Month: May 2020

Sunday, 24th  to Friday 29th May 2020

 

So with a staggered start in the morning we leave the Clare park. We are heading for Morgan via Burra but just a little stop on the way out. It was a  stagger off the start line with Garry and Jen leaving first as they had to make a stop in town to pick up a table. We had been there at the choosing of the table and Anne had spotted a stylish felt hat in an Akubra style in the same shop. She decided she did not ‘need’ it until we were driving out of town. Then … Have you ever tried to park a 4WD with a twenty foot van in the main street of a country town? Anne got hat number two because Jen had chosen the same hat when they picked up the table. OK. So they both have good taste.

We finally take off in a cloud of frost and head to Burra. Pull in the reins at the schmicky Gaslight cafe for coffee and a ‘Tiddy Oggi’. That is a Cornish pasty with a happy ending. That is to say it was what Cornish wives cooked the miner (not minor) husbands for lunch. Not able to wash their hands in the mine, the pasty had a thick roll of pastry on the top which was in fact a disposable handle. That is also the status quo with a Cornish pasty except the difference between the two is, Husband starts one end and eats the pasty except, the pasty runs out and stage two takes over with an apple pie dessert end in it. How very clever for a hundred year old problem solving exercise.

The Gaslight Cafe

We walk around town and it becomes obvious that: A. it is a good town full of history and B: we sure as hell didn’t do it justice the week or two earlier that we passed through it.

Heading back to the van, I spot the back of a head of a man with a ‘pie hat’ on. In fact it is the following (googled): “Traditional Afghan Hat. Pakol is a Khowar Chitrali word and is derived from the word Khoi which means hat in Khowar. Another Khowar name for the hat is Khapol. … The woolen cap has been the staple headgear of the Chitrali people for centuries.”

The back of the head belonged to Grant Lock who was doing what we were with his wife Janna. He told me the correct name of the hat but I forget which of the two it was. Turns out They spent twenty four years in Afghanistan and Pakistan. He wrote two books, Shoot Me First and I’d Rather Be Blind. Ominous titles but I wouldn’t mind betting they would be good reads.

I told Grant I had started a book on our eighteen years in East Timor and he gave me a few pointers. A nice couple. If you are curious and/or interested, go to: www.shootmefirst.com or email: grantlock@shootmefirst.com  Chase them up and have a read.

N.B. I only started the conversation because I had been sent a ‘pie hat’ years ago from Afghanistan and imagined one day I could wear it as a novelty. However, since all the middle east trouble where a lot of the ‘trouble makers’ had Pie Hats on, I decided this would be a bad idea. However, after twenty four years in the thick of it, Grant was not so apprehensive as me. Damn! Didn’t get his autograph.

The others come looking for we two, truant travellers. (try saying that after a few drinks) Time to move on.

Next stop the fruit bin to dump any of the forty (?) fruits listed. The others do so and move of but we stay to squeeze all lemons and put the juice in the freezer. By the time we get to Morgan, the others have stopped at the bakery and are half way through their pies. We can skip the pies as we are still sitting on the Tiddy Oggi.

MORGAN

Morgan caravan park right on the water and next to the Ferry landing. A great spot and indeed we do enjoy some rays of sun not seen for some time. We ‘chummy up’ with adjoining travellers.

Again, the Ken and Liz van is the central collecting spot, especially since Ken not only put his awning out but also put up half the annex. Very cosy at night. A good couple of days soaking up the ambience, brisk walks to the ablution blocks, Ken did another roast (pork) pleasant chats peppered with laughter and liquid refreshments.

There was a walk to the pub for a takeaway beer slab and we also visited a most unique general store. It is built on a slope so the inside is terraced with ramps between. We considered this characteristic and I personally think, if I has a skate board, (and could ride it) starting at the top, I calculate I would be doing around thirty five kph before I rocketed out the front door into the passing traffic of trucks, cars, humans, dogs, cats or kangaroos as well as stationary objects like rocks and power poles. Nope. Not prepared to test it.

