The End

1st September Saturday

Marion and Laurie had a disturbed night. Leigh had got into a taxi and he started to drive off before she was belted in, then he braked suddenly, she fell forward and it sounds like she might have a broken nose. Marion stayed with her at the hospital till they sent her home. Good start to the weekend. We then went shopping to get the meat for the BBQ tonight with Dodzee and Wendy.

Colin, Marion, Rose, Wendy and Dodzee

All tired after the disturbed night. Dodzee flew in from Adelaide, picked up Wendy and arrived just after 7pm. The steaks we bought were huge so had to cut them down. It was a good chatty evening and went so quickly, sad to be saying goodbye to such nice people.


 

2nd September Sunday

Fathers day in Oz. Slow morning. Laurie went out and washed his panel van.

Tim came round for a while and we said our goodbyes to him. Matt and Abbey

popped in and stayed for lunch which was nice, and Colin was given a Fathers day card. We packed our bags and we have space, must have packed more in the LRover than we thought. Had a walk round to the bloke we met at the start who belongs to the local series 1 club, but he was at work, so had a good chat with his wife. Our last meal with Marion and Laurie and pudding, we have put on weight since we have been with them. Quiet night with Maddy sitting with us on the sofa.

3rd September Monday

Woken at 5.27am, not impressed, by Colin's phone ringing (Body Snatcher). Had our last fry up by Laurie. Packed the last few bits before heading for the airport. Laurie just dropped us at terminal building, it is for the best as no long goodbyes, still very sad to be leaving our Aussie home and rellies. The flight from Brisbane to Singapore went quickly, they just kept feeding us. The movies were good, Rose watched The Avengers while Colin watched Battleships then American Pie Reunion, they also had games on the screen. Had a wander round Singapore Airport and bought some tobacco, very cheap only £2 per 50g packet, we have 3 1/2 hours between flights. By the time we got on the plane we were feeling very tired. Had a meal and tried to sleep.

4th September Tuesday

Colin didn't sleep too well, Rose slept on and off for about 4 hours. We both then watched films again, feeling tired again when they started serving breakfast, approx 90mins before landing. Off the plane, didn't have to wait long for luggage, straight through customs to find Sandra at the gate waiting for us, great to be home. Back at Sandie's after a cuppa Colin went for a sleep. When he woke we went out for a walk before lunch, which we ate outside in the sunshine. In the afternoon we watched the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics (which Sandie had taped for us), they made you feel proud to be British, they were stunning.

EPILOGUE

About 10 months ago we met up with our trusty old Land Rover in Sydney where our epic adventure began. First stop just north of Sydney to sort out the vehicle and meet up with an old friend Johnny Marlow and have a few beers, then on to Brisbane to meet up with a cousin Colin hadn't seen in 56 years, we stayed in Brisbane for 2 weeks tweeking the Land Rover before the journey really started. We headed off South again leaving Queensland and back into New South Wales, the free camping was both great and a little scary at times when you are the only people camping in the middle of the bush. We couldn't get too far west because of the floods so drove down the centre and headed for Canberra, the capitol of Australia. After visiting Parliament we headed out toward the south east coast and then into Victoria for Christmas and the New Year, Christmas was very wet but more than made up for with the meeting of Peter and Marj and their friends George, Marion and Bruno, he became known to us as Sir Peter Of Leongatha, they were really good to us and even cooked us a proper roast dinner on the camp fire. Heading west now and along some of the most stunning scenery we have ever seen, The Great Ocean Road being one of the best on the journey so far. Heading up into South Australia to be top side of Adelaide for Colin's 60th birthday begining of February, met up with Colin's Daughter Natalie his sister Sandra and her friend Mary, had a great birthday weather very hot for a change. The journey round The Aire Peninsula was magnificent, we are now getting used to camping alone. After the trepidation of the journey across The Nullabor, some 1500kms of nothing it went really well with only a few days of 40+ degrees inside the Land Rover, the scenery was very green, a rare sight. We crossed into Western Australia where the Quaratine rules about fruit and vegetables are very strict, no problem for us as we had been warned by fellow travellers. The west coast is so very different to the east, the sand is whiter and the sea is warmer, the distances between towns are just mind blowing, some two thirds the length of Britain in some cases. Heading through The Pilboro and The Kimberleys where the ground is red due to the high content of iron ore,as can be seen by the massive ore mines, trains and trucks. During this part of our journey we kept meeting up with a couple in their purple caravan, Al and Dee with their poodle Lily, the friendship that was struck up between us will be unforgetable, we will keep in touch. Up in the north west of the state there is the mighty Gibb River Road, we travelled some 900kms on dirt roads and heavy corrugations and survived, the west is renown for it's gigantic mines, those of gold in the south, ore in the centre and diamonds to the east, these are truly BIG opencast mines. Heading into The Northern Territories where some say is the real Australia, there really is only one road from north to south The Stuart Highway. Alice Springs is a very nice town, perhaps we could have enjoyed it more had it not been -5 at night. The trek out of Alice was our most eventful of the whole trip, pulling the suspension away from the chassis, probably one track too many, still not a good time to panic, as miles away from civilisation, patched it up then drove slowly to the nearest cattle station and waited for three days until they could carry out the welding needed. Heading back into Queensland again, after nine months on the road and camping every night except one we are starting to feel a bit home sick so heading back to Marion and Laurie's. Our final trip out was to the inimitable Fraser Island where it was time to kick back and enjoy some fishing and family company. With our final goodbyes the adventure has ended.

