Byron Bay and on

19.6.11
Byron Bay is a Fab coastal spot and whilst still a bit alternative it's far more grown up than Nim Bin - with a very laid back atmosphere still reminicent of the 80's,  its beginning to feel somewhat Tropical,  the Back packers and Surfers love it.
Nearby is Cape Byron where there are sweeping viewsof the beautiful Coastline. It is the most easterly point on the OZ mainland

The beach at Byron Bay

 Rob at Cape Byron the Most easterly tip of the mainland OZ



 We were walking along the beachfront at Byron and spotted this travellers truck!! Spose he must sleep on the top :o)

Were hanging around for a few days and staying out at Mullimbimby ( Those God dammn names again!!) only a few Kms out of Byron. Tonight Rob went fishing and caught his first fish, "a flathead" - he came back to the Motorhome and said what do I do with it? I said I don't know but until you can show me fillets of fish I don't want it near me!!! Off he went and came back with fillets after checking online how to do it - Yucky and having said that I cooked it for him the next day and it was delicious.

On To Canungra  ( in the interland behind Surfers paradise ) and through the Qld border

 We wind our way through the beautiful hinterland and through the border stopping to buy fresh Bananas on the way Yum.

While we are staying at Canungra We had to do a quick trip to southport - Surfers Paradise just to have a look - its a young persons haven with abundant nightlife, Movie world, Dream world, Wet'n'Wild water world and every other type of world you can think of  ( some of the theme parks are just south on the Gold Coast )and we can now confirm the towering high rise does stop the sun shining on the beach.

The two stooges at Surfers

The Beach at Surfers

The Mall at Surfers paradise

This is James Sharp park in Canungra ( we spend about 2wks here in all) about 40kms from Surfers and another world -We are at the foot of Tamborine Mt and Lamington National Park with superb landsacpes of tropical rainforests and Waterfalls - much of which are protected by National Parks.

 Driving through Lamington nat Pk was like being in a Fairytale with narly trees and just the type of atmosphere you would read about in a Fairytale

 We spent a day touring Mt tamborine there were lots of gift shops etc on top but this was the view as we started back down the road was really windy in fact at some point the road was sooo narrow that there were traffic lights that took about 15 mins to get through

We go to O'Reillys plateaux it is 35kms each way and the road was literally like this all the way and the above pic of the road in Lamington Nat pk was almost at the top .

So staying at canungra is a great little spot for $6 per person per night.  The village is really friendly and the Dolly as per usual was our intro to many people here.

Back soon

On the road again

22.5.11

After a month hanging out with Loren and Painting, its time to collect our car trailer and head north east to Wadonga ( if you havn't already you will ge used to the strange names of places)

23.5.11 On to Gundagai the famous place for the dog on the tucker box and the song the road to Gundagai have been celbrated for many years and also the sculptor frank Rusconi is responsible for the great marble masterpiece of the Cathedral model built in his spare time over 28 yrs.

On to Boorowa overnight

24.5.11

On to cowra it has Australias world peace bell - normally located in the nations capital however was awarded to Cowra in recognition of its local efforts for peace. On to Blayney and stopping at Mudgee - one of Australias largest wine regions with wonderful fresh produce of - Silver perch, Yabbies,Venison, Lamb and fresh asparsagus and summer berries.

OMG talking about names a neighbouring village is named Budgee!!!

We are having problems with our airconditoner and it's flaming cold!!! Out with the hot water bottles :0)

We had hard frost and chck out the Dolly!

27.5.11

On to cassila and Scone ( not the afternoon tea type - told you about these names ) and Merriwa finally Tamworth the place well renowned for it's January country Music festival. Theres nothing much happening here at any other time it seems but good to chill out for a couple of days.

1.6.11

On to Guyra overnight.

2.6.11 On up the New england Highway to Glenn Innes - really pretty but still tooooo cold for us through tenterfield and tabulam to Casino named after the Italian town Monte Cassino and is known as the beef capital of AUSTRALIA they have Beef week every may - and we missed it by one week - what a shame :0)

Whilst we are here we have ordered a new Airconditioner and lucky for us the maintenance guy helped lift it up on the roof with his front end loader and also a very keen camper also gave Rob a hand to install it.

All done and off to take the Motor home to Lismore for a service for the day, so we decide to go to Nimbin situated in a beautiful valley - it was a dying timber town when in 1973 it  took an Aquarius festival to establish it into an alternative - culture capital that attracts people from far and wide. there is a museum dedicated to the Hippy culture and aboriginal heritage including the rainbow serpent.

Well we arrive at 9am which is early for Nimbin - Robs face is a picture as he is promtptly offered weed several times within the first 5mins of arrival - we walked up the main street mouths open, there ae dreadlocks everywhere, and people smoking weed, we order lunch later and order the same meal each but they came out quite differently - the owner calmly says that they must be stoned in th kitchen!!

Here are a few pics
 :0)

The main Street

The people

The shop names

 

Business Hours

All joking aside there was some really nice organic cafes here and an alternative power company specialising in Solar products.

