Rankins Springs

Well we are the cleverest campers - at the little caravan park last night, we set up away from the road to eliminate the truck noise - however, we didn't realise we set up right by the rail line and the trains roared through so much so it seemed they were coming right into our vans!  The trucks were noisy too so none of our ploys worked! Scenes of Deloraine in Tasmania!! 

We once again travelled through some beautiful country and even around here, things are looking pretty good. We had an interesting drive down the Main Street of Gulgong - the historic Henry Lawson town. It's a very narrow street with cars parked both sides and a chap towing a car trailer decided to try to drive along whilst we were and - oops - he didn't fit so he had to reverse and luckily a car parked in front of us drove us off so we had space to manoeuvre!! Darryl was very glad to leave that street behind! The town however is a place we'd love to visit again as it seemed to have so many interesting places. From there we went across to Wellington where we had morning tea in the same park we visited on our Myall Lakes trip. It's surprising just how large these country towns are. We had lunch in a lovely park at Canowindra ( yes Ell - cruskits and saladas again!) then travelled to Cowra, Grenfell, West Wyalong to here. It was a long drive but quite easy traveling and we are pleased to be within a days drive from home. 

         

This is a crop just this side of Grenfell. 

 

We are surprised at this little place as its lovely and obviously they've had more rain than at home as things are looking pretty good. This town has an amazing silo which really looks better in real life.

            

This camp area is not we thought - it's picturesque and very quiet here and not what you'd expect in the middle of nowhere. 

        

 

It's funny but an Ultimate camper just like our old one has pulled up next to us and there is much swapping of stories. Darryl had identified the couple from the Ultimate forum. 

Tomorrow we will be home then a week to prepare for our guests for the Camp Fest!!  The flies have been terrible the last 2 nights so hope they aren't going to be bad next weekend!

So after a few days of traveling with our new vans, we are delighted but we will be happy to get home and organise things - we have a long list of items to purchase to make things convenient in our vans. We don't wish at all that we still had our Ultimate camper - even tho we did love it when we owned one. 

I'll do a blog from the camp fest so till then, love from the happy glampers ❌❌❌❌❌⭕️⭕️⭕️⭕️

Dunedoo

We've had some lovely days travelling and are now in a quaint place called Dunedoo! We've set up a little earlier than usual and we are all busy with our devices! 

We left Mullumbimby and travelled along the Pacific Highway to Grafton - through some pretty countryside and through lots of roadworks. We reckon all of the nations road monies are being spent on this road as they are undertaking huge developments. It's a busy road and we were glad to leave it. We had morning tea at an old ferry place which had gift shop attached to the information centre and unfortunately Tops and I left our purses behind and then it was time to head off! We could have spent a few dollars there as there were so many unusual and reasonably priced items - but not meant to be!!

At Grafton we stopped so Dennis could purchase a towing mirror and seeing it was lunch time, Tops and I were taken out for lunch - to Hungry Jacks!! It did the job I suppose and a change from our biscuits and cheese. From Grafton we went on the scenic route to Armidale - it was very scenic but the  first part of the road was pretty ordinary! Tested out the campers anyway and they passed the test easily! We were surprised to be at an altitude of 1300metres - Armidale is Australia's highest city. We visited the information centre and found the park where we had intended to stay was closed so they directed us to a place in the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park called Dangars Gorge. 

    

    

         

What a find!! It was one of the best national parks we've visited. There was no fee, the sites were spacious, each with a picnic table, fire pit (plus wood supplied) and a paved area and it's situated by this amazing gorge which had very new walking paths with steel fences and grating to enable best views of the gorge. The waterfall wasn't running - it would be spectacular when it was so will have to go back one day.

          

      

 The area is home to beautiful little brush tailed rock wallabies - very cute. We had a lovely walk thismorning till it started to rain so we hurried back.  Can you see the joey in the pouch? 

          

  

We packed up - neither of us can believe how easy it is - especially seeing we haven't been putting our annexes up.  I enjoyed my shower and Darryls very impressed with the ensuite as its so convenient.

We were on a tourist drive which was so pretty with old churches, bridges, an amazing octagonal white shearing shed and beautiful avenues of deciduous trees. It was worth the trip! 

