Epilogue Tuesday 26th November 2013

Hi All,

I have been attempting to update our blog for some time. I have lots of things I want to say, they are all competing to be written first, so please bear with me as I try to make sense of the past 6 months.

I have often times been perplexed when reading the blogs of others to note the last entry was some months even years earlier, which always prompts me to wonder what happened?

I guess there are “rules” or “conventions” to blogging though I admit I have not researched this topic. Blogs are more like diaries than books. Books usually have a beginning, middle and end, where as diaries are kept for notable periods in ones’ life and may end abruptly........ This is the case with our blog.

We had returned home to catch up with family and friends, purchase backpacks and camping stuff for our Heysen Trail hike. We had even joined the Adelaide Bushwalker club and picked their brains on a new members hike at Kuipto, and pronounced ourselves happy with our choice of gear.

On the weekend of May 15^th we undertook our first conditioning walk of 3 days and 2 nights and enjoyed a new freedom of tent camping. We were planning to hike the first leg of the Heysen from Cape Jervois as a day walk on Monday 27^th May, after a weekend of work with the conservation group down at Lands End, a project we have been involved with for 10+ years.

THEN DISASTER STRUCK AND MY LIFE CHANGED FOREVER, AT 0530 ON SUNDAY 26^TH MAY TO BE PRECISE.

My darling Simon decided to sleep in the car after an uncomfortable night with indigestion, so at 5am he trundled out of the swag with his final words to me “won’t you be cold Honey?” “No I will be fine” I said.

Well I am not fine and I am cold. Cold to my core!

My darling didn’t make it to the car, I heard unsettling noises and found him on the ground, and witnessed his last breath. I couldn’t save him, I tried and tried.

The ambulance and doctor couldn’t save him.

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Six months have now passed, to the day of this post, and I am still not fine, probably won’t ever be again, and the chill still permeates.

How does one pay tribute to the life of ones’ soul mate?

And in this digital age how does one protect their virtual presence?

How can I express the wonder and joy of the years together, especially the last 3 years when we became wanderers?

I am forever grateful that we decided to blog our adventure, as I have not only my darling’s witty words (and at times expansive ramblings) but many photos and video as well, such treasured memories.

When we set out I had several goals one being to encounter “the meek” and to perhaps write a book about them. After 3 years of travel I discovered to my amazement that we had become the meek in the sense of “showing mildness or quietness of nature”.

We lived simply, helped others, took pleasure in nature and would express gratitude to each other most every day about our decision to take to the road and share simple joys. It became a way of life, the best experience I could ever have hoped for.

Simon, thank you.

Rest in Peace.

Evermore love...............

Susan

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

Selfie

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:

• 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

 All except the last appeal to me.

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.

Welcome home treats, plus orange cake  already mostly eaten. Paintings by grandaughters!

Proud Grandma

 More later

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.

Before Sunrise

A new day dawns.... last dawn on the road 3rd trip

The organ pipes in the morning light

Eastern Wall bathed in sunshine

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!

Ankle height = Slithering height

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.

Peter's Kiwi Fruit

Peters Feijoa grove

A type of Guava

The dam

Some of "The Girls"

Happy Helpexers, Woofers and Host

View toward Mount Arapiles

The Organ Pipes

Closer view of the Organ Pipes

The Bluff

A group of learner climbers

Early bed time for me 8:30, night folks.

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).

Daylesford Sunday Market

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.

Street scape Daylesford

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.

All off arriving at Musk

Thriving metropolis of Musk

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

Day 281 Glenlyon Friday 15th March 2013

Hi folks,

Another travelling day, but luckily we didn't have to travel far, a quick trip 22 kms down the road to Genlyon. Our pack up quite orderly without any Laurel and Hardy moments. We stopped in at the post office for me to post off a parcel to the grandchildren of some children's books I had bought from the Mansfield Library.

Crimson Rosella in the garden outside our appartment

We decided not to take notice of the GPS which wanted us to turn around and head the other direction, so we turned it off and followed instinct, well we retraced our steps of a few days ago to where we had seen a road sign. As we got closer we turned the GPS on again, but the confounded thing kept wanting us to turn down dirt roads, I don't know how they program these gadgets, but I have yet to meet anyone who is happy with theirs.

