Day One of RSRT

You wouldn't believe it, but I have kept a diary today so that I would remember to write everything down in detail.

The diary is downstairs in the glovebox of the car.  It's 10.30pm and BGWLBH is sleeping, so I can't disturb her by going downstairs to get it (we are on the top floor).

I have spent the last three hours going through some photos, so I will post a few of them and I promise to bring you up-to-date on the goings-on of the trip tomorrow night.

There was quite a bit of silliness today and we saw lots of unusual things like an emu and an echidna.

We are so used to driving on the freeways where you don't see that sort of thing anymore .. and now we are on the back roads where there is little traffic and so much more to look at!

Wilbur-Herbert, our travelling companion was keen to get started this morning.

Where else would BGWLBH want to go for breakfast???

Wilbur-Herbert is a keen tennis player himself.

Wilbur-Herbert's Grandfather used to tell him stories about bit old useless pieces of rusty machinery

Just the other side of Ardlethan - a surprise oasis.

Wilbur-Herbert takes his own toilet paper everywhere - just in case!

We saw his silhouette in the distance and when we stopped he came huffing and puffing and grunting straight at us!
No other emus and nothing else for miles - BGWLBH was terrified that he was going to attack me
so she was screaming for me to get back in the car!

Went to a B&S Ball here years ago.

The main road of Ariah Park.

The men in the next photo told us that this is the original facade of the shop.

We forget these men's names, but the one in front owns the shop where they are sitting.

Adoring Husband and I considered buying this pub about 5 yrs ago.
It has a crack in the entire building that gapes about 6 inches wide.
The Barmedman Pub

That's about all I can manage tonight.  It's been a big day and I've already spent hours on the photos, posting them to facebook and then to here.

We hope to start bright an early tomorrow morning to catch some nice morning light.

Tomorrow night I will provide more detail about our days so far!

For now, that's all I can bring you from day one of our Rock Star Road Trip.

Nite all.

The Final Countdown

Can you believe it?  Barring all catastrophes, we leave tomorrow!

This morning, BGWLBH came back from her walk declaring that there was a photo opportunity in the back paddock, so I hurriedly grabbed my camera, swapped my slippers for my runners, and still wearing my brightly coloured Sesame St flannelette pyjamas, went traipsing through the long grass to the end of the back paddock.

Behind the paddock are two very large piles of dead wood/trees waiting to be burned off, and sitting proudly on top of one of those piles was a Black Shouldered Kite.

We waited and watched as another one was hovering in the distance searching the ground for food (they invariably catch small mice - because they only have small beaks for ripping their food apart).

As it got closer to us, the first kite, very noisily chased it away, and then came back to the closer pile of trees to land.

I thought I had captured the perfect bird shot, but when I got home and looked at it on my monitor, it wasn't focussed and all I have is this for my efforts ...

10. A favourite word
For the May Photo a Day challenge 

I almost cried.

It goes on my 'missed opportunities' list along with the rainbow reflected in the glassy river, that I missed because it was the ONE time that I didn't have my camera with me!

I hope that he is there again tomorrow morning .. I hope that he frequents that particular spot for breakfast every day!!  **fingers crossed**

The house inspection went very smoothly today and was over in a flash.

We arrived home to find BGWLBH's Dad cooking a roast lamb dinner.  It was DELICIOUS!  Accompanying the roast lamb was potato, pumpkin, carrots, parsnip, snow peas, beans, onion, spinach and red cabbage.

I almost licked my plate clean!

So tomorrow morning, we just have to pack the car with all of our crap ... of which there will be a lot because BGWLBH needs a bag of Winter clothes and a bag of Autumn - ish clothes.

It's that time of year when you never know what the weather will be like from one town to the next - especially in NSW, so she has to cover all bases.

I don't have to worry because I don't feel the cold so much.  I have my big black coat if it gets too cold.

I didn't sleep too well last night in the new bed in the bus.  There are noisy barking dogs in the neighbourhood, crowing roosters that actually crow ALL night, BGWLBH's dog kept waking up and shaking herself right next to my bed AND when she sleeps, she snores (the dog, not BGWLBH).

