Changes in attitude, changes in latitude

February 11, 2019February 1, 2019 Itching for Hitching

Winter 2018 It’s easy to travel from cold to warmth, happily stripping down from jeans and jumpers to shorts and tee shirts, but after mooching about the tropics for nigh on three months we wonder how we’ll acclimatise to August the coldest month of winter in Melbourne. But nature has its way when it’s time to go as not only do we count down (or is it up?) the latitudes but there are ranges to cross, higher altitudes, lower altitudes and inland regions with cold freezing nights and delightfully warm days. We cross from latitude 16˚S to latitude 37˚S, through … Continue reading Changes in attitude, changes in latitude

Caravanning Hints, Weather4 Comments

Being fire aware

February 9, 2019January 29, 2019 Itching for Hitching

In a country with a myriad of climate zones planning to avoid the worst of the weather can be difficult. When we travel we try to avoid the coldest weather but sometimes that can be difficult when on our way home south through New South Wales and Victoria to Melbourne in late winter or early spring. The thought of bushfires sends shivers down my spine. Last September while we were complaining of the icy temperatures that we were experiencing in Gippsland, friends were racing home to avoid bushfires on the NSW south coast, not all that far away from us. … Continue reading Being fire aware

Vic, Weather2 Comments

Before the snow

January 24, 2019January 21, 2019 Itching for Hitching

May 2013, Mt Baw Baw, Vic An icy autumn morning in Victoria’s high country. Continue reading Before the snow

Vic, Weather4 Comments

Mud

November 23, 2018November 22, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Branches reflected in puddles. Mud glorious mud and Summer’s only a week away. Continue reading Mud

Qld, Showgrounds, Weather2 Comments

It’d freeze the walls off a bark humpy

September 24, 2018September 19, 2018 Itching for Hitching

May 2018, heading north We rock along the Kidman Way north of Bourke listening to ‘Macca on a Sunday’ on ABC radio and singing along to ‘The monkey sings soprano round Stanthorpe in July’. Now there’s a meaningful song title … Continue reading It’d freeze the walls off a bark humpy

Weather15 Comments

Of Droughts and Flooding Rains

August 19, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Eastern Australia is currently in the grip of a crippling drought. All of New South Wales has been declared as drought stricken and much of Queensland. This year as we trekked northwards the roadkill on the highways was the worst … Continue reading Of Droughts and Flooding Rains

Weather, Wildlife3 Comments

On KEG Watch

July 26, 2018July 24, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Autumn 2018 This year western New South Wales is in the grip of a record drought. Cobar to Bourke According to our mate El Prado as we drive north up the Kidman Way, we’re on KEG watch, Kangaroos, Emus and … Continue reading On KEG Watch

Weather4 Comments

First signs of Autumn

June 14, 2018June 10, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Golden tinges on a weeping willow on the Lachlan River at Billabourie, NSW Continue reading First signs of Autumn

SA, Weather10 Comments

Managing Wind

May 22, 2018May 10, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Eyre Peninsula, March 2018 The wind is becoming stronger and everything is coated in a layer of dust. As soon as I wipe the benches they are gritty again. I give up. Cooking dinner outside has become a joke but the wind doesn’t seem to deter the flies. At least the washing dries within minutes. We spend another day in the van avoiding the heat and wind and locking down everything that rattles in the wind, roof hatches are jammed down extra tight and the door (opening into the wind) threatens to blow off its hinges every time we open … Continue reading Managing Wind

SA, Weather4 Comments

A Windy Coast

May 21, 2018May 10, 2018 Itching for Hitching

Eyre Peninsula, March 2018 Since Whyalla we’ve been lashed by strong winds and have rarely had a chance to put the awning out. Locks Well was calm until after sunset then strong winds buffeted the vans all bloody night. I had visions of our two rigs being blown off the cliffs and into the sea. Thus, we set ourselves up at Streaky Bay and venture into town for a look around. We sit in the pub and remark on how nice it is to at last have no wind. However, when we return to the park it is blowing a … Continue reading A Windy Coast