The Long Drive Megalong Valley to The UK

April 28 to May 17

Linda went blackberry spraying with the quad bike. Later I had a phone call from Linda “I have broken down can you come and tow me home? I am in the Euroka Field” It was almost dark! “OK” I said” but where is that?” “Oh it is near the air strip, great, and where is the air strip?” Blah, Blah, Blah, eventually I knew roughly where Linda was. I got in the newer Land Cruiser (1978) no keys! So I hopped in to the older Land Rover (1971), after having to find a rope suitably strong enough to tow her home. Foot down and off I went! I stopped at a ridge just to make sure I was not driving over a precipice with lights fully on, hoping Linda would see me. I heard a shout in the far distance thank goodness I was on the right path.  “Well, not really a path but long grass with a few large rock boulders on route. We towed the quad back to base for my inspection the next morning.

On inspection I found the Quad had no oil or at least very little. I cleaned the machine up changed the oil, oil filter and put in a new spark plug which was well over due (it was rusty on top). I tried to start it and no go at all. After a few tests I found it had completely ceased up. 

A trip in to Katoomba the next morning to see Charlie, an extremely knowledgeable man, on motor bikes, for a new piston, honed, etc.

Whilst in Katoomba Linda and I cleared up a fallen tree in a garden plus we chopped one down. We had four trips to the rubbish dump and what a palaver that was too! We had a handful of grass on top of the trees, at the weigh bridge the woman said mixed load, that costs more etc’ “NO” we said, we will take the grass back! A mixed load was around $100 what a ripoff! No grass No Privet and a few other rules were enforced! We just about survived all the red tape! Rules are rules and they are only doing their job. Just like a police man does, but do they have to be so officious!

Lyle (a helicopter paramedic) arrived at the farm, for a night and a days relaxation. He camped out all night without a tent! Enjoying just a small camp fire and trying to have a shoot at a few foxes. The nights are cold but Lyle is tough. He shot a duck on the farm and what a shot it was too! He was 150 m from the duck, and he got a clear head shot, with a 22!

Linda went off for a swim plus many jobs to do like shopping and getting her holiday organized.

I had quite an easy day mowing the lawns on a sit on mower, mind you I had a lot to mow by the time I had finished my legs were a little stiff.

Again another few days had passed I decided to cut a few branches 

 Julia up a tree

 Julia up a tree

Sun Set

Another rotten job was to wash the cow dung off the truck. Repair the motor bike change the oil tighten up a few nuts and bolts. Repair the ride on mower making sure every thing is running well.

 Linda’s Truck 

We had to sort a few more cows out. John came over with Horse and dogs to round them up. The young ones had to be separated from there mums a successful mission for us but the cows certainly did not like it there were bellowing all night long and the little one’s were walking up and down the fence line making quite a racket. During the night one got away and tried to get back to Mum that was another job on the cards out came the lorry this time so Linda and I had to load him up in to the truck and put him back to his paddock never a dull moment on a farm.

I chopped down a few large fir trees that lined the drive way.

Saturday 12 May, The time had come to park up Plod at Richards place near Windsor I Plodded along taking the scenic route. Unloaded a few items washed and put Plod to bed.

A few drinks and a meal in the evening plus a few more drinks. I had a very relaxing evening there was only one thing wrong in the morning I was a little worse for wear.

Richard drove me to Penrith to catch the train back to Blackheath Linda fetched me from the station and after a few more jobs Linda had to do we headed back to her farm.

Resting at Richards home

 Richard’s shed

Plod standing ready to be covered 

I cut a few more trees down, this time I left Linda to clear up the boughs while I cooked a roast beef dinner.

Linda and I got a lift in to Katoomba ready to catch the train on Wednesday to the airport.

I drove 26,330 Km: 16,360 miles in my 9 month trip right around Australia I had a fantastic time meeting many lovely people. Everywhere I went was good. I very much enjoyed Litchfield Park near Darwin, Exmouth was very much a favorite spot snorkeling in amongst the beautiful corral and fishes. Not to mention all the Morgan people I stayed with around different parts of Australia.

Back home in Shebbear

Back home in Shebbear

Good to be back home. The End until next time.

The Long Drive Megalong Valley on Linda's Farm

April at Linda's Farm.

