We arrived in NZ and caught the bus to Christchurch and our cells for the night. The hostel we stayed in was an old prison. The owners had converted it into the hostel and called all of us in-mates. They told us about the comedy buskers festival in town and we went to see a show that night. It was great.
The next few days we just chilled out around Christchurch watching more buskers shows, walked around the botanical gardens and the Cathedral. We loved Christchurch, its had a great feel and the people we really really nice.
We decided to hire a car and drove north to Kaikoura, the drive was beautiful up the coast. We didn't stop to whale watch but the town its self was just chilled. The sea was really rough and we decided there was no way we were jumping in. The following day we drove through the spectacular mountains to Hamner Springs. After a long drive we relaxed in the thermal springs and afternoon sun. We decided to have a BBQ that night in our hostel and got talking to an Aussie and a Scottish girl.
After here we drove to Akaroa, it was a miserable day, but a beautiful drive through the hills and around the green fields down in the valley of Akaroa. After a walk around and a hot chocolate to warm us up we headed back to Christchurch as all the hostels in Akaroa were full.
Back in Christchurch we booked our hot air balloon ride over the area. Bumped into Sheree the Aussie from Hamner Springs. We decided to book a car for our 6 weeks in NZ. So we're set for a great time in NZ. But we do have to be up at 4am tomorrow for the balloon ride......
Tuesday 6 May 2008
Tuesday 25 March 2008
Crazy, fun camping with the Paddies 13th Jan - 25 th Jan 2008
After a very heavy night/ morning we had to drive to Bao and drop off our stuff, then drop off Rocky, to his new owners. In the state we were in, we ended up dropping it off at about 6pm instead of around midday. But we didn't care that much. We said a teary good bye and had to catch the bus and the train home, in the rain and thunder storm.
We spent the next couple of days chilling out at Bao's, then headed back the campsite, were Eugene and Lisa had given us use of their tent for the week. Which was really cool of them. By the weekend the rain was starting to pour, so we fixed some tarp over their van and the tent to make a MASH set lookalike area. We then set about enjoying the weekend with masses of beers, food, films, chatting and more drinking and hangovers. Through the weekend, we ended up pulling in our other neighbours from Canada (Mike and Jen). They joined us and we had a great time getting to know each other.
We decided not to stay around Sydney as we had sold Rocky, the jobs thing was annoying and the accommodation in the hostels was silly money. So we are going to New Zealand next week. We wanted to say good bye and thanks to Bao, so we met him for dinner at a German bar/restaurant. Hannah tried chocolate beer in there too.
On one of our days out in Sydney we visited the Sydney Zoo and had a great time, We saw everything but Hannah's favorite was the Giraffes.
We also had a great time at the Opera house when we went to see Cinderella, even though we thought we'd missed the beginning and if you miss the beginning you can't get in until the half time interval. But we made it there 25 minutes early, had a drink in the entrance hall and looked over the harbour. The seats were excellent and the performance was brilliant.
After a late night we had an early start, we stretched our legs and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We got our jump suits on, looking very attractive and our guide took us up to the top of the bridge where we could see all the way to the Blue Mountains. The views were spectacular.
We packed our backs ready to leave at 5am, had a few drinks and said our good byes to Lisa, Eugene, Mike and Jen to only find out at the airports in Australia don't do stand by flights....so back to the campsite. We booked a flight for the following day. We then had another leaving do with the gang that night too and said our good byes again.
Jen and Mike
Jen and Lisa
Eugene
We spent the next couple of days chilling out at Bao's, then headed back the campsite, were Eugene and Lisa had given us use of their tent for the week. Which was really cool of them. By the weekend the rain was starting to pour, so we fixed some tarp over their van and the tent to make a MASH set lookalike area. We then set about enjoying the weekend with masses of beers, food, films, chatting and more drinking and hangovers. Through the weekend, we ended up pulling in our other neighbours from Canada (Mike and Jen). They joined us and we had a great time getting to know each other.
We decided not to stay around Sydney as we had sold Rocky, the jobs thing was annoying and the accommodation in the hostels was silly money. So we are going to New Zealand next week. We wanted to say good bye and thanks to Bao, so we met him for dinner at a German bar/restaurant. Hannah tried chocolate beer in there too.
On one of our days out in Sydney we visited the Sydney Zoo and had a great time, We saw everything but Hannah's favorite was the Giraffes.
We also had a great time at the Opera house when we went to see Cinderella, even though we thought we'd missed the beginning and if you miss the beginning you can't get in until the half time interval. But we made it there 25 minutes early, had a drink in the entrance hall and looked over the harbour. The seats were excellent and the performance was brilliant.
After a late night we had an early start, we stretched our legs and climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge. We got our jump suits on, looking very attractive and our guide took us up to the top of the bridge where we could see all the way to the Blue Mountains. The views were spectacular.
We packed our backs ready to leave at 5am, had a few drinks and said our good byes to Lisa, Eugene, Mike and Jen to only find out at the airports in Australia don't do stand by flights....so back to the campsite. We booked a flight for the following day. We then had another leaving do with the gang that night too and said our good byes again.
Jen and Mike
Jen and Lisa
Eugene
"Us"
We got on the flight to NZ after a little messing around in the airport booking exit flights from NZ, as they won't let you fly in with out confirmation of an exit flight. So we booked our Fiji trip, Yeah!!
Sold Rocky and met some crazy paddies 5th Jan - 12th Jan 2008
We were staying a place just south of the city in Rockdale. Over the next couple of days we started to focus on 1. selling rocky and 2. getting a job in Sydney. We jumped on to the train and went in to Kings Cross to have a look at the car market. The whole area was dodgy and the car market was too. I nicknamed this area "crack whore" street due to the people on the them. We decided never to venture here again and jumped back on the train about an hour after we had gotten off. Back to safety!
We joined an agency that had the perfect jobs for Hannah and I, well that's what they said at the time, but after 2 weeks we still hadn't heard back from them.
We started getting a little bit bum'd, because we keep getting calls about the van, but nobody wants it after we tell them its done over 550,000km. And still no calls about jobs.
We've booked Cinderella tickets at the Opera house, we're going on the 22nd Jan. We're going to be in the main opera theater and its the original, in Italian. We really can't wait, I've never seen an opera, we're going to have to get dressed up for that.
We had a day off from thinking about selling the van and job hunting and decided to see some more of the sights in Sydney. We visited the museum, which was free and very interesting. We saw an exhibition about Otis the iceman found in the 1990's. It was a great display and we learned loads. Later on in the afternoon while looking for something to eat in Darling harbour, we got call about the van from a guy, who really was interested and wanted to see it today. We didn't want to spoil our day and arranged to met him tomorrow.
Which is Otis and which is Neil?
We ended up selling Rocky for a good price and we were really happy, because we could start our next adventure, what ever that's going to be?
Our last drive in Rocky
The night we sold Rocky we were meeting up with Scott's friend from in Sydney, called Bao. We'd met him in Melbourne and he said we could stay with him for a few nights as we didn't have Rocky as from the next day. We invited our new neighbours out with us and got really drunk, staggering in at about 5am.
We joined an agency that had the perfect jobs for Hannah and I, well that's what they said at the time, but after 2 weeks we still hadn't heard back from them.
We started getting a little bit bum'd, because we keep getting calls about the van, but nobody wants it after we tell them its done over 550,000km. And still no calls about jobs.
We've booked Cinderella tickets at the Opera house, we're going on the 22nd Jan. We're going to be in the main opera theater and its the original, in Italian. We really can't wait, I've never seen an opera, we're going to have to get dressed up for that.
We had a day off from thinking about selling the van and job hunting and decided to see some more of the sights in Sydney. We visited the museum, which was free and very interesting. We saw an exhibition about Otis the iceman found in the 1990's. It was a great display and we learned loads. Later on in the afternoon while looking for something to eat in Darling harbour, we got call about the van from a guy, who really was interested and wanted to see it today. We didn't want to spoil our day and arranged to met him tomorrow.
Which is Otis and which is Neil?
Our last drive in Rocky
The night we sold Rocky we were meeting up with Scott's friend from in Sydney, called Bao. We'd met him in Melbourne and he said we could stay with him for a few nights as we didn't have Rocky as from the next day. We invited our new neighbours out with us and got really drunk, staggering in at about 5am.
New Years in Sydney 31st Dec 2007 -
So we woke up in our extra comfy bed, got dressed and caught the train into Sydney. We were going in the city to see what was happening and where we could go. We found a boat in Darling harbour, celebrating new years with a party and free bar. It all looked too good to be true. As its was only the first place we found, but it over $250 each and then we found out the boat didn't move up to the Sydney harbour bridge at new years.
So we went into the tourist information and found the perfect spot in Sydney ,opposite the bridge with the best views of the fireworks. The spot looked directly at the bridge with the Opera house behind it. Great......only problem was that the guy said we should go there now, as most people would have camped there last night or moved in for the best spots around now. It was still only about 2-3pm and we were not dressed for the festivities, so what were we to do?
Sue said she would go to find us a spot and patrol the perimeter until we returned about 1 to 1 and half hours later, guarding it with her life. We were to return to the hotel, get new clothes and food and met back at our hot spot. The only problem was that, we missed the train by minutes and had to wait. Then coming back, we had to get a ferry from the city to the other side of the river. All to easy, apart from the boats never came back, we were told it was coming. Sue started to ring us and was worried we might not make.
Well we did make it but after leaving Sue at 2-3pm we met up with her again at about 7-8pm. So Sue had been in the hot sun all day and with not shade and only a little water, but she did get the best spot ever! Thanks Sue.
Well lets just say the atmospheres was brilliant, the fireworks were on at 9pm and midnight, which were amazing and we all had the greatest night, but after that it all gets a little hazy, as do most good nights that involve beers and vodka ;-) ....................we'll tell you in more detail at a later date.
New years day was also a little hazy and we did pretty much nothing. We all had a sleep in the afternoon, I had blisters from stupid footwear and walked like an old man. We ended up having lunch in a fast food joint and dinner in the hotel.
We had some great weather in Sydney, we explored the city, the harbour, the opera house, the botanical gardens and sailed on a ferry under the bridge. We also drove out to the Blue mountains to see the "3 sisters and explore the mountain range. On our day trip we found a lovely little cafe for breakfast to get us ready for the day. Then we went on a walk from the 3 sisters to the other side of the valley. Part of the walk took us down a nearly vertical cliff side of the 3 sisters, on really small steps and not much of a hand rail. Once at the other side we decided to take the easy way back up. We jumped on to the Indiana Jones nearly vertical train ride. Sue didn't really enjoy that as she screamed all the way up. After that we treated ourselves to some of the best ice cream we've ever had. Yum yum! On our way back we stopped off at Gordon falls and weeping rock from Princes rock lookout. Our last stop before going home was to see the wild kangaroos and 1 of them had a baby in its belly, coz we could see it moving.
On Sue's last day we drove to Bondi beach , were we had lunch then sat by the beach until we had to take Sue to the airport. We said our good byes and Sue jumped on her plane and we found our campsite that was going to be our home for the next couple of weeks.
So we went into the tourist information and found the perfect spot in Sydney ,opposite the bridge with the best views of the fireworks. The spot looked directly at the bridge with the Opera house behind it. Great......only problem was that the guy said we should go there now, as most people would have camped there last night or moved in for the best spots around now. It was still only about 2-3pm and we were not dressed for the festivities, so what were we to do?
Sue said she would go to find us a spot and patrol the perimeter until we returned about 1 to 1 and half hours later, guarding it with her life. We were to return to the hotel, get new clothes and food and met back at our hot spot. The only problem was that, we missed the train by minutes and had to wait. Then coming back, we had to get a ferry from the city to the other side of the river. All to easy, apart from the boats never came back, we were told it was coming. Sue started to ring us and was worried we might not make.
Well we did make it but after leaving Sue at 2-3pm we met up with her again at about 7-8pm. So Sue had been in the hot sun all day and with not shade and only a little water, but she did get the best spot ever! Thanks Sue.
Well lets just say the atmospheres was brilliant, the fireworks were on at 9pm and midnight, which were amazing and we all had the greatest night, but after that it all gets a little hazy, as do most good nights that involve beers and vodka ;-) ....................we'll tell you in more detail at a later date.
New years day was also a little hazy and we did pretty much nothing. We all had a sleep in the afternoon, I had blisters from stupid footwear and walked like an old man. We ended up having lunch in a fast food joint and dinner in the hotel.
We had some great weather in Sydney, we explored the city, the harbour, the opera house, the botanical gardens and sailed on a ferry under the bridge. We also drove out to the Blue mountains to see the "3 sisters and explore the mountain range. On our day trip we found a lovely little cafe for breakfast to get us ready for the day. Then we went on a walk from the 3 sisters to the other side of the valley. Part of the walk took us down a nearly vertical cliff side of the 3 sisters, on really small steps and not much of a hand rail. Once at the other side we decided to take the easy way back up. We jumped on to the Indiana Jones nearly vertical train ride. Sue didn't really enjoy that as she screamed all the way up. After that we treated ourselves to some of the best ice cream we've ever had. Yum yum! On our way back we stopped off at Gordon falls and weeping rock from Princes rock lookout. Our last stop before going home was to see the wild kangaroos and 1 of them had a baby in its belly, coz we could see it moving.
On Sue's last day we drove to Bondi beach , were we had lunch then sat by the beach until we had to take Sue to the airport. We said our good byes and Sue jumped on her plane and we found our campsite that was going to be our home for the next couple of weeks.
Monday 24 March 2008
Aussie Christmas 17th- 30th Dec 2007
Once we were ready, Hannah, Sue and I drove towards Wilson's Prom south-east of Melbourne. This is where we were all going to spend Christmas. As we were driving, a huge rain cloud past over us and it started to pore down with rain. Strange for rain in Oz summer, but we carried on until we had to pull over because the rain was that bad we couldn't see out of the windscreen. So we pulled in and watched the rain get harder and harder, until the road was a river and the water was as high as a car wheel.
The rain stopped after about 20 minutes, a freak storm we thought, any way off we went. We stopped for essential supplies, mainly beers and wine, as we had shopped for all our Xmas food earlier. We arrived at the house Sue had rented and it was a villa/cottage over looking the sea. We moved in and Hannah set up all her Xmas decoration and we made it Christmasy. Us 3 went exploring in to the local town over the next couple of days and the Scott, Joanna and her sister Nicola arrived over the next couple of days. On Christmas eve we went for a walk in Wilson's Pron National park, were we had some lunch then relaxed in the evening.
Then on Christmas day we roasted our turkey and set up the BBQ, while Scott and Joanna prepared the veggies. Scott, Joanna and Nicola and Sue went for a walk, while Hannah and I just chilled out watching Christmas TV. We had dinner in the afternoon and yes we did have a sunny Christmas and threw a few prawns on the barbie, they were great.
On boxing day we packed up and we all headed into Wilson's Prom again. We booked in to the campsite with Sue for the evening and then met the others in the car park. We walked out in to the wonderful park and enjoyed the sun shinning down, the blue ocean and the green trees and bushes. After our day in the Prom Scott, Joanna and Nicola drove back to Melbourne and we set up camp with Sue. We cracked open the beers and Sue started to love the relaxed campsite life. We sat and chatted for ages and then made dinner which was beers and party food left over from Christmas. That night we all we walking to the toilets with the torch, we heard something next to us on the grass. We shone the torch and saw our first ever wild wombat, just there about 1-2 meters away, not bothered by us, eating the grass.
Over the next couple of days we drove up to Sale and spent the next night there in a campsite with Sue. We tried to find a restaurant, but it was a holiday and the only place we could find was a Mexican. It was really really good food and Hannah and I enjoyed not having to cook. The next day Sue caught the train back to Melbourne as she was flying to met us in Sydney and got to spend a little more time with Scott and Joanna. While we continued the drove over the New South Wales border and arrived in Sydney on the 29th Dec. Sue arrived the following day, we picked her up from the airport and we checked in to a great hotel with spa pool bath. This was by far the best thing for us in the whole room, as we had only had showers for the last 8 months. So the first night I filled the bath and turned on the spa and just soaked. Hannah then followed suit straight after me. After we were clean we had a meal in the local Chinese and chatted about what were doing tomorrow. Tomorrow is New Years eve and we have no plans as yet and we're going to play it by ear.
