January, 2020 Mum & Dad’s place, Qld

Joined Kaylene, Rick, Steve and Sandra for dinner on New Year’s Eve in town. We walked down to the Esplanade in time to watch the 9pm fireworks which were spectacular though we were right under them so we got kinked necks and covered in the smoke. Made us think of all the poor people suffering in the bush fire down south – must be so horrible having to breath the smokey air all the time. We walked back to the new Aquarium and had coffee and cake in Dundee’s Restaurant beside it. They have a huge fish tank inside and the service was very friendly and even the owner came over for a chat. Home to wish Mum and Dad a happy new year at 11pm as they headed off to bed. Steve and I had a glass of Mickey & Chris’ port while we played our last games of Skipbo for 2019 – one game each. The Sydney fireworks were on TV as they are an hour ahead of us then we counted down the seconds to the new year and new decade. The TV played Auld Lang Syne so we had a little dance in the van to celebrate seeing in another year.

Found our new vehicle in a car yard in Williamstown, Melbourne and after many phone calls and lots of photos decided we were happy to buy it unseen. They will freight it up to us on a truck so no stress having to fly down and drive it back – especially with all the terrible fires around down south. It has already had some of the modifications Steve wanted and lots of other extras as well as being low mileage and it is a Nissan Patrol at a good price.

We have forgotten about how humid Cairns can get – it has been raining on and off making it quite sticky but a nice cool shower fixes that problem.

Chopped off my long hair – back to shoulder length to make it easier to put up in a pony-tail.

Rang Dale for his 60^th birthday – he is the last to turn 60 out of the ‘boys’. He got an albino barramundi for a present.

Lots of great tennis to watch on TV with Mum and Dad.

The rain continues with some very heavy showers. Sad to think we can’t build a big dam to catch the rain then pipe it around Australia to support the drought and fire ravaged areas. I am sure we could use all the people in prison and those on the dole to make it happen but with the politics nowadays it is all to ‘difficult’.

Greg gave me a memory stick full of music for me to copy and a hard drive of movies.

Visited Judy and Wayne and then Kathy and Brodie came home. So great to see them all again. Kathy had a hard drive of movies too so I will be set for a few more years.

Having a nice time visiting people and pottering around the house. Steve has had jobs to do fixing things around Mum and Dad’s place – like them the house it getting a bit weary. I am loving being able to do so much for Mum and Dad to make their lives easier.

Our new truck arrived. As it is silver I decided we would call it Smokey. Now to get the roadworthy and register it in Queensland then Steve can start the work of adding the lazy axle etc and then building our new camper on the back.

My cousin Pete and family are staying at Fitzroy Island for a few days to celebrate his wife, Marion’s 60^th birthday. Unfortunately he felt faint when walking to one of the beaches and thinking he was just dehydrated, as it is quite hot and they are from Sydney, they went back to the resort. They checked with Flying Doctors and determined that he should come into Cairns for a check-up. When the Ambulance picked him at from the boat they were shocked to see how back his heart was. He didn’t have any chest pain to show his heart was failing. Marion came and stayed with us and after investigations he had a procedure to insert a pacemaker. His father (Mum’s brother) had one for the past 30 years and only passed away 3 months ago aged 92 so Pete was happy to have it all sorted now. He and Marion were very impressed with the care in the Cardiac Care Ward, so much so that he said he would be back if he needed anything else done. The family came back over when Pete came out of hospital and we all celebrated with lunch here at Mum and Dad’s. They had two days booked in at Palm Cove which was good as Pete couldn’t fly for 48 hours after the procedure. We picked up Daniel, Jon & Jess and joined them all for dinner which was wonderful. So glad everything worked out ok though he will need to take Marion on another holiday now!!

Celebrated Jess’ 25^th birthday a couple of days early with Jon and Jess’ family at a Mexican Bistro which was great.

Very hot (35 to 38 degrees) and humid days with storms building – sometimes giving us some rain and other times just making us feel hot and sticky.

On the 18^th Sent Ed and Heather a message wishing them all the best for their wedding in Carnarvon. They sent some photos – horse and carriage up to the Space Museum for the wedding and reception in the garden. It was the first wedding held there. They looked very happy.

