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Chris Rock

Joined March 2022
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  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day42

    Home safely

    November 5, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    And so after a great trip, we are back home. What a fantastic journey, and great memories for Aslan and myself. I know we will be heading out again, and I'm planning my next trip already.

    Did we get our of our rut? We did.
    Did we spend less time on computers? We did

    Most importantly we got to explore our own country and spend some great moments together.    Read more

     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day40

    Return to Hahndorf

    November 3, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    We enjoyed our trip here on the first day of our trip, so we decided to return to Hahndorf to complete our trip up the middle and the southern parts of Australia. Aslan enjoys a place called Haus, a traditional German restaurant right over the road from our hotel.

    The photo on the page is of Beerenberg. It has been around since the 1800's and makes a variety of sauces, jams etc, that you can see in Australian supermarkets,

    We are heading home today, a 7hr 30 drive straight shot to Gisborne.
    It has been an awesome trip for both of us, and look forward to the next one.    Read more

     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day38

    Penong - South Australia

    November 1, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 10 °C

    Penong, Where the hell is Penong. Penong is the last town before you cross the Nullarbor of the first town after the Nullarbor if you have come from the Perth like us. It is a one-horse town, with a pub, a police station, and a general store, the first store we have seen separate from a Petrol Station in a week.

    It is here weary travellers stock up on items to cross or replenish their trip after the desert trip and Truck drivers order 15 dim sims, steamed because they are on a diet.

    We came in late to this town on Monday night after travelling 725km (10,000 for the trip so far) and stayed in a little cottage called Penong Cottage. I was surprised when I was given the address of Penong Cottage with no number or street name but after seeing the town and ruling out the Pub and the Petrol station it was the only building left. It was noisy (close to the road) but a perfect place to ride out the storm.

    Penong's location in South Australia on the far west coast of Eyre Peninsula is at the boundary of where rainfall is generally sufficient to support agriculture, so they use a series of windmills to supply farms from the Anjutabie Basin. The South Australian Railways constructed underground concrete water storage tanks in 1923, with a capacity of 4.54 million litres which keeps the town alive.

    After catching up on some laundry, Aslan and I enjoyed a roof over our head as we make our trip to Port Augusta 5 hrs away and then on to Adelaide where we make the final leg home.    Read more

    Traveler

    Hey dad just came out of my room and noticed there was no morning coffee guy, did you leave somewhere or something?

    11/2/22Reply
    Chris Rock

    HaHa Panda, Be home on the weekend. Enjoy your room

    11/2/22Reply
    Traveler

    Dad, it’s been weeks since I’ve had doonies come home soon

    11/2/22Reply
    Chris Rock

    Coming Goobs, Sunday book it in. 18 Spring Rolls

    11/2/22Reply
     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day37

    Nullarbor

    October 31, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    My mum had asked me what I had thought of the Nullarbor Plain. I had in fact crossed it already and was about to cross it again. For those who don’t know the distance from Melbourne (east Coast) to Perth (West coast) is about 3500km. That distance is a whole lot of unique landscape, with ocean on your left and sparse land on your right. The section in South Australia to Western Australia is known as the Nullarbor Plain.

    It is here you get to experience long road stretches, no shops and fuel every 100-200 km in distance. In fact, these fuel stops are also the Motel, the Town, the post Office, the supermarket, and everything else all under one roof. Here you get to buy Diesel Fuel at $2.94 a litre, which hurts when you have two 90 Litre tanks, and $5.95 for a coke. When you ask if you have bread, it comes frozen. It's not like you have a lot of choice, the next town will be 100km away and it will have the same items and the same cost. But they are the lifeline of this trip. Without there overpriced, poorly stocked place with souvenirs, you are in a world of trouble.

    Let me paint you a picture, you leave Ceduna in Adelaide and head West, and your next location that has more than a petrol station is 1400km away. (See attached).

    In fact, there is a stretch of road that is 150km long that is completely straight, no corners no curves. Great for overtaking caravans and triple truck rain trains.

    Now this time, we travelled from West to East, after trying to escape the storms that we left in Esperance, (no avail). We travelled 1400km in two days, (videos attached) and moved from storm cell to storm cell, with wiper blades on full speed and then nothing 15 minutes later and repeat. So, I take it back mum, if there are storms, and the lighting is right, then it was a load of fun. Road was quiet as well as we left at 7am as we not only had a 7 hr 30-minute drive but would lose 2hrs 30 in time zones. We did it 6hrs 30, it would have been 6 hrs if the cop hadn't pulled me over as I then looked at my speedo for the next 400 km trying to stay below 120km. Besides the distance we crossed three time zones, I told Aslan don't even look at the clock, some towns are 3 hrs behind Melbourne, some 2.5 some 2hrs 15. So, I told him set it for Adelaide time and use that as a base.

