• Andrea McClure

Year off around Australia

Roger and I setting off in the Dmax Ute with our Goldstream caravan in tow to explore our country Okumaya devam et
  • Spinifex Brewery

    25 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Come here to do some 'sampling' and to have a light lunch. We achieve those quite happily here. They offer plenty of different meal 'specials' on different days - which we can tell is a winner ie tonight is steak night $25, Thursday "Parma" for $20 etc. Great venue, though we'd need to get used to their drinks - not bad though, just prefer other's (for me Matso's Ginger beer👍). Lunch was a fancy toasted sandwich and chips for Roger $19, and a Beetroot and feta salad for me $14. Yum.Okumaya devam et

  • Sun Pictures

    25 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    This venue has the claim to 'The world's oldest outdoor cinema in operation'. Certainly a historic building that it runs from!
    Was fun to be outdoors, sitting in the recline position of the bench seating, watching a good movie. "Thelma" - a story of a 93 year old woman who gets taken in by a phone scam and what she does about it. Well done.
    Note: after watching tonight's movie previews - ones I wouldn't mind giving a watch "Runt" and "The Wild Robot" - probably children/family type! Along with "Deadpool & Wolverine" - surely just for adults!
    Okumaya devam et

  • The Wharf Restaurant

    26 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    After going to the Tourist Centre, when we 1st arrived in Broome, and getting some brochures about Broome - this place came up on our radar for 'happy hours' prices on oysters - daily they do 1/2 price on their oysters from 2pm to 5pm.
    On arrival, 1st impressions great, lovely welcoming staff, spotless and elegant dining areas (indoor and outdoor) and even better, plenty of other people here as well.
    We enjoy complimentary bottle of sparkling water along with a Asahi beer for Roger and a glass of Prosecco for me. We order (have to be in 1/2 doz quantity of each selection) 6 of each - except for Natural (my fav I know!) and Kilpatrick. 18 oysters - so nine each. We're here to try flavours with oysters we haven't had before.... Oh this went well, beautifully presented fresh oysters - done to very high standard with their flavour ingredients. This was worth the $76 all up!
    Okumaya devam et

  • Cable Beach swim

    26 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    After enjoying our oyster snack (lunch for me) at Wharf Restaurant we're prepared with our bathers to go for a swim... So Cable Beach, here we are! We leave the ute in the carpark and stroll down onto Cable Beach. Magnificent sight on a lovely warm day, we've got plenty of other beach goers and lifeguards are on duty - so no qualms about swimming here today.
    The water is not cold (like Port Fairy) and today the current seems stronger (than Port Fairy's) so we just stay in our depth close to shore. Roger catches a few good waves for body surfing (he's muttered that he wishes he had his boogie board) and I enjoy bobbing around like a cork - until the current wears me out. Then it's time to lie about on the beach - relaxing. Roger goes back in for another dip, before we decide to head back to our caravan park. We agree we'll have a swim back there too, before tea.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Cygnet Bay

