Day 131 to 136

Wednesday 5th to Monday 10th  Well we are 300 ks from home and the end of our holiday. The last 5 days has been taken up with boating on the Gippsland Lakes, fishing and thinking about going home and back into work mode. Our past 4 1/2 months has been an experience that we will never forget, the people we have met, friends we have made and places that we have seen have all been amazing.  The Bus has been a sensational way to travel and with a few more improvements over summer, she will be ready to hit the road again around May 2009. Thanks to all who had a look at our trip and for the comments.   Cheers Alan and Marilyn

Day 130

Tuesday 4th The rain had not stopped all night and the wind was as strong as ever, so this will be the only day we dont get to fish. We were all packed and ready for the road by 10 am. Phil & Fiona were going straight home Russ was taking my boat to Duck Arm Paynesville.                                          Lakes Entrance A stop and chat at Lakes Entrance then on to Duck Arm just after lunch. Far better weather here and had boat in the water in no time. Pity the fish were not so excited. A couple of hours fishing then a few drinks on the deck with a fire.

Day 126 to 129

Friday 31st to Monday 3rd Have 5 days at Mallacoota with Phil & Fiona and Russ & Bryce, fishing was the aim of the holiday but the weather was not as good as it could have been although we did get among them every day, but not the size and quantity we had hoped

Day 125

Thursday 30th Up for a chat with other campers in the morning, then we head off for a drive to Eden, morning tea and a walk along the wharf, a bit of shopping and then the drive back to VICTORIA !!!!! ahhhhh ... 40 ks away .....   Then into Mallacoota for 6 days fishing. Good caravan park on the beach front.

Day 124

Wednesday 29th Rain and more rain over night and really chilly this morning, we took a walk along the break water wall then packed and headed off stopping at Narooma to the ocean lookout for some whale watching,   Lunch at Bermagui ... Calamari and chips on the wharf, did some shopping at Merimbula before heading out to Hwy and a free camp at Yellow Pinch Dam.  Meet up with some other motor homers and swapped some tales over drinks.

Day 123

Tuesday 28th A slow cruise for the morning stopping at Ulladulla for oil and filters for the bus, then on to Batemans Bay, with a coastal route rather than the hwy.  We found a camp beside airfield at Moruya.  We were both amazed how busy the airfield was for such a tiny town, tho we were told lots business people lawers etc commute to Sydney each day.

Day 122

Monday 27th Berry is one of those towns thats not far from the city and seems like most of the city was here yesterday arvo (sunday)and the place is deserted today.  A walk up the street at 10 am and still most shops are not yet open.  After our walk we pack, say bye to the other campers and head off to Jervis Bay, booking into c/park at Sanctuary Point,  Maz had a swim at one of the beaches then we did a bit of a tour around the area and finished the day with a bike ride ... phew ... oh and washed the bus ... nice.

Day 121

Sunday 26th Very relaxing place is Coledale, awake to the surf rolling in and lots of kids on the beach early.  The local market is on .... hmmmmm .... and the rest of the day was taken up chatting to the motor homer beside us and taking in some sun.    We packed and left in the late afternoon and headed to Berry a small town 80 ks south of Wollongong. Set up camp at the show grounds, nice spot 2 other campers there, they all called over for drinks and chat at happy hour.   One couple from Western Aust. they other are from Rye ... and only live less than 1 km from us.

Day 120

Saturday 25th What a great place, so quiet, Mark and Pauline were off to do things and we headed off about 9am, back on to the freeway, great roads and great scenery all the way to Sydney.      The plan south is to go through Sydney, over the harbour bridge and hug the coast all the way home. We had been advised which way to go so that we could easily go over the bridge and avoid the city and the tunnels, sounds good to me.  I had also planned to do this on a saturday or sunday to avoid the traffic.  So plan A didnt work ... bugga   Plan B is to have the Tom Tom get us out of here, First mistake I got off freeway to early, took about 30 mins to find my way back on it, second was I had been told to stay in left lane going across bridge .... bugga again ... we ended up in the heart of the city ... grrrr...  only way out is the maze of tunnels,  a bit of stress and an hour later we were sitting on the beach watching planes land on the south side of Sydney .... thanks Tom Tom.  Through the southern suburbs and we were in National Park heading toward Woolongong great scenery   We stopped at Coledale, 20ks above Woolongong on the beach .... fantastic here for 2 days .