From the top looking down.

From the bottom looking up.

Nearing the end of the day, I finally get around to doing what I have meant to do the whole time. Get out the drone. Yes. I completely missed the Flinders Ranges and Clare. Twat. Still, better late than never.

That night we ate like kings and finished the Whiskey. Remember with an ‘e’ means Irish. That was the Tullamore D.E.W.  (Daniel E Williams. Manager and later owner)

PARTING COMPANY

In the morning, after nearly two weeks together, Garry and Jen again do a staggered start only this time back to Adelaide, Ken and Liz take to the road waiting for the NT border to open and we plan to head back towards Loxton to take our ex hosts during the close down, Rick and Diane out to dinner, if we can find anywhere open. We did have one hope but that opening has been delayed another week. So for now we head towards Loxton, looking for something open where they can drive to and join us there. In the mean time, we delayed out departure from Morgan for a walk around and soaking of Morgan society. (There’s that word ‘soak’ again. We do a lot of soaking)

‘Roo Poo’

Lots of interesting nooks and info when you slow down enough to look.

Found an Op Shop open and bought a jar of homemade apricot jam and a TwoUp set. That is the ‘kip’ and two genuine pennies. However, before I bought the TwoUp, I asked what should NOW be asked by most of us Australians, ‘Was it made in Australia?’ I kid you not, the lady got on the phone and asked the local guy who marketed them. She said ‘OK’ to him and hung up. She then turned to me and said, ‘Yep. He made it in his shed.’ Good enough.

The one I bought.

Googled instructions.

CADELL

Now a short visit to Cadell. Birth place of Anne’s dear old mum. (with a firey disposition when warranted.)

A quiet town now. Apparently, most of the citrus industry has finished due to international/foreign imports. We are told by a local, a packing plant closed down. Most of the town worked there. HERE is where you can REALLY see, if only we didn’t look to save twenty cents and instead BUY AUSTRALIAN, many of our countries problems would be fixed.

We went to the Cadell Club in the hope of a lunch to support them. It is only open two nights a week and now the Chinese Covid-19 has knocked that on the head. Right on the river, it is a good little town, but with little income. Damn.

RAMCO

We drove towards Waikerie aiming for Holder Bend free camp, but Anne spotted another entry on Wikicamps. Ramco Wetland. A top spot for free camping. A nice grassed area with shelters and two very good echo toilets.

The grass is out of bounds but the dirt and scrub area adjacent are all free camp. We arrive and set up. Set up? Like most of our free camping, we pull up at a level-ish spot, lock the car, make sure any grey water is going to head in the right direction. That is as a water source for the scrub and nowhere near the river.

Five minutes from Waikerie, TV reception, a toilet a minute walk away, view of the river, no park fees, not using any diesel except the heater and true serenity. (the magic word) Three of us spread out over a hundred metres. Not exactly shoulder to shoulder. Great spot. We will stay for a few days.

What made this hole above? about a foot high, in the old language.

Some great cloud on water reflections. Not ‘glass’ but close.

Friday Morning. FOGGY for a while then lovely and sunny.

Moving on.  Off to Barmera via Waikerie to meet more friends for the weekend.

However, what about a bit of a laugh first….

Cheers.

 

 

Wednesday 20th of May 2020

 

Next day it’s off to Clare via lots of small but historical towns. First one is Parachilna. Fabulous old pub, The Prairie Hotel, of course shut. Damn shame, but we did get to speak to the Publican Jane Fargher who explained like most other restaurant and pub owners that it is simply not worth opening for ten customers only, or even twenty for that matter. They are apparently going to do something in Adelaide until the smoke clears. The Covid-19 smoke that is.

We pull up at Hawker for a pit stop (toilet) and meet another Supreme caravan owner. Compare notes. ‘Nice looking van’ etc. then keep it moving so …..

Next, Quorn for a bite to eat and slurp. (Anne had a soup) It was a nice bite at a well organised cafe with counter at the door, (no one shall pass!) pay by card tap and max ten people on the foot path at separate grouped tables. A short walk to soak up the ambiance. Anne that is. I stayed seated and soaked from there.

