• Carolyn Arch
Jul – Sep 2020

Bumper & Tin Tin Tripping

A trip up the east coast of Australia from Melbourne to Coffs Harbour.
Then to Daryl’s in Sandy Beach.
Then Woolgoolga Lakeside Caravan Park....
Possibly further north.
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  • Hey, it REALLY rains up here.

    July 25, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Wow.
    That rain is coming down in sheets.
    Such a wet day.

    Not happy Jan.

    But will probably get over it.

    Daryl cooked breakfast.
    Look at that meal.
    We sat out on the back veranda as we ate and just watched the rain coming down.

    Then Emily I I checked out a wonderful junk/antique shed just up the road.
    I think I could have bought several things home if I wasn’t going to be camping very soon.
    Anyway, fun to look.
    Into Woopi.
    Chasing a hobby for when it is wet and Emily is working and I am in my van.
    Bought some paints and brushes.
    This will be interesting.
    Not an artistic bone in this body.
    (There were canvas with pictures outlined and all you had to do was paint between the lines. Emily wouldn’t let me get those.)
    And jigsaws looked like a messy proposition.

    Into a wonderful cafe for lunch.
    We were very wet so sat on a comfy couch, pulled a rug over our knees and really settled in.
    Bit of a walk round town then back home for a read...
    And I watched “How to paint videos.”
    ( Honestly....)
    Lying on the bed in Bumper listening to the rain on the roof, and promptly fell asleep.
    Lovely!

    Wonderful dinner cooked by Daryl.
    Then this amazing chocolate cake baked by Martine.
    It was delicious!

    ( I’m turning into a food blogger.)

    It’s OK though .... will be cooking for myself again soon ... well sometimes anyway.
    This is amazing.

    Still raining and heavier rain expected tomorrow.... though 21 degrees.

    Xxxx
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  • No .... REALLY RAINS!

    July 26, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Sunday morning and the rain is absolutely pouring down.

    Melbourne gets 600ml a year, Daryl tells me.
    Coffs gets 2 metres.

    So Martine says “ I am going to see if the Woolgoolga Creek has broken through the sand into the sea.”
    So we said, “We’re coming.”

    And it poured down.
    Felt like we are under a waterfall.
    And there it was ...
    A massive amount of water flowing from the Woolgoolga Lake ( Creek ) down into the sea.
    That’s the Lake next to our caravan park that is usually shallow at low tide.
    So we really wanted to see it broken through again into the sea.

    We all wore coats etc...
    Saturated in seconds...
    I had to take my glasses off.
    Could not see a thing.
    ( Needed windscreen wipers!)

    Everyone paddled and crossed the raging stream.
    Not me though.
    I was keeping those small dogs out of the raging torrent.
    They would have been swept out to sea.

    So much fun.
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  • Last night at Daryl and Martine’s.

    July 26, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Had a call from Woopi Caravan Park.
    Checking if we still required our booking.
    The lady was ringing everyone who had booked from Victoria.
    I explained that we were already up here and staying at my brother’s until we could come to the caravan park on 5th August .... Wednesday week.

    She said that as so many had to cancel from Victoria, they had sites available now.
    So I shot off in Tin Tin to check out the sites.
    Woopi is about 8 minutes from Daryl’s house, if that.
    We are still having the 2 sites we originally chose, sites 66 and 67, next to each other.
    We can move onto site 67 next Sunday .... (and then site 66 on the following Wednesday.)
    So, until then we will share one site #70.
    So a little bit of moving, but no problem.

    We are onto the 3rd stage of our adventure.
    Stage 1 .... the trip ( and running from the law!!!!!!)
    Stage 2 .... the absolutely wonderful time we have had staying with Daryl and Martine in their beautiful house.
    Stage 3 .... The Woolgoolga Lakeside Caravan Park.

    Bit excited.

    Oh and the rain stopped.
    Such a fun day.
    And very relaxing.

    Emily cooked shanks for dinner.
    Delicious!

