Mobile test blog Susan's phone Monday 13th May 2013
Well I thought I would give typing a blog a whirl on the small screen, with an even smaller keyboard. I reckon we have found the answer to my verbosity. I do like the predictive.text though. Hmmm might need to investigate other options as sitting hunched in a tent, in the cold, by torchlight to type the blog will definitely make Simon crabby, can't imagine how he will be if it is raining as well. Makes our camper trailer look like the Taj!
Mobile test blog Sunday 12th May 2013
Mobile blogging possible?
This is a trial post to examine mobile blogging using Android on my phone.
Simon
This is a trial post to examine mobile blogging using Android on my phone.
Simon
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| Selfie |
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| Susan on trial hike |
Preparation for round 4 Adelaide Wednesday 20th March 2013
Hello All,
We are preparing for our next adventure, trouble is we don't know what it is, where we are going or how long it will last. Sounds organised huh? We have several options:
Simon is making a list of jobs to do involving car and camper. My list includes a repaint of the walls in the house and retrieving stuff from the storage container and packing into the spare room..
In the next few days I will be spending quality grandmother time with the little girls and helping with preparations for my dads 80th birthday celebrations. We also have a long list of friends to catch up with.
Today we made reasonable progress with unpacking, stowage, washing, shopping and scheduling appointments.
More later
Susan
We are preparing for our next adventure, trouble is we don't know what it is, where we are going or how long it will last. Sounds organised huh? We have several options:
- walk the Heysen Trail for 3 months - big outlay for gear and food, and loads of planning
- walk part of the Heysen Trail - same outlay as above, less planning and food
- Go to Western Australia and Northern Territory - modify our usual rig - take less stuff
- Go to Alice Springs - take our usual rig - take a few bits and pieces
- Get jobs in Adelaide
Simon is making a list of jobs to do involving car and camper. My list includes a repaint of the walls in the house and retrieving stuff from the storage container and packing into the spare room..
In the next few days I will be spending quality grandmother time with the little girls and helping with preparations for my dads 80th birthday celebrations. We also have a long list of friends to catch up with.
Today we made reasonable progress with unpacking, stowage, washing, shopping and scheduling appointments.
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| Welcome home treats, plus orange cake already mostly eaten. Paintings by grandaughters! |
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| Proud Grandma |
Susan
Day 285 Adelaide Tuesday 19th March 2013
Hello All,
We awoke early, well before sunrise. Sunrise today was planned for 7:36 Melbourne time, the sun peeped over the horizon at 7:32 by my watch. Just think that was the time we started work in Woodford Queensland just a a short 6 months ago! I was up first as I had seen the colouring in the distance and wanted to catch the colour of the first rays on the rock face. It was a tranquil half hour that I watched the colouring of the sky then finally the sun rise. Simon had joined me by this time and was happily photographing the landscape also.
Today he departed from his usual porridge and had a cooked breakfast like me. We munched on our eggs and toast sitting on a log and finished off with some toast and Bellingen marmalade and a cup of tea. We have almost used up all our wonderful foodstuffs, made and collected from our various wonderful Helpx hosts. Thank you one and all.
Packing was quick, Laurel and Hardy were nowhere to be seen. We decided to continue on the back road to Francis in SA, I had never heard of the place before, then onto the highway via Bordertown and home. A mere 430 kilometers, but that is a big drive day for us.
Before we had set out my lovely girls had both sent messages of expectation and safe travels. Thankfully we had our new talking book to quieten my own expectant and excited mind. We hit the drive way at Baume about 4:30 to a waving Stephanie and two gorgeous granddaughters. We all had kisses and cuddles. The girls were a bit subdued but only for 1/2 and hour or so then they were back to there exuberant boisterous selves.
Steph, Mat and the girls have pizza with us. Mad arrived home after her late work day and it was cuddles all round once more.
Wow I feel exhausted, but emotions do that.