We do pass through a few other interesting looking towns, but the sun is going down so we do not dilly-dally. Then a five o’clock-ish arrival in ‘cold’ Clare caravan park.

A progressive town! Not only do they do pizza delivery and not only to a caravan park, BUT direct to your site! So an easy, first night meal.

Our sites, right down the back, well away from the main road but also the toilet block. So over the next three days, I soon develop the practice of, start walking at even the slightest inkling, because by the time you get there, fuelled by the icy breeze, you will be way past ‘inkling’ by the time you open the dunny door. (excuse nostalgic term)

Cold but pleasant Clare.

Spotted this car  and rolled back to my youth. A Chrysler Valiant Charger.

I just didn’t quite understand these floor guide markings for distance and isolation requirements in the shop.

We buy some warm clothes. I buy a belt to replace my hybrid belt with adjustable, nylon, cable ties. I think I mentioned it before? Well, I had been on the last hole for quite some time and low and behold, the thing breaks after only, I think about twenty to twenty five years. So I came up with the idea of not adding on the end but instead cut it at the back in the middle and use nylon cable ties at the back so I can use the buckle as designed. Photos attached.

The next few days were a mix of food (& booze) shopping, including wood shopping for a small bonfire, a roast. (or two?) RAA, new battery and auto electrician for Ken, to the butcher for another roast (lamb) AND I see the grey sausage in the glass front display cabinet. Could it be? I ask, “Excuse me, is that Haggis?” Cometh the answer, “Yes.” And hence there was rejoicing in the Gaelic influenced camp of Anne and Leith who delight in such culinary treats. And it followed that prior to the main course of lamb roast, all present received a slice of Haggis, ‘The chieftain of the pudding race’ to quote Robbie Burns. I further explained it was complimented by a small dash of Scottish Whisky and added the lovely liquid. It was about a draw. Half liked and half were, perhaps not overly impressed. Anne and I even had a small portion on crumpet for breakfast. Yes. With the traditional whisky but a mere drop … or two.

Some Haggis left.

Whisky with the Haggis.

Breakfast Haggis on crumpet.

 

N.B. I promised to contact the butcher for comment on his Haggis. (It will be positive) I have his card and will do so within 24 hours. By the way, it’s Mike Day of Day’s Quality Meats. Mobile: 0419 110 044, email: mikeday231@gmail.com, 47 Old North Road, Clare, SA. (look for Woolworths and it is one of the adjoining shops on the corner.)

By then the Ken and Liz van had been unofficially nominated as the central meeting place, both in and out depending on the weather. A good time was had by all, the ‘good’ fuelled by ‘good’ food and ‘good’ wine/beer/Guinness/whisky/whiskey and ‘good’ company. Hang on. I forgot the Baileys. I think there was a G & T in there somewhere as well. Another pleasant stay but we decide to look for just a little more sun rays.

On, On, to greener pastures with more sun, with just one stop on the way out.

 

Cheers.

Thursday 14th May 2020

 

Yes. As planned. We did, empty the toilet cassette and do shopping for both food and liquid.

Ricks current metal crafting mystery is hereby declared. You will see it is to be a horse. See one of the completed ones in the front yard. Amazing. Rick has more artistic imagination and patience than I could ever dream of.

Just for the record, Rick plans to forward me progress photos of the horse. Watch out for updates.

After six weeks and four days (this is the fifth day) it’s time to move on. We have had a marvelous, enjoyable time here, thanks to our great hosts, Rick and Diane. It was a unique experience. We kept ourselves isolating distance for over six weeks and only then, did we join them in their house for mother’s day, knowing the restrictions were being eased the day after. There is no such arrangement as perfect, however, this came pretty close. with our van on their block, it was like having next door neighbours but without a fence and just a space between.

Our stay will be a fond memory of enjoyed company with good friends. Thank you Rick and Diane. (with special mentions to Kelly, Lindsay and newly arrived Tilly)

We pull out the driveway heading initially through Moorook, Waikerie and Morgan.

