Tag: Travel

Vic, Well Bugger Me!Leave a comment

The Legend of the Elephant

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We are spending a few days in the charming little town of Stratford in Victoria. As we wander along the Avon riverbank in the early morning chill of spring we find a small blue sculpture of an elephant and learn that it is a memorial to an elephant that was decapitated when the circus was driving under Stratford’s very low railway bridge back in 1950. Apparently he was too heavy to move so they buried him by the river. One wonders what became of the circus after it lost its star attraction. Continue reading The Legend of the Elephant

TugsLeave a comment

Knock, Knock, Who’s There?

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We’re in our first van and stop for a pie in Colac, Vic. An older couple walking by wander over to admire our caravan bra (obviously they are caravanners) and we get talking. He asks what we think of the Ford Territory and if we’ve had it in for the front end knuckle warranty replacement yet. We both have an “Aaha” moment as we realise that this must be the cause of the unresolved front end knocking that we’ve had for so long. Continue reading Knock, Knock, Who’s There?

NSW, The Characters You MeetLeave a comment

Cattlemen’s Cutlets

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It’s lunch time and we’ve stopped for a break. We’re actually making good time on a dash down the Newell Highway heading for Victoria. Heaven only knows why we are in such a hurry but I’m lured by a sign outside of the West Wyalong butcher advertising Cattlemen’s Cutlets. This is a term that we’re not familiar with but I can almost taste them sweet, juicy, crumbed cutlets, beef I guess not lamb. The two old butchers wander around the shop looking for the cutlets, none in the cabinet, none out the back, finally one declares “do you want ‘em … Continue reading Cattlemen’s Cutlets

Qld, Taking DirectionsLeave a comment

Oh, There’s Nothing in Blackall

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We have stopped in Barcaldine, Qld and chat to a couple who tell us that we should stay the night in ‘Barky’ as there is little to see in Blackall apart from the wool scour and that the free camp would be too wet from all the rain. But we had been intrigued by the humorous brochure for Blackall so we turn south. Through 100kms of gidgee (or Gidyea) scrub to Blackall and what a charming little town it is. There are avenues of bottle trees and lots of green grass. We set up at the free camp on the … Continue reading Oh, There’s Nothing in Blackall

NSW, The PubsLeave a comment

Beyond the Black Stump

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We’re in a charming country pub on the Black Stump Way in NSW. We order a chicken parma. At the bar there is a cowboy, perfect fit jeans and cowboy hat, he nurses a beer and says not a word. The well dressed publican looks like a grazier and in fact he is and he has recently acquired the pub. His mother in law chats happily at the bar and knocks back three schooners while we have lunch. She’s visiting from Newcastle but dreams of the times that she has spent in Broome. They both know Nick Paspaley, a good … Continue reading Beyond the Black Stump

Events, Places, VicLeave a comment

Gimme That Ole Time Religion

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We’re camped at the Girgarre Moosic Muster in the tiny town of Girgarre in Victoria. At 10:00am on Sunday we rush off to gospel singing in the supper room. Our friend Meredith has been rehearsing since yesterday and she is up on stage singing her heart out. Then a group of gospel musicians take to the stage and they lead us through some old standards. The old town hall is positively rocking.  At every mention of God the guitarist rolls her eyes heavenward and the bloke sitting next to Brian punches his fist in the air. Yeehaa! And thus we just … Continue reading Gimme That Ole Time Religion

Caravan ClubsLeave a comment

Why Join a Caravan Club

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The more that I think about it I can’t think of a reason why one wouldn’t join a club. The annual membership fees are inexpensive and quickly recouped with product discounts and club magazines. Some groups keep in touch via Facebook making it very easy to get quick advice on where to stay or even meet up whilst on the road. It is a real treat to have friends drop in to visit when you’re on the other side of the country. Even if you prefer to travel solo clubs provide you with a network of people that you can … Continue reading Why Join a Caravan Club

Vic, WildlifeLeave a comment

Duck!

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At Portland in Victoria, we drive out to the aluminium smelter which is surrounded and powered by, wind turbines. It’s windy all right. There is a gannet rookery on Point Danger and it is a pleasant walk between the rain showers. The only sound is the surf and the whine of the wind turbines. Yes, they do whine. The birds are all clustered on the point and take turns to soar gracefully overhead. This rookery started with only a few pairs in 1996. There are now more than 6000 pairs here and on the small island offshore. Surprisingly right behind … Continue reading Duck!