New Years Eve until 24th January 2012
Today is January 24th 2012. This day marks exactly one year since Greg and I departed on the Spirit of Tasmania to begin our adventure. Time sure does fly. We have certainly found out that if you want to see this beautiful country of ours, I mean really see it; you can’t possibly do it in a year, perhaps not even in a lifetime. People who say they went around Australia in 6 months, just did that, went around Australia, without really seeing it. We are so happy that we have made the decision to keep travelling. We will be home on Thursday 26th (appropriately Australia Day) to begin preparations to sell our house. Hopefully that won’t take too long, so that a new journey may begin.
We stayed at Bretti Reserve for 3 weeks. It was really a perfect spot. The weather did improve and we had some wonderful warm and sunny days lazing by the river. We took a drive to Tamworth, which is a couple of hours to the west of Bretti. I guess Tamworth only comes to life during the music festival, which as we speak is in progress. We visited the Big Guitar and of course I brought Greg the latest compilation of the CMA songs. We had wonderful neighbours at Bretti; Doug and Ann from Newcastle and Gary and Val from Western Australia. It was a first for Val and me to be away from family at Christmas time, so we were of some comfort to each other. We enjoyed a pre Xmas lunch drink and of course a post Xmas lunch drink together. Greg and I cooked a magnificent Xmas lunch, first time in the van. Mmmm loverly! We were sad to leave Bretti on New
Years Eve, mainly because we were leaving some good friends behind. Hopefully we will see them again somewhere in the great outdoors.
Years Eve, mainly because we were leaving some good friends behind. Hopefully we will see them again somewhere in the great outdoors.
I just thought I would let you know how our New Year holiday in Forster went and a little about our journey home. We met with my sister Louy and her husband Phil in Forster on New Years Eve. We stayed at a caravan park on the foreshore there. Although it was a nice spot, it was extremely busy. The weather was perfect for 9 of the 10 days we were there, so we were able to do a bit of swimming and kayaking. We had a wonderful time. The coastline was really pretty and we drove to Seal Rocks, just 30kms south of Forster and then back up the coastline to see all the very pretty beaches. As you could imagine, we partook of a few brews during the 10 days. I think I will really need to detox sometime this year.
After Forster we headed back down the coast. We skirted Sydney and stayed for one night at Camden. The next day we headed to Bawley Pt, just north of Batemans Bay. This is where Greg’s friend from WA lives with his wife Michelle. You might remember that we stayed there for 10 days on our way up the coast in May. Louy and Phil came with us for a couple of days and were were able to show them the sights along this beautiful part of the coast. They then left to head for Wodonga for a couple of days before heading home to Geelong. Greg and I stayed with Marty and Michelle for 3 more nights. It was again great to catch up with them after 9 months.
Greg and I then headed south on the journey home. We stayed at Merimbula for 3 days. Greg had only ever been through Merimbula, and as I had holidayed there numerous times in the past I was able to show him all my favourite spots including, Middle Beach, The Bar Beach, Mitchies Jetty, Tathra, Tura Beach and the beautiful Pambula Beach. Again we were blessed with really nice weather. After Merimbula, we stayed one night at Bellbird Creek, between Cann River and Orbost. The camping area is free and is right behind the Bellbird Hotel. This is a really pretty spot and a nice stopover, particularly to enjoy a pub meal. Then we headed to Willow Creek, between Sale and Traralgon. This is also a free camping spot which is beautifully maintained by the council. They supply water, toilets and a well manicured camping spot all for a gold coin donation which we were happy to pay for each of the 3 nights we stayed there. 3 couples at this spot have sold their houses to keep travelling around Australia. I am always amazed at how many people are doing the same as us!
Finally we are here at Bass River Reserve in South Gippsland. A quiet bush retreat not far from Korumburra. This is yet another free camping spot. We have met some New Zealanders who have been in Australia since March, some Tasmanians who are also travelling around the mainland and an Australian couple doing the same thing. Tomorrow morning we are heading to Melbourne where will stop and see our friends Billy and Bec Bridge, their gorgeous sons Harrison and Jackson and meet their newest addition, baby daughter Harmony Rose Maree. We can’t wait to see them again.
So we will be back in G town on Thursday. For however long we need to be. Hope to catch up with most of you during this time.
Cheers til the new journey begins.
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| Seal Rocks |
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| Seal Rocks |
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| Seal Rocks |
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| Pacific Palms Hotel |
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| Pelican Pete on the Great Lakes at Forster |
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| Tawny Frog Mouth Owls in the trees at our campsite in Forster |
