We are off on our adventure into Outback NSW, and the weather if freezing (for a Qld’er) compared to the coast. But teaching the Grandson to light a camp fire was a lot of fun… and he has proven proficient at toasting marshmallow’s which is always a plus as we head into camp at the Pilliga Hot Bore.
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We have settled back into the big island of Aus’… attended to all those pesky needs that consume you when you hit home ground… and then we’ve taken off again. We are currently on our western run across the continent to Perth where we plan to spend most of this year exploring the western coast.
We’ve been travelling now for some years and have reached a point where our beloved home on wheels is in need a bit of work. Like a house, the van suffers all that wear and tear you experience from constant use. On-going maintenance is a must! But what people don’t talk about or perhaps don’t experience as they use their vans intermittently, is refurbishment.
Freecamping is really about Community and I have long held the opinion that any and all towns worthy of their name should have a rest area, or freecamp, freely available to travellers, as they once historically did in Australia. The history of the evolution of the provision of camps for the traveller goes right back to the very first days of the colony when Governor Phillip set up camp on the shores of Botany Bay… then found a better spot and moved to Sydney Cove. Free camping is not only about the travelling community, but also about the communities the travellers move into. Even Governor Phillip recognised this in his endeavour to build a relationship with the locals. But it is something that today has been lost to the demons of commerce.
One of the greatest delights you have when you are a traveller is the people who you meet along the way. We have met some delightfully adventurous types, as well as those content to sit back and enjoy the scenery. So many of those travellers we meet are memorable and some have become friends who we meet up with commonly in our travels while on the wallaby.
Camped-up along the Peel River near Nundle, tucked into the hills, is a special delight. For The Man it is the pull of gold, that of wresting the golden flecks and the lucky occasional nugget from the earth. Most people think that this is it… in its entirety; and they couldn’t be more wrong. You aren’t going to get me down there in that cold water puddling. Me… I would rather sit in the sun and entertain myself in other ways.
The best of travelling when your retired is time, the time you can take to do the things you love. For me this is watching… noting the world around me, and exploring the places we go and meeting the people from different worlds as we share our experiences. These are the things that stay with you the most.
Sofala NSW – The Turon River Gold Fields
We are camped up in one of our favourite haunts… along the Turon River near Sofala, deep in the hinterland of Central NSW. When most Grey Nomads are on their northern sojourn, chasing the sun, The Man and I have elected to winter in the chill southern States this year. We are looking forward to enjoying the frosty mornings, the sweet morning chorus of the birds as they choose their winter mates, and prepare for the deep winter and the break of spring that will bring the promise of a new generation.
Available for the greatly reduced price of 99c for a short time are the collated stories of ‘Discovering Australia & Her Lore’ in ebook.
The stories of travelling Aus’ 2013-14 will be available from 20th April for one week only at this price which is 75% discount. Just follow the links.
The 2015 ebook edition following your adventure through Australia will be available from 19th May, for one week only at 99c, or available at other times for the normal price of US$3.99.
Full of Australian tales, and the travelling experience of a wandering lifestyle, you can experience the richness of life on the wallaby.
Come join us in an adventure. You will also find a ‘download for free’ ebook reader available at Amazon, for your computer or tablet.
Discover Australia and Her Ancient Lore.
I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel broadly in my time. It is well known that travel broadens your outlook and widens your view of life and lands. You learn to value what you have and it gives you the insight to see things, which others see as normal in their lives, and yet you can see, in them, something extraordinary. This is our Outback, our Country and the broad land of Australia. Continue reading
Jan Hawkins Author 