G&T are heading out... (Lucky Ducks!)

 Just had an update from G&T, they are about to embark on a six month trip which sounds FAB!
They ask if anyone has been to Lorella Springs? Also they would like to catch up with some other FOG's on the way. Any updates/ info welcome. Just 'comment', where it will come to me for moderation and I'll post- EASY! Happy and safe travels G&T, we look forward to your updates.
FB  


We haven't contributed to the Blog for ages, been reading about everyone's news and travels so thought we would give a NSW update.

We are one week from hitting the road for 6 months, Yay! can’t wait. We have had a few hitches with our intended trip to the Kimberley and WA and have decided to put it off until next year.

Our trip this year will take us out through western NSW to Broken Hill via the Menindee Lakes (which were a dust bowl last time we were there) Then on to the Flinders ranges and Wilpena Pound, up the Oodnadatta track taking in Lake Eyre and the Painted Desert, then roads permitting north the Dalhousie Springs, Finke and Chambers Pillar and up the Alice.

We will hit the black top of the Stuart H’way to Daly Waters then hang a right onto the Carpentaria H’way to Cape Crawford. This is where the fun will really begin. 

Has anyone been to Lorella Springs? 

It’s about 130ks north of Cape Crawford, looks a great spot and we are guaranteed to catch Barra!!! 

After an indefinite stay around Lorella Springs we will follow the Savannah Way to Karumba for more fishing, then across to the Cairns/Cooktown/Daintree area where we stay until it gets too hot and then reluctantly head south and be home before Xmas.

We would love to hear what everyone is else doing this year? We may be lucky enough to cross paths and share a camp fire with some FOGS.

I have attached some photos of our van interior, note my quilt, I have taken up quilting as a retirement hobby.
Happy and safe travel everyone,
Garry and Trish 

(Here's a sneak peek inside G&T's 19 footer, with Trish's beautiful quilt) FB

Ferry 'cross the .......

Just received an update from Karen and Les en route to Eyre Peninsular (sigh...)

Hi Everyone

Leaving Adelaide for Eyre Peninsular.

The best of this email is that Les is feeling better and moving on is OK.

We drove to Walleroo a little harbour on Yorke Peninsular 2 hours from

Adelaide passing through picturesque and substantial Kadina. The ferry is

new and replaces one that stopped running for 2 years.  We are glad they got

it going again as it cut off one days towing and the fuel saving went some

way to paying for the ferry.

The crossing was smooth, took 2hrs 15mins.  We landed at Lucky Bay near

Cowell and then drove 2 and 1/2 hrs down the peninsular past spectacular

coastline to Coffin Bay, west of Port Lincoln where friends were waiting

with a hot meal and happy hour.  It is a drive through site here so we

didn't unhitch.  Had tea, a wine and into bed! South Australia has some of

the best coastline I have seen. Total contrast with just a short distance

inland.

       

We are resting up here and tomorrow leave for the Nullabor in earnest.

First stop Streaky Bay and then Ceduna.

Love to all

Les and Karen

P.S. hello Mike and Helen, Crew 1,  nice to hear from you.  Will be over

your way soon.

Love at first sight?

Karen and Les have just been to the Flinders Ranges (and loving it).
Update and photos to come, but here's a sneak preview of Les and new friend...or was it just the Free Spirit he was trying to get close to?

FB

Rain rain go away...

I don't know what it's like where you are, but it seems that this rain has been non stop for the past 52 hours! So while I am waiting for trip updates I thought "what can I put on the blog that hasn't been 'visited' for a while"?

When we were doing out research, all I wanted to see was pictures of interiors! There lies the ying/yang difference.
So...for the ladies if no-one else....   FB

New FOG's Patricia and Brian...

