Plod Adventures No. 8

November 24th I stopped off at Roma to find an internet cafe. The young man in charge was very nice and helpful, we managed to get on line eventually!!! No Mac68 outgoing mail. The internet was extremely slow and it took me 3 hrs to send out my Blog photos to my sister to put on to my Blog anyway he only charged me $9 for the 3 hrs.

I had a very expensive time in Roma as I brought a new Honda Generator as my other NEW GMC one gave up the ghost; never buy a GMC Generator even if it is cheap.

I stopped at Amby another freebie site, rather good too, I managed to get free hot showers, and free electricity plus a T-bone steak meal cooked to perfection. I helped unload a car load of beer and food for this!!! The place was a bit mucky but what can one expect when out in the bush and as a bonus I sold my GMC generator for $30.



November 26th Left Amby on my way to Carnarvon Gorge via Mitchel, Forest Vale, Injune. Topped up with Derv at Injune; I was talking to a ranger from Carnarvon and apparently no free camping up there and I was told the camp site cost $40 + electricity so on the road I stopped near Boxvale. The weather today is very humid with heavy rain showers.

November 27th I got to Carnarvon Gorge nice and early, the camp site was closed, made a cup of tea on site and chatted to four people; I had run out of gas. Took a 3km walk to Mickey Creek Gorge then on to the information station. Went for a 6.4km hard walk Boolimba Bluff in very hot hot weather, hope to show you some shots, it was a spectacular view, very much like the Blue Mountains. Then on to the rock pool where I swam with my clothes on as they were wet with perspiration anyway. That reminds me, I must change out of my wet clothes. I booked in at Takarakka camp site and it is only 14$ a night and not 40$ a night as I was told. Anyway it is very nice up here.

Plod Adventures No. 7

19th November I drove towards Toowoomba and guess what it started to rain, I parked up near Helidon. Talked to another traveller and it stopped raining. I went to bed and left all my windows open. To my horror I woke up to find Plod had a flood, the carpets were extremely wet and under the seats where most of my clothes are stored; most of them were wet too.

We had a lot of traffic coming in to the Rest Area and apparently the creek was well under water (good job I parked on high ground) I was told by a few locals that they had not seen rain like that in 7 years.

I drove in to Toowoomba parked up in Coles, hung my wet items in Plod on a line then had a look around the shops. The information center in Toowoomba was excellent they recommended a book Camps4 an excellent book for campers. Looked up an old friend from the past Rev K Powell but unfortunately she was not in.

Time to go to my next destination before dark sets in and there was more rain. I stopped at 570 Oakey Creek Reserve Camp Ground near Dalby, well not quite at the ground as the creek was well under water - look at the Photos on my Flickr site. There were a lot of coming and goings of local traffic.

21st November the water had gone down a gradual few meters. Oh dear I see a nearly new truck just showing the roof. A local man got it wrong!!!!!!, he drove in at about 1.30 in the morning of the 19th November. I decided to stay another night here as it was quite interesting and a very nice quite place to stop.

22nd November This morning there was quite a lot of activity the creek had gone down and the poor unfortunate truck was towed out. I then drove back to Toowoomba to Bunnings for a few items to upgrade Plod, off to Yuleba near Roma a free camp site 592 Judds Lagoon. The drive was nice and pleasant, fields, trees and water. I stopped to fill up with Derv at the first petrol station going in to Yuleba and brought a piece of cooked fish, it tasted like leather why I did not complain I really do not know, I threw it in the bin.

Pod Adventures No. 6

13th November Left my site near Brisbane after a few household jobs. I wanted to go back to see Doug the man I brought Plod from near Currumbin Waters, and to see about the charging unit still under guarantee. Between us all a solution was made. I was fed and watered again at Doug's place. Another charging unit is being sent to Bill in Mooloolaba on Monday.

I have an appointment up at Maroochydore with the Care Outreach Team on Saturday. Hoping to have Christmas in the Bush. The weather over hear is nice and sunny, what about England any rain.

16th November Some how or other I have lost a day or two along the way. We had a big thunder storm last night, and it is still raining. I am now waiting for the post to arrive for them to deliver my new battery charger from Matson, and a very good firm it is too. Having a coffee and another chat to say goodbye to Bill, Rosemary and family what wonderful people they are too, entertaining me and showing me the sights.

I stopped at Beerburrum Look-out for the night as I thought I would get the sun rise but it is still pouring cats and dogs, English weather. Oh well I might just as well go back to my site near Brisbane to download a few more Photos.

This is Geoff's home near Yandina for more photos look on my Flickr site which is http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliawoolgar/

Pod Adventures No. 5

November 8th I have been so busy that I do not know what I have done anyway hear goes!!!

