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.