25th August 2008

Our morning started with exercise. It would be very easy to become sedentary while located in places like Broome.

Prue took off for a walk to and then along Cable Beach. It is a bit over 2 kms to the Beach. It is so nice and level to look at and where the vehicles have been driving it is packed hard.

I did my circuit of Broome but travelled along some streets that I haven’t been on before. That is the advantage of cycling. I find it so easy to just go down this street or the next to see what is there. There are some really beautiful homes both old and new across Broome. As the climate is so warm, all the homes have big overhanging eaves to enable more shade, as well as probably a deflector of the rain in the wet season.

When I returned to the Caravan Park I noticed a message on the phone from Prue suggesting that we go to the Old Zoo Cafe for coffee. My reaction was to agree so I cycled back the short distance to meet up with her. It was very nice and very popular by the large number of people there.

Later in the morning, I did another massage in the caravan park. I must say that I do not think I would make a living out of doing it as I travel. Maybe I have not pushed it enough but that suits me as it gives me freedom to enjoy the area.

Around lunch time we went into Broome CBD and had lunch at the Dragonfly Cafe, again. This was the second time we have eaten at this cafe. The staff are very good and the food really good. The owner has chatted to us both times and he is after feedback but also a good source of information about the area, too. Soon after we finished lunch, we went to do some shopping in the Paspaley Plaza. It is the older, but not much, of the two shopping centres the other being the Boulevard Shopping Centre.

After our return from the CBD, I gave the Bravo a good wash which was long overdue. There was a lot of red Kimberley dust all over it and in some places stuff to it. Anyway it looks like a tidy vehicle again. The only problem was that the water, being bore water, left smears on the Bravo so I had to polish them off a bit.

As the washing of the Bravo had risen a bit of perspiration on me, we decided to drive to Cable Beach for a swim somewhere along the beach. The tide was going out so we were able to go down close to the water and park. As we drove in we drove past a large number of people doing the same us as well as a big number who were under hire umbrellas near the entrance to the beach. While driving along in the 30+ degree temperature, we noticed many of the nudists enjoying the sun along with many partly clothed people.

The water was about 22 degrees so it was quite fresh on first entering the water. Once acclimatised to the cooler water, it became really pleasant. The waves are almost nonexistent on these beaches. We spent at least an hour on the beach before returning to the caravan park for a shower.

Our evening was to visit Celia’s cousin, Charles. He is a very interesting person. He told us about his exploits such as riding a motor bike around the world, getting tangled up with some intriguing activities in other countries as well as his sailing adventures. We spend about 3 hours with him having drinks and nibbles. He said he is eccentric and that is why he gets into all these activities.

Charles is a true adventurer. Born in Britain, he bought a red London double-decker bus, shipped it to Australia and drove across the Nullarbor Plain from NSW to Western Australia, pulling the Trike behind him. The bus has been completely fitted out and is now Charles' home.

At his Trike base, which is also where his bus is, he has a hangar designed to allow the wind pressure of a cyclone through without causing problems. He uses shipping containers, parked tightly against each other, for storage of the Trikes during cyclonic weather as well as his office. He has a rather exceptional bathroom that is totally outdoors and included a flushing toilet. His bar is located in the hangar.

Charles has a unique private entrance to Broome International Airport. Apparently, he is the only private operator in Australia with this privilege which he is very proud and protective of. It was wonderful sitting having a few drinks and watching the big passenger jets either departing or arriving just metres away.

If ever you come to Broome he is most certainly a wealth of knowledge not only about the area but also has a wonderful knowledge, from his experiences, of the world. We would recommend you make contact with this wonderful character.

FINAL facts of the trip

Here are some actual facts I have worked out for the Mazda Bravo 2.5L Turbo/Intercooled Diesel Four Wheel Drive with Freestyle cab and tray with canopy towing a Kimberley Karavan. The Bravo was mostly on cruise control at 85km/hour.

