Nearly 3,000 km's later and here we are in Ayr



Another fantastic couple of weeks in the land of Oz.  This photos was taken late afternoon at Malacoota camp (where Dave had been fishing) on the North Eastern Coast of Victoria and somewhere we hope to return to.  It is a truly beautiful coastal town with great fishing and attractions.

Since leaving we have certainly been travelling the high road.  Over 10 days we travelled from South East Victoria, into the South Western Coast of New South Wales, then inland NSW and then into Queensland and finally arriving in Ayr in Northern Queensland - 70k's south of Townsville.
We drove along the New South Wales South Eastern Coast and then began the climb inland towards Canberra.  The Coast was spectacular and will be a definite return to spot.  Some of the hills we climbed were a challenge - hair pin bends with a caravan - not for the faint hearted.  This photo was taken at Warri free camp on the roadside - just South of Canberra.  No snakes seen or other unwanted creatures!  There are so many lovely free camps and most seem busy with people staying over night.  We left here for Yass - just North of Canberra.

We ran into a small problem with the caravan brakes so had to delay our trip until we could get it fixed.  A slight delay but we spent a lovely couple of days in Yass - a small farming town just North of Canberra.  We therefore had some time to spend in Canberra and what a beautiful city - from the little we saw of it we thoroughly enjoyed it.  We spent some time at the War Memorial which was very interesting.  They have some wonderful displays and stories from the various wars.  For me a highlight was seeing  the handcrafted quilts made by the woman held hostage in  at Changi

We then travelled to Dubbo - famous for the Taronga Western Plains Zoo and a number of other local attractions.  Sadly we didn't have time to stay but met Hilary who was an inspiration - after her husband died suddenly while they were travelling, she has continued to fulfil their dream and is still driving around Australia with her caravan - we had lots of laughs with her and will continue to keep in touch! 

Still in inland New South Wales we continued our drive  to Moree where we had to have further work done on the caravan brakes - we stayed at a camp where they have natural thermal pools.  This town has a natural artesian basin and the water is mineral rich providing soothing powers!  Good when you have been on the road so much.  We spent two days there and then drove further North into Queensland and stayed in Miles - less said the better about this - it was a small mining town and so far the only place we have not enjoyed (although to be fair we arrived late and left early the next morning).

From there we drove to a little town called Dululu - well it had a free camp and a pub.  We met some local old blokes - one who looked liked a living leprechaun - tiny thin man with this long white beard and hair (set back off his face) - he had lived there for over 90 years (Noel was his name) - and I didn't like to ask his age.  His neighbour was Irish and had lived there since immigrating after WWII.  Did they have some stories to tell.

By this stage we were well into Queensland and heading to McKay, sadly we had to miss seeing our good friends Maus and Steve in Brisbane, Tania on the Gold Coast and lovely Helen, Justin, Ebony and Bianca in Mooloolaba - hopefully we will see them sometime soon.  But we did catch up with Dean and Sam, Lochy & Josh.  Lochy thought Larry was a bit of a hoot.

McKay was very busy but a good spot to stock up.  We stayed right on the beach front and was absolutely beautiful warm weather for us Kiwi's.


Ducks at Bucasia Bay Camp - of course it was Duck opening weekend in NZ - I think Dave was a bit sad not to be on the pond! Olive and Marcel - don't forget to tell Colin to keep his seat warm! 










In addition to the ducks there were wee possum that campers (including Dave) hand feed at night -I don't think we would do that in NZ.

 

We were nearly at the end of the big drive North and leaving McKay made it easily to Ayr where we will be based for the next 4 to 5 months.    We have been here now for a week, Dave started his job on Monday and it enjoying it - although a bit tired and sore since he hasn't worked for a while.

 

The farm where he is working cut 1.1million heads of corn on Monday - this is delivered to the local market and to NZ.  Dave can bring home as many as he likes so I imagine we will grow a little tired of it.  Last night he delivered corn cobs around the camp and our close long term resident neighbours and gardeners Ian and Peter then delivered, beans, rocket, avocado and pak choy.  The local produce is abundant with beans, capsicums, melons, tomato and a number of others, we are still growing our lettuce, cherry tomato and herbs - and I think snow peas are next on my list - this warm weather grows everything so well and quickly.

 

While Dave was at work yesterday the local top dressing plane hit their power lines (but survived) - lucky for him the tail of the plane was damaged and he managed to land safely.  Dave said he was a very white faced pilot. 

 

Sadly there are no vegetable packing sheds here in Ayr - so I get a reprieve from work for now - although I'm hopeful of finding something and if not I will do some volunteer work.

 

We are loving the warm weather - average 29 deg - although some days are a bit hot.  I'm finding lots to keep me busy and don't really know where the time goes.  

