Blog 51 - 2nd to 9th October 2014

Thursday 2nd October - another cold night in western NSW. A short drive around town and then we head for Boorowa. Not much to see but some nice old buildings. Then we decide to go to Yass - somewhere we have stopped on the highway many times when heading south, but never really wandered around town and seen what is really there. It is a beautiful old town, with a spectacular courthouse, where we got a guided tour.

Lunch at an "old style" milkbar, and then we drive up the freeway, turning off at Gunning - another of those town you see the sign for but never stop in for a look. A quick look around town, and then we stop in at the free rest area besides the creek - but we decide to continue on, and are soon in Goulburn, where we book into the caravan park. After setting up, we venture down the main street for a walk before dinner.

Friday 3rd - first stop this morning is the Info Centre to find out what there is to see in and around Goulburn. We drive to the top of Rocky Hill to the war memorial

which has amazing views over the entire town, and then the caretaker asks us if we want to climb to the top of the tower for a better view. It just so happens to be the actor John Howard from All Saints etc, and after seeing the better views, we chat to him for about 30 minutes - he has an amazing amount of knowledge about the memorial and the war effort and impact on the town. Then back into town for a drive through, stopping at the cathedral where Di wanders in for some pictures.

Then it is a bit further up the highway to the Mittagong turnoff, and we follw the road towards Wombeyan Caves, where the Suzuki 4WD Club is hosting the biannual Zukana at River Island.

After a steep descent into the property, we set-up camp, and wander around chatting to all the familiar faces who we have not seen in over 18 months - it is great to catch up.

Saturday 4th - a lovely sunny morning, with more chatting to friends. Then we wander down to the first event for the weekend - a very fast drive around an obstacle course.

Back for lunch and then Di goes for a swim in the river, whilst I go to watch the 2nd event for the day. Then we collect a bit of firewood.

 Happy hour around the fire before dinner, and then the fire gets a bit bigger to keep everyone warm. We have Micky K join us on the floor for the night.

Sunday 5th - Di is woken by Micky K snoring from the floor below - at least it is a change from me right next to her anyway. Bacon and eggs for brekkie, before a short walk to the 3rd event,

and then some lunch. Micky heads back to Sydney to see his mighty Bunnies fight for glory in the NRL Grand Final. We go down to the river for a swim.

Back at camp it is getting close to the time to fire up the BBQ for the big dinner for everyone tonight. I have been elected to cook, and with Di and Dazza's help, we cook a mass of sausages, chicken fillets and pieces of steak. The masses are fed, and all are happy - damn, probably means I will get this job next time. All the kid's drawings are on display, and they eagerly drag parents to see their masterpieces. Another massive fire, listen to the GF on the radio - the Bunnies win over the Dogs - and a few beers catching up with friends.

Monday 6th - as with most people, we pack up to leave today, but we decide to extend our adventure, and drive towards Wombeyan Caves, where we stop for lunch on the grass. Then a bit further west, before heading north, following lots of back roads and tracks until we arrive at Ben Boyd campsite about 5km's before Kanagra Walls. We set-up, collect some firewood, and settle in for a quiet night.

Tuesday 7th - an early morning storm sees everything wet, but at least it stops for packing up. We drive the final 5km's to Kanagra Walls lookout and sit on the edge for about 20 minutes just taking in the view - spectacular.

Then down to Jenolan Caves, where we walk into the village for a coffee,

and then decide to do the self-guided cave tour, which is really nice.

Then a long climb back up to the carpark. From here we drive to Lake Lyall near Lithgow, stopping along the way to assist a young bloke whose wheel has snapped around the spokes and come off his ute. We camp besides the lake

but the hike to the loos and showers is a bit far, and you need a pocketful of 20 cent coin to make the hot water work.

Wednesday 8th - we leave the lake and drive to Rydal, cause we have never been there - not much to see really, but we've ticked it off. Then to the Lithgow Info Centre, where we get some maps about lookouts around the area. We drive to Hassans Wall lookout

and then to Braceys lookout which both have great views. Then we point the Triton towards Mt Victoria, and after getting stuck behind a semi, and struggling to take off in 1st gear, we start to explore the various lookouts and views in the Blue Mountains. First to Anvil Rock lookout, then to Perry's lookdown,

Pulpit Rock,

and finally to Evans lookout. Stunning views from each of these, and all places we had never been before. After lunch, we head to Murphys Glen campsite just out from Woodford. We set-up camp in a wooded valley, and have the place to ourselves. We get a fire going, and sit around until the rain starts, which drives us inside the camper.

Thursday 9th - no rain this morning, but everything is still wet, so we pack-up and drive up the track to go for a walk through the bush, hoping to see some waterfall, but after 45 minutes, we turn back up the hill to the car. A short drive back to the main road, and we arrive at Glenbrook to buy a Sydney map and for a coffee. Then the final drive, arriving at Mum's house in Smithfield just after lunchtime. We back the camper up the drive under the carport, unhook the Triton, and unload some clothes and the bed.

The adventure has now finished, after 81 weeks, and a total of nearly 73,500 kilometres.

The places we have been, the amazing times we have had, and the astounding people we have met, make this the ultimate "once-in-a-lifetime" experiences you could ever hope for.

But it is also the beginning of the next big adventure - getting back to a normal life settled in Sydney, finding a real house to live in, and jobs to go to each day - no more of this "homeless and unemployed" lifestyle anymore

It was fun while it lasted.......

Di and Hammo