We eventually stop at Burra for the night. Burra? Nice historic town. Cold when the sun went down. Cold during the night and in the morning, crisp and cold, warming as the sun rises. But a nice town.

Over the back fence in Burra and a toad stool (?) just outside the van.

Then just north of Burra is Mt Bryan, the birth place of Sir George Hubert Wilkins.

Wilkins was an incredible hero and his life is recorded in the book, ‘The Last Explorer.’

Life Summary 

Birth: 31 October 1888, Mount Bryan, South Australia, Australia.   Death: 30 November 1958, Framingham, Massachusetts, United States of America. Religious Influence: Methodist. Occupation: army officer, autobiographer/memoirist, aviator, explorer, Indigenous artefacts collector, natural history collector, naturalist, war correspondent, war photographer. links to Story: http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wilkins-sir-george-hubert-9099.  https://www.southaustralianhistory.com.au/wilkins.htm

 

Next day to Peterborough …

Orroroo ….

… and finally to Hawker Where we fill up with diesel and take a bathroom break.

This amazing old but restored International truck on a trailer arrives. Family milling around. I comment on the beautiful restoration. On the door were the words, ‘Ron Sanders, phone 183 Gawler.’

A family member points to a hurst with casket in the back which is in convoy with them. He further explains, ‘That is Ron.’ Turns out Ron came from Blinman but set up business way back in Gawler. He was near the end of his life so the family worked frantically to restore his old truck before he passed. Unfortunately Ron missed seeing the finished item by a couple of weeks. They were on their way to Blinman to put him to rest. Ron was a lucky man. He was obviously much loved. I suspect later on, we see his resting place. A few days ahead. Read on.

We go the eight km’s past Hawker turn to the right on to the Wonoka Station Road. That which we much feared has come to pass. Dirt road with narrow grids to pass through! Another few km’s to a right turn with sign, ‘Camping site.’ which we miss and proceed on to the homestead.

Turned back and arrive at the camp site with two other vans, friends Garry and Jen as well as new friends Ken and Liz.

A great two nights. Site has hot water showers, flush toilets and walks along the creek.

The ‘rapids’ we managed to negotiate. The closer view much more ‘exciting.’

BBQ and bonfire night. A good spot.

Morning coffee….

Then all three vans are off to Angorichina via Hawker.

We pause at Hawker for some generator fuel and Alcohol. The pub is closed for a further two hours so no booze. The pub is however guarded by two cats with command of the high ground hence the advantage.

So, on we go with another pause at Wilpena Pound for a coffee and cake break, then another forty minutes or so to Blinman. But we don’t see Blinman as the Angorichina turn off is to the left on the outskirts. Bummer! Another dirt road for eighteen minutes of rattling and rocky road.

Then like an oasis in the dirt desert, our destination looms up with petrol bowsers, a general store of a sort and the makings of a good stay. It turns out to be quite comfy with 240V, hot showers and flushing toilets. Luxury. Just a bit dirty is all. Now …. here’s a new and eye opening experience for us! No phone or internet reception!!

Anyway. a nice two nights and a walk up the gorge that made a challenge when we actually got a little bit lost. (!!??) Good news. (?) We had planned a half hour out and another back, but did an extra hour we had not planned which included climbing under and/or over three wire fences.

Lazy afternoon and BBQ evening meal. We also meet fellow van people Cheryl and Laurie. They join us for the evening then all of a sudden, out of the darkness comes Cheryl, under a full head of steam with, of all things Bagpipes! A marvellous surprise and treat.

We extend an extra day and take a two car trip towards Parachilna with an early turn off to see Glass Gorge. It was picturesque but where does the ‘glass’ name come from? It’s just more ‘donga’. Must google it later when we get internet and phone reception. Then Blinman. Historic and very interesting. Mining and old facilities. Brilliant pub shut due to Covid 19, a fascinating and moving cemetery and an old grader with a unique communication system with the driver of the towing bulldozer. Have a read.