I left early to avoid a fine. I went out with Norm to a Bowls club for lunch. Then on to Bill & Rosemary's place in Mooloolaba. I had problems with my house battery cooking, the battery shop was closed until Monday. The sat nav directed me straight to Bill's place parked up, had dinner and drinks; we all had quite a bit of catching up on gossip.

November 9th. Bill and I went for a bike ride to the beach Rosemary had gone on ahead for a coffee to meet up with a few girl friends to one of the coffee shops. Bill took me to the Surf Club where he is a Lifeguard, after passing the girls talking at the coffee shop. In the afternoon we went to a few of his friends who are all mad on cars so I was in my element.

November 10th Funeral day, up early, and what a good funerel it was too. I saw all my cousins again and about 30 Hot Rods all in mint condition. In the evning we went to a RLS club in Colundra that played music especially for Geoff in memory of Helen; Buddy Holly.

November 11th Time to go straight to the battery shop for an expensive time, hope this works. Parked near Brisbane for the night. Caught the train in to Brisbane to chat up the Apple Mac man, and very helpful he was too; great he got it working and I sent out on my Mac account (it took him about one hour). I go on line at another server and well guess what I can't send out. So off back to Brisbane tomorrow I will go. I wonder if I will ever get to Coober Pedy? Never mind I am still having a very good time.

Plod Adventures No. 4

I reached Armidale, a university town and I drove to the I.T section of the University and a teenager had a look at my Mac. He pressed a button and it worked, at least it worked there, I will wait and see!!!

It was such a lovely drive I just drove and drove, the views were good but I could not take many photos as I was unable to stop in the right places. Drove through Glen Innes up through Tenterfield Warwick I stopped near Brisbane so I could go in to Brisbane on the Friday.

November 7th I finished my business in Brisbane and on the road again. One day Plod actually passed a lorry going up a hill , I think the driver must of been asleep!!!

Parked up on the waters edge, yes, I left it too late and darkness had fallen. I walked along the jetty and I was immediately invited for a tinned Rum and Coke by two men Russell and ??? , can't remember, we talked about cars and bikes. It was a lovely evening what else would men talk about. I was parked in a no camping park but what can one do. The gnats started to bite and we had drunk all the Rum and that was after a top up from Russell's house opposite. I think they were supposed to have been fishing. I am now at Bill & Rosemary's in Mooloolaba.

Plod Adventures No. 3

I left the Big4 Park and went in to Bathurst for a few provisions. I brought a Pass for all the Parks in N.S.W when I first arrived and as the post in Australia is at a go slow pace it still hasn't caught up with me, it could be in the U.K!!!!!!!!? Posted some presents to my grand children and the cost was as much as the presents.

I am on the road again taking the slow route to Nambour for the Funeral on Monday, a few more dirt tracks certainly not Morgan roads, no wheels have fallen off (Smile). It takes a woman to do the job properly!!!

I drove from Bathurst to near Merriwa all on the back roads and very pretty it was too. Photos to follow in due course. Stopped the night half way between Merriwa and Willow Tree.

Up early put the kettle on and off I went. (It takes at least 15 mins on battery power to boil, saves getting the stove out). I seem to have lost my yellow marker to mark my route.

Stopped at a very nice look-out at Moonbi and had breakfast, topped up the kettle and off I went. "I drink and drive" the kettle boils while I drive.

Plod Adventures No. 2

29th October Life has been rather hectic since the 29th October. Yes you got it, it's the start of the Morgan Muster.

I parked up at the Big 4 site, there was quite a lot of Morganeers staying which was very nice. I teamed up with Ray as he was on his own in a tent, he had left his family at home in Brisbane, that meant I had a lift in his Mog to all the functions.

30th October Thursday was the start at 1p.m for our registration and what a good start it was. We all had very nice name tags and we ALL wore them. The Ozzies certainly know how to organise an event. I met up with Dudley and Cheryl from England, 9 N.B.C's. Chris & Julie Brown -they were in the Tinmog lot, what a day, and dinner in the evening.

31st October Friday we went on a run I think it was Friday, I won't bore you with all the details, we did have 4 different runs allocated to us which included coffee and the dinner in the evening.

1st November Saturday we all displayed our Morgans 130 plus in a street in Bathurst they closed the road for us. In the afternoon some of us went on another run. The grand ball was held in the evening we all made an effort to dress up in year 1950 or gold outfits. I looked like a Christmas tree, it was really great fun. Again I was well looked after by the N.B.C gang I said goodbye to a few as they had to get back home.

2nd November Sunday we met up at Mount Panorama Motor racing Circuit most of us had done the circuit several times during the week end. Some of us went for another run to meet up at a museum to have our last lunch together. We said our goodbyes, a sad time it was too!!! A rest was on the menu by now.

3rd November My plans have had to change somewhat as on Monday I had a phone call from Stuart, my cousin, to say Geoffs wife Helen had passed away. I will be making tracks back to Yandina for the Funeral which is around a three day trip, instead of my planned route to Broken Hill and Coober Pedy.

