Tag: Travel

When Things Just Go WrongLeave a comment

In a Bit of Hot water

Itching for Hitching

It is a perfectly warm night in Port Denison, WA. Perfect to have the windows and hatches open and we listen to the crash of the waves against the rock wall as we fall asleep. I wake at 6:00am to the sound of running water that sounds like someone has taken the bungs out of their boat. But it keeps on gushing and gushing, they would have sunk with that much water. I wake Woody to tell him that it must be raining, hard. We leap out of bed and into water! A hose fitting has sheared off the water … Continue reading In a Bit of Hot water

CB Radios, QldLeave a comment

QNP

Itching for Hitching

We’re travelling through Queensland in convoy with friends. Moura is a purpose built coal mining town, neat, tidy and quite spread out. As we leave town we pass the Queensland Nitrogen Plant. Being city slickers and wondering what this large plant is and what QNP stands for, we get to chatting over the UHF radio with our friends. Suddenly a voice comes on the air and explains. “It’s Nitro.”  We’ve all drawn a blank and asked “what’s Nitro?” “Fuckin’ fertiliser mate.” Says the voice. These UHF radios are really handy. Continue reading QNP

Vic, When Things Just Go WrongLeave a comment

Bushfires

Itching for Hitching

Never before had I considered proximity to an airport and a hospital to be important when caravanning. In February 2014 we were enjoying a caravan club weekend muster at the Park Lane Top Tourist caravan park in Traralgon, Vic. On the Friday a fire started in Yallourn North and we were entertained by the fire fighting helicopters and fixed wing aircraft buzzing overhead. On the Saturday we were hunkering down to a serious heat wave and by mid morning on Sunday the heat was extreme and a strong wind was rocking the caravans. There were fires at nearby Bruthen and … Continue reading Bushfires

Qld, Well Bugger Me!Leave a comment

Cheaper Than Bricks

Itching for Hitching

In the Queensland town of Barcaldine there is a corrugated iron Masonic Temple that has a weatherboard front. The boards are cleverly painted in a geometric pattern to resemble bricks. It is so good that you have to touch it to see which is actually the edge of the board and which is an illusion. They were certainly resourceful in these parts. Mind you I’ll bet I gave the locals a laugh standing there in the hot sun rubbing my hands over the front of their building. Continue reading Cheaper Than Bricks

TugsLeave a comment

We Bought A …

Itching for Hitching

It’s April 2014 we’ve traded the Ford Territory and this is the first big trip in the Jeep Commander and she’s a little slower on takeoff but tows beautifully when cruising. The most obvious difference is in the comfort of the ride. The Ford Territory with its strut problem used to bump and bang noisily. Now it feels like we’re riding on feather pillows. It’s also nice to have full instrumentation once more so we now know the outside temperature, welcome to the twenty first century! Not to mention the heavenly heated seats. Just beyond Newcastle We pull into the little hamlet … Continue reading We Bought A …

Bush Poetry, VicLeave a comment

Tarnagulla

Itching for Hitching

Stillness, quiet the smell of dust in the air. Cold clear nights, cold noses under a million stars. Dry grass, cracked earth the ground peppered with quartz. Striped gums, yellow gums pepper trees laden with pink corns. Kangaroos alert, feeding mobs of bounding roos. Galahs grazing, chattering flocks wheeling overhead. Gumnuts, slivers of bark a carpet of dry leaves. Stillness, quiet in the tall spindly, silent grey bush.  – © Lindsey Wood, ifh2015 Continue reading Tarnagulla

Caravanning HintsLeave a comment

Hobbies on the Road

Itching for Hitching

There’s much more to being on the road than just travelling and sightseeing. Of all the hobbies that are available to grey nomads fishing and craft are probably the most popular. But there’s bird watching, shell collecting, kayaking, photography, painting, visiting country markets, even cookery. Yes cookery. As most vans have all of the appliances that one can expect at home so why not? One can produce gourmet meals from the Weber Baby Q. I’ve baked bread whilst camped at the beach and a friend of mine always carries an ice cream maker just in case she finds an abundance … Continue reading Hobbies on the Road

Caravanning HintsLeave a comment

Water

Itching for Hitching

Water is a problem for free campers. Modern vans are either solar powered or use energy efficient LED lighting so that they can go for days or weeks without needing power. Water is the concern, it is heavy and costly to carry and isn’t freely available. We run into one sweet old couple who tell us “We get our water from cemeteries. There’s always a tap near the front gate. I guess you’d call it robbing from the dead.” They laugh. Continue reading Water

NSW, Places3 Comments

What Do Caravanners Do When They’re At Home?

Itching for Hitching

Take a nice warm Sunday, a long lunch and sit around with mates who are also caravanners. The talk will always end up being about the funny characters we’ve met and we’ll swap stories of great spots. Note to self: A spot that we passed by very close to last year needs a visit. Mirrool is just south of West Wyalong and just north of the Burley Griffen Way in the Riverina. This tiny town hosts an annual footy kicking competition ……over the grain silos! The Mirrool Royal Hotel kindly provides caravan sites. Continue reading What Do Caravanners Do When They’re At Home?