We have met some stunning people, too many to mention, the Australians have an ability to make you smile, their laid back attitude is very infectious, I'd say that 97% of the people we met were truly amazing.

To sum up, Australia has a massive heart as do the people, we miss you all, and thanks.

Australia your fair dinkum mate!!!!!

Last 2 weeks

18 August Saturday

We are leaving Fraser today, it has been a good last week camping. Ronnie and Laurie up early again and fishing opposite camp, they are reeling the fish in. After breakfast we did the dunny and rubbish run whilst the others continued with their packing away. Left site 12.50, great drive along the rocks on the beach

 past the shipwreck

, which we can now see at low tide. Laurie had a tyre blow out a few hundred mtrs before the barge. Once off the barge we stopped and aired up the tyresbefore meeting the others at the fuel stop at Rainbow Beach. We have no headlights so will follow Laurie

 and hope we get home before dark. Arrived home at 6.30 so driving on side lights, very long day. Didn't bother unpacking and had sandwich for dinner, all of us too tired for anything else.

19th August Sunday

Colin slept in, Rose up at 6am wide awake. Erica(the lady who looked after the cats) came round and stayed for a cooked breakfast, we then piled into the clothes washing , cleaning the vehicle, emptying the fridge into house fridge also canned and packet foods into larder. Sorting stuff to go back into vehicle. Very tiring day but good to make a start.

20th August Monday

Colin went with Laurie to get 2 tyres for his ute, ready for selling. Rose spent the morning uploading photos and bringing the blog up to date.

21st August Tuesday

Colin and Laurie did a scrapyard run whilst Marion and Rose picked up Leigh from the airport. When we got back Colin had cleaned the LRover ready for the trip back home. Another busy day doing bits and pieces. Colin rang Jerry who lives in Dayboro(Nth Brisbane) and we will visit tomorrow, he used to live in Northants and is fitting a 300tdi into his series 3, hopefully it will help seeing one already done.

22nd August Wednesday

Up and away early for us,. First stop is Wynnum to close the bank account, it was very easy. Then onto Rothwell, a northern suburb of Brisbane, we stopped at Westfields Centre and visited BigW to exchange our faulty airbed, we had to have our money back as they have stopped selling the Colman airbed(result). It was a short drive to the outskirts of Rothwell

 for the photo opportunity. We ate luncheon on the run, a cheese and onion naan followed by a very sticky blueberry bun, yummy. Driving to Dayboro to meet Jerry, we couldn't find his place initially and had to ring for directions. He originally came from Northants and moved to Oz 6yrs ago. He has built his own house and it is gorgeous. He bought a 1976 series 3 Land Rover Dormobile

 and wants to replace the engine. Colin told him about the way he did it, and let him take photos to aid the memory. We took some photos of his vehicle, and when it is finished it will not only be very rare but stunning, he really wants to be able to drive round Australia as we have done. We finally left just after 3pm after a good visit for the drive home. Marion went to physio today and is moving a bit better.

23rd August Thursday

A hot sunny day. Colin spent the morning varnishing the new woodwork in the kitchen, whilst Laurie is spraying his Ford Courier ready for selling, Marion is doing her phone calls and reports, Rose is dogsbody today.

24th August Friday

It is hot today but cloudy. Late morning the four of us went our for a drive down the coastline

 from Wynnum to Manly and ending at Wellington Point past the mangroves. The view is a bit hazy across the water to Brisbane so the skyline is blurred. We passed some beautiful big houses adjacent to the water. We stopped for lunch at a pub overlooking the water, it was a good meal in a nice surroundings. We popped in to see Marion's mum, who has not been well, before picking up Abbey from school. We had a movie fest night watching Burlesque starring Cher and Christina Aguilera the Red Dog, the true story of a dog in the 1970s living in a minigh community in Dampier. A statue was erected after Red Dog's death as a memorial. Good evening.

