2.1 Tumut + 40th Ulysses Anniversary

Good trip down, quite warm but windy. 

Good crowd discussing the worries of the world over an evening BBQ

The Augustine Academy is made up of home schooled kids who were training in theatre production and put on Shakespeare’s “Mid Summer Night’s Dream”. There were seats still available so in we went. Free afternoon refreshments were also provided.
What a brilliant afternoon and show they produced.

Headed off to dinner with the local Ulyssians here in Tumut to celebrate Ulysses Club’s 40th anniversary.
We are now able to join ourselves.

1.5 Moruya

At the last minute we decided that it was 9 degrees warmer at the coast (and no rain).
Called the van park at Moruya south of the river and booked an ensuite site.
1 hour between booking an heading out the drive – getting better..

Slept until 10 on the Saturday morning, obviously exhausted and then again on Sunday when we should have been on the way home.

A great relaxing weekend and with lovely neighbours; will go there again.

1.4 Young


Kms @ end of this trip: 262/1662

Weather was brilliant and we took Jack & George to the Lambing Flats Chinese Tribute Gardens. Just delightful and the kids had a good run for about 2 hours.

Good Campsite but need 20c x 3 to get 20 minutes at the BBQ.
Limited drive through sites but en-suites are nice and large.

 Km

1.3 Gundagai

Kms @ end of this trip: 262/1400

3 nights – 6-8 April 2023 – 3rd trip in the van.
Decided on a quick trip away to test out the heater in a drive-through with ensuite at “Gundagai Cabins & Tourist Park” which has a weighbridge.

This is a G’Day site with a 10%discount, and we are “Mates”.
A good site with covered van parking for those using en-suites.
ALSO: Has a weighbridge to check your weights are all OK.

The rain dumped for 2 nights but the days were great for exploring.
Rather quiet weekend, walked the town on Friday with just a few shops open being Good Friday. Had lunch at the Niagara Cafe where numerous PMs have dined before. Place was upgraded a year back to what it was about a  century ago  Good food and great milkshakes.
Spent Saturday at the local museum and then the Pen Museum. Paid our $5 each and had a 2 hour personal tour. Interesting stuff and amazed that the owner really knew his museum and pens so well, quite incredible.
Came across a guy Andrew (who owns and island in the WhitSundays and was a Corporate Lawyer. His new Land Cruiser had blown up, seems the computer had mucked up and slipped into park on highway, gearbox dead. He purchased a 2 man rent as there was absolutely no accommodation anywhere in town and he needed to wait out the weekend so see where the tow truck would take his car. He was totally unconcerned.
Tried the new van heater this time; worked perfectly.
Only needed a15 minute burst to warm the van and keep our shorts on.

1.2 Wee Jasper

Kms @ end of this trip: 214/1138

This time at Billy Grace campsite we had no power and the gas failed, thinking the worst, ga  tanks had not been fully filled when purchased. Arranged to get them filled at the local shop. I did not think they felt empty but it has been a long time….
The shop advised that they were in fact, not empty, and we had cooked on the stove at Merimbula back in November. Turns out that this has the new gas tank fitting which is not a left hand thread. The hose somehow seems to have come loose and not opening the jaws enough so therefore… no gas.
Had a nice weekend and finished up at the new distillery and testing a bottle of gin.
Nice site, short walk to facilities or a short drive later at night for a shower.

1.1 Merimbula

Kms @ end of this trip: 522/888

 Andrew & Claire’s 13th wedding anniversary.

We went down Friday afternoon but did not tell Andrwe & Claire.  After going for a test drive up Black Mountain with Andrew and then saying I was not sure I was good to drive down the Brown as a 1st exercise, Andrew decided we would not join them as he felt that Jen was uncomfortable with me driving there on the 1st run.  He believed that as I could do Balck Mountain then Brown Mountain would be no problem.
By Friday afternoon, we were on our way and the drive was uneventful.
Andrew, Claire and girls arrived Saturday and the girls noticed a van like ours with a plastic bag covering the front like ours, and there we were.
They left Monday and we left Tuesday.
Good weekend: connected to power but turned the main light switch on rather than the master switch and could not understand why we had no hot water etc.  good lesson and I guess many more to come..

0.Heatherbrae: 13-Oct-22: Pickup

Kms @ end of this trip: 366/366

Jen unwell so did not travel to collect. Andrew finished 12 hour shify and drove me up.
I was rather unwell by the time we got to Goulburn and then again at Newcastle.
Did not remember whether there was a proper handover but we are nw learning.

Top right right did not work by he time we got back to Canberra and probably did not before that. It is now working again???

Drove from Heatherbrae through to Canberra. A good run for 1st try.