We bypassed Glenlyon to fill up with fuel at Daylesford and get the lie of the land, then travelled back to Peter's place and a warm welcome. It was quite apparent after turning in to his street which property we were looking for. Peter practices permaculture and his property looks like an oasis compared with the neighbouring properties.

We were introduced to the other two helpers Azusa from Japan (known as Tama) and Andreas from Italy. Peter then gave us the guided tour. Without a doubt this is the most productive property per square metre that we have helpex at. Peter has been developing the property for about 10 years, and has a self dug dam with fish, but not sure what type, it was suggested Simon could do helpex fishing to determine the breed, as long as he lets them go after capture. Peter is about to embark on an aquaponics/vegetable garden. There are an abundance of fruit trees, apples (20 varieties) plums (44 varieties), quince (20 varieties), feijoas, kiwifruit, grapes, berries..... I couldn't keep up this place has so much , vegies as well and chickens and ducks. It is unfortunate we can only stay a few days as there is lots to learn here.

Tama made lunch and we all sat down for a chat and to talk about some jobs for the next few days.

I spent the afternoon cutting apples and stewing them for freezing, while Simon set up our swag.

Weather looks like rain over the next few days.

Night Folks

Susan

Day 280 Kyneton Thursday 14th March 2013

Hello again,

Seems I am not the apprentice blogger anymore, truth is I am quite enjoying the writing, I know I am no Wordsworth or Shakespeare, but that's not the point is it? Hmm what is the point?....

Today we had planned to visit the museum a visit was recommended by Joy at the "meet and greet". Unfortunately it is only open Friday to Sunday, as are a good many shops both here and in Castlemaine, seems people must work at jobs in Melbourne and have their weekend business here for the tourist trade.

We walked up and down the streets looking at the historical buildings, house designs and footpaths, why footpaths?, well they are quite uneven, many are lovely though, laid with basalt slabs. Over the years they have become quite uneven requiring full attention to navigate.

Many of the gutters here are also basalt lined and deep; capable of taking the bumper off  a car. This basalt is also used in many buildings giving them a slightly sinister look or so Simon says.

We drove up to look at the old hospital, also built out of the dark grey basalt the stone work looks sound and the building did not look in bad repair, but it is surly deteriorating as all uninhabited and boarded up buildings do. A new hospital was built to replace it in 2002. It is sad to see such a significant building becoming derelict.

The afternoon was lazy a bit of cross stitching and a spa/sauna on my part while Simon wrestled with his new phone.

Night folks

Susan

Day 279 Kyneton Wednesday 13th March 2013

Friends, Australians, Countryfolk lend me your ears

Well your eyes would probably be better....

Today we explored a little further afield, but not in great detail. We had a bit of a look around Castlemaine and decided we should probably camp somewhere close by and have a more detailed look, as there appear to be many fine old buildings worth seeing. We were interested to see that the facade of an old building (1918) was maintained in Moystn Street, although I can think of a more noble occupant than the IGA supermarket!

We were keen to take a trip on the steam train that runs between Castelmaine and Maldon unfortunately it has been replaced by a diesel loco during the fire season. We were considering a return trip $35 each in economy. Simon also liked the sound of the "Driver Experience" Billed as

Regualtor King Package
For 1 Person
The day is all yours!!

You'll meet your friendly crew who will take you through the process of preparing the locomotive and putting together a typical freight train. Once all safety checks are complete, you’ll depart for Castlemaine and get to experience controlling the train both descending and climbing the steep hills of the Victorian Goldfields Railway.
After turning the locomotive on Castlemaine turntable, you’ll enjoy a relaxing lunch with the crew before driving the train back to Maldon.

This Experience is for Everyone!

The Steam Driver Experience is for those who enjoy the sights and sounds of a steam locomotive. You need no previous railway knowledge or experience - we will teach you the basics of driving a steam locomotive.