So it was a restless sleep.  Hopefully, now that my body knows what to expect, I will sleep more soundly.

Anyway, my dreams will include the final countdown to ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP, so I am off to dreamland.  See you tomorrow in another town!

Nite all.

Too Old for this &@$#

Yup!  Moving day today.

It was nice to watch the young men moving the furniture.  Muscles on muscles and interesting tattoos and the ability to single handedly lift a queen size mattress (Yes! Each of them carried a queen sized mattress on their own!) and then take a two foot high step in a single bound.

So fit and full of energy.  I wonder what drugs they are on???  I'll have what they're having!

Young Maori men.  Good job boys ... although not too good with 'addition'.  They thought that 1 3/4 hours at $125 per hour came to the grand total of $375.  Thank goodness the 'eye candy' didn't scramble our brains!

Once we got that part over and done with, it was time to clean.  Ugh!!

Cleaning walls, steam cleaning carpet, pressure spraying the verandah, scrubbing the bathroom, polishing the stainless steel cook top, washing the kitchen cupboards and splashback, polishing the floor boards, vacuuming.

Oh my aching back!

It took the two of us about 4 hours and we still have to do one more layer of polish on the floor boards tomorrow before the landlord inspection.

My poor old body is struggling tonight and we will probably both be asleep before 9pm.

We are in a big old bus that was converted for travelling around Australia.

BGWLBH is on the big queen size bed at the back of the bus.  I am on the fold down couch in the middle of the bus.  The bus is a bit bouncy, so we feel every movement - may make for a restless sleep, but at least we only have to stay here for two nights and then we are OFF!!

The bus is for sale - $26000.  Nice sized kitchen with a fridge, gas stove, sink and plenty of cupboard space.  Little table and two comfy chairs.  Fold down lounge.  Shower and toilet.  Air conditioned.  Very spacious.

I'll let you know tomorrow how comfy the fold down couch is.

I did take a photo today, of a blue tongue lizard under the house, but it's still on the camera and I am too tired to put any effort into sharing those photos tonight.

Instead I will share the last few photos from the May Photo a day challenge.

Now it's time to sleep.

Nite all.

Fingers Crossed

Yes!  There is light at the end of the tunnel!

Tomorrow morning at 9am, the removalist arrives to cart the furniture.  Then BGWLBH and I have to shampoo carpets, polish floor boards and pressure wash the front porch.  We should only have one car loads of stuff left to take with us when we leave at the end of the day. **fingers crossed**

So that gives us Thursday to tidy up any loose ends, organise the landlord inspection and pack our gear ready to leave town on Friday morning. **fingers crossed**

Today, we looked at another house, which will be available to rent in July.  It was absolutely perfect and just ten minutes out of town going West.  The rent may be a little more than expected, although the owner hinted that an arrangement could be made for the right tennant.

The owner wants a long term, stable and reliable tennant.  BGWLBH wants long term, stable accommodation with a good landlord.  Win Win!  **fingers crossed**

This evening I caught up with my sister-in-law from my first marriage.  In the late 70s and early 80s, we were very close friends and spent a lot of time together.  We both lived in Canberra with our then husbands and later, we were in Cootamundra at the same time for a couple of years.

It was the best of times and we were part of a loving, warm and close family.  I remember those times fondly and I love that I still have contact with most of the family - hooray for facebook - but there have been many years gap between face to face meetings.

Tonight was one of those rare meetings and we had dinner together.  Unfortunately, our time was limited, but we did pack a lot of chatter into just over 90 minutes!  It was so nice to catch up and I think we filled each other in on the important happy events in our lives, as well as some of the sadness.

She was in my town last year, but I was not there at the time, so even though she got to see Vegan Chickie, the Bare-chested Chef, Chicklet and Adoring Husband, we missed each other.

She is in Griffith at the moment for study/work and we almost missed each other again, but my mixed up circumstances led to us both being here at the same time.

