Visiting Iluka NSW

 We have gone to our first Coffs Coast Caravan Club Rally namely Iluka a riverside village, and a township that John's Mum and Dad retired to, from off the farm at Casino. It has been many years since we visited. 

 

We stayed from Monday night  and drove home Friday, and it is very much a group thing. Every afternoon at 4pm is the happy hour till about 5.30 - 6pm. A few jokes are told,  a skit was also done, and I know in the past a speaker of some interesting topic. 

Getting ready for Happy Hour.

 During the week was a  bowls sort of game with discs. A dinner was organized  on Sat. but we left before it. We enjoyed also a free Bacon & Egg Roll breakfast, with the leaders using the money raised from raffles. $160 was put into the economy of Iluka, plus the dinners purchased on the Sat., and of course the caravan park fees. I believe 22 caravans went.

The Disc Bowls Game.

First time I ever played, 2 to a team and we won 8 to nil, for this round.

 Also a ferry boat ride to Yamba for those who wanted to take it, a large group went altogether.

 

 

Marina at the Ferry Depot

John went to Casino to visit his brother, Tuesday,  to fix a computer problem and I stayed in the van drawing  the day away, which was great. We avoided the happy hour that night, as he was back late. Thursday night I also avoided happy hour as I was so tired slept in the afternoon to about 4.30.

Getting away though from the house I really enjoyed, I needed that more than I thought. We toured Iluka, which has grown and modernised so much, not many shops though and very basic, and  drove past the old house, which is nearly the same just a new paint job and larger windows.

The tree behind the van in the driveway is a huge avocado, mum H had, now bigger.

 The weather was fantastic, cold at night and I needed my hot water bottle, but lovely during the day.

 

We have now booked at Pottsville for the next Rally.

Till Next Time.

 

Finally The New 20 Foot Caravan Tour 2022

Hinterland by Domain Tourer 20 foot.

 It was a bit of a drama getting it here, but finally I now have time to go over the new van, and to start packing all the "stuff" from the old to new.

Awkwardly parked out the front on our hill

The colour stripe was something we had to pick anything from red or orange, silver etc. but this colour was my theme last time so had a few accessories based around it. The wheels could have been the same colour but we opt out of that. The bottom bit could have been silver metal as well. I like what turned up though. 

The entrance

The step up at the moment is very high and awkward, although somewhere we have steps to help this when it is flat on the ground. Love that it has the hand rail RHS and pockets on the wall for maps, torch, shopping bags, masks etc. Will keep a hand sanitizer station on the left, where there is a narrow bench across the top of the cupboards.

I don't like the round sink, but one of our vans had that, I tend to wash up outside anyway. We may be able to get a chopping board that fits over the sink, as I have seen that in other Brands of vans.

 Immediately to the right, when you step in, is the Kitchen. Lots of space here above and below. Up to now all our vans have been pop top so gaining the overhead cupboards is a major space, they are quite big, and spring loaded. They will fit a  fabric cube insert plus half that size next to it.

More cupboards above

 Opposite the kitchen of course is the 3 way table meaning it folds back twice making it smaller. Cupboards underneath and I think a charger installed there as well. The leatherette chair covers will be great for just wiping up any spills rather than fabric. No curtains either all the blinds, night covers, pull up from the interior. Windows push out to wherever as well, no  maximum limit connections. They are also much bigger in size these days. 

 The drop down cover under the seats is awkward, I can put a container but getting to underneath the seat is very hard to pull the bottom cushion out. John wants to add a drawer there, but I don't think it is necessary.

View to bathroom Microwave, radio, up top and huge fridge.

  We chose single beds, it gives us a more comfortable sleep, opens the area up, and beds I use as a couch with extra cushions across the side, to shorten the depth.

The TV is down this end RHS, and can be swiveled right around or even taken outside to a little picnic table off the van. There is an outlet plug for it and speakers. Same place has an electric plug and a gas one as well for a BBQ should we so choose.

There is air conditioning but also 12 volt fans end of beds wall. Plus a power point off the wardrobe. Lots of space up top takes 3 cubes. Two more drawers under wardrobe although hard to see at the moment. 

Easy to lift up mattress for more storage.I wanted a window at the bed head but they wouldn't do it. As it was, single beds are a special request. Good place for a mirror maybe.

