Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping

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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
So, my last day in Woolgoolga.
September 19, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C
Don’t like this much.

We went for a wonderful walk along the lake towards the sea.
In magnificent sunshine.
The tide was coming in again so a bit too deep to wade across without getting clothes wet.
So we stood and played by our turquoise water spot.

This place is simply magnificent.
I know that I have said that so many times before but it simply is.
Everywhere you turn is sparkling water, beautiful crashing waves on miles and miles of pristine beach.
The caravan park is beautiful but old enough to have enormous character.

Slowly made our way back towards camp, up that wonderful old wooden walkway to the beautiful lawn and across the road to Bumper.

Very, very hard to describe what this last morning was like.
It had arrived.

I had totally packed up Tin Tin yesterday.
Everything that I don’t need is packed away.
And there is a lot I don’t need.

We had breakfast and I went to say goodbye to Barbara, the lovely lady by herself on the corner site.
We have become quite friendly over the weeks.
I cried.

Then went to say goodbye to Anna, Meagan’s friend’s parents.
And I cried.

The lovely shy man with the European accent and the little white dog came to say goodbye.
And I cried.
( He gave Emily a stem of wildflowers for her birthday.)

I took the toilet key back to the office.
Didn’t cry ... but I wanted to.

So many people said goodbye.
I almost wished I had never spoken to anyone while I was there.

Daryl and Martine came for a hug.
I cried.
They waved goodbye and left.

Packed the kayak in the van.
And it was time.

Huge hugs.
Lots of tears.
I don’t want to go.

Although, by this stage I knew I had to.
It was awful.
I waved goodbye out the window as I left the park
And could see Emily waving in the rear view mirror.

And then I was on the lake road that we had visualised as we sat in Bumper all those months ago out the front of my house in Berwick.
But I was driving away.

I rang Emily as I passed Bluebottles.
We were both OK.
And it was perfectly OK to be sad.
Xxxxxxxxxxxx

Waved goodbye to Woolgoolga
And Sandy Beach.
And I was on my way.

Good trip.
Stopped a the Service Centre outside Taree for petrol and a pie.
This is the Service Centre that 10 weeks ago, Bumper broke down near.
I said Hi to that spot and kept driving.

Onto Bulahdelah.
Arrive about 2.15pm.
I had heard rave reviews from friends of people in the Woopi Park.

It is a Stepford Park.
It is awful.
It has manicured lawns.
Enormous sites.
Some beautiful flower beds.
And not a tree to be seen.
And enormous concrete roads.
It also has a tennis court.
A pool.
It is a resort.
And no trees.
Not only are there no trees.
There are not any young trees anywhere.

Just van after van after van.
After van.

It is awful.
I am only here for the night so it doesn’t matter.
It’s new but not that new, not to have planted trees.
Add some character somewhere, please.

Haha. I don’t like it!

Onto Goulburn tomorrow.Read more
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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
Bulahdelah to Goulburn.
September 20, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C
Up at 7am.
Easy pack up though it was raining.
( The kayak got a bit wet sitting outside for the night.)
Took Lacey for a couple of walks in the caravan park.

Left at 8.10am after calling into the office to pay for the metered power that I had used overnight.
“ Nothing owing”, they said.
I had used 13 cents worth of electricity.
That’s the fridge, blow heater for 10 minutes and phone charger.

Off we went.
It rained heavily for about 2 hours of the trip.
That windscreen gel that makes the raindrops run up the windscreen is wonderful.
I put some of that on when I washed Tin Tin at Daryl’s weeks and weeks ago.

The getting past Newcastle was easy.
Over the steel bridge, right then left.
Nailed it I thought!
This was where we found it very confusing on the way up.
Lots of traffic and traffic lights.

Nope.
That was not the spot.
Somewhere approaching Sydney was that awful spot.
And the phone told me to go left.
So I did.
But it didn’t tell me to go left, then IMMEDIATELY right.
So I was in trouble.
Off I went down some street towards Sydney ...
Didn’t hit the harbour bridge so I suppose all was OK.
It was absolutely pouring and my phone kept saying ... “U-turn. U-turn.”
Keep your shirt on.

U-turned.
Back on track.

Half ran a red light.
Skidded to a halt.
I was going very slowly though.
Too busy trying to figure out where I was.
Almost missed the light.
Lacey fell into her water bowl, perched high on things in the passenger footwell.
Nothing else moved though.

Settle down.
Just trundle along slowly.
Which I did with no further dramas.

OK
So roads trips seem to be OK so long as I do not go within 100kms of a major city.
Really enjoy the country driving.
Hate those intersections and right/left turns.
(Plan to investigate how to get past Sydney going via Alice Springs next time.)

Onto the Hume.
A pit stop and walk for Lacey.
Needed petrol.
Went off the highway to a small town.
Asked directions to a petrol station.
A lovely man gave me directions.
Then his wife came up and gave me ‘proper’ directions.
Funny.

Back on the Hume.
Heavy, heavy fog.
Then pouring rain.

