Another disaster !!!

G'day Mates!


As you might remember our caravan was stalled at a friend of ours in Bullengarook and because we had to go to Sydney for a reason, which I will explain later, we thought we better leave the caravan there and go just by car along the family/friends to say good bye as we won't be back for about a year.

We stayed a few days with Lida, our friend in Patterson Lakes and she recommended us to go to the William Ricketts Sanctuary as we had been to the Dandenongs several time but never visited this; not only one of the Dandenong’s more iconic experiences, but also one of the most inspiring and tranquil places on the mountain.

A quiet gentleman who had spent much time living with aboriginal communities in central Australia, William Ricketts created the sanctuary as a place for quiet reflection and replenishing the spirit. He believed that all Australians should adopt Aboriginal philosophies, respecting the spirituality of the mother earth and all things in the natural world. Some of his works throughout the grounds also depict his feelings on the takeover and devastation of white man into the natural environment.

(source; https://visitdandenongranges.com.au/activity/william-ricketts-sanctuary)

There are over 90 sculptures carved into rocks and tree trunks, they are fantastic and the atmosphere in the park amazing!

After our tour along the family we picked up our caravan and drove to Bendigo to the people, who became good friends in the mean time, we did several house sits for. This came suddenly in between which we didn't mind as we are always happy there, they just wanted to go a few days bike riding.

On Thursday the day before Good Friday, we had a shock: under our car was oil again! We drove off to a RACV mechanic but he didn't had time, fully booked and of course it was the weekend before Easter so we had the terrible feeling we were facing a disaster as we had to be in Sydney on Monday. Another mechanic had a look at it and said the same, he gave us a big can with oil with the advice to keep an eye on the oil level and top it up every time on the way to Sydney.

Our friend in Bullengarook, who knows everything of cars, said it was a too big risk to drive like that that far, we could blow up the engine.

And then it was Good Friday, everything was closed and the car leaked as hell. I googled at "rent a car" to find a car with a tow bar, which we could hire but that was very hard to find. Then our lovely friends came home and suggested us to take their car to Sydney, they would brings our car to a mechanic after Easter to let it repair and when it would be finished, they would meet Fred halfway to swap the cars. And so we drove off to Sydney, in a very convenient car......

We had a great stop on the Yass Showground......

 in the mean time it was Easter so that's the reason of this brunch with eggs and...... booze

The people in Tasmania most probably didn't mount the tube properly as that was all it was! And so it happened that Fred drove the Friday after Easter 1200 k's on one day to Holbrook and back to swap the cars. We are very very thankful to our friends as they prevented us from another disaster!

The first reason we had to go to Sydney was because Fred's Dutch passport was due, we had made an appointment at the Dutch Consulate in Sydney already a long time ago. Sydney is the only place where you can go for a new Passport, isn't that ridiculous!! All the Dutchies who live all over the country have to go to Sydney which costs a lot of travelling money and time! Anyhow, we thought if we have to go to Sydney we rather go further and end up in the tropics for winter!

When the kids in The Netherlands heard about our plans, they thought, "well, we might travel along with them for a part". And so, Sheila would be the first to come to Sydney to travel with us to the Gold Coast .........

So on the 3rd of April, hubby's birthday and our appointment date at the consulate, Sheila leaves her home to go to the airport.....

And we travel by train to the city....

On our way to the train station we saw this fellow, we are on the caravan park at Lane Cove National Park, not far from the city centre and easy to travel by train which is a relief.

Can be expected in a National Park....

All dressed up for a nice day out, first; The Consulate, another disaster!

We thought we had all the paperwork needed, how disappointing when we were told so much more was needed. It's too complicated to explain but because Fred had became an Australian citizen in the mean time, there was a lot paperwork extra to hand over. It took us approx. 2 months and a lot of extra money to accomplish this task.

Anyhow, we had a nice drink for the shock.......and some phone calls for Fred for his birthday.....

And a nice dinner at a pub.......

In the mean time Sheila was flying and arrived at Sydney Airport on the 4th of April...

Next time;

SYDNEY!!

Cheers!

What a disaster! But all went well afterwards.....

G'day Mates!


