Narrabri still.

Our one night stop in Narrabri extended out to two nights. After severe storms over night combined with gale force winds, we were lucky enough to have sprung a leak in the roof. We checked out various avenues for van servicing or repairs but had many a door slammed shut in our face. Nobody was interested in helping us with our problem. After talking to the manager of a van park, she pointed us towards a motor body repair shop. They spent about two hours checking things out to end up with them securing black plastic over the effected area. Cost, a massive $30. Apart from that, no assistance anywhere else. Friday night saw us still in Narrabri laying in bed listening to the heavy rain wondering if the plastic would do its job. Saturday morning we woke to a nice sunny day and still dry in the van so we headed to Dubbo. Great day for the drive even though it was bloody cold over night. We camped next to a lovely couple who had a small (14 ft) Jayco Freedom whiched the used for sleeping and storage. They still liked the idea of camping out, so all the cooking and eating was done outside.
Sunday we took off for Forbes. Changed our minds after stopping at the Radio Telescope in Parkes for a break. We diverted to Cowra for the night. The van park is owned by a Queensland family and was very well looked after. We spent the evening sitting arround a camp fire with some other travellers, swapping lies and stories, and having a few drinks. Monday we moved on to Bungendore where we camped out of town in the very depressing show grounds. We previously had asked at the council offices in town for assistance in where we could camp and were basically told that if we camped anywhere but the showgrounds the police would be required to move us on. Another place NOT to stay again.
Tuesday awoke to a beautiful day as we headed for Ulladulla. We ste up camp in a beachside van park and the strolled down to the boat ramp. Threw a line in but the fish weren't playing the game. Not even a bite. Ulladulla is a lovely little beach town which has still to be invaded by the hob-nobs from Sydney.
Wednesday, the final leg of this van trip. We arrived in Nowra and immeadiately knew that we were getting close to Sydney. The traffic was very anoying and heavy. We placed our van in storage to have some work done on it i.e. service and check out the area of the water leak.
Late afternoon saw us laying up at a lovely little homestead in Kangaroo Valley which is owned by my cousin Jill. It is on 8 acres and about 7 km from the actual village. The property has its resident group of kangaroos and wombats and numerous variety of bird life. Unfortunately we are only here until Friday as we have to be in North Haven on Friday night. We will, however, be returning here at the end of December for a house-sit until mid February.

I think I have waffled enough for now so remember to keep the shiny side up and stae safe.

Until next time.

All the best

Helen & Col.

Hi All

Well we are on the move again. After a great couple of weeks house sitting we moved back to friends in Bundaberg proper and had 170 watts of solar and a second battery fitted to the van. This will help us be self sufficient when we 'free camp'.
We left Bundy on Tuesday and made our way to Kingaroy for the night. Wednesday saw us arrive in Bogabilla, NSW, where we stayed in a dodgy, but clean, van park. We were camped near and elderly gent who has been there for the past 16 years. Today, Thursday, was a relatively short drive to Narrabri where we have set up camp in the Show Grounds. I think we need to upgrade our vehicle to something a bit heavier and with a bit more grunt. The Landrover is doing a great job, however, the fuel consumption has sky rocketed due to the van. We have gone from about 800km per tank to roughly 500km per tank.

Thaks about it for now.

Stay safe

Col & Helen.