It's time to go north......

but first we have to travel to Bowral for this years '25 Frogs' Reunion.  With just over a week left before we headed off we decided to look at buying another car.  The Jeep has been a great car and (mostly) reliable so it was not an easy decision.  With the authorities clamping down on all the heavy and overweight vehicles on the road we did the sums and decided that we needed a car with a larger payload.  We found a Toyota Landcruiser 76 series for sale in Wangaratta and decided we would go and have a look at it.  It fitted the bill and so we took a big breath in and traded ours in for it.

All the bits and pieces came together and Bill was able to pick the car up on the Wednesday before we had to be in Bowral.  He arrived home after dark so we left the final packing until the next morning and just before lunch finally hit the road for our two day run to Bowral.  Our first stop was back to Wangaratta on the way as the 2nd battery was not connected as it had been the day before.  The guys fixed it on the spot and we continued on stopping at a park in Barnawartha to make and eat our lunch.

We drove on stopping some hours later for our first overnight at Tarcutta.  The next morning we continued on our way stopping at Jugiong for coffee.  A fabulous freecamp here which we'll certainly come back and visit another time.  This rustic sculpture of Sergeant Edward Parry caught our attention.  He was killed on 16th Nov 1864 in a gun battle with the Hall Gang at Black Springs, Jugiong.  The drive along the Hume from Gundagai was a road we had not travelled before and the scenery was beautiful.  Lush green hills and valleys made the otherwise long road a pleasant trip.

From here we drove straight to Bowral arriving around 3.30pm in the rain.  It wasn't long before we were set up at the Mittagong Caravan Park and some of the other 'Frogs' arrived to say hi.  

Soon after we were changed and on our way to the Bowral RSL where our first dinner and drinks were taking place.  As you can imagine there was a lot of noise as everyone caught up with each other.  We girls left the guys to their stories and caught up on each other's families and travel stories.

A long table dinner was lots of fun as we ate, drank and made merry for the next few hours.  Lots more laughs were had and tall stories were told as everyone tried to catch up with everyone else.  Always a challenge on a long straight table.  Still a fun night was had and it was a very weary group that headed back to the caravan park much later on.

We met again on Saturday morning at The Don Bradman Museum for those who wanted to visit.  We did and thoroughly enjoyed our few hours seeing all things cricket and Don Bradman.  It really is a wonderful memorial to a very talented man.

Leaving there we drove a few km back to the Briars, a historic pub, and all enjoyed a lovely lunch.  Not sure how any of us could eat more, but we managed, though there was a notable lack of alcohol during lunch.  

After a coffee at home with Kate, Greg, Cheryl and Shane it was time to head out again for dinner, this time to Bowral Thai.  We enjoyed a lovely banquet and once again it was a noisy group that laughed and talked our way through the next few hours.  

The next morning most of us met again at The Mill where we had breakfast together before everyone said their farewells and made their way home again.  Once again the reunion had been a great success and we say a huge thank you to Helen and Geoff for organizing it.  It was wonderful to catch up with all of our old friends and to meet some new ones as well.

There were four of us left and Helen and Geoff took us to Berrima where we had a walk through this lovely little village.  The guys wandered around the Classic Holden cars on display and we ladies checked out the village shops.  

Afterwards we returned home with Helen and Geoff for coffee and nibbles.  No one wanted lunch!  Glenda and Ian left soon after to drive to Sydney to catch their planes home and we returned home for a short rest.  We did return later to have fish and chips with our hosts and finally finish off a great weekend.

We had been going to leave on Monday but decided we would stay one more day to have a look around Bowral and shop for the trip ahead.  We checked out the main streets of Mittagong and Bowral, shopped, then drove up to the Mount Gibraltar Lookouts.  We found these quite underwhelming as there are no views from the top as the trees have taken over.  Glimpses of Mittagong are as good as it gets I'm afraid.  The drive up and down was lovely though with some amazing properties along the way.

The next morning we hooked up and set off again to begin our next adventure for real, or so we thought.  We had decided to head to Yass and stopped at Gunning to have our lunch.  Here at Barbour Park we found a lovely spot beside the creek and decided to stay for the night.  After lunch we had a walk in the tiny town and returned home to enjoy the sunshine and the water birds.  Lots of other people had the same idea and by nightfall there were about 15 vans here.

We decided to stay put for another day enjoying the quiet after a big weekend and took a bigger walk around town, having coffee and coming back to while away the afternoon with the Dusky Moor Hens, the Coots and this lovely little Azure Kingfisher.

