Feb – Jul 2019

Tasmania and back 2019

We are going to spend about 6 months on this trip,
Take about 4 weeks to get to the ferry in Melbourne cross Bass Strait to Tasmania.
We will tour Tassie for about 10 weeks then cross back to Victoria and start a slow trip home exploring as we go! Read more

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Trip start
February 2, 2019
Traveler Tasmania and back 2019
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- Thursday, January 31, 2019
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 22 m
- Australia Blenny Park -31.561543, 115.63605531°33’42” S 115°38’10” E
Home
January 31, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
We are 1 day away from starting out on our new adventure.
The van and car have both been serviced ready for some serious kms.
TravelerI did it yahoo have a great time xx
2/1/19Reply
TravelerWell done, I’m very proud of you 🥰xx
2/5/19Reply
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Traveler Tasmania and back 2019
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- Day 1
- Saturday, February 2, 2019
- ☀️ 33 °C
- Altitude: 353 m
- Australia Westonia -31.284827, 118.67896231°17’5” S 118°40’44” E
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Westonia
February 2, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
Well the day has finally arrived we set out at 9am, filled up with fuel at Neerabup then travelled cross country via Toodyay to join up with the Great Eastern hwy at Northam. We stopped for lunch opposite the Ettaogah Pub, along the way we saw some nice silo art but we only got a photo of one.
The temperature was quite high about 37c but it was only 23c inside the car thanks to the aircon.
We are staying off grid tonight its a bit warm at the moment but there is a nice breeze so we are hoping it will cool down fast once the sun goes down.
It feels good to be back on the road.Read more
TravelerI am glad you two are back on the road I have missed those great pictures. Have a great trip. 37% really . Sorry I forgot the dogs you 4
2/3/19Reply
Traveler Did you go inside?
2/9/19Reply
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Traveler Tasmania and back 2019
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- Day 2
- Sunday, February 3, 2019 at 8:35 AM
- ☀️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 359 m
- Australia Westonia -31.311663, 118.68655431°18’42” S 118°41’12” E
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Kalgoorlie
February 3, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Woke up lovely and refreshed after a lovely cool night, it was still quite warm when we went to bed but the new 12v fan works a treat got Kay off to sleep very quickly then as the temperature dropped at about 2am Kay switched it off and let the breeze keep us cool for the rest of the night.
Peter got the generator going so that we could use the coffee pod machine but I think we will wean ourselves onto instant for overnight stops to save on effort.
We passed through Southern Cross and Coolgardie and stopped to view the memorial to the 3 truck drivers that were killed in the 2007 bush fire there are 2 the first is 3 large crosses and the Aussie flag on the side of the road were they died, the other is at a rest area further down the road where there is a memorial stone and a bio of each driver.
We then stopped for the night at the 24hr rest stop in Kalgoorlie its an off grid free camp there are toilets at the park next door but you must be able to retain your grey water onboard, we have stopped here so that we can refill a gas bottle before heading off to the Nullarbor.Read more
TravelerSo pleased for you both (and a bit jealous). We are being armchair tourists and loving it. Stay safe, lots of love J & L xxxx
2/4/19Reply
Traveler Nice sunset
2/8/19Reply
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- Day 4
- Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 10:26 AM
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 214 m
- Australia Newmans Rock -32.109772, 123.17692632°6’35” S 123°10’37” E
Newman rocks on the Frasier range
February 5, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
After leaving Kalgoorlie rest area we went to BCF to refill a gas bottle great price at $22.90 we were paying between $40-50 when we were on the road last year. Then we stopped in at Kambalda to have a look around and visit the pharmacy we have not been there before and I don’t think we will go again as there is nothing of any interest.
Then we pushed onto to Newman rocks a place we really enjoy staying at due to the peace and quiet and the open views. We only saw one other couple while we were there and they were staying a long way from us.