On the 20^th I went to Work!! Back to Tuckshop with the ladies though this week is just for uniform sales. Not complaining as it is all air conditioned.

Still very humid with lots of storm cells coming over crashing and bashing with lightning and thunder but no rain.

Dave bought a wrecked Nissan Patrol to get a fuel tank for his Nissan so we bought the wreck off him for the chassis and axle so Steve can start converting ‘Smokey’ into a 6 wheeler. That kept Steve busy during the week pulling it apart at the back of Daniel’s place. Hopefully we can sell of some bits too.

He also took off the big mud tyres that came with Smokey and put on some new ones. Will put the mud tyres up for sale too.

I survived the week at work though my legs knew I had been standing on them for a long time!! Also the eyes are not as young either and it is a pain to be taking the reading glasses on and off all the time but oh well.

Started the Australia Day long weekend with a huge clap of thunder, right over us, in the early hours of the 25^th and then lots of rain. We got 75ml which was lovely.

The first day of school for the students saw them soaked through with very heavy rainfalls in Cairns due to the Monsoon Trough sitting over us. Sold lots of jumpers as they were wet then cold in the air conditioning. In our day we just dried off under the ceiling fans.

When Greg joins us for dinner we have a few games of Skipbo – we have converted Mum and Greg to the new format.

Had a good week working in the Uniform Shop. Steve sold bits and pieces off the ‘other’ Nissan so we have nearly covered the cost of paying for it – hence the axle and chassis is very cheap compared to the cost it would have been from the wreckers.

Mum and Dad have been enjoying watching the Australian Open Tennis Competition – we have even gotten into it too. They are both doing ok and Mum is loving having the extra help they we are giving them. Steve has been amazing too with all the repairs and lunch making etc he has been doing while I have been working.

20th to 31st Dec, 2019 Mum & Dad's place, Cairns, Qld (2019 year list at end)

Settled in. So glad to be able to help Mum and Dad with the cooking, cleaning etc. Nice to be back in cooler weather too with the rain showers. It is humid but not that sticky stinking build up to storms.

Washed my hair and got Steve to take a photo as I will get it cut shorter in the New Year. 

I will go back to casual work at the Tuckshop – where I worked before we left. Steve will be busy with the truck and van build.

Jon got Steve to work straight away, helping in install an air conditioner in Mum and Dad’s bedroom so they can sleep in the day more comfortably and cool the room at night when the hot days come. Dad has bad prickly heat so it will help with that too. I even had prickly heat after those hot nights on the way home.

Joined Wendy, David, Kaylene, Rick, Andrea and Alan at Cocos at the Pullman International for our Christmas get together. It was a lovely lunch and we had a great time chatting. Took some photos by the huge tree. The chefs have made a ginger-bread house and it looks like the kids have been eating bits off it already.

Christmas breakfast here with Dan, Fran, Jon and Jess and Greg, Tracy, Timothy and Katie. Brian also joined us which was lovely. 

Dan made us and Mum and Dad lovely twirly things – he is so smart. 

Jon bought me a lovely verse for the van and some other lovely things. 

Mum and Dad gave me a lovely battery-operated candle with the Tree of Life one side and a beautiful verse on the other. I had given Mum a lovely Mother verse on a butterfly.

I got Steve a bottle of Fiji Ratu that we tried at 9 Mile Beach with Guy. Steve got me a bottle of Penfolds Grandfather Port because I never got to have any of the bottle David bought Terry when he became a grandfather when I had Daniel. They scoffed the lot. Now I have a bottle to myself!!

Rang Erica in Woodgate. She was there with Terry, David, Amanda, Bradley, Benjamin and Ella so we passed the phone around for everyone to have a chat. I said we are planning to be in Woodgate next year with the boys etc so hopefully we can get all the Gecks together again.

Everyone left so we cleaned up and headed up the Gillies Range to Julie and Peter’s place near Ravenshoe. It was hot (36 degrees) but we managed to keep in the shade and there was a light breeze at times. We had a lovely lunch and yummy desserts. So lovely to see my nieces, Rebecca, with husband Jeremy, and Veronica and their little ones.