If you are over 21 and of reasonable health and fitness - this experience is for you.

for the princely sum of $1750 incl GST, you do get lunch (I would want lobster) and a years membership of the Preservation Society - needless to say we passed on the train driving experience!

Detail on the "mothers seat"

We lunched and coffeed, checked out the visitor information centre, camping shop, Victory Park and drove around. There was a good view of town from the Bourke and Wills memorial, but the light wasn't right for a photo (next time). The festival starts this weekend and there was evidence of preparations with displays going up around town and programs available by their hundreds, looks good.

I haven't mentioned that Simon purchased a new phone, he has had it almost a week and is starting to master it, although there is lots of grumbling as he hits the wrong on-screen keys with his fat fingers. Hey is now on the prowl for a stylus. I have been driving since he bought the gizmo, so that he can play with it in the car, considerate girl that I am! He was delighted to get an email via The Giz  advising him that his camera was "being dispatched" he took this to mean sent home to SA. So he promptly sent a text message to my daughter Madeline to advise her to be on the look out and received a response "who is this", you had to be there, so fumble fingered he typed out the response. She now has his number or her new phone also!

We have been deciding the best route to travel home, having decided we will arrive there next Wednesday. I had emailed Peter a HelpX host back in February but had not heard anything in return, so sent an email today suggesting we might now not be able to do a mini Helpx but would call in for a cuppa. To our surprise we received a call, he has had email problems and has asked us to come which we will for a few days. Due to the change of plans with the farmstay helpx at Easter (see Day243) if we didn't catch up with Peter this trip it would be sometime in the future. I should explain that Peter asked us to be helpers before we set out in June and has been corresponding with us regularly. We are interested to see his permaculture property, sounds inspiring, so we arrive Friday yay!

Mothers Seating Place Victory Park

Bourke and Wills Memorial

Night Folks

Susan

Day 278 Kyneton Tuesday 12th March 2013

Greetings

Trentham Falls

This list of daily activities is working well, no reason it shouldn't, it always works for jobs, so why not sightseeing. Today's list Trentham Falls - check, Hanging Rock - check. We also had lunch in the town of Trentham and visited Mount Macedon and the war memorial. We had wanted to lunch at Redbeard's Bakery after reading a review in the Macedon Tourist magazine, the place was full with midweek tourists so we went to another bakery down the road.

Clematis

On to Trentham Falls, the track to the base of the falls was closed, we were advised by the ranger, who by coincidence was also at the bakery when we were there, that there has not been any track maintenance. The track was barricaded, it would have been easy to walk down if we wanted, and the ranger would have turned a blind eye. The ranger had come down to enquire if we were tourists or locals, we then had a chat about travelling in general, he had been to Tassie and WA. On return to the car we spied an attractive plant off the track Simon investigated and concluded it was a Clematis variety.

Rock "people"

We stopped briefly at the town of Woodend on our way to Hanging Rock, which is about 10kms further down the road toward Mount Macedon. Entry to Hanging Rock is free but it costs to exit, they use one of those airport type ticketing machines, with a boom gates. The walks noticeboard advised the summit walk is strenuous and could result in injury and was not recommended for persons with medical conditions. Actually it was a little strenuous, some of the ramp sections were steep,  There have obviously been many thousands of tourists here judging by the evidence on the rocks - smooth and slippery from all the feet climbing over them. On a wet day they would be treacherous.

More "rock people"

Having watched the famous Picnic at Hanging Rock movie, I was expecting an aura of malfeasance or foreboding,  but I didn't encounter any. Perhaps this would be different if it was a grey day rather than a glorious bright sunny day. I did note that visitor accounts in the interpretive centre talked about eerie, scary etc, could be "marketing" though. Hanging Rock was a notable place for Aboriginal people before white settlement, if anything I could imagine life forms in the rock features, not that I read anything about the significance of the site for Aboriginals.

The actual "Hanging Rock" is a large boulder supported as a lintel across other rocks.