25th August Saturday

Rose went with Abbey to dancing and then went shopping a bought a pair of trousers in a size 10 (yippee). Whilst, Colin stayed at home with Laurie and made brackets to fit a new awning to the roof rack of Land Rover. Car awnings are one of the items that are cheaper in Australia, and we are hoping to buy one before we return home. Went to Ron and Deb's for dinner, it was a hilarious night, they brought out a game called Imaginiff. The object of the game is to imagine what other players are most like. Marion was laughing so much she was crying. Didn't get home till late but the time went very quickly, great night.

26 August Sunday

Colin and I went to Manly Market in the morning, bought a couple of bits. The stalls were a mixture of craft, clothes, toys, souvenirs and fresh food. We had a walk in the town and found the visitor centre and picked up info about public transport in Brisbane. Nice mooch, shame we didn't take the camera. Back home Marion's mum is at home for a visit to get her out of the house for a while. Leigh brought her cat Bella over as she is staying a few days whilst Leigh has a flat inspection. Found an awning on ebay in Brisbane, Laurie sent a message to seller asking if we could pick up and pay on collection.

27 August Monday

Lauire had a reply about the awning, we can pick up tomorrow and pay on collection, only $190.

28 August Tuesday

Laurie and Colin went to Coopers Plains to pick up awning. It looks good, just what we wanted. Marion and Rose found out about getting into Brisbane by ferry and home by train.

29 August Wednesday

Laurie drove us to Bulimba

 to catch the City Cat

to Brisbane ($5.20 each). We stayed on the ferry till the end stop at the University of Queensland and then returned to the city. It was a lovely way to see the city, some of the waterside houses were lovely,

 with their own boat jetties.

We passed a big yellow rubber duck

 moored up, which is used to promote rubber duck racing. Near the uni there was a beautiful white house set amongst the trees.

Once off the ferry we walked through the open air fresh food market to the Queen St Mall, where we had a wander and picked up a clock in the shape of the island of Australia, for ourselves. We walked over the Victoria Road Bridge to South Bank. Wewalked through the gardens

 past several theatre venues, in the formal garden was a statue of Confucious.

  Found our way to the station and caught the train back to Lindum which is a 10 minute walk to home. It was a nice day out, would recommend the City Cat as a cheap river cruise.

30 August Thursday

When Marion got back from the doctor's we set off for Mount Tamborine. We first stopped at Cedar Creek Falls,

 walking through the forest

to the Falls and Pools,

 it was lovely and lush. Drove on up the Mountain to the Skywalk. The walk is partly on a metal bridge through the tree canopy

 and partly on paths through the rainforest. We saw palms, tree ferns,

ghost gums and many other trees,

 if it had been bit later in the year would have seen lots of flowers, it was beautiful. We stopped for lunch at a pub called the Bearded Dragon, very nice meal in a good setting. A lovely trip out. Back at home Colin and Laurie doing mechanical bits on Laurie's ute. All very tired, a full fay.

31 August Friday

FRIDAY FACT- BRISBANE HAS MORE SUNNY DAYS THAN FLORIDA


Checked we had put everything in the Land Rover, before we drove it to the shippers to be packed into the container. I drove Marion's Mazda, not driven for 12 months, it was a lovely car to drive. It appears the Carnet will have to be posted back to the UK to us. We drove to Carseldine to meet Dee, great to see her. She is staying with her daughter-in-law Jen whilst her son is serving in Afghanistan. Yesterday there was news of 5 soldiers killed, Dee and Jen had a rough night as the news was released by the Americans before the families had been informed, they had news at 4am from Rene that he was ok. We went to a local garden centre (Eden Gardens) for lunch, beautiful setting with frilled lizards and fairy wrens wandering through the outside restaurant, very nice meal. It was great catching up with each others' news. Dee has been to look at a house in Connundra and Al has started his training in Darwin for the Immigration Service. Time went so quickly, we will be email and skype pals till we next meet. Back at home a Kookaburra

 came into the garden and Laurie fed it some chicken, it was so close.

Fraser Island

11th August Saturday

Off to Gympie today for last shopping before going to Fraser Island tomorrow. Didn't drive into town as found a Coles at Goldfield Plaza. Stocked up and just had a wonder before getting back to camp lunchtime. Slowly put tent down over the afternoon and put the awning out as we intend to sleep in LRover tonight, makes it easier in the morning to just get up and go. Had a walk round memorial and took photos.

 Didn't chill down as quickly tonight with only a few clouds about. Spent the last evening talking round campfire again and saying our goodbyes.

