MONDAY 31 AUGUST     BENDIGO TO HOME     225kms

Grandson arrived at van to wake us up, about 7am. It was a cold morning, so we had a snuggle in the bed, with non-stop chat, until he had to go in for breakfast.

We left soon after the family departed for school and work. It would not be long before we had grandson to stay for the school holidays.

Took the usual way home: Heathcote, Seymour, Yea – where we had a brief stop.

Through the areas ravaged by the bushfires of earlier in the year, there was some green, fresh shooting and growth, but not as much recovery as I’d hoped to see. Recovery from these fires were going to take a longer time than previously, as they burned so fiercely.

Reached home about 11.30am.

Everything was as neat and tidy as we’d come to realize was usual with the house sitters. The gardens were weeded, lawns mowed, pool sparkling clean, house immaculate.

Well, Truck finally did make it home. Sighs of relief all round – suspect I may have heard a quiet one from the machine in question, too. Now John had to sort out restitution with the mechanic – and find a new one!

We did some unpacking, then sat down to a lovely lunch – casserole and cake – made by our house sitter. They had already relocated their car interstate, with help from relatives. After a leisurely lunch, they were collected by a little limo, to be transported to the airport to catch their overseas flight. Next house sit – Denver, Colorado, USA.

We had been away just over four months.

TRIP STATISTICS 2009

*  away for 131 nights

*  Accommodation cost $3054.40 out of pocket

*  Accommodation discounts: $136.60

*  Most expensive camp: Takarakka, Carnarvon Gorge: $38 per night

*  Cheapest camp: Lorne Station, Lightning Ridge: $100 a week

*  Longest stay: 4 weeks at Forrest Beach Qld.

No fuel/kms stats, because John accidentally deleted the record from his laptop!

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