When I was out for a walk over the rocks I noticed a weird hole which went down into the rock looked to be the entrance to a Trolls home.Read more
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- Day 5
- Wednesday, February 6, 2019
- ⛅ 26 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- Australia Moodini Pass -31.909958, 127.28718631°54’36” S 127°17’14” E
Moondini Bluff
February 6, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
After 2 good nights at Newman Rocks we got back on the Eyre Hwy heading east. We stopped for lunch at Jillbunya after which we nearly got wiped out by a massive eagle that didn’t really want to leave the carcass it was feasting on in the middle of the road (they really look huge at about 5 feet from the windscreen).
We pulled up for the night at Moodini Bluff which is a designated 24hr rest stop with toilets and dump point, we parked away from the main area in amongst the trees to stop Cher from getting panicky 😱Read more
TravelerDid you take a photo of the eagle?
2/9/19Reply
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- Day 6
- Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 7:19 PM
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 65 m
- Australia Petina Tank -31.361042, 131.31356831°21’40” S 131°18’49” E
Yalata rest area
February 7, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Left camp at 8.15am headed east looking for a mobile signal as we needed to contact HBF to pay our annual fees then had a nice chat with Cass, then it was off to the border we stopped there as Sonny wanted to see the big Roo, then we checked out a cliff edge campsite that we may stay at on the way back, had a shower at the Nullarbor roadhouse, checked out the original roadhouse and the old blue Whale.
We travelled on to our overnight camp at a free camp near Yalata.Read more
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- Day 8
- Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 2:57 PM
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 47 m
- Australia Puntabie -32.210583, 134.13020332°12’38” S 134°7’49” E
Puntabie School free camp
February 9, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
We reached Ceduna where the SA quarantine station is and for the first time we didn’t have to surrender anything (we must be learning at last).
We found a drinking water dispenser that sells 150lts for $1 but the last guy who used it must have put in an extra $1 as it filled our tanks for free (bonus). We did some shopping in Ceduna as we needed some veggies as that’s what they don’t let you bring through the quarantine.
Then headed off down the road towards PT Augusta but stopped for the night at the free camp at the old Puntabie school site (the school is no longer there). As I was getting the pups to have a wee before bed Cher decided to explore in the bushes ok for her but I then I had to spend the next 10 minutes removing the 20 odd burrs from her paws and tail and I got no thanks from Cher.Read more
TravelerNaughty Cher!!
2/9/19Reply
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- Day 9
- Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 9:49 AM
- ☀️ 16 °C
- Altitude: 253 m
- Australia Allinga Park -33.133011, 136.41490233°7’59” S 136°24’54” E
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Kimba
February 10, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
On the road today we passed through a small town called Wudinna where there was a tall statue of a Farmer and a couple of sheep, it was quite impressive.
We are now back at the town of Kimba whose claim to fame is it is the halfway point between Perth and Sydney (no we are not going to Sydney this time).The weather is very overcast today with some spits of rain occasionally but the solar panels are still picking up some amps.Read more
Traveler Geez mum are you shrinking 🤣
2/9/19Reply
Traveler Normal hobbit height
2/10/19Reply
TravelerI think the giant galah is my official favourite 🤔
2/22/19Reply
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- Day 10
- Monday, February 11, 2019
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 44 m
- Australia Merriton -33.416868, 138.15979733°25’1” S 138°9’35” E
Merriton rest area
February 11, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Had trouble again last night with either the Waeco or the deep cycle battery, as the Waeco had shut down and the battery didn’t seem to be charging, so we had to empty the freezer, putting as much as we could into the caravan’s small freezer the rest into the fridge and we will have to eat it this week.
This morning when we started the Pajero the fridge started up ok so that points to the battery not charging correctly, up until now we had not had any problems with it, but we did have it connected to the caravan so maybe the caravan batteries were helping to cover the Waeco load.
After leaving Kimba we travelled to Port Augusta, we were looking to find a supplier of weight distribution hitch’s but they only had Hartman Reich models and wanted to charge $900, so we gave that a miss and set off towards Adelaide where we hope we can locate a set for a lower cost. (On the web we can source them for $400 delivered.
We stopped for the night at Merriton rest area we stopped first up on the left side of the Hwy but then thought maybe we had got the wrong place as WikiCamps map was showing we still had 2kms further to go, this turned out to be very lucky as the first place was in between the Hwy and the train track, the Hwy noise seemed loud as the Road trains went past but that was nothing compared to noise when the train came along.