 

Well - that's good bye from us - keep up those emails and texts.

 

Celia, Dave and Leprechaun Larry. 

Folley's Frolics Update April 29th

 

                                                                                                                                                                                               

Dave eating naughty white bread & marmite

Well what a week it's been.  We departed our house sit on the 18th of April after six weeks and lots of different experiences with our new friends and of course Lola and Rosie.  Dave was definitely ready to get on the road.  Our last weekend there we had to call the fire brigade one weekend - even though there was a fire ban (the only neighbour home didn't tell us he was burning scrub and with trees all around each property we were very concerned - so you can imagine as we were looking after 3 homes in the street we called the fire brigade -  the neighbour was not happy!

While we have been house sitting we visited our family friends each week who were great friends of Mum and Dads, Les and Norma are both 86 and still live in their large home with over an acre of garden, and a fantastic vegetable garden.  We came away loaded up after each visit.   We will get to visit them both again in Queensland where they head for the winter. 

Since our departure from Rye, we have been making our way along the South East Coast (North) of Melbourne. Our first night on the road we stayed at beautiful Paradise Beach in our first free camp. It was fantastic, we arrived to reasonable weather and then a storm came through with thunder, lightning and heavy rain, and the waves crashing but we were nice and snug inside the van. The next morning was very cold though and wet most of the day.  It was a good start to our travels and we stayed two nights - no fish were caught though!  



 

The next part of our journey took us to Lake Tyers Beach Camp further North and as it is the off season we had just about the whole camp to ourselves. It is on the coast not far from Lakes Entrance a very popular fishing and tourist spot. We tried our luck at fishing there but had not luck – despite us both “almost” landing a flathead fish.  The bird life here was amazing and of course the magpies were plentiful and Dave hand fed them each morning. After 4 days here we headed a further 400ks North to Mallacoota – which is a surf beach inlet with lakes, rivers and forests & warm in winter.

We have been easily filling in our days, walking and fishing and exploring the local areas and with views like these it is easy. (Dave is also continuing a bit of NZ work in between), I keep the van in order – with the usual daily chores and am chief navigator – so start planning the next part of our journey checking which route we will take and what camps we will stay in. We have met some really lovely people already and most are happy to share their stories and tips.

You may be wondering what the leprechaun is doing in

some of our photo’s. Well Larry is the McCafferty family leprechaun (Gnome) that was won at an Irish Club picnic treasure hunt by the family in the late 1960’s. He has been part of our family all that time and we were not sure what to do with Larry after Mum and Dad died - so he is spending time with my sisters in Wellington and we thought it would be fun to have him along with us on our Journey – it’s a good laugh taking photos of him at various places we have visited so far.

 

  

We have started planning the next part of our trip, because in our Work About Australia email this week there was a job that Dave thought would suit him in Northern Queensland – so he applied and within 24 hours he had the job.Very unexpected but this will take us to the warm North. So…..we are on the road again and have travelled inland via the beautiful NSW Coastline and then into Canberra taking the quickest route as he starts there on or before May 13th.  The job is looking after the 11 pivot irrigation units and doing routine maintenance on them, the farm manager is also going to provide training to operate their 200hp tractors so Dave can relieve their permanent tractor drivers. (I wonder if they will train me)? The work is on a large farm at Home hill– Ayr – about 70ks south of Townsville and we will be based there for 4 to 5 months and are looking forward to warmer weather.  

We will keep you posted on the journey. Once again it’s been great getting texts and emails; unfortunately the network is unreliable to use the mobile and Internet sometimes so our updates may be somewhat intermittent.

So we will keep you posted on the journey along the way.  If we see a familiar name we have started taking a photo - so Murray's and Chapman's the photos below are for you!

Once again it’s been great getting texts and emails; unfortunately the network is unreliable to use the mobile and Internet sometimes so our updates may be somewhat intermittent.

 

Celia, Dave and Leprechaun Larry

 



Almost ready for departure from housesit - countdown has begun!

Well another couple of weeks have flown by and now it is countdown to our departure. 



Dave and I in the Summer house

The weather has been wonderful again this week, this photo we took enjoying the last of the sun in the summer house earlier this week. Despite daylight saving changing and the change of season we are still enjoying very warm and settled days just like NZ- although like Christchurch it is cool in the morning and evenings now.

 

Scorpion

We have had some interesting creatures appear - this photo shows the local scorpion - not something I would like to see often!  As usual Dave took care of it and put it back outside where it belongs.  Of course now we watch where we walk and always have "thongs" on! Click on the picture for a full view.  Dave's also been busy making final fit outs to the van and his favourite shop for the last month has been the local tool shop and Bunnings.

