Tag: Seniors

Caravanning Hints5 Comments

Mirrored Wardrobe Doors

Itching for Hitching

Don’t you just love the way caravan manufacturers put mirrors on the wardrobe doors on either side of the double (sorry ‘caravan queen’) bed? You can only ever approach them sideways, that is unless you are anorexic, so it’s hopeless to check out how you look or even put on a bit of last minute lippie. In our pop top van they were the only mirrors that we had so I used to have to comb my hair using my reflection in the glass of the microwave door. Perhaps that answers the question why so many couples choose single beds on … Continue reading Mirrored Wardrobe Doors

Caravan Parks, Vic8 Comments

Gentle Annie

Itching for Hitching

It is a delightful spring afternoon, blue sky, puffy clouds, miles of grapevines and lush cow pastures.  The drive down the narrow King Valley in Victoria is idyllic and complemented by classical music. The towns of Moyhu and Whitfield are little more than hamlets. Edi is even smaller. There is a good camping reserve at Edi cutting, it is quite a large area beside the King River with toilets. It is free and although we haven’t stayed there it looks to be popular with the big rigs. We decide on the Gentle Annie campground at Whitfield which is also on … Continue reading Gentle Annie

Taking Directions, WA5 Comments

Lost in Translation

Itching for Hitching

When we checked in at the Big4 caravan park on the beach at Port Denison in WA the receptionist told us that the sunsets have been good and that we should grab an empty box and watch the sunset with a glass of wine. To explain that: a box is a cabin and WA law prevents you from drinking in an outdoor public place. So we took her advice and toddled off with our drinks to the verandah of an empty cabin and happily drank legally while watching nature put on a stunning show.     Continue reading Lost in Translation

National Park, Qld15 Comments

Carnarvon Gorge, Qld

Itching for Hitching

We turn off the highway towards the Carnarvon Gorge and wind through green grassy farmlands where the cows loll about. This is a hidden valley. In the distance the sun picks out the escarpments of Carnarvon. We pass the remains of an aircraft which crashed during World War Two killing the crew of Australian and US airmen, we are constantly surprised at the places where we find evidence of the war. We ford small creeks and the road turns to corrugated dirt for another fifteen kilometres. Woody grits his teeth. We cross Carnarvon Creek and enter Takarakka Bush Resort. Damn … Continue reading Carnarvon Gorge, Qld

Caravanning Hints8 Comments

Outdoor TV

Itching for Hitching

Our club is camped at Nug Nug in the Victorian High Country. Only those with satellite dishes can get TV reception.  Some of us are My Kitchen Rules fans and have missed out on last night’s cook off. So our mate G re runs last night’s show on the outside TV on his new Patriot caravan. It is spitting with rain so there we are sitting out in the bush under a large tree staring at a TV screen muttering “you didn’t crumb it properly”. And I always thought that outside TV’s on caravans were pretentious. I stand corrected! Continue reading Outdoor TV

Qld, Wildlife6 Comments

In Search of Cassowaries

Itching for Hitching

We have plenty of time to meander so we visit Mission Beach in Far North Queensland (humourously called FNQ up here). The drive in is through thick rainforest a mass of vines. There are signs, one after another warning us.”Cassowaries cross here”. “Cassowaries have been seen crossing here recently”. How recently? We ask. “Speeding has killed Cassowaries”. OK, we get the message but we don’t see any. Two days and many more warning signs later, we drive out to Port Coquette which overlooks both Innisfail and the river mouth. High above the town in a cow paddock stands a Cassowary, … Continue reading In Search of Cassowaries

Vic, Wildlife1 Comment

Rookery or Nursery?

Itching for Hitching

It is early spring in 2012 when we visit Paynesville, Vic with a caravan in tow. Now that is a change for us as in the past we have spent so much time on the Gippsland Lakes just dagging about in boats. I’m surprised to find that the sandy little point at the entrance to the canal which always seems to be home to a lot of water birds has become a serious rookery, with nesting swans dotted everywhere. There are also pelicans, cormorants, ducks and water hens. I skirt the area, not wishing to disturb them and come within … Continue reading Rookery or Nursery?

The Road Less Travelled, Vic7 Comments

Upper Goulburn Valley

Itching for Hitching

56kms Jamieson to Wood’s Point The Yea butcher had recommended that we see ‘the valley’, especially the Kevington Pub. We go in search of  The Kevington Hotel and find that it is only 3kms from our camp ground. We drive on as far as Gaffney’s Creek following the Goulburn River all the way. The scenery is breathtaking on every bend. Each property is manicured and all have masses of rhododendron ‘trees’ in full bloom. To us it is reminiscent of New Zealand. Further on the road becomes unsealed but is very good and the farms have given way to virgin bushland … Continue reading Upper Goulburn Valley