Night Folks
Susan
We awoke early, well before sunrise. Sunrise today was planned for 7:36 Melbourne time, the sun peeped over the horizon at 7:32 by my watch. Just think that was the time we started work in Woodford Queensland just a a short 6 months ago! I was up first as I had seen the colouring in the distance and wanted to catch the colour of the first rays on the rock face. It was a tranquil half hour that I watched the colouring of the sky then finally the sun rise. Simon had joined me by this time and was happily photographing the landscape also.
Today he departed from his usual porridge and had a cooked breakfast like me. We munched on our eggs and toast sitting on a log and finished off with some toast and Bellingen marmalade and a cup of tea. We have almost used up all our wonderful foodstuffs, made and collected from our various wonderful Helpx hosts. Thank you one and all.
Packing was quick, Laurel and Hardy were nowhere to be seen. We decided to continue on the back road to Francis in SA, I had never heard of the place before, then onto the highway via Bordertown and home. A mere 430 kilometers, but that is a big drive day for us.
Before we had set out my lovely girls had both sent messages of expectation and safe travels. Thankfully we had our new talking book to quieten my own expectant and excited mind. We hit the drive way at Baume about 4:30 to a waving Stephanie and two gorgeous granddaughters. We all had kisses and cuddles. The girls were a bit subdued but only for 1/2 and hour or so then they were back to there exuberant boisterous selves.
Steph, Mat and the girls have pizza with us. Mad arrived home after her late work day and it was cuddles all round once more.
Wow I feel exhausted, but emotions do that.
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| Before Sunrise |
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| A new day dawns.... last dawn on the road 3rd trip |
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| The organ pipes in the morning light |
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| Eastern Wall bathed in sunshine |
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| Height of the sun just 10 minutes after the first peep |
Night Folks
Susan
Day 284 Mount Arapiles Monday 18th March 2013
Well Hello There
Are you still reading? You are to be forgiven if you are only here for the pictures!
Today commenced with a slither out of the swag, due to the rain over the past couple of days. Simon erected the tarp over the swag and due to the wind, he fastened it down close to the ground. This is wonderful for keeping the swag dry but disastrous for old people with aches and pains and stiff joints. Getting in and out of the swag is somewhat of a struggle to say the least. I had Simon stand by the swag to give perspective to the amount of room allocated for slithering!
Slithering aside we were up early to say farewell to Peter who had a dental appointment and would be away when we departed. After packing up, breakfast and showers we said farewell to Andreas, Azusa, and Roman as well and gave out our cards, should anyone decide to visit us in Adelaide.
Our homeward journey today took us through Ballarat, Ararat, Horsham and Natimuk. Yes Natimuk, we were not expecting to drive through Natimuk, but we received a phone call from Peter to thank us, wish us well and suggest we visit Natimuk or more specifically Mount Arapiles. What a nice guy, and what a great suggestion. Just a perfect spot for our last night on the road this trip. We were surprised to see the number of people here, some groups of school kids, and other learner climbers. Mount Arapiles is a well renowned location for rock climbers, we can see why.
Dinner was an experiment tonight, I had purchased one of those pre-dried, pre-packed, camping meals when we were in Katoomba, and with our food supplies purposely depleted we tried it Beef Curry..........and.......it was quite tasty! It was hard to tell if it was enough for a meal, we are big eaters, as we had a beer (even me) and cheese and biscuits while we waited the 10 minutes for the absorption process, also bread and butter with the meal and chocolate afterwards.
Early bed time for me 8:30, night folks.
Susan
Are you still reading? You are to be forgiven if you are only here for the pictures!
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| Ankle height = Slithering height |
Slithering aside we were up early to say farewell to Peter who had a dental appointment and would be away when we departed. After packing up, breakfast and showers we said farewell to Andreas, Azusa, and Roman as well and gave out our cards, should anyone decide to visit us in Adelaide.
Our homeward journey today took us through Ballarat, Ararat, Horsham and Natimuk. Yes Natimuk, we were not expecting to drive through Natimuk, but we received a phone call from Peter to thank us, wish us well and suggest we visit Natimuk or more specifically Mount Arapiles. What a nice guy, and what a great suggestion. Just a perfect spot for our last night on the road this trip. We were surprised to see the number of people here, some groups of school kids, and other learner climbers. Mount Arapiles is a well renowned location for rock climbers, we can see why.
