Author: Itching for Hitching

I'm the author of "Itchingforhitching". I'm a ukulele playing food lover, coffee drinker and traveller. I may be retired but I'm working awfully hard at enjoying every inch of Australia.
Caravanning Hints5 Comments

It’s a fickle market

Itching for Hitching

I do feel sorry for caravan manufacturers and their design teams. It seems that the public requests and they build, grand luxurious vans with full gleaming bathrooms and kitchens that have all the features that one would expect at home. Yet so many of the vanners that I talk to refuse to use their showers, favouring the park shower blocks and turning their shower cubicle into a hanging wardrobe space. The same folk also loudly declare “Oh we’ll never cook inside!” and rain hail or shine they cook outside on their Weber Baby Q’s. Perhaps a large box containing just … Continue reading It’s a fickle market

Road House, WA12 Comments

Roadhouses

Itching for Hitching

Winter 2015 We pull into the Billabong Roadhouse in WA for fuel and I’m taken aback. They’re selling healthy food and the toilets are spotless! A bloke tries to walk in with a cockie (Cockatoo) on his shoulder and is smartly refused entry for health reasons. Bring back the good old days I say when a roadhouse smelt of dirty cooking oil, all of the food was fried, the toilets were vile and one had to wipe one’s feet on the way out! Continue reading Roadhouses

Caravanning Hints8 Comments

Weights and Measures

Itching for Hitching

March 2015 There’s so much discussion about van weights and towing capacities these days. I feel that we are somewhat overloaded as we set out for Perth but what with the Jeep’s 3½ tonne towing capacity it isn’t a problem except of course for the cost of fuel. Woody has packed more shoes than Imelda Marcos. Now I know that the reason for this trip is Jordy and Megsy’s wedding in Margaret River and Woody doesn’t want to arrive looking like ‘trailer trash’, but I’m sure Megsy will be the centre of attention, not Woody’s shoes. Continue reading Weights and Measures

Caravanning Hints, NSW, Qld2 Comments

Bordering on Madness

Itching for Hitching

The New South Wales, Queensland state border is an unusual delineation. At Wallangarra the state border crosses through the railway station platform. At bustling Tweed Heads, NSW in the Summer Time you will find that you can put half of your body in a different time zone as its twin town of Coolangatta is in Queensland and doesn’t partake in Australian Eastern Summer Time, thus it remains an hour behind the rest of the eastern states for nearly half the year. Alcohol isn’t sold in supermarkets in Qld but it is in NSW, so for convenience sake you can duck … Continue reading Bordering on Madness

Caravanning Hints9 Comments

There’s No Need to Rush

Itching for Hitching

We often hear seniors talking about having travelled 500 kilometres in a day, falling into bed then doing it all again the next day and the day after. Not only do you miss out on seeing the sights but you miss the good spots at free camps and you run the risk of hitting wildlife that feeds at dusk and dawn. We call this roo time. Why not sleep in, have a lazy breakfast then enjoy your journey. When you’re retired, every day is a Saturday, right? What’s the rush? Continue reading There’s No Need to Rush

The Pubs, Vic12 Comments

Railway Hotel, Dunolly

Itching for Hitching

Spring 2016 The Railway Hotel, yes another one, in the main street of Dunolly is thankfully back in business after having been closed for a year or so. They’re advertising $1 pots until the first goal is kicked in tomorrow’s AFL Grand Final. That should bring the locals in. Back at our friend’s farm we draw the blinds and watch the Western Bulldogs beat the Sydney Swans for their second only Premiership. The first goal isn’t kicked until 12 minutes into the First Quarter and that’s a long while in fast paced Aussie Rules. I wonder how the new publican … Continue reading Railway Hotel, Dunolly