Brian sent a photo of his lunch with his daughters, Jodie and Stephanie and Jodie’s fiancé, Bryan.

David then sent a photo of the Woodgate gang having lunch. This phone/photo technology certainly is a good thing.

Boxing Day started with thunder rumbling in the early hours and a bit of rain. I think Santa ate too much plum pudding as his belly is constantly rumbling. More thunder and then the lightning started flashing right overhead. We got a good dumping of rain 20ml then the storm moved on.

Steve busy on the tablet trying to find our new vehicle. Rang up about a couple but they have sold very quickly.

Nice afternoon with Kaylene and Rick at Andrea and Alan’s place to view Andrea’s wonderful display of Christmas decorations and trees before the big pack up starts. Forgot to take photos but there is a video of them all on my Facebook page.

Joining Kaylene, Rick, Steve and Sandra on the Esplanade to watch the fireworks – 9pm version to start. Will see if we can last out to see the New Year in there or at home to watch the fireworks in Sydney etc as they will be having them an hour early than us.

See you next year.

2019

JANUARY

1 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

2 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

3 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

4 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

5 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

6 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

7 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

8 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

9 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

10 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

11 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

12 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

13 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

14 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

15 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

16 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (4yrs 5mths)

17 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

18 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

19 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (Jess’ bday)

20 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

21 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

22 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

23 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

24 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

25 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

26 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (Aust Day)

27 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

28 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

29 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

30 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

31 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

FEBRUARY

1 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

2 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

3 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

4 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

5 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

6 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

7 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

8 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

9 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (exploring)

10 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

11 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (Tracy’s bday)

12 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (Val’s bday)

13 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

14 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

15 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

16 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (4yrs6mths)

17 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

18 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

19 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (Jocelyn & Brad bday)

20 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

21 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

22 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

23 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

24 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (David’s bday)

25 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

26 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

27 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

28 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

MARCH

1 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

2 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

3 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

4 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

5 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (sightseeing)

6 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

7 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

8 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (RIP Val Russell)

9 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (Uncle John’s bday)

10 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

11 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

12 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

13 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

14 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

15 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

16 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA (4yrs 7mths)

17 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

18 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

19 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

20 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

21 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

22 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

23 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

24 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

25 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

26 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

27 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

28 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

29 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

30 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

31 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station, 50km N of Leonora, WA

APRIL

1 10 Mile Outcamp, Tarmoola Station to Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora, WA

2 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora, WA (my birthday)

3 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora, WA

4 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora, WA

5 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora, WA

6 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora, WA

7 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora, WA

8 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora to Jungle Well, Tarmoola Stn, 60km N of Leonora, WA

9 Jungle Well, Tarmoola Stn, 60km N of Leonora, WA (My Lone Bear nugget)

10 Jungle Well, Tarmoola Stn, 60km N of Leonora, WA

11 Jungle Well to Pending lease, Wild Cat Mine, 60km NE of Leonora, WA

12 Pending lease, Wild Cat Mine, 60km NE of Leonora, WA

13 Pending lease, Wild Cat Mine, 60km NE of Leonora, WA

14 Pending lease, Wild Cat Mine, 60km NE of Leonora to Malcolm Dam, E Leonora, WA

15 Malcolm Dam, E of Leonora to Info Bay, N of Kalgoorlie, WA

16 Info Bay, N of Kalgoorlie to 24hr RV Stop, Kalgoorlie, WA (4yr 8mths on road)

17 24hr RV Stop, Kalgoorlie to Lake Douglas, W of Kalgoorlie, WA

18 Lake Douglas, W of Kalgoorlie, WA

19 Lake Douglas, W of Kalgoorlie to Bush camp near Kurnalpi, E of Kalgoorlie, WA

20 Bush camp near Kurnalpi, E of Kalgoorlie, WA (Katelin & Sarah’s bdays)

21 Bush camp near Kurnalpi, E of Kalgoorlie, WA

22 Bush camp near Kurnalpi, E of Kalgoorlie to Bush camp near Yerilla, E of Menzies, WA

23 Bush camp near Yerilla, E of Menzies, WA

24 Bush camp near Yerilla, E of Menzies to Niagara Dam, near Kookynie, WA

25 Niagara Dam, near Kookynie, WA

26 Niagara Dam, near Kookynie to Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

27 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora to Bush camp at Wild Cat Mine, NE Leonora, WA