Good trip though.

Found the caravan park easily.
An older park.
Lots of big trees and a fenced ‘off lead’ area for dogs.
Hardly anyone here though.
Dead quiet.
Very deserted.
Correction - I have wandered around and talked to a few people. This is a huge park.
People are just so far apart.

Ate chicken and salads at 2.30pm

Had an early shower.
Lots of walks for Lace.

I had water dripping off the back curtain of the van as I drove along.
Could see the drops falling inside in the rear view mirror.
I think I caught a corner of the back curtain when I closed it this morning so it seeped in.

The doona was very wet at that end when I pulled in here.
So, as I do not have metered power here, I am drying it in front of the blow heater.
Working brilliantly.

Beautiful and sunny here now ... 4.45pm.

Will relax with a book or something after another walk.

Pretty excited about driving to Albury tomorrow.
Rang cousin Michael.
He had stayed at the Woopi Caravan Park.
Knew it well and loved it!!!
So onto to Albury tomorrow ...
Love that Hume Resort right on the water.
Will be strange to go back without Emily.
That is where our adventure started.

XxxxRead more
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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
Goulburn to Albury ...
September 21, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
Left Goulburn about 8.15am.
Waved to the Big Sheep.

Nice trip.
Stopped at the Dog on the Tuckerbox at Gundagai for petrol.

Kept thinking that Emily and I drove up the other side of the road 11 weeks ago.
We did not know what lay head.
I remember us pulling out of here....
Bit nervous with wondering how Bumper would travel.

If only we knew what an amazing time we would have!
How Bumper thumped along the road at 100kph.
He is marvellous.

So I pulled into Reception at the Lake Hume Tourist Resort.
After being waved through the police road block.
Apparently the first road to the right out of the park leads to Victoria.
That’s why they are set up there.

Reception was closed... lunch.
So Lacey andI took a walk through the park.
Down to the sites we left 11 weeks ago.
That was pretty emotional.
Why can’t we turn back time?
I could see us there.
Again, not knowing what lay ahead.

We were so excited here.

Booked in .... not easily.
Didn’t want to believe I had come from Woopi.
Anyway, that sorted.
I asked for site 72 so I could sit here with that marvellous view and reminisce.
72 was Bumper’s site.
And Emily could not believe the water view!

So I drove onto the site and Lacey and I headed down to the Lake for a big walk around the edge.
She’s off lead and now a water baby.
Jumping into the water to check out what interested her.
Woopi was good for Lacey.

Big thunderstorm hit so we sat in Tin Tin til it passed.
Rang Mum, Luisa, Emily.
Daryl rang me.

Another walk.
Then chicken and salad for a very late lunch.

Will be heading off for another walk shortly.

That’s it.

Still don’t want to come home.
This adventure has been simply amazing.

And sitting on the doorstep of my van, gazing out over the start of our adventure, I am feeling the serenity.Read more
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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
Travelling home.
September 22, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Up at 6.30am.
Sat on the step and gazed at the view.

Packed up and off by 8am.
Immediately stopped at the police roadblock.
Accepted that I had been travelling from above Coffs Harbour and waved through.

Good trip down the Hume.
Stopped several times for petrol and a walk with Lacey.
I was following Google Maps.
Three routes were offered but it kept accepting the wrong one... through Broadmeadows.
I kept changing it.
But, yep, it took me through Broadmeadows.
I really wanted to go via the freeway that shirts Melbourne.
I did not like it when it kept saying “ City 2km.”

But I followed it and it took me to the Westgate Bridge and Citilink.
I LOVED it when I recognised where I was.

Tin Tin went magnificently.
Arrived home at 1.30pm.
So strange to walk in here.
We really left in a hurry.
And it showed.

Lacey went berserk.
She ran and ran around everywhere.
Said hello to Bella
Beautiful Bella xxx
Grabbed her favourite toy and flew around the house with it.

And the ivy was advancing into the kitchen.
Lawn, very long.
Lost one of my wonderful Lilly Pillies.
And lots of pots needed water.

Wandered around.
Then headed up to see a Mum.
She looks wonderful.
Had a lovely time.

Back home.
Searched Tin Tin for my jar of Woopi shells.
Lacey ‘kept an eye out’ for the Pizza man.
Barked when he arrived.
Yes!
We both enjoyed the pizza!!

Off for a bath.
Strange.
Pulled the curtains.
That was strange too.

I would like to say, it is nice to be home.
But I would rather be in Woopi .....
😭
With my girl.

XxxRead more
Travelerall good things must come to an end........... but the fun part is planning the next adventure.
9/24/20Reply
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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
Old furniture shopping.
February 20, 2021 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 22 °C
Up at 8am.
Very comfortable sleep on Emily’s bus mattress.
She has set up the room beautifully for me xx

Breakfast.
Then we headed off looking for a table for her deck and anything else old that caught her eye.
First, a quick tour of Woopi and Emily pointed out units that she had discovered for rent.
Went to the $2 shop.
Got matching very pale grey curtains for the entrance and lounge room ... and Emily chose a black and cream striped hammock for the deck.