"Help I can't hold it up much longer"

"Simon Attenborough"

As we were leaving Simon suggested we travel another 10kms to Mount Macedon, which turned out to be a great suggestion. The site was officially proclaimed a war memorial in 1996, although it has been a memorial to the fallen in war since 1933. The original cross was damaged by lightning in the 1970's and fire in 1986 and was rebuilt in 1995. The view is magnificent a 180 degree view, even smoggy Melbourne can be seen to the south east.

The Cross

Gardens and cross

Cheers

Susan

Day 277 Kyneton Monday 11th March 2013

Hi All,

Today we did the Campaspe River walk and explored the botanical gardens. It was another day over 30 degrees, but compared to the cooler but more humid days of the north this temperature is easily manageable, goes to show that our South Aussie acclimatisation is alive and well to this dry heat.

No not a goofy pose, the flood height

Today's walk was 6.7 kms and our speed was the same as yesterday 3.6kms/hr, we might have to intentionally practice walking a bit faster. Our speed on our morning walk before we took to the road was between 5-6kms/hour, but it was bitumen and quite flat.

The river was a sad sight, not flowing and dammed up behind a number of weirs. There was obviously a flood in the not to distant past and the high tide mark was over Simon's head, indicating a rise of maybe 3 metres from the current level.

One of the nicer river views

Along the walk was Quarry Reserve & Sculpture Park, unfortunately many of the sculpture were damaged.
The botanical gardens had 17 seven trees on the National Trust register, unfortunately the Trust does not have any listing that I can find, they do have an app for an iPhone, what about those of us who do not have an iPhone!

We stopped in at the model train display, Simon examining the trains while I talked to the  Mecano collectors.
This evening we went to the "Meet and Greet" and Simon propped the bar up consuming 4 beers and chatting to or rather listening to fellow timeshare owner Les. I chatted to a group of other owners and swapped stories, Joy and husband Rob owners for about 8 years have had 35 stays, using bonus weeks, well they are retired!

Sculpture at the Park

Bunya Pine - a big one!

Significant Tree Chilean Wine Palm

Entrance to the Botanical Gardens

"Tallarook" at Kyneton Model Railway Show

Night Folks

Susan

Day 276 Kyneton Sunday 10th March 2013

Hi All,

Spot the Simon

As per our plan we headed to Black Hill some 6 kms down the road, after examining the information board we decided to walk both tracks Ridge and Low Circuit some 4.5 kms, 90 minutes allowed.

As we set out we were struck by the number of butterflies, hundreds, everywhere. The track climbed steadily to the lookout, apparently this location is used to spot bushfires, it is not that high, but the surrounding land is low and flat and visibility good. The rock formations are granite, quite a light grey. I am always struck by such formations that look like they have been plonked down among the trees, of course the rocks were there before the trees ever grew but the impression is the opposite.

Wasp nest

Over the years of walking we have become quite observant of small details in the landscape when walking, maybe you develop "the eye". Today's find was a mud wasp nest on the path, and some bird boxes in trees, things that could easily be missed by many walkers.

We arrived back at the start in 100 minutes, but found that the information did not tally to our GPS which measured our walk at 6.5kms meaning we were faster than the suggested time allocation. Our moving average was 3.6 not too bad, considering it was about 35C!

Turpin Falls

Next we headed to Turpin Falls following a hand drawn map, missing the turn off twice. Eventually we found it and arriving at the car park found about 20 cars already there, a group nearby were blowing up an inflatable raft so we were expecting something spectacular. This didn't quite tally with our initial assessment as the Campaspe River was dry when we drove over the bridge. There were plenty of people in the pool, seems to be a local hangout spot. The falls were running..... just.... The water was a pretty shade of algal green, the odour quite pronounced.

We wouldn't be entering the water dummdumm dummdummm (jaws music)!

Local swimmers

After lunch back at the resort we drove up the highway to Taradale via Malmsbury to visit the viaduct and gardens, quite impressive. The initial build did not include the steel trusses between the stone piers, these were added later to reinforce the bridge when trains became heavier.

Viaduct panorama

Tomorrow more walking....

Night Folks

Susan