It's 1998 and Eric has a term off for Long Service Leave. We've always wanted to do this: up the centre and around the west coast. With a 10 and 8 year old in the back seat? Maybe not, but they'll learn so much. We've a rough itinerary; all that's really important is that we are home in time for the beginning of Term 4. Ron has spent so much more time than us nutting-out km distances for different legs and petrol consumption as we go and that's all really useful but 'we'll wing it when we have to'.
Day 1
The day we:
- left our house for Cara and Craig to look after (Libby worked with Cara at the Adult Centre)
- collected Libby from work and headed for Ballarat where Adrian will play in the Country Championships
- had to set up in the dark and vowed we would never do that again
- met up with Iris and Ron who've booked the cabin next to us at Windmill C'van Park
- stayed up too late and drank too much, and its only the first night.
The day we:
- woke to a fine but cold Ballarat morning
- spent the whole day at the soccer fields in Sebastapol where Adrian's team defeated Latrobe Valley1-0, lost to Albury/Wodonga 4-0 and finished on a high beating Echuca 7-0
- the Ampt family joined us on the sidelines and left Rebecca to stay on with Ron and Iris
- enjoyed an evening with the Cobram soccer crowd in the park recreation room.
Day 3
The day we:
- awoke to wind and rain, not a good day for soccer. Eric went to Maryborough to visit the family
- watched the team finish with a 1-1 all draw with Swan Hill, a good effort in those conditions
- said goodbye to the Cobram folk as they travel home on the bus
- said goodbye to iris, Ron and Bec then spent the afternoon washing clothes and keeping warm in the rec room
- shared an enjoyable evening with Su and Eddie Cox around the bbq while children watched a video together
- learnt that Latrobe won the U12 division so wore a smug smile that evening, knowing we'd beaten them.
Day 4
The day we:
- awoke to sunshine. Pity the soccer is over but at least our canvas is dry
- were ready to leave by 9.30 after a walk around the winter wetlands beside the park and the boys had played their last game of table tennis.
- got 5 mins up the road only to discover that Luke had left his jumper behind. Libby does her first U-turn towing a van.
- had lunch in a parking bay at Dimboola, crossed our first state border in the afternoon
- reached Tailem Bend at 4.30 SA time, set up in Riverside C'van Park, a delightful spot overlooking the Murray, quite different from Cobram
- Luke and Libby tried their hand at fishing, Adrian kicked a soccer ball and Eric went for a run
- spent the evening doing an 'easy' crossword but struggled, plenty of nights ahead to practice
Day 5
The day we:
- caught a beautiful sunrise before departing about 9am
- had a lovely drive through Murray Bridge where we crossed the river to Anguston, loved all the stone buildings
- arrived in Clare about lunchtime, checked into the Christison C'van park which is great and right next to a fauna park
- found Des Menz in his office and he took us to see their new property, 80 acres at the top of the valley, great views across Clare valley and out to Spencer Gulf. Walked all over the property to see the two natural springs, all the trees they have plants and the ruin. Work has started on the shed but it's too wet for the crane to come in and put the roof truss in place.
- dropped Des back at work and visited Sevenhills Winery, boys were not impressed. Bought a fortified Verdello that is bound to warm us on those chilly evenings ahead
- bbq with des and Leslie at home with Catherine and Jakke and Kate Stevens. Boys enjoyed Jakke's company, his Playstation and computer.
- more rain overnight, Des will not be happy.
Day 6
The day we:
- managed to pack up dry as the rain had cleared
- followed the north road through Gladstone, passed Mt Remarkable to Wilmington. Fabulous drive took us across the south end of Flinders Ranges and through Horrocks Pass, great scenery, arrived Port Augusta for lunch
- discovered the van wont wind up....BLOODY HELL
- barely managed to control our tempers while Eric contacted the RACV and Libby and the boys visited Wadlata Outback Centre - outback origins. Aboriginal Dreamtime, tales of pioneer explorers and settlers. Very well done.
- returned to the park to find repairs under control and we're booked into an on-site van. Boys thrilled to find we have a tv with SBS reception so they can watch World Cup Soccer finals between Croatia and France tomorrow at 5am.
- visited Arid lands Botanic Gardens in the afternoon
Day 7
The day we:
- got the good news the cable is replaced and the van winds up
- got the bad news that it wont stay there, perhaps we could prop it up with 4 broom handles. I don't think so!
- left it with the experts to sort out while we visited School of the Air (closed for school holidays), Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Arid Lands Gardens again.
- met a few locals on the bridge in the afternoon. Ron taught us how to catch garfish with a float and 'gents'. Luke quickly caught the first one and then the challenge was on. By the time darkness fell both boys had each caught a few and Ron gave us some of his to make up a meal. Then he taught us how to clean them ready for the pan. Our first meal of fish and chips
- got news that the ratchet problem in the van is fixed and tomorrow we can move on
- filled up with fuel at 69.9 cpl.
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