            

We went from there to Tamworth and it seems to be a huge place. The Main Street looked so pretty with lovely big trees. They've had a lot of rain there overnight and we ran into some very heavy showers - yesterday going to the gorge, we tested out the dust suppression unit and today we tested the waterproofing - and happily no dust and no water in the vans. We enjoyed our usual cruskits and salada lunch at Gunnedah then found the Black Stump highway and drove through some lovely valleys which were lush and picturesque. We are now about 90km from Dubbo - its Dennis and Tops's turn to determine the route tomorrow - there are many options.  We decided to stay in the caravan park as we were a little afraid to go off road after the rains. Getting bogged isn't  on our priority list! 

We've got 2 more travelling days then will be home so the week has gone quickly for us. We love our vans and are very happy with our choices. 

Till our next blog, love from the 'glampers! ❌❌❌❌❌❌❌

Mullumbimby

We had a lovely sleep  in our campers and we can report that both our beds are very comfy and we were lovely and cosy. The ensuite was christened and yes Sandy, it was very nice to not have to pop out side or trek to the toilet at night. Once again we were awake early (thank heavens we are now in NSW and back to our time zone!) but we didn't hurry as we had to enjoy a yummy cooked breakfast compliments of Ricky and Flo! We then popped to the local shops to get a few supplies and spare gas bottles filled. We finally packed up and were happy that we managed that with no stress and it is easy.

So finally we left Rick and Flo's (with Tops's fridge full of green chicken curry, rice and  BBQ noodles) and headed south with cameras flashing to record the momentous occasion. 

        

We took the freeway to the Gold Coast and it's so different from how we remember from our trip years ago. On Ricky's recommendations we took the scenic drive to Kingscliff where had our picnic lunch in a park by the beach. Darryl was fortunate enough to find some lovlies by the beach:

        

We took the longest route possible through some beachside places and ended up this very alternative place Mullumbimby. We are camped out at the Leagues Club by a creek and it's very peaceful and picturesque. You can see Dennis inspecting the underneath of his camper. 

         

We feel as if we haven't done enough to set up but we'll get used to that - we haven't put up our annexes as its only an overnight spot. So we really only have to pop our tops and we have to pull out our bed and that's it - we are done!! 

We drove into Mullumbimby to get a couple of things and Tops and I allowed Darryl and Dennis to buy some shoes. Darryl's pretty happy with his Byron Bay loafers which made Dennis a bit jealous as he was only allowed to get a pair of rubber thongs!! (You can see Dennis's sad face!!) 

         

It's beautiful here in the sunshine enjoying a wine and beer but we suspect once we've eaten, we'll be getting into our beds. Its been a few really tiring days. Who knows where we'll be tomorrow - it's Dennis and Tops's turn to decide our route and destination.

We really are the happiest campers you would find - even though some people think we have a caravan!! 

So farewell from the 'glampers' 

xxxxxxxxxxxxx 

  

         

       

New campers 😀😀

Well, after what seems a very long wait, we have finally taken delivery of our new campers and  are now set up on Rick and Flo's lawn!! It's a beautiful evening and we have our campfire going and are enjoying lots of laughs!! Flo has cooked up her usual storm and we are spoilt with BBQ noodles, marinated lamb and a beautiful fresh salad. 

        

      

We left early Friday morning and spent 2 solid days driving up the Newell Highway. It's a lovely drive and we were pleasantly surprised to see lush feed and excellent crops all the way once we left Deniliquin - such a change from the dry conditions around home. We had an overnight stop at Gilgandra and enjoyed Top's chicken and corn soup for dinner - yum yum. 😋😋

It was lovely to enjoy a rest day yesterday and we were once again spoilt by the Greenwood hospitality here at Rick and Flos and at Rob and Pru's. 

Today we were awake so early as they don't have daylight saving - plus we were probably too excited to sleep!! As we neared the factory, the butterflies set in - especially for us as ours was an impulse buy and we hoped we wouldn't be disappointed! Luckily we are absolutely delighted and have even more features than we remembered. We were ages at the factory being shown every little detail and how to set up and down!!  

           

As we left the factory we really couldn't believe how lucky we are:

       

 Here at the Greenwood caravan park, we are very comfortable and we managed to set up without too much stress. I was so excited to finally make up our bed with the lovely Aldi gear and really can't wait to snuggle up in our bed tonight.

       

I am so lucky to now have an ensuite but Ricky made sure Tops hasn't missed out with this little beauty:

       

Dennis and Tops are also delighted with their camper and I'm a little envious of Top's kitchen. 

         

Tommorow we will start the trip home but this time luckily we don't have to hurry as much! We'll head to Byron Bay way and who knows where we'll be set up tomorrow night.

So from the 4 most happy campers we sign off till next blog. 

😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄😄