Friday 30 March 2012
Days 4 and 5: Thank goodness for a screw driver and duct tape - Lightning Ridge to Cobar
Today was Barbara's 1st day to drive the van. We were happily travelling from Lightning Ridge to Cobar, when just past the turn off to Come By Chance there was a loud scrapping noise coming from the back of the van. It took about 200 metres before we could pull over safely. Chris got out to investigate, only to exclaim 'On No'. Barbara looked in the rear vision mirror and saw a trail of water behind the van.
One of the fresh water tanks had fallen off the bottom of the van and was hanging by a tube.
Before we could even scratch our heads to figure what to do a trackie from Coonanble pulled up and was immediately under the van to check it out. One screw driver and some duct tape later the offending water tank was detached and loose tubes and brackets taped up. To think we couldn't even offer him a beer (no alcohol in the van). We tried to offer him a cold coke but he said 'No Thanks I am a diabetic'. After a quick chat about our travels he was on his way.
Bad news is we are going to buy a couple of water containers until we can get it fixed. The good news is we gained a new pet. It is big and black and we have to put it out at night. (We are talking about the watertank.)
There is still plenty of water adjacent to the road but not causing any hassle when driving except for the birds we have to dodge. There would have been more than 100 water fowl on one stretch of the road between Walgett and Coonanble. There were plenty of raptors and ibis as well, more emus and a fox (not dead this time).
We met a friendly farmer at the Nyngan petrol station who helped us tie up a loose hose. Barbara did have to hold his dagwood dog though.
For all those who dissed Christine's tool set she wants to say 'It worked'.
And yes Barbara is still allowed to drive the van.
One of the fresh water tanks had fallen off the bottom of the van and was hanging by a tube.
Before we could even scratch our heads to figure what to do a trackie from Coonanble pulled up and was immediately under the van to check it out. One screw driver and some duct tape later the offending water tank was detached and loose tubes and brackets taped up. To think we couldn't even offer him a beer (no alcohol in the van). We tried to offer him a cold coke but he said 'No Thanks I am a diabetic'. After a quick chat about our travels he was on his way.
Bad news is we are going to buy a couple of water containers until we can get it fixed. The good news is we gained a new pet. It is big and black and we have to put it out at night. (We are talking about the watertank.)
There is still plenty of water adjacent to the road but not causing any hassle when driving except for the birds we have to dodge. There would have been more than 100 water fowl on one stretch of the road between Walgett and Coonanble. There were plenty of raptors and ibis as well, more emus and a fox (not dead this time).
We met a friendly farmer at the Nyngan petrol station who helped us tie up a loose hose. Barbara did have to hold his dagwood dog though.
For all those who dissed Christine's tool set she wants to say 'It worked'.
And yes Barbara is still allowed to drive the van.
Thursday 29 March 2012
Wednesday 28 March 2012
Days 2 and 3: Goondiwindi, Dirranbandi and Lightning Ridge
The good news was that the main road from Goondiwindi through Dirranbandi to lightning Ridge was clear of water though somewhat potholed.
A hill was a rare sight until approaching Lightning Ridge (hence the name I guess). We saw plenty of cotton fields in bloom, long and lush grazing lands, swollen rivers and creeks and birds everywhere - even terns. In parts it felt as if we were driving through Kakadu wetlands.
Wildlife was abundant too with 2 goannas, several good foxes (roadkill) and 8 emus.
We arrived at our caravan, the Opal, in Lightning Ridge yesterday. It is definitely the best one in town and is only a couple of years old. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to an ensuite site for free.
Today was spent touring around town. There certainly are characters in this part of the world and the tour guides and drivers know how to spin a good yarn. The beauty of taking a tour was that we got into places you couldn't see if you weren't on tour such as an old opal miner's tin shanty and the astronomers monument (a cement and steel folly built by a polish immigrant with too much time on his hands). We heard funny and sad stories about the people working the opal claims.
The final stop for the day was the Chamber of the Black Hand where a very talented amateur sculptor has carved out images in the sandstone layer above the actual opal mine.
We plan to do some exploting on our own tomorrow as well as visit a few shops. Those that know Chris will be pleased to hear that she resisted the temptation to buy - most likely because designs weren't to her taste. Those that know Barbara won't be surprised to know she looked but didn't buy.
A hill was a rare sight until approaching Lightning Ridge (hence the name I guess). We saw plenty of cotton fields in bloom, long and lush grazing lands, swollen rivers and creeks and birds everywhere - even terns. In parts it felt as if we were driving through Kakadu wetlands.
Wildlife was abundant too with 2 goannas, several good foxes (roadkill) and 8 emus.
We arrived at our caravan, the Opal, in Lightning Ridge yesterday. It is definitely the best one in town and is only a couple of years old. We were lucky enough to be upgraded to an ensuite site for free.
Today was spent touring around town. There certainly are characters in this part of the world and the tour guides and drivers know how to spin a good yarn. The beauty of taking a tour was that we got into places you couldn't see if you weren't on tour such as an old opal miner's tin shanty and the astronomers monument (a cement and steel folly built by a polish immigrant with too much time on his hands). We heard funny and sad stories about the people working the opal claims.
The final stop for the day was the Chamber of the Black Hand where a very talented amateur sculptor has carved out images in the sandstone layer above the actual opal mine.
We plan to do some exploting on our own tomorrow as well as visit a few shops. Those that know Chris will be pleased to hear that she resisted the temptation to buy - most likely because designs weren't to her taste. Those that know Barbara won't be surprised to know she looked but didn't buy.
Monday 26 March 2012
Day 1: Goondiwindi and one missing Mac
Well, we made a clean getaway and have arrived safely in Goondiwindi for the night. Not much to report other than a nice lunch stop at Picnic Point in Toowoomba.
We thought we had all gadgets on board, until we went to update the blog. How could anyone miss a giant canary yellow hard case in the boot of my car. Well we did and so my Mac is having a holiday at home whilst I'm away. I think I have separation anxiety already.
Thank God Barbara has an ASUS tablet - if not, this blog would have been a bust!
I do, however, have an iphone which can handle most of the simple stuff. Afterall, the computing power in a smart phone is more than that used to put man on the moon, so surely it can keep two women in contact with the rest of the world!
Till next time .... Chris and Barb
We thought we had all gadgets on board, until we went to update the blog. How could anyone miss a giant canary yellow hard case in the boot of my car. Well we did and so my Mac is having a holiday at home whilst I'm away. I think I have separation anxiety already.
Thank God Barbara has an ASUS tablet - if not, this blog would have been a bust!
I do, however, have an iphone which can handle most of the simple stuff. Afterall, the computing power in a smart phone is more than that used to put man on the moon, so surely it can keep two women in contact with the rest of the world!
Till next time .... Chris and Barb
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