Tag: Travel

Taking Directions, WA4 Comments

Where are we now Mal?

Itching for Hitching

We’ve been on the road for some time now and travelled 4000 kilometres, yet for some time I have had the sneaking suspicion that no one else in our little group knows where we are actually going. As I walk out of the water after my swim the others sheepishly declare that they were pondering what they would do if I had drowned. The Indian Ocean thankfully isn’t all that rough. Their answer was to stay in Geraldton forever as they didn’t know where we were headed or how to get home! It’s nice to be needed isn’t it? Continue reading Where are we now Mal?

NSW, The PubsLeave a comment

Ulmarra Hotel

Itching for Hitching

It’s 2013 and we break for a cool drink at the little town of Ulmarra on the banks of the Clarence River. Like many along this coast of the Northern Rivers region this town has also suffered recent flooding and the last vestiges are still visible, sand bags around the houses, muddy remnants and the ferry is out of action. We have a beer on the veranda of the pub and watch small dogs just being dogs, moseying around, sniffing and peeing on the veranda posts. No pedigrees around here. This is where the sugar cane fields start, wide expanses … Continue reading Ulmarra Hotel

Caravanning Hints3 Comments

My New G String

Itching for Hitching

I attended a rather informative workshop at the Girgarre Moosic Muster in January, one for advanced Ukulele players. Advanced? Hmmm. The instructor Paul Jonson from New Zealand had some compelling reasons why I should upgrade to a new uke. I took his advice and visited Lord Uke in Carlton and bought a sweet tenor sized Luna, with a Low G String that gives it a little deeper voice. What does all this have to do with caravanning? Well it means that I now have one instrument that has a broader range of music. So I’ll probably travel with only one … Continue reading My New G String

Qld, Why CaravanningLeave a comment

Normanton Laundromat

Itching for Hitching

Up in Normanton on the Gulf of Carpentaria it is winter, dry and hot. We drive our washing to the Laundromat to save it from walking there all by itself! The Laundromat is in the post office. In these parts every business multi tasks. As I wait for Woody to sort out the coin washer problems with the postmaster I lean on the verandah rail. I am overcome by a smell that takes me back to my childhood, but what is it? Then I hear brrrp, brrrp there are a few shrubs, a tank stand giving shade, a couple of … Continue reading Normanton Laundromat

Places, Vic9 Comments

Port Fairy

Itching for Hitching

It is wintry and very cold and windy in Port Fairy on Victoria’s west coast. We rug up and walk around Griffiths Island which is only metres from the shore. This is a place that holds a special meaning to me as I once worked with a gentleman by the name of John Griffiths who was a direct descendant of the Tasmanian entrepreneur and sealer John Griffiths who established a sealing business on this island long before Port Fairy was established. There is lichen covered basalt, oyster catchers dart across small beaches and tiny turban shells called Italian White Snails … Continue reading Port Fairy

Well Bugger Me!7 Comments

Free WIFI?

Itching for Hitching

We spend most of the afternoon in the ‘phone’ shop with much heated discussion about data usage. We are told by said staff that we should make our communications using the free WIFI at McDonald’s. Well doh! We’ve been on the road 3 weeks and the only icons we’ve seen on the horizon are grain silos not golden arches …..I guess they just don’t understand the life of grey nomads. Utterly frustrated we make it back to our camp for happy hour and meet a great bunch of travellers who also spend very little of their time in large towns. Continue reading Free WIFI?

The Characters You Meet5 Comments

The Southern Grey Nomad, a not so rare species

Itching for Hitching

It’s August 2016, late winter in AustraliaAnd the annual northern migration of the Southern Grey Nomad is well under way. Zig zagging across New South Wales and Queensland ever northward like peripatetic ants in search of a new favourite nesting place. A new nesting place for future winters that is. Even the perils of a rough Bass Strait crossing doesn’t daunt them. You see the Tasmanian Southern Grey Nomad is even hardier than the rest and won’t be put off by sea sickness or a hefty return fare. The South Australians of the species can be found searching for warmth … Continue reading The Southern Grey Nomad, a not so rare species

When Things Just Go Wrong3 Comments

Ablution Blocks

Itching for Hitching

My damp feet start to curl on the cold wet tiles of the bathroom floor. Oh no don’t cramp now I still haven’t put my jeans on and all campers know what that entails; balancing on one leg whilst holding the pants leg high enough above the wet floor then gingerly trying to put the raised leg into the pants without getting anything wet. Did I mention the shower curtain? At least the shower was nice and hot. Continue reading Ablution Blocks