Chinchilla Queensland

May 5th 2025

We are on the road again after being back at Tweed for a couple of weeks. Yet again I am writing this entry in my notes as “offexploring” is off line again! I am so disappointed and a bit disillusioned by all this now!

My last entry saw us leaving Tweed and heading down to see Emma, Graham and the kids. We stopped on the way in Casino where we had our caravan door handle fixed and then caught up with friends Chris and Denise. Like us, these two live in their van as well and we first met them in Darwin nearly three years ago. We had a good catchup with these guys, meeting them at the house where they were housesitting and then again in the evening where we enjoyed a good meal at the RSL club.

Next on to Bendemeer where we found the caravan indicating lights didn’t work. Another job that needed to be fixed! We eventually found someone in Cowra where we stayed a night at the Showgrounds.

We spent a couple of weeks with the Boorowa Jones and as always, enjoyed their company and found things to do to help. I again was putting my needlework skills to good use by shortening curtains while Chris was helping Josh with cooking and making some of our very popular sweet mustard pickle.

Ellie spent a good while in our caravan with me where we spent time knitting a beanie from a pattern that I had been given by a fellow traveler and making mango slushies which are always popular.

We also managed to meet up with Chris, Karen and the boys (Phil and Graham’s other brother) After a quick trip to IKEA for Em, we made a visit for afternoon tea when Deacon and Riley got home from school. It was a good catchup and we checked out the work that Chris has been doing to renovate their house. A long way to go still!

Our time at Boorowa went all too quickly before it was time to say our goodbyes as we head back up to Tweed for the two birthday parties as mentioned in my last entry.

On our trip back up the coast we stopped at Canowindra, enjoying a few good happy hours before moving on to Dubbo. We booked into the Red Earth Estate Vineyard and as I went into the cafe to pay our fees I heard someone call my name. Lou and Craig, who we know through Jo and Phil were there for lunch with friends. A big surprise as they live in Mudgee. We said a quick hello and arranged that they would come around to our van after lunch with their friends which they did. We had a great catchup, a good few laughs, messengered with the kids and gave them some of our mustard pickle before they left. We then went into the cafe and enjoyed the tasty dumplings as recommended by Lou while chatting to other campers.

Our reason for stopping in Dubbo was to catch up with more friends, Chris and Wendy. We housesat for them when there were Jo and Phil’s neighbours in Coolah but they have now moved to Dubbo and nearer family. Chris and Wendy both looked well and happy but Chris is actually getting ready to start treatment for prostrate cancer. They both have a very positive attitude which I’m sure helps a lot and we wish them both well on this journey. We had a lovely lunch and a great time with these guys as we always do. We’ll be thinking of you both, until the next time and enjoy the pickles.

Dumaresq Dam was our next stop where we stayed years ago. We had fond memories of this place where we walked around the dam picking blackberries. Over recent years this camp area had been closed but we saw it had been reopened and improved. Thanks Armidale, it’s still a great spot but no blackberries this time.

Glen Innes next and then on to Alstonville where we had arranged to meet more people who we have met on the road. We first met Matthew and Alison and their three children in Coober Pedy and a few times again in different places after that. These three kids were the ones who chose to stay in the car and sleep while mum and dad watched the sunrise at Uluṟu. A decision I think they probably regret now. We had a great night at Balina RSL with Matthew and Alison, reminiscing on all our adventures. Alison in particular would love to be back out there living what is our travelling lifestyle.

We managed to pick up a Housesit in Tweed for the second week of the school holidays saving us the ridiculous price of $100 per night at the caravan park. We were looking after two cats, Monty and Ellie and were only just around the corner from Raffles where our friend Dorothy lives. This meant I managed to get in a few visits and watch Dorothy join in all the activities that Raffles has to offer. Something my mum in her time there could never do.

The Saturday we left the Housesit was due to be very busy as we needed to make sure everywhere was clean and tidy before leaving and then Dorothy’s party was at Midday followed by Roger’s at 5.00pm. As it turned out Dorothy’s party was cancelled as her daughter, Dottie had a nasty turn and ended up in hospital. After an overnight stay and many tests later, it seems that it was just a one off thing that may never happen again and the lost memories of about two hours will be something that just has to be accepted however frustrating that may be. With Dorothy’s party cancelled we were able to relax before Roger’s and meant I didn’t start on the “bubble” quite so early in the day. I’m not a big drinker and a long day of drinking, well!

Roger’s party was a great success with everyone having a good time with so much food and great company. It was good to have my four brothers and myself together as it’s not something that happens very often.

We managed to have lunch again with John and Vicki on the Wednesday and Chris and Rosey on the Friday before Dorothy’s party which got rescheduled to last Saturday.

Dorothy is now the grand old age of 98 and although a bit frail and sometimes confused, she does so well. We’re convinced she’ll outlive us all. Her party was a success with lots of her friends from different times in her life. It’s a testament to Dorothy how she meets and keeps her friends. She really is such a special lady.

We spent yesterday at the caravan park cleaning and preparing to leave before heading over to Jo and Phil’s to cook a farewell baked dinner for them with all the trimmings. The girls would never forgive us if they didn’t get their Yorkshire puddings.

Now we are heading towards Chinchilla and I’m writing this as we are bouncing along a horrible road. Really, the state of so many roads around Australia leave a lot to be desired!