WE'RE OFF (cont - pt4)

The group photo is L-R: Richard, Sharon, Raymond, Hazel, Maryanne, Royce. Other photos are Wannon Falls, Nigretta Falls and a terrific old dead tree.

WE'RE OFF (cont - pt3)

We left the Granites Thursday morning (reluctantly) and headed towards Casterton. We had a pretty uneventful trip, albeit a long one. We could only get talk back radio and Royce got fed upn with it so we ended up playing music on my phone. That was fine until the battery on my phone was down to critical leve. No problem thought I - charge it up while we are travelling. Set it all up and discovered that the 12 volt plugs in the car won't work. We checked the fuse and no problems with that so no idea. Some parts of the stretch between Kingston SE and Casterton are really pretty. It was amazing how many small lambs we saw and how many wattle trees are in full bloom.
We arrived at Casterton late afternoon and set out to put up the annexe. We finally managed it and we hope we have done it right. I managed to cause a pretty small injury to two fingers but bled like a stuck pig!
My brother Raymond and his wife Hazel arrived later in the day. We spent a few hours sitting in the annexe chatting and then hit the sack.
Friday morning we strolled up and down the main street of Casterton. We went into a few shops and everywhere we went the people were very friendly. Consequently it took us a long time to walk the street.
Sharon (sister) and Richard (her partner) arrived mid afternoon Friday. It is their place we are staying at.
We all walked into Casterton this morning and did a bit of shopping, had some lunch then took off to Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls. Both are really lovely spots but we did get pretty wet. It wasn't too cold but rained pretty consistently the whole time.
Headed back to Casterton, stoked up the fire, put the kettle on and sitting around watching TV, chatting etc.
I think I am getting a cold and it is leaving me feeling a bit tired but otherwise all is good. Casterton is a lovely town and if you were looking to buy real estate there are some great bargains to be had. We will come back to this area and explore it more over a longer period some time in the future.
Some photos in pt 4

WE'RE OFF (cont pt3)

Some photos from our time at The Granites

WE'RE OFF (continued pt 2)

We woke to a very chilly morning today but what a beautiful day it turned out to be. We went for a walk after breakfast and whilst there was a very lazy and cold breeze the sky was blue and the sun was shining. We could see and hear the ocean from the caravan. Idyllic! The breeze cleared by about lunch time and we spent most of the afternoon sitting outside reading and doing cross stitch (me - not Royce). We were buzzed by a group of swallows and saw two kangaroos on our morning walk.
We went for a walk on the beach late this afternoon and found some great bits and pieces. There are hundreds of 'balls' on the beach. They look like seaweed but are perfectly round. They come in different sizes but they would be great for beach cricket! I grabbed one and will put a photo up (again, once I work out how to do that).
The night sky was awesome tonight. Not a cloud in the sky and no lights so the sky show was simply amazing.
A very cold night and lots of moisture in the air but no breeze.
All in all a very lazy and relaxing day but I am having a bit of trouble with the whole notion of doing nothing. Royce is struggling a bit with it but seems to be finding his groove better then me at the moment. I think it might take a few weeks before I properly relax into this wonderful new lifestyle. Spending almost a whole day sitting and reading or doing craft seems very decadent and the niggle in the back of my mind that I should be 'doing something' won't quite go away.
Heading off to Casterton tomorrow and will do another blog in the next few days. Hopefully I can work out how to upload photos and post them as well.

WE'RE OFF

Before we start with travel tales - bad luck Crows fans! Port was the best on the day. Go Port Power!

We were going to head off yesterday on the first of what we hope will be many adventures but for a whole host of reasons that didn't happen. We finally 'set sail' today and made the Granites (about 18k north of Kingston SE) late this afternoon. This is a lovely spot and we had hoped to try out the new annex but the ground doesn't look suitable so we will leave that to another time.

The weather was lovely today - cool but sunny and whilst it is a bit chilly here we sat outside and had our coffee whilst looking at all the stars. Absolutely beautiful.

We were going to have barbecue tonight but discovered we had forgotten to bring the gas bottle for it so ended up cooking tea on the stove in the caravan. No real dramas but mental note to self - bring the small gas bottle next time.

The car towed the fully laden caravan really well and Royce was very happy with how it all went. He isn't too sure how the rest of the road users felt (and we were overtaken by quite a few trucks) but he was happy - and after all - that is what is most important!

We tried out the new UHF radios and had fun with them but keep forgetting to sign off when we finish talking so ended up with both of us trying to talk at the same time! Practice will make perfect. We may have to come up with nicknames for each other to use when we are talking on the UHF.

We have taken some photos and as soon as I work out how to upload them to the Blog I will do that. Hopefully I can get that done before too much time elapses.

For all Maryanne's pre-workmates - I officially used my new "Conductor" chair tonight whilst sitting outside having a coffee and looking at the stars - and I must say it is a very comfortable chair and I am sure I will get a lot of use out of it.

We tested the diesel heater and it is very good. Warms the caravan up really well, so it seems that may be money well spent.

That's enough for now. We are going to play cards and then maybe go outside again and look at the stars some more.

We plan on staying here tomorrow and then Thursday morning pack up and head off.

Keep safe and well and stay tuned for more new and photos.

Change of Plans

Royce and I were going to head off today for our first adventure. We picked up the caravan last Saturday and the front leak is not fixed. We are waiting on the people to come and have another look at it. We were going away for a few weeks with my brother and his wife but a number of things have caused that to change. Instead Royce and I will head off next Monday to Victoria (as if it hasn't been cold enough here!) and will meet up with my sister and her partner in Casterton at the end of the week. We have to be back in Adelaide by 4/8/10 because I have a dentist appointment! Although this will be a short trip we are really looking forward to it.

Another post coming up once we get the chance to hit the road.

I cannot believe how busy I have been. I suspect that in the back of my mind is the idea that I am just on holidays and so I have to get a multitude of things done before I have to go back to work! Might take some time to get rid of that idea.

Rory and Emma found out on Monday the sex of their baby. If you don't want to know - stop reading now!

For those who do want to know - it is a boy.

The Beginning

Day One of my new life! I only retired (unofficially) yesterday and it hasn't really registered yet. Part of me knows this is it but part of me still just feels like I am on a bit of a holiday and will have to go back to work when it is over. I just hope that isn't a premonition!

Had a pretty busy day today which started with a sleep in then off to get my nails done - for the last time! Thank you Jess. Home and worked out the shopping list then off to do the shopping. Once that was all done and put away Royce and I headed off to buy him a fishing rod for his birthday. He picked one that should serve him reasonably well - at least until he gets more experience - and all the accessories! Home from there and got the washing done, tea cooked and eaten, kitchen cleaned up and then did a bit of knitting and watched TV. Caught up on the shows we had recorded and then decided I had better do a bit of computer work - replying to emails, catching up on some Facebook issues that had been waiting a long time and that sort of stuff.

Not an exciting day but at least I could tell myself that whatever I didn't get done today can wait because I DONT HAVE TO GO TO WORK ON MONDAY!