Kay had a nice fried rice meal while I had Chicken Tika Masala and rice with a Garlic Naan.Read more
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- Day 11
- Tuesday, February 12, 2019 at 2:40 PM
- 🌬 19 °C
- Altitude: 40 m
- Australia Essex Park -34.590836, 138.74459834°35’27” S 138°44’41” E
Gawler
February 12, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
Woke up this morning after a nice cool night and didn’t have any trouble with noise from the Trains or the Hwy, its a cloudy day today but the batteries have charged up ok so all seems fine now.
We have stopped at Gawler and booked into a caravan park for 3 nights to do some washing and explore the area.Read more
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- Day 14
- Friday, February 15, 2019 at 9:29 AM
- ☀️ 18 °C
- Altitude: 218 m
- Australia Whispering Wall -34.645611, 138.84709234°38’44” S 138°50’50” E
Gawler
February 15, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
We went to the Barossa dam which has a whisper wall, its quite amazing how good it transmits the sounds along the wall surface, we went to Dead Man’s Pass looking for Koalas but didn’t have any luck (getting to be the norm for us).Read more
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- Day 14
- Friday, February 15, 2019 at 11:46 AM
- ☀️ 22 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Australia Warland Reserve -35.549687, 138.62454235°32’59” S 138°37’28” E
Victor Harbour
February 15, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
We have come to Victor Harbour bypassing Adelaide because we find the cities too busy (too many people).
We picked Victor Harbour because we stopped here to get fuel and have lunch when we were passing last year and thought if we came this way again we would stop for a few days. So we have booked into the NRMA caravan park to allow us to sightsee.Read more
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- Day 15
- Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 11:00 AM
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 6 m
- Australia Goolwa Railway Station -35.504662, 138.78517235°30’17” S 138°47’7” E
Victor Harbour - Goolwa
February 16, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Today we have put the pups into kennels so that we can do some sightseeing! We took the cockle train to Goolwa our (today it was a diesel but during winter they use a steam loco).
The trip was very scenic along the shoreline to Goolwa passing through Middleton and Port Elliott.Read more
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- Day 15
- Saturday, February 16, 2019 at 1:07 PM
- ☀️ 24 °C
- Altitude: 13 m
- Australia Goolwa Railway Station -35.502705, 138.7841535°30’10” S 138°47’3” E
Goolwa
February 16, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
After a nice ride we arrived in Goolwa we walked around doing the touristy bit looking at old buildings and stuff, we had lunch at a bakery, black coffee and pepper pie for me and a cappuccino with a sausage roll for Kay, we then visited an art gallery where we saw some interesting works,before it was back on the train for the return journey.Read more
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- Day 15
- Saturday, February 16, 2019
- ☀️ 23 °C
- Altitude: 14 m
- Australia Victor Harbor Railway Station -35.55455, 138.62413635°33’16” S 138°37’27” E
Goolwa - Victor Harbour
February 16, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
When we got back to Victor Harbour we visited the National Trust museum looking at old photo’s and stuff, we had a walk on the causeway then finished off the day with a fish ‘n chip dinner.
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- Day 16
- Sunday, February 17, 2019 at 2:00 PM
- ⛅ 27 °C
- Altitude: 33 m
- Australia McCracken -35.539762, 138.63665835°32’23” S 138°38’12” E
Victor Harbour
February 17, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
We picked the pups up this morning then had a bit of a drive along the coast to the bluff which was a nice looking place seemed to be popular with fishermen and small boat enthusiasts there must have been 50 boat trailers parked alongside the road leading to the boat ramp, then came back to camp for a las-around after noon. On the way back we saw a house that looks like its out of grand designs.Read more
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- Day 17
- Monday, February 18, 2019 at 2:27 PM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- Australia Apex Reserve -36.823502, 139.86309836°49’25” S 139°51’47” E
Kingston SE
February 18, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
We left Victor Harbour this morning aiming to catch the ferry at Wellington but I made the mistake of following the instruction from Apple maps which took us the long way around bypassing the ferry (not very happy about that mistake). So we are now back in Kingston SE the home of Larry the Giant Lobster we were here last year on our big lap but this time we are staying in the off grid camp which costs $10 for 2 nights whereas the caravan park we stayed in last year was $64 for 2 nights.Read more
TravelerWe all make mistakes. Stick to the A to Z map of Australia
2/18/19Reply
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- Day 19
- Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at 1:13 PM
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 26 m
- Australia Dartmoor -37.926647, 141.28494337°55’36” S 141°17’6” E
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Mt Gambier
February 20, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
We picked up fuel before we left Kingston SE then said goodbye to Larry as we headed off towards Mt Gambier. Today is a very gloomy overcast day so the solar panels had not recharged the batteries but hopefully the car will bring them up to full charge while we are driving.
