One of the problems of doing such a lot outwith the framework of a working week is that it is so easy to lose track of what day of the week it is! I think it was on Saturday that we bought a substantial amount of camping equipment - in addition to the tents, beds and cooker we now have a host of assorted camping paraphernalia to make life easier on our trip around Australia.
Key issues remaining to be resolved include exact details of toileting arrangements. Previous trips have seen us disappearing behind a convenient bush with a spade and a roll of toilet paper - unfortunately the ground tends to be very hard and much effort is required to dig a big enough hole. In consideration of the fact we have invited some of you more delicate readers to join us, people who may blanch at the thought of squatting over a hand dug hole (you know who you are!) we will be investing in more sophisticated facilities.
We also need to decide on our camping power source - do we go for a petrol generator - more noisy and frowned upon by the eco-police; or perhaps a solar panel - quiet and more eco-friendly.
Sunday saw us travelling north to Kilcare near Woy Woy (Spike Milligan fans will know all about Woy Woy) to meet Alan and Sue, friends of Johann who last year had done a similar trip to the one we are planning. Although only lasting about three months, they faced many of the challenges Sandra and I will face. When they were on the road they kept up an e-mail blog which we followed avidly (or at least I did) Unfortunately it chronicled a series of disasters - smashed wheels, lousy campsites, cafes with poor coffee etc. 
Sue and Alan live in a elevated house with wonderful views over the sea and coast and they provided us with a fabulous meal. Alan spent a lot of time converting me from a generators to solar panels and was a mine of useful information. I was particularly grateful when, after examining my Nissan Patrol and almost disappearing into the engine compartment, he announced it was in almost new condition and had never been used off-road or through water - a good buy.Monday saw us meeting up with an old friend (Johann's ex-husband) who is a professor of something mathematical at Wollongong University south of Sydney. We met for lunch at the Scarborough Hotel - it is built on a cliff overlooking beaches and rocky foreshores. We sat out side and the views were stunning - as was the food - barramundi and chips!
On the way back to Sydney a significant milestone was achieved - Sandra took the wheel of the Nissan Patrol for the first time. Despite the size and weight of the v
ehicle and the unfamiliar roads she coped admirably - as expected - and we arrived back home with no upsets, she even managed to park it! I must admit however the navigation issues we would normally have expected were largely overcome by the SatNav - an essential gizmo for getting round a city sixteen time larger than Edinburgh.
ehicle and the unfamiliar roads she coped admirably - as expected - and we arrived back home with no upsets, she even managed to park it! I must admit however the navigation issues we would normally have expected were largely overcome by the SatNav - an essential gizmo for getting round a city sixteen time larger than Edinburgh. We also stopped at Bulli Lookouts which gave an incredible view of the area. A viewing platform erected by the local Rotary club took you out over a very long drop - best avoided if suffering from vertigo.
As I type Sandra is putting her practical skills to use - rather than buy bedding she is sitting in front of a sewing machine running up colour co-ordinated pillow cases, sheets and mattress covers - is there no end to her talent!?
Hi Sandra and James
ReplyDeletehope you are both well and enjoying yourselves.
still following your blog every couple of days and enjoying reading about the adventures.
a million miles away from the working day. wish i was there.
so glad to see you happy Sandra.
Neil