Wrap-up

We had a great seven weeks away.  The weather was very variable, with some really hot days, some really cold days, and some really “just nice” days.  We expected it to be really warm and had not really packed for the cold than usual weather, so will learn from that.  We have also learned that there are certain places than one should not visit in the height of backpacker or school holiday season, eg. The GOR. 

It is really good to travel with other couples as everyone has different tastes in what to see and do, and it therefore broadens your horizons.  We are both fairly keen to upgrade the van a bit, such as adding a washing machine, convert the queen bed into two singles, and maybe a foot longer.  However, we are not in any hurry to do it.  We are both looking forward to our next trip, wherever and whenever it is.

Day 51: Wed 22 Feb - Dalby to Hippo Farm, 320km

Start time: 6:50am; arrived: 11:30am

Neither of us slept well so Greg was up at 5:30am, with Wendy following not long after. We were on the road early than usual, first stop was for fuel about 500m from the van park.  We were hoping to stop at Kilkivan for a coffee and cake at the German Coffee Shop, but it was closed!  Greg really wanted a coffee, but Wendy was not fussed.  We stopped in Woolooga and Greg got his coffee which he said was not very nice but he drank it anyway. 

After arriving home, Wendy made lunch in the van and we had it inside the house.  We both had short snoozes and then got stuck into cleaning the house (lots of dead insects and dust) and unpacking the van.  

A very dry and crispy yard

Our babies joined us in having a 'welcome home' drink

Day 50: Tue 21 Feb - Coonabarabran to Dalby, 555km

Cool again - 6 degC, to warm
Start time: 8:40am (NSW); arrived: 4:05pm (QLD)
Walk: 4.5km

After a short walk in the very cool morning, we had breakfast, packed up and left Coonabarabran. First stop was for mornos in a park overlooking the Namoi River in Narrabri. We stopped again in Moree to feed the truck. Lunch was in Goondiwindi at the Lions Park which was not a very salubrious stop, but it had a loo and an undercover eating area complete with free electric BBQ.

We were going to stop at Moonie for the night and have another wonderful meal at the Moonie Pub, but it was only 2:30pm QLD time (3:30pm NSW time) so we decided to keep moving on to Dalby. We stopped in Dalby at the Dalby Tourist Park and got a drive through site on bitumen and we didn't have to unhitch. As it was only 4pm after we had arrived and set up, we went for a wander through the streets of the sprawling metropolis of Dalby. We were also looking for a place to eat out and we found one about 250m from the caravan park - the Criterion (Google gave it 5* so we thought we best eat there). We went back to the van and whilst Greg read his book, Wendy did some tech admin. 

We did have dinner at the Criterion and the food was good and fast. However, the atmosphere/ambience was ruined somewhat by bad acoustics, wooden furniture on tiles and a rather loud group who kind of took over the whole area. Anyway, we ate our dinner and went back to the van for a post dinner drink, which was much more peaceful. We witnessed a beautiful sunset on our way home which means there should be fine weather tomorrow.

Whilst we had our post dinner drinks, Wendy did the blog and Greg searched for a new racing bike, again. It was then time for bed a little earlier now that we are back in QLD, however, we expect this to change once we've been home for a while.

Mornos stop next to the Namoi River at Narrabri

Dalby Tourist Park

Sunset at Dalby

Day 49: Mon 20 Feb - Weetangera to Coonabarabran, 555km

Cool but pleasant
Start time: 8:55am; arrived: 5:35pm

After waking up to a very cool morning, we had breakfast and prepared the van to leave. We left just as Suz was ready to take the kids to school. It was a slow drive out of Canberra on the road to Yass and our first stop was for mornos at Boorowa and we had it in the van. We were adjacent the Info Centre and had we not been on a mission to get home, we would have stopped for a while and had a look around, as it looked like an interesting place.

It was onwards and northwards to Molong for lunch, again in the van. Greg had a little snooze so that he could drive a little longer.

We got to Coonabarabran just before 6pm and figured it to be a good place to stop for the night. We checked into the John Oxley Caravan Park for $28 for power and water. Whilst Wendy started on dinner straight away, Greg went for a short walk to stretch his legs.

We were in bed not long after dinner as it was a long day in the car.

John Oxley Caravan Park

Day 48: Sun 19 Feb - Weetangera

Clear and pleasant
Cycle: 62km

Greg was up early to have breakfast and then ride to Belconnen to meet Bob Barb for a ride. Wendy was a little slower in arising, but eventually got put of bed about 8:30am. She did some clothes washing then cleaned the van and the truck - swept and vacuumed. It was then time for mornos for Wendy and some reading. Greg came home about 12:30pm and his usual salad lunch was waiting for him! He then had a snooze whilst Wendy read a few magazines.

Kev (and Ben) rang to ask when Uncle Greg was coming over to ride with Ben. We left an hour later and Greg and Ben had a great time on the reserve above Kev's house. A little more than 6km later they were home with Ben looking a little worse for wear but he thoroughly enjoyed the ride with his uncle Greg. After a cuppa with Kev and a well thought out invitation to dinner from Ben, we left and refuelled the truck for our departure in the morning. Ben hates goodbyes and Wendy could tell he was a little emotional so we left quickly. 

After arriving back at our 'free camp' we ordered our dinner - Chinese takeaways; it was our shout to say 'thanks for having us'. The kids were a little dubious to start with but after tasting it they hooked right in. After putting the kids to bed and cleaning up, the adults sat and chatted over a few glasses of wine. After the late night last night and the big day today, we were all a bit piqued and a relatively early night was had by all.

Lake Ginnindera Drive

Ben and Greg on their ride

After their ride

Day 47: Sat 18 Feb - Weetangera

Rainy and overcast all day
Walk: 5km

After breakfast Greg went with Dale to pick up yard supplies and his bike from having its first service whilst Wendy went for a walk. As it was not very nice weather, we didn't do a lot; Greg helped Dale dig holes for the shade cloth poles and then helped him put it up, temporarily, and Wendy played on the computer.

The other Beswicks came over for dinner, so Wendy helped Suz prepare salads, potato bakes etc. Dale cooked a lovely pork roast in his Webber and we had a fantastic evening over dinner with a few glasses of wine.

henry, James, Joanna, Jemima, Carla, Ben

Day 46: Fri 17 Feb - Weetangera

Cool in the morning to quite warm in the afternoon
Cycle: 49km

We left at 8:30am after breakfast to ride around Lake Burley Griffin to Manuka for mornos at Maccas. We continued all the way around the lake to the cycle path to Fyshwick, back via Duntroon and Russell.  It was a good ride but a bit warm for the last 10km or so.

After lunch Greg went to the caravan place in Fyshwick for new tow bar insert and Anderson plug and came home with neither.  He also looked at bike shops for a new racing bike (didn’t get one of those either, no stock!). Wendy stayed home and sorted photos, and picked the girls up from school while Suz took Henry to hospital to have his cast changed.

We had dinner at Jasmine House in Gungahlin with Phil & Sandy and then back to their place for coffee. When we got home, D&S were still up so we had another wine with them before bed.

Lake Burley Griffin

National Carillon, High Court of Australia, Old & New Parliament Houses, Questacon, National Library of Australia, Commonwealth Avenue bridge, Commonwealth park

High Court, Parliament Houses, Questacon & Natioanl Library

Beijing Garden

Capatin Cook Memorial Jet

Looking under Queen Elizabeth Terrace to Reconciliation Place and Old Parliament House

Mauka waterside living

Mauka cycle paths

National Carillon

Dinner with Phil and Sandy in Canberra