Day 120

Friday 24th Only woke to the sound of about 3 trucks, not bad from a main hwy. There was 5 other campers at the road side stop. On the road by 9 am heading toward Newcastle, going through all the Bruce Hwy road works.  We by passed lots of the places we stopped at on the way up. I had organised to meet Mark, who I had purchased and inverter from on ebay. He lives near Hawks Nest..... Port Stephens area. We meet at roadside stop about 3pm and he asked if we want to camp on block next to his house ... why not !...    a sensational place, parked bus beside the water over looking Port Stephens, fantastic, then up to their deck for a cuppa.  The locals have a movie night once a month, so we have been invited to join in.... tonight its ... Death at a Funeral .. great movie ... great night after being chauffeur driven to and fro town hall..... thanks Mark and Pauline.

Day 119

Thursday 23rd Woke in sunny Grafton to blue sky, no wind, great day, time to take some pics of the town, I am sure you will like the pics of the Jacaranda tree lined streets.                                  Grafton streets Off to meet Bryan and Jan just north off Coffs Harbour. We stopped at Woolgoolga on the headland at the lighthouse, only to be near blown away by the winds off the ocean.                                Woolgoolga Headland Then off to the pub with Bryan and Jan where we had a great arvo catching up over lunch and drinks, then off to find a camp spot for the night. Just as we were leaving Coffs Harbour we checked out the motor home yards (3), but once again Dabus is the best value for money, so on we go, stopping at Paddy's Rest area about an hour below Coffs. Should be a noisy night as we are parked 100 metres from Hwy.

Day 118

Wednesday 22nd Well no wild storm as predicted, grey/black clouds came over and we thought we were in for it but all passed. A walk along the beach and we packed and on the road again. A bit of retail therapy and then off to Byron Bay, met up with Hailey but with another storm threatening we said our byes and off. Only 10 mins away when the wind rain and hail hit, I had to pull over as I had never experienced a storm with that force, we had our hands on the windscreen cos I thought it was going to break.  I had to start driving again because I had stopped under trees and branches were falling and the lightening was all around, not a good feeling.  The heavy stuff eased about 15 mins later but we had drizzle for another hour. We drove to Grafton about an hour and a half below Byron.                                    Grafton Greyhound Track Found a good spot at the grey hound track.

Day 117

Tuesday 21st Early start as we have the urge to get back on the road. Finished packing and have bikes on the back off bus, say our goodbyes and its 11 am before we hit the road. On to the freeway easy drive, but lots of traffic around the Brisbane bypass. The Gateway Bridge over Brisbane river is being duplicated, its a fantastic sight and we drove over.                                       Gateway Bridge Brisbane                                    Tollway over bridge South of Brisbane we stopped and checked out new motor homes, had me drooling but its hard to justify that much money for something that we are happy with. ( come on lotto ). Stayed on the freeway and bypassed the Gold Coast traffic till we got into NSW at Chinderah, with over the top c/park prices we found a good spot at Kingscliff just down the road.                                    Kingscliff caravan park Chatted to neighbors and then packed everything away from the pending storm.

Day 116

Monday 20th Lots to do this morning before we fly back to Sunshine Coast this afternoon. Maz went visiting and I did the same in a different direction. Said goodbye to Brandy, I wish she could understand we will be home in about 4 weeks. Fred was good enough to offer to take us to the airport, that was on saturday night!!!!.... today he had forgotten ... typical !!!.... a few panic phone calls and we were in his car in plenty of time ( thanks Boss ). Back in Qld by 5 pm ... pizzas for dinner and packed the bus as we are back "on the road again" in the morning

Day 115

Sunday 19th I reckon there will be some sore heads around today, Maz was off for lunch with Jade and I stayed home and finished the couple of print jobs I had to do. I had some mates call in and then Maz and I were off to Am's for dinner with Paul Lynda Russ and kids .. yummm ...