We stopped at Mt Gambier to view the blue lake which at this time of the year is meant to be a different colour blue from the colour it was when we were last here but unfortunately as it was an overcast day it was the same blue.Read more
Traveler Ocean looks lovely
2/26/19Reply
Traveler Stunning!
2/26/19Reply
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- Day 21
- Friday, February 22, 2019 at 10:17 AM
- ⛅ 18 °C
- Altitude: 26 m
- Australia Dartmoor -37.926598, 141.28489737°55’36” S 141°17’6” E
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Dartmoor
February 22, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
After Mt Gambier we soon crossed into Victoria travelling towards the Great Ocean Road. Along the way we saw our first native Koala (non zoo park) but alas it was dead another victim of the road.
We have stopped for the night at a free camp provided by the Dartmoor council, it is a great camp next to a river, it has toilets (drop) a swimming hole picnic tables and lots of space, it is close to the small town of Dartmoor so you can get some supplies. there are a series of wood carvings in the Main Street of Dartmoor so somebody around here is a great artist.
And what makes it the best is we have actually seen Koalas here “yippee”Read more
Traveler Awesome!!!
2/26/19Reply
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- Day 22
- Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 10:02 AM
- ⛅ 17 °C
- Altitude: 72 m
- Australia Panmure -38.335983, 142.7273138°20’10” S 142°43’38” E
Panmure
February 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
On our travels today we stopped at Portland to empty the cassette and fill up the tanks with fresh water (we really must come here for a few days next time as we both like the feel of this town it seems to have a lot of history and plenty of places to view), then at Warrnambool we picked up a fresh loaf of bread and had a gas cylinder refilled at BCF, (this turned out to be a bit of a per lava as I had to unhitch the caravan to get to my tools to be Ablett remove the cylinder).
We have pulled up for the night at Panmure free camp, we stayed here last year but thankfully the weather is so much nicer this time, the sun is shining and the temperature at 7.20pm is 26c last year it was pouring with rain and about 8c. Tomorrow we are off to the Great Ocean Rd hopefully the weather will be as nice as today so that we can see it in all it’s splendour as we saw it last time in a cold raging storm maybe we will get some nice photos.Read more
Travelersounds great enjoy
2/22/19Reply
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- Day 22
- Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 12:08 PM
- ⛅ 22 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Australia Thomson -38.17122, 144.37034738°10’16” S 144°22’13” E
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Geelong
February 23, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
Well the weather started out glorious for our trip along the Great Ocean Road which was a great change from the storms of last year but although the weather made it so much better to drive and view the downside of it was that as the sun was out so were the people!! (We started at Allansford and ended at Torquay).Everywhere we stopped was so crowded and sometimes we were unable to stop as the car parks were already full. (We noted that after every car park there were road signs and arrows painted on the road to remind drivers that we drive on the left in Australia, looking out for the foreign drivers who might be enjoying the views so much that they forget where they are). After a few of these we decided to give up trying and just enjoy the drive,which was very scenic, sometimes from ocean views other times from the forest cover that the road passed through, the drive can be quite taxing as its only single lanes and most of the way overtaking is not allowed due to the winding nature of the road as it climbs and descends the hills along the coast, we passed through some very popular little towns along the way like Apollo bay, Kennett creek,Petticoat creek, Lorne and a few more!Everywhere was crowded with people out enjoying the sun and surf or posing at street side cafes and bars (oh how the sun brings out the poseurs).