    Half packed all my stuff back into Tin Tin.
    I am amazed how much I actually moved in here.
    I will miss this magnificent queen size bed, I know.
    And not banging my head on a ceiling when I sit up.
    Bit of readjusting and I’ll be right on it.

    Camping, here we come!

    Nigh nigh xxxxxx
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  • We have arrived!!!!

    July 27, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    All that ringing around from home...
    All the recommendations from Daryl and Martine ...
    This is a spectacular caravan park.

    And we are in!
    And settled.
    Takes 10 minutes to set up.
    Mainly unpacking what had to be secured to drive...
    Winding the awning out ...
    And positioning the table and chairs.
    So, so, so easy.

    We are both on the one site so, a little crowded.
    But wait till they move out next door.
    We will have so much room, if it wasn’t for Covid, we’d be holding a rave party.

    Emily had work and a meeting this morning so left Sandy Beach about 11.30am.
    On site at 11.40am.
    My kind of trip.

    Then a quick “Hurrah. We did it. We are here.”
    And back to Sandy Beach for the Postie bike.

    I went in Tin Tin, our runabout now, to the supermarket and back to get supplies for a few days.
    My fridge is still operating as a freezer until we eat all the food in there.
    Running off the second battery at the moment.
    May keep it as a freezer or may be easier to each have our own fridge.
    Not sure yet.

    Emily finished work about 3pm.
    Walked the beach and sandbanks on the lake.
    Beautiful day.
    Though all the rain has caused lots of mud to be flowing through the lake out to sea.
    Will settle soon, I imagine.

    We forgot to bring the shanks out of the fridge.
    That was dinner tonight.
    Daryl is refusing to part with them....
    ( “Shanks? What shanks?”)
    So roast chicken and salad instead.
    Watched some TV with Emily in Bumper, Line of Duty.
    Then onto my bed to write this.

    I am sleeping in Tin Tin after all.
    Seems to be OK.
    Total blackout curtains ... I don’t think anyone knows I am in here.
    We originally were going to both sleep in Bumper as we have only booked one site.
    But this works better.

    We also ran an extension lead from Bumper to Tin Tin so I can turn on my heater if needed.
    So basically powering 2 vans.
    Stealing electricity probably.
    ( Continuing the theme of the trip really.)

    Have a look at the photos.
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  • Woopi ... more photos

    July 27, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We have had a lovely, lovely day.

    Emily went One Wheeling on the grass by the lake.
    These cabins look beautiful and have an amazing view over the water.

    This area is just across the road from our sites.

    Katrina, one teaspoon is from O’Reilly’s Tree Top walk, I think.
    Daryl did that with Dad.
    And the other is a prize Dad won for a tennis competition.
    Lovely memories with both.

    Goodnight from Stage 3 of this adventure.
    We are here .... and we are set up.

    Xxxxx
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  • Quiet day

    July 28, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    A couple of lovely walks on the beach.
    Then Emily grabbed me for some ‘Island hopping’ in the lake.
    The tide was coming in and we waded from sandbank to sandbank in ankle deep water.
    Marvelled at the flow of the water and the colours.
    Most spectacular blue, turquoise and aqua.
    The water is crystal clear again.
    Then headed back.
    The ‘Islands’ were fast disappearing under the incoming tide....
    Fun and really barely knee deep.

    Deep enough for Lacey though.
    She made a couple of wrong steps and was suddenly swimming.
    Not a swimmer our Lacey.
    She was most determined to stay on one island sandbank, which would not have remained an island for much longer.

    No convincing her though.
    ( Well, she probably would have been convinced when the water came up to her chin.)
    I didn’t wait that long.
    I carried her.
    Yes.
    I know.
    I’m a woos.

    Saw people exercising in the park....
    Turns out it is Tai Chi ..... each Tuesday.
    Looks like fun.
    We had a great quiet day.

    Xxx

    Oh...
    PS Daryl came to visit and bought the shanks with him.
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  • Beautiful day ...