Homemade chutney with my screen printed tops

I've been keeping busy baking and making chutney so the van pantry is nicely stocked for next weeks takeoff.  I've also been making cushions for extra comfort in the van.  It is great to have plenty of time to do this and of course for reading - I think I'm onto my 8th book since being here. 

Dave planted lettuce and herbs when we first arrived so we have been eating fresh home grown lettuce over the past weeks more have have replanted for the next journey. We depart here next Thursday 18th and are heading for Paradise Beach - South East of Melbourne about 4 hours away to the first of our free camps and where there is apparently very good fishing. From there we head along the coast to Lake Tyers and then to Mallacoota again both excellent fishing spots.

Dave has been back fishing at Portsea - but has had no luck as yet since the last time.  The dogs go everywhere with us and their favourite spot is in the back of our car. They are both in season so no walks at the moment for them.

This week we have slept 2 nights in the caravan, we put the dogs to bed, locked up the house and then went over to the van. Its warm and quiet and very comfy so we are really looking forward to part one of the journey.

We love getting everyone's emails, texts and calls so keep them coming - it gives Dave something else to do!  This is him checking emails over coffee earlier this week.  All the best to everyone. 

Celia and Dave

Folley's Frolics Part 2 - March 2013

 Happy Easter from the Folley's

Well – can you believe it’s Easter.  Hope everyone is having a great break and if you are away take care on the road.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks but we are well and truly settled in with the house sit and looking after the 2 dogs, Rosie and Lola and of course enjoying the wonderful Victorian weather and endless summer like NZ.  Our neighbours have adopted us and we have been out for dinner with a group of them and had happy hour with them sharing numerous Aussie/Kiwi stories! 

We have “almost” finished preparing the caravan with really only last minute items to put in when we depart here on the 18^th April.

We have been exploring the Mornington peninsula and during the week took the coastal drive from Rye, via Rosebud, McCrae, Dromana, Mount Martha and Mornington.  We then drove across to the other side of the peninsula to Flinders (where we had a lovely lunch) and Cape Schanck (pronounced shank!) www.morningtonpeninsula.vic.gov.au The peninsula is home to numerous vineyards, beaches, shops, arts and craft, historical areas and sporting activities. 

Have also visited Sorrento and Portsea– both very historical and beautiful parts of the Victorian coastline at the end of the peninsula and not far from where we are staying. Portsea houses the historic Quarantine Station and is the most expensive area of real estate in Australia – it is truly a beautiful coastal spot.

We have also been fishing out at the Portsea pier where Dave caught a very large squid that I cooked that evening (yummy salt n pepper squid) – the Greek & Italian locals were very impressed – although thought he was going to loose it!  They squirt their ink as they are landed which I hadn’t seen before so you have to watch out (especially if you are wearing white).  I had no luck but did enjoy trying.  The coast is home to fur seals and one was playfully rolling about the pier as we fished to the delight of the local children (and adults)!

 

 

We are loving the emails and phone calls so keep them up! And I have taken a video of the caravan so when master the technical challenges I'll upload that.

Celia and Dave

 

 

So a momentous week for us and the dream is finally here! 

As you know we departed Auckland 27th Feb (after saying at Red Beach) with Pete and Lynn for a month arriving in Melbourne, then took the train to Shepparton to collect our 4WD that day and then the following day headed North to Ballaratt to pay for the caravan. 

We then started our housesit on the Mornington Peninsula at Rye with our two labradoodles Rosie & Lola.  All is going exceptionally well including the weather and thankfully the swimming pool - the temp's have been up to a staggering 37deg and on non official recordings - 42!!!  Just a wee bit hot - but we coped well.  And of course it was the day we visited the caravan and camping show in Melbourne - we made use of the water coolers, and found some air conditioning!  Dave managed to pick up some bargins for the van and then we headed home.

The following day we collected our boxes that we shipped from Christchurch so all went smoothly with customs and its nice to have some familiar items with us now.

Then on Thursday we drove back up to Ballarat and collected the caravan.  It was very exciting and all went well on the journey back to Rye - Dave was very pleased with how well it towed and with the fuel consumption!  When we arrived back the neighbours came out for a chat and look

In between the needed rain & cooler temps over the weekend, we have been unpacking our boxes and transferring everything into the caravan.  (We figure we are well suited to this life - a place for everything & everything in its place)!! 

Well we hope everyone is well, hopefully I've set the blog up ok and you don't have any problems viewing it - as it is the easiest way to communicate with everyone.  I will text everyone with my new Australian mobile number, keep in touch.

Folley's Frolics

Celia (Ces) & Dave (Stan)