When Things Just Go Wrong7 Comments

With plans in ashes there’s only one option

Itching for Hitching

We’re not the only caravanners gripped with reluctance to travel at present. As Victorian grey nomads we prefer to leave our summer travels until the schools go back but then where do we go? We have two options: Somewhere that hasn’t burnt, either the central north or the west of the state. Or do we head to the eastern half of the state, most of which has been decimated by fires. Put it that way, the answer then is simple. This year it will be a fire ravaged area for both our safety and to bolster those broken communities. Surely … Continue reading With plans in ashes there’s only one option

Caravanning Hints10 Comments

12 Volt Fans

Itching for Hitching

Our van came with a Fantastic smart fan fitted in the hatch above the bed.  I cannot give this fan high enough praise. Depending on the temperature that we set it at it would open the hatch and start operating. It would suck air in from outside or blow air out, which was great for getting hot air out of the van in a heatwave. Best of all if we had left the hatch open for natural air flow it would automatically sense rain and close. Sadly, it died of old age a while back. They aren’t cheap and they’re … Continue reading 12 Volt Fans

Food, SA6 Comments

Legacies

Itching for Hitching

March 2018, Adelaide, SA We get an early start so that we can visit the Adelaide Central Markets. It seems to be a popular spot for breakfast and we manage to snare a table at Lucia’s Pizza & Spaghetti for a hearty breakfast.  We buy Kessler chops and Weisswurst from Barossa Fine Foods. The rain starts to drizzle again and it is quite muggy. We take a drive along the beachside suburbs admiring the houses. Polling booths are busy with voters queueing for the state elections and volunteers are cooking sausages.  Every power pole supports one or more Coreflute election … Continue reading Legacies

Architecture, Vic2 Comments

Monier Arch Bridge Fyansford

Itching for Hitching

Nov 2019, Fyansford, Vic The Monier (reinforced concrete) Arch bridge spans the Moorabool River near Geelong and was completed in 1899. It was designed and constructed by the engineering firm of Monash & Anderson. In 1905 John Monash established the Reinforced Concrete and Monier Pipe Construction Co. A military man at heart he went on to become the brilliant World War One military commander General Sir John Monash. He was considered to be the greatest living Australian. His engineering, military and organisational achievements have left many lasting legacies. His name is a constant in the daily lives of all Victorians, … Continue reading Monier Arch Bridge Fyansford

Places, Vic6 Comments

A smoky summer holiday

Itching for Hitching

Jan 2020, Mornington, Vic The Mornington Peninsula has long been known as Melbourne’s playground. Safe shallow and sandy beaches on its busier Port Phillip Bay shores mean that young families can throw down a few towels and let the kids run amok in the shallows. Shops, cafes, ice creams and cool pubs are only a short walk away. A perfect place to while away the summer holidays. Continue reading A smoky summer holiday

Qld, The Characters You MeetLeave a comment

iPad Entertainers

Itching for Hitching

Winter 2018, Somewhere in Western Queensland after too many kilometres “Oh shit, here we go again, another ‘iPad entertainer’!” we moan. To be honest, sometimes it’s just karaoke with a seriously bad singer. We sneak off to cook dinner wondering why ukuleles get such a bad rap. Footnote: Anyone who’s stayed in the outback over winter will tell you that entertainment can be a lottery. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and find a singing cattleman with golden tonsils who will elevate your evening to heaven. Then on the night that you want to enjoy the stillness of a quiet evening beside … Continue reading iPad Entertainers

Well Bugger Me!6 Comments

Name it?

Itching for Hitching

Dec 2019, Yea, Vic We stop to buy coffee in Yea, we walk into the empty cafe and place our order. “Name please?” says the barista. It’s really early in the morning, we both look around the empty shop expecting customers to emerge from under tables. OK, he’s a stickler for rules, “Woody”. We wait quietly while he makes our brew then hands us our cups. Both of us are busting to say “Is that for Woody?” but zip our lips till we burst outside laughing. A week later we order another coffee from the same place. The cafe is … Continue reading Name it?