Day 114

Saturday 18th A very slow start to the day, all seems cloudy through my eyes, Maz picked me up from my bros. and back off to home, no one around so i played with my boat. The afternoon was gone and time to get ready for party. Matt and Jades engagement party was a sensational night and was great to catch up with so many people we had not seen in ages

Day 113

Friday 17th Up and at em early, Maz is off to get some odds and ends for engagement party, help with decorating rooms for party, then off to dinner with her Mum and a sleep over there. I had to do some printing AHHHH... 4 months since I have been home and it was so good to catch up with my kids Kell, Mel, Shaun, and Grandkids Josh, Lill, Kai and Aaleaya. After 12 years of having my dog Brandy with me every day at work and everywhere I went in the car it sure was good to have her jump all over me and to give her a pat, not sure she understands the bit that i am only here for 4 days tho. A few bevvies with Shaun after work then a few with the neighbours Mark and Lorelle then a taxi to my brothers and a few more frothies till 3am. snzzzzzzzz

Day 112

Thursday 16th Well when its rains up here, wow it hits like a tonne of bricks, all night and still pouring most of the morning, wind is up by lunchtime, which will make for a nice flight this arvo. A 4pm flight and arrive in Melb to much nicer weather than we left behind, 10pm by the time we were home and early night after a big day.

Day 104 to Day 111

Wednesday 8th to Wednesday 15th A week goes by in no time, the bus remained in the driveway and we did bugga all for the week although I did become addicted to foxtel. Maz did some sowing for the baby shop. Jade and Matt were busy all week with the opening of the new shop and in their spare time organising their engagement party. We did a trip to Maroochy and then a lunchtime trip to Montville in the hills. My weekend was taken up with the TV watching Bathurst. Monday was polishing Jades car, Tuesday was back to Maroochy to try and get a Qld Licence. Wednesday organising and packing for the flight home for 4 days.

Day 103

October 7th Well back on the Sunshine Coast at Marcoola, staying with Jade, Matt and Marcus great weather and we have shifted from the bus into their apartment. We are here for 2 weeks so the bus gets a rest. Matt, Jade and the rest of the crew have been busy fitting out new Capones pizza pasta shop in Coolum, which opens tomorrow night, but tonight is the test run for friends and family.Fantastic food, great night all goes well

Day 102

Monday 6th After 9 days in the one place its time to move, its been really good not to pack up and move to often, but glad to get back on the road now. Good easy drive on freeway north, it takes 90mins to Oxenford (Surfers) where we stay for few hours and lunch with Lee and Lyn then a 3 hour drive to Coolum ( Sunshine Coast).

Day 94 to 101

Sunday 28th to Sunday 5th Oct. We booked in here for another week, so with no traveling and me having no plans of doing much, thought it best to compact the week into one blog. Well we sure had a slow week, Maz had a few swims and I spent a lot of time getting used to laptop. The bus got the once over, a cut n polish, then a wax all over, looks sensation. Hailey's car got the once over too. A trip to Ballina and looked at some motor homes and finished the week off with a fishing trip to Brunswick Heads, caught a few bream, but none big enough to keep.

Day 93

Saturday 27th Was really chilly last night, and woke up to really hot this morning, I had borrowed Hailey's phone charger to make sure nothing would be wrong with new battery.... buga ... still dead this morning ... has fried 2 new batteries, so a new phone will be next. Maz and Hailey went into town for some retail therapy and I play with laptop. 1pm and TV is set up outside chairs in place and drinks and snacks ready for the grand final, what a game .. sensational.... Byron Bay Didnt go out for dinner ... easy night

Day 93

Friday 26th On the road early .... well 9 am is early, had to let the peak hour traffic go first, into Southport to the Mac shop and walked out with a nice macbook laptop. Have no idea how to use it, but I have time on my side, then to Pacific Fair, huge shopping complex on the Gold Coast. As my phone was still dead after charging over night, I found another battery outlet, so another battery will go on charge tonight. An easy cruise down the Gold Coast Hwy, then on to the freeway and 40 mins we are in Byron Bay. Book 3 nights in a c/park (no free camping here). Catch up with Hailey and then out for dinner. Played with laptop till midnight, great stuff.