Linda has invited me to stay at her farm to relax and catch up on past events only Linda is not on the internet so extremely slack about keeping in touch.

I painted Plods roof with a Solagard paint ready for the fitting of my new solar panels. 

I drove in to Sydney to fetch some solar panels some aluminium angle as well, for fixing it on to the roof of Plod as well as an old generator from near the airport that Lyle has given me I have to get it going though an extremely lovely thought. I had a very long day arrived back at Megalong well in to the night. 

The worst part of doing anything that you have not done before is finding out all the pit falls and advantages especially where to buy the necessary parts.

I started to make a frame for the solar when I had finished Linda helped me to lift it on to the roof of Plod an ingenious method of lifting it on to the shed roof then on to Plod using a top quality sikafex as well as pop rivets a job well done. All this took five days off and on with bad weather stops. One day it rained cats and dogs without a break.

It was time for Linda to sell some cattle to round them up, John with his four dogs and on horse back did a splendid job far better than noisy quad or motor bikes.

John off to round up the cattle

I 

Cattle for the chop

 John's horse

Still that was only the start of the task, we then had to sort the cattle out from the ones that had to be kept for breeding, the older heifers and a a few steers were for the chop. We had a little hiccup as one of the gates had been left open and off they went back to there hiding place that was the last straw. We had a few heifers that had bad tempers with a mind of their own; John packed up and headed off home early, well it was on a Sunday.

John arrived back with horse and dogs early Monday morning rounded up the escaped cattle with a few unwanted ones as well, another day sorting them out then John drove the cattle across the fields to a neighbours holding pen (Luke’s farm) we then had to sort out the smaller steers from the heifers ready for loading them in to two lorries Linda arrived with her lorry taking the smaller steers while Luke took the bad tempered beasts. By this time it was dark and we had a 3 hour journey to the market Linda and I had to unload the cattle all on our own as every one had gone off to the pub or bed. Time we arrived back at Megalong it was midnight. The whole day was extremely interesting and fun.

I repaired quite a few gates in the holding pens that needed some attention. Dug out some earth for the water to run away in the cattle yard. Fixed the choke cable on the Land-rover that had been left off, made up some brackets to fit the wing mirrors on. 

The Little Red House

The large tree that I did not cut down

Megalong Valley

Another few days had past away fitted Linda’s wind shields to her Land Cruiser as well as thinking about packing up my goods and shackels ready fro my flight back to the UK.

The Long Drive Tanah Merah, Sydney, Megalong Valley

April 4

Time I was on my way to visit Rainbow Power a solar power company at Nimbin NSW to replace my stolen generator for Plod. Paul was the man I had to see I arrived while Paul was at lunch and was told to go and have a coffee down town, I replied I will be in my van. I waited half an hour and walked back in Paul had arrived back from lunch and was with a customer, well I was here first I was palmed off on to another man and he did give me a quote that took a long time I was there three hours and Paul was still tied up with the same customer that jumped the queue. I then walked out I was going to wait but decided to give Johnston a ring in Sydney as he had already given me a quote I asked when he would be in as it was Easter week end my reply was Thursday 5 and I am on holiday next week. I drove off at 3pm passing some beautiful country side. I had over a ten hour journey to do at night.

Currumbin Valley fresh fruit & veg

I was making good time I stopped for fuel at Lismore and again at Kempsey for half an hour I made Taree before I had to stop and have a sleep.

April 5

I arrived at Australian Wide Solar at 8pm Johnston was out for the day won't be back till 3.30pm I had a detailed list of parts that I needed from the quote. I waited and I waited I told them I wanted to fit the panels on to my roof before I left here.  I had to pay for them before I could get them. I received the panels and brackets at 2.30pm by the time I asked him a question and he eventually got back to me it was 3pm, So I said this is not good enough you know I cannot fit these panels on to my roof by the time it gets dark now so I think I want my money back. I left about 3.30 and still had a 3hour journey to do I arrived at Lynda's Farm in the Blue Mountains just as it was dark. I parked up by the cottage and plugged in then went over to the Easter campers and had a beer. 

Quote; What a day I had still, who knows was it bad thing or was it a good thing “Who Knows”

April 6 Good Friday down Under.