Diesel Fuel Average Price - $1.88 per litre

Total Distance traveled 13421 kilometres
Total Diesel fuel used 2238.1 litres
Average Fuel consumption 16.67 litres/100kms
Average Fuel Consumption 5.99 kms/litre
Average Fuel Consumption 17.44 miles/gallon

Thank you for reading the blog of our trip.

30th September 2008

Today is the last day of our trip.

We packed up the Karavan leisurely in Tenterfield. departure from the Caravan Park was about 0830. From the Caravan Park we drove east towards the New England Highway turned left and went about a block until we turned right to rejoin the Bruxner Highway again.

Our winding track took us past the village of Drake then along further to Tabulam village. The scenery is so different to what we were seeing a few weeks ago.

Then we continued on to Casino. Staying on the Bruxner Highway we decided to go to Lismore Airport for a coffee in the cafe there.

After coffee, we went into the Shopping Square to refuel the Bravo for the last time on this trip. We had cheaper fuel in Goondiwindi but sadly this area is noted for its expensive fuel. Thankfully, the fuel was cheaper than a lot we had on our trip.

Finally, we arrived in Lennox Head to have lunch and coffee at the Lime Cafe. Then we actually made it to our home having traveled 13421 kms for our trip.

We hope you enjoyed reading about our travel. It is a great way for us to remember what we did at various times and locations.

Before too long, I will try to add the costs of the various items like caravan park fees, aircraft travel, fuel amount and used, etc.

29th September 2008

This morning we packed up our Karavan and had breakfast with Andrew. He had a busy day ahead of him with his usual long drive to some of his clients. Prue took a photo of his home front
We left Andrew’s home around the same time as he did which was about 0800. We had refuelled the Bravo the day before so we did not have to do that but we did get some items from Bi Lo.
Our path took us through Goondiwindi then onto the Newell Highway and across the Macintyre River and into New South Wales for the first time in 14 weeks. The road took us the short distance to Boggabilla where we left the Newell Highway and joined the start of the Bruxner Highway which will take us all the way to Ballina.
At around 1000, we stopped in the little village of Bonshaw where Prue made a cappuccino in the Karavan. We had stopped in the park beside the Bonshaw Primary school.
Then we left after a nice break and drove about 1 ½ hours to Tenterfield. We had booked a site at the Tenterfield Lodge Caravan Park. It is very clean and also very quiet as it is about 2 kms from the New England Highway. The Karavan was set up on the site and then we went for lunch.
Our destination for lunch was 8 kms from Tenterfield on the Bruxner Highway towards Casino at the Kurrajong Downs Wines and restaurant. We had a beautiful lunch and a great chat with another group of diners as well as the chef, Ashley.
Later in the afternoon we went for a cappuccino at the Willow Tree Cafe then we returned to the Caravan Park. There was the usual chat with some of the other travellers including several red wines before we had dinner.
This was the last night in the Kimberley Karavan on this trip.

28th September 2008

Another nice morning to go for a ride around Goondiwindi. A slight breeze but not too much to worry about.

Prue walked to the Botanic Gardens as well as to another housing estate a little further west of where Andrew has his home.

Eventually, Prue and I returned to Andrew’s home. After just chatting with him we went to The Larder and had a nice coffee with him and we joined by his good friend Jay Masters who owns an aerial agricultural spray business in which he flies his own aircraft.

I gave Andrew a massage late in the morning which he reckons was good as he had not had one for a while. This was followed by a easy and relaxed lunch.

Later in the afternoon, Andrew’s friend Daniel called to ask if he would like to go to the Goondiwindi Airport to fly radio controlled aircraft with him. So Andrew and I went out to the airport and were later joined by the chief pilot for Sudholz Air and again Jay Masters and his twin son and daughter.

It was entertaining watching these high performance aircraft being flown. The hand to eye coordination of the people flying these aircraft is something to watch. Andrew has been flying them for about 10 years and has a lot of fun doing it. He must transfer the same skills to his flying of his own passenger carrying Piper Cherokee 235 which we were in the day before. He seems to enjoy both forms of flying. Daniel only flies the radio controlled aircraft but is a regular passenger with Andrew. The flying finished just before the sun had gone.