An ex long drop at right.

This was a fresh grave with fresh flowers. It had a toy truck on it . We assumed it was a child’s grave. Now thinking about it, the old truck we saw in Hawker with with Ron Sanders to be buried at Blinman a few days earlier …..?

Rons first truck. Maybe he went into trucking seriously and the toy truck was symbolic?

 

The grader instructions are fascinating.

 

We repeat our BBQ evening with all including Cheryl and Laurie with new arrivals John (?) and Sue. We finally crack open Anne’s 1986 Moet purchased in around 1990 in France, dragged all the way back to Australia and ultimately stored in Garrys cellar (thanks Garry) for the last twenty five years while we gallivant around Australia up to Darwin then over to East Timor. Of course it was stuffed and Anne had to tip it.

Then a final farewell gesture, Cheryl treats us to another performance on the pipes. The sound of the pipes reverberating around the hills at night was a surreal experience. Tomorrow, we move on. WHAT a farewell!

Off tomorrow to Clare.

Cheers.

 

 

Monday, 11th to Wednesday 13th May 2020

 

The first day of relaxed Covid-19 rules. We are now free to travel and we will be off in a few days. We want to shout our hosts for putting up with us for now over six weeks. So, a wander in town for what’s open and what isn’t regarding a farewell meal or two.

We get a reminder of what a nice town Loxton really is.

Bottom line, limited facilities available. First (Monday) night was fish and chips. Having said that, OK chips, very good fish, as are the crumbed prawns and calamari. For fish and chips, a good meal.

Next night, take away from the Loxton Hotel. Four serves of roast lamb and vegetables with a tasty gravy. All good. A shame we couldn’t do it in the dining room. Shop at the local butcher for the next week.

I finish the bracket for the booster for the tyre monitors.

I have the space prepared for the drinking water jerry can with tap and hose.

The mystery welding job is a step further. Any idea now?

A day of finishing odds and ends. Ladder out and solar panels cleaned. Tyres confirmed monitoring is all good, awning cleaned and packed up, floor mat stored away, stabilizer ropes stashed, etc etc etc.

Last night meal, host Diane creates a knockout corned beef meal with all the trimmings. Better than the previous two nights put together.

As if to say farewell, we get a last drive past by the now famous (to us anyway) Red Ned with the sweetest exhaust note in the Riverland.

Tomorrow morning we will take an early trip into town to empty the toilet cassette, shop for food and liquid refreshments (booze). Then back to hitch up, top up the water tanks. Next after our most pleasant stay in Loxton of almost seven weeks, we hit the road heading to the Flinders Ranges to meet existing and new caravanning friends.

A new day tomorrow. A new adventure starts.

Cheers.

Friday 8th to Sunday 10th May 2020

 

A planned day. The wheels! All eight of them. No. Ten with spares. This is serious. Compressor out from the back of the car and bonnet up to power it. Sender units off valve stems to test true pressure with gauge.

The car first. time consuming but straight forward. That is till the spare, which means cranking it down from under. Did it but Mongrel job. That was it for the day. Van another time.

Pulling off the sender units and underside after spare has been cranked down.

Pleasant afternoon tea and followed by a separate stout tasting. I went commercial with Guinness and Rick followed up with his home brew stout which is a damn nice drop. Put it this way. Guinness $20 a six pack (or more). Home grown 33cents a bottle or $2 a six pack! I love Guinness but is it ten times better?

Ear marked tomorrow for finishing the wood. Forecast for colder and maybe a little wet? We shall see what we shall see on the morrow.

‘Tis the morrow. We go at the remaining wood with a vengeance and slice it with relative ease till we got to the big stuff.

 

We were going to use the fork lift for the sleepers but did it the hard way. Interestingly, they weren’t as heavy as the same or smaller size of what Rick called ironwood. Sleepers were a struggle. The ironwood was torture. Don’t know if it was an accurate name but it fitted. A quick google. “Ironwood is a common name for many woods or plants that have a reputation for hardness, or specifically a wood density that is over 1000 kg/m³ and sinks in water, although usage of the name ironwood in English may or may not indicate a tree that yields such heavy wood.” It was very heavy and very hard.