    27 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    Arrive here by big bus, we're on the Kimberley Day Cruise tour, with about 30 other paying cruisers, we've been picked up at 5am this morning from our Broome Caravan Park.
    Next we're ferried out to the tour boat Ohana by 'very cool' tender craft (semi rigid inflatable boats with wheels to use on land). Now enjoy a most stunning day (as we'd want for the tour price!) being totally taken 'care of' by lovely Captain Mark and his 7 crew (shout out to them all, great friendly, helpful service with attention to details. Denis -the boat maintainer- happy to give Rog and I a quick look at the sleeping quarters below deck - bonus!). We are seated in arrangements of 8 guests per table (6 tables) and we have extra space as only 6 people on our table - ourselves, Alan and Kathryn (Perth - Mandurah?) young married couple doing this tour while Mum looks after their 2 young children, Marcus and Bridget (Switzerland) older couple on a travel visa. Lovely folk, so enjoy our time eating together lol. The rest of the time, free to move about the boat - on the front (helm) a favourite (but no seats) so spent a fair bit of time seating on the side of the boat taking in the spectacular views and nice cruising breeze. The food was fantastic - all freshly cooked (alot done in front of us) by the lovely chef Jess. 11 courses throughout the day - so needless to say we are full!
    The only disappointment for our trip, which has no bearing on the service and care of our tour, we are on a 'neap tide' which means there is not much variance in the tide heights (low and high tides) so we do not get a 'show' of the Horizontall Falls 'running' (around 11.30 am). Still enjoy the 'grandeur' of the place, and our tour adds on an extra tender boat excursion to show off extra scenery (locals use for Cyclone refuge).
    Return cruise from the falls, Ohana's bar is open, so we enjoy lovely drinks (for me Pina Cola slushie cocktail, Chandon bubbles and Matso's Ginger beer) with our 'Degustion' menu. We are returned to our bus by 5pm - think most of us sleep on the trip back to Broome (a wake up with bus driver avoiding hitting a cow) - we are delivered back to our caravan park 7.15pm. Great tour - great day out.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Broome Saturday Market

    28 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Come here for breakfast - I have a Mushroom and cheese Quasadilla, yummo! My drink is a Mango smoothie - delicious.
    Now time to stroll around and check out the market - Roger tells me he's already done this! He's had something from one of the vendors for a snack, now off looking for a coffee.
    We have a nice wander around - I purchase some earrings from Unplain Jane. Rog and I agree this market is lovely in it's shaded setting. Apparently the Thursday Evening Markets are held elsewhere.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Absolute Oceans Charter cruise

    28 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ 🌬 29 °C

    Picked up by mini bus at 2.15pm from Broome Caravan Park. Go collect more passengers then end up at the Jetty. We now get transferred to the tour boat by a tender (it does 2 trips to get all of us on - guessing around 20 of us + 3 crew). We cruise around Roebuck Bay (huge area) enjoying drinks (BYO or pay for - we did both) and nibbles (provided with tour) - fingerfood that kept coming out throughout the cruise (very tasty). We get to see pods of Snubfin dolphins and Green turtles. A couple of sea snakes were sighted but I missed these. Towards the end of our tour we enjoy watching the sunset behind the city of Broome across the water. Then it's time to be taken back by the tender to shore, where the bus collects us and delivers us back to our accommodation. Back at our caravan around 6.30pm. Lovely experience.Okumaya devam et

  • Kayaking with Richard and Nick

    29 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    This morning we drove to the Broome Visitor Centre and parked the ute in the carpark. To meet with Richard and his assistant Nick at 8.30am with their mini bus and trailer loaded with 8 tandem kayaks. We were 1st pick-up so we travelled around Broome as the rest of the morning's participants were collected.
    Then Richard drives us onto Gantheaume Beach where we get our instructions/lesson on kayaking before life jackets put on and away we go - staying together as a group and heading for Gantheaume Point. Great 3 hours of paddling, chatting, looking at whatever we could see - birds, a couple of quick glimpses of turtles and the shadow of a stingray. Had a stop on the rocks, with a swim followed by cold drink (bottled water) and snacks (simple packaged food ie chips and biscuits) before paddling back to the beach to finish, and be loaded up to deliver to our drop off locations. Enjoyed this tour - stunning scenery and informative and lovely guides with Richard and Nick.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Moontide Distillery

    29 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Roger drives us here - it is less than 5 minutes from our caravan park. We're here for tastings and to have a shared cheese board for lunch. With our tastings - we get a very good run through of the products from Tiggy - there's 3 gins, an aniseed spirit, a vodka, a rum and a bitters. We try all of them - except the bitters. We settle on sampling the 3 gins with mixes, which we enjoy with our cheeses, olives, dates, dried apricots, almonds and dry biscuits. All great, I let Roger pick which gin we'll purchase. Their 'signature' White Pearl Gin. I also get a gift pack of the 3 gins to give to Troy and Raelene - as I so want to thank them and return the favour for their 'care package' of goodies they sent us. Able to get this posted by the distillery, free of charge because of our purchasing. Nice way to fill in an hour or so.Okumaya devam et