We returned to Andrew’s home and had a BBQ and salad as our last meal with Andrew. An earlier night was in order as we were setting off in the morning and of course Andrew has a busy week checking on his clients’ crops.

27th September 2008

Another cool morning even in Goondiwindi as it was down to around 12 degrees. The best part was that the day soon became warm and reached about 29 degrees.
I started the day with a ride around the town of Goondiwindi. Quite soon, I realised that I may have missed a southern winter but it is spring here and the magpies have not missed an opportunity to swoop me.
Prue went for a walk into the Botanic Gardens which are not far from Andrew’s home. She arrived back a little later than me.
Washing was done here and it was a change not to have to put around $3.00 in the machine to get it working as happens in the caravan parks. Sheets and blankets were washed and hung out. Everything dries quickly in the breeze and warm sun here.
Later in the morning, Andrew with Prue and I did some shopping. We had a phone call from Mick, Jen and Sam Booth who had overnighted at Nindigully after we had left a message on their phone the previous day. It was arranged for them to visit us and have a BBQ at Andrew’s home. So that was all done and the shopping taken back to Andrew’s home.
Then we went with Andrew to the Airport where he refuelled his Piper Cherokee 235 aircraft. We then took off from the Airport in the plane to deliver a bag of sorghum seed to one of his clients, Warren. He had arranged with the family to meet us at the airstrip on Warren and Lynelle’s farm. They had invited us for lunch. It was nice chatting to the family. Andrew and Warren went for a fly around the farm and a little more. On their return we then boarded the aircraft to fly a bit further north.
We flew over the Moonie Oilfield, which is a little west of the village of Moonie. It is quite amazing to see the extent of it from the air. I drove past it last year when I was looking after Killawarra farm near Moonie. It has large evaporation ponds to contain the water that comes up with the oil. The oil is transported by 3 trailer road trains towards Dalby.
Soon after, we arrived overhead the Killawarra farm. I was able to recognise the farm and its landmarks. After a circuit over the farm, we landed beside the home of Andrew and Jaimie Hirst. They were the couple who were married last year in the UK and the reason I was asked to look after their farm. It was so nice to see them again and especially to see the farm looking so good. The two Andrews went for a fly around the area while Prue and I stayed and chatted to Jaimie. She had back packed through quite a lot of the areas we have travelled through.
Later, we returned to Goondiwindi. We enjoyed the flight with Andrew who is a very competent pilot. He is so good to fly with as he knows so much about the district. We think his clients appreciate his interest in their farms and his dedication to them.
Later in the early evening, Mick, Jen and Sam Booth arrived for the BBQ. It was a really lovely evening with every one chatting along with a bit of reliving of our travels to the west. It was even better as Andrew had flown with his partner, Lucy, and good friends, Wayne and Jenny, through the same areas that we had driven through.
For all of us our big trip is getting close to the end. We will all be home by the middle of the coming week.

26th September 2008

Cool morning again as it was down to around 11 degrees. It takes a while to readapt to the lower temperatures especially after being in high temperatures in the far west. Once the sun comes up it warms very quickly and the days are really nice.

We did a slow pack up in St. George this morning. It is a tight fit in the Kamarooka Tourist Park especially on the eastern side. I had to reverse onto the Karavan at a very sharp angle and was assisted to line up not only by Prue but also another friendly camper.

We set off from St. George on the way to Nindigully. It is not much more than an historic pub with a hall, tennis courts, and several houses as well as free camp sites by the Moonie River. Facilities are free to use at the pub. There is quite a lot of memorabilia in the old pub. It is really worth a stop. Meals can be had at the pub.

Leaving Nindigully, we proceeded to Goondiwindi where we arrived around 1200. We set the Karavan up in the drive of Andrew’s home. No awning needed here. Prue put some washing on.

Then we went into Goondiwindi CBD to have lunch at Neen’s Coffee Shop which is in the rear portion of a Jewellers Shop. It appears to be very popular. The meal was excellent. After lunch, Prue went into Coorey’s and eventually bought some clothing. I wandered around the Mitre 10 shop then we both walked around the street having a look.