Then to see the 2 ladies with the second hand shop that Emily got her couch, coffee table and bed from.
Great shop but nothing really new in their since Emily was in there yesterday. 😁

Onto the old junk shop on the bend near Sandy Beach.
Martine sent us there last time but because we were in the bus and van, we couldn’t really buy anything then.

Big change this time.
Walking in, still in the front yard, saw a wonderful old wooden dining table $80.
Emily said, “I’ll take that.”
Walking around I saw 2 old carver chairs.
I asked the price.
“ I had $30 each on those. You can have them for $15 each.
Emily ... “We’ll take them”

Rang Daryl.
He would come with his Ute to pick up the furniture.

Wandering round, I found the most wonderful picture of a old combi.
Framed in black like her other photos.
This was lovely.
$30.

So, Daryl arrived.
He and Emily loaded up the Ute.
Back here...

Everything looks AMAZING!
Table and 4 directors chairs arranged on the deck.
Emily took the awful green seat covers off the carvers to reveal the original leather seats.
They look fantastic.

Emily walked past the house next door, across the road and into Woolworths Supermarket
(It’s THAT close)
For pies for lunch, sitting at the old deck table.

We hung the new curtains.
They look amazing!

Lacey and I went to visit Daryl and Matine.
The new deck that Daryl built is fantastic.
The garden looks great.

Back here.
Emily had hung the hammock on the deck.
Wow!

Dinner at the coffee table watching Netflix.

Bed.
Early. 8.30pm.
I’m tired.

Great, great day.Read more
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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
Beach walking
February 21, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C
Up about 8am.
Pouring and blowing a gale.
Sat on the deck watching it all.
Emily came back from Woolworths about 10 and said..
“ It’s stopped. Let’s go”
Into her car and off to Safety Beach off lead.
Poet was hysterical jumping from the back seat into the boot where he found treats, and had a wonderful time.
Very wet and slippery walkway down to the beach.
Poet was running everywhere.
Chasing Lacey a lot to start with so I put her back on lead.
Poet races everywhere.
Picks up sticks, sponges, rocks... racing back and forth.
Let Lacey off and she beat Poet to the thrown stick!
She’s fast.
A long walk along the beach, then turned back towards Woopi and our creek.
Met up with groups of people and dogs.
Poet is wonderful with the people, and fantastic for Emily.
Turned into Woopi Creek.
And there it all was!
Magnificent!!!!
And the caravan park on the other side of the water.
And that wonderful view up the lake and back up the Woopi headland.
I love it.

Back home.
Daryl and Martine pulled in behind us.
They loved everything about the house.

I went shopping for pots for the frangipani that Martine had given Emily and a replacement plant for the wonderful glass vase on the coffee table.

Emily had hung her photos while I was away.
Looks great.

Homemade pizza for dinner.
Poet is a totally different dog after the walk.
He has worn off all that excess energy.
He’s lovely.

Lacey is very, very tired.

XxRead more
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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
It’s hot!!!
February 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Down to Safety Beach at 8am.
Magnificent day and so hot.
Expecting 30 degrees today.
Poured with rain yesterday afternoon and most of the night.
Woke up to magnificent sunshine this morning and we were off!!
Emily working now.
Me?
I am on the deck.
With Lacey and Poet.
That hammock is looking very good.

Some photos ....Read more
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Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping Traveler
Playing in the water
February 22, 2021 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
So after a quick lunch of homemade pizza.
( Thanks Emily )
I drove down to Lakeside.
I love this caravan park.
We wandered the park.
Stood on “my” site under the magnificent fig.
Loved it all.
Wandered the lake and down to the beach.
Then headed into town for an ice cream.
Sat watching a cricket game in teabag corner ...
And surfers and sun bakers in and around the water.

It was a bit hot.
So back to the house, into bathers and back to the lake.
Lacey and I sat in 6 inches of water just absolutely relaxing.
Talked to people as they went by.
And dogs.

Then into the surf.
Well the 6 inch deep stuff.
Anything deeper is too rough for Lace.
So we just jumped waves.
And laughed.

Home again.
Grabbed the washing for the laundrette and wandered Woopi while I waited.

Emily is spending the night at Rhyll’s so I am in charge of Poet, Winston and Lacey.
We are all settled in.
I’m in bed.
Cold packs at the ready.
And the fan on.
It’s a warm night.
Poor Lacey is just exhausted.
She sleeps a good part of the day at home.
No chance of that here.

I seriously think she groans when the alarm goes off in the morning.

Rain forecast tomorrow.
Hoping for beach wandering in the rain.Read more
beautiful photos of a beautiful spot [Katrina]
2/23/21Reply
Carolyn!!! You made it to Woopi!! 😍 where is the little puppy Poet? He became so big! It’s so nice to see the happy pictures of you both. See you hopefully soon! Jessy&Matteo [Jessy &Matteo]
2/27/21Reply
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Trip end
September 22, 2020