The Weeks of Winter

**Memory Recall 18 months later...
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So it's July, and it's cold! Who knew. 

Since we were in the process of planning a new trip, the tent stayed on the roof, that made instantaneous calculations before driving into car parks quite necessary. 

Not much happened in that time really. Phil sought physiotherapy for his shoulder, we went for drives to see the sunset, played pool, ate and drank. 

With the darker nights drawing in it was becoming very easy to feel like I was missing out on doing things. British winter is all about staying in - Australia isn't allowed to have winter. 

To keep us entertained we enjoyed going on drives playing the Left and Right game - best played at weekends to have more time to enjoy seeing things in the daylight. 

August now and this weekend was a Left and Right spectacular! I'd been looking forward to this all week. The day was ahead of us, we were going to say "left" or "right" until we got lost. But... uh-oh... Flynn has chewed Phil's $220 football boots! That was one angry Phil. Trying not to exasperate the situation I suggested that we didn't have to go out that day. Phil snapped back with a "No! I need to get away from the dog." Cautiously I got ready to go. When walking out the door his Dad said "Enjoy Victor Harbor." Huh? Phil explains that there have been Whales spotted there and he thought it was a good idea. Oh NOW I'M EXCITED.

Phil kept complaining that it was too hot in car, but it was too cold to turn the heating off, and he could have taken off one of his three coats! Why does he need three coats?

We get to Victor Harbor and take a wind swept walk over to Granite Island, I've been here before on a date, with Phil. So we start walking around the island, at let me tell you! My eyes were PEELED. Searching high and low for the aforementioned whales... nothing yet, but I'm not giving up that easily. 

I want to walk my way down to the bit of the island with the big rocks that I can climb, but Phil suggests we wait for the only two other people to leave first, and I tell him not to be daft and march my excited bum down there. He nervously follows me and I'm starting to think he's unwell, what with his millions of layers and this jumpy disposition. I start climbing around the rocks and get out under the other side, eyes sharps looking for the whales... I turn to Phil to ask if he's suuuuuuuure there are whales today. And well... he started giving me a speech and got down on one knee. I gasped "No!" and was met with a sudden heart thumping "Wait. What?!" to which I quickly responded "Carry on! Carry on!"

Yes, he proposed! He had it all planned out. It was beautiful, we spent the night in Victor Harbor and enjoyed every moment of it together. I couldn't have been happier, I will be spending the rest of my life with my very best friend. 

I'm afraid to say I don't have any pictures of the event. Oh, yes, I did take some, with my new shiny ring and my new shiny fiance, but alas... my phone was stolen when I stupidly left it on a seat at one of Phil's physiotherapy sessions and never seen again. 

Now to carry on with my secret present for the soon to be sister-in-law and while away the winter months waiting for the next trip to begin. 

Getting in touch with someone's friends and family when you have next to no contact details becomes slightly tricky, but with Phil's help we managed to get hold of almost everyone, and with their cooperation and much agonising time and effort I put together a book for Courtney's 21st birthday. 

Here's a nice picture of all of the family at Courtney's 21st party. There are plenty of mad drunks ones once I got hold of the camera... but I'll not be publishing those on here. 

Our trip was getting closer now, so we were checking out the times, the locations we wanted to go and all the ideas for things to do along the way. Snacks, snacks were important. 


Also important, for Phil, was planning his friend's bucks party. As his best man he needed to complete these duties, even if he was 28hours away by road if you did one solid journey... just something to consider when you've got somewhere to be by a set date.  

The Home Stretch

Today we got up and went. Lots of driving as we were trying to make it home. We contemplated extending the trip, but we decided to save it for another time. After a lot of driving, we were tired and decided to stop for the night.

As it had began to get more twilight-y than we'd like we drove in to a spot and thought we had found a fairly decent one. We agreed that Phil would cook, and I would get the tent ready. 