  • Sun Pictures Broome

    29 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ 🌙 29 °C

    Roger's a good sport, and let's me, on short notice (disrupts our tea plans of crumbing and cooking up some of Ronnie's Barramundi) decide we'll go see another movie - as it's one I decided from the previews the other night that I'd like to try. Runt - a story of a dog and his young owner. A children's story - that all the family can enjoy. I leave happy - as a feel good ending.Okumaya devam et

  • Broome Golf Club

    30 Eylül 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Drive up here to find this has really good views both sides - overlooking town beach, Roebuck Bay closest side, then other side can see Cable Beach in the distance. We just have a drink here, check out the menu and looks like it would be a great place for meals too.Okumaya devam et

  • Broome Life Saving Club

    1 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Here again to enjoy watching the sunset. Great spot for it!
    Planning to go on a beach walk afterwards as today is the start of our Oceans to Outback challenge - we've got a online team together to raise funds for Royal Flying Doctor Service. Roger and I have pledged to walk 96km (at least) in this month. Great motivation to keep us moving.Okumaya devam et

  • Broome Boulevard Cafe

    2 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Have got the caravan sorted and ready to travel, so we have ducked away without it to do a small grocery shop at Woolworths. Now enjoying a cuppa for Roger and a juice for me at this Cafe in the plaza.
    Next we'll head back to the caravan park, hitch up and get underway. Our time in Broome has been wonderful.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Barn Hill Beachside Station Stay

    2–4 Eki 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Well 3 gates to open and go through to get here, driving on red sand. Worth it, beautiful spot beside the ocean. The main 'negative' reviews we've been hearing - is if wanting power (we do for air-conditioning) it is very 'sketchy' and can keep cutting out, so you can't use too many appliances. We're OK with that 🤞we'll just use our gas for anything else. The camping price is up too, $48 per night powered - but for the amazing location we can understand that as well.
    When we arrived it was out of office hours, so we follow displayed instructions and fill out a form and deposit it in their box, before wandering around the camp areas until we are happy with our site selection. We set up on site 56. All great - I'll be abit sad if someone sets up on site 55 - it'll block our view of the water. It's fairly quiet ATM so our view might be safe...
    Once settled on our campsite, we relax and have lunch. Leftover risotto for me, sandwiches for Roger. Next when we get around to it, we'll walk down to the beach for a swim. Went and had our swim, very nice pottering around the rocks checking out small crabs and little fish. We come back to camp and read for a while, before getting ourselves ready to go for a beach walk to watch the sunset. This was wonderful - sunset beautiful and beach walk terrific for our Oceans to Outback challenge - we did 7.5kms.
    On getting back to our caravan we sit outside for a while - gorgeous night with a lovely breeze, then we have showers (use our caravan shower - don't want any more sand from outside before bed) and Roger prepares our chicken surprise stove top casserole. Very nice with heaps of vegetables in it. We follow this with the remainder of last night's apple crumble for dessert. Tidy up, now to relax - we'll read our books in bed. I'm feeling 'out of sorts' - I received a phone message from TripADeal (Gabe and my trip to Canada tour operator) - knocking back my request for an Early Arrival. No use 'stewing' I'll just have to plead my case in writing once we're back with good mobile/internet service.
    Thursday morning - lovely morning here. Roger only got up once throughout the 'night' - earlier morning really lol 5.30am as our power 'tripped' and power out - so Rog reset it to get it going again. We get up about 7.30am, Roger straight over to the cafe, opens 7.30am to 9.30am and 1.30pm to 3.30pm, to get a cappuccino and a chai latte. He then proceeds to defrost our caravan fridge/freezer. I make our porridge on the stove. After breakfast, we tidy up and finish cleaning the fridge and reset it up. We've decide we like this place enough to stay another night - so Rog goes and pays for that. Now he's set up his hammock in the shade and happily reading his book in it. I'm catching up on this and then I'll get relaxing with a book too.
    Arh ha - it's happened today....people have moved onto site 55 and blocked my view, haha doesn't matter I've still got a side view and lovely breeze. Turns out these 'new' neighbours are really lovely, Paul and Dale, retired couple on the tail end of 3 months of travelling (with their very nice set up, Xcountry Extreme caravan at least 21ft and V8 Land Cruiser wagon). They are now homeward bound back to Perth and plan to stay here 2 or 3 nights before they 'go for it'. Spend our morning relaxing reading our books - then late lunch, leftover chicken surprise casserole for Roger, open toasties for me made with crusts, avocado, Rael's zucchini relish, salami and cheese. We decide to continue with our reading and relaxing - not sure we can even be bothered going for a dunk today! No, we decide to stick with our beach walk today. This time we head off to the left when we get on the beach - and walk to the 1st point, which at low tide we can walk about. Both Roger and I see the biggest crabs we've seen ourselves on the beach (see bigger ones for sale to eat) - they are very quick to hide so no photos captured! Roger goes back to the caravan as I decide to walk further, back to the right from entry point, to check out the rock 'ruins' and take in the sunset on the way back. When I get back, I find Rog has been locked out of the van as he didn't have his own keys on him! Oh well, he made the most of that, catching up with other campers and 'chillin' in the cafe area. We relax at our caravan, drinks in hand, watching the night sky afterglow of sunset, before Rog showers (in our van) then gets tea sorted. Beef tacos tonight. After this I shower in our caravan, then tidy up. Time to relax before bed.
    Roger's up and getting breakfast sorted around 6.30am this Friday morning. I have a lie in until 7.30am reading my book. Then it's time for porridge and my cup of tea. Roger is very happy, he's in the process of securing our 2nd house sitting job - this one we'll do 1st as it's in Geraldton, 2 weeks of looking after 2 dogs and home. We go over to the Cafe and have cappuccino for Rog, hot chocolate for me ($11 together) and make the phone call to chat with Alise, to confirm we're happy to deal with 'pulling' dogs on their leads- that secures the job. So we'll be in Geraldton by the 24th of this month. Now back to our caravan to finish off pack up (Roger basically has it all ready to go) and we're leaving before 9am.
    Just before we leave, Paul and Dale call by to say goodbye, and Dale gives me her written list of places they feel are worth a look. As I said - just lovely people.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Eighty Mile Beach Caravan Park

