Bypassing Melbourne via the B300

December 28, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Recently we were camped beside an ex Melburnian who asked how we cross town these days and if we still use Sydney Road. Which reminded me of coming home tired from long weekends only to face a stop start crawl down Sydney Road, then through the heart of the city. Thank goodness we don’t have to do that with the caravan. With tollways and freeways it’s certainly much easier now to skirt the city or go under it. I must say that we still get excited about bypassing Sydney on the M7 and it will be even better when the … Continue reading Bypassing Melbourne via the B300

Caravanning Hints8 Comments

Everyone needs a second kitchen at Chrissie

December 25, 2019December 16, 2019 Itching for Hitching

How many times have you run about like a headless chook at Christmas looking for more fridge space? There’s nothing better than a stinking hot Chrissie but where do you put the oysters, prawns, bugs and crays? The kitchen fridge is groaning with salads and nibbles and of course the cheeses. (note the pun control there) Then there’s the pavs and the puddings, berries and cherries. The solution is at hand and it’s not the fridge out the back (insert shed, deck, patio) ‘cos that’s full of bubbles and beers. It’s the caravan! A fully stocked pantry of all the … Continue reading Everyone needs a second kitchen at Chrissie

Caravanning Hints3 Comments

Step routines

December 22, 2019December 16, 2019 Itching for Hitching

At Happy Hour somewhere, we debate the odds of breaking an ankle on the step well. Now we’ve heard of people falling out of caravan doors and we’ve even seen folks hobbling into camp kitchens bruised and broken but not wanting to miss out on their red wine and steak. Woody too has gone face first, splat on the ground thanks to the seemingly sturdy chequer-plate box-step that came with our van. It might look caravan cool but it has now been relegated to the shed, replaced by a more practical step with non-slip sturdy angled legs. Our door is … Continue reading Step routines

Caravanning Hints, SA11 Comments

What, 4 degrees out?!

December 16, 2019December 12, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Mar 2018, Adelaide, SA I don’t know about you, but when we’re on a caravan park concrete slab we don’t bother to check if we’re level. We just assume that the slab is perfect and they normally are. Except one night in Adelaide camped only a few vans from the beach, when I got up to go to the bathroom and… walked into the fridge. I’m quite sure that the slab was level when it was laid but nature and the sand had other plans. Great spot though! Continue reading What, 4 degrees out?!

Caravanning Hints2 Comments

Leave your expensive swimwear at home

November 25, 2019November 23, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Be they bathers, swimmers, togs, cossies or whatever else swimwear is called in your part of Oz, there’s no point in buying flash bathing costumes for caravanning. One day you’ll be flouncing about in a nice swimming pool under swaying palms and an ornamental waterfall and the next you’ll be scrambling across muddy rocks to throw yourself under a real waterfall. Then there are ocean swims, farm dams with oozy mud and cow pats, clear mountain streams, mud between your toes in the Murray and boiling hot artesian bores. As much as I care for our bathers and rinse out … Continue reading Leave your expensive swimwear at home

Caravanning Hints10 Comments

Sick of Poor Radio Reception?

November 18, 2019November 13, 2019 Itching for Hitching

When you’re doing the long hops do you get sick of fiddling with the radio, scanning for a decent radio station with intelligent conversation? Are you done with music? Perhaps in your case the driver and navigator have entirely different … Continue reading Sick of Poor Radio Reception?

Caravanning Hints3 Comments

Sage Advice

November 15, 2019November 13, 2019 Itching for Hitching

The longer you’re away, the easier it is to stay away….Elle Prado Continue reading Sage Advice

Caravanning Hints6 Comments

Info Centres

November 14, 2019November 10, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Regardless of which team they barrack vote for the whingers are always complaining about the government of the day not doing enough for them. Has anybody noticed that in every town of a certain size there is an impressive Information Centre promoting regional tourism? Interesting buildings and it seems that no two are the same. Some grand some small. You will always find enough parking for caravans, clean toilets, maps and guides detailing the attractions in the area along with helpful staff to provide information about local tours, road conditions and things of interest. You can find thoughtful gifts for … Continue reading Info Centres

Caravanning Hints8 Comments

Willy Weather App

November 10, 2019November 5, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Beachcombing requires a sturdy pair of legs and an awareness of tides and that’s where the Willy Weather app comes in. With caravanning when you often find yourself in a different region every other day you need to keep a … Continue reading Willy Weather App

Caravanning Hints, Qld13 Comments

It’s a Grey Issue

November 6, 2019November 3, 2019 Itching for Hitching

The handling of grey water is a contentious issue for caravanners in this country. Some campgrounds don’t like people to drop their grey water because sullage hoses that aren’t moved regularly can spoil the ground. On the other hand, we’ve seen desert caravan parks that ask visitors to drop their grey water and helpfully move the sullage hoses around their lush lawns and garden beds for us. That said, it was no surprise when I received this text from friends who for privacy’s sake I’ll call Crafty Colleen and Bob the Builder. “We drove into Charleville Bush Camp and a … Continue reading It’s a Grey Issue