    July 29, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Had a lovely day today.
    Emily went walking early before she started work.
    Lacey and I headed off a bit later about 8am.
    Brilliant sunshine.
    About 21 degrees.
    The tide was out so wandered the sandbars in the middle of the lake.

    I walked into Woopi along the beach.
    Perhaps a kilometre....
    Woopi is the same distance along the beach from our camp as the walk along the beach into Cowes from the caravan down there.
    Talked to lots of walkers along the way.
    Went to Crazy Sams.... just needed a couple of things and the supermarket is too far away to walk to.
    Really enjoyed the walk.
    Will do that a lot.

    Pulled the deck out on Tin Tin and read on Kindle.
    Lacey curls up next to me and we wave to everyone who comes past.
    We are on the main entrance/exit road into the caravan park.
    Everyone looks and waves.
    Lots of people stop to chat.
    One lady asked if she could have my job when I retire.
    Found that quite funny.

    A young couple walked past and really liked the idea of the deck.
    They had driven past in a bright green Volkswagen camper yesterday and gave me the ‘thumbs up’.
    I thought they were surfers.
    We chatted.
    Turns out they are on a working holiday around Oz, and are from Germany.
    Matt and his girlfriend Jess.
    They are working here picking blueberries.
    They get paid $7 a bucket load.
    Worked 6 hours today and picked 10 buckets.
    I think that was between them.
    Not a lot of money.

    They loved Emily’s bus and are here for 2 months I think.
    We arranged to have them over for dinner.
    Will be lovely for Emily to have young company here.
    Emily is also heading into Coffs on a Friday for a group that meet once a week, hoping to meet people as well.

    We had shanks for dinner!!!!

    Lots of walks and playing in the water.
    Along the bush road into the park, Daryl pointed out all the bats hanging upside down in the trees.
    Well tonight we saw them all leave and fly towards the sea ...
    There were hundreds.
    And they did not make a sound.
    It was fascinating to watch.
    I took a photo but unfortunately didn’t think quick enough and only got a few in the shot, the tail end of the group.
    Love the photo though.

    That’s it for today.
    I write this each night laying in bed.
    Feels nice.

    Xxxxx
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  • Again, other photos.

    July 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Apparently there is a resident lizard here.
    Almost tripped over him on the step to the shower block.
    He was relaxing in the sun.

    Other photos, showers are huge with large dry space area.
    Just lovely facilities.
    And what a bonus having a dog wash by the beach.
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  • Great day, lovely night.

    July 30, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Beautiful day again today. 21 degrees and sunny though windy.
    Walked Lacey on the beach.
    Emily had a computer man arrive to declare that her computer was safe to use from home.
    ( Read ‘Bus’ there.)
    Organised from Canada.
    They found a man in Coffs Harbour and he turned up.
    Fascinating man.
    He and his wife had sailed the world for 5 years in his yacht.
    He didn’t blink an eyelid at a Hiace or Coaster.
    All OK.
    He left.
    Martine and Scout arrived for a walk.
    Emily had finished her meetings so we played around the creek and ocean.
    More work for Emily
    Except she rode her Postie to the supermarket ... mainly for dog shampoo.
    ( We did leave in rather a hurry.)
    I forgot several things!
    Scissor cut Lacey’s hair.
    She was rather long and ‘ knotty’.
    The scissors did have some trouble cutting through all the sand in her coat though.
    Big go through the coat with the dog brush...
    All the knots gone.
    Off to the dog wash that they have at this caravan park.
    I have a new dog!!!!
    She looks beautiful, and smells devine!

    So, we had been using my fridge as a freezer.
    But the 2nd battery was not coping that well as I haven’t been driving anywhere really to recharge it, so had to take all the no longer frozen food out of the fridge and cook it.
    ( Well, Emily cooked it.)

    And she said “ Keep an eye out for Matt and Jess. We can feed them.”
    While I was doing that, I also installed ‘Fairy Lights’ in Tin Tin.
    The last few nights I was trying to figure out what was wrong, because as soon as the sun set, I could not see a thing.
    ( Old age.)
    But once the ‘Fairy Lights’ were in, I was in heaven ....
    Sight restored.
    Yah !