Welcome to the FOG's Patricia and Brian who took possession of their brand new 17ft off roader this week! We know exactly how you feel...FABULOUS!
Congratulations and welcome to the FOG's. We wish you many happy and safe travels.
Be sure to keep us informed of your adventures.
FB

Trip around Oz...Part 2

Another update from Karen and Les:
Hi All
....Tuesday 17 April continued
We arrived in nearby Griffith after a hair raising trip as we noticed we
were low on fuel but we only had  18klm to go when the fuel light came on.
Filled up; 19.4lt to the 100!!!
Griffith and Tharbogang (the last 2 years spent here before move to city
1954) seem to have changed more than Leeton.  On to Hay.  Left Griffith
4.30pm and should have stopped for the night but it did nothing for me and I
wanted to move on.  Griffith has everything a person would want from shops
galore and waterpark. The only thing I remembered was the war memorial and
park.
Driving onto Hay our plan to stop at Birdcage Reserve was thwarted by
passing it as we spotted it; nowhere to turn; water beside both sides of the
road with wet shoulders left over from recent floods.  Next 2 hours were
spent driving into setting sun and then pitch darkness with frequent truck
headlights.  Unable to find the next two reserves in the dark we checked
into Hay Caravan Park 7pm.  We had a drive thru site and remained hitched
intending to leave early next morning.  Very glad to be here.
Trip so far 775k in 1 ½ days
Wednesday 18 April
We left Hay at 7.45am after ¾ hr talking to people looking at van.  Next
stop Balranald with report of flood warning for tomorrow.  Stopped for
B’fast River Bend, at top of Memorial Park Balranald, the larger and lower
part completely submerged with the water just under the bridge.
Filled up in Mildura and fuel consumption 19.2L/100k; getting better?  On to
lake Cullulleraine for lunch along straight roads that we could see for 4k.
We had been managing our fruit consumption  all thru the Riverina but at the
SA border they took all vegetables and some bananas which we thought were
just fine and had just bought.  We will have scurvey before we have finished
this trip.
What are poor caravanners supposed to eat? Anyway 5pm and we are settled for
the night at Barmera on lake Bonney.  Lovely!  Trip meter 1253k.  Tanunda
tomorrow or maybe not. With only 200 odd km to do we might have a look
around Berri and The Murray Region.

Great possie at Lake Bonny, Barmera SA

NB: This area is very close to one of our favourite caravan parks- Robinvale on the NSW/Vic border  Beautiful! FB

Handicotts Trip around Oz!

Thank goodness! As I was sitting here contemplating the loss of a great trip (Bass to Barra) due to my 'other half's' work :(   I received a phone call from Karen and Les. At last I can holiday vicariously again  through my fellow FOGgers! Many thanks for the call and update Karen! Here is the latest:
Monday 16 April
We left Wentworth Falls at midday a bit later than we wanted to but we're
very happy that the house has been left in good order and what is 4 hours in
4 months!  We didn't go far; a stop at Blackheath for brunch.  At least we
are underway!
Afternoon tea was at Cowra at 3.30 in a lovely park east of the town and we
were very tempted to stay the night.  A local man did a U turn on the
highway and came back for a full demo and look at the van.  He is upgrading
from a motor home.  Ralf and crew should feel encouraged as the word is out
about Free Spirit vans. He was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the van
and had read about it in "a magazine".
We moved on aware of our time frame to Les' reunion in Tanunda starting
Friday. Stopped for the night at Marsden rest area, just short of West
Wyalong at 6pm. We were glad to stop and there were a few other vans there
already. First days run 333klm.  Fuel filter alarm light showing on the
cruiser and Les was unable to reset as shown by Penrith Toyota.  Reset maybe
once but more than that needs a look....
Tuesday 17 April
We checked into Toyota, West Wyalong where we found a good old fashioned
country diesel mechanic, purchased new filter and spare and advised Toyota
Japan not happy with quality of diesel fuel in Australia.  He suggested
getting fuel at large truck stops where turnover is higher. Interesting!!
We moved on to Leeton and for those who don't know, I was born in Leeton and
lived in the region until 8yrs old.  My father was born there where his
father was a soldier settler.  I wanted to find and visit the old farm and
hopefully fullfill a promise to spread fathers ashes which have abided with
us since 2006.
His constant wish in his last years, was to go back "to the old place".
Well, after a call into the information centre, the RSL and a call to my
Aunt, using lots of clues, dragging the van down dirt farm roads to Wright
Road, Stanbridge, he has been laid to rest with a congregation of sheep at
the gate of farm 1014. Nothing has changed to look at except sheep instead
of rice, the name plate "Bendaloch" gone from the gate but a rusty sign
"farm 1014" on the gate.  And the old house has gone. 
3 settler farms are now one but the irrigation ditches and view to the
horizon are much the same as when I ran around as a child, and no further
encroach by civilisation in 58 years!  The impact of yesterday is still
sinking in today!... more to come...

Karen: No doubt, just how he would want it.Well done. FB