January 12th Richard took the day off work. We gave Plod a quick wash and off I went. I had a most spectacular run to my night stop. From Windsor I drove up to Putty were I had lunch, through to Singleton, Gresford, Dungog. I had to make a slight detour as one bridge was rather on the dilapidated side. I got to my chosen site 313 at Barrington Reserve to find the council had put up notices No Camping. So I went off to the next spot 311 Gloryvale Reserve which was even better quite a few campers there camping along the river bank.
January 13th I decided to stay there another night talked to several people the night before. Jane a lady with three boys one of her own the other two were friend's, went down the river in one canoe and the boy's had a lilo each, what fun. I did the same thing many moons ago canoed down the river Wye in Wales.
The free site was very pleasant a lot of campers came and went but not really very interesting people, only Jane was worth the time of day then she was off down the river, in other words every one kept to themselves, so I could not get to know them. Oh well it did not really mater as I was feeling rather on the tired side. Properly my hectic weekend with the two R's and there wives.
January 14th I drove along up to camp 281 Wollomombi Falls on the Armidale to Grafton road. I stopped off at Walcha for a few provisions and met a couple that was very interested in Plod we exchanged polite conversation as they were English, been over here for 30 years and on their way back to the U.K for a long visit. Again the scenery was spectacular. I stopped at Uralla which was very nice as well. At the camp site which is a N.T site at only $3 a night each, well worth the money plenty of room and privacy to each pitch and they even provide the firewood free; Australia is a fantastic country, as well as free BBQ who wants a camp site at $35 a night or thereabouts.
January 15th I called in to see Jim an acquaintance that had built a house basically made of straw near Grafton.
I arrived and was shown around his very unusual home. Jim had quite a lot of jobs to do so I mucked in. Helped to start the generator and change a water pump over etc. and talked about his tractor, by this time it was time to have some dinner and a very nice steak was cooked for me.
January 16th I got my overalls on and so down to work it was. We took off the bonnet of the tractor, on went the new fan belt. The diesel tap was leaking diesel so off to Grafton we went to do some tractor shopping, eventually we found a union that would work in tead of the tap which we were unable to buy. Off came the Diesel tank as we found a few holes in the bottom of the tank. I was going to solder it but we could not find any solder etc. So we took the tank to a mate of his just down the road that is an expert on welding, and all so a good opportunity to spot weld a bracket on Plod so off came my water tank again. Jim had guests for dinner and they had already arrived in there camper vans.
A quick shower and a glass of the red, every body helped in getting the dinner ready, out came the fresh Oysters, and a big pot for the stew, I left them to it while I tried to take a few photos. The evening was great fun talking about different camp sites and horse riding etc.
January 17th Jim and the others left for other commitments, while I stayed working on the Tractor and putting back my water tank once again. I washed Plod's curtains and did some of my own washing while I had the opportunity.
January 18th A day of rest. It is so lovely up here quite and peaceful so I decided to take it easy for once and just potter around, any way after a lazy start, I remembered that my drinking water tank leaked when full up, so out it came. I did not like it as it is stainless steel and you can not see how much water you have left in. In went two plastic water containers one of which was my spare that I had rescued out of a dustbin on a camp site (I saw the person put it in). Anyway that was my day of rest which turned out to be rather on the busy side.
January 19th I drove from Grafton to Currumbin Walters to see Doug (the chap I bought the van from) had a beer and he gave me a box to fix on the back of Plod which will be much more useful than the push bike, which I had borrowed from Heather and Jim. I than drove to Ipswich to drop off the bike and had a nice chat and a cupper. Unfortunately I could not stay long as it was geting dark, I had arranged to stay near the spring shop in anticipation of sorting out Plod's springs. Good job I have a satnav as it was dark.
January 20th I was going to remove Plods springs and put new ones on but the Spring Factors gave me a good deal in fitting them so I will have them done tomorrow. I fitted a box on Plod and did a few other jobs and while I had the chance fitted a spot lamp on as well.