The rain stopped after about 20 minutes, a freak storm we thought, any way off we went. We stopped for essential supplies, mainly beers and wine, as we had shopped for all our Xmas food earlier. We arrived at the house Sue had rented and it was a villa/cottage over looking the sea. We moved in and Hannah set up all her Xmas decoration and we made it Christmasy. Us 3 went exploring in to the local town over the next couple of days and the Scott, Joanna and her sister Nicola arrived over the next couple of days. On Christmas eve we went for a walk in Wilson's Pron National park, were we had some lunch then relaxed in the evening.Then on Christmas day we roasted our turkey and set up the BBQ, while Scott and Joanna prepared the veggies. Scott, Joanna and Nicola and Sue went for a walk, while Hannah and I just chilled out watching Christmas TV. We had dinner in the afternoon and yes we did have a sunny Christmas and threw a few prawns on the barbie, they were great.
Over the next couple of days we drove up to Sale and spent the next night there in a campsite with Sue. We tried to find a restaurant, but it was a holiday and the only place we could find was a Mexican. It was really really good food and Hannah and I enjoyed not having to cook. The next day Sue caught the train back to Melbourne as she was flying to met us in Sydney and got to spend a little more time with Scott and Joanna. While we continued the drove over the New South Wales border and arrived in Sydney on the 29th Dec. Sue arrived the following day, we picked her up from the airport and we checked in to a great hotel with spa pool bath. This was by far the best thing for us in the whole room, as we had only had showers for the last 8 months. So the first night I filled the bath and turned on the spa and just soaked. Hannah then followed suit straight after me. After we were clean we had a meal in the local Chinese and chatted about what were doing tomorrow. Tomorrow is New Years eve and we have no plans as yet and we're going to play it by ear.
Sunday 23 March 2008
On to Melbourne to arrive on the 17th Dec2007
So we had a big drive in front of us. Its about 1500 miles and the heat across the Nulabor this time of year is the hottest at about 40'C. We were a little worried about Rocky and really did want anything to happen to us, as most people we have spoken too has warmed us about it. So we drove south to the most south west part of Oz and had a something to eat in the last restaurant (a fish and chip shop) before you reach the south pole. After that I climbed a tree over 61 meters in Pemberton. The tree didn't have a lift, I climbed up pegs that have been hit in to the sides of the tree. Its was really cool and the views were great. Hannah thought it was scary and just filmed it and took photos as I climbed into the clouds.
Also the bottom of WA towards the border we stopped at Albany and bumped into Mike and Sarah again. Then we started to cross the Nulabor. People have said that this is one of the worst drives in Australia and it has has a lot of nothingness again. It also has the straightest road in OZ, its 90 miles long and has a sign to tell you its the longest, so we got a few photos. We crossed the border at border village and we made it to Ceduna in only 2 days. The drive was really good and the temp was strangely low at about 20'C. So we were happy and Rocky had no problems at all. Along the way, on this trip, Hannah started making our Christmas decorations and sticking them to the windows on the van, making us really festive.
All the way to Melbourne we started doing more free camping at rest area, we used the water we carried to wash and brush our teeth. After starting our South Oz exploring we crossed Spencer gulf to Adelaide by ferry. Once there we visited the Clare Valley and Barossa Valley both well known winery regions. Hannah tried a few and we bought some more wines and spent the afternoon in Adelaide, we strolled around the famous "Central market". For you mum, we visited "Jacobs Creek" while in the Barossa Valley.
After Adelaide we climbed the hills surrounding the city and started our last bit of the drive to Melbourne. We stopped in Victoria at the Grampians. A mountain range with Aboriginal and European history. We did a few short walks and explored the area for a few hours and then drove in to Melbourne. We arrived around 5pm and got stuck in rush hour traffic again, but at last we're here. Sue, Hannah's mum was in and waiting for Scott (Hannah's Brother) to get home from work, so was surprised to see us. Yeah!!! Christmas can start now!
Also the bottom of WA towards the border we stopped at Albany and bumped into Mike and Sarah again. Then we started to cross the Nulabor. People have said that this is one of the worst drives in Australia and it has has a lot of nothingness again. It also has the straightest road in OZ, its 90 miles long and has a sign to tell you its the longest, so we got a few photos. We crossed the border at border village and we made it to Ceduna in only 2 days. The drive was really good and the temp was strangely low at about 20'C. So we were happy and Rocky had no problems at all. Along the way, on this trip, Hannah started making our Christmas decorations and sticking them to the windows on the van, making us really festive.
All the way to Melbourne we started doing more free camping at rest area, we used the water we carried to wash and brush our teeth. After starting our South Oz exploring we crossed Spencer gulf to Adelaide by ferry. Once there we visited the Clare Valley and Barossa Valley both well known winery regions. Hannah tried a few and we bought some more wines and spent the afternoon in Adelaide, we strolled around the famous "Central market". For you mum, we visited "Jacobs Creek" while in the Barossa Valley.
After Adelaide we climbed the hills surrounding the city and started our last bit of the drive to Melbourne. We stopped in Victoria at the Grampians. A mountain range with Aboriginal and European history. We did a few short walks and explored the area for a few hours and then drove in to Melbourne. We arrived around 5pm and got stuck in rush hour traffic again, but at last we're here. Sue, Hannah's mum was in and waiting for Scott (Hannah's Brother) to get home from work, so was surprised to see us. Yeah!!! Christmas can start now!
Margret River, wine country 11-14th Dec 2007
So we stocked up on food and fuel, called into FBH to see everyone, one last time, collect our payslips and off we went not before calling in at Chantal's house to see her and Ebony. It was a sad affair and we then felt we didn't want to go, but we had too. We drove south towards Mandurah, where Anita lives (Beck's friend from the UK), but we were unable to catch up with her, but she told us about the Xmas festivals stuff going on in town that night. So we headed down and saw the towns parade with Santa and the elves and all the local children, we saw a few Xmas stalls and then drove around Mandurah. We were told its a retirement town but it seems to us that they is lots of new building such as apartment blocks by the river and they looked great. We like the look of and feel of Mandurah.
We arrived into Margret River in the afternoon and stopped at our first winery. Hannah tried some of the wine and we ended up buying a nice Rose. While we were there Hannah got attached to their dog, he looked like her dog Sam and his name was also Sam. After that we called into a micro brewery next door. We tried their 5 different beers but we didn't really like them too much. We spend the rest of the afternoon driving around and Hannah tried a few more wines but we got the feeling from the way the owners were that we shouldn't have been there. So we found a campsite and got talking to a couple from Ireland called Mike and Sarah. They had traveled around Asia and were now starting there trip in Oz. So we exchanged the best places to see in each country over a beer.
We arrived into Margret River in the afternoon and stopped at our first winery. Hannah tried some of the wine and we ended up buying a nice Rose. While we were there Hannah got attached to their dog, he looked like her dog Sam and his name was also Sam. After that we called into a micro brewery next door. We tried their 5 different beers but we didn't really like them too much. We spend the rest of the afternoon driving around and Hannah tried a few more wines but we got the feeling from the way the owners were that we shouldn't have been there. So we found a campsite and got talking to a couple from Ireland called Mike and Sarah. They had traveled around Asia and were now starting there trip in Oz. So we exchanged the best places to see in each country over a beer.
Saying good bye to Freo- Around 10th Dec 2007
So the couple had dropped out of buying Rocky after they had had an RAC check done and we had spoke about price. But it didn't bother us that much as we now have another adventure. Going to Margret River, (Wine country) and crossing the Nulabur from WA in to South Australia. We had to say good bye to everyone and we exchanged facebook details and emails. We visited Marcus in his new place and had a few beers with him. He had decided that he wanted to come to England and we've promised to show him a bit more of England than most Aussie seem to see, because on our travels most Aussie have said they've seen England and when we asked where they went, most of it was just London and around the suburbs. So come on Marcus we'll show you Robin Hood country and Sheffield.
