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26th Feb Update

We left the Gold Coast on Sun 15th Jan and headed for Tamworth for the music festival. On the way we sprung an air leak in a small hose so I decided to camp the night at Stanthorpe so I could get some new hose and repair it. The next morning I had the local heavy machinery mechanic bring out some hose and he through it on for me. Hed only charges $50 We got away and drove through to tamworth and set up camp at the North Tamworth Rugby club. We were put on the oval and had a great spot. Close to the bar of course. The staff here were fantastic and I would recomend any one coming to the festval in a van or camp or what ever to stay here. We could walk to town and a great pub is just across the road. The club bar opens at 4pm every day and they also do a great breakfast for any who want it.

The festval itself is something else. Max Stanbury and his mate came down for a couple of nights and I did not want to see them dehidrate so a few drinks were called for, (on a number of occations) There was always something to do. Karen and I went for a few drives around the area before the main festival started and came across a quant little place called Hanging Rock (not Vic) Here we found an old cemetary with some history. It was here that the original Ashtons circus performed for their first  time. Also Mary Ashton gave birth and died after at the age of 19. She is buried here along with her baby who died a few months later. This was back around 1852 When the town of Hanging Rock turned 150 the descendants and now owners of Ashtons Circus gave a performance there in thanks for the town keeping the grave yard clean and adding new head stones for all who died in the area in the gold rush days. Anyway back to the festiaval. Bilco arived from the Gold Coast the same day as max and it was on for youg and old. We just loved whatching the buskers in the street and the various bands and ferformers in  the pubs. We went to a few paying shows such as The CcClymonts, Melinda Schider, Daren Carr, Jim Haynes and I also went to the awards night with Bilco. That was a great night with all the big stars performing. A big thanks to Bilco for that one. We also seen a lot of performers in pubs and shopping centres. One of the best was Chad Morgan. That bloke is something else. my cousin from John and Jo along with Georgette from South Australia was here and Georgette performed at a number of venues. She has improved so much since I last heard her sing. Her voice is so much stronger now. (see photo) She also took out a few talent quests while she was here. Including one at the club I was staying at. That's my cousin. A chip of my??? old block.  hahaha Good on you Georgette. I will be back again next year so if anyone out there wants to join us do yourself a favour and do it.

From here we drove to Coonabarabran and the rain just caught up to us there so we headed of the next morning and got ahead of it. tamworth went under water that week we left. We drove through then to hay and there is a graet little bush pub next to the caravan park. I could not stay away and had to taste their wares. Bloody beautifull cold beer. I only had somewhere between 2 and 20 beers. Just to sociable. The next morning we haeaded of to Mildura but the bloody tow bar snapped and I was dragging the trailer behind. i unhhoked and took the car of and drove the bus back to the park. i went into town and organised anther to be sent from Sheperton in Vic over night. The bloke at the AG shop was so bloody helpfull, he must have made 20 or more phone calls to chase one up. He ended up with a great heavy duty one. A few more cold beers at the pub that night and we were on our way by 1pm the next day once the part came in. We had a good trip from there to Mildura and set up camp overlooking the murray river on the NSW side at Buronga. The next day we went to see Aunty Joyce in her new nursing home and she got a surprise to see us. She is looking good for a girl almost 92 We visited her every day for the week we were there. We also caught up with Aunty Pat and her girls Noni, Gail and John We went to see aunty Betty as well. I like to catch up with family and friends when Im in their area. John (long tac) took me out fishing in the Murray and we picked up 2 nice Yellow Belly I saved mine for Uncle Bob as I know he just loves them. We went to gail and Johns for dinner one night for a roast and went out with Noni and her daughter Cody to a nice restaurant in Mildura another night. We called out to see Bruce Scott (cousin) and had a drink with him. The week seemed to go prety quick and wqe were on our way again to Lake Boga. (cousin Steve Turner's stoping ground) We set up at the park right on the lake side. It was a fantastic site. the lake is now full. Steve and Carol came over to see us after we set up and we organised a BBQ the next night at the bus. I measured up for a new pergola at steve's house and I'll build it when I go back there on the way back to Qld. we had the BBQ the next night and invited some friends we met in SA over as well. They are mates with Steve and Carol as well.  Carol was very tired and left a bit earlier. Steve however stayed on till he could not walk to good. We had a great time as we always do with them It was truly a laugh a minute. Cam and Cath were good enough to take Steve home safe and sound. It is such a pleasure to be with old mate Steve. We just continue on where we left off last time we met and the time before that going back to our child hood.

From here  we drove down the road to Cohuna for a couple of days and caught up with Uncle Mal and Colin Moylan. We were sitting around camp on a graet site on the creek bank when Joye Tobin pulled up with her friend Bruce. She seen the bus and the Bulldog logo and then seen my Akubra hat on the windscreen so knew it was us and called in. That evening we had happy hour with them and Uncle Mal and colin. It was a graet get togeather. Uncle mal stayted for dinner. We also met a Pommy couple who are out from England taveling our great country. We had a BBQ with them one night as well after taking him to the pub for a few coldies.Although they were a bit cold for him, so I had 2 to his 1 (but you get that on the big jobs) I got a few shrimp in the creek and 2 big Carp but only a few yabbies. We went from here to Bundalong (one of my favourite places) While here I went Yabbying with Mike and picked up a feed. They were not plentyfull but we perservered and a feed came our way. Although Mike gave me his share (thanks old mate) It is alaways good here and Mike and Maree are the perfect hosts. Happy hour every night is always a good time and never only goes for an hour. I didn't get to fiswh here but next time. Cousin Patty, Butch & Betty came over for a BBQ and I invited Mike and maree as well and that turned into a great night. Patty stayed the night in the trailer. The local tavern is next door to the park and im have to have a couple in there each night just to be sociable of course. I returned a few rabbit traps to a local bloke there who lent them to me about three and a half years ago. I told him then I would be back one day but it would be a few years. He said I looked like an honest bloke. That just goes to show I bloody well am to. Anyway after almost a week here we headed down to Werribee were we are now. We will be here till Easter when we go to Derrinalum for the reunion. I gave Uncle Bob a hand to pull down his carport when I got here. I have to get my boat of soon and hope this bloody wind stops. I will update after Easter when I get to SA

Till next time Take care

 I LOVE THIS COUNTRY

Take Care

Graeme & Karen