 

Did a stack of kindling and the day was done, at least for wood anyway. (For youngies who don’t know, the small pieces of wood you use to start a fire are called kindling. (Kindling comes from the Old Norse root kynda, “to light a fire.”) N.B. My money would have been on the German ‘Kinder’ means child. You know like ‘small wood.’ It was a stab.

Afternoon. Shopping, toilet dump and afternoon tea. I now have to make yet another bracket to sit over the tailgate. This one is for the wheel pressure monitor booster. That will sit on the rear exterior of the car to pick up the signal from the caravan wheels.

The question has been asked, ‘Is this all getting a bit TOO high tech?’ and the answer is probably ‘Yes.’ However I have had a tyre failure on a caravan and I was so lucky it didn’t roll and take the car with it. So I am a bit jumpy with tyres.

Sunday. “Mum’s Day!” Perhaps a little more important for those who still have a mother, but also for those without, a chance to reflect back to a better time when, hopefully for most of us, we still had our biggest fan. Gone but not forgotten.

I have a bit of a hitch with the wheel pressure and temperature monitor. The morning after, I check the pressures I set and the readings are now wrong. They should be taken when the tyres are ‘cold.’ However, at 8.30am today, the tyres were at 8 degrees but yesterday at the same time they were 14 degrees. So the pressures set ‘spot on’ yesterday are now reading low. It’s not a perfect world.

Each tyre flashes for five seconds showing pressure and temperature, then moves to the next. Car front right, front left, rear right, rear left, then moving onto the van same sequence. The top two are car rear and the second two are front. Front set originally at 38lbs and rear at 44lbs. (?)

Host Rick used to drive trucks and he said he just used to walk around the truck and trailer with a rubber hammer, belting each tyre and deciding on OK or NOT OK. A bit more basic that my high tech set up, but it worked and was a lot quicker and easier.

This afternoon, A significant event! Yesterday was our six week anniversary here in Loxton. We have practiced self isolation quite effectively. Now … today   Mothers Day, we are going into Rick and Diane’s house. There will be two mothers there and we will still all be aware of covid-19.

Fabulous afternoon inside the house (!) and a sit around the back yard fire pit with a little demo of rotary hoeing.

Didn’t get the bracket finished but that can wait till tomorrow … or the next day. Tomorrow travel restrictions are reduced. Where are we going to go?

Well, we will go with a smile. Here’s another ‘funny.’

Cheers.

Tuesday 5th to Thursday 7th May 2020

 

Mundane morning (Not Monday. It’s Tuesday.) of computer work and clothes washing. No walk today. Off at 1pm to empty the toilet cassette then to the hardware store for items we then discover  will be in on Thursday. Next, pick up new, altered clothes then the ‘biggy.’ To the pharmacy for flu jabs. Two jabs and two jokes with the pharmacist then back to base for our always happy afternoon tea. Sunset. Now tell me that’s not an action packed day, I dare you. The stuff movies are made of.

We thought the bandaids were overkill.

Wednesday. A while ago, I made a shoddy but quick rear camera bracket on the road with bits and pieces. When the van is not attached, this camera hooks over the tail gate and is held in by the hinged window above. Next project was to make a new, more substantial one and this was the day. A work of art which fits snugly and looks just a little amateurish due to the taping of the wire on top. Doesn’t matter. It’s practical and works a treat. Shoddy old one on the right.

Running out of projects and just as well. News is we will soon be allowed to travel within South Australia. Maybe even next week. That will mean a change of scenery (almost daily) and many experiences and stories. It will be sad to leave Loxton. It’s a good place. We like it. However, the whole idea is to cruise Australia and so we shall.