About a week before we were to go we had a bit of a party at our camper van. We invited Sal, Jez and Jess around from there campsite and got Chantal round. We had a few nibbles and then started chatting and drinking. Chantal had bought round some vodka and mixers and we started on them after the beers had gone. We didn't want her going home too drunk so she crashed at ours upstairs (haha!) The day after we spent the day with Chantal and had breakfast in FBH and then Chantal drove us around some of the sights of Freo. We then picked up her youngest daughter and chilled and played round at the house. We had a great day and we loved meeting and playing with Ebony, she's a cool kid.
We had a BBQ on our last night in the campsite with Sal, Chantal, Jez, Jess and the fox. We had more food than we could eat and then had a few beers and chatted into the night. The reason we for having it at the campsite was due to most of the people had moved in, apart from Chantal and the fox.
Hannah took some photos of where we worked and the people we met:
About a week before we were to go we had a bit of a party at our camper van. We invited Sal, Jez and Jess around from there campsite and got Chantal round. We had a few nibbles and then started chatting and drinking. Chantal had bought round some vodka and mixers and we started on them after the beers had gone. We didn't want her going home too drunk so she crashed at ours upstairs (haha!) The day after we spent the day with Chantal and had breakfast in FBH and then Chantal drove us around some of the sights of Freo. We then picked up her youngest daughter and chilled and played round at the house. We had a great day and we loved meeting and playing with Ebony, she's a cool kid.
We had a BBQ on our last night in the campsite with Sal, Chantal, Jez, Jess and the fox. We had more food than we could eat and then had a few beers and chatted into the night. The reason we for having it at the campsite was due to most of the people had moved in, apart from Chantal and the fox.
Hannah took some photos of where we worked and the people we met:
Freo over the next 6 weeks from 26th Oct until 10th Dec 2007
So we've started working in the Fremantle Bake House (FBH). We were working on the floor as wait staff. It was really easy to pick up, most of the people would ask us where we are from and what we are doing over here. We were taking orders at the table and taking out food. Then we started moving to behind the counter. Then I was asked to help in the kitchen, doing some prep and then some cooking. This increased my hours and Hannah ended up with more hours because of it. We met loads of great people, some of them we will always keep in touch with.
Our days started with work and most of the time finished with a beer with Sal, the manager and really cool. Once in the kitchen I got really really close to Chantal. She's a crazy, fun loving, great person. We got really close to Sal and Chantal and because of this became friends with Jez and Jess (Sal's sister). We didn't do much in Fremantle apart from work and make loads of friends, as Hannah and I didn't have the same days off. But it didn't matter as the coffee house closed at 6pm-ish. So we had every night together.
We had a few nights were we went to the pub after a crappy day, as Sal was buying the 1st beer and then that changed into a few more, and as Sal was seeing the pub manager we then ended up with another beer from somewhere. Great times!
We also got really close to a guy we met at the campsite called Marcus. He's an Aussie guy, really big hearted and we became really good friends.
Fremantle is a great place, beautiful feel, like a holiday destination and the people we met were brilliant.
In between working and having loads of fun we had some people come and look at the van. We had one couple interested but dropped out at the last minute. So we then had to plan driving over to Melbourne for Christmas as Hannah's mum was coming over for a family Xmas.We had to tell FBH we were leaving earlier than planned.
Our days started with work and most of the time finished with a beer with Sal, the manager and really cool. Once in the kitchen I got really really close to Chantal. She's a crazy, fun loving, great person. We got really close to Sal and Chantal and because of this became friends with Jez and Jess (Sal's sister). We didn't do much in Fremantle apart from work and make loads of friends, as Hannah and I didn't have the same days off. But it didn't matter as the coffee house closed at 6pm-ish. So we had every night together.
We had a few nights were we went to the pub after a crappy day, as Sal was buying the 1st beer and then that changed into a few more, and as Sal was seeing the pub manager we then ended up with another beer from somewhere. Great times!
We also got really close to a guy we met at the campsite called Marcus. He's an Aussie guy, really big hearted and we became really good friends.
Fremantle is a great place, beautiful feel, like a holiday destination and the people we met were brilliant.
In between working and having loads of fun we had some people come and look at the van. We had one couple interested but dropped out at the last minute. So we then had to plan driving over to Melbourne for Christmas as Hannah's mum was coming over for a family Xmas.We had to tell FBH we were leaving earlier than planned.
Chillout and walked around Fremantle, Thursday, 25th oct 2007
We had a lazy day today, we just chilled out and went into town. We used the Internet and handed out more CV's for night time jobs as well as our coffee house jobs. Its all to get some money together, to keep the bank balance health.
We treated ourselves to a fish and chips dinner from the chip shop and we really enjoyed them. First ones for ages, there are not chip shops in the outback, just nothingness, sun and dust. We're feeling really happy and loving it here.
We treated ourselves to a fish and chips dinner from the chip shop and we really enjoyed them. First ones for ages, there are not chip shops in the outback, just nothingness, sun and dust. We're feeling really happy and loving it here.
Bake House trial a success, Wednesday, 24th Oct 2007
Went in for my trial at 10am for 2 hours and Hannah arrived for her trail and Sal asked me to stay on for a while as we were really busy. The trials went really well and Sal offered us the jobs. We then got a few shifts this weekend. The job was really easy and fun, the only problem was the hours, we could only get 25hours to start with and we were looking for about 38 hours. But Sal did say that she would give us more later on, as an when she could. That evening Hannah and I had n=more to talk about than we had had for ages, which was nice. That night we had a little celebration of a curry, a few beers and some telly.
May have found a job in the Fremantle Bake House, 23rd Oct 2007
We drove into Fremantle and booked our 1st week in the Fremantle holiday village. It was a great campsite, we drove to our pitch/bay. It was a patio area for the van, it had its own grassed area next to it, with a picnic table and a small hedge around the whole thing. It was the nicest looking campsite area we'd had. We are really going to enjoy it here. Then found we shared a separate campsite kitchen with just a few other camper van's and it had a dinning room/TV room too.
We went into Fremantle to look for jobs. We popped in to a few restaurants and a coffee shop "Fremantle Bake House". A lady took our CV's and said to call back later to speak with the manager, Sal, about 5pm. So we will. After that an American called and wanted to see the van, so we drove and met him. He was really interested and said he'd call us after he saw a few more vans. So we drove back to the "Fremantle Bake House", sat and chatted to Sal about the job and she asked us to come back for a trial tomorrow. Cool!
We went into Fremantle to look for jobs. We popped in to a few restaurants and a coffee shop "Fremantle Bake House". A lady took our CV's and said to call back later to speak with the manager, Sal, about 5pm. So we will. After that an American called and wanted to see the van, so we drove and met him. He was really interested and said he'd call us after he saw a few more vans. So we drove back to the "Fremantle Bake House", sat and chatted to Sal about the job and she asked us to come back for a trial tomorrow. Cool!
Job hunting in Perth, Monday, 22nd Oct 2007
We drove to Perth and did our CV's. Went to an agency and that did fill us with encouragement. They just tried to push us for a job and 400km south of Perth and didn't really offer us anything else. So we said we think about it. We really want to work around Perth for the sale of the van. We were a little annoyed later on because the woman called about the van and said she wasn't coming and we could have moved to Fremantle today instead of waiting for her to arrive. Oh well, going to Fremantle tomorrow.
Blessing of the boats in Fremantle, Sunday, 21st Oct 2007
Woke up late after a disappointing Rugby match. We drove into Fremantle, just south of Perth city. We watched the "blessing of the boats", the streets were full of Italians and the whole of the town fork. It was a really nice place and we found a nice looking campsite in Fremantle, so we decided to stay and look for work here instead of the city. We got a really good feeling from the town. We liked the look of the building and thought yeah we'll like it here.We had a phone call about the van and the lady was coming to see it tomorrow. That night Hannah made us a Sunday roast, with Lamb, roast potatoes, veggies and gravy. It was really good!
Wondered around Perth. Saturday, 20th Oct 2007
We got up today and gave rocky a good clean inside, as we are selling him here in Perth. Gonna made an advert and post in on the Internet. So we have to have clean photos. Then the heavens opened and it pored with rain. We drove into Perth and had a wonder around. We made some posters and put it on the net. Hannah then rang around the whole of Perth looking for a campsite that 1. had a TV and 2. the TV roomed stayed open 24h. This is because the Rugby is on tonight about 2am. So I was really happy when Hannah found one close to the city. The campsite had an oven so we're gonna have a Sunday dinner tomorrow. Yeah!!! First one sine leaving the UK.