I really do not know where the day has gone. I have been on my computer writing this blog, and answering a few emails rang my better half, my sister skyped me, not to mention setting up my camp. A beer with the campers and now to bed.

 Lynda Farm

Easter meet

Easter meet

April 7

A lot more people arrived friends and family we had a splendid BBQ at the cottage looking out over the dam as people were enjoying themselves in a canoe. 

Canoeing on the dam

Young children riding a motor bike

Mark, Linda me Barry & Fran

Back at the camp

April 8

Another fine day so many people playing on motor bikes horse riding and milling around the children had their traditional Easter Egg hunt. 

They start them young in Australia

Jack on the pony

A proud grand mother 

A morning rest

The dogs had a great time my favorite dog was little George I thought of smuggling him in to England under my coat. The collies were wonderful as well not used as working dogs just family pets

 George the dog

Just having fun

 It  is now 10pm so I am off to bed and left all the young folk sitting around the camp fire having a drink or two or more than likely three.

April 9 Easter Monday

We went around Glen farm just to have another Easter egg hunt the children just love it.

Megalong Valley

Megalong Valley

Just some of the family

Eating an Easter Egg

Look I have some left

Megalong Valley

April10

Easter has gone so have the camper’s I have been enquiring about solar for Plod seems as if every motor home has solar so that is the way to go. I have put Plod on the market for sale if I do not sell Plod solar will be good for next time round cost about the same price as a good generator.

I have parked up at Linda’s on her farm just milling around enjoying life. The contractor men are very busy sorting out the drive and putting in drain’s.

The Long Drive Wurtulla to North Arm

Mar 26

I left Joe and Marge home to see my Cousin Norm who lives in Wurtulla Beach he was so pleased to see me he is 87 and can't get about much of late.  We talked about my trip around Australia not forgetting the family and a few cousins dotted around the country side. I then went on towards Nambour and decided to stop and cook up my dinner Chicken with three veg. I started up a generator that a Morgan friend gave me to help me on my way I was most appreciated although it is rather on the noisy side, but beggars can’t be choosers. 

Mar 27

Geoff & Vicky’s home

I arrived at Geoff and Vicky’s home at North Arm it was good to see them again and I was immediately given the down stairs flat to stay in all mod cons with a good TV. Geoff and Vicky went out dancing in the evening while I sat and watched a film on the TV having a drink or two.

Mar 28

Up late nursing a head ache relaxing in a lovely Queens Land home enjoying the sun and fresh air trying to source out the possibility of solar panels for Plod fixed to the roof then no one would be able to steal them! The cost is not a lot more than a good generator.

Geoff & Vicky’s home 

Mar 28 to April 1

While I was at Geoff and Vicky’s I had a restful time helping plant a few plants which did not take long. I was fed and watered they took me out at to a very good RSL club in Nambour one evening. Geoff cooked a BBQ on the verandah while Vicky and I were indulging in a few drinks looking out at the mountains.

 Saturday we went out to visit a few car people in looking at few cars just for a change.

Chris Vermeulen Hot Rods

Chris Vermeulen bikes

Chris Vermeulen trophies

 Then we went down to visit Bill and Rosemary in Mooloolaba as it was their wedding anniversary a party of 15 people with Bill cooking on the BBQ an enjoyably evening I had talking to people I had met from previous years, catching up on their activities as well as mine a good evening.

Sunday was a Thumpers car club run we all met up at a parking place.

Thumpers car club meet

Thumpers car club meet

Thumpers car club meet

Every one had arrived so off we went taking a pleasant drive to Pomona a little Cafe that had a Juke Box in with Elvis Presley singing with a small dance floor and if so inclined you could dance. No one took up the opportunity.

 At Pomona 

 At Pomona my ride for the day

We drove from Pomona to Kenilworth and on to Maleny for our lunch.

Having lunch at Maleny.

Back on our way home passing Montville and Nambour I had a much enjoyable time driving Geoff's, MG it was great. We passed the Jaguar club going in the opposite direction and found out Joe was in his Blue Jaguar.

April 2

I left my comfortably and welcoming home at North Arm as I had to drop off two boxes at Brisbane airport excess baggage, items I had collected over the three years of travelling that I really do not need. 
I met up with Lis for a coffee and parked up for the night  at Tanah Merah.