I need to get all new bedding as  the last lot was destroyed. I also will have to retro fit  as the mattresses are slightly smaller which we are used to and good quality. In saying that, maybe, I will look at mattress toppers for extra comfort, which means sheets will probably fit anyway. An electric blanket for me would be good as we seem to travel in winter mainly. I wonder if you can get battery ones lol.

I have been watching lots of videos of hints and tricks for packing and getting some good ideas. My plan is to spend 6 months traveling at least over to WA and maybe another 6 months up to Darwin and surrounds. Plus shorter trips, even if John just takes the van to somewhere for me and picks me up later.

More cupboard space. I may look at putting some of my clothes here there is so much room.

 Will put decent quality suction hooks behind toilet for wet towels, and on bench, a basket type for pump soap, and hand towel ring, loo holder, etc. and may be toothbrush stand, in the corner out of the way. Nice big mirror. Plus  new containers and  what I need in the kitchen.

I certainly don't want things screwed in, as eventually we may sell it, in the future.

Nice bench space, normal sink.

Good size shower, hoping to get a stick on basket on the corner shelf. Optional Hand held shower head is on floor that fits in to wall. May look at something to hold it in  down there for traveling.

Luxury of a washing machine came with the van. Goes to the floor.

I must say the washing machine is a luxury, but the more I think about it when in Caravan places and plugged into power will be really good, no carting a washing basket across to the machines and waiting or going back and forth, smaller loads also and when you pay you tend to do large loads. You also hear of some terrible things being washed as well.

On the outside there is all sorts of cubby holes, which John will most likely put all the tools, equipment, our chairs and table for easy access. Will need big containers and more hooks probably.

That's about it, hope you liked the tour. 

Till Next Time. 

 

 

 

Prepping for a Cocktail Party & Wedding Anniversary.

I celebrated our 49th Wedding Anniversary on the 16th, alone. Well Miss P turned up which was good at least I had company, but John went off to his Dr. friends 2 1/2 hrs. away to fix the computers. He would have had a lovely catered lunch with wine and good company, I had been thinking of a picnic  down by the river.

These lovely flowers turned up in the afternoon, I think this was the first time we weren't together for our anniversary which was disappointing as no celebration.
 

On the other hand I have been busy as usual, two of the children will be turning up Wednesday or Thursday, so madly trying to finish the hall walls. I should finish off the first coat today and the 2nd. on Monday hopefully, as it is a lot of work.

Nearly Finished

Yesterday morning, while cool, I cut the hedges as they were getting a bit overgrown. The Gazebo is going to be turned into a Christmas Eve Party area. As our DIL is having a Christmas Dinner around 6 or so, I decided that a cocktail party was in order with finger food and an opportunity to hand out the Aunty/Uncle and Grandma presents. Miss C turned 18 in Oct. (hence the cocktails) and Miss G is 20 in February, so something different for them. I have been cooking and freezing all sorts of things in readiness. By request there will be 3 cocktails, Pina Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, and a Kahula chocolate, banana one known as a Monks Bum.. lol. The kids are having a mock version with orange juice

Having a  Christmas lunch for the first time in many years, is also something new, as it is a long wait till Dinner, so having lamb with a variety of salad and plum pudding. Not too much with a 2nd meal later, otherwise it will be a  pretty dull Christmas day. 

Miss P is trying to earn extra money so she is coming again Monday, and I will get her to help me clean up the rest of the garden in this area and put out some chairs, tidy the gazebo, and maybe get out the plates and cutlery etc.. 11 family in all.

Maybe then I can fit in cleaning the rest of the house lol.

Taken back in March this year of the sample.

The good news is now that the Qld. border is open we can FINALLY collect our caravan. The appointment is 10am Tuesday, so John, who had a covid test as required, is going up Monday, staying the night somewhere, then picking it up after a 2hr. go over. I didn't want to go as not having the covid test and  nothing much I could do as we can't stay or anything and really I haven't got time for it.

At least I can now quickly empty the dining room table of  caravan stuff  if I need it Christmas Day. 

That's all for now, really busy

 

Till Next Time  

 

Down with A Cold.

 I am not feeling so great today, John has had a nasty cold and cough all week and yesterday I came down with a sore throat so lots of Vitamin C and Zinc and Panadol has been my routine. Our son had a cold and John caught it off him, but in the beginning thought it was hayfever. Hmmmph Men!!! I probably won't be going to embroidery class and we are starting a new project as well, also quilting on Tuesday, as I am not going to pass this on.