Whilst I was about to take the cover off the tent, I felt something quite interesting and asked Phil to come and have a feel. With him quite reluctant, I had to demonstrate that what he was touching wasn't going to bite or hurt. Quite a valid worry in Australia when most of the things living there want to kill you. When he stretched his hand up he couldn't believe it either. A sheet of ice had formed a layer across the top of the tent. Tonight was going to be cold, cold, cold. 

After eating with our temporarily donated motorcycle jackets on, and 35 layers, it was time to crawl into the ice cube. I almost slept half attached to Phil to try and steal all his warmth. It was a cold night and it took a long while to get to sleep.

In the morning we realised we had parked up not far from an abandoned farm house, luckily there were no residents to kick us off the land. But just to be sure, before any had the chance to turn up, we got ready and headed off. 

In a local town we stopped for a cooked breakfast, after a cold night and this being the last day of our trip, we thought we deserved it. The breakfast was lovely and I could have eaten two if I had the room. Then it was back in the car, and straight home. 

Our first big trip was over.

Time to plan the next one.

See Ya Sydney

After being woken up by the most ungrateful snot nosed children, it was right to say that I was not in a good mood. The fact I was slightly intoxicated the night before maaaay have had something to do with it. Being awake I decided to go and make a cup of tea and sort breakfast before showering. All was well after a nice hot shower, apart from the fact as I finished said shower the electricity went out over the whole site. Phil wasn't able to shower and we had to check out at 10. After talking to the reception they actually had no idea who was supposed to be in or out because everything was electronic, including the gate barrier which they had to raise. Instead of being well behaved campers we decided to wait for the power to come back on for Phil to shower, in the mean time we leisurely packed up the car and the tent away. I also took some time to practice my Aussie Rules ball kicking skills under Phil's guidance, luckily the children had left or I may have accidentally on purpose missed where I was aiming for.

I decided since I was in Sydney I would visit the suburb of Liverpool to see if I could locate any Scousers. When we got there we could see a lot of Greek people, but no Scousers in sight, apart from me of course. And it certainly didn't look like the Liverpool I know and love. After visiting McDonalds, because what self respecting traveller wouldn't, we made our way towards Canberra.

We drove around Canberra and I saw the biggest flag pole ever. Who commissioned this? I mean, isn't there better things to be spending tax payers money on? The patriotism is lovely, but why does it need to be THAT BIG. 

After driving around a bit we decided to head to the Museum. There was quite a bit in there about Australian culture and heritage, which was nice to see. We did start watching a mini movie in there but the lady casually walked in and politely asked us to leave. Oops, didn't realise it was closing time. 

We camped not far from Canberra, given it was getting dark, and if you have read Roo Mania! then you'll know all about why. Tomorrow would be the head for home. 

Sydney Sightseeing

After a shower and breakfast we wandered to the train station and got a ticket that would take us in and around Sydney for the day. We hopped on the train after wondering which way would be best and went to the Sydney Harbour bridge.

When you get to the Bridge, it's actually quite high up, you know, because it's right next the harbour, so boats and stuff. What intrigued me was the security at the end of the footpath, a guy stood with a walkie talkie. I wondered if the security were to count the people walking across, or if they were to signal the people they thought looked jittery and ready to take a leap. Either way, I tried to look as inconspicuous as humanly possible, but we all know when that is attempted you tend to look your most looney. 

Given my intense fear of heights and my attempts to overcome it, I was apprehensive for the walk over the bridge, which didn't help my aforementioned attempts to look inconspicuous. I got to half way and was nowhere near as worried or scared as I thought I was going to be, vertigo hadn't even set in. I could skip down here quite leisurely, but again, inconspicuous. I even got as brave as to look over the edge when we got to the middle, I wasn't even phased... I certainly wasn't going to leap down there or sit on the edge (not that you could), but it didn't bother me.