28 Bush camp at Wild Cat Mine, NE Leonora, WA (Jon’s birthday)

29 Bush camp at Wild Cat Mine, NE Leonora, WA

30 Bush camp at Wild Cat Mine, NE Leonora, WA

MAY

1 Bush camp at Wild Cat Mine, NE Leonora, WA

2 Bush camp at Wild Cat Mine, NE Leonora to Bush camp, near Mertondale Mine, WA

3 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora, WA

4 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora, WA

5 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora, WA

6 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora, WA

7 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora, WA

8 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora, WA

9 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora, WA

10 Bush camp near Mertondale Mine, NE Leonora to Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

11 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

12 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA (Mother’s Day – penguin nugget)

13 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

14 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

15 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

16 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora to Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

17 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

18 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA (Daniel’s 30^th birthday)

19 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

20 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

21 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

22 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

23 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

24 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

25 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

26 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton, WA

27 Bush camp near Jubilee Hill, 50km S of Laverton to Malcolm Dam, near Leonora, WA

28 Malcolm Dam, near Leonora to Bush camp near Jundee Mine, E of Wiluna, WA

29 Bush camp near Jundee Mine, E of Wiluna to Bush Camp by Jundee Mine, WA

30 Bush camp near Jundee Mine to Bush camp near Gunbarrel Hwy, E of Wiluna, WA

31 Bush camp near Gunbarrel Hwy, E of Wiluna, WA

JUNE

1 Bush camp near Gunbarrel Hwy, E of Wiluna to Bush camp S of Peak Hill, WA

2 Bush camp S of Peak Hill to Bush camp NW of Peak Hill, WA

3 Bush camp NW of Peak Hill, WA

4 Bush camp NW of Peak Hill to Bush camp near gravel pit, 50km S of Newman, WA

5 Bush camp near gravel pit, 50km S of Newman to RV Stop, Newman, WA

6 RV Stop, Newman to Bush camp S of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

7 Bush camp S of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA (Mum & Dad’s 58^th Wed Anniv)

8 Bush camp S of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

9 Bush camp S of Eastern Ck to Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

10 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

11 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

12 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA (Tim’s birthday)

13 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

14 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

15 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

16 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

17 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

18 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

19 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

20 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

21 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA (Anthony’s birthday)

22 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

23 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

24 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

25 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

26 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA (Fran’s birthday)

27 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

28 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

29 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck to near Upper Mosquito Ck Mine, E of Nullagine, WA

30 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

JULY

1 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

2 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

3 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

4 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA (Mum’s bday)

5 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

6 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

7 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

8 Bush camp, Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA (Dad & Ella bday)

9 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

10 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

11 Bush camp near Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre, E of Nullagine, WA

12 Bush camp, Upper Mosquito Ck Mining Centre to Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

13 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck to Bush camp, SE of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

14 Bush camp, SE of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

15 Bush camp, SE of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

16 Bush camp, SE of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA (4yrs11mths)

17 Bush camp, SE of Eastern Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

18 Bush camp, SE of Eastern Ck to Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

19 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

20 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

21 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

22 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

23 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

24 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA (Erica’s bday)

25 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

26 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

27 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA (Wendy & Matthew’s bdays)