    No Matt and Jess.
    Went looking for their van.
    Not there.
    Started to worry.
    They had been invited to a free meal for desperate people last night and were hesitant to go.
    So we decided that they had been kidnapped by White Slavers.
    Really started to worry.

    Oh.
    No.
    Look.
    That’s them.

    Emily chased their van as they drove in.
    “Free food. Bring containers”

    So they arrived and we had dinner together.
    Filled their containers.
    “No, we can’t.”
    “Yes, you can”
    Etc....

    Had a wonderful night.
    Lovely young couple.
    Lots of laughs and stories told.
    ( Yah. New audience!)

    They left about 9pm.
    So much food... but all shared really well now.

    My fairy lights are amazing.
    So happy.
    Did not show up that well in the photo though.

    Great day.
    Happily ensconced in bed with my fairy lights.
    Very comfortable bed.
    Clean dog.
    Just lovely.

    Xxxx
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  • Not much today.

    July 31, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Very quiet day.
    It was sunny but a bit windy.
    Emily worked.
    Part of her job today was to create an Australian symbol out of ‘Post It’ notes.
    A team building exercise.
    ( Her job confuses me, often.)
    Photo attached.
    Apparently there was a team meeting while she was doing this.
    Everyone watching ...
    And much laughter coming from Bumper.

    I read, a lot.
    Walked the sandbars and beach with Lacey.
    That is always so much fun.

    Decided to borrow 2 of Daryl’s boogie boards to try our hand at riding the tide as it raced into the lake.
    Haven’t done it yet but we have to give these wetsuits a real test soon.
    Hope to pick them up this weekend.

    Daryl is also going to deliver my kayak on Sunday in his Ute.
    When I used it for the first time on the lake while we were still at Daryl’s, I broke one of the buttons that lets you separate it into 2 pieces.
    I was too enthusiastic!
    So hence it is stuck in full size mode and I can’t fit it into Tin Tin.
    Can’t wait for that to arrive.
    Really keen to get into that on a daily basis.

    Daryl and Martine and Scout came for drinks at 5 pm.
    We sat at the picnic table just opposite our sites in the beautiful lawned area on the lake’s edge.
    Lovely night.
    They bought so many nibblies, we didn’t have dinner!
    They left about 7pm.

    Set up Tin Tin for an early night.
    And that’s it.

    Mum’s back is playing up again.
    Hope you are feeling better today, Mum xxxxx
    Thinking of you heaps. ❤️
    Xxxxx
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  • Saturday ... Saturday ...

    August 1, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 14 °C

    Mind you, they all seem like ‘Saturdays’ now.
    ( Sorry )

    Beautiful sunny day.
    We walked the kilometre along the beach into Woopi.
    Lots of people on the beach.
    Well ‘lots’ for up here.
    Surfers in the water.
    Children jumping the waves.
    Just a lovely walk.

    I bought new thongs.
    I had worn the others out.
    And we had breakfast in a beautiful garden courtyard of a cafe.
    Then back to purchase a boogie board for Emily.
    She decided she wanted her own.
    Did you know that the right size for a boogie board is if it comes up to your navel when it’s standing on the ground?
    Me neither.
    Seaside towns are amazing places to learn new things!

    Walk back along the beach to camp.
    Were thinking of heading out in Tin Tin to explore ....
    Then Martine rang.
    They were on their way with the kayak and bike.
    Yah!

    They arrived and were promptly ( but nicely ) told that they should not be visiting.
    No visitors allowed because of Covid.
    Oh.
    Apparently, it is in the Terms and Conditions when we booked in.
    Nobody reads those because they never really change, do they?
    But, really ... of course things have changed now.
    Just I didn’t think to read them.

    However, just in front of our site are cabins.
    They front the lawn that runs down to the lake.
    We had Friday night get together there last night at one of the tables.
    That is public land.
    The very nice caravan park lady said, “Just go down there.”
    So we did.
    The bike is too big for me.
    I can’t reach the ground so that went back.