Feeling confident at half way we carried on walking, despite the intense wind wanting to blow us over the edge. Just then, a huge vehicle went driving past and shook the whole foundations of the bridge, the floor was trembling underneath my feet. I needed to get off the bridge, now! Get me off. Get me off. Get me off. *Engage quick walking ability*. Phew. Made it the edge.

After that worrying episode we went and caught the Ferry all the way to Manly and back, cruising around Sydney Harbour with their bus-boats. Taking in the sights. I think my favourite bit was the house on the edge of the coast that had a slide into their little bit of sea they had boxed off, schweet. 

Once we'd made it back to the port we heading into the city to catch the train to Kings Cross, not the one in London. On the way I called my Sister to wish her a very happy 30th Birthday; old fart, yes you! Once we arrived we caught up with Mat. You may remember him from such blog posts as, Beaches, Ice creams and Dilemmas, and Goodbye Dunsborough. We had a few drinks in a bar where the gent behind said bar was not following regulations and over filling my glass, Becca was getting MERRY. After that we went to go get food at a restaurant, it was steak, very delicious steak and chips. Although, the extra drink was probably a silly idea, in retrospect. 

We said our goodbyes and headed back to the train station. At the station I spent an unmemorable time sat on Phil's lap whilst waiting for the train whispering to him how much I loved him. This is what he tells me, although he says I wasn't so much whispering as exclaiming quietly. We made it back to the caravan park without incident. 

Once there, we were both still hungry so decided to make some food in the camp kitchen, accompanied by our new friend Cecil. Cecil kept getting in to the bin and trying to eat the left overs, silly Cecil. Time for a sleep, make sure you keep the noise down Cecil. 

(Cecil is a possum).

Brisbane to Sydney

Following our lazy hangover day it was the day we had to leave. I was sad to be leaving a group of people that I got along with so well, I was certainly going to miss them but plans were already getting set in place to see them again which is great.

We tried to make the most of the day and headed out to lunch, after we’d been to see if we could get Phil’s phone fixed. It amused me when Phil, Danny and I left the shopping centre and all simultaneously put our sunglasses on. It reminded me of leaving shopping centres back home and all you see is umbrellas going up. We met up with Mitch and headed to Sizzlers for lunch, we stuffed our faces before heading back to Danny’s to collect the rest of our belongings and head off on the rest of our adventure.

As we were heading out of Brisbane we caught up with Png, one of Phil’s friends from school who’d recently got back from living in the UK for a while. He had some amusing stories about the job role he had whilst in London but unfortunately the dark was getting darker and we had to find a place to camp.

The damn darkness and being in between Brisbane and Sydney meant finding a camp was pretty tricky. We found a place just off the main road which was lou

d and over occupied so we drove further off the track trying to discover the place on wikimaps, we got quite a distance down the track before discovering we were on top of a RAAF base. Whoopsy. Time to head back, we found a little place in the grass and went straight to bed (once we’d set up the tent of course). It was nice not having to get everything else out of the car too.

Waking up in the morning revealed we were pretty much on a dumpsite, people just chucking their old furniture and rubbish about the place. It’s great what the darkness covers up. With nowhere to set up and do breakfast we left swiftly and found a lovely place that did breakfast on a river. Obviously got a full English. With our next stop being Sydney and not seeing much to stop at along the way we headed off after breakfast and drove a ways before hitting the next campsite. Smith Lake.  My lake, alriiiiight! It was a beautiful place and best of all, there were no croc sightings here. Winner. (Nevermind it was probably too far south for Crocs anyway). We both spent the evening reading after tea and enjoying the view. We didn’t go for a swim, it was a bit too chilly for that, and July in Australia is winter after all.

When we woke up we drove the rest of the way to Sydney, found a nice Caravan park not too far from a train station just outside the centre. They had showers we could use and actual toilets, what a treat. Tomorrow we would spend the day sight seeing, for now we would use the camp kitchen to make dinner and then rest a while reading our books.