During these last two days Bill had all the signs of a cold coming on so we decided we would just go on to Yass the next day and hope it was better then.  We found a spot beside the Yass River at Joe O'Connor Park.  We popped into Woolworths and then it was so cold here we stayed inside for the rest of the afternoon.  

Unfortunately the next day Bill was far worse, with a full blown head cold, so unable to drive or tolerate light it was another day by the river.

A lot better the next day we walked into town for a quick look before hooking up and making our way towards the west.  With the last few nights at one degree and zero we are now seriously searching for some warmer weather.

We had a pit stop at Harden for lunch and we stopped overnight at a newish campsite at Springdale.  With Bill well again we will now begin our magical mystery tour from here - watch this space!

until next time.......

Back at home for a while........

We filled in our first Saturday at home with a trip to the Violet Town markets, which helped to fill the fridge again, and then enjoyed afternoon tea with Wilma and Gordon next door.  That evening we joined many others at Rotary Park for The Twilight Hawkers Market.

This was a great night organised by a local group and included a Mermaid competition and The Birdman Rally.  These kept both young and old smiling as we watched the antics on the flying fox.

Some fabulous music and many different food stalls saw lots of people enjoying our beautiful park on a balmy night.

A bit of fun was had the following Saturday at the Euroa Market as we found ourselves involved in The Barman's  Race.   We joined Roma, Harold and Shirley at a shady table to drink our coffee when all of a sudden we were soon in the middle of things as the runners had to deliver their drinks to us.  We were hoping they didn't soak us in their efforts to win.  Lots of laughs and we stayed dry which was a real bonus.  This picture was taken by Dale who kindly sent it to me to use.

We had a barbie at home on Sunday with Kobe, Dan, Matt and Ollie.  It was lovely to be able to relax with them and enjoy a few hours in the sun.  Thanks for coming.

The next week we drove to Mt Beauty where we had lunch with Sandy and Pat from Townsville.  They were in Victoria for a wedding and doing some touring while here.  It was lovely to see them again and we had a great afternoon.

After lunch we had a walk around the small town and enjoyed some lovely views on the way home via Yackandandah.

The tomatoes are still growing and producing so I have been back in the kitchen again making Tomato and Garlic Chutney, Green Tomato and Red Onion Chutney and many jars of tomato sauce for cooking.  Will not need to buy pasta sauce for a while now.

The following week we packed a suitcase instead of the caravan as we got ready to travel to Perth.  It was time to check in with the kids and meet baby Ethan.  We stayed with Anne and Paul and loved seeing them both again.  The weather was glorious and Bill had lots of fun with these noisy Black Cockatoos one morning.

We met Amélie, Corbyn and David at the recreation centre and enjoyed watching the kids at their Gymnastics group.  Both of them seemed happy to have an audience for the day.  We spent another couple of hours with them as we joined them for dinner and enjoyed the local fish and chips.

The next day we went to Fremantle markets with Anne and enjoyed a walk through this vibrant old market.  It really hasn't changed much since we first visited many years ago.  The need for caffeine took us to the Fremantle Bakehouse where we enjoyed good coffee and yummy cakes.

That afternoon we picked Amélie and Corbyn up from school and headed up the freeway to see Taegan, Gareth, Noah and to finally meet our newest little grandson Ethan.  Just like his big brother he is very cute and at almost one year old is trying very hard to walk on his own.  It was so good to see him at last and I even got a cuddle a bit later on.

Once Gareth got home and David had arrived we all piled back into the cars and drove to Wanneroo where we were going to watch Noah at BMX.  Oh my goodness, the little ones are so cute.  All kitted out in full BMX gear, plus helmets which are almost bigger than they are, they tear around the track on balance bikes.  It was a lovely night and so good to see Noah really enjoying himself.  

On Saturday we took a picnic lunch to a fabulous local park with David, Amélie and Corbyn.  The kids played in the water playground while we were able to chatter away with David.  It was a lovely afternoon.  

Later that evening we met Pat and Russell in East Victoria Park and enjoyed a lovely meal at a little Asian Restaurant called Pachi Pachi.  Great food and wonderful company, so good to see you both again.

The next day we enjoyed a slow start on the balcony with Anne and Paul before the four of us headed into Kings Park to meet all the kids for a picnic lunch.  Another big playground kept the older kids entertained while the little boys, Noah and Ethan kept us entertained.  It was so special to be able to enjoy the afternoon with them all.  

