An Aussie Ski Season

Smiggins Hole

Now I am not a snow bunny… however I do appreciate a pristine view of the white stuff from the comfort of a snug fire and a hot drink. When each of our Grandies hit double digits we start to plan a holiday with them… one to drag them off individually with Grampie and Grandma into the never never of their choice… it is a ‘our’ time; a time to discover the character of each of our Grandkids as they begin to emerge into adults and to inspire in them a certain independence. It is something we absolutely love to do and it has proven equally rewarding for all concerned.

Australia’s First Slaves & Servants

Two hundred years ago this year, a branch of my family arrived into Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania).  It was a penal outpost then, one envisioned by those in authority of the day, to take in the tens of thousands of convicts over the next seventy years.

These were people expelled from the British Isles as the “Upper Crust” attempted to deal with those living in poverty, the destitute. Those often starving lower class and the disenfranchised. People who were mostly a product of the industrial revolution of the day, that was being experienced in their own country that of the British Isles.

Visiting the Yarra Valley, Vic

RV Daily Editorial by Jan Hawkins

Living The Dream – And Family

Living the Dream

Planning for our next tour is always fun and between family time and living, this is what has been filling my thoughts of late and its led me to reflect on travel and family. After a number of years there still is simply so much of our beautiful country to see. Even revisiting places we love is a joy, as we get to see what time has made of them and then there is Family… yours.

Noodling for Nundle Diamonds

Nundle in NSW, east of Tamworth, is an old gold prospection area that we love to visit. Cold in winter or hot in summer if offers challenges… those which include access to water, unless of course it is flooding.  Nearby Chaffey Dam is a favourite camp for many as is the caravan park in Nundle itself, spacious and comfortable, and it is here you will find the Info Centre which is necessary for panning and noodling advice. Particularly if your not sure what your doing.

Home, Hearth (or Campfire) & THAT Fridge

The last few months have been something of an hiatus for us as we regroup at the home base, attend to a bit of maintenance … for the vehicle, van and person, and to enjoy the gathering of family of the Christmas Season, listening to the noise of Grandies, the gossip of our brood and the ‘putting into order’ that which a household needs from time to time.

Last year… 2017, was a busy year that saw us enjoying a sojourn in beautiful southern corner of WA and Perth, then out to crossing the Central Desert Region along the Outback Way, a bit of the Gunbarrel and the Great Central Road, along with our adventures into the beautiful red gems of Harts Range. 

A Celebration in Sydney

 

Sydney has to be one of our favourite places to explore. While accommodation is always an issue, and the cities Caravan Parking is as scarce as hens teeth, one of the biggest advantages in Sydney is the Opal card… coupled with what is generally a affordable, usable and convenient public transport system. Yes… you can easily get around the vast city on the public network and with the use of one of the transit apps available for smart phones which links you via public transport, from where you are, to where you want to go.

Secrets of the Gascoyne

Find out more about the beautiful and remote Gascoyne, The fiercely independent Hutt River Province and check out Kalbarri in WA.

This is a favourite trip of ours into Western Aus’ has just been posted up in the great e-mag RV Daily … Enjoy the read for free, online HERE

You can read more of Jan’s pieces on the Editorial page link above… or just click HERE

Enjoy… Jan

Mon Repos, Bundaberg – Turtles and Taking to the Skies

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The opportunity to spend time in the beautiful backwater of Bargara in Central Qld Coast, on the Bundy shoreline, is something not to be passed up. What draws us to the region is the nesting of the turtles. Mon Repos, is a precious mainland turtle rookery, active between November and March. This is truly something special that we enjoy visiting when we can. From the labouring of the mums… to the hatching of the clutches, sprinkled up and down the beach at the National Parks Turtle centre near Bundaberg in Qld.

Australia’s Longest Shortcut – The Red Centre

From Docker River to Boulia, the scene is that of an ancient landscape, weathered down over eons of time from an epoch in Earths history that saw the very earth rusting. Born of this time are the burnt ombre’s, reds and sun bleached sands left by time. Travelling on what is the end tail of the Outback Hwy you will encounter both dirt track and welcome tar. The most spectacular highlights are the ancient rocks of the Red Centre, the magnificent gorges of the MacDonnell Ranges… or the Caterpillar Ranges, to use an Aboriginal description that has been a reference for thousands of years.