Got lost near Perth, stupid maps, Friday, 19th Oct 2007
Today we started driving towards Perth. The scenery was beautiful, drove past all the wind farms, green fields and thousands of cows. We drove into a tiny village called Gin Gin, where we stopped for lunch. We then drove to Yanchep national park. This is were we saw Koalas, mainly just sleeping and saw some baby ducks. We got a little lost on the outskirts of Perth and nearly ended up in the centre.It took us 2 hours to drive about 20 km as we got stuck in rush hour traffic.
The problem was throughout the rest of OZ we have had free maps from the tourist office but in WA they don't really have any good one. The Perth map had not really got any road names or new roads on it, apart from the city centre. So it was a little bit of luck and following the railway lines before we found our campsite. We stayed near Scarborough beach! Hannah got playing with the local ducks and their ducklings and every time we opened the van door the ducks were there really for some food. So we gave the some old bread and they were our new friends for the night.
The problem was throughout the rest of OZ we have had free maps from the tourist office but in WA they don't really have any good one. The Perth map had not really got any road names or new roads on it, apart from the city centre. So it was a little bit of luck and following the railway lines before we found our campsite. We stayed near Scarborough beach! Hannah got playing with the local ducks and their ducklings and every time we opened the van door the ducks were there really for some food. So we gave the some old bread and they were our new friends for the night.
Neil does a Billy Connelly, Thursady 18th Oct 2007
We drove south again today headed towards Perth. We stopped along the way for lunch in a place called Dongara, Neil made us a BBQ which the seagulls nearly ate. We had a little walk to the lookout then drove down the coast through Leeman, Greenhead and Jurien bay. Hannah really liked the little towns and especially Jurien bay. We decided not to snorkel as it was cold. We arrived at the Pinnacles around dusk. These are rock formations that look a bit strange and spooky at dusk to night fall. Billy Connelly stripped for a laugh and ran naked through them, so say the locals. So we drove around them and took lots of photos. Then Neil decided to strip off and do a bit of a Billy Connelly. Got the photos to prove it. Haha!!
After that we watch watched the sunset and the shadows of the Pinnacles appear. A great thing to see, we're really glad we stopped here.
After that we watch watched the sunset and the shadows of the Pinnacles appear. A great thing to see, we're really glad we stopped here.
Dolphin and Whale watch, Wednesday 17th Oct 2007
Explored Kalbarri National Park this morning, we went to the Rossgraham lookout and had breakfast looking out over the gorge. It was Beautiful!!
We drove down into Kalbarri town, which is like any seaside town back home. We stopped at a place called blue holes for a snorkel but it was a little cold and the tide was out. We carried onto Jakes point and red bluff beach but didn't really see much. We got to red bluff lookout and saw lots of wild dolphins, about 15-20, they were so cool to watch. At the Natural Bridge we saw jet more dolphins and watched lots of whales splashing, swimming and playing. There were too far away to take any good photo's but fantastic to watch. We got talking a an Aussie couple for about an hour and half. We went onto shell house gorge but not really much to see there either. We drove past pink lake in Port Gregory and had lunch in the bay. After our busy day we drove onto Geraldton, the drive was beautiful as the scenery changed from dry tree's and grass to lovely green grass and tree's. There were clouds in the sky and sheep in the fields. we were droving through the hills for the for the 1st time since Cairns. Just after we arrived at the campsite the heavens pored and it was just like home. We got out our jumpers again tonight.
We drove down into Kalbarri town, which is like any seaside town back home. We stopped at a place called blue holes for a snorkel but it was a little cold and the tide was out. We carried onto Jakes point and red bluff beach but didn't really see much. We got to red bluff lookout and saw lots of wild dolphins, about 15-20, they were so cool to watch. At the Natural Bridge we saw jet more dolphins and watched lots of whales splashing, swimming and playing. There were too far away to take any good photo's but fantastic to watch. We got talking a an Aussie couple for about an hour and half. We went onto shell house gorge but not really much to see there either. We drove past pink lake in Port Gregory and had lunch in the bay. After our busy day we drove onto Geraldton, the drive was beautiful as the scenery changed from dry tree's and grass to lovely green grass and tree's. There were clouds in the sky and sheep in the fields. we were droving through the hills for the for the 1st time since Cairns. Just after we arrived at the campsite the heavens pored and it was just like home. We got out our jumpers again tonight.
Sunrise with flipper,Tuesday 16th Oct 2007
We got up early today to go and see the dolphins, before the coach loads of visitors arrived. When we got to the pier there was only about 5 of us. The dolphins started to swim close to shore and we watched them as they started catching fish. It was great, we also stood on the beach and they swam really close to us. After about 30minutes the coaches started to arrive and people started pushing in front of us. So we said bye to the dolphins and went back to the van. We drove back to Denham and filled with petrol and off we drove south. We stopped on the way at Eagles lookout, but the tide was out and it was not very impressive as we expected.
We then stopped at Shell beach. This is a beach with no sand, but millions and millions of small or crushed sea shells. It was really strange but really cool at the same time. The locals in the pasted used the hard formed blocks of crushed shells to build there houses and other buildings, instead of bricks.
Our next stop was at the Stromatolites, these are different sizes and shapes of what looked like rocks, but are actually life forms. They are the oldest in the world and have lived for over 3 billion years. They helped us to be here by releasing oxygen in to the atmosphere. There's a bit of education for you.
We ended up spending the night in a free rest stop area, so our first night of free camping. We were just outside the Kalbarri national park. It was really sticky tonight, so before we turned in for the night we got some water bottles and washed down. The rest area was full of other campers and some were making camp fires and cooking their dinners or just having a beer or wine by the fire. We just lay in the van and watched the stars.
We then stopped at Shell beach. This is a beach with no sand, but millions and millions of small or crushed sea shells. It was really strange but really cool at the same time. The locals in the pasted used the hard formed blocks of crushed shells to build there houses and other buildings, instead of bricks.
Our next stop was at the Stromatolites, these are different sizes and shapes of what looked like rocks, but are actually life forms. They are the oldest in the world and have lived for over 3 billion years. They helped us to be here by releasing oxygen in to the atmosphere. There's a bit of education for you.
We ended up spending the night in a free rest stop area, so our first night of free camping. We were just outside the Kalbarri national park. It was really sticky tonight, so before we turned in for the night we got some water bottles and washed down. The rest area was full of other campers and some were making camp fires and cooking their dinners or just having a beer or wine by the fire. We just lay in the van and watched the stars.
Dolphins in Monkey Mia, 15th Oct 2007
We set off early in search to see the dolphins, we arrived at 7am and there was already a crowd. We watched as the dolphins swam around and waited to be fed. Only one of them wanted food, we stood and got some good photo's. We booked into the campsite, our spot wasn't ready so we went for a walk along the beach. We saw the dolphins again, this time the rangers were talking about them so we went over. We got a little spot at the front and Hannah was lucky to be chosen to feed Picalo, the pregnant dolphin. We were really happy, there such beautiful animals, Hannah said it smiled at her as she fed it. We watched a video about the ocean and parked the van in our little spot. We had some lunch and a little snooze then went out on a glass bottom boat. We saw some manta rays , big ones, small ones and tiny ones, but didn't see any more dolphins. We had to move the van cause some plonkers parked there caravan about 2cm away from us, so we moved as it was a little intrusive. We had dinner and decided to get up super early in the morning.
Victory in the Rugby, 14thOct 2007
We woke up at 2am (an hour earlier than we should of) to watch us beat France in the world cup, it was so worth getting up for. We went back to bed at 5am and surfaced a little later. After a stop at the supermarket we drove to Monkey Mia. Wow what a drive that was!!! We spent the night about 20mins out of Monkey Mia in Denham and decided to get up early and drive there first thing. That night the wind was strong we thought we might take off.