We had a quiet hour at home before it was time to head out again to see Deb and John, Lorraine and Hans, Marg and Gunther at Debs place.  When we arrived we were surprised to see Gilly, Garry and Carol all there as well.  A lovely surprise and a fabulous night as we all talked and talked catching up on the last year or so.  Take away Thai was delicious and a great night was had by all.  Once again a huge thanks to Deb and John for getting the 'gang' together again.  It really was just like old times!

On Monday we played tourist in Perth parking in South Perth and catching the ferry across to the new Victoria Quay.  While it is a lovely space there is still a lot of construction happening so not quite there yet.  We caught the CAT bus into the city and had a wander and some lunch before walking back to the ferry and the car.  Back at home we had a quiet night in with Anne and Paul.

The next afternoon we watched Corbyn sing in a school choir performance in Melville.  They sang three songs all together and he did very well.  We spent an hour with him and Amélie after school and then it was time to say goodbye again as we have to fly home tomorrow.  

One last night at home with Anne and Paul, then it was time to pack the next morning and head back to the airport.  We had enjoyed another week in Perth and loved seeing the kids, grandkids and our friends.  The time has flown by and we return home with great memories once again.  Thanks to everyone for your hospitality.  For those friends we missed out on seeing we'll be back and will catch up next time.

The flight home was good and before we knew it we were picking up the car and driving the two hours home arriving around 10.00pm.  The weather in Perth had been quite warm at night so arriving to less than 10 deg was a little shock to the system but we did survive as always.

We had a few days back at home and then it was time to pack the van and head off for Easter.  Are we mad you ask, no we are not joining the masses at popular holiday locations, we are off to enjoy peace and solitude at Clarkesdale Bird Sanctuary at Linton.  We drove over on Good Friday avoiding all the traffic by going cross country and arrived later in the afternoon.  

As always it was a lovely tranquil spot to spend a few days and with recent heavy rains in the area it was lush and green.  Bill was happy with the birds he saw and as usual we loved the little Robins which came to visit us.

On Sunday we drove around to Devils Kitchen to see if we could find the resident Peregrine Falcon.  It only took a few moments to find it sitting in an alcove on the cliff face.  We spent an hour or so there and Bill was happy with the pictures he took.  They really are a lovely looking bird.

On Monday another couple came in to camp for a week and they set up their tent (are they mad) in the lawn area at the front of the property.  As always Linton was very much colder than home and the nights were dropping to around 4 degs so I was very glad it was them in a tent and not us.  We stayed toasty warm with the heater on each evening.  We spent a couple of hours with them later that day and enjoyed meeting them both.  

We packed up slowly on Tuesday morning and got away just before midday.  We had a good run home and soon the van was parked and we settled down for a quiet night.  Time enough to unpack tomorrow.  It had been a lovely few days and as always we enjoyed ourselves.

Back at home it was time to do some chores.  There was a trip to Shepparton as Bill went across to see his newly framed photos displayed for sale in one of the shops there.  With some fine tuning by Dan and the framing by David the photos look fabulous and we hope that people like them enough to want to buy them.  Just four on display for the moment but hopefully more to come in the future.

A few people turned the next weekend in a long one as Anzac Day fell on Tuesday.  We drove across to Mansfield to see Shelley, Darren, Ashleigh and Kyan who were doing just that.  We had a very long lunch at The Delatite Hotel and thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon in the alfresco area.  So good to see you all again.

We have had a couple of Saturday nights at the movies firstly seeing Jasper Jones.  Filmed in the picturesque town of Pemberton WA and set in the 1960's it really was quite a confronting subject.  We did enjoy it though and loved seeing places that we recognised on the big screen.  The following week was just pure fantasy and a return to childhood as we saw Beauty and The Beast. 

Astrid and Hans crossed the ranges the next week and we enjoyed a fabulous lunch with them at Alberts here in Euroa.  We loved hearing all about their recent trip to the outback.  Birdsville, Innamincka and Cameron's Corner are all places still on our 'must go' list.  Maybe this year.

We started our time at home with a trip to the markets and finished the same way.  Violet Town market on Saturday morning was very busy with so many people making the most of a glorious day.  We picked up our shopping headed home for an afternoon in the garden.  The next morning we decided to have a look at the newly revamped Avenel market.  Still very much smaller but a great little market none the less.  The addition of a street entertainer, aka busker, made for a fun morning.

Our last week in town was all about catching up with friends, coffee with Wilma and Gordon on Sunday afternoon.  A lovely dinner with Kobe, Dan and their boys and finally coffee with Judy and Peter.  

Now it's time to pack the van and head north again, we'll keep you up to date as we go.

until next time........