Day 92

Thursday 25th                                Blackbutt Showgrounds I was told to check water as it may have had an airlock, all seemed ok so back to the mechanic. The 30k drive back to Nanango was hilly but no wind and the temp did not get above normal, spoke to the guy who worked on it yesterday and nothing else he can do other than take out thermostat, which I thought best not touch as it seemed to be going fine.  Fuel up and back on the road and go past Blackbutt again, going south and stopping at Esk for lunch, cant seem to keep my eyes of the temp gauge, which is staying under half all the time.  Nowhere to camp and, in no time we are at Ipswich and on freeways heading toward the coast. We decide to call in and see Lee and Lyn, but they are on holidays in Cairns, so the next option is a caravan park in Nerang. We got lost doing some shopping and then made our way to battery shop to get a mobile ph. battery, hopefully that will be another problem solved as my phone wont start. Finally found c/park and day is done, although i know there is an apple mac shop near, so that will be something to do tomorrow

Day 91

Wednesday 24th Packed up and ready for the road, house battery had gone flat, so 3 days is the limit of use with lights, computer, TV etc. Into town to the showers, then decided to go inland to be away from Bruce Hwy. Headed for Nanango about 150k south, easy drive on the roads away from the trucks, a warm day but not warm enough to see the bus temp gauge climb, panic sets in as had to stop a few times to let it cool. Stopped at Goomeri a small town that we camped at on the way up. Water was low and needed some oil (first time since leaving home), I was hoping that would fix the problem, but by the time we got to Nanango, she was still over heating, so time for the mechanic. After some pressure testing, could not find anything wrong, so a pressure flush of the radiator and motor and hoped that would fix it. Probably is thermostat, but 2 day wait for parts out here in the sticks. A 30k drive to camp with a head wind and lots of hills had the bus boiling and me toooo. We camped at Blackbutt show grounds also where we stayed on the way up. No mechanics in this town so it will be back to Nanango in the morning.

Day 90

Tuesday 23rd What can ya say when ya do bugga all for the day, took another walk into town, did some fishing in the river , the guy near us got 2 cat fish, throw backs, seen a snake in the water and Maz seen a small turtle and back to the fire for an evening chat.

Day 89

Monday  22nd Woke up this morning to great view of mist over water, had a great fire last night and chatted with other campers, this morning no plans and  just chill out. Watched other campers do the shuffle as some go and others move in. Took a walk into town, 3ks round trip, when we got back we had to drive back into town to have a shower. Sat around fire again easy night

Day 88

Sunday 21st Up and at em, in for our breakfast by the pool, not sure we are totally rested, but we are moving anyway and not sure where we are going. Take a drive along esplanade again and then to supermarket, on the drive to Maryborough there is the sunday MARKET, a bag of fruit n veg and about 60ks south is a place called Tiaro, tiny town that caters well for travellers, toilets and hot showers in main street beside park where they welcome c/vans and motorhome. We stop at another camp spot 1k west of town on the Mary River, again free and we manouve our way between other campers to a great spot on the banks of the river. The Mary River I reckon we are here for a few days .... great views

Day 87

Saturday 20th Well we booked in for 2 days, so this is a day of rest, no driving, up for breakfast, easy all layed out, cereal and toast n coffee, did some blog and some electrical stuff on bus. Wen t for a walk to Marina and caught bus for a trip along the esplanade, got off at Torquay beach did the tourist walk nice shops, nice place, we for a stroll out on pier lots of people swimming and fishing. Caught bus back to camp about 2pm. Moved to a different spot in park as we had bats on the roof last night, so we moved under the trees. Set TV up to watch the Hawks do their stuff and the Melb Storm just get home too.......Snzzzzzzzzzz