28 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

29 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

30 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck, E of Nullagine, WA

31 Bush camp near Mosquito Ck to Bush camp near Running Waters, E of Nullagine, WA

AUGUST

1 Bush camp, Running Waters, 100km E of Nullagine, WA

2 Bush camp, Running Waters, 100km E of Nullagine to 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar, WA

3 Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar, WA

4 Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar, WA

5 Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar, WA

6 Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar, WA

7 Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar, WA

8 Bush camp on 4 Mile Common, Marble Bar to Bush camp, 50km S of Marble Bar, WA

9 Bush camp, 50km S of Marble Bar, WA

10 Bush camp, 50km S of Marble Bar, WA

11 Bush camp, 50km S of Marble Bar, WA

12 Bush camp, 50km S of Marble Bar, WA

13 Bush camp, 50km S of Marble Bar, WA (36^th wedding anniversary)

14 Bush camp, 50km S of Marble Bar to Bush camp near Western Shaw Mine, WA

15 Bush camp near Western Shaw Mine, SW of Marble Bar, WA

16 Bush camp near Western Shaw Mine, SW of Marble Bar, WA (5 years on road)

17 Bush camp near Western Shaw Mine, SW of Marble Bar, WA

18 Bush camp near Western Shaw Mine, SW of Marble Bar, WA (Steve’s 60^th birthday)

19 Bush camp near Western Shaw Mine, SW of Marble Bar, WA

20 Bush camp near Western Shaw Mine to Bush camp near Hamersley Gorge, WA

21 Bush camp, Hamersley Gorge to RIP Lookout, E of Tom Price, WA(Hamersley Gorge)

22 RIP Lookout, E of Tom Price to Roadside stop, S of Tom Price, WA (TP & Mt Nameless)

23 Roadside stop, S of Tom Price to Beasley River Rest Area, NW of Paraburdoo, WA

24 Beasley River Rest Area, NW of Paraburdoo to Mt Augustus Tourist Park, WA

25 Mt Augustus Tourist Park near Mt Augustus NP, WA (exploring Mt Augustus)

26 Mt Augustus Tourist Park to Temple Gorge campground, Kennedy Range NP, WA

27 Temple Gorge campground, Kennedy Range NP, WA

28 Temple Gorge camp, Kennedy Range NP to KS Rest Area, E of Gascoyne Junction, WA

29 Kingsford Smith Rest Area, E of Gascoyne Junction to Milly Milly Stn, W of Meeka, WA

30 Milly Milly Stn, W of Meeka to Bush camp on Koonmarra Station, W of Meeka, WA

31 Bush camp on Koonmarra Station, W of Meeka, WA

SEPTEMBER

1 Bush camp on Koonmarra Station, W of Meeka, WA

2 Bush camp on Koonmarra Station, W of Meeka, WA

3 Bush camp on Koonmarra Station, W of Meeka, WA

4 Bush camp on Koonmarra Station to Bush camp on Belele Stn, W of Meeka, WA

5 Bush camp on Belele Stn, W of Meeka, WA

6 Bush camp on Belele Stn, W of Meeka to Peace Gorge, near Meekatharra, WA

7 Peace Gorge, near Meekatharra to Bush camp, S of Meeka, WA (Stephanie’s bday)

8 Bush camp, S of Meeka, WA

9 Bush camp, S of Meeka to Peace Gorge, near Meekatharra, WA

10 Peace Gorge, near Meekatharra to Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

11 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

12 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

13 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

14 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA (Kaylene’s bday & E&T 62 wed anniv)

15 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

16 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

17 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

18 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

19 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

20 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

21 Housesit for Mickey and Chris, Sandstone, WA

22 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

23 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA (Brian’s bday)

24 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

25 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

26 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

27 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA (Wal Windle 1927-2019)

28 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

29 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

30 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

OCTOBER

1 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

2 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

3 Mickey and Chris’ place, Sandstone to Lake Mason, NE of Sandstone, WA

4 Lake Mason, NE of Sandstone, WA

5 Lake Mason, NE of Sandstone to Bush camp, SE of Sandstone, WA

6 Bush camp, SE of Sandstone, WA (Greg’s bday)

7 Bush camp, SE of Sandstone, WA

8 Bush camp, SE of Sandstone to Mickey & Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

9 Mickey & Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

10 Mickey & Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

11 Mickey & Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

12 Mickey & Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

13 Mickey & Chris’ place, Sandstone, WA

14 Mickey & Chris’ place, Sandstone to Bush camp at The Granites, Mt Magnet, WA

15 The Granites, Mt Magnet to Bob & Margaret’s, Mandurah, WA (Steve – NW of Cue)

16 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, near Mandurah, WA

17 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, near Mandurah, WA

18 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, near Mandurah, WA

19 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, near Mandurah, WA

20 Bob & Margaret’s place, Florida Beach, WA to Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

21 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

22 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

23 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

24 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

25 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

26 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

27 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

28 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

29 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

30 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

31 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

NOVEMBER

1 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

2 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

3 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

4 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

5 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

6 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld (Terry’s birthday)