    4–5 Eki 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Get here and book in at reception/Cafe. Now low season rates so $25 a night powered. We just book for 1 night to start.....see what we think once we've settled etc... Cafe offering a 'Fish & Chips' night this evening for $25 a head. We're happy to do that - they allow me to have squid instead of fish. Go settle on our allocated site No.39. Not much shade for us here - but awning will do. Nice central position for amenities. After Rog has set up the caravan and awning - he has a quick shower in the caravan to cool down. Air-conditioner is on - and already working its magic. Will have some lunch. Sandwich for Roger, open toasties for me. Relax reading until we decide to go for our walk before collecting our tea order. We go for a lovely walk on Eighty Mile Beach - the tide is way out to Billy O, so I do find some lovely shells that I can't resist taking back with me. Luckily I'm checking if anything is still living in the shells - if so I put them back. When we return it's time to get our takeaway tea order - perfect timing (pick up at 5.30pm) to wander with it and go to the viewing platform seating to sit and eat while watching the sunset over the water. Then back to our caravan to have our showers - we use caravan park amenities tonight, quick tidy up then reading until bed. Roger sets his alarm to get us up at 11.30pm to go back to the viewing platform and check out the nights high tide - worth doing. Hard to believe the huge expanse of difference between low and high.
    Back to bed to sleep the rest of the night.
    Saturday morning sees me up early, so I head off for a beach run at 6.15am, when I get back Roger has had his breakfast and the van is well on the way to being ready to leave (outside stuff anyway). I have breakfast, then head off for a shower. Get back and help finish the tidy up to get underway. Feel abit sorry to be leaving after just one night (quite comfy and love having the beautiful beach so close to stroll on) - but know there's plenty more to look at and check out. Off we go...well before 9am.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Pardoo Station Caravan Park