12th August Sunday

Woke before alarm, showered had breakfast and left camp at 8am. Marion rang they were just aproaching Gympie. At Rainbow we were in rangers office getting permits when Laurie rang, Ronnie has blown a tyre on his trailer and they are at Standown Pk changing it. Went and had a coffee to wait for them. After getting their permits and filling up with fuel and water and food for their tummies drove up to Inskip Point to catch the barge

 to Fraser Island($100 return) we had already put down tyre pressures. It seems the low tide is quite high and is already on it's way in. It took us over 2hrs to get to our camp site for the week and the tide was very challenging in places

, had to make a few detours inland

 to get round the rocks,

 water washing under the vehicles as they drove along. We saw a big shipwreck on the beach.

 The wind made it very difficult to put the tent up but it's supposed to calm down tomorrow. Finally got everthing sorted just after 3pm,

 now the clouds are rolling in, feeling very tired. Lightening storm out at sea for several hours. Not a late night for anybody tonight.

13th August Monday
Warm night but very windy and rain. When we got up we had a swimming pool in the awning, Laurie gave us some mats to put over the top so we didn't have to paddle. It is still raining, at times the sun tries to peek through. The sea and sky are grey. Laurie says it should clear up today. The men spent time getting the fishing rods ready while the women sat around reading. By the evening the weather has improved tremendously. Going fishing off the north of the island tomorrow.

14th August Tuesday
Barely a wind and sunny start today. Laurie cooked us a fried breakfast before hitting the sand(road). Drove up the beach to Indian Head

 before taking an inland track to Champagne Pools,

 where we saw Wales blowing in the distance as we walked the boardwalk. We then drove back inland to Orchid Beach, no fishing done as other fishers seemed to be packing up their gear. The scenery all along the drive is as always, stunning.

 Decided to head back after an ice cream and the boys might try fishing off the beach by the camp. Laurie spoke to someone who said fishing is not good at the moment and to perhaps try further down the beach towards Cathedral. It has turned into a hot sunny day, such a contrast to yeaterday. Fraser Island is managed by QLD Parks and Wildlife Service and is a World Heritage listed protected area. The coastal waters are alsoprotected to protect the wildlife and habitat. Everyone so full after nibbles at Happy Hour,

 didn't have any dinner. Spent evening chatting with the surf going in the background.

15th August Wednesday
Warm night, Laurie already out catching fish,

 2 Tailor, Ronnie got his waders on and joined him

 and was soon catching fish. The rest of us just sat on the dunes with our cuppas watching. They had just packed up their gear when a dingo

 came along the beach, it saw us on the dune, then Laurie started using his catapult and it headed off into the bush behind our camp, we watched it climb the hill and circle behind usbefore dropping down onto the next beach further along. Except for Marion, who is having back trouble, we all headed off to Indian Head and climbed to thetop. At the top you can see the beach towards Waddy Point

and on the otherside towards Corroboree Beach.

Whilst there we saw Manta Rays

 in the sea, they must have been quite a size for us to see them so far out. We wnjoyed the walk and views. Back at camp after lunch the men drove off down the beach to do some fishing, not biting so they came back and tried their luck by the camp, success Colin caught a fish called a Tailor,

 Laurie cast out for him but he is still learning, the other 2 caught fish as well but we have the first fish we can actually eat. Ronnie and Laurie continued fishing till nearly dark, as were a lot of other fishermen along the beach. Good day.

16 August Thursday

Laurie and Ronnie already up fishing when we woke up.  Another lovely sunny start.  Very easy alow morning, late morning piled into vehicles and drove down to Cathedrals at Fraser for and ice-cream.  Passed tour buses stopped at the shipwreck and a small plane

which had landed on the beach.  Cathedrals is set back from the beach and is a private camp with fuel and a small store, we then drove to Eli Creek

 and walked the boardwalk along the creek into the forest,

 very pretty.  Back at camp Colin checking vehicle when 2 Rangers stopped and would you belive it one is a Land Rover nut, don't think they even checked our permits.  Ronnie and Laurie

 have gone back down to the beach to fish leaving Colin to look after us girls. Ronnie and Laurie arrived back after dark with bucketfuls of Tailors, they will go back to the same spot tomorrow morning.

17 August Friday

FRIDAY FACT - FRASER ISLAND IS THE BIGGEST SAND ISLAND IN THE WORLD

Lot of condensation in the tent, everything is damp and dripping.  Ronnie and Laurie already left to go fishing.  After breakfast pulled all the bedding out to dry in the sun.  Roonie and Laurie returned with a good catch, now to gut and fridge them all.  The rest of us just chilled.  We saw a white headed sea eagle over the camp, Laurie tried to tem[t it down with a fish but it wasn't playing, lovely sight.  Rose helped Laurie cooked dinner of crumbed Tailor and chips, scrummy.  Laurie went back out at dusk and caught a few more.