    It was here I got my first speeding ticket on the Western Australia side. I was clocked at 128km in a 110km zone, which I must have slowed down to not hit a bird because I was sitting on 140 most of the time. The cop pulled me over, and said we remember your car from a few weeks ago, I said it’s hard to miss it. He was a nice guy gave me the benefit of the doubt and I got a $100 fine and no demerit points. After I had just filled up the car for $340 in fuel, some car snacks for $60, $100 seemed rather cheap for a speeding fine. Aslan had a good laugh about it. We were to camp on Bunda cliffs again but having been stuck in the car the night before in the storm, the thought of another storm and getting wet having a piss every time didn't excite me, so we fanged it to a town called Penong in South Australia, where I found a cottage for 2 nights. From here we head to Ceduna/Port Augusta then Adelaide.    Read more

    Traveler

    Dad there’s a dead rabbit in Alex’s room 😵‍💫

    11/2/22Reply
    Chris Rock

    Ha Ha, bloody Ninja, Put an ice pack on it so it doesnt smell and Ill throw it out on Sunday...

    11/2/22Reply
     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day34

    Esperance

    October 28, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Today we arrived in Esperance, this wasn't our first time here. We made the executive decision 2 weeks ago to come to Esperance because they had a McDonalds only a 200km detour for a Big Mac and some Popcorn Chicken.

    Esperance is a seaside town, tidy, nothing special but lovely to be near the water. It has a mixture of tourist’s shops and fishing shops.

    This time though the weather had turned on us. Storms and rain set in, that stopped our chance to camp in Lucky Bay Camp Le Grande, picture attached. I even bought Aslan a new fishing rod. The girl that I purchased off, (weekend) said I hope you’re not going to ask me anything difficult. I said I'm not that guy. Can you ring it up for me, hopefully I don't catch anything. I was looking forward for that beach camping, looks like Ill must come back with Dez.

    So, after we got washed out we stayed one night in Esperance, in a holiday apartment which was nice and we hit the road again the following morning to one of our favourite spots in Nuytsland Reserve    Read more

    Traveler

    Wow the water looks so blue

    10/31/22Reply
     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day32

    Gnowangerup

    October 26, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    We are now on the way back home to Victoria. We have 3500 km to travel. So, the first trip was from Perth to Gnowangerup. This is a small town 4.5 hours southeast of Perth and is a great halfway point between Perth and Esperance. Most of the land is farming, natural bush and s few mining sites.

    We setup camp using a Hip camp, which is where people who have large areas of land let you camp on their properties for around $20. The place we stayed at was 4WD country. We went through mud and sand, to get to the location which was loads of fun. The site was a 20-metre square area cut down within the bush/farming land probably 400 acres, with great nights skies and peace and quiet. The owners who showed us to the site, have two farms, and they use a small plane to fly between the two farms and its quicker then driving.

    There was no phone signal, but we had the Star link Dish which fixed that. I have to say the Landcruiser, is not only an awesome vehicle for what we have put it through but well kitted out. For instance, getting water, or cooking dinner, there is tables and workspace everywhere. I must do a few mods when I get back, but they are so minor. For a first fit out we did well.

    We packed up our camp and had a 4-hour drive to Esperance. The road is tarred but rough, lots of washed-out sections. From here we are camping on a beach called Lucky Bay, about an hour out of Esperance for a few nights. Weather looks wet and windy, so we will see how we go there for those two nights.

    From there we head back to Esperance on Monday and then do the trip over the Nullarbor again. At least we have some great spots saved which we will stay there again.

    The animal death toll on our trip so far is 2 birds (must have thought I was Danni), 1 big lizard who I drove my front wheels either side of him, so he didn't get hit then he ran when he saw there was a car shadow driving over him and then we heard a gadoonk on the bag wheels, and 4 million moths/bugs. May they rest in pieces.    Read more

    Traveler

    a minute of silence

    10/28/22Reply
    Traveler

    Oh my goodness ! I can’t get enough of this adventure. More pics please. You guys must be having the time of your lives.