    But the kayak was here!!!!
    Said goodbye and thanks to Daryl and Martine and carried the kayak out over the sandbar to the water.
    Emily went first, with Lacey riding point.
    I said “Make sure you clip Lacey’s lead to your belt, Emily. We don’t want her falling overboard.”
    Off they went... down the lake.
    It was low tide so deepest place might be 4 feet.
    Shallowest ... about 2 inches.
    Had to keep an eye out for those bits.

    Emily rowed back with a very wet Lacey.
    Yep.
    Went overboard.
    Emily grabbed her by her collar as she floated by the kayak.

    We took turns.... I loved it.
    So relaxing.
    You can drift....
    Or paddle...
    Whatever you like.

    Lacey stayed in the kayak.

    On my next turn, I left Lacey on the sandbar with Emily.
    They were just wandering.

    Apparently, Lacey is really ‘my’ dog.
    ( Emily is constantly stressing this point to me.)
    Always searching for me ... Must be a little dog thing.
    And when I went off without her, she scanned the horizon, ignored the ‘speck’ that was me on the water and took off to find me.
    Flying though the water, up into the public picnic ground ... searching for all she was worth.

    All I heard from 200 yards away on the water was Emily’s frantic scream “Somebody grab that dog!”
    Somebody did.
    Emily emerged down the boat ramp with a Lacey held very tightly in her arms.
    I was pretty glad.
    I did consider my options from the middle of the lake when I saw Emily crashing through the water giving chase.
    There weren’t that many.

    And a fisherman called out to me as I rowed back.
    “I caught your dog for you, love.”
    We had quite a conversation.

    So.... Lacey will kayak with me from now on.

    Emily’s little dog, Mo, was the same.
    If he lost sight of Emily, he would fly off in search of her.
    Chased a car once because he thought she was in it.

    Emily headed off on Burner the postie bike to the supermarket.
    Matt and Jess, the German tourists came to say hi and then we went to check out their van, “Miles”
    WHAT A GREAT NAME FOR A TOURING VAN!
    Wish I had thought of it.
    Will be stealing it another time.
    (Their friends had suggested “The Green Miles” but they thought the movie was too sad so “Miles” it was.)

    Nice set up.
    Shorter that Tin Tin, and they have a kitchen, so not as much room but great anyway.

    And they and Emily are going to try their hand at surfing tomorrow morning.
    I am going to watch!
    Should be fun.

    Xxx
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  • Sunday Beautiful Sunday

    August 2, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    What a beautiful day.
    Up at 7am to be ready for the boogie boarding and surfing that the young ones were going to do.
    Met up with Jess and Matt at ‘Miles’ and set off walking through the caravan park out to the beach.
    A one minute walk down a sandy path through scraggy bush that opens onto the ocean vista.
    The sight of that magnificent blue water, white breaking waves and pure white sand takes your breath away ... every single time.
    It was a magnificent day.
    Sunny and warm already.
    Walked towards Woopi ... almost to Teabag Corner.
    So named by Daryl as Martine was ill recently but still insisted on going in the water.
    Daryl said all she could do was flop up and down like a teabag.
    Hence the name.
    ( only known to an exclusive few....)

    Emily and Matt headed in.
    Emily with her wetsuit and boogie board.
    Matt with his long board.
    Matt is trying to learn to surf.
    I have included a picture of him showing us on the sand how You Tube told him to do it.

    Jess, Lacey and I were the cheer squad on the sand.
    And they had a ball.
    Then Jess headed in as well.
    I hadn’t thought that I would.
    That was a mistake.
    I will be in there next time.

    They were in the water an hour and a half with a 10 minute break in the middle.
    Lovely, lovely time.
    And Matt was nearly standing up...
    Lacey in the meantime was digging to China.
    And then would promptly stop and sit in the hole.

    Talked to so many people ... and dogs.

    Headed back about 10am for toast ( first time I used the George Foreman ), avocado and bacon for a very late breakfast.
    Emily headed off for her first 5 hour session... getting a new tattoo.