We stopped for a photo shot and the must have selfie at the Great Ocean Road commemorative arch before finishing the Ocean road trip at Torquay.
We then only had a short drive to our campsite which is at the Geelong showgrounds where we will stay until Wednesday the day we catch the ferry to Tasmania.Read more
Traveler xx
2/26/19Reply
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- Day 24
- Monday, February 25, 2019
- 🌬 29 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- Australia Port Melbourne Station -37.841195, 144.93470837°50’28” S 144°56’5” E
Visit to Melbourne
February 25, 2019 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 29 °C
We went to pick up a package from Trade-Hero an EBay store which has its distribution warehouse in North Laverton, then as were already in Melbourne we went to Station quay to see where we will be getting the ferry from on Wednesday.
There was a cruise ship the Golden Princess embarking passengers for a cruise around New Zealand which meant there was lots of people milling about so as per usual Cher was having a panic.Read more
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- Day 26
- Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 7:56 PM UTC
- 🌬 19 °C
- Bass Strait -39.202511, 145.22715839°12’9” S 145°13’38” E
The Spirit of Tasmania 2
February 27, 2019, Bass Strait ⋅ 🌬 19 °C
We packed up then gave the caravan and car a vacuum ready to head off for the ferry terminal.
We were worried that when we got there we would have to wait for hours to get on the pier so was pleasantly surprised to find the gates were open early and we could drive straight into the inspection bays (they checked to make sure that we were carrying raw fruit or vegetables also fresh fish is not allowed, they also inspect the gas cylinders and jerry cans) (also we had to show proof that we had given the pups Hydatid worm tablets within the last 14 days).
I made a bit of a stuff up by following a car through the terminal when we realised that we were in the wrong lane, I tried to get back into the correct lane but misjudged the wide of a gap and ended up scrapping against a pole, the damage is not too bad but I’m not happy with myself for doing it.Read more
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- Day 27
- Thursday, February 28, 2019 at 2:28 PM
- ☁️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 10 m
- Australia Patricks Bay -41.20134, 146.3579141°12’5” S 146°21’28” E
Devonport Tasmania
February 28, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
Well we have arrived in Tassie!!
They journey was ok weather wise only a small swell which makes the ship rock a bit and made me look like a drunk rolling from side to side when trying to walk along a gangway.
The only thing which spoiled it was the woman in the seat behind me kept knocking the back of my seat (just like the idiots on planes who can’t stand up without pulling on the seat in front) which woke me up and I couldn’t get back to sleep again and waiting for the last 6 hours to pass was very boring.
We had to put the pups into one of the ships kennels luckily they let us put them into the same one, they were not happy when we left them but very happy when we came back for them in the morning, I’m not sure if they got any sleep because it was very noisy on that deck.
The disembarked went very quickly as we had been through quarantine in Melbourne there was no checks to hold us up.
We didn’t really have a plan of where we were going so drove around untill we found a large car park in between Bunnings and Harvey Normans that was empty (not surprising at 7am) so we parked up and all had breakfast dog biscuits for the pups and coffee and eggs on toast for us.
After that we looked up a freedom camp on WikiCamps and came here.
Freedom camps are without water and power but do have either a small fee or a requested donation, here it $10 per night with a maximum stay of 3 nights.
Once we were set up we all had a nap for about 4 hours!
We visited the information bureau to find places to visit then had a bit of a drive around Devonport.Read more
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- Day 29
- Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 10:07 AM
- ☀️ 21 °C
- Altitude: 4 m
- Australia Aitkenhead Spit -41.167953, 146.363841°10’5” S 146°21’50” E
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Devonport day 2
March 2, 2019 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
We had another look around Devonport today and we noticed that they have a triathlon on this weekend so I’m a bit bummed out as I would have liked to have given it ago but as we are moving on tomorrow I can’t shame.
We visited the lighthouse and Don’s head and took some more photos
The brakes on the van don’t seem to be working correctly so I took a wheel off and sent a photo of the brakes to the guy that serviced it, he assures me that they will be ok till we get back, hope he is right!!!!Read more
Travelersounds like you are having a ball look after yourself look forward to seeing you
3/1/19Reply
Traveler Shut your gob woman
3/5/19Reply
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