Robert who was staying at the Big 4 with a +4 and camper van is an Apple Mac man and he could not get me connected to my outgoing mail ? (Roger were are you!!).

4th November I am today just catching up with my Blog.

Plod Adventures No. 1

15th October Flight with B.A was excellent. Could not fault the food and service.
I arrived in Singapore Airport which has free internet, but I could not connect as I did not get a password sent to me. Modern day living!!

17th October Arrived in Brisbane with a lift waiting for me to collect Plod. Doug and Linda were fantastic (previous owners of Plod. I stayed the night got fed and watered, they took me shopping to get a new mobile phone, pots and pans etc for my stay in Australia.

Next day Doug filled Plod up with Derv brought me a new internal battery, and a new generator because they did not want me to get stranded out in the bush - all that even after we had done the deal.

18th October It's my birthday to day, and Linda and Doug gave me a satnav I was very much pleased with all their kindness. Popped in to see Tom an N.B.C friend to show off my new toy.

On my way to see one of my cousins Norm up at Wurtulla Beach. Then on to visit Geoff another cousin up near Yandina, Geoff is into cars and has a few Hot-Rods. He took me out to visit one of his friends Peter Vermeulen the father of Chris Vermeulen The World famous motor cycle champion.

We made a few minor improvements to Plod, after getting Plod registered. I was very well looked after, fed and watered once again while listening to a lot of family history.

22nd October I left Geoffs midday after doing more shopping for Plod and improvements. I took my time along beautiful roads going past Lake Somerset & Lake Wivenhoe to Ipswich where Heather lives another cousin, unfortunately my satnav did not recognize their address so I got a bit lost, a phone call was required to escort me to their home and ready waiting was a meal, by this time it was around 7.0’clock.

Next morning Heather took me to buy a compressor for Plod, and some excellent sausages for my trip. She showed me around, taken time off from work, and lent me a push bike as well.

I took the pretty route to Stuarts down through Boonah & Mt Lindesay and I found a beautiful spot to camp, I got my stove out and chair, took my top off, sun cream on and just about to eat my dinner and along came a 4 truck checking the fence line grinning all over his face. I fell asleep after a few reds. Woke up very early in the morning and it was like living in the north of Norway (cold).

Eventually I got to Stanthorpe and brought another duvet and arrived at Stuarts about 4.30 (I was late again, I blame the beautiful country side) for another dinner with his Mum Prim my first cousin - quite a lady she is - a most enjoyable evening we had.

Next day topped up with water and away I went, changing my route a few times went through Texas stopped for a few provisions, taking an across country route Ashford and then on to a dirt road to Delungra, stopped at Bingara and what a lovely town, flowers every where, wide roads and very clean. Another dirt road to Narrabri, then taking the main road to Coonabarabran looking for a night stop! Plenty of pull offs more like lorry parks, I did not like them. Stopped in Warrumbungle N.Park for the night (still a freebee).

Drove to Siding Springs Observatory west of Coonabarabran home of Australia’s largest telescope. I was in luck it was an open day they only have one about every two years. I took a lot of photos of everything, alas the card was faulty in my camera so I had to rush around and take them all over again!!!!!.

28th October I moved on eventually and stopped the night just down the road a little place near Bearbung.

Drove on to Dubbo to visit Western Plains Zoo, a very clean and interesting Zoo. A rather hot day, time to look for a night spot off towards Burrendong Dam and I came across a nice little layby. I had just had a shower, cooked my dinner, and it started to rain, good timing. I stopped in Dubbo to buy another card for my camera just in case!!! Oh and a fly hat. Quite a lot of nice shops no time to go shopping. Anyway I spent too much on Plod. I would have liked to have brought a dress it was just as well time was running out. Time for another red wine, its 8.30. Looked around Burrendong Dam I was not that impressed never mind.

I stopped at a picnic site and washed Plod can't be out done with all those shinny Morgan’s. Stopped to buy a net curtain yes you got it the flies are entering in my door. Passed a few dress shops good job they had the wrong size. They were beautiful dresses.

29th October. I went to make the morning tea switched the pump on, bang, no water to make the tea or wash with. As I was only 1/2 hour from Bathurst I decided to drive straight to the camp site. I booked in early. They had no recollection of my booking. I originally had to ring from England to book as I could not book by e.mail!! I parked up put my overalls on and got to work. Fortunately it was only the fuse holder. Took my washing to the laundry, help it didn't work, there wasn't even any soap. Just as well Ihad some soap.

Tried to connect to the internet and eventually managed to get on line with Orange Account and you wouldn't believe it, 2000 yes 2000 or near enough (1,700 SPAM) they took up most of my hour to sort and delete and I still could not send out any messages? I can't seem to use my Mac account, I hope Roger can tell me what I am doing wrong as nobody else can not even the Apple Mac shops.