    10/28/22Reply
    Traveler

    Makes me want to go. Maybe in a little more luxury than this “man mobile”

    10/28/22Reply
    Traveler

    Kathy, we can reduce the number of stars to 5 and call it “roughing it” :)

    10/29/22Reply
     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day30

    Joondalup - Perth

    October 24, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    Aslan wanted to visit Perth so after we left the Margaret River, we spent 3 days in Perth. Here we relaxed in the Joondalup Resort like a hotel on a golf course, where Aslan and I had Boost Juice every afternoon and did nothing much at all. I had a few early work meetings, so it was a nice base to catchup on work.

    I also got to meet a friend of mine Sean from Mission4x4 who helped me build out the 4WD for a morning as he is based in Perth. He made some cosmetic changes to the build like leather straps for the rear tables instead of nylon to finish it off and he was very impressed on how the car turned out.

    Did we see much of Perth, not as all, Aslan was happy to rest with KFC and Boost juices, but it was a lovely stay. It’s funny Aslan has learnt a lot about Geography since being a way. In his head Sydney was on the West Coast of Australia not the East coast, because we never go there, and he was surprised how close it was. I said Aslan we don't go to Sydney because mum hates it.

    A couple of people have asked me what the favourite parts of Australia, are that we have seen on the trip, and my first reaction is the Flinders Rangers in South Australia but when you see the beauty of Western Australia, the remoteness and red rock scenes of the North Territory each of the states we have seen have beauty. In fact, I feel Aslan and I have just touched the surface and we will be coming back to all of these places and more.    Read more

    Traveler

    Sydney traffic sucks, with their stupid one-way streets and pretentious atmosphere of being a "fabulous place".. Yeah.. don't leave the ONE square mile of the bridge and opera house because the rest is ghetto. The coffee is crap, the food scene is over-hyped, and the best view of Sydney is the one in the review mirror as you're leaving.. other than that.. it's great.

    10/28/22Reply
     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day29

    Margaret River Town and Region

    October 23, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    It has been a few days since our last post. For that I blame the Margaret River region. For what was supposed toa 3 day stop, has ended up being an 8 day stop over. For those who are not aware, there is a town called Margaret River and the region called Margaret River which encompasses another 20 towns. It has an area of 100km long and 27km wide, all the way from Augusta to Yallingup. It has over 10,000 acres under grape vines and butts up to the beach and the Indian Ocean. The shops in the Margaret River town consist of South Yarra/Byron Bay restaurants with the addition of a Coles and IGA but yuppy versions of them.

    The weather here is warm, with a few days of drizzle, with rainfall higher than the Macedon Ranges. You can tell it is green and lush here. Aslan and I have had a mixture of Ice-creams from the local parlour as well as some fancy pants pizza places that would rival A25 pizzas, owned and operated by Italians. Aslan has been sitting in the swing chair, swinging up and down all day, relaxing, the internet sucks here, so we got the Star link out to get some high-speed internet. Best thing ever.

    We checked out the towns around including Yallingup, Busselton and Cowarup which are all great towns, but Margaret River stands out as the best town. We had a good break from not driving and stayed in a two-bedroom apartment on the main street as well as a guest house 2km out of town, surrounded by chooks, roosters, and these big ass chickens that I think are Guinea fowl.

    Tomorrow, we head off to the North of Perth (3-hour drive) for 3 days where Aslan wants to see a movie, and I will meet the guy that helped me build out the 4WD for some small improvements. From there we head 700km east to Esperance and camp on a beach at Cape Le Grand.    Read more

    Traveler

    Ohhoho sounds like a bougie stay

    10/22/22Reply
    Chris Rock

    Totally

    10/22/22Reply
     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day23

    A long road to reach the Macedon Ranges

    October 17, 2022 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    For the last 3 days Aslan and I have been on the road to Margaret River. It's hard to believe this time last week we were in Alice Springs, But the odometer of the car believes it as we have hit 8000km in 3 weeks, not a bad effort. We stopped in at Esperance as they have a Mc Donald’s, and we will come back to Esperance in two weeks’ time on the way back through.

    Western Australia is a beast of its own and we have only travelled through the south of it. I don't know if this is a phrase but "temporal lines" referring to climate/soil latitudes are identical to Victoria. Both Aslan and I commented on it. For example, you swear you’re driving through Trentham and Daylesford Victoria as you drive through Bridgetown and 100km east of Margaret River. Other times it feels like you are driving through Bendigo as you go through Jerramungup or Bridgetown looks like Bright beside the river The soil, the temperature the trees are all identical to back home.