So my remaining project is to reset all tyre pressures, confirm all sender units are sending accurate pressure readings from all eight wheels, then set the high and low warning parameters. Sender unit batteries may have to be replaced. Anyway, that’s tomorrow. By the way, that all has to be done while the tyres are cold and that’s not a problem now

The other project I am keen to finish is not the car or van but the house. That is, we must finish the winter wood cutting. This is the pile we have done …

… and this below is what remains. The sleepers will be a trick. Will need the fork lift for them. Anyway, that’s soon but not now.

Another happy afternoon tea, fold up awning due to promised strong winds tomorrow, showers, drinks, another Chilli Concarne, a movie, I site the cloaked moon, note the rural darkness, then off to dream of ….. probably camera brackets and wood cutting.

Dawn Thursday. The tyre setting will not happen as it is warm and the tyres have warmed up. Must be done cold. So struggling to achieve for today, I cleaned my shoes. (How sad. Has it come to this?)

 

Spotted a piece of gear being put together in Ricks workshop. Can you guess what it is? I know. It will take shape and all will be revealed.

 

A hot and dirty day. Wind is NNW so coming off the land and it is dusty and sandy, unfortunately for the farmers. Toilet cassette dump and it is a dirty, windy day, even down on the lovely River Murray.

Shopping for food and booze, picked up hanging hooks and installed in the van (another win?) afternoon tea.

Now brutal news that after 15 days S.A. has had a new case of covid-19. He is in the 70’s, got it from OS and got back SIX weeks ago (so where does that leave us with our 14 day isolation) and the only symptom was loss of taste. Authorities say this will not alter the loosening of restrictions. Wait and see.

Did a ZOOM meeting with friends, another cloaked moon but not as much so a bit more light at night. Now things are getting very samey. We need to be on the road with new experiences.

In the mean time a little humour to fill the gap.

Cheers.

Saturday 2nd to Monday, 4th May 2020

 

We have by the way, given in and bought some winter clothes as we are currently NOT cruising up the west coast as planned. We had planned to follow the sun and the warm, so had just the bare necessities for keeping just a little warm after the sun goes down. We pick up the clothes after alterations on Tuesday.

Something to look forward to including our flu jabs also booked for Tuesday. (look forward to?) Just getting the young persons under 65 jab as it is done at the pharmacy. Don’t have to book in for a doctor. I never get flu anyway. (Famous last words)

Dump spot trip marred by a downpour. Serious downpour.

Delighted to find toilet paper on the shelves of the supermarket with even a choice of brand. Maybe the cretins are losing now.

Spag Bol for evening meal, only made with Chilli Concarne hence the red kidney beans. The sauce almost undetectable due to the grated mature and shaved parmesan cheeses on the top.

Next day, lunch is leftovers assembled cunningly into a Nasi Goreng, heavy on some additional components to make it extra dark and rich. Just can’t work out why I am putting on weight. (by the way, it got a bit chewed before I decided to take the photo)

Another walk to burn it off, passing some seriously heavy pruning and more of those lovely yellow flowers we are now told is a noxious weed.

Anne spots a cardboard box in Ricks workshop so far away in time and location, it must have got here by Tardis.

We see another sunset, this time a little diminished but then again every one you get to see is another day on the planet.

Next day, Monday is a brand new adventure. This is country so you don’t go buy wood for the pending winter fires. Nope. you collect it hither and thither, then chop/cut it up into bite sized pieces, the ‘bite sized’ being the opening of your fire place.

And So I find myself standing in front of a pile of wood logs I literally cannot jump over. Jump? I couldn’t climb over it. My role for the day is to be that of a wood carting ‘lackey’ of a sort. (lackey /ˈlaki/ noun, a servant, especially a liveried footman or manservant.)

Rick has a tractor with a serious tungsten tip buzz/circular saw built on the back with a power take off running it and a frame for feeding and partially holding the unsuspecting log.

My part as lackey is to pick up the logs and feed them to the master, Rick, who secures and cuts them, unfortunately for me, in rapid succession. This, we do until there are no logs left. However, as there is, I suspect, about two years worth, it is decided we will do about two thirds today and the rest at a later date when it is assessed whether the wear and tear sustained doing the above on this aging pen pusher is temporary or permanent.