7 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

8 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

9 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

10 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

11 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

12 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

13 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld

14 Mum & Dad’s, Cairns, Qld to Tom & Sandy’s, Thornlie, Perth, WA

15 Tom & Sandy’s, Thornlie, Perth to Jennacubbine Tavern, Jennacubbine, WA

16 Jennacubbine Tavern, Jennacubbine to Chris & Mickey’s, Sandstone, WA (5yr 3mths)

17 Chris & Mickey’s, Sandstone, WA

18 Chris & Mickey’s, Sandstone to Fig Tree Crossing, NE of Geraldton, WA

19 Fig Tree Crossing, NE of Geraldton to 24hr RV Stop, Geraldton, WA

20 24hr RV Stop, Geraldton to Galena Bridge Rest Area, Galena (E of Kalbarri NP), WA

21 Galena Bridge Rest Area, Galena to Roadside stop, S of Shark Bay, WA (Jodie’s bday)

22 Roadside stop, S of Shark Bay to Hamelin Bay Van Park, Shark Bay, WA (explore)

23 Hamelin Bay Van Park to Big Lagoon, F Peron NP, Shark Bay, WA (Denham & NP)

24 Big Lagoon to Gregories Camp, F Peron NP, Shark Bay, WA (F Peron NP)

25 Gregories Camp, F Peron NP, Shark Bay, WA

26 Gregories Camp, F Peron NP, Shark Bay to Eagle Bluff Camp, Shark Bay, WA

27 Eagle Bluff Camp, Shark Bay to False Entrance Camp, Edel Land NP, WA (explore)

28 False Entrance Camp, Edel Land NP to Hamelin Bay Van Park, WA (Steep Pt etc)

29 Hamelin Bay Van Park, Shark Bay to Gladstone Bay Camp, Yaringa Stn, WA

30 Gladstone Bay Camp, Yaringa Stn to Bush Bay Camp, south of Carnarvon, WA

DECEMBER

1 Bush Bay Camp, south of Carnarvon, WA

2 Bush Bay Camp, south of Carnarvon to Outback Oasis Van Park, Carnarvon, WA

3 Outback Oasis, Carnarvon to Pt Quobba Camp, N Carnarvon, WA (Space & Blowholes)

4 Point Quobba Camp, N Carnarvon, WA (exploring Coast and Red Bluff)

5 Point Quobba Camp, N Carnarvon, WA (Sam’s bday)

6 Point Quobba Camp, N Carnarvon to Lyndon River West Rest Area, WA

7 Lyndon River West Rest Area to 14 Mile Camp, Warroora Stn, WA

8 14 Mile Camp, Warroora Stn to 9 Mile Camp, Cardabia Stn, WA (Coral Bay area)

9 9 Mile Camp, Cardabia Stn to Kurrajong Camp, Cape Range NP, Exmouth, WA

10 Kurrajong Camp, Cape Range NP, Exmouth, WA (exploring)

11 Kurrajong Camp, Cape Range NP to Barradale Rest Area, Yannarie River, WA (explore)

12 Barradale Rest Area, Yannarie River to Roadside Rest Area, 50km W of Whim Ck, WA

13 Roadside Rest Area, 50km W of Whim Ck to Nillibubbica Rest Area, E of Broome, WA

14 Nillibubbica Rest Area, E of Broome to Bow River Rest Area near Turkey Ck, WA

15 Bow River Rest Area near Turkey Ck, WA to King River Rest Area, S of Katherine, NT

16 King River Rest Area, S of Katherine to Avon Downs Rest Area, W of NT/Qld, NT

17 Avon Downs Rest Area, W of NT/Qld , NT to Gilbert River Rest Area, E Croydon, Qld

18 Gilbert River Rest Area, E of Croydon to Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

19 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld (end of our travels)

20 to 31 Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

 

Thurs, 19th Dec, 2019 Mum and Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld (End of our travels for a while)

That’s the end of my travel blog for a while but I will do a monthly update instead. Hope you have enjoyed travelling with us and look forward to hitting the road again soon.

