Once we slip out from under the covers and head outside we find that very clear night has delivered a big frost this morning.
Apparently the temp got down to minus 2 Degrees - without a doubt the coldest morning of our entire trip!!!!
A nice finale for us wouldn't you say on our last day!!
I had to scratch these names in with my finger nail - damm my hand was cold after that!!
We aimed to be out of here by 8.30am - but we got caught up talking with one camper and then another - a guy that had been pretty chatty with us yesterday afternoon. But all good we exchanged talk on lots of good places to visit and really we were not in a rush to be on our way!!
I think we pulled out of Tenterfield by 9.30am and then did not stop until Warwick - for an early lunch!!
We made good time on the final leg of the journey home - arriving at about 1pm and set about the unpacking.
And now --- OUR JOURNEY for 2016 IN A NUTSHELL!!!!
* We left home early on the morning of Friday 8th July this year and drove throughout the day to get to Walgett that afternoon to meet up with relatives and friends for a weekend of cards, campfires, fun and camping out. These few days were a great start to our holiday!!!
* We were then on our own heading down the Darling River Run to Wentworth on the border.
* Our plan to spend quite a bit of time along and in areas around the Murray River were thwarted by the cold fronts that keep moving accross Victoria & Souther NSW - bringing with them rain and high winds that were very strong and gusty at times.
* We made our way to Echuca and enjoyed the history of this town
* Then it was - ---- " lets get the hell out and just head north"
* So North East we went through Hay, Forbes and Parkes to Dubbo.
Why Dubbo!! -- well Moores had never been to Western Plains Zoo and along the way she also got to see "The Dish" at Parkes.
* We then discovered Gulargambone -- now called "GulargamHOME" - because the caravan park owners there are just so welcoming!!!
* Completing a circle we arrived back in Walgett - for another few days with Cindy and Russ. Always fun spending time with these guys!!
* Next we backtracked to Bourke - then onto "Comeroo" bore head campsite - and then meandered our way home - finding some lovely little villages with great free camps along the way.
* Tenterfield was our last stop - and here we had our coldest morning - with -2degrees and a nice big frost to see us off home.
HIGHLIGHTS!!!!!!!
* No flat tyres - that's always a bonus!!!!
* Gulargambone Caravan Park -- best value and friendliest caravan park we have ever stayed in!!
* Mungo NP - I have always wanted to visit this NP with its unusual landscapes.
* Trilby Sheep Station - so welcoming and friendly and just a great place to camp on the Darling River
* Yelarbon Recreariorn Grounds - best cheap camp - really sets the bar pretty high!,
* Mays Bend (Bourke) - best basic/primitive free camp
* Wallam Creek, Bollon --- best free camp with facilities (we made a donation to the honesty box and spent money in the town)
* Sandy Point, Hay - equal best free camp with facilities (no donation box - but we spent money in this town)
* Best surprise packet of the trip!! - the lovely friendly town of Hay that was not on our planned itinerary. Great free camp, friendly town, free bikes, free showers at the information centre and great museums.
* Best hot artesian bath - was at "Comeroo" station - in the spa bath camping at the old bore head
* Fun night camping at Mt Oxley with McElhones and Galluccis. Thanks guys for a fun day and night in an awesome location.
* No house works for 6 weeks
* A step back in time on the authentic/ historic Paddlesteamer down the Murray at Echuca.
* All the wonderful and helpful friendly campers you meet along the journey - as always!! thanx for all the comraderie!!
* 6 satellites in one night at Comeroo Station
* Did I mention no housework!!!
* All the beautiful sunrises, sunsets and wonderfully clear starry starry nights!!
* meeting the gorgeous little orphan lambs (Rio and Holey) at Helens property in Bourke.
* a chance meeting with old friends (from Bathurst) at Dubbo Caravan Park - it's such a small world really.
* Most recommended spot we must visit on our next trip -- "Lara Wetlands" (just S of Barcaldine)
LOWLIGHTS!!!!!!!!
* the weather this winter -- All travellers we met no matter where they had been had struck rain this winter. BUT -- it was great for the farmers to get all that rain!!! - and we wish them all the best for a bumper year!!!
* finding the water was not flowing all the way down the Darling River Run - at Pooncarrie it was just puddles. What have we done to this grand old river??? Although it seems it's flow in early European years when the paddlesteamers plied their trade was extremely variable.
* Being a "tick-magnet"!!
* Being charged for a powered site - when we did not use power and the caravan park said it was too dangerous with the high winds expected for us to be on the riverbank under the trees where the unpowered sites were located. It was late in the day and they had lots of powered sites so they would not be losing out. They get the "gong" for meanest campground we have ever stayed in.
We are glad to be home with our families and greatful for a safe journey.
I saw this recently - and just loved it!!
---- "Enjoy the healthy years!!!! -- Your coffin is the only place you can't take your TVan and the hearse doesn't have a towbar!" ---
curtis@mail.postmanllc.net
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