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.