12th September 2016 Yass Motel - Home

Have arrived safely at home with an adventure that we can now laugh about. The Birdsville Races was a challenge from the start to the finish. Firstly rain at Broken Hill with a 600km detour to come into Birdsville from the North through Windorah.  At Windorah a bearing replaced on the drivers side of the camper trailer. The rain at Birdsville, which is apparently the most rain in 70 years. On towards Boulia and a wash out in the road meant we had to replace two tyres after hitting a huge hole and doing damage to the rims as well.  Then the other bearing needed to be replaced at Winton, and finally a death in Lyn & Kevin's family to end the trip, very sad way to end the journey. BUT, after all of those challenges we have decided that the Camper Trailer was fun, easy and a good way to get "off road" to see our beautiful country.  So this Blog is now finished and we are planning the next trip.

11th September 2016 - Mulga Creek Pub - Yass Motel

Nyngun was quite flooded as we passed through with road blocks so now on our way down to Narromine which is also flooded.  Road closed so a detour via Dubbo, so no big deal.  Lunch stop just outside Wellington and the skies look a little dull, but not cold or windy don’t think there is any rain in them thankfully, although a downpour may wash the Patrol as it looks terrible with the front covered in bugs.  Stayed the night in a Motel at Yass with pizza for tea and hitting the road tomorrow for home.

10th September 2016 Tambo Caravan Park - Mulga Creek Pub

Only a very little shower of rain during the night and on the road by 8.00am.  We had so many laughs last night with lots of comments on Facebook about our “modest accommodation” that we had for the night.  First stop this morning is Augathella where we will leave Lyn & Kevin as they head towards Muswellbrook to be with family.  Brunch at Augathella and then we head towards Cunnamulla and the Noonans head towards Muswellbrook.  Lyn & Kevin have decided to stay with us as far as Charleville as we are trying to track down information about William Hendricks who was a family member who died in WW1 near France. Unfortunately not able to find any reference of him so after a quick lunch at the bakery we have said goodbye to the Noonans and are heading towards Mulga Creek Pub for the night. Not a cloud in the sky and lovely and warm at 12.00noon. Found a "Donger" for the night at the Mulga Creek Pub which was very comfortable and reasonably priced, so we went over to the pub and had a counter tea sitting beside the open fire, very cosy. The highlight of the night was going to be a nude streaker, but the bus went straight past after winning a game of Rugby, so missed out on that spectacle.  Out the front was also a 44 gallon drum with a nice big fire in as well.

9th September 2016 - Winton Caravan Park - Tambo Caravan Park

We have woken this morning to terrible news that Lyn & Kevin’s nephew (David) has passed away in his sleep overnight.  Christine & Ted’s son and only 40 years old, so Lyn & Kevin are heading to Muswellbrook and we are going home.   So sad, and a horrible way to end our journey together.  We are currently on the road towards Longreach and there are more cars and trucks now and another lovely warm day.  The weather looks like it is heading in a big heap again so we are going to stay in a cabin, the sky looks very black and stormy as we drive in Blackall to look for accommodation for the night.  Visited the TI in Blackall and after choosing the accommodation we wanted, made a phone call only to be told that everything was booked out as there was a big Wedding in town over the week end. We just can’t take a trick…… So it is off to Tambo another 95kms down the road as there is apparently a couple of on-site caravans there we can have. Just gets better and better, this has to be the WORST, oldest, run down caravan I have ever had the misfortune to stay in, and ours was the better one….sorry Lyn & Kevin.  But at least we were dry (as it didn’t rain)

 Lyn having a few wines to help her sleep.....too funny

8th September 2016 - Hilton Hotel - Winton Caravan Park

On the road by 9.00am and getting quite expert at putting up and taking down the camper.  Glorious day and in shorts and tee.  Have decided to stay in Winton Caravan Park as the trailer is in getting the other bearing done.  It has started to make a squeaky sound so better it be done than have a problem further down the track. Thinking that there isn't too much more that can go wrong....shouldn't even say that out loud. Got all our washing done in the FREE washing machines here at the Winton Caravan Park and then sat out on a lovely balmy night having a few drinks.

7th September 2016 - Tyresome Camp - Hilton Hotel

2 new Cooper tyres at Boulia to start the day then on towards camp spot 400 "The Hilton" opposite The Middleton Hotel.  Lyn & Kevin left us in Boulia to go and set up camp and tonight we may have a counter tea if one is available.  Still having FUN!!!!!! Hilton Hotel campsite is fantastic, a real oasis opposite The Middleton Hotel which was built in 1876 and now run by a young couple.  Heaps of atmosphere and a very basic counter tea.  Lots of campers have pulled in for the night and even managed to have a shower under the water tank AND managed to catch up with "Bold & The Beautiful" - so good. Very balmy, pleasant night and tomorrow on towards Winton.  On our way to the campsite we stopped at Cawnpore Lookout to take some photos, absolutely stunning scenery, the countryside is lush green.