Between the last house sit in Caveside and our return with the ferry to the mainland, we had a few days left so we had decided to go to the west coast of Tassie and explore that side.

I had booked 3 accommodations for that trip and the first one was Sassafras Springs in Ellendale, approx. 220 k's.

The day before our leaving, we had a picnic in Deloraine and when we came back to the car there was a big pool of oil under the it, of course it was on a Sunday so everything was closed. We carefully drove back to the farm put some carton under the car and next morning, after saying goodbye to the animals and people we did the sit for, we drove off to Caveside, only 15 k's away, to a little mechanic shop who had helped us before with fixing something on the car.

I HAVE to show you this; on our way out of the driveway I made a picture of which I think is stunning as I used the utmost zoom of my little camera and actually was convinced it wouldn't be good;

Anyway, the mechanic looked underneath the car and said it most probably was a part connected to the alternator and he couldn't fix it that day as the part had to be ordered. The best thing to do according to him was to call the RACT who could bring us to a wrecker near Launceston. His wife had called the wrecker in the meantime, they had the part and could help us right away! She also called the RACT for us, these people were very helpful, a great little service station!

The RACT were very busy and they said it could take awhile so we walked a bit through the little town when we saw this....😕

After 2 1/2 hours, we saw the big truck coming.

There was oil everywhere!

Pfff ! Eighty k's later he dropped us off at the wreckers and they started on the car immediately, it would take about half an hour to three quarters they claimed!

After 2 hours, standing on our feet as there was no were to sit, a car came racing passed us, dust flew everywhere and I had to close my eyes not the get the dust in my eyes as I have contact lenses, he parked his car in front of the garage where they were busy with our car and another three quarters later the car was ready.

They definitely had called someone who has experience with imported Toyota Surfs as he fixed it and said the part had to be mounted at a very awkward and difficult spot.  At five o'clock we drove off to our Ellendale, still 200 k's away. From 10 till 5 we have been on our feet, waiting, waiting, waiting, BUT; luckily we were helped and could go on!

But again, beautiful scenery's on the way, we saw Ireland, Scotland, even Belgium..... 

At half past seven we arrived and it was nearly dark.

It was very cosy though, a great spot as we found out next day, and a lovely little cottage. There were more of these nice cottages....

Before we left, we walked up a hill behind our cottage to look at the view...

After that we challenged another 233 k's to Strahan. We passed the Tarraleah Power Station...

...and we stopped at Franklin River Nature Trail to do a walk, stretch our legs a bit, have some lunch and drive further towards Strahan.

We also came through Queenstown and the road before coming into town was just amazing! We weren't impressed of Queenstown itself but the surrounding is just stunning.

I wouldn't dare walking on that boardwalk....

Movie time;

When we arrived at Strahan and our accommodation, we were happily surprised. We had the famous train in front of us and a lovely apartment.

Sitting outside, zipping our favourite, homemade beer.....

Watching the train come and go....

You could book the train which goes to Queenstown and back and on the way you have some spectacular views, unfortunately that costs over $ 200.- each and we thought that was over the top so we decided only to be the audience for the people going and coming back, which was entertainment enough for us.

Movie time;

We had two nights in Strahan so next day we walked to the town which was opposite from our apartment with the Long Bay between us. Half way there was a walk again, The Hogarth Falls Track, which we wanted to do and because it was raining, it was very special.

After the walk we walked further to the little centre of Strahan, and passed a few nice things....

They are so common and we are so used to them, we nearly forget how special and beautiful they are!

Knowing us, you believe we had our lunch at this table!

Now we are at the opposite side, looking to the train station and our apartment.

After the long walk its good to be back and have a nice drink and dinner....

For the last night I had booked a nice Airbnb in Devonport, next to the ferry terminal. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture of the accommodation as it was a very special little apartment as well. On the other side of the road was a hotel and restaurant and because it was raining we decided to have dinner there! It was lovely.

Melbourne, here we come again, this time we had the day ferry and I must admit, that's pretty boring as it takes too long.

What else can you do then reading.....

Finally.......Hello Melbourne!

Safe back on Australians mainland, ready for the next adventures to come!

See ya soon!

Cheers!