Goondiwindi is a really nice town and it is always so welcoming when we arrive here.

In the evening we went to the Railway Hotel for drinks and a nice dinner

25th September 2008

Today, we left Roma. It was an easy pack up as I had already packed the awning away. I did that as I suspected, correctly, that the evening dew would be reasonably heavy. So the pack up was mainly electrical cords and the water hose. That does not take long at all.
We departed the Big 4 Caravan Park about 0830 and proceeded to find some reasonably priced fuel. Compared to the West Australian and Northern Territory prices, that was not very hard. Diesel was 159.9 cents/litre compared to 177.9c/l in June when we went through on our way west.
After we refuelled, we left Roma for Surat which is roughly south. The countryside looks quite well following recent rains. The previous time we came through here, was in 2006, it was so dry and looking terrible even though it was at approximately the same time of the year. The cattle look well and shiny while the crops do not look at all bad.
About 1030 we arrived in Surat and did a circuit of the town to ensure we did not miss a cafe. A little hard as there is only one! We had some raisin toast and some tea or coffee. About 1100 we set off for our next destination of St. George.
St. George is a rather pleasant small country town with a good irrigation area beside it not to mention the wine and table grapes vineyards. St. George has a currently famous Federal Senator, Barnaby Joyce. He is held in very high regard in this part of the country. As well as many other parts too. He has an accounting practise in the town.
We set up the Karavan in the Kamarooka Tourist Park.
We had lunch in a nice and quite busy cafe, Much More Cafe. Nice coffees are available at this cafe, too. The meals were well presented and quite quickly delivered. It is very popular with the local residents. Again, we had been here 2 years ago for lunch.
Following lunch, we did a drive along the river which is adjacent to the town. The water is backed up by a weir across the river which also diverts water for irrigation. It is used for recreation events such as water skiing and fishing. Then we went for a drive to check out the Beardmore Dam. It is by far the smallest dam we have seen on this trip but is the life blood of this community because no water equates to very little income for the town. It is about half full by the look of the water marks on the banks.
Soon after, we returned to the town and travelled to the Riversands Winery which is the most westerly vineyard in Queensland. We have been to it before and particularly like their Dr. Seidels Soft Red. We enjoyed a nice cheese platter while there, too. So the Bravo carries another carton of nice wine to get home.
The lovely spring blossoms are very noticeable around the town. It is time for hayfever in this part of the country!

24th September 2008

No photos today.

We woke up to a very cool morning, in fact the coolest on this trip so far. It was only 11 degrees early in the morning in Roma. A cool change passed through the area with about 10 mm of rain. Luckily, the rain was gone by daylight and the day ended in being a nice day although there was a light cool breeze.

Prue walked into town for a bit of exercise after she made a nice cappuccino for us both. She mainly walked in to have a look at the new Art Gallery. It is very new and at this time does not have a lot of paintings on display. The Gallery has very good facilities for either art or craft groups.

While Prue was walking around town, she found a Health and Well Being Centre, Krystal Clear. She very kindly booked a very overdue massage for me for a little later in the day. It was a good massage that has done me some good again.

Meanwhile, I was doing some work on the vehicles. The Karavan was due for a grease and general check over. Always a great deal of fun greasing vehicles but it certainly saves future problems. Also, I was attempting to fix a minor wiring issue on the Bravo. No major problems on the vehicles so I had a shower and went into the Roma CBD for my massage at Krystal Clear by Kelly.

After the wonderful massage, I joined Prue at Chapters Bookshop and Cafe for lunch. While I was having my massage, Prue was writing a few cards to send to a few distant friends. A nice lunch followed by a cappuccino was really nice. We then did a little shopping and returned to the Big 4 Caravan Park.

A bit of relaxation reading a book or magazine and then it was time for Prue to receive a massage from me. Fortunately, it was cooler than the last massage I did at Mataranka.

Late afternoon, I lowered the awning as the dew was likely to settle overnight making the awning damp to pack away. By then it was time to cook some nice salmon on the BBQ for dinner. This was preceded by our regular red wine and nibbles.

So ends our last full day in Roma.