Year off around Australia

Roger has his alarm set - wakes us up at 7am. Up we get and Roger prepares a cooked breakfast - our egg and bacon combo we're fond of. Roger has already put Tonka the cat out into his outside enclosure and let the chooks out into their daytime pen. So after breakfast and tidy up, I'm right to do the rest of the morning jobs while Roger takes the ute in for a wheel alignment. I get these jobs done, then go out to the caravan to enjoy watching the next episode (6) in the latest Reacher series (S3) - which I do on my Prime subscription. After this go back into the house and boil up some eggs to have ready for Bilby's feeds - he gets half a hard-boiled egg each night - along with grain, sultanas and fruit. Roger gets back, so now relaxing for a while. Lunch, sandwiches for Roger, open toasties for me. As we know we're going out this evening I decide (again) to drive into Clare earlier than I have been, to feed Ashleigh's cats. I only stay with them for around 45 minutes - so I'm back in good time to have a shower and get ready for our outings. Roger has done parts of the afternoon jobs (sheep, chooks and cat) so we'll do the roos and possum when we get back tonight. We leave around 3.30pm and return 9.30pm. I get changed into 'round home clothes' to help with the jobs - get them done. Roger has his shower, we relax before going to bed.
15/03/25 Saturday. My turn to have an alarm set for 7am - making sure I have plenty of time to be organised for the Parkrun that is held just down the road from us. Roger kindly drives me to the spot and returns with me around 9am. We do the morning animal schedule, then have our late breakfast. I strip the sheets off the bed we're using and get a load of washing going. Tegan calls on Whatsapp- so enjoy a chat with her, and a quick hello with Robert too, as he's doing a job before the day heats up (replacing someone's carport posts). Roger gets the washing hung out - doesn't take long to dry, so we get in back in for folding etc, I remake our bed.
Lunch - sandwiches for Roger (cheese and vegemite) and sour dough open toasties for me, garlic sauce, avocado, tomato and cheese. Relax indoors keeping cool. Around 3pm I head into Clare to look after Ashleigh's cats. I stay and watch a Netflix movie 'A Family Affair' -starring Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron - not bad. I get back around 5.30pm (got breatholized on the drive back - no drinks yet today). Check with Rog if we're going to Clare Rodeo - he doesn't feel like it, and I'm fine to stay here too. Get the afternoon animal schedule done. Tea tonight, steak and salad. Tidy up, then spa time. After our showers we go feed Bilby (the possum), then relax until bedtime.
16/03/25 Sunday Roger's up first and goes and starts the animal schedule before coming back in for his breakfast. I get up and have my breakie too. Roger finishes the morning jobs, while I tidy up and get ready to go to the swap meet Roger's keen to check out. We leave around 9am, and return here before lunch. Lunch we have a cheese kranski each followed by some fruit. Relax reading, and I write up a card with a short note included for Auntie Vera's 101 birthday this coming Friday. This may not make it in time, but fingers crossed, I'll put it in the post today - along with a sympathy card to Quentin on the death of his Dad, Rod. At 4pm I drive into Clare to go to Ashleigh's - cats and watering plants. While here I watch a Netflix movie - something with Jennifer Lopaz in it - quite fun. When I return at 6.30pm Roger already has the afternoon jobs done and tea cooking. Tea tonight is chicken snitzels and salad with boiled potatoes. We share a small apple pie (Sara Lee from freezer) heated up for dessert. I make a phonecall to Leigh - confirming he'll be going to Auntie Thelma's funeral on Tuesday. Next it's dark enough for Roger and I to go and feed Bilby the possum. Then we get into our bathers and go have a spa. Have showers, cuppa, relax until bedtime.
17/03/25 Monday I get up at 7.30am and go for a run, while Roger happily has his breakfast and does the morning jobs. When I get back I have my breakfast and have a shower. Then get ready to go for a drive - day trip outing. We leave 9.30am and return around 2.30pm. We relax until time for me to go into Clare to feed Ashleigh's cats. Roger takes care of afternoon jobs here. I get back around 6pm - Roger has pizzas (his make up on bases) for our tea. After eating, Roger goes and has a spa, I stay inside catching up on the budget books. After Roger has a shower, we both go and feed Bilby. Now relax before bed.
18/03/25 Tuesday. I enjoy a lie in, reading 'Ugly' by Robert Hoge. Roger has his breakfast and gets the morning jobs done. I get up and have breakfast. I ring my work to find out what I need to do when I'm not returning at the expected time - in June. It will mean a detailed email - I 'll do that later.... Now get ready to go for a drive - we leave at 10am and get back at 1pm. We eat the lunch that Roger had packed - left over pizza and a cheese and vegemite sandwich each. We relax, reading, I finish off the book 'Ugly' - and understand why Roger felt he could relate well with the mother's passing - his Mum died too young as well. Time for me to drive into Clare and tend to Ashleigh's cats. I stay with them a while and watch a Netflix movie. Get back here around 6pm. Roger has the afternoon jobs done and a lamb roast cooking for tea. Have our tea, then go for a spa. After our showers, I start watching the recording of the livestream of Auntie Thelma's funeral that was held today - very nicely done. We feed Bilby, then I resume watching Auntie Thelma's service. Rest In Peace Thelma Moss. Will write this and head to bed - where Roger is already.