Amazing Reef, 13th Oct 2007
We were woken this morning by the sound of kids and tent pegs clanging together. By 7am the campsite was pretty much empty. We had breakfast and got ready for the beach, we tried a different place today. We ask a man what the snorkeling was like and he said it was great. Off we went into the very cold sea, about 100m off shore the sandy shorelines disappeared and dropped to amazing reef. We saw lots of little fish, then began to see some pretty big ones. We didn't stay in to long as it was so cold and we started to shiver. We went for a walk along the beach and saw a black shadow in the sea, Neil took a closer look. It was a manta ray about half a meter long, Neil went for another snorkel in search of a turtle but no look. That afternoon we drove down to Canarvon, we found a campsite with a t.v so we could watch the rugby in the early hours.
Coral Bay, Friday 12th Oct 2007
We drove to exmouth jetty and had a look at the boats, after this we drove south towards Coral bay. It didn't take too long to get there. After we settled into the campsite and had some lunch we decided to go for a snorkel. We found a little spot on the beach, which was full of kids as it was the holidays. We sat next to a family and over heard them talking about seeing a Tiger shark in the shallow water. Hannah actually saw it, but it was only small. After a while we decided to go in the water but it was really cloudy and we couldn't see anything. We relaxes on the beach and chilled out that evening, better look tomorrow!!!
Sunday 24 February 2008
Exploring Exmouth, Thursday 11th Oct 2007
We drove to Yardy creek, the furthest point. After that we needed a 4x4. We walked along the beach and collected shells and looked at the coral sat on the beach. We left that alone and drove to the Oyster stacks, but the tourist info said we couldn't snorkel due to the high winds. On arrival find it was fine, but we'd missed the high tide, so couldn't snorkel the stacks. We did snorkel at Turquoise Bay. The coral was about 15 meters from the beach and we just loved it. We dumped in to the Canadian couple we met in Kununurra on the beach. We saw little blue fish, yellow parrot fish and other fish of lots of colours and sizes.
That night we ran out of gas and had to cook mince meat for taco's in a frying pan on the campsite BBQ :-) great times.
That night we ran out of gas and had to cook mince meat for taco's in a frying pan on the campsite BBQ :-) great times.
Again a lot of nothing, Wednesday 10th oct 2007
We had a long drive ahead of us. We had to get about 600km. We saw the NZ couple (from Dampier campsite) at a petrol station in the middle of nowhere. They were heading to Tom Price. We were really happy to arrive in Exmouth, it looked great and we drove up to the lookout and light house. We watched the sun setting over the sea, shining gold's, red's and orange's. Hannah loved it.
Getting the raditor fixed, Tuesday, 9th Oct 2007
We dropped the van off at 8:30 and Victoria gave us a lift back to the campsite, after we all drove to point Samson. Nice not to drive ourselves. It was a windy day so we found a nice spot behind some rocks for shelter. The other guys went in the sea for a swim. We sunbathed and paddled in the sea. Hannah and I started playing boules with rocks the beach. We had lunch and the other two went for a walk, while we made our Xmas card photos of "Merry Xmas".
Monday 4 February 2008
A lasy Monday 8th Oct 2007
We just chilled out, watched movies in the tv room, swam in the pool and our neighbours offered to take us shopping in their car and then asked us to go to Port Samson tomorrow. The place our radiator spung a leak and offered to pick us up from the garage when we took the van in. So really nice people.
So of to the beach with them tomorrow.
So of to the beach with them tomorrow.
Endland V Australia rugby match, Saturday, 6th Oct 2007
Went for a walk/run with Hannah this morning, it was nice but the heat started early and theflies were out early too. Got talking to a NZ couple next to us and they filled us in on how NZ was better and cheaper than OZ. They had shipped their car over from NZ for $4000 for a couple of months and had to pay a deposit of $20,000. If they didn't have their car out of OZ by the time stated by the customs they would lose all their deposit. Madness!
We moved campsites and met a couple near us. A kiwi and a guy from france. They were watching the rugby that night and offered for us to join them England V Australia.
I took the van to a grassed area where all the local take their cars and stuff for sale. Spent the afternoon by the pool and then picked up the van later that evening.
Watched the rugby and England won. a really good match and half way through because its the middle of the night the sprinklers kicked in on the campsit e and we got a little wet, butits all for the cause. We decided not to watch the NZ V France game, as its was on at 02:30.
We moved campsites and met a couple near us. A kiwi and a guy from france. They were watching the rugby that night and offered for us to join them England V Australia.
I took the van to a grassed area where all the local take their cars and stuff for sale. Spent the afternoon by the pool and then picked up the van later that evening.
Watched the rugby and England won. a really good match and half way through because its the middle of the night the sprinklers kicked in on the campsit e and we got a little wet, butits all for the cause. We decided not to watch the NZ V France game, as its was on at 02:30.
Dampier campsite, Friday 5th Oct 2007
A guy at the campsite next to us was playing his guitar for the evening. Just a nice time relaxing and listening to him play. We had a call about the van, our first. But they would like to see it in the next few days. We're not rushing our trip and left it with them that we'd be in Perth on the 20th-22nd Oct. Moving to a campsite in town, it has a swimming pool and its closer to the garage.
Another problem with the van, Thursday 4th Oct 2007
Making ur way along the coast towards Karratha, we stopeped at Roebourne and visited an old jail/prison. It was used until 1984 and was a stone building with 69 inmates and not mod-cons or even and inside toilet. The men we put to work on the land and roads. We walked in an a man was atlking to the reception about being one of the last inmates in 1984 on a driving offence. It was real hot and the old prison was nice to look around but I betit was bad to be there then. Visited an old town now a rebuilt tourist attraction called Cossack. It was a nice town, nice to see how it would have looked 150 years ago in this area. We drove to the lookout, which gave us 360' degree view of the whole area.
At Samsons Point we were going to drive further to Honeycomb bay and do some snorkelling, but we found a pin hole leak in the radiator. We drove to Karratha, the nearest big town to get it checked out. Feeling really down at this point...another thing to pay for.
We asked at a few places to have a look at the leak and they were saying it would be about 4-5 weeks before they could even look at it, thats not even to start repairs.
Finally found a garage and they quoted us $1000 and booked us in for Wednesday morning. We had no choice as the next big town was about 1800km south. So we're here for they time being. Checked into a small transit campsite in Dampier. We thouhgt about working in Karratha, but decided to leave it and still work in Perth. We made a for sale sign for the van today.
At Samsons Point we were going to drive further to Honeycomb bay and do some snorkelling, but we found a pin hole leak in the radiator. We drove to Karratha, the nearest big town to get it checked out. Feeling really down at this point...another thing to pay for.
We asked at a few places to have a look at the leak and they were saying it would be about 4-5 weeks before they could even look at it, thats not even to start repairs.
Finally found a garage and they quoted us $1000 and booked us in for Wednesday morning. We had no choice as the next big town was about 1800km south. So we're here for they time being. Checked into a small transit campsite in Dampier. We thouhgt about working in Karratha, but decided to leave it and still work in Perth. We made a for sale sign for the van today.
Port Headland, Wed 3rd Oct 2007
Left Broome and we have decided to work in Perth. It will give us more time to sell the van and more job opp's in Perth than anywhere in the north of WA. Got to Port Headland. Its a massive Iron ore places loads of shipping and trucks. Not a Beautiful place. We watched the ships being filled for a while and found out its takes about 48 hours to fill 1 ship. Then they sail out to Japan and China. Hannah loved watching them and really wanted to she one turn and sail out of the small harbour. But someone said we'd have to wait until about 3pm the next day....oh well, maybe next time.......
It was a really hot day today. We don't have a temp gauge, just how we feel. But it felt hotter that Darwin and Katherine today. Must have been about 36-38'C.
It was a really hot day today. We don't have a temp gauge, just how we feel. But it felt hotter that Darwin and Katherine today. Must have been about 36-38'C.
Dinosaurs foot prints in the sand, Tuesday 2nd Oct 2007
Got up early and drove to another beach at 6am today. This time to see dinosaurs foot prints in the coral at negative tide. We scrambed over rocks with about 30 other people and found what looked like elephant foot prints. Everyone was taking photos and then Hannah shouted me and she'd found some more prints, better ones and there were 3 of them. So we could see the stride and they were more like what we thought were dinosaurs foot prints. They looked like 3 prong/toes and a prong heal. The other one we think was just a hole in the coral, that looked like a foot print of an elephant.
