Cathy, We're Staying ...

NOT A BAD SIZED BARRA!

Yes, Lance & Cathy made it to the Roper Bar. It was very pretty & Cathy was looking forward to not driving & staying still for a few days.

However, "some big mouthed camper told your father it was better fishing further up the river", as unhappy Cathy put it.

Therefore, it was off again, along a very bumpy, dusty, dirt road for a further 40 km's.
And no, that's NOT an off-road caravan they have. But a good fisherman requires dedication.

They have now stopped & are camped along the Roper River with about 30 other caravans - very pretty & right on the river. Cathy was a little worried when Lance took Scruffy out fishing with him in the small tinny, with a Croc Sign at the Boat Ramp!

On the first day, Lance caught this beautiful sized Barra - oh, what fun!
And Yes, suddenly they would be staying here for the next 2 weeks minimum.

"Who really needs to see the rest of N.T. - I'm sure it's all much the same", assured Lance.

Cathy is enjoying relaxing with some craft, reading & NOT DRIVING. Their friends, Mick & Marianne were expected to arrive & stay with them for a little while now.

LIS & ANT'S COUNTDOWN...

Only 3 weeks today ... 21 sleeps ... How unprepared we suddenly feel!

Bush Camping Begins

Lance & Cathy have now been on the road for a whole week of this momentous trip.


OUTDOOR BATHROOM FACILITIES ...
They have been enjoying their new, mobile, all-occasions, all-business, outdoor bathroom facilities. This is true bush camping! (With a brand new Jayco Poptop Caravan that is!)

THE FLIES...

Morning Tea on Wednesday was at a well known rest stop called Barkleys Homestead. However, Mum's phonecall was very interrupted - not by electronic interference, but by THE FLIES! She advised us to make sure we bring our Mosquito & Fly Veils (for over the head). Not very attractive, but everyone was wearing them - even one lady in a bright pink one! (Country Fashion!!!)


Mum's comment was that the only saving grace regarding their outdoor hole- in- the- ground toilet was ....
"AT LEAST IT DISTRACTED THE FLIES FROM YOUR FACE FOR A SHORT WHILE"!!!!

Anthony has still not recovered from this image!! And he's also a little worried.


THE DUST ...
Mum & Dad ended up giving the Camooweal Caves a miss, as they were advised by another nomad that the road into them was so bad that it started tearing up their tyres.
Also, Mum & Dad didn't know what they were seeing off in the distance, and thought it must be a bad storm headed their way. Eventually they worked out that a big road train was headed out of the Caves Road, and the dust blowing everywhere was just phenomenal!!

Mum's advice was to make sure that the boys in particular don't bring any white clothes - the RED DIRT IS EVERYWHERE!

DETOUR NORTH ...

From Barkley's Homestead, Mum & Dad turned North (instead of travelling via the Three Ways). They headed for Cape Crawford for a few days of rest & relaxation - where they were out of mobile range (or so they told us kids). This place was not so good for the fishing, but for the Cheribun (check out the photo) - they're just like Mini-lobsters - very tasty!

On Sunday, (today), they were headed back to the main highway to Daly Waters Caravan Park, then detouring East again towards the Roper Bar.

STILL COUNTING DOWN ...

Ant & I are now at the stage of trying to do any small jobs that we can think of, including "spare tools kit", making sure insurance is up to date & definately covers us around Australia! (Not that we think we'll need it or anything!) Our housesitter, Jen, has been over for the final rundown, & friends are actually inviting us to quite a few "Last Suppers" - should we be worrying???

ONLY 3 weeks & 6 days to go now - but who's counting?

The Trip Begins

Here goes nothing - our first blog!

Testing, testing...

Well, the preparations for THE BIG TRIP are well and truly underway & I would like to say even complete - but realistically, they probably won't be "complete" until we've hit about Perth!
Mum & Dad have already left Townsville - on Saturday, 10th May 2008.

By the 3rd afternoon, they had reached 50 kms West of Mt Isa - pretty good going if you ask me! It's almost as if they were ready & raring to go for this trip! Gods Blessings over them & the dogs & we wish them safe travelling.

WE CAN'T WAIT TO JOIN YOU, MUM & DAD / GRAN & POPPY!