Reflections

This trip was varied and very interesting. Wendy had not been to many of the places in Victoria, so that was all very new and interesting, including the art galleries and museums! Greg had not visited them in ages, so he enjoyed it as well. 

The temperatures down south can vary dramatically during this period.  It can be very hot and in future we will go either before or after the real summer months. It can however, also be quite cold as experienced. We will certainly avoid the school holiday period and Australia Day holiday as it is just too crowded and exceptionally noisy. 

On the home front, it is probably not a good idea to be away from home for too long during the rainy season as the place just turns into a jungle, despite the best efforts from the neighbours and the kangaroos.  About four weeks away would be about right. 

Notwithstanding all that, we had a fantastic nine weeks trekking around the country. 

Day 66: Thu 22 Feb – Dalby to Hippo Farm

Very humid with light to really heavy rain all day 

We were up bright and early at 6am as we are a bit state-lagged. We were on the road by 7:10am and stopped for fuel and coffee in Kingaroy. It was then a straight forward run home, apart from the torrential rain that came down in places. We noticed a lot of water in the gutters and the closer we got to home, the more water there was. When we checked the rain gauge, we’d received a little over 300mm (not counting evaporation) in the nine weeks we’ve been away.  And, it didn’t stop just because we were home; after lunch, and in between downpours, we unloaded the van, put it all away where it should be. 

The place looks like a jungle; the kangaroos have simply not been doing their job very well. Thanks to our neighbours, Terry and Leandra, for mowing around the house and keeping a general eye on the place. In keeping with the Thursday night tradition, we went to the Torbanlea pub for dinner with Sue and Mark.  Greg had the Barra and Wendy had a huge steak that was cooked to perfection. Nice to be home! 

Total km = 5799

Total km towing = 5059 

Pano of Hippo Farm looking a bit jungle-like

Day 65: Wed 21 Feb – Gilgandra to Dalby

Drive: 648 km

16-32 degC 

After a wild and windy night, we had breakfast early and were on the road by 8:20am NSW time (7:20am QLD).  We made good time to Coonabarabran where we stopped for fuel and then mornos was between Coonabarabran and Narrabri at a road side stop just off the highway.  Lunch was eaten just north of Moree in another road side stop. 

The road got considerably wobbly (downright awful) from Moree onwards and didn’t get better until just before Dalby. We also noted a lot of water in the gutters beside the road and in the fields/paddocks. Again, we were looking for a free camp and had identified one just south of Dalby.  However, as we approached the location, the amount of water increased and we did not know what the road was like getting into the place, and even if the camp ground would be solid enough. So, on we drove to Dalby.  It had also started to rain by this time, so we made the decision to not free camp and booked into the Dalby Tourist Park where we have stayed before.  We have a drive thru site on solid bitumen and all is well.  The Myall Creek is quite full and we hope there is no more rain upstream as we may be in a spot of trouble.

Very swollen Myall Creek adjacent to the caravan park in Dalby

Myall Creek under the bridge

Site #D2 Dalby Tourist Park

Day 64: Tue 20 Feb – Denhams Beach to Gilgandra

Drive: 606 km

14-28 degC 

An earlier start to the day than usual – 6:15am!! There was a break in the weather and Greg wanted to pack up as much, eg. bicycles, before the rain started again.  Breakfast was had soon after and we were on our way by 8:40am. We had nowhere particular in mind for our next stop, but thought that about 500 km would be a good idea given that we want to be home ASAP.  

Mornos was had in Braidwood, made in the van – no bakery items were consumed!  We made them to-go and continued onwards to Canberra, Yass and had lunch in Boorowa. Onwards through Cowra (fuel stop), Canowindra, Wellington, Dubbo, and finally stopped at Gilgandra.  We had been looking for free camps between Dubbo and Gilgandra but found none on WikiCamps.  We did see a number of possibly suitable sites off the side of the road, however, we didn’t want to be the only ones there, for security reasons. So, we opted for the Gilgandra Caravan Park.  We were checked in by 6pm and set up on site #32 by 6:30pm. A quick walk into town to stretch the legs was in order before dinner. 

The drive was mostly on good roads, with a few exceptions. We had a fantastic tail wind for most of the day, that continued well through the night. Winds of up to 35 km/h during the day, but down to 18 km/h during the night (supposedly). 

Thriving metropolis of Gilgandra

Royal Hotel Gilgandra

War tribute statue at Gilgandra

Gilgandra War Memorial

Gilgandra Town Clock

Gilgandra Services Wall

Site #32 Gilgandra Caravan Park

Ready to leave our free camp at Denhams Beach

Mornos stop at Braidwood

Day 63: Mon 19 Feb – Denhams Beach

Cool and raining 

We really wanted to go for a ride, however, it rained!!  And didn’t really stop raining all day. What a shame. So, the day was spent catching up with admin. 

Day 62: Sun 18 Feb – Denhams Beach

Quite warm 

Quite an early start considering the night before. We met back at the venue, where a number of people were staying, for breakfast. We rode down, but not sure that Wendy should have been on the bike, not even on foot. Thank goodness there were no RBTs.  We had already had breakfast so just sat with everyone and chatted.  It was then back home and down to the beach for a swim. Lunch on the back deck was fish and chips and then everyone left to go home.  A quiet night was had.

Denhams Beach

On the beach

Corellas on the lawn

Day 61: Sat 17 Feb – Denhams Beach

17-28 degC, humid 

Had breakfast then went for a ride up and down the hills of Sunshine Bay and North Batemans Bay. The rest of the day was spent preparing for the big night, including decorating the tables and surrounds at the venue – Corrigans Cove Resort.  We had hired the entire venue, which could probably have at least 80-100 persons, for 30 plus a three-person jazz band!  Needless to say, we had a nice amount of room.  

Whilst Wendy had spent countless hours dealing with management in preparing the food and drinks menu, Samantha and Suzanne organised the decorations, and did a fantastic job.  Place names were done using ribbon in a “dymo” type machine and then tied to small glass bottles filled with gold threads.  The whole theme was of course, GOLD!  Wendy had also developed a photobook titled “50 years Condensed” and had photos from many different periods from their engagement to wedding, to various places we have lived both here in Australia and Rhodesia/Zimbabwe.  That book was placed next to the cake a friend had kindly made. 

The menu was:

-          Roast beef with rosemary and garlic accompanied by a redcurrant jelly

-          Roast lamb with garlic oregano and fresh lemon

-          Chicken stroganoff with rice

-          Fresh garden salad

-          Greek salad with lemon and herb dressing

-          Slow roasted potato and sweet potato mix

-          Fresh seasonal vegetables

-          Sticky date pudding with caramel sauce and ice cream

-          Crème brûlée 

We had some lovely wines and sparkling to wash it all down with. 

A great night was had by all, and we were home in bed by 11pm. 

Table setting

Seating place names

Venue

Greg, Jenny, Jan, Bob, Alice

Samantha, Kevin, Jeanette, Ray, Heather, Bruce

Pat, Rob, Tinkie, Jo, Mike, Shelley

Suzanne, Nigel, Jenny, Frederick, Carol, Dale

Ben, Henry, James, Carla, Jemima, Joanna

Tinkie giving her speech with lovely colours in the sky

Table decorations

The original five: Dale, Mum, Dad, Wendy, Kevin

Family expands: Dale & Suzanne; Wendy & Greg; Dad & Mum; Kevin & Samantha

But wait, there’s more!: Dale, Ben, James, Suzanne, Wendy, Henry, Greg, Dad, Jemima, Carla, Kevin, Mum, Samantha, Joanna