Departing Canberra Monday 28 Feb 2011

Departed Canberra this morning after spending the weekend catching up with family.  We have been here quite a few times and so this visit did not visit the many tourist attractions Canberra has to offer.  We did however have coffee at the Telstra Tower on Black Mountain and enjoyed the 360 degree view of the capital.  The hills were hazy however, with a clear sky the view was still breathtaking.  We could see where the pine forests had burnt during the bush fires a few years ago and there is now a system of re-planting going on.  Our son informed us that they are now planting fire retardant trees instead of more pines.

Driving south along the Monaro Highway we passed through Cooma and Bombala.  These towns are on the edge of the great high country of our alps.  We took the time to stock up the cupboard at the Woolies supermarket in Cooma before heading off and more climbing of hills.  The highway was busy with motorbikes coming towards us from the racing held at Phillip Island on the weekend. 

Leaving Cooma we drove through rolling hills that were covered in grass but there were no trees.  These are the Monaro treeless plains and were quite a contrast to the heavy forests to come.

After Bombala we drive through state forest (Bondi State Forest if you please).  It seemed a strange name for a forest down here close to the Victorian border.  Beautiful tall pine trees either side of the road finally gave way to Australian bush.  Tall trees and thick scrub with numerous creek and river crossings passed us by as we were able to breathe in the bush smells that came our way.

Herds of dairy cattle were quietly grazing on lush green grass fields.  Maybe they were irrigated from the river close by or maybe it was simply the type of grass growing in all the fields.  Later in the day we saw the cows waiting patiently at the various dairies for their turn to be milked.

Crossing into Victoria we headed down the mountain towards Cann River which linked us to the Princes Highway.  Topping up with gas we turn right and start heading towards Melbourne.  We decided to stop and free camp at Newmeralla Rest Area just west of Orbost.   We have a grassy site with frogs croaking in the pond behind us and toilets just along the path.  What more could we ask for?

The Journey Begins

As we have now left our family in Branxton after a great 10 days with them thought it best I start this trip’s story.  We were able to celebrate our granddaughter Lily’s 4^th birthday with her so these past 10 days have been special, as any grandparent would know.  She has also started Pre-school and it was fun to walk to school with her and then of course all those special paintings that were done.  What a delight it was to be able to share this exciting new adventure with her.

The trip had started with fine weather (no chocolates or roses though) and we decided that we would travel south down the New England Highway this trip.  Out along the Cunningham Highway towards Warwick and wow were there some landslides on view as we climbed through the range.  These were the result from the recent heavy rains that flooded the S E area of Qld.  Huge boulders had been moved off the road and the usual 4 lanes were down to 2 at some places.  The call of bellbirds always rings out as you drive through that way and it is always a pleasant sound.  They bring back memories of that poem from school called ‘Bellbirds’.  Can’t recall who wrote it but some of the lines are still there in those grey cells of mine.

The day stayed quite warm until just before Stanthorpe when the light drizzle started and there was a definite cooling in the air.  We bought some fresh fruit from a roadside stall, the apples not long off the tree so good eating ahead. 

We decided to stay the night at Uralla just below Armidale and checked in just around 6pm.  Daylight saving certainly gave us plenty of light to set up by however the showers were continuing and there was a definite chill in the air.  Decision made to rug up tonight.  Bit of a change after sleeping on top of the sheets at home and now we were snuggling under blankets and had winter ‘jamas on.  Oh well that is the difference between the coast to the top of the tablelands.

Showers had cleared next morning and by mid-morning when we stopped for a cuppa at Wallabadah the jumpers had come off and the shorts were back on.  We have stopped here a few times as there is a memorial park to the First Fleet.  Each ship is listed along with all those on board including the convicts and details of the length of their sentence.  For anyone interested in our first white settlers it is a history lesson worth strolling around.

The countryside looked lush and green as we drove the highway and the cattle were in good condition.  The horses of course down around Scone were a delight to see.  Paddock after paddock of ‘promising’ racing stock can be admired at Emirates Park as you drive along the highway.

Finally passed through Singleton and into Branxton where our daughter lives.  We explored some of the countryside around Maitland and Newcastle during our time there and did an almost a complete circuit of Lake Macquarie on one of our days out.  Of course we had to visit Morpeth just east of Maitland in order to visit Miss Lily’s Lollies to stock up on our much loved ‘humbugs’.   They are different to all others we have bought so great excuse to revisit this historic town again.  Love to wander the main street and see the buildings dating back to the early 1800’s.  This is also the home of the original Arnott’s bakery where the Arnott brothers started what has become an Australian biscuit icon.  Unfortunately it is now owned by the USA but there is still a bakery in the building in Morpeth.

Saying good bye to Branxton we hit the highway again and drive down to our nation’s capital Canberra where our youngest son Mark lives.  This will be our last visit to family for quite some time I would think as when we leave here we are finally off on our ‘journey’.

packing up has started

spent the day today going through the kitchen cupboards sorting out what was staying and what was going.  Daryl is coming to stay here and he sure won't need the cake making ingredients but I will, so lots of restoring in smaller plastic containers etc.  All under control now so mainly just the clothes to go.  Now to plan for all 4 seasons!!

Journey 2011

Departure date is set for Feb 14th (Valentines' Day) so does that mean I get roses and chocolate to pack into the van?  The weekend before is scheduled for packing and checking (or should that be the other way around?)
Hopefully you will enjoy following our travels as we journey throughout this great country of ours.  We should be visiting all states and territories this trip and the return date is open ended.