Back to where it started from. I am now back in Mt Gambier for a few weeks, my Mum is not well and I will settle things with her and have her comfortable again, before I head off in three or so weeks. I have a job to do over Christmas in Victoria, and will head off again then. It has been a very quick trip across the country to make it home after a call from relatives advising me that my Mum was becoming distressed and needed some extra support. It was a tiring trip, driving 6-8 hours a day, and it has taken a toll on my body. Did not realise how much until this morning actually, when I woke up and my whole body is aching, after sleeping for 9 hours straight. Still all good now and once the kinks are ironed out, I will feel like a new person again. I was at a little place called Red Rock when the call came. This spot is about 25ks south of Grafton, turning off the highway and heading towards the sea. What a beaut spot. There is nothing there really, just a little fishing village, with beautiful scenery. I met up with a couple that I had met earlier in the year. Di and Ray are the most beautiful people and are so much fun. Laughter is definitely the order of the day when around them. So setting up, it was time for a coffee, made by the barista extraordinaire Ray, and settle in for a good catch up. A great afternoon, and then wonderful dinner supplied once again by Di and Ray. I am truly blessed to have met some of the most beautiful, genuine people since being on the road. The next day we all piled into the Rays car and off we went exploring the area around Red Rock. We had heard that Wooli and Minnie Waters were both lovely little spots, so off we went. The drive to these places was great, however once there we were really disappointed. Minnie Waters, is very much a little holiday fishing village, scenery fantastic, and I am sure if you are a fisherman then the appeal would certainly be there. We did discover some great camping spots in the NP, and they are added to the list of places to re-visit. Beautiful camping spots that are large and flat, with the best beach just over the tiny sand hill. Then back to Wooli, hmmm, well after all the hype that we had been told about this little town, we have decided that we were looking at this place through different eyes. My version of this town is as follows, it is a crowded little old fishing village, that is entirely setup for people who love fishing and do not need much to have their holiday work for them. We stopped at a little cafe for lunch, hmmm, once again I think that the people that run this little establishment really need a good dose of happy pills. The food was really quite good after it was literally thrown at us at the table and then once finished snatched away without any kind of acknowledgment. So leaving there we decided that maybe there was another Wooli, or we were looking for something different, to where we lay our heads. All in all it was a grand day and we discovered some of the most beautiful coastline and bush scenery there is to have in this wonderful country of ours. We all commented on how lucky we are in this country and the lack of appreciation of its beauty and freedom. We are able to traverse its roads, hi-ways, bi ways and be safe and know that 99% of the time we will only meet friendly people that would do us no harm. Maybe some of the suits in the cities need to go out those city limits and know the country before they start whinging and whining about everything this country supposedly does not have. My lecture now over. During the afternoon I had a call from home to say that I was needed home as my Mum is not well. She is in need of some extra support at this time so best if I came home for a little while. So it was a busy time packing things up and getting organised for the trip south. I left early Thursday morning, and headed down the highway. It was strange this time passing all the big green signs showing the way to places that I had had on my list to visit on my way south this time. Still they will be for a later date. I did not know where I would make it to, so just kept driving, and pulling over in a rest stop for a cuppa and rest later in the afternoon. I was making a cuppa when there was a knock on the door and a gentleman introduced himself. He was the president of the CMCA, in NSW, and was on his way to a rally. After chatting for a bit he suggested an overnight stop at a little place called, I am not sure now, it is behind a bowling club, $10pn, fully self contained camping only. It is on the road to Williamtown. Good spot to camp up for the night, only thing was I really looking forward to a counter meal at the club only to be advised they only opened the kitchen on a Friday and Saturday night. Still all good, met some lovely people there and the sunset was great and all ready for another early departure the next morning. I had planned on driving to Albury the next day so headed off bright and early ready to do battle with getting myself through and around Sydney. My darn GPS ended up taking me through the darn peak hour traffic in Sydney. I have no idea where I turned off, but ended up coming back onto the M3 and the Hume Highway at some point. All good, so I can now safely say that I have driven through Sydney in Peak hour traffic without incident. I guess in a way it was the best time to do it as I stayed in the RH lane and nobody could go anywhere anyway so all was good. After that it was easy driving down the highway. I managed to drive as far as Gundagai and that was it. I was so tired that it was time to stop. I booked into the River Caravan Park. What a beaut little park this was. Right along side the river, lots of green grass, and lovely owners. The day was as hot as all get out and to be parked up under the most massive Oak trees with all afternoon shade was a blessing. I will certainly be back to extend a stay there, it was a lovely spot. Saturday seen me on another very early morning departure, with the aim of arriving at Greens Lake in Victoria by lunchtime. There were a group of people there that I wanted to catch up with and one special man celebrating his 78th birthday, so MD was pointed in that direction. The road seemed to be getting longer the closer I got to being there. I stopped in Benalla and bought a few supplies and stretched the legs a little. I had the funniest experience there though. I walked into a clothing store that some really nice long sleeved summer type tops, the sort that are great for the days when it is not cold enough for a jumper but cool enough to have the arms covered. A very nice store and I have to admit I probably did not look like the most elegant person on the street, however the Truuuddde and Pruuudde behind the counter turned their backs to me and became involved in the deepest conversation, obviously of national importance, while I wandered around the store. I started to laugh to myself. It reminded me of the scene from Pretty Woman, big mistake ladies. Just reminder to all store owners, you just never know who it is coming through your doors, had you been nice to me, I might have even bought from your store. Obviously they are making enough that they do not have to be nice. The people on the street of Benalla were very nice though, with like most country people smiling and saying hello as they passed. So back on the road heading to the Mecca of all GNs. They were waiting for me to bring the bread and rolls for lunch so had a call from Jules to find out where I was, as they were ready to eat. Poor hungry souls. Arriving at Greens was wonderful. Greeted by beautiful people, set up and lunch was served and a very welcome beer. What a great afternoon it was, people laughing, talking, telling tall stories, sharing their adventures, hanging out and having a grand time. I was ordered to an afternoon sleep, which I took and died for an hour or so until some little twerp started their motorbike. These are banned from this area however it does not stop them from bringing them out. Some parents cant read do poor little mites that ride them know no different. The afternoon turned into a great night around the camp fire, playing a card game, that caused much laughter. Enjoying the company of great people, not wanting it all to end. Still the bed was calling again and I had almost decided to stay another day to rest up and with that thought on my mind I went off to the land of nod. I was so tired that I slept all night through rain that came down all night. I was also reminded of a small leak I have in my back window, so woke to a very wet bed. I decided that I would move on and try to make it back to Mt Gambier so I could get everything dried out and cleaned up. Another long day ahead. I arrived in the Mount late in the afternoon, set up, had MD looking like a chinese laundry and headed to a motel for the night. It was wonderful to have a long hot shower, jump into bed and settle in for the night. I slept like a log, ready for the next few weeks ahead. So my time in the Mount has started, catching up with my Mum, sorting things out for her, catching up with family and friends, and maybe in there I will get some relaxation time also. Might even play tourist a little bit also.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 20:27:52 +0000
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