    I changed into bathers and shorts.
    It was hot!
    And set up the hammock and read with Lacey curled up on my legs.

    Matt and Jess came and borrowed the kayak for a paddle on the lake.

    Then a couple of hours later, I went kayaking.
    I remember paying a bit for wheels for the kayak.
    Best thing ever.
    I latch Lacey’s lead onto my belt so I am hands free.
    She leads the way and I tow the kayak across the grass, down the small ramp, through very shallow water onto the sandbar, and launch.
    I now put the wheels ( they fold up ) into the back of the kayak under the rubber netting.
    It’s brilliant.
    Means I leave nothing on shore and can finish wherever I like.

    Beautiful on the lake.
    I paddled and then drifted.
    Loved it.

    Emily’s back.
    She’s pleased with the tattoo so far.
    Spaghetti bolognese for dinner.

    Shower.
    In bed now. 7.25pm.

    Xxxxx
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  • More Sunday Photos.

    August 2, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Hey, my thongs hurt.
    Really hurt.
    “Keep the receipt,” she said.
    “Thirty days exchange or refund with the receipt, “ she said.
    Did I?
    No.
    Well who expects thongs to hurt?
    Metal stud... too involved to explain.
    And it hurts.

    So probably get a pair from Woolies now.

    I am no good with shoes.

    More photos....
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  • New bathers day!

    August 3, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Beautiful sunny day.
    Went for walks.
    Decided I needed new bathers.
    And Luisa, you would be so proud of me, I walked into Woopi to buy them.
    Wasn’t going to, but Emily suggested I walk and it was lovely.
    Bought 2 pairs!
    I haven’t bought bathers for years.
    Thrilled!
    Walked back along the beach.
    Stunning!
    Gave Emily a fashion parade.

    Mum was going to the Doctor’s today but her back was so bad, she couldn’t get into the car.
    So Greg rang an ambulance and they took her to Mulgrave Private Hospital.
    Absolutely no visitors so Greg could not even go to Emergency.
    Mum gets bad backs with a bad nerve which only time seems to heal.
    But they gave her a scan.
    Turns out she has fractured one rib, possibly two.
    She got out of the shower 3 days ago and sat down heavily and banged her back against a towel rail.
    Poor Mum.
    So they are keeping her in hospital.
    Hope the pain medication is up to scratch.
    We are in touch by phone but it’s not the same.

    More walks...
    Reading in the hammock ...
    Shower...
    Bed.

    Very early into bed but I read for hours.
    Loving it.
    And Lacey is the best hot water bottle ever early in the morning.

    Xxx
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  • Full Moon over Woolgoolga

    August 3, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    What a magnificent sight.
    We love full moons.
    We chase them.
    Round The Colosseum in Rome.
    Over the water in Dubrovnik.
    After the Illuminations at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
    And somewhere in Turkey ....
    Cannot believe that I have forgotten where.
    Anyway ...
    There’s a full moon over Woolgoolga.

    And it look spectacular.

    Oh!
    Oh!
    Remembered where in Turkey.
    Full moon over Pigeon Island off the coast of Kusadasi.
    Got up at 2am to take a photo.
    Best hotel resort ever!
    ( If you don’t count the Cave Hotel in Gamirasu.)
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  • Relaxing Tuesday

    August 4, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 19 °C

    Emily had walked into Woopi, grabbed a coffee from Bluebottles Cafe and walked back along the beach before I even got up!
    And I was up at 8am.
    I seem to sleep long hours here.
    I don’t set an alarm, just wake up when I wake up.
    That is heaven.

    Emily and I headed to Tai Chi in the park next to the caravan park.
    9.30am for an hour.
    It was fun.
    Still the most uncoordinated person on the planet, possibly the universe.
    But he was very nice and encouraging and we certainly enjoyed it.
    “Massage for the body” he calls it.
    Certainly felt relaxed ...
    It was so sunny, we had to move into the shade!

