Hi all you lovely friends & family.
Well it is 6 months since I last did an update, so here we are on the move again for 2012. We spent a great Christmas in Melbourne with Michael (my sisters eldest son) and all her kids. In January we had Christmas with my kids, which was a great relaxed day my grandsons enjoyed the pool. Also I spent Australia Day Weekend in Brisbane at Jodie & Richards place with Mum & Maree for their son's 1st birthday. In February the van went into Jayco for a service (2 weeks) new shower, we stayed at David & Pat's (very nice of them to have us) doing a lot of jobs for mum, went through all her photo's, 8 box's in all.
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| Snowflake, 2007 Chevy Silverado |
On the 29Th. November (my birthday) we put the Chevy in a car wash, on the 8Th December look what came out. YES a pretty 2006 Landcruiser Sahara. Love that car.
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| 2006 Toyota Landcruiser Sahara |
In March we went to the club rally at Wakati Creek, floods every where but not at our club rally, we had a great time on the weekend, lots of relaxing with nice fires every night.
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| The gang at the rally (Tom & Anne are missing) |
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| My ironing & Karen's mats being vacuumed |
This is how we treat the children of our club members, slave labour, Dianne, Pam (her children) Karen watching. The some of the guys went off to Shepparton to a wood show. We returned to Melbourne from the weekend, to our site at the caravan park for a few more days. Tatania had a milestone birthday on the 15th March so we had a family party at Robert's.
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| Tatania & Keith at Robert's for her birthday |
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| Rafael propped in the corner |
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| Mum getting him started early on the good things in life. |
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| Mum being told all about a drawing that Alexander has done |
We had planned to leave Melbourne and head West on the 18th March but when the truck was at Michael's having a chip fitted, the transfer case broke. So we remained till 21st when we hitched up the van and went. We had 2 nights free camping before meeting up with Sig, Bianka, Tom & Anne in Port Augusta for a couple of days.
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| Stuarts Dessert Pea at the Arid Gardens in Port Augusta |
Whilst in Port Augusta we all went to have a look at the Australian Arid Gardens, you can see the result of these guys.
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| Speak no evil, See no evil, Hear no evil, Sig, Tom & Ian on a bench |
Sig, Banika, Tom and Anne headed off on Saturday morning, but we had a small problem with the truck. Ian heard a metal noise when he put the brakes on. Yes you GUESS IT, brake pads worn down to the metal, so 2 new sets of pads and 2 new disks on the rear wheels, so much for a 160,000 km's service. so by lunch time we were gone. First nights stop at Lake Hart. Next day we stopped at Coober Pedy then onto the NT/SA boarder for the night.
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| Tourists at Lake Hart |
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| Lake Hart late in the afternoon |
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| Sunset at Lake Hart SA |
We arrived at Alice Springs where we spent a few days, doing house work, fixing fridge (we hope). We also went for a drive to Rainbow Valley late in the day as I wanted to be there at sunset for the beautiful colours to show.
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| Our rig ready to roll |
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| first view of Rainbow Valley |
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| Mushroom Rock |
Also while in Alice Springs Ian's phone died. New phone, wireless thing for the computer required.
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| Over night stop at the Devils marbles |
Our next stopped was at the Devils Marbles for the night, we had a nice walk round, the weather is getting hotter as we move north. Much commotion as a Rock Wallaby was sitting on the rocks everyone that had a camera had it out.
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| Rock Wallaby at Devils Marbles |
We left there and continued on our way, at Renner Springs we stopped for a drink (G&T, Light Beer) that's right 2pm and we are drink driving. Next stop is a free camp near Newcastle Waters (very hot) generator & dish set up the night. We also had a soft drink at Daly Waters Pub.
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| Daly Waters Pub |
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| Ian at our camp at the Devils Marbles |
We arrived at Mataranka in time for a swim in the Thermal Pools & dinner at the bristo, much to hot to heat up the van cooking.
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| Wallaby at Mataranka |
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| One big Wedge Tailed Eagle |
On the way to Katherine we stopped for an Eagle on the road. He was quite close to the van when Ian stopped. So out I jump out with camera in hand and took about 20 shots of him. Here are two. We arrived in Katherine and stayed a few days doing house work & fridge again (one day it will work on 12V).
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| That Wallaby again |
From Katherine we went WEST with a free camp about 70km's from the border. We had lunch at Victoria River Roadhouse in the van. Drove through Timber Creek (what a dump) then onto our camp spot, with a beautiful view of the escarpment. Still very hot (generator & dish out). We arrived in Kununarra at 9.30am (my god so early, that's time zones for you). Being Easter nothing is open, we did find the Pump House open for coffee yesterday, but not today (Monday). We will be here for a few days then off on the cruise with mum on Thursday, so till we return from that on 26th April bye bye. We have travelled 3,950 km's over 18 days, since 21st March.
Love to all Marilyn & Ian