A little about this magnificent machine. This is a ‘Farmall’ tractor purchased brand new by Rick’s father in 1938. If you want to know the difference between the old and the new, this ‘never say die’ vehicle, has never been pulled down or had any serious work done on it. It has a complete set of spare pistons, gudgeon pins etc sitting in a box purchased back in 1938 but never needed. Fuel wise, it is relatively economical and it doesn’t have a battery or starter. You crank start it and it does so with relative ease. The spark is provided by a magneto, hence no battery. (magneto : /maɡˈniːtəʊ/ . noun.  a small electric generator containing a permanent magnet and used to provide high-voltage pulses, especially (formerly) in the ignition systems of internal combustion engines.)

Anyway, this thing just goes and goes without missing a beat till it is told to stop, again, unfortunately for me. Rick explains as it is not used frequently, when storing, he runs it out of fuel and drains the radiator when the block is still hot, so evaporating all remaining water therein. So, without a battery to go flat, no fuel to go flat or gunk up the system and no water in the block and radiator to cause rust, it can sit for 1 year untouched, then simply put water and fuel in, crank it over and it kicks over all but immediately. As I said before, ‘ … you want to know the difference between the old and the new?’

Anne has found and witnesses a gruesome scene. A bee has had the bad luck to fly into a spider web and nature is taking its course. The spiders main course I believe.

Anne has a new appreciation for sawn timber.

We enjoy our 2pm afternoon coffee with tasty nibbles, take care of odds and ends, showers, yet another sunset with this time, Limoncillo and yet another quaich of the last of my 12 year old Glenlivet.

Now here in, is a dilemma. Glenlivet 12 single malt has been my chosen Whisky for years. However, with a little frivolity, I decided to purchase an Irish Whiskey I have not had for approximately forty five years. Namely, Tullamore Dew. It had a good reputation but is a blend. I was just a little curious so I bought it.

Now some trivia you may be aware of anyway. The ‘Dew’ is in actual fact D.E.W. which takes its name from one of the earliest influencers of the then newly established distillery, the manufacturer,  Daniel E Williams. Now secondly, I am sure many know, but Scottish Whisky is spelt without and ‘e’ and Irish Whiskey is spelt with.

Back to the dilemma. So, do I drink Irish Whiskey with my Scottish quaich? When you think about it, the answer is obvious. ‘Who cares!’

 

Cheers.

 

 

Wednesday 29th April to Friday 1st May 2020

A blur of three days with bad weather which paused long enough for us to get just one walk in (and an early one at that!) and on that walk, we spotted a couple of Roo’s on it. Look at the blurred zoom in and notice the ‘Joey’ in the pouch. Mum with babs.

The wet weather on the walk bought out the amazing textures of trees and bushes. Found a creek that apparently, just a few days ago, a BIG snake was spotted at. Wrong season but it was thought it came out for frogs in the creek.

On our return walk we shocked our host Rick who didn’t for one minute expect to find us heading home when he was going out on his. Beating the master at his own game? Not so. We muddled through an early start by chance and Rick was simply on his normal early hike.

Anne flashed her new boots that I previously described as Italian, whereas, in fact they are Brazilian. Going by the price, I thought they were Italian.

Even though the weather was so ‘woolly’, it was decided (not by me) that we should have a sunset drink outside. Another opportunity to use my Scottish quaich for the much justified, in this case, traditional consumption of Scottish Whisky. Believe me, it was an occasion most justified.

The next day wasn’t as bad. It was worse. It’s only Autumn but it’s like the middle winter. And the wind!

Still, we are lapping up the fact that the pandemic seems to be going down a good track and at the end of the day, we are all well. Our 2pm self isolation afternoon tea’s are still most pleasant occasions and there are always mini projects to keep us amuzed.

And if we run out of projects, there’s always the COVID Show to keep us amuzed. So many people trying so hard to do the right thing and so many ‘dribbling cretins.’

Cheers.