19.6.11 On to Bangalow it starts getting a lsot more tropical now we are heading for the coast and walking down the main street to see a local guy in a shocking pink suit

He sat there minding his own business, with a tooth studded hat and rings on every finger God Bless him!!

Not far from Byron bay now Yay the coast

back soon

Back again so soon

1.4.11

We head for the Longford revival a car racing weekend an event that has been revived from many year ago, and the first thing we see is the Go Go mobile :0)

Rob Checking out an actual Go Go mobile

A  car taken to longford

The Race was a racing mile and cars were racing solo against the clock within a category and much of the track we could'nt see so hence not a lot of photos.

Off to the evandale markets close by where we spotted a  Man's delight!!

4.4.11

Working our way back towards Devonport ( ready to leave tassie on the 10th) we head for the Tamar Valley ( A wine region ) On the way we pass Grindlewald - a Swiss village here's a few snaps

Funny things outside each home - not sure what it represents??

Swiss holiday village replica.

5.4.11

 Up to Devonport ( Our ferry leaves from there) and Coles Beach for a night, then on to Rianna then Leven Canyon just to wind up our last few days before heading back to the Mainland.

Coles Beach Devonport

Humour at Leven Canyon

10.4.11

Off onspirit of Tasmania back to Melbourne

11.4.11

Off to New South Wales to a place called Deniliquin - Yes try to get your teeth around that name in one Hit!! We are going to our first CMCA (campervan and motorhome assc of Aust) rally with 1200 other motorhomers.

Wow - lots of rules and when youv'e learned those theres more!!

Lots of great evening entertainment -so we take a bottle of wine and meet some friends ( we met in Tassie) sitting there quietly talking at the very back and having a wine when a voice says.... Well guys how do you feel drinking in a no drink area ( there were others drinking earlier so that's why we thought all was OK) well if he repeated himself once he did it ten times until I had to give him a message ( a polite but to the point message) so no more drinks during evening entertainment until the last night and we were even allowed to decorate a table!!

Looked pretty tidy initially - forgot to take a pic after!

Wev'e decided probably no more rallies for a while - it's a long time since school...

18.4.11

Back to Melbourne for a while Painting!!


Tara these are for you at last - my Hat making results, The black one was'nt an option but hey you have to make the best of a bad job.

This is my Fav!

Luv this one too

Well........................

Soooo much for regular posts!!

21.3.11
Off to the Huon Valley still in the Apple Isle of Tasmania - Where most of the Apples are grown.

We stop off at Franklin where we park on the riverfront for $6 per night, the Tavern is across the road so no drink and drive probs :0) And it's here we see the largest 5th wheeler wev'e ever seen! Check out the size of our Citroen compared to it on the right of the photo.
They are also having thier annual show with fancy dress, log chop, and evening Dragon Boat races etc;
We also meet two really great people Robyn & Gordon whom we are hoping to keep in touch with.
Whilst we are here we visit the apple orchards which seem too numerous to mention, with Apple varieties wev'e not heard of before.
In the main street is the Lock up that dates back to the 1800's - Glad I was'nt around then seeing as they only stopped using it in the 80's!

Franklin River free camp

The fifth wheeler - check out the size of Rob and our Dolly!

The start of the logchop

Whoa iv'e always wanted to look like this say's Robbo

Dragon boat racing at sunset

The Franklin tavern where rob fancied himself as part of a skiffle group!

The lock up in the main street

Moving on around the huon valley to Gordon where we freecamped on the edge of the river where you can pick your own Oysters!! from the waters edge - Oh I wish I loved Oysters, nevertheless a beautiful place to camp and to be serenaded around the campfire with another traveller playing his guitar - Oh this is the life.

Rob standing at the waters edge checking out the Oysters

Camping at Gordon

30.3.11

Off back to hobart and staying at the showgrounds - pretty ordinary! We go to the Obligatory Cadburys Chocolate factory with no intention of spending anymore money on improving the size of my hips!! Alas temptation got the better of me.

Then on to Mona an incredible Art exhibition with some really controversial stuff, We took lots of photos ut they didn't turn out too well so if your interested go onto the website and see if you can have a look

Bizzarre

Space age Car

A Mummy 2000 yrs old done with Xray

30.3.11

Working our way through the centre of tassie to oatlands in the Midlands to see Callington Mill, this was operational til 1892 then gutted by fire and recently restored and now grinds thier own flour

Callington Mill

Rainbow at Oatlands

Nothing like an early morning dip!

Originally the gateway to the local goal and since re-erected as the gateway to the local school

This is how some shopkeepers operate in Oatlands - glad its not my local shop.

A more modern house still keeping the traditional external chimney

31.3.11

Ross a small hamlet in the midlands boasting one of the most beautiful bridges dated 1836, constructed by convicts one of whom is Daniel herbert who was pardoned for his efforts whilst being paid one shilling a day.

186 carvings ranging from animals ,plants,to Celtic gods and godesses.

Imagine earning your pardon this way today arrrgh

Just of to make a call - what year was this???

Not sure what's going on with these taswegians - this was the humerous sign in a bric a brac shop in Ross.