In the afternoon we walked along Cable Beach, the famous one for sun sets and the camel rides. THE photo to get is os the sunset, with the camels walking past. We got that and many other ones too. We walked for a couple of mile and took loads of photos. Its the place to go, loads of people had driven on to the beach with the 4W4 and set up tables and were having dinner or just a beer or glass of wine. It was really nice and the sunsets.....Hannah just loved it.
In the afternoon we walked along Cable Beach, the famous one for sun sets and the camel rides. THE photo to get is os the sunset, with the camels walking past. We got that and many other ones too. We walked for a couple of mile and took loads of photos. Its the place to go, loads of people had driven on to the beach with the 4W4 and set up tables and were having dinner or just a beer or glass of wine. It was really nice and the sunsets.....Hannah just loved it.
WW2 planes in the sands, Mon 1st Oct 2007
Got up at 6am and drove to the beach. Its a negative tide and this is the time to see WW2 planes just of the coastline inbedded in the sand. They were dombed by the Japanese after Darwin was hit. They were could of guard and some planes were just hit and sank to th bottom. I walked out for about a mile and a bit on wet sand and the sea was so far out. Got there just before the tide started coming in and took some really good photos and video. I saw 3 planes and then had to start wlkaing back as the sea was coming in really fast.
After getting back to the campsite we had brekkie and then lunch. Relaxed and planned what we were going to do. Then found out we'd left the lights on and had to call out the RAC. All a drama because I had to get mum to txt me my UK memebership number to get teh service for free. The guy was really nice and we found out we'd got him out of the pub. When he arrived he and a fiend we both drinking beers in the van and they said they we going home for a BBQ and beers after helping us. So very Aussie.
After getting back to the campsite we had brekkie and then lunch. Relaxed and planned what we were going to do. Then found out we'd left the lights on and had to call out the RAC. All a drama because I had to get mum to txt me my UK memebership number to get teh service for free. The guy was really nice and we found out we'd got him out of the pub. When he arrived he and a fiend we both drinking beers in the van and they said they we going home for a BBQ and beers after helping us. So very Aussie.
Broome, Sunday 30th June 2007
In Derby we drove over the jetty and visited the prisoner boab tree. This is a large tree with a split in the middle and inside. They would put upto 20 men inside and stand gaurd over night. This wasa stop over site as the men were walking about 400km to the coast from Halls creek and Turkey creek around. Used over 150 years ago for about 100 years.
Arrived in Broome and because it was sunday all the shops were shut. So we just walked around and it was a nice place. We knew we had missed the stairway to the moon and special time when the moon reflection on the sands and water of the sea look like a stairway/staircase to the moon. But we thought we'd missed it by 2 days. The tourist info centre said the last one was last night. We could have made it.......oh well. These other things to see tomorrow.
Arrived in Broome and because it was sunday all the shops were shut. So we just walked around and it was a nice place. We knew we had missed the stairway to the moon and special time when the moon reflection on the sands and water of the sea look like a stairway/staircase to the moon. But we thought we'd missed it by 2 days. The tourist info centre said the last one was last night. We could have made it.......oh well. These other things to see tomorrow.
Sunday 20 January 2008
Flight of the Bungle Bungles, Sat 29th Sept 2007
We woke up early, had some breakfast and were really excited about our flight. At the airstrip the pilot met us and showed us the 6 seater plane, but today the would be only us. our very own plane with pilot. After planning around and taking photos of us with our headphones and mics on, we were in the air. It started to get a little bumpy, at which point Hannah started to feel a little sick and become a little quiet. We were flying about 5,000ft over remote areas of OZ that we would normally not see. The pilot told us about the area and how it looks in the rain season. Then we got the Bungle Bungles. We dropped to about 2,500ft to get a better look. Hannah said later at this point she couldn't look over at me because she felt sick. But loved the views from her window. When we spoke the mics would crackle into life, like in the movies. The pilot told us about how the formations, which were circular hills with circular black and yellow zebra stripes. These were only found in the 80's so feeling good that we got to see some thing that most over look. Really worth it though.
After about 1h 1/2 we were back on the ground with Hannah starting to feel better with her feet back on the ground.
After we both got our stomach's back and had some thing to eat we were off to Derby on the coast. Only 55o km's today. Again nothing much to she, so we played the name game and Hannah made up song's to pass the time. We arrived in Derby just in time for our first Western sun setting over the sea. So we watched and chilled out with a beer.
After about 1h 1/2 we were back on the ground with Hannah starting to feel better with her feet back on the ground.
After we both got our stomach's back and had some thing to eat we were off to Derby on the coast. Only 55o km's today. Again nothing much to she, so we played the name game and Hannah made up song's to pass the time. We arrived in Derby just in time for our first Western sun setting over the sea. So we watched and chilled out with a beer.
Thursday 17 January 2008
Booked a plane ride over the Bungle Bungles, Friday 28th Sept 2007
Driving to Turkey Creek was really boring, looking at a lot of nothing. At Turkey Creek asked about a heli rides, the guide said we needed for people and we were the only 2. So no go with the heli flights so drove to Halls Creek, near Wolf Creek (if you have ever seen the film). Booked to see the Bungle Bungles and we thought we'd book a helicopter ride, but we the lady said it was a plane. Still really happy we booked into the only campsite in town.
Job hunting in WA and storker dodging, Thursday 27th Sept 2007
The sun came up at 5:15am and by 7am it was boiling. We drove up to Lake Argyle lookout, from where you could see for miles and miles. This was a man made lake that was once a home stead. Its was huge and we drove around for a while and then made our way on to Kunnunara. We had decided to look for work here, but changed our minds after looking for a couple of hours. We'll now work in Broome instead. After looking around and using the Internet, we went to the town lookout and took a wrong turn up a hill on a 40 degree angle and ended up in at a Telecom tower. Got views though.
We went to the pub for a drink and while sat in there, you will never believe who looked through the door into the pub.........yes it was Peter Kay (our neighborhood storker PK). He didn't see us and then he walked off to somewhere else. Back at the campsite we had a swim and got talking to some Aussies and a Canadian couple. While in the pool we saw PK again walking into our campsite. So we hid!
We've decided to head for Turkey Creek tomorrow, to try and get a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles.
We went to the pub for a drink and while sat in there, you will never believe who looked through the door into the pub.........yes it was Peter Kay (our neighborhood storker PK). He didn't see us and then he walked off to somewhere else. Back at the campsite we had a swim and got talking to some Aussies and a Canadian couple. While in the pool we saw PK again walking into our campsite. So we hid!
We've decided to head for Turkey Creek tomorrow, to try and get a helicopter flight over the Bungle Bungles.
Crossing over into Western Australia (WA), Wed, 26th Sept 2007
Today we had a long drive ahead of us. Our goal was to get to Timber Creek. we set off ready to drive "new" roads, that is roads we hadn't driven on yet in OZ.We decided at Timber Creek to carry on driving over the boarder. But stopped to give away our fruit and veg, as you can't carry it in to Western Australia(WA). We eat 6 apples today and still had some left, so we gave them to a Dutch couple. Cloud's came down and there was a storm ahead of us. At the boarder the customs/ police stop all cars, vans, lorries, everything. They check them all for fruit and veg and other plant materials. We had the guy check our van and we gave him a garlic and a lime and he sent us on our way. A camper next to us looked like it had been there for ages. The man they had to check there van must have got every thing inside the van out and even popped up the pop top roof and checked in the folds of the lining. Over the boarder there was lots of water on the roads, but we didn't see any of the storm. We drove into Lake Argyle, were we stopped for the night. It went dark at 5:30pm, which felt really strange. As it had not been getting dark until 7 in the Northern Territory. We had gained 1hour and a half by crossing the boarder.
Monday 14 January 2008
Yellow water river cruise, Tues 25th Sept 2007
We got up very early again and went to catch our bus to Yellow river, we got on the bus and were driven to the boat. We got on the boat and waited until everybody was on, including our guide. She was half aboriginal and seemed to take a disliking to us because we were English. It was a bit of banter, but kept saying she was going to through us into the water and feed the croc's. That morning as we left the steam was rising from the river and revived a lot of crocs. Some small, some big and some really big. We got up close and personal with some of them and our guide told us that if the crocs really wanted to the could jump from the water into the boat we were in. She pointed out different wildlife, plants and birds and explained about how the aboriginals come to the river to catch snakes. It was a lovely morning, we learnt a lot and got some really good photos of our adventure down Yellow Water.
