Snowy Mountains and Beyond

From Canberra we made our way to the Snowy Mountains - but as it’s (supposedly) summer here there was no snow to be seen!  It was still a lot colder than other places we’ve been though and we had to invest in a blanket and get the fleeces out.  The campsite at Jindabyne - which had been recommended by people we met at Canberra - was fantastic.  It had a bath!!!!   And a sauna and Jacuzzi.   Total luxury.  There was also a games room where we played pool - Geoff has a bad shoulder so had real difficulty playing - but he still thrashed me.  Never mind - guess I have to let him win at some things coz he’s not winning on the fishing stakes.  (shurrup woman!)
 

Lake Eucumbene

We went on a tourist trail up to Lake Eucumbene way up in the mountains, round by Dalgety and the Snowy River and back to Jindabyne.   We also did a trip to Mount Kosciuszko….(pronounced Kozzyesko) … which is the highest point in Australia.  We did think about taking the chair lift and then doing the walk but the weather was really bad so we opted to drive instead.  (That’s our excuse and we’re sticking to it!!) Problem there was that we saw lots of very high mountains and weren’t 100% sure which was one was which!!  Apparently Judy, Murray and Kirsty went a few days after we’d left and they were able to climb it.  The whole place is beautiful - oh and because there’s no snow at the moment, so no skiing - guess what they do down the ski slopes instead …. ride mountain bikes!  Honestly - they must be totally off it!!  The whole place is geared for the snowy months - skiing, snow boarding etc which seems to clash with our ideas of Oz - and it has to be said that we were very glad there wasn’t any snow about while we were there.  

Mountian Biking down the Ski Slopes

Snowy River

From Jindabyne we travelled back to the coast (looking for some sun!) to Tathra where we stayed for a few nights.  The weather was still a bit cold and wet but guess that’s to be expected as we are now well south.  While we were there we met a lovely lady called Helen.  She’s in her 70’s and was caravanning on her own.  She has a farm just outside of Melbourne and has invited us to stay for a few nights, which we are planning on doing at the beginning of April, on our way to meet up with Geoff and Janelle at Healesville in the Yarra Valley in April.

Very Heavy Rain!

Geoff securing the awning to the car so the van doesn't blow away!

Perfect way to spend a rainy day!

 From Tathra to Eden - still further down the coast.  Eden is beautiful - but we had some awful weather while we were there.  Very heavy rain (300mm overnight) leading to floods - so much so that the camp site - in fact the whole of the town and coastal area - was without power for a day, roads were closed, most shops were closed and those that were open had no lighting.  We were in the neighbours good books when we got the generator out and were able to provide electricity for our 3 caravans!  Geoff and I have been fishing quite a bit - a local showed us his tactics for fishing from the wharf - and we caught about 20 Mackerel in the space of an hour or so.  Was really good fun!    

Visited a Local Village Fair

Geoff bonding with the Local Birds

After a few days in Eden we moved to Mallacoota which was just about as far away from Redcar as we can possibly get I think.
17,107kms…or 10,629 mls as the crow flies!  Had a good time there and yet again, met another lovely couple who have invited us to stay at their place near the Yarra Valley after our time with Geoff and Janelle at Easter.  

People have been so lovely!

We seem to have got into a routine of moving every 3-4 days at the moment - and Geoff and I have got quite good at packing up the van and getting organised.  We have our own jobs - Geoff tends to do the outside stuff - putting the legs up on the caravan, disconnecting water pipes etc, and I do the inside stuff - making sure everything’s secure for our travels, putting the pop top down, loading the chairs etc into the van.   Then we hook the car up to the van, check the lights and away we go.  Hmmmmm wonder how we’re going to cope when we’re back home - we’ll be wanting to move every week!!