at Wentworth not to take the Menindee Road due to recent rains. I booked into a caravan park called Willow Bend, which rests on the banks of the Darling River. Car went well but the weather is overcast. 5 May, Tuesday: The Silver City Highway is great. At Broken Hill I stayed ... read more

I was only 6 weeks old when I embarked on my first trip with my mother. I don't remember it but she tells me it was to Sydney.... read more

Left Canberra with Ken and mum in the front seat. Peter was in the back, cracking corny jokes, and also little Peter Bondfield - who was never a dull moment. Then there was me. We arrived in Newcastle that evening then went strait to our hotel. Gradually all the relations arrived and the night ended with corny stories about our mum and dads past. Controlled of course by Auntie Nancy. Next day we went to the Parthenon milk bar in the morning then the wedding in the afternoon. The reception was without alcohol so Peter Meadows, Dwight and I slipped off to the pub for an hour. When we got back we had some funny looks but that didn’t matter because everything was fine. The night after the reception we went out to the R.S.L. ... read more