Touring South West Rocks

Wednesday 13th
Having arrived here on Saturday we finally did something touristy today. Until now we’ve walked everywhere except one visit to the supermarket for supplies. We’ve sat in the sun and read and sewed which has been very relaxing and our tans are coming along nicely thank you. You can see from the photo the view we have from our caravan, that’s why we’re quite content here!
We went to the Smokey Cape Lighthouse and the Trial Bay Goal. We’d been to the Ggaol before but not the lighthouse and it was beautiful and so well maintained. They were painting the Lighthouse today so we couldn’t go all the way to the top but none the less it was a great view and the photos are only some of what we have taken.
It’s warm here but not warm enough so when we leave on Saturday we’re planning to stay a night at Ballina and then on to Gympie.

From Gosford to South West Rocks

Saturday 9th – we’ve made it to South West Rocks safe and sound. Sounds dramatic? Not if you watched the news over the last few days.
We had a lovely visit with Pete and Dawn and enjoyed a visit to the Hunter Valley purchasing some very important liquid refreshments for our journey, cooking dinner for them in the van and in turn enjoying a dinner at their apartment of home made pasta after Pete’s basketball match. The pasta was great the basketball not so successful.
However, then the story becomes interesting(!) as mother nature took her turn in arranging our itinerary with buckets and buckets of rain. We are truly drought breakers. The weather turned so nasty with gale force wind warnings and torrential rain forecast that we decided it would be unwise to leave Gosford as planned on Friday. We spent Friday reading and cruising along the coast watching the spectacular show of waves breaking on the shoreline. I might add that the power went off at 6am so it was getting pretty cold in the van! Pete and Dawn were at work and had no power at home either, however when their power came on and Dawn invited us to visit we didn’t hesitate, and in fact stayed the night enjoying the warmth and comfort.
Meanwhile back at the van ….. 1.30am saw an uninvited guest at the van next door – a tree popped in! When we returned this morning we were stunned to see how lucky we were to still have our van unscratched. Fortunately the van which was demolished was unoccupied. We left Avoca Beach!
So here we are at South West Rocks watching the sun set and looking forward to a week of bliss --- we’re thinking of you all …..not!

On the road!

We set out from home at 11am on Saturday morning – uncommonly late for me I’m sure you are all saying but we have plenty of time! We made it as far as Holbrook where we spent one night moving on Sunday to Cowra. We visited the Visitors Centre and watched a really good hologram presentation there on the Cowra Break Out and also went to a winery called The Mill which is a fascinating building only recently restored after sitting unused and wrecked for 90 years. Some of the restoration utilised materials from Echuca and there was a Furphy Tank End just to make us feel at home.
You will never guess what else we heard about at the Visitor Information Centre – a great patchwork shop which we visited this morning and was not disappointed. The Business is up for sale – what an opportunity!
We then went on to Bathurst where we visited The Patch - Annie Downs was there and I saw her quilts including the Gardener and the Family Quilt I am intending to do as we travel – her shop is terrific and was well worth the visit too. I might have bought some fabrics for Kate’s new quilt there.
We decided to go on to Gosford one night earlier than planned and arrived at the caravan park at 6.30pm and will be here for four nights now instead of three.
We have travelled through some lovely country and enjoyed seeing green grass and water on the side of the road. We’ve also travelled through quite a lot of rain which we know is appreciated all along the way. The best thing about travelling with the van is that Ian is driving slowly and I can see things along the way without getting a sore neck from trying to look behind me as points of interest wiz by! I even had time to enjoy the spectacle of a wind farm – the turbines are huge!

The Last Day for Ian

Look what happens on your last day! Ian arrived at work this morning expecting nothing very exciting, and the fairies (Belinda, Jesse and Tom) had visited. Ian's office was bedecked with pink ribbons, balloons and butterflies which complimented the throne which took the place of his usually staid office chair.

We should explain the throne for those who are unaware! Some COGS staff have undertaken to raise a large sum of money prior to the Relay for Life event this year and as part of that process have initiated a beautifully decorated throne (aka a toilet complete with seat, but not connected!) which the staff could buy for a day and have 'installed' in some lucky persons office. The lucky recipient was instructed to sit upon the throne for the day much to the amusement of all who pass by. Lucky its a fundraiser!

Ian sat upon his throne for most of the day and together with his decorated office provided much hilarity for all the staff who seemed to need to say good-bye!

Thanks Belinda and all for making this day so special, see you soon, or not!

Countdown to leaving!

Last Sunday we had a party to celebrate our iminent departure ---- thanks to everyone who came along to share with us especially the Melbourne families. A great day was had by all we think including those who couldn't escape and had to stay for tea to help relieve the left overs. It was great to have Pete and Dawn surprise us with a visit from Gosford and Kate and Waz were a great help too - the calamari was fantastic! Now with only two sleeps to go we are really down to last minute arrangements - the roses are pruned so they will truly know winter is upon those who are staying behind!

Final preparations .....

This is our first entry on our blog .... we are both very excited at the prospect of setting out on our long anticipated adventure and being able to share our experiences with friends and family along the way.
We hope you will enjoy reading about our trip and that you will send responses back to keep us in touch with home news (gossip!).