We have finally had some sunny days and I managed to fill the wheely bin, it is stuffed full for tomorrow's pick up and really heavy. I started in the corner which was so overgrown with Kikuyu grass from the nature strip and ferns, you couldn't see the wood, plus in the ground lots of nut grass of course and nasturtiums everywhere.

I still need to go back to this area and tidy it up plus we have some mulch from the free pile the council leaves down the road.

This is the other end and the daisies are looking lovely, now you can see them. Lightly pruned the roses as well, they were looking straggly. 

I don't know whether to bother planting anything, usually cabbages, broccoli and cauli's go in here.

 The garden next to the wheely bin gives you an idea of what everywhere looks like.

Basically it is all getting too much for me.

Of course my back gave up next day, the Rheumatoid is still active, I can feel it and it makes me tired, I don't know what the answer though is, just waiting on my specialist to come up with something. 

We haven't heard anything from the caravan people, and the assessor in Qld. for the insurance has rung John so many times with questions, it may be we won't be getting anything. They are now sending someone from Brisbane to look at it. The claim is the piece at the top of the caravan that broke because of the hail was old. I think they mean it was broken anyway, which is wrong as the rain would have entered long before the hail storm. This will mean we may have to get a loan for the $20,000, which I hope is possible now we are retired. 

That's it for this week, I am off to rest. Stay tuned, and stay safe 

Till Next Time.

 

Oodnadatta Track Holiday - Longreach to Home.

Welcome back to the last of our holiday, this time starting in Longreach.  We did our usual walk down the main street, amazing what you find there.

The bull is a statue

This bull though, was being pulled by the dog, no idea why it was traveling like this, may have been an advertising thing.

These look like they are from the World Expo in Brisbane in 1988

So cute

This town is famous for the Stockmans Hall of Fame, which John Particularly wanted to see, plus the Qantas museum, which luckily I read is a combined ticket and cheaper but we had to ask, no signs anywhere.

The Entrance

Stockman Statue as you drive up

There are lots of photos of people of the outback many stockman, aboriginal handicrafts and I found the basket weaving very fine work.

Also was a Flying Doctor display and a Cobb and  Co coach, and mini movies of various outback activities. We then went to the Qantas Musuem which is just across the road although we drove there. 

This plane was flown to the exact spot and largest one there.

There is part of an outside display of how Qantas started with the various planes, from single pilot to taking on a few passengers, and building their own.  A talk was given which we followed and was very interesting .

Next day we then headed off to Toowoomba, and also deciding to go via the coast next, and spend a few days somewhere near the beach to rest up before going home. Originally we were going to go down inland through Armidale way, luckily we didn't because the weather inland was freezing. 

Just outside of Longreach was this park with a display of aboriginal artifacts and their uses. I learnt more here than anywhere else.

Artifact display

Bowl cut out used for anything from carrying tiny babies to collecting food or water.

Various rock shapes used

Morning Tea on the way to Toowoomba

Prickly Pear Cactus the size of trees all over the roadsides.

The town of Augathella has a football team Meat Ants hence the statue.

We arrived at Toowoomba about 3pm, and that gave us just enough time to visit Cobb and Co museum, which is full of sulkies, buggys, and wagons and very interesting.

Carriages

Governess buggy on Left. I like how the photos were included.

Had to hop on, was in the children's area.

They do classes in Wheelwright, and Saddlery.

Loved this Bike Rack, made in the metal work class.

Display of Windmills next door to Cobb and Co.

We then fitted in having a look at the Community gardens.

A walk way goes right through the centre, so some gardens are fenced off.

John chose Corindi Beach to go to which is only 1 hour away from home. Its a lovely park and dog friendly, and it felt like every caravan had a dog in tow.

Egg and Bacon Breakfast

A family of kangaroos visited every morning and afternoon and fed off the grass. Dogs didn't seem to worry them although they had to be on a leash.

Unfortunately I came down with massive stomach pain 2nd day, and ended up in emergency, which was a gallbladder attack. Luckily we were local and knew where the hospital was. Stayed overnight and then went back for the last 2 days, and I just sat knitting, and taking it easy. As a result I am having my gallbladder out next Monday. Not a good ending but looking back now, we saw lots of the outback and experienced many things.

Till Next Time.