A couple of years ago we stumbled into Ariah Park in southern NSW. Never heard of it? Well it is the birthplace of Bulk Grain Handling and Dame Mary Gilmour. The locals refer to the town’s attributes as being “Wowsers, … Continue reading Wowsers, Bowsers and Peppercorn Trees
A meal in an Aussie pub has always been somewhere that one can get a decent steak with chips or a damned good roast. The fish and chips have always been a mainstay but in more recent times, over the last 20 years or so, there has been an interloper. The Parma. Based on the Italian Veal Parmigiana the Aussie Parma has morphed into a square meal of grand proportions. It is best described as a flattened and crumbed chicken breast smothered in a tomato based sauce and topped with grilled cheese. Sometimes you may find a thin slice of … Continue reading Explaining the Aussie Parma
We’ve just returned from Jamieson in the Victorian high Country. It is one of those places that we find grabs us and calls us back annually. A place where the world can be forgotten for a day or two or … Continue reading Jamieson, Vic
A trip is imminent. The heart is starting to beat faster. No you fool, that’s age, time for your medication. OK, we bring up the checklist spreadsheet and check it against the food in the van pantry cupboards, yep we’ve got enough rice noodles to feed China but we’re out of tomato sauce, that’s right I borrowed it for the house a few weeks ago, damn. Beds made, most of the clothes are on. The All Blacks beanies and warm gloves for winter, sunscreen and broad brimmed hats for summer are all packed. Now it’s Woody’s turn to fill the … Continue reading Stocktaking
Accidentally drowned 11/12/1943 This memorial overlooks the scene of probably the worst river tragedy on the Clarence River since Europeans arrived in 1838. Late on the afternoon of Saturday December 11th 1943, thirteen members of the 1st Grafton Cub Pack … Continue reading Memorial to the Grafton Cub Scouts
My eyes look like oysters My hair feels like string My throat’s full of razors I’ve lost all my zing! We recently spent a totally relaxed week in the high country of Victoria with a bunch of mates. Nothing to do but talk, laugh and drink in the scenery…wisps of woodsmoke on the clean mountain air, a babbling stream and clever chattering birds. All too soon it was time to drive back down to Mansfield to join the rest of our club members for the formal part of the muster. Woody got the van all set up in the caravan park … Continue reading Under the Weather
We had been in a free camp for several warm lazy days. Bush walks, the river gurgling in the background and bird watching on steroids. I’ve never seen so many birds. Just as we start to take this paradise for granted and in total contrast to the weather forecast the heavens opened. Annoying as it was we were able to collect 30 litres of water in our buckets to top up our tanks. If only we’d had more buckets or perhaps one of those schmick new vans with the built in water collection system that catches the water off the … Continue reading When Every Drop Counts
The feeling of coming home after a long trip can be sweet and sour. Sometimes we’re ready for home, losing our appreciation of the sights. Our senses jaded from trying to take in far too much. Our trip in the winter of 2016 had so many small things go wrong that we were in a constant state of stress thinking what next? Those mounting problems seemed to be punctuated with rain and returning south the cold seemed to be seeping into our bones. Walking in the door at home felt, well, homely. It was nice to have more space and … Continue reading Coming Home
Did I hear you say “to enjoy the warm weather”? Wrong! It’s doctor season. Yes, it’s time to visit the GP, the specialists, have the checkups, the once overs, the day procedures and the much needed little ops. Time also to stock up on prescription drugs (yes kids grandma is on drugs and when it comes to superheroes grandpa is truly the Bionic Man) and in general make sure that the body beautiful is in good shape to hit the road for another winter up north. To save the hassle of counting out pills we now keep our prescriptions and … Continue reading Why do Southern Grey Nomads go Home for the Summer?