Thanks for sharing our journey.

Sharon & Stephen – ‘the Two Geckos Travelling’.

Wed, 18th Dec, 2019 Gilbert River Rest Area, east of Croydon to Mum & Dad’s place, Cairns, Qld

5am 29.6 degrees, the birds are starting their pre-dawn song. The cicadas started up again too.

Across the one lane bridge over the wide sandy Gilbert River though there is a stream running just as we started onto the bridge.

The sun is just rising.

A farmer is pumping water from below the creek bed – we could hear an engine running during the night.

A pig was dead and smelly by the road as we left the bridge. The farmer is using the water to grow mango trees. Steve said we came out here nearly 40 years ago with Julie and Lindsay to go pig shooting – I didn’t enjoy that. We camped at a lagoon near here that had a heap of mango trees around it.

Continued east with the sun ahead.

Back to the single lane bitumen strips again. As we near Georgetown you can smell smoke. Through Georgetown and across a wide sandy Ethridge River. No fires visible but there is a heavy smoke haze – might be coming up from the NSW fires.

Across the wide sandy Einasleigh River which is full of trees leaning over.

Through Mt Surprise and stopped at a park. I spotted an emu and two chicks wandering along the other side of the park, then realised that there was a wire fence between dad and chicks. Obviously the little ones had ducked through and were now running back and forth trying to work out how to get out. Dad was pacing back and forth too. We can’t do much about it so hopefully they will work it out.

Clouds are coming over and the smoke haze has lessened.

Stopped at the turn off near 40 Mile Scrub – there are cattle roaming everywhere. Had an early cuppa at 9am after our early start. Lovely to get out of the truck and actually feel a coolish breeze. Only 28 degrees in the van – what a change.

The sky has cleared. Further along we passed smouldering trees and a smoke hazard sign.

Near Mt Garnet all the station gates are decorated with Christmas tinsel – lovely. Mt Garnet township and houses were decorated too.

Poor Pat doing the climb up to Ravenshoe – windy with clouds building.

Another long climb to the wind farm area, 1100m elevation – nearly there Pat. Down through the green pastures.

Through the curvy Herberton Range – Nova is following Pat dutifully.

Ah the Tablelands – nearly home.

Past the Christmas Tree farm as we near Atherton.

Through Atherton – lots of traffic, most cars we have seen in a while. Rang Mum to say we will be home about 12.30. Lovely Poincianas in bloom.

Turned off before Mareeba. The farmer has his Christmas decoration done.

Down the Kuranda Range – quick photo as we pass the Lookout.

Made it through the traffic at the roundabout at Smithfield then across the Barron River and into Cairns. Turned off and up to Mum and Dad’s place. Steve backed the van up to the flat area beside the house where Nova can rest for the next 12 months. This is where we started nearly 6 years ago when we sold our home and came to stay with Mum and Dad before our planned departure in August. Amazing how things work out. At that stage it was good to be here with them as Mum had her hip replaced and Dad was just starting to deteriorate with Dementia. Now we are back to replace the truck and van and Mum and Dad are in need of more care so we are here to help.

Lots of hugs and kisses then joined Mum, Dad and Julie for lunch as a shower of rain fell.

Set up the van on concrete blocks and opened her up. Only 29 degrees in the van – ah says the fridge.

I checked Pat’s odometer – 301,163km. When we left it was 165,420 so Pat has covered 135,743km in the last 5 years and 4 months.

We have had a wonderful time so far exploring Australia and there is still so much to do. Pat needs an upgrade and Steve wants to build the camper on the back rather than tow the van so we are here for a year at least to get this done and it will be wonderful to be on hand to help Mum and Dad.