SATURDAY 4 APRIL     SOUTH WEST ROCKS

Sorted the bills that had arrived in the mail bag yesterday, and wrote cheques. Took about an hour to do that! Then we had a quick trip to the shops to post the bills, get the paper and some rolls for lunch. John had a browse in the fishing gear shop.

Joined the Family Parks Association – cost $10.

Had lunch, then took down the awning and packed it away.

About 3pm, drove into Kempsey to have tea with Z and C. Got fuel in Kempsey – 73 cpl.

Z served chicken casserole with vegies and a tart to follow. We got back to the van about 10pm. I feel good that we have taken the time to spend with C. We can never be sure if we will see him again!

I am really itchy from the bug bites.

FRIDAY 3 APRIL     SOUTH WEST ROCKS

It was humid again in the morning.

I finished some letters and cards. Did washing. It was too humid – and late – for it to dry properly, so I ended up having to drape undies all over the poptop handle rails inside the van, overnight. Wasn’t going to leave it outside!

John went to bowls in the afternoon. I walked up to town and posted letter and cards and collected a bag of mail from home. Was news from daughter: they are now staying for a month in Bendigo as B has got work for that time, there. Then they will go to Shepparton and do a course to get their heavy vehicle driving licences.

John enjoyed his bowls.

Tea was cold roast beef and mashed potato.

It was cooler tonight. I think the wind direction may have changed because we can hear the sea really strongly tonight.

THURSDAY 2 APRIL     SOUTH WEST ROCKS

The day was overcast and there was still some rain at times. We had 50mm of rain overnight.

I’d noticed a couple of itchy lumps about the extremities, and wondered, due to the tidal creek and little mangroves nearby, but now I am sure – we ARE getting mozzie and sandfly bites, here. Had to find the repellent, which hasn’t been needed for a long time.

John spent most of the day doing things on his computer. I read, and did a little fishing, from the bank of the tidal creek behind the van. Caught a small fish – it had a blue sheen, circular stripes and prominent fins. I had no idea what it was, so it went back in the water.

After lunch, drove into Kempsey to do a grocery shop. Noticed that out on the green river flats, the houses are raised up high – guess there are some decent floods here.

Then I roasted the raffle beef for tea, with vegies. It was very nice, for a change, as we do not often eat roast beef. I like these “free” feeds.

TUESDAY 31 MARCH     SOUTH WEST ROCKS

Another humid day.

After breakfast, we drove around the township, getting an idea of its layout. John, of course, checked out the bowls club, and found there was a game this afternoon. So we bought rolls and headed back to the van for an early lunch, after which he went off to bowl.

I walked around part of the town. Went to the Information Centre and collected some material. Bought some post cards.

I went for a walk along the beach. There were lots of bluey coloured jelly like critters washed up on the sand, which put me off paddling in the shallows. But it is lovely to have a convenient beach on which to walk – the first such for the trip. Lots of beach walking definitely figured prominently in my retirement dreams.

John enjoyed bowls and won the raffle – a meat tray consisting of a big piece of roasting beef and a T bone steak – just one!

The tidal creek by our camp – at high tide

Tea was salads.

People a couple of vans up from us had clothing that was hung outside, and food stored in an outside fridge, stolen during last night. They told me that the housing area adjacent to the park was mostly inhabited by aboriginal people and that the local word was that some of these were responsible for thefts from the park. We had already made sure that the bikes were chained to the A Frame of the van, but John got out an extra bit of chain and a padlock and chained up the bike carrying rack too. We decided that our outdoor table and chairs were probably safe enough – whilst they suit our needs, they are not particularly flash, or new.

MONDAY 30 MARCH     SOUTH WEST ROCKS

It is a humid day.

John phoned brother C. We are to visit them for lunch today. We are about 30kms from their place at North Kempsey, so set off mid-morning. Stopped in Kempsey to buy some rolls, sliced meats and an iced bun, to take to them, for lunch.

We had an enjoyable visit. Much talk, of course. C looks much better than I’d expected, given a recent run of health issues that have required regular trips to hospital in Sydney. However, he seemed tired by the time we left, about 4.30pm. He is very interested in our travel plans and very insistent that we keep him updated on where we are.

We made some plans about what we’d all do together for the rest of our visit. Must be careful not to over tire C.

Did a small grocery shop in Kempsey on the way out.

It is a really attractive drive between Kempsey and SW Rocks. We are north of Sydney, so I guess it is getting towards the sub-tropical zone. The lush green-ness is such a contrast to drought stricken Canberra. It smells different. There are so many birds around.

Tea was fries, bacon and eggs.

FRIDAY 27 MARCH     QUEANBEYAN

After breakfast, we drove across Canberra – yet again – to take back the stubby holders H and C  had left behind on Saturday night. H was at work but we chatted with C. He is thinking of heading off on a bus to do some Australian travel, just going where the whim takes him. I wonder if this is a reaction to us heading off on our travels?

To Belconnen shops. At NRMA I wanted to get more of their little travel guide books, as I think they will be very useful, and compact. At Medibank put in a claim for John’s surgeon’s bill for his review. I bought some bread making supplies. Also sausages and steak. We inspected an electric bread maker – but I am very reluctant to add any more gadgets. And besides, I like making bread the old way!

John wanted to look at an “adult” shop at Fyshwyck. I did not enquire too closely why this was, but assume it is curiosity, as this is a much more openly advertised establishment than we have in Melbourne – if we do. He was not in there for very long!

Got diesel at Queanbeyan – 74cpl.

Dismantled and packed as much of the camp as we could.

Another traveller stopped for a chat. She recommended a caravan park at Taree and also suggested the Landsborough park, where the weekly rate was about $65. This is just up behind the Sunshine Coast so might be an interesting  place to stay over the difficult Xmas holiday period.

Tea was fish and chips. Fridays seem to come around quickly.

THURSDAY 26 MARCH     QUEANBEYAN

I had a sleep in.

I did the washing. Being up on this hill ensures that clothes dry really quickly. Cleaned the van. Did a supermarket shop to stock up our supplies for travel.

Had a light tea.

Drove back to Central in the dark. John’s bus got in at 8.25pm. The trip had gone well and his hip had not given any problems. R’s graduation ceremony had proceeded smoothly – she expressed gratitude that he had made the effort to go.

The hotel room had been comfortable – it is quite an up-market establishment.

We went to S’s and had coffee and chatted for a while. She is shifting to a different  section of DFAT, which is suited to the experiences she has already had. Said our farewells for a while.

Despite all the sitting of the past two days, or maybe because of it, John was quite tired.