    5–6 Eki 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Arrive and head to reception in the Pardoo Store to book in - as we step into the shop I take a call from Tegan, and Robert has taken the call as well, so I step out and leave Rog to handle our arrangements while I enjoy a chat with our offspring 💕 Once I finish my chat, I get back to working with Roger to settle us in on our allotted campsite No 84. It's a drive through site - but not that level, we have a slight hump in the middle, so we just chock the caravan's back wheels to compensate. After Roger's set up, he's happy to go straight to the pool for a refresh. I stay in the caravan with the air-conditioning and end up having another nice chat with Tegan before she goes to bed (Canada time difference). Roger arrives back and we have lunch - yep sandwiches for Roger, open toasties for me. After this it's time to drive the ute to the beach 4.5km away to check out today's high tide. We drive around, checking out the points of interest as well. When we return to camp, I'm happy to 'hole up' in the caravan with my books (budget and reading) while Roger goes for another swim in the pool. I go back to the store to get the Wifi password to download a audible book Batavia by Peter Fitzsimons. While there I can't resist buying a cinnamon scroll, fresh from the Station's kitchen, lovely young lass serving me gives me a free croissant as well! I also purchase 4pk cans of pear cider. The afternoon just disappears with us relaxing about camp. Tea tonight, Roger cooks up lamb steaks and we have stir-fried and boiled vegetables. Our preserved pears for dessert. Roger goes and has his shower, now time to tidy up and relax before bed. We're discussing our next plans - timing for Geraldton around the 26th of this month.
    Sunday morning Roger out and about nice and early, before 6am, but I decide to stay in bed and read for a while. I get up around 7am and get straight into my bathers, I'll have my porridge then go for a swim (dog paddle 😜) when the pool opens at 8am. We've decided to move on today so I tidy up to be organised to leave after I swim then shower. Roger decides he'll come for a swim too so we head off just before 8am to find the pool isn't open - on chatting with the staff member working around the pool - he informs us the pool won't be open until 9am today as he's put chemicals in this morning that need the extra time to settle. Oh well - just means I'll go shower and Rog will continue to get us sorted for take off. We leave 8.45am.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Pardoo Creek

    5 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Part of our drive around this afternoon. High tide and plenty of fishermen and families out here trying their luck.
    I'm including photos from the beach and the lookout here as well.

  • Red Point Pardoo Station

    5 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Come to this place at the beach - with high tide not the time to walk around the point. It's lovely, but Roger and I agree after seeing Barn Hill's points and rock formations, this seems abit underwhelming. We concede Pardoo Station may be the better place to come for fishing - especially the creek....?Okumaya devam et

  • De Grey River RA Dump Point & Rest Stop

    6 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    Stop here for Roger to let out some air in the replacement tyre, he just put on this morning due to a flat tyre on the caravan, the pressure in it is a bit too high.
    We had just got off the gravel road from Pardoo Station and onto the bitumen of the Great Northern Highway - when our 'Safety Dave' tyre pressure sensors alarmed - showing that there was an issue with the caravan wheels. Sure enough, when we'd pulled off onto the side of the road and got out to look, the 2nd caravan wheel on the drivers side was totally flat. Proof the tyre pressure gadget is worthwhile! Tyre has a clean puncture- that should be fine to fix, not driven on too long and shredded.Okumaya devam et

  • Port Hedland Visitor Centre

    6 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Our 2nd stop since arriving in Port Hedland. Our 1st was to fuel up, then we've come here to find out what we should check out. The lady and gentleman in the centre did their job well, and have us loaded with information and ready to do a couple of tours - 1 we booked with them for Tuesday morning, a wharf tour including a boat trip.Okumaya devam et

