I planned my trip using Google Maps and a nice App on my tablet, WikiCamps Australia.
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| My Spreadsheet |
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| The Jazz and CT ready to roll. |
I intended to stay at caravan parks each night and sleep in the CT's tent. I also intended to eat in local pubs or RSLs . The first day was 359Km and I had difficulty finding the caravan park. I looked it up on WikiCamps and to my surprise found that my tablets GPS was actually working (it never works at home) and was soon set up on a large grass site. I didn't uncouple the Ct from the Jazz.
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| The first night set up |
This was a very good park with a large camp kitchen and bar area. Pity I was the only person staying there. There was also a Tavern Bistro next door where I had a great grilled barramundi for dinner. I had a powered site so watched a movie on my tablet before going to bed.
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| The camp kitchen |
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| Sign over the bar area |
The next few days were along the Newell Highway across NSW. This is the main transport route and the last time I drove it I was hassled by the big trucks and road trains. This time I had a Citizen's Band Radio and could listen to the drivers and let them know that I would cooperate if they wanted to overtake.
As it happens the speed limits for light traffic such as me had been lifted to 110KPH but the heavy traffic was still limited to 90KPH. In reality everybody did 110KPH and I was rarely overtaken and never hassled. It was interesting to listen to the drivers. They were amused by my little rig. Because we were all going at the same speed we traveled in little convoys for many kilometres. The highway is 1062Km long and it took over two whole days to cover.
I diverted through Wagga Wagga before crossing into Victoria for my last night before Mansfield at Wodonga. This left a short drive to Mansfield so I could set up my tent and annex before checking in.
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| My setup. My little bike had its own awning. |
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| Another view. I use the little stool to sit while I remove my shoes before going into the annex. |
The next four days were spent socializing and riding with other Bike Friday owners. We had our dinner on Saturday night where several thousand dollars were raised at the auction for the guide dogs. There were four dogs at the muster. On Sunday we had a final ride before the farewell lunch. A few of us stayed over until Monday morning so had a few drinks over supper together.
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| Taken on the Sunday morning ride |
It had been a great few days and I had bought a case of wine at the auction. Previously I had bought bicycle gear.
The drive home was uneventful and I arrived home mid day on Thursday.
Louis was more concerned about Jenny, the house sitter, leaving than me arriving home but has been very loving since I have been home.
At home, my friend, Bettie, has completed one session of chemo and it has be decided not to give her any more. She decided that she would visit her sister, who also has lung cancer, in Perth as she was going downhill. I have been looking after her little dog, Bella, as she is nearly 17 years old and Bettie did not want to put her in kennels.
Bella has settled in well.
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| That cushion was meant to be for me to kneel on as I rearranged my wine rack. She moved in as I unpacked another case |
Bettie will be away for another couple of weeks.
My friends Judith and Hugh posted some photos on facebook.