Dinner was an experiment tonight, I had purchased one of those pre-dried, pre-packed, camping meals when we were in Katoomba, and with our food supplies purposely depleted we tried it Beef Curry..........and.......it was quite tasty! It was hard to tell if it was enough for a meal, we are big eaters, as we had a beer (even me) and cheese and biscuits while we waited the 10 minutes for the absorption process, also bread and butter with the meal and chocolate afterwards.
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| Peter's Kiwi Fruit |
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| Peters Feijoa grove |
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| A type of Guava |
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| The dam |
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| Some of "The Girls" |
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| Happy Helpexers, Woofers and Host |
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| View toward Mount Arapiles |
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| The Organ Pipes |
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| Closer view of the Organ Pipes |
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| The Bluff |
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| A group of learner climbers |
Susan
Day 283 Glenlyon Sunday 17th March 2013
Happy St Patricks Day
Hope you enjoyed that green beer.
Today we drove into Daylesford to deliver Peter and Andreas to the hardware shop, while we Susan, Simon and Azusa browsed the market. An average country market the highlight being the railway station and the tourist train ride to Musk. We shouted Azusa a ride which she was delighted about happily snapping pictures of the countryside. It is only a 5km ride taking about 35 minutes return, pleasant again to experience the clackity clack and swaying of the carriage on the tracks. Yes there is something about rail travel, I was picturing an European rail holiday, or maybe we could catch the Ghan? From last reckoning I recon the European holiday would be cheaper (more research for me).
Three people fit quite comfortably in the back of the pajero but not when it is packed in travel mode, so the day actually started with Simon clearing the back seat and me peeling and chopping more apples and leaving them on the hob of the wood fire to gently stew while we were away.
We decided to have a walk up the main street and lunch and coffee before heading back. We leave the area tomorrow and wont be back for a while..... Very nice Yum Cha at the Chinese Noodle Place, and coffee at the chocolate shop, we did not have chocolate! Before returning to Peters we had a quick look at Glenlyon Springs, the water there as "rusty" tasting as in Kyenton.
The boys were back and were still sitting at the lunch table when we arrived back about 2pm, it was Azusa's day off so she went for a nap. I continued with apples as well as starting the lasagne for dinner, which was a bit of a lengthy process as I had decided to roast all the veggies first. It turned out well and was devoured by all. I knocked up some baked apples for desert, they were OK, but I will experiment with Simon's mums recipe when I get home as it sounds heavenly.
The day was finished off with UNO and laughter. It is a good life!
Tomorrow we pack so I made sure I got some happy snaps of Peters garden today, he has done very well on his little slice of paradise and has so many more plans, it will be good to return and see the progress and lend a more productive hand in the future.
Night Folks
Susan
Hope you enjoyed that green beer.
Today we drove into Daylesford to deliver Peter and Andreas to the hardware shop, while we Susan, Simon and Azusa browsed the market. An average country market the highlight being the railway station and the tourist train ride to Musk. We shouted Azusa a ride which she was delighted about happily snapping pictures of the countryside. It is only a 5km ride taking about 35 minutes return, pleasant again to experience the clackity clack and swaying of the carriage on the tracks. Yes there is something about rail travel, I was picturing an European rail holiday, or maybe we could catch the Ghan? From last reckoning I recon the European holiday would be cheaper (more research for me).
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| Daylesford Sunday Market |
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| Boy stuff |
Three people fit quite comfortably in the back of the pajero but not when it is packed in travel mode, so the day actually started with Simon clearing the back seat and me peeling and chopping more apples and leaving them on the hob of the wood fire to gently stew while we were away.