    Emily headed back into Bumper to work.
    I clipped Lacey’s lead to my belt and she led the way to the lake while I towed the kayak.
    It’s on wheels.
    So I just tow it along behind me.
    I learnt how to place the wheels in the kayak yesterday so I leave nothing on shore when I paddle away.

    Two good things about this...
    No one runs off with your wheels...
    And you can pull into shore wherever you like and pack up there.

    Paddling the kayak is way more fun than I thought it may be.
    I am still terrified of anything that may live in the water....
    But as it was 2 feet deep today, I thought I was OK.
    And it is fresh water...
    ( Nothing big lives in there by the way, it’s just me being paranoid.)
    There is no way that any large fish can get the 100 yards from the sea into the lake via 5 inches of water.
    ( See? I’ve thought about this, a lot.)

    So ... just to get over this irrational thought, I paddled about a kilometre to an old bridge that crosses the lake.
    Passed over rocks, tree trunks, sandbars ...
    And rounded the corner to the bridge.
    Once you pass under the bridge, the creek narrows and foliage hangs over the water like in the Amazon.
    So since getting to the bridge was my nemesis, I floated and looked... and then hitailed it out of there.
    (There might have been anacondas or something!)

    So much fun.
    The wind was creating small ripples coming towards me so I thought I was in for a struggle paddling back.
    No, the current of the creek took me and we flew along.
    ( Lacey was riding point.)

    Headed back to camp.
    Read in the hammock.
    The people are packing up on site 66.
    They leave tomorrow.
    I cannot wait.
    We are a bit cramped on this site and it doesn’t look the way we want it to.

    Decided to set up my bed permanently so the it reaches the white IKEA unit.
    The mattress piece fits perfectly to there.
    So I have my bed to lie on during the day if I want.
    All set up.
    Just perfect!
    I am so thrilled everything works so well.

    It’s been so sunny that I have put a blackout curtain on the outside of the back window during the day to keep the van a bit cooler.
    Held on with magnets.

    We have SO many magnets.
    But could not live without them.

    Walk along the beach about 5pm.
    Dinner and bed.

    Oh ... and my thongs are chewing away at my feet.
    I think I am done with them.

    Xxxxx
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  • Shift Site Wednesday!!!!

    August 5, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Woke at 7am and Emily, Lacey and I walked into Woopi to the Bluebottles Cafe for coffee and a chocolate milkshake (me!)
    Then walked back along the beach to camp.
    So funny ...
    Emily had a meeting at 8am so she took it on her headphone things, walking back along the beach.
    Now that is a workplace!

    The people on the site next to us, Site 66 moved out.
    Lovely people but I was thrilled when they left!
    Yah!
    My site!
    My site!

    Went to the office to pay and then a lovely man turned up to whipper snip, mow and blow the lawn clippings away with an enormous leaf blower.

    And then I moved in!!!!!!
    Took 10 minutes to set up and we LOVE it.
    Drove onto the site and set up the sun shelter.
    We have so much room.
    This is how we set up normally.
    Were so messy sharing the same site.
    But still, it let us move in early...

    So thrilled.
    Lots of photos.
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  • Fun sunny day

    August 5, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Lay in Tin Tin ...
    The wind was a bit cold.
    And ordered a Director’s Chair on the Internet.
    Tried to think what else I could buy.
    Drew a blank.
    Did look for ‘Drip Rings’ for the kayak paddle that stop the water running down the paddle onto your lap.
    Looked complicated.
    Will look more tomorrow.
    Forecast ... sunny but 17 degrees.
    Rain forecast for Friday.

    Drove into Woopi.
    Bought a throw rug and some baskets for the van.
    The throw rug ... needed just something extra at night, and will be great for the hammock.
    Baskets ... need a place for everything in a van.

    Love dinner outside.
    Then inside writing this.

    Mum still in hospital.
    Feeling much better as she does not have to move much, getting meals, cups of tea etc.
    Will be there til Monday.
    Then into rehab to give her time to heal.

    Nigh nigh xxx-
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  • Shopping day.