Origin 3 Antics

After another big drive we made it to Danny’s house for about 4pm, maybe 3… I can’t remember exactly it was several months ago. Yes, I know I should have updated my blog more frequently but when you see the posts you’ll get why.

We arrived and I probably smelt like a sweaty shoe, I was certainly dirty enough given the lack of showering. After brief hellos I went and hid in the shower… hid, I mean… look over there. The last thing you want to do when you meet new people, especially ones you want to become friends with, is smell bad. So I got a shower, then it was Phil’s turn to jump in the shower. Oh goodness, this would be awkward, given these guys are Phil’s friends of several years what was I going to talk to them about?

Turns out, Danny is unbelievably easy to talk to and just as nice a person. He was so easy to get along with that I never realised Phil and Danny had never actually met in person. Anyone who has gamer friends can understand how you can become friends with someone even if you’ve never met them. After chatting to Danny and his brother, Corey, for a while with Phil, Mitch turned up. Mitch was just as easy to get along with but he didn’t stay long enough for me to get to know him much as he was off with another group of friends to watch O3. When Wayne turned up the dynamics changed, he was such a character, loud, animated and funny. This was looking to be a good night with a good bunch of people.

Wayne hadn’t seen Phil in a long time, but none of that seemed to matter. Being at Danny’s felt like I’d popped over to hang out with a bunch of friends like we always did, even though I’d never spoken to any of them before (apart from when I replied to messages in preparation for our arrival when Phil was driving). We went out to the pub; Danny very kindly drove us there. We had most of the group supporting QLD, and by most I mean only Danny was supporting NSW, Danny and three others in the pub. More people arrived, most of whom I don’t remember, it was dark, it was crowded and I was drinking. Phil was also drinking, gosh was he drinking. Beer actually comes in real pints in QLD, not like Adelaide with their pretend pints. It was like the scene in LotR when Wayne arrived at the table with his pitcher and pint glass, “It comes in pints? I’m getting one!” Phil didn’t just get one, he got several, and pitchers too. Then Wayne and Phil bought beers to take back to the house.

I think Wayne’s hat took most of my attention that night, it was a Maroons dread hat, and I loved it and spent time plaiting it on Phil’s head, since it wouldn’t stay on my tiny head properly. Once the Maroons had annihilated NSW, much to Danny’s disappointment, and after I had elaborated an even ruder version of a NSW player’s song, we headed home. With Wayne staying over too the decibels reached an all time high. I’m not blaming Wayne for that. I’m equally blaming all of us for that. One person would talk, and someone would be a tad louder, then the next person would be a little louder and so on and so forth. Phil and Wayne are naturally loud people so as you can imagine… accompanied with alcohol I’m surprised the neighbours weren’t kicking up a stink, one of the housemates gave a loud shout of SHUT UP! So instead of just quieting down we shouted an apology, then quietened up, then the noise got progressively louder again.

After lots of silly videos on youtube, reminiscing for the guys, joking and rejoicing it was time for a late night run to the Hungry Jacks and McDonalds. We stuffed our faces; then about 4am we went to bed. Danny had very kindly offered Phil and I his bed. Where people went to sleep that night was not where I saw them when I woke up that morning.

My favourite part of that morning was Phil’s hangover, I had never seen him that drunk. To be fair to Phil, his team had won O3 and he got to spend the time with friends he very rarely gets to see. Danny had made us scrambled eggs and beans for breakfast, very delicious. Phil could barely stomach it so some toast was what he managed over a period of half an hour before I tried to force some more significant breakfast down him.

That day was spent lounging around, watching films, nursing hangovers (I was peachy and hangover free) and talking quietly.

Making it to Brisbane

Sorry about the lack of pictures, it is difficult to add pictures from a phone that was stolen and not yet backed up (We'll get to that blog).