Back on dry land we packed up and made our way down to Katherine, were we had the fridge fitted properly. We went for a swim and got chatting to an English couple traveling the opposite way to us.
Back on dry land we packed up and made our way down to Katherine, were we had the fridge fitted properly. We went for a swim and got chatting to an English couple traveling the opposite way to us.
Kakadu National Park, Mon 24th Sept 2007
another early start today. We went to Nourlangie which is were there is an Ancient Aboriginal shelter and some more amazing rock art. We some some art work of the Lightening Man, who was not to be messed with or disturbed. We went and listened to the talk in the shelter about Geology and how long the shelter had been there. They believe Aboriginals have been around for about 25,000 - 50,000 yrs, either way a long time. Dam flies were doing our heads in today. We down into the southern part of Kakadu and went to the Warradjan culture centre to learn a bit more. We booked into Gagudju lodge, had a dip in the pool and booked our Yellow water River cruise for the morning. That evening we went to the bar and watched some films about the bush and survival.
Kakadu National Park, Sat and Sun 22nd-23rd Sept 2007
We said our goodbyes the day before and packed up the van, we then drove towards the National Park and spent the night just outside Kakadu.
We woke early and went to Mamukala which is known for it's wildlife. We walked up the platform to the observation area were we sat and watched the bird life, it was really peaceful and very beautiful. Our next stop took us to Ubirr were there's a of Aboriginal rock art. They have free ranger talks so we joined one with a ranger called Annie. She was full of info and told us a story about the Rainbow serpent. She talked about the different cultures and how it differed to ours. We enjoyed listening to her. We met her again later were she talked about the Aboriginal Ancestors, a story of two sisters who played tricks on one another.
We walked up to the lookout were we looked out over the wetlands (this was also were Crocodile Dundee was filmed).
We drove down to Alligator River were we saw a huge Crocodile, it was about 8m from us and believe me we stayed as far away as possible, he was watching us!!! It was a hot sticky day, with lots of flies so we went in search of cooler climates. We found the visitors centre and watched a film about the 6 seasons in Kakadu, in the comfort of an air conditioned room. we ended the day by jumping in the pool to cool off. it was about 38c today!!!
We woke early and went to Mamukala which is known for it's wildlife. We walked up the platform to the observation area were we sat and watched the bird life, it was really peaceful and very beautiful. Our next stop took us to Ubirr were there's a of Aboriginal rock art. They have free ranger talks so we joined one with a ranger called Annie. She was full of info and told us a story about the Rainbow serpent. She talked about the different cultures and how it differed to ours. We enjoyed listening to her. We met her again later were she talked about the Aboriginal Ancestors, a story of two sisters who played tricks on one another.
We walked up to the lookout were we looked out over the wetlands (this was also were Crocodile Dundee was filmed).
We drove down to Alligator River were we saw a huge Crocodile, it was about 8m from us and believe me we stayed as far away as possible, he was watching us!!! It was a hot sticky day, with lots of flies so we went in search of cooler climates. We found the visitors centre and watched a film about the 6 seasons in Kakadu, in the comfort of an air conditioned room. we ended the day by jumping in the pool to cool off. it was about 38c today!!!
A weeks life in relaxed Darwin,Sunday 16th - Friday 21st Sept 2007
Over the next couple of days its a bit of a blur. We swam quite a lot because due to the heat and humidity were really high. But our pool was really nice and set with trees all around the pool side and it gave a lot of shade to the pool. We visited NightCliffe Saturday market, it was a smaller Mindel market, nice though. We visited East Point in Darwin. This is where the Japanese bombed Darwin in WW2. We stopped at Alexander Lake for an afternoon. We had a relaxed afternoon, watched the locals swimming and playing in the lake, had a late lunch and had a beer and watched the sun setting over the sea. We went back to Mindel Market on the following Thursday and Sunday nights. We made really good friends with Ron and Heather. They became our OZ mum and dad. They would worry about us if we got back to the campsite after dark, in the morning they would offer us cups of tea, at 11ish they would offer tea and cake/biscuits and then at about 5ish it was beer O'clock and Ron would shout Neil do you want a beer, Hannah would you like a glass of wine with Heather.
On Tuesday the heat was getting unbearable, so we got out of it and went to the cinema to watch Ratatoiue(can't spell it), really enjoyed it and after the heat was better. The humidity that day was about 80%. We met a older guy called Harry through Ron and Heather. He was from Victoria and left his wife in Victoria for about 3 months. He loves fishing and his wife hates travelling. He was a nice guy but he went fishing on the banks of rivers that have Salties (the croc's that could eat a human). He said he wasn't worried he took fire crackers and throw them at the croc's. Crazy man! Later on he found a picture of a croc and gave it to us and told us he was about 3 meters from this croc and the croc was about 6 foot long.
At the Mindel market the last time we went we tried Croc on a stick and Kangeroo kebabs from "Road Kill" food stall they say "you kill 'em, we grill 'em". The croc was like chicken, but a bit chewy and Hannah didn't really like the Kangeroo.
Friday came and the fridge should be here, then we're off on our travels again. We rang them and it all started going wrong, the girl told Hannah she would get someone to call us, they didn't we rang again and a guy said it should be here soon and would find out when. Later he still didn't know where it was. Harry over heard and took our full names and marched straight to the shop and gave them a mouthful and pretended to be our grandad. Later on the man at the shop said it would be in the shop by 4pm. We drove down and picked up the fridge and the people at the shop didn't say anything and took off $50 off the price. That's not much but we just wanted our fridge.
Back at the campsite, I got Ron to help with fitting our fridge as he had lots of tools. We fitted it and the it was beer O'clock and we sat and chatted with Ron and Heather, while admiring our brand new fridge!
On Tuesday the heat was getting unbearable, so we got out of it and went to the cinema to watch Ratatoiue(can't spell it), really enjoyed it and after the heat was better. The humidity that day was about 80%. We met a older guy called Harry through Ron and Heather. He was from Victoria and left his wife in Victoria for about 3 months. He loves fishing and his wife hates travelling. He was a nice guy but he went fishing on the banks of rivers that have Salties (the croc's that could eat a human). He said he wasn't worried he took fire crackers and throw them at the croc's. Crazy man! Later on he found a picture of a croc and gave it to us and told us he was about 3 meters from this croc and the croc was about 6 foot long.
At the Mindel market the last time we went we tried Croc on a stick and Kangeroo kebabs from "Road Kill" food stall they say "you kill 'em, we grill 'em". The croc was like chicken, but a bit chewy and Hannah didn't really like the Kangeroo.
Friday came and the fridge should be here, then we're off on our travels again. We rang them and it all started going wrong, the girl told Hannah she would get someone to call us, they didn't we rang again and a guy said it should be here soon and would find out when. Later he still didn't know where it was. Harry over heard and took our full names and marched straight to the shop and gave them a mouthful and pretended to be our grandad. Later on the man at the shop said it would be in the shop by 4pm. We drove down and picked up the fridge and the people at the shop didn't say anything and took off $50 off the price. That's not much but we just wanted our fridge.
Back at the campsite, I got Ron to help with fitting our fridge as he had lots of tools. We fitted it and the it was beer O'clock and we sat and chatted with Ron and Heather, while admiring our brand new fridge!
Moved out of Darwin 15th Sept 2007
Moved campsites to Coolinga, about 25km south of Darwin. We got our site and started talking to our neighbours. It was so hot that afternoon and the humidity was really high, we both feel asleep in the back of the van. We got talking to our neighbours were called Ron and Heather (retired, travelling around Oz from their home in Perth). Chatted to them for the most of the evening.
Start of the wait for the fridge 14th Sept 2007
Having a lazy day, got to save some money, coz of the cost of the fridge. Just enjoying the sun and swimming in the campsite pool. We heard about a night market, so we in search of it, after about an hour we found it and it was closed. It doesn't open anymore and the tourist information needs to up date their materials. Thanks. Didn't want to waste the night so drove to Cullen Bay and watched the boats and strolled around the harbour.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