It proves that something GOOD comes from everything.  My extenuating circumstances led to me having a 'moment' to catch up with an old friend.

I'm so pleased that it worked out that way!

A couple of photos to add to the end here.  I have been hoping to get a photo of one of the vineyards around town, but the time of day never seemed right to catch some nice light.  Today, out past Tharbogang, I got the chance for a reasonable shot.

... and then a nice one from the front garden of the house we looked at.

A good night of sleep tonight should give me the energy to complete our big tasks tomorrow and then we can start packing for the ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP!!  **fingers crossed**

Nite all.

To Paint ... or not to paint.

Quite a productive day today.

BGWLBH tried to spot paint some marks on the wall last week, but used paint that we mismatched quite badly.

We matched all the other paints beautifully, but somehow, we messed this one up ... twice!

After choosing paint that was too dark the first time and too light the second time, and after much deliberation, we decided to paint the whole room!

It took us about two hours and it was finished and looking pretty darn good.   I reckon we were more proud of our efforts than Michelangelo was when he completed the Sistine Chapel!!

What a team!

BGWLBH then pressure cleaned the concrete outside the back door.

I washed the lounge room windows, then pulled the screen off the bedroom window so that it and the outside glass could be cleaned ... let me tell you what a job it was getting the screen back in ... I'm sure you can all relate to that experience!

A few little spot cleaning jobs around the house and we were exhausted and in need of rest.  I cooked a nice stir fry for dinner with lots of vegetables ... we need sustenance to continue the moving process tomorrow ... and then we watched The Voice.

BGWLBH, who is now sleeping in the lounge room on a mattress while the paint finishes drying in her bedroom, fell asleep long before the show finished.

So I've spent a little time playing with some photos from the birthday party and the horses.

BGWLBH & her Goddaughter Lu

Deputy Daws

Mrs Doodle Doo (due to her boisterous laughter)

I wasn't very happy with these shots, but The Horse Whisperer was over the moon with them and has been raving about them to anyone who'll listen!

This boy is the show off

This one is very old

This is her favourite shot.

I really need sleep ... tomorrow morning, I expect there may be some sore muscles in places that I haven't used for quite some time.

To paint or not to paint??  I choose NOT to paint :o)  Not any more.  Please?

Nite all.

Full Moon Birthday

Well I think the birthday girl had a nice day today.

Her rules were

1. No presents
2. No singing
3. No cake

So, most people brought a gift.

Some people sang as they walked through the door.

One person brought a cake ... but it wasn't a birthday cake and it had no candles.

The hostess, Deputy Daws, had cooked a banquet and covered everybody's dietary requirements.  We were so full by the end of the day, we could barely move!

She started with nibbles.  Fruits, cheeses, olives, various crackers, crisp breads, greek meatballs with dips and sauces.  Then we moved outside and she provided spinach & cheese pastries, vegetarian pizza, garlic and herb breads, gluten free pasta dish and a layered salad.

For dessert there was tiramisu and that delicious chocolate pavlova with cream and berries.

Champagne and wine for drinkies.  Coffee and tea for 'after'.

So we did lots of talking and laughing and rigorous gossiping, a little singing and dancing, a few group photos (but none with me in them).

They were all in fine form and honestly, there really wasn't that much alcohol passing lips.  They are silly like this ... naturally!

Then we all said our goodbyes and the birthday girl and I scooted home in time to catch the full moon rising over the horizon.

I'm sure there will be some spectacular shots posted on facebook and flickr tomorrow because the moon was pretty darned amazing!

So I am definitely all worn out from so much partying and trekking across the farm to get a good vantage point for the moonrise.

I will sleep well tonight.

Happy birthday BGWLBH ... if you read this, your birthday is not over ... there is still the ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP ... and a few weeks after you return home, there will be another present!!  But that one is a big secret and you don't even get a hint!

Nite all.

Big One Tomorrow!

BGWLBH turns 50 tomorrow!