After a fairly decent sleep and a decent breakfast we decided to head on our way, today was a driving day because Phil wanted to get to Brisbane in time for Origin 3 (3^rd stage of a Rugby match between the Maroons and NSW). Since we hadn’t thought about O3 in advance and bought tickets, we went with an even better option of staying with friends. So off we headed, on the road again. We missed out on Bundaberg (I love how I’m currently typing this in a word document that has ‘English Australia’ as it’s spell check and Bundaberg is an actual word) and it’s booze.

After a freaking long drive I was getting exhausted and trying to find a spot to camp somewhere decent gets rarer and rarer. By decent I mean somewhere flat and somewhere I can take calls of nature without other people watching. I am not oppose to bush crouching, so long as nothing jumps up and takes a bite and there aren’t any other people giving you a wave. We finally found somewhere off the beaten track, but by this point it was pretty darn dark. The map said it was near a River, and with my concern about the camouflaged sneaky crocs I had to make sure where the river was in respect to where we should camp. With high beams on I crept forwards in the car until I realised we were in the damn river bed. Well, crap. Trying not to get bogged I revved the accelerator and turned the car back. Phil was telling me not to panic, the thing was, I wasn’t panicking. I revved the car and as I turned, due to the mud it was slip sliding left and right until I made it to more solid ground. To put it in perspective, the river bed had no water in it, just mud and a little stream further ahead.

Relieved at not being bogged in the dead of night in the middle of nowhere with Crocs for company we set up camp and made tea. This camp was more worrying than others due to all the long grass. I could see people had clearly camped here before but Crocs aren’t soft, they are actually known to hunt near places frequented by people. With my paranoia at an all-time high I decided my withering head torch could use a battery replacement, especially since Phil’s was heaps brighter than mine, plus he doesn’t need to squat to take a leak. Darn the torch was bright, who knew they were that good. Phil got a little jealous and concerned about his inability to see the distance mine could reach but unfortunately we’d ran out of batteries, luckily it was the last night in the wilderness before we hit Brisbane.

After tea we tried to do some crosswords but with one torch and the other person unable to see properly it became pretty difficult, so we retired to the tent for a sleep. Uh-oh… it’s pretty dark and I need to go. I opened the tent and took a decent look around, no little eyes shining back at me which was positive, but with all this grass who knew where they might be hiding. Thankfully Phil wasn’t yet asleep, so my kind hearted boyfriend, who obviously doesn’t want to see his girlfriend become Croc stew, was nominated for Croc watch. He kept an eye out whilst I had a whizz, then kindly let me get in the tent first (not that he had much choice given I ran and almost leapt up the ladder to relative safety). My one ease on the croc situation is that they can’t climb ladders!

Surprisingly that night we had signal so I got onto Phil’s phone and started checking out Queensland’s official website for Croc sightings. Phil had laughed at me and my paranoia earlier (I reckon he just didn’t want to get out of bed to go on Croc watch, who can blame him for that, it’s cold at night) because he didn’t believe crocs came down this far. The website had actually informed me that the Crocs had been spotted THIS YEAR, right where we were camping, even worse than that it was just LAST MONTH. Ahhhh well pooh sticks. I didn’t know whether to feel smug about being right, or terrified, it’s not often I wish I was wrong.

We managed to make it to morning and watch the sun rise, it was a beautiful sight and we could enjoy it from the safety of our tent. After breakfast Phil went on a little explore, I kissed him and told him I loved him, you know, just in case of Crocs. You don’t want the last thing you said to the love of your life to be “pass me the tea towel please”, although shouting “I TOLD YOU SO” as he gets yomped and I drive away would have been a decent second to “I love you”. Don’t worry, Phil didn’t get eaten, instead he found a tshirt from the last person who did get eaten, because of course Crocs remove unwanted parts of their food and drape them on tree branches. (I can only speculate someone got eaten, they probably camped there and got their tshirt wet, hung it out to dry and forgot it, but the Croc story sounds better.)

Another day of driving ahead; last one before we hit Brisbane. How long until I start getting worried about meeting his friends? I hope it’s not uncomfortable and awkward… Eeep.