Izzy's First Real Christmas

We spent last Christmas in Sydney with Isabel, but being just three months old, it was more of a celebration for us rather than her.  But now twelve months on she was old enough to know that something was going on.

She came to visit us for the twelve days prior to Christmas,and we really enjoyed having her. Her parents arrived on Christmas Eve and we had a wonderful Christmas Day. Just watching her opening all the presents reminded us just what Christmas use to be like when our girls were young.

It does look like a "Cabbage Catch Kid".

Christmas dinner was fun too.

The Fjords of New Zealand

Years ago back in the 60's I had the wonderful experience of walking the Milford Track. From Lake TeAnua to Milford Sound.  It was a great walk and over the last years I have read and seen photos of the walk that can now be done into Doubtful Sound. Only two ways into Doubtful Sound, either by foot or by boat. Well the foot part is now well and truly beyond Poo and I so when we saw a last minute deal on a balcony cabin we decided to go for it. And to sail through Dusty Sound was an added bonus. So a flight to Sydney and we were on our way. A lovely ship, the American Celebrity Line, the ship being Celebrity Century.

   Our first stop was Hobart, and oh what a surprise, what should be at the berth beside us but our favorite ship.The Akademik Shokalskiy, our home away from home on both our Antarctic and Arctic voyages. We truly love this little ship, and what we would have given to have been sailing off on her. The large liners may have all the bells and whistles and may be some people's idea of cruising, but no, that little ship to us beats them all. We talked to the crew, she was off to Mawsons Hut. Lucky people. So apt, a photo of our two ships with Mawsons Rememberance in the foreground.

So it was a very enjoyable twelve days. We enjoyed the rest of the ports but it was the Fjords we had gone to see. Another off the list.

Fishing the Rivers

Spent a week fishing the rivers out on the Downs. Had a wonderful week, nothing worth reporting in the catches but a great restful way to pass the time. All freecamps, and all enjoyable. Marked in the book for a return visit.

First three nights were spent on the Dumaresq River out Yelarbon Way

Dogs welcome at all the camps so Koby had a wonderful week too.

We moved on then to the camp at Yarramalong Weir and had two nights there. Thanks for the photos JW, I was too busy doing nothing to take any. Once again, no fish.

Then on to Bowenville, a camp spot we had heard about but never visited. Great place.

Then back home again for a few days before we headed off to Bigriggen at Rathdowney for our Christmas Party for the 4WD club. Life is great.

Finally, A Caravan Trip

In the last eleven months the caravan has only been out of the shed once, and that was a weekend trip with our four-wheel drive club.

The terrible Queensland floods last January sure put a stop to our enjoyable camping trips to the river. We dare not even venture to our beautiful spot to see the damage, seeing what the Brisbane River looks like in other places as we drive by, there is no way that our spot didn't suffer the same fate.

September meant it was Isabel's first birthday.

We have made numerous trips to Sydney in the last twelve months but we have either flown or driven the small car in a one day drive so we decided this one would be a little slower.

I have heard and read so many good things about the little town of Bingara on the Gwyder River that I wanted to check it out. And it definitely lived up to my expectations. A very friendly town that welcomes travellers. Some beautiful peaceful campsites along the river and even though there was a little algae it was stilll nice to sit and relax and watch the bird life.



We then drove south stopping at Lake Windemere for the night. A great campground with a view over the lake and at a very reasonable cost.

Then on to Sydney where because of Isabels birthday falling on Fathers Day weekend we had a birthday party that we will never forget and Isabel won't remember so no worries that it was a week early.

Poo and I then ventured south to fill in the days till Isabel's actual birthday came round. We spent a night in Goulburn before heading to the coast and found a gem of a place in Tuross Head.
The most beautiful spot to relax. A caravan spot right overlooking the water. Just delightful.
One of the best kept and run caravan parks we have ever been in.





A beautiful spot overlooking the river where you can dine on the deck. Magic at sunset.


We then left this great place and headed north again to Gerringong where at the Caravan Park there we met up with Isabel and her family and spent a good weekend and celebrated her birthday. The real one.



So we then headed back to Sydney for a night and then spent a couple of days driving up the Pacific Highway . A really enjoyable trip.