    August 6, 2020 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    Funny but that’s about all I did.
    Went for groceries.
    Went for a long walk on the beach with Lacey.
    Watched a Grandfather and Grandson fly a kite on the beach.

    Emily and I walked the sandbars.
    We actually crossed the creek from one side to the far side today.
    Timed it just right so we could walk across.
    It was about knee deep.
    And, for the first time, Lacey swam across to be with us.
    She is so tiny.
    And the water is so deep for her.
    Yah!
    She’s a swimmer now!
    Honestly, she was so pleased with herself !
    ( Our jumping up and down in congratulations helped!)

    And, after much exploring of the bush ( Lacey ) we went back across the creek and she swam with us like a little trouper!

    I wonder if she will stay in the kayak now she knows she can swim?

    Grocery shopping.
    Spent a fortune.
    However, we now have snacks...
    And fruit.... ( We ate all the last lot.)
    Camping is hungry work.

    Not so nervous jumping into Tin Tin to drive anywhere now.
    Taken me long enough.
    ( You would think driving from Berwick to Coffs would have me a veteran now...
    No.
    I have to drive 1/2 a km to Woopi and I think, ‘I can do this!)
    Weird.

    Wonderful roast chicken for dinner in Bumper while watching Australian Story.

    Emily and I sat on the step of Tin Tin ( Our FAVOURITE place ) and talked and laughed.
    It’s chilly tonight.
    Rain forecast tomorrow.

    Let’s see what happens.
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  • Setting up, ready for rain.

    August 7, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Had a great day.
    The forecast was for rain in the afternoon so we took down my green sun shelter and put up the awning on my van.
    That took 5 minutes.
    It’s fun camping.
    Hopefully we have everything we need for the different types of weather.

    Emily set up permanent hot water to her sink today.
    And ran piping to drain from her sink to the park drain system.
    She is so excited.
    Hot water in Bumper!!!

    Then we played around with her awning, in the rain.
    So much fun.
    Just getting the angle right so all the water drained well.
    Then we put the side awning up as well.
    So she now has a garage for her bike.

    Then we retreated to our vans.
    I watched a movie on Netflix.
    Actually got to the end. That surprised me.
    I am relaxing.
    Very enjoyable afternoon.

    Then Lacey and I and my huge Bunnings umbrella went for a walk on the beach in the rain.
    We were the only ones on the entire beach.
    It was magnificent.
    The mist off the water through the rain was beautiful.

    All set up for night now.
    Laying on my bed with the fairy lights on and the rain falling on the roof.
    Lovely.

    Rang Mum.
    She was moved by ambulance transport from hospital to Rehab at St John of God in Berwick.
    Thought of Steve. Would have been amazing if he was still driving and took my Mum!
    I asked Mum what it was like ...

    “Paradise.
    They get me a hot cup of tea when I ask for one.
    They always answer the buzzer.
    The fish and chips for lunch was delicious.
    I have a room to myself with 2 enormous picture windows that look out over the view all the way to Cranbourne.
    I had a 1/2 hour chat with a lady doctor and she has upped my pain management.
    It’s Paradise.”

    How great is that? 😄
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  • Lovely Saturday

    August 8, 2020 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    The rain had cleared overnight so Emily and I walked into Woopi for brunch at our favourite cafe, Ground Earth.
    The owner recognised us as Daryl’s family ( pretty switched on lady ) and even said of Lacey ...“That’s not Scout, is it?”
    She even remembered the dog’s name.
    Had a lovely lunch even if 2 ladies at an adjoining table snaffled our 2 separate orders when they had ordered one meal to share.
    They thought they were very generous helpings!
    We didn’t care, just ordered desert as well.

    Walked back and checked out the long wooden bridge over the creek.
    And also the bats at rest.

    Emily went off for a kayak and I read on the hammock.
    Emily had a visit from a girl she met on a friends group up here, Reno and her dog Jessie.
    Lovely girl.
    Lives in Sandy Beach.
    They went and explored the beach then back to camp where we all chatted.

    Takeaway Indian for dinner.
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