Month: January 2016

The Characters You Meet, Vic7 Comments

Homeless or Rich Beyond Belief?

Itching for Hitching

This post was inspired by a post that I read by author and blogger Jan Hawkins https://janhawkinsau.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/oldies-at-large-the-friends-you-make/ We were recently camped lazily beside a river in Victoria. The corellas chattered and called in the gum trees and sometimes a water fowl would hoot. Four owls slept in the tree above. There was little else to do but enjoy the summer warmth beside the river. Camped nearby was a gentleman who had decided to change his life on retirement. He left his boarding house as it was depressing him and purchased a good sound tent, a kayak and some fishing gear. … Continue reading Homeless or Rich Beyond Belief?

Places, Point of Interest, WA11 Comments

Salmon Holes, Torndirrup National Park, Albany

Itching for Hitching

We are intrigued by a place on the map called Salmon Holes. We discover that the steep, wet and slippery granite rocks are covered in fishermen and they are hauling in large salmon. The salmon apparently take refuge in the calm waters of this spot. They maybe calm waters for the salmon but they threaten the fishermen with every wave and over the course of the next few months of our travels through WA three fishermen are drowned at this place. Continue reading Salmon Holes, Torndirrup National Park, Albany

Why Caravanning16 Comments

Caravanning is Like Sex

Itching for Hitching

Yep, you read that correctly, caravanning is like sex! You just cannot get enough of it. There’s the build up, counting down the days until you can sneak away. The preparation, packing the van and each time you open the door to put food on board or a few clothes, the smell of the van heightens your senses and sets you to longing, only a few more days, only a few more days. Then you start baking for it, luscious casseroles and heart warming pastas go into the freezer for those cold inland nights. And the warm sweet smell of … Continue reading Caravanning is Like Sex

Why Caravanning12 Comments

Powerful Suggestion

Itching for Hitching

If there is one piece of advice that I wish that someone had given me five years before I retired it would have to be: Retirement is not about how much wealth you have, but how much time you have before your health fails you. All the money in the world won’t bring back your health and fitness. I recently read somewhere that we fret about financial planning but don’t give any consideration at all to time planning. I guess we all just hope that we’ll live to the magical one hundred years, probably toothless and sucking on egg sandwiches. … Continue reading Powerful Suggestion

Places, Qld6 Comments

Winton in the dry season 2014

Itching for Hitching

Winton in Western Queensland has a population of about 1000 people. The main street has replica heritage street lamps and a centre strip of lawns and trees, even a water feature depicting the original town site of Pelican Waterhole. The town is busy and colourful which gives it a good feel. From what we see it appears that the people of this town aren’t afraid to have a go. This is the birthplace of Qantas. The grandest hotel in town is the North Gregory Hotel. After having been demolished and rebuilt with a second storey, it twice was burnt to … Continue reading Winton in the dry season 2014

Caravanning Hints3 Comments

Packing a Caravan

Itching for Hitching

When Packing a caravan, the heaviest items should always travel down low and preferably over the wheels. This explains why our wine cellar is located underneath one of the cafe seats and the other cafe seat holds the espresso machine. Pots and pans are on the opposite side below the stove and sink. Food – As well as overhead cupboards we have a small slide out pantry under the sink for the heavy food items, bottles and cans, but being foodies, I’m yet to find one of these that actually works well. My way around this is to use the … Continue reading Packing a Caravan

Hobbies, VicLeave a comment

Genealogy on the Road

Itching for Hitching

This post has been inspired by a story that I read that was written by a gentleman by the name of Leland who writes a blog called My Mixed Blog https://lghoelson.wordpress.com. Leland’s particular story that inspired me was ‘Family Dinner Out’ in which a long departed Great Grandfather appears at a family dinner. I too wonder what my ancestors would think of how we lead our lives today. Ancestors who arrived in this country with little more than the clothes on their backs and walked hundreds of miles to the goldfields in search of gold, just enough gold to ensure … Continue reading Genealogy on the Road

NSW, Showgrounds2 Comments

Beautiful Bellingen

Itching for Hitching

The Bellingen, NSW showgrounds are quite grassy and in need of a good mow when we call in (2013) but there are clean amenities, toilets and showers, power and water. It is a lovely spot and the rainforest is right behind us. The town is only a short walk away across the causeway and there are a couple of other vans around us. The warm afternoon sun is too good to waste so we settle back with a wine and a book. As the evening draws in our neighbour begins to strum his guitar and he is certainly quite proficient, … Continue reading Beautiful Bellingen

Well Bugger Me!8 Comments

The Big Lap

Itching for Hitching

Australians and New Zealanders it seems, have an inbuilt wish to do at least one ‘Big Lap’ of Oz. It’s almost as if one can’t meet one’s maker without having first done the ‘Big Lap’. Not that long ago we found ourselves only a day away from home and enjoying lunch in the Gift Hotel in Stawell, Vic. It’s located right opposite the sports ground that hosts the famous Stawell Gift foot race. I was on crutches due to a recent stumble (a different kind of trip but more on that in another post) and we were enjoying an excellent … Continue reading The Big Lap

Events, Vic1 Comment

Girgarre Moosic Muster

Itching for Hitching

The tiny town of Girgarre in Victoria is situated in an area known for its dairying. Many years ago its Girgarre Butter was a household name in Victoria. But times change and ten years ago Victorian primary industry was crippled by the worst drought in living memory. The residents of Girgarre gathered together to brainstorm a solution to save their town from ruin. Someone suggested a Farmer’s Market and music was also suggested. The market went ahead and some musicians came to perform on hay bales in the park. Turning the clock forward, last weekend 1500 people converged on Girgarre. … Continue reading Girgarre Moosic Muster