19/03/25 Wednesday. We both get up around 7.30am. Have our breakfasts, Roger goes and does the morning jobs while I stay indoors and tidy up. I do go and put Tonka (cat) out in his outdoor enclosure. Roger and I decide to just have a stay about here day. With that, I go for a walk for 3 to 4 hrs into Clare along the Riesling Trail and return. I get back at 2pm and Roger and I have lunch. Meat and salad sandwiches for Roger and 2 open toasties - sauce, meat, capsicum, tomato and cheese- for me. Relax for a bit, before making a batch of yoyo biscuits (Thermomix). Then time for me to drive into Clare to feed the cats. I stay with them and watch another Netflix movie, before returning just after 6pm. Roger has the afternoon jobs done, and organising another yummy roast meal. Our tea, heated up roast lamb with roast potatoes, pumpkin, carrots and boiled brocolli, cauliflower, corn served with gravy. Spa time next, then our showers. Robert calls (Roger has been doing phone tag with him) to update us on our mail - we've received shire notifications of failure to vote. Roger has an email record of letting them know we're away/out of state - so we will let them know this with our response. Next time to feed Bilby, now catching up budget books and writing this up, before joining Roger to read in bed.
20/03/25 Thursday. Goodness, Jacky, Marty, Ashleigh and Paula will be back tomorrow afternoon! Their time in Canada has gone quick!
We get up around 7am, as Roger is 'primed' to go on a morning walk with me. We have our breakfasts and get our morning jobs done first before we go. We leave (driving) 8.20am and have returned by 9.45am. As it's raining - enough to create puddles, Roger is keen to get outside and wash down the caravan, ute and Jacky's car - which he does. I'm inside tidying up, including mopping up the kitchen bench area and appliances where we left a window open and the rain has come in! I figure it's a good day to make another batch of yoyo biscuits - this lot I'm making to leave in at Ashleigh's place - as thank you for her effort to leave her home as a great place for me to retreat and relax. I've looked forward to each day going there to look after her cats, have a cuppa, watch a movie and enjoy some treats (cake, biscuits, chocolate bars, chips) - plus she's paid some money ($20 a day) as well. Lunch today, Roger has his meat and salad sandwiches, I have yoghurt and fresh passionfruit (from Jacky's vine). I start to tidy and get organised to be ready to move back into our caravan. I'm just about to make the icing cream to join the yoyos together - when I get a call from Barb - so great to hear her voice! Not quite as 'bubbly' sounding as normal - on catch up chat, Barb has alot going on with her family - not an easy time, fingers crossed it will all sort out soon - they're a great family unit. Pleased to have caught up abit on Barb's news - won't be too long (just over 2 weeks) until we see each other in person at MFSR Bush Festival - yay!
Back to joining my biscuits together before I head into Ashleigh's for my last trip in to do her cats. Roger informs me, he'll take me in as he's got rubbish and recycling he'll put in Ash's bins (town service). Then he'll go grocery shopping while I do what I need to with the cats etc. Get the cats fed and tidy the place, check the plants, put yoyos in Ash's container and leave a 'welcome home -thank you' card. Roger has tidied out the front veranda while waiting for me. We get fuel on the way back to here. Time to do the afternoon round - feed animals. Tea tonight is cold meat (last of the leftover roast lamb) and salad. Spa time, then showers. Roger feeds Bilby - I'm doing our budget books. Relax before bedtime.
21/03/25 Friday. It's our Auntie Vera's 101 birthday today - she is an inspiration and sooo loved. We'll be raising a glass in cheers for her later today for sure! Wow - this fortnight has flown- Jacky and Marty will be back today! Roger and I get up at 7.30am and have our breakfasts. Roger goes and does the morning animal feed routine while I start a load of washing and start moving back to our caravan. Amazing how much stuff we have gotten into this house while staying! Roger and I have a good morning - getting things done so Jacky and Marty arrive back to a neat and organised homecoming - just want them to be able to do what they need to and then get some rest! Roger decides we need some more bread, so we go to Clare Rise Bakery - very nice! Come back here and continue sorting washing and making sure all is in order. Have a later lunch, fresh bread cheese and vegemite sandwiches. We're now totally back in our caravan - so all food prep, done in here. Around 2.30pm Jacky and Marty arrive back - being dropped off by Ashleigh and Paula. All look tired, but relaxed and happy - their Canada trip was a success, beaut family get together. Ashleigh and Paula head off (back to Ashleigh's home in Clare - fingers crossed all well with her cats, like we left them yesterday) - and we leave Jacky and Marty 'to it' to settle back home - unpacking, washing etc. Rog and I just relax, Roger reading outside, me watching Episode 7 of S3 Reacher in our van. Around 4.30pm we sit outside with Jacky and Marty and have a nice chat - about their holiday and our experience at their place. Roger and I then go for a drive to the Tourist Centre to have 'Friday drinks', we return around 6.30pm. Jacky and Marty are now trying to catch up on sleep, so we've offered to feed Bilby tonight so they don't have to get up to do it. Roger cooks up his Sausage Surprise for our tea, we follow this with some chocolate for dessert - that Jacky got for us in Canada as a 'thank you' gift - very spoilt. Now dark enough to go feed Bilby, then Roger has his shower in the van. Now relaxing until bedtime.
22/03/25 Saturday. I have my alarm set to wake us up just before 7am. We're leaving this morning in time to get to Clare Valley Parkrun. We get up and get dressed and get the caravan packed and sorted to go. Say our goodbyes to Jacky and Marty and head off 7.40 am. It's been a lovely 2 weeks staying here.Read more