    We stayed at a mixture of free camps and a caravan park along the way for a shower. Free camping is easy in WA, there is just no one here. You can just drive on a back road, then a track and you are in the middle of nowhere, perfect for a camp spot. Aslan and I even 4WD into a spot moving trees driving over them to get to a spot. (attached).

    It was lovely though to reach the Margaret River, I'll report on Margaret River after we have immersed ourselves in it. We are here for 5 days. But from the looks of it, looks like a great tourists town with plenty of eateries and some basic food for the less bougie. It's a pretty town and reminds me of the Macedon Ranges.    Read more

    Traveler

    Sounds like you are having a great time !

    10/16/22Reply
    Traveler

    I thought the same in that area. I am back there next year in Feb. Enjoy Margaret R.🍷🥤

    10/16/22Reply
    Traveler

    I've been thinking about your trip, about what this means to you, the intentions you set out with, the expectations you had, the challenges you've encountered and where you find yourself. It seemed familiar in a way that I couldn't put my finger on it, and then I read this post; that you travelled across Australia to find the Macedon ranges. I smiled for two reasons, 1. Because that’s pretty funny, and 2. It hit me that you are Santiago, crossing the desert to find your personal legend, only to find that the treasures you seek have always been in your own backyard. For Santiago, it became less about the destination and more about the travel and getting out of his rut, “There is only one way to learn. It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.” “People are afraid to pursue their most important dreams, because they feel that they don't deserve them, or that they'll be unable to achieve them.” I’m so glad you went, I’m really proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” Lastly, I find it ironic that it was you who introduced me to this book so many years ago.. Where the love of his life just so happens to be a Muslim born wog.. So let me end by quoting Fatima “Maktub,” she said. “If I am really part of your dream, you’ll come back one day.”

    10/16/22Reply
    Chris Rock

    Thank you, you have summed it up perfectly. I'm coming Fatima.

    10/17/22Reply
    Traveler

    Woah mums spitting poetry in the comments

    10/18/22Reply
    Traveler

    Wait dad introduced you to the book? You read it together? That’s so cute wtheck. I’m a little upset I didn’t get to be a part of this book club but it’s okay I get it

    10/18/22Reply
    8 more comments
     
  • Chris RockUp the guts with Baby guts
    Day19

    Bunda Cliffs & CockleBiddy

    October 13, 2022 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 13 °C

    After a 3.5 hr drive from Ceduna after crossing part of the Nullarbor we setup camp in on Bunda Cliffs. This is a free camp spot, off the Eyre Highway about 1km 4wd track towards the cliffs. Aslan and I picked the furthest spot possible and setup for the evening. Not before flying the drone to get a better look. We made sure to stay away from the Cliff edge and the rule was if you needed a pee you had to do it on the car tyre and not wonder off in the dark. The cliffs sit up 80 metres from the ocean with a sheer drop. We had the place to ourselves. See Drone footage. https://vimeo.com/759853845

    It was harder to cook with gas, because of the wind, but I was too lazy to switch over to the induction cooker. Next time I won’t bother with gas. I think it took 1 hr to boil water and I wasted a good gas bottle on it. The night was calm, but it rained in the morning.

    We setoff around 10:00am the next morning, towards Western Australia. It was a 4.5-hour drive to the next spot which was a remote spot called Cocklebiddy on the Western Australia side.

    Just before we crossed the border, we had to get rid of our frozen meals, pasta, and meat, which sucked, I will have to make some more in WA now. WA have strict quarantine rules. The drive was nice, ocean to the left, low mountain range to the right. The time zones through us. South Australia was 30 mins behind Victoria, but WA is 3 hrs behind Victoria, so we got to camp earlier than expected. Camp was easy you just turn off the road and drive and stop where you want. We picked a spot about 1 km off the road in the middle of nowhere. https://vimeo.com/759855612

    We setup camp had a light dinner and settled in for the night. We hit the road to Norseman tomorrow and another 4–5-hour drive west.    Read more

    Traveler

    So glad you are out of the heat and heading west. We need to hear more about how you shower, cook and use the loo in that vehicle :)

    10/13/22Reply
    Traveler

    Hehehe I can’t believe you waited one hour for the water to boil

    10/18/22Reply
    Traveler

    Really let those flavours develop

    10/18/22Reply
    Traveler

    If only WA knew how tasty the pasta sauce is, then they would never make you throw it out

    10/18/22Reply
     

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