  • Hedland Harbour Cafe

    6 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    This Cafe is near the Visitor Centre and we call in for lunch. Pretty pricey pasta for us - though it was good. I had Pesto Chorizo Penne and Roger had Seafood Fettuccine. No drinks and it still cost $53.
    After we finish here, we go for a walk to look in the harbour as a large ship is pushed out of the port with help from the tug boats. While watching this I get a phone call from TripADeal (last night I put in an online form request for a call back) - a nice chap Adam, who gives me the impression there will be no problem to book my Early Arrival to Calgary for July 8th next year. He tells me he will email me the details for my confirmation and payment (extra cost for EA). I am looking forward to this email! There is a public holiday tomorrow - so I'm told not to expect a response until Tuesday.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Discovery Parks Port Hedland

    6–8 Eki 2024, Avustralya ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    While having our lunch, Roger rang and checked out the pricing at the 2 main caravan parks. This one is the dearest one, but we have gone for convenience, as it is closer to the wharf (5km as compared to 10km). Turns out that this park does G'day discount (we didn't realise) so it just turns out $5 dearer per night, costing $55 per night powered.
    We book in for 2 nights, and settle in on our campsite 104. Next we go for a drive for abit of a look around and to get some groceries from Woolworths just before we come back. We get back and unpack our groceries, before jumping back in the ute to drive back into Port Hedland wharf area to do a self guided town walk. This will be our walk for Oceans to Outback Challenge today. When we get back, Roger has time for a dunk in the pool, while l relax at the caravan. Next Roger cooks up the remainder lamb steaks, while I steam a bunch of Asparagus and chop up some salad. That's tea tonight. Roger goes and showers, I rest about, then we do the dishes and tidy up. Roger keen to get to bed - we're doing a early Guided Reef Walk (freebie) in the morning, to be there by 6am. I'm just writing this up, maybe do some budget stuff, then bedtime for me too.
    Roger's alarm has us getting up 5am Monday morning to have our breakfast - muesli and yoghurt for both of us - and get ready to drive to Cemetery Beach for a tour.
    Once we've finished the tour, we drive out to Wedgefield, a suburb of Port Hedland, to go to OTR Tyres to get our caravan tyre fixed. While out that way - we check out the big wheelbarrow, and Roger grabs a cappuccino from a coffee van parked in its vicinity. Get to OTR to leave the punctured tyre with them and Roger is able to book our ute in for a wheel alignment at 3.30pm today there as well. On our way back to our caravan park, we stop at a bridge where people can view the passing trains. Get back to our campsite, I have some fruit juice and a read up of some Tourist info brochures, Roger dusts and cleans inside the caravan, including washing the floor. I go and get a couple of loads of washing going, $4 a load here. Relax about until we can get the washing out on the park's clotheslines to dry. Now lunch time, so sandwiches for Roger and open toasties for me. Roger's going back and forth to the pool for cooldowns - I'm content to stay in the van with the air-conditioning reading my book. Roger heads off with the ute for it's wheel alignment, I stay behind thinking I'll take a nap - in the end I didn't, just continued reading my book for a while. Then decided to make the sour cream apple slice - used the thermomix and the BBQ. Slice turned out OK. Roger gets back, the tyre had to be replaced, so we have a new spare now, and it's great the ute's wheels are checked. We relax with drinks outside, before going for a swim in the pool. While there, we check out the food van that's at the park tonight - there's a 50% off offer from the caravan park 'footing the other 50%'. So we take up the deal, order a pizza and a meat pack (for another meal) - our cost $21. The pizza was good (a bit undercooked one side). We both go have showers, then tidy up, now resting before bedtime.
    Okumaya devam et

  • Port Hedland lookout

    6 Ekim 2024, Avustralya ⋅ 🌬 32 °C

    On our drive about, stop here to check out the views. This spot 'is a work in progress' - with work unfinished, that shows the potential of being really great when it is.
    On the rest of our drive about today - we saw lots of 'works in progress' Port Hedland is getting a lot of new infrastructure happening - which will be wonderful for it's future I'd imagine.Okumaya devam et