Its our last night on the route home and we’re camped on the side of the Hume Highway at Winton Nothing is too good, and no expense too great for this little family Apparently a few trucks use the Hume … who would have thought, and its a little noisy. Hopefully it will die out as it starts to get dark There are BBQs here, a toilet and a couple of other free loaders as well as a couple of trucks Might thrown on a snag an toast a sandwich later. Ross is already relaxing out side with his feet up enjoying a cool [ ... ]

The day started out the night before. The news had Canberra described as in “lock down” with the impending arrival of the Obama circus. A quick view of the Australian Parliament web site said that Parliament House was closed to the public from 12 midday … so that implied business as usual from the advertised opening time of 9am. That was good news for Ross at least, because the War Memorial opened at 10am. The morning was planned with more precision that the arrival of Obama. Get to Parliament House by 9am (some how dodging the security and kaos) [ ... ]

All done today with no real interference nor arrests. Full briefing on todays activities later -35.200583149.219699

We hit the road for Canberra. Canberra, you might say, WTF are you thinking, you might think; but yes Canberra. The Australian War Memorial has an exhibition on Tobruk, and Ross’s grandfather served at Tobruk and he couldnt pass up the opportunity. Ross also has an un-natural fascination with Australian politics and knows far too much about it. The strange little man even has his own personal copy of the Australian Constitution. Barb has developed a defence mechanism to his ramblings, and was only too happy to let him loose on the unsuspecting politicians and [ ... ]

We packed up camp and headed south to Toowoon Bay. Toowoon Bay is only a handful of km’s south of The Entrance. The Entrance has quite a nice waterfront area with a wet park for kids and boardwalk along the waters edge. Toowoon Bay in contrast has little to offer the tourist, but is located on the ocean beach which is where the surf is. We setup camp, jumped into the resort pool for a while and then headed into town for a wonder and icecream. There is a small permanent kids carnival on the waterfront which amused [ ... ]

Wednesday 09th Port Stephens today and the the temperture rose consistantly all day to about 34deg. Our destination is One Mile Beach at Anna Bay, and as it turns out the site next to last years. Ross fixed the fridge wiring on the camper yesterday, so the fridge can work on 12v car power whilst we are driving. Ross discovered it wasnt getting any power, and found the wire burnt out. All seems to be working fine again. We turned off the highway at Forster Tuncurry, to grab some breakfast for Daniel, some supplies ….. and a special coffee from Ross’s [ ... ]

We left South West Rocks this morning (Monday) after a windy night with heavy (and noisy) waves crashing over the rocks and beach .. the draw back for being so close we suppose. A little drizzle early this morning, but we woke to a another clear day with the wind reduced to a stiff breeze. We packed up as Daniel sat on the hill and sketched in his drawing book. Who knows… a little Picasso in the making perhaps. Barb is definately glad that he is drawing again after a long time of being uninterested. We drove out of [ ... ]

We left Byron Bay this morning (Friday) and headed south toward South West Rocks; a small village on the coast in the Macleay Valley near Kempsey. We love this place and it lives up to all our rigorous requirements; surf beach, bottle shop, bakery and pizza shop if it’s Friday. The local Eagle Boys pizza has been replaced by 131 Pizza, and Ross discovered that the new incarnation opened it’s doors TODAY !!!!!!!!!! The Pizza was none to shabby, and we have certainly had far worse. On the drive south we had to pass through Coffs Harbour, home of the magnificent Big Banana. [ ... ]

We didnt go near the town today, so Ross didnt see any white Yogi’s, and started to soften his view on Byron Bay. Last night we walked into town for an ice cream and Ross met a local Koori gent and had a good chat. Ross would probably not have been so abliging with the Yogi’s. Daniel has formed a keen attachment to Spearmint Chocolate Chip icecream We had breakfast in the cafe just outside the caravan park gate. The cafe over looks the entire Byron Bay beach, and the avocado, ricotta, salt and oil toast was very special. [ ... ]

Another relatively long day to drive direct to Byron Bay from our road side overnight stop; Byron Bay is one of Barb’s mostest magical places in the cosmos. Ross can take it or leave it. Ross says it would be a really nice place if it was purged of the lazy dole bludging white Yogi’s stinking up the place. Ross says he works all year to be able to spend a week in Byron Bay, Ross also says he works all year so these wacked out monkeys can live here for free …. go figure; at least they could say [ ... ]

Off we go again on our yearly pilgrimage north for the sun and surf. This year is a short 3 week jaunt, due to the Asia trip before hand. We left at 2am this morning and crossed the border at 6am at Albury. 15 hours and 1300km later and we are camped in a road side stop about half an hour north of Tamworth. Once again the time machine was there to ensure Barb arrived fresh and in zero time; unfortunately Barb was a little crook which wasnt pleasant for her. During the night and on and off during the [ ... ]