mumandpoo: January 2009

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Fishing at Boondooma Dam

We were lucky enough to spend time recently camping and fishing with friends at the dam

Out in their boat

Hows this for redclaw!

Cleaning the catch

Friday, January 2, 2009

We enjoyed Ireland as well. In London our Wicked was called "Janis". Once we returned it to London and spent time there we then flew to Belfast and picked up another van This time it was "Fantasy" Definitely no raunchy slogans on the UK vans. We traveled 2798 klms in Ireland

Lunches were so easy, thats our French Roll I'm holding. Delicious bread, available everywhere, and by using the Trangia our night time meals where all home cooked and thats a great way to keep the costs down as we all know that everything is so more expensive over there.

Everywhere we went we seemed to gather a four legged friend

The Must Do's

We travelled 6209 klms in England Scotland & Wales and saw so much of the countryside.

The old saying Lands End to John O'Groats sums it up. We did'nt miss too much.

A walk across Tower Bridge and tour within

We spent hours walking the pavements of London

Naturally, a visit to the Royal Residences, this one Sandringham

And Balmoral Castle in Scotland

Poo having scones, jam and cream at her Majesty's pleasure

Being a Braveheart fan Poo had to visit Stirling in Scotland to see the bridge

England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland

After a month at home after our return from USA we took off for London. A trip where we had nothing booked ahead, just an idea of what we wanted to see. No time frame, just take it as it comes. (You have to when you rely on standby air travel.) We had decided we would hire a "Wicked Van" in the UK. The most economical way to travel, and the right size for us as we wanted to stay on the the country lanes and keep away from the freeways.We realize now that we would never have travelled the lanes we did, had we gone for any campervan that was bigger than the Wicked. People give these vans a hard time, but for us, we enjoyed it immensely. Must say that this sort of travel would not suit everybody. It's definitely not a "luxury" way of travelling but we had a fantastic time and for what money we paid and to think that we had seven weeks away and when you consider the cost of English hotels and B&Bs we came out way on top. Lucky too that we had reasonably good weather.

Two over sixties in a Wicked!!! Daughter tells us they are only for the long-haired and the unwashed but we had a great time,would even consider hiring one to travel Europe.

Naturally, The White Cliffs of Dover were on the list, as last time I was there they were shrouded in mist But not this time.

Stonehenge

Don't you just love the English Country Lanes

Oh so English

A Chopper Flight and San Francisco

If there is one thing you have to do when in Las Vegas is to take a chopper ride out to the floor of the Grand Canyon. It's a very early wake-up call, but to be on the floor of the Canyon having a champagne breakfast is just out of this world.

We spent six weeks touring America travelling through six states and Mexico and visiting 20 National Parks and reserves. We travelled a total of 8055 miles. We went as far as Texas so Poo could live his dream of seeing the "Alamo". We had a wonderful time and we will be going back to see other areas and we will be travelling the same way, camping in a 4wd where ever possible or staying in motels.

The last few days were spent in San Francisco where we rode the Cable Cars, ate yummy Clam Chowder at Pier 39 and of course walked across the Golden Gate Bridge and sailed round Alcatraz.

Sequoia National Park

Never have we seen such enormous trees as we saw in Sequoia

Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

March is a wonderful time to visit these Parks.

Zion

Bryce, just beautiful, snow everywhere

Our Camping Habits

The most enjoyable part of this trip to the Western States of America was the time we spent camping in our rented 4wd in their State Parks and Reserves. This is the way to go if you want to really meet the people. And there is some wonderful Americans out there camping in their National Parks. Much more enjoyable than sitting alone in a motel room watching TV.

This is where America has it over the UK. Never in the UK would you be allowed to put a blowup bed in a 4WD and sleep the night. UK insists that all "motor campers" must be a "campervan with curtains"

A typical camp set-up

We lacked for nothing, all campsites have individual picnic tables and fireplaces, and all have toilets with most also having hot showers.

Of course, we go nowhere without our Trangia. Best cooking implement in the world. Poo could turn out a great meal with no trouble at all. (Don't you love the Bowie Knife.)