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| Street scape Daylesford |
The boys were back and were still sitting at the lunch table when we arrived back about 2pm, it was Azusa's day off so she went for a nap. I continued with apples as well as starting the lasagne for dinner, which was a bit of a lengthy process as I had decided to roast all the veggies first. It turned out well and was devoured by all. I knocked up some baked apples for desert, they were OK, but I will experiment with Simon's mums recipe when I get home as it sounds heavenly.
The day was finished off with UNO and laughter. It is a good life!
Tomorrow we pack so I made sure I got some happy snaps of Peters garden today, he has done very well on his little slice of paradise and has so many more plans, it will be good to return and see the progress and lend a more productive hand in the future.
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| All off arriving at Musk |
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| Thriving metropolis of Musk |
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| Nice carriage restoration |
Night Folks
Susan
Day 282 Glenlyon Saturday 16th March 2013
Hello
We had a comfortable nights sleep, Simon placed our swag on a piece of ground that has a deep covering of straw, ahhh I do enjoy sleeping in the swag. The only disconcerting aspect was the noise of the effluent overflow pump pulsing nearby, I was sure we would be flooded by morning but we weren't.
We breakfasted and started our jobs for the day. I continued with the apples, it is quite amazing when one sees all the different varieties together just how much they differ in colour and fragrance. There is even one called "Crimson Blush" which has red striped flesh! I will endeavour to get a photo.
Peter was busy organising for a freezer to be purchased so that he will have additional storage for all the fruit that is coming into season, I assured him that I would be able to pack today's produce into the freezer, I can pack the proverbial elephant into the suitcase, actually in my case I can fit it into a handbag. This ability of mine annoys Simon no end as I can pack so much into the camper that he "can't find anything".
I made lunch for Tama, Andreas, Simon and myself while Peter went to pick up Roman from Germany the new wwoofer. My afternoon jobs included rehanging the curtains after re-spacing the hooks, mending work trousers and preparing dinner. Simon did some computer troubleshooting, started tidying in the shed, did a bit of weeding and helped Peters mate work out why his newly purchased log splitter was belching smoke and oil.
We did have some precipitation today, not rain a light sprinkling of water, just enough to make the steps slippery and treacherous for croc wearers.
After tea I broke out the UNO cards and after explaining the rules the helpers (sans Simon) had a few games and a few laughs. I was reading something the other day about the social benefits of games, I certainly found it more enjoyable than sitting behind my computer screen.
Tomorrow we explore the Daylesford Market and I will continue with the apples.
Night Folks
Susan
We had a comfortable nights sleep, Simon placed our swag on a piece of ground that has a deep covering of straw, ahhh I do enjoy sleeping in the swag. The only disconcerting aspect was the noise of the effluent overflow pump pulsing nearby, I was sure we would be flooded by morning but we weren't.
We breakfasted and started our jobs for the day. I continued with the apples, it is quite amazing when one sees all the different varieties together just how much they differ in colour and fragrance. There is even one called "Crimson Blush" which has red striped flesh! I will endeavour to get a photo. Peter was busy organising for a freezer to be purchased so that he will have additional storage for all the fruit that is coming into season, I assured him that I would be able to pack today's produce into the freezer, I can pack the proverbial elephant into the suitcase, actually in my case I can fit it into a handbag. This ability of mine annoys Simon no end as I can pack so much into the camper that he "can't find anything".
I made lunch for Tama, Andreas, Simon and myself while Peter went to pick up Roman from Germany the new wwoofer. My afternoon jobs included rehanging the curtains after re-spacing the hooks, mending work trousers and preparing dinner. Simon did some computer troubleshooting, started tidying in the shed, did a bit of weeding and helped Peters mate work out why his newly purchased log splitter was belching smoke and oil.
We did have some precipitation today, not rain a light sprinkling of water, just enough to make the steps slippery and treacherous for croc wearers.
After tea I broke out the UNO cards and after explaining the rules the helpers (sans Simon) had a few games and a few laughs. I was reading something the other day about the social benefits of games, I certainly found it more enjoyable than sitting behind my computer screen.
Tomorrow we explore the Daylesford Market and I will continue with the apples.
Night Folks
Susan
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