Nobody is allowed to mention numbers, but this is my blog and I make the rules :o)

A mini working bee was had today.  Three cars altogether and a horse float, to take all of the boxes and bags and some furniture away from the house.

We looked at another house and it has been offered to BGWLBH if she wants it, so she will contact the owner when she returns home.

She now has two possibilities, but neither are ready just yet, so that works out fine for road trips and holidays to fit in between.

There will be a birthday lunch at Deputy Daws' house tomorrow and everybody will bring some food, so that no one person has to do a lot of work.

We are looking forward to it... well ... speaking for myself ... I am looking forward to it.

We drove to the lake for the moon rise this afternoon, but because it rose at 4.40pm, there were clouds on the horizon AND the sun was still high in the sky ... it was less than spectacular.

We jumped in the car and drove to Scenic Lookout for a better view, but there was a wedding being photographed, so we had a limited area to use for photographs.

Funnily enough, we ran into Ms Nudey and her son, who was there with the same idea.  We both took candid shots of each other, which turned out quite good.

Ms Nudey's shot of me pretending to be paparazzi.

My pic of Ms Nudey taking a pic of the moon.

Ms Nudey and her cheesy grin.  She is lovely :)
I call her Ms Nudey, because she is the only person in our
104 group who has been able to get a shot of a nude human, other
than a baby.  Very tastefully done too!

Tomorrow night is full moon and it should be amazing, so we'll see what we can get.

The new challenge for the flickr group is 'Frozen in Mid-air', so I've got to come up with something a bit spectacular for that one.  I'm sure we'll find something on our ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP that will make an excellent entry.

Time to sleep.  I hope to have lots of photos of the party to share tomorrow.

Nite all.

Excited Mini Post

Well, my Rock Star Road Trip chant worked!

We are moving BGWLBH's belongings to her parent's house, then we have a few fix-ups to do here in this house and THEN we are on the move!!

By this time next week, we should be well and truly into our road trip :o)

By the time BGWLBH comes home in June/July, there will be a farm house out of town available for her (pending unforeseen circumstances of course), so she can move in before she goes back to work.

Anyway, we won't get TOO excited just yet ... but right now, things are looking up.

Tonight we went to dinner at a farm in Yenda and I found these little guys right on dusk, behind the house.

Blue Breasted Fairy Wren (male in front, female behind)

That's all for now.  I am exhausted after a big day and not much sleep last night.

Catch ya tomorrow.

Once more for good measure ... ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP   ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP   ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP

Nite all.

What was that about a road trip?

It has been a day of ups and downs.

A good news, bad news kind of day, but mostly 'nothing' news that leads us nowhere ... especially not to our road trip.  We are teetering on the brink of crazy insane frustration!!

We just need 'something' to fall into place ... one piece of the puzzle, so that everything else can fall where it should and we can move on with our long awaited holiday plan.

But the waiting continues ...

So, this morning while waiting for a 'rock star' phone call (rock star is what we call out when we want something great eg 'rock star car park'!  'rock star phone call'!) I played with a couple of shots from the weekend...

The lavender bush seems to be playground to a few different insects.  There was a beautiful butterfly resting on a flower today, but I couldn't get my camera quickly enough and he flew off before I could capture him in frame.

Two more photos from Scenic Lookout yesterday (or was it the day before?)

See the pigeon - top left??  He's the king of the world :)

We've been invited to dinner by one of BGWLBH's work colleagues tomorrow night.  She has horses and I said that I would attempt to take some good shots of her with them, so we will get there before the sun disappears and hopefully will have some shots to share on here tomorrow night.

I do know that we are having Roast Pumpkin Risotto for dinner and Tapioca Pudding with Golden Syrup for dessert.  She is vegetarian, I am gluten free and BGWLBH is allergic to seafood and nuts, so that makes for very limited choices!  How nice of her to go to so much trouble for us!

May Photo a Day Challenge - 3. Something that I wore today

I think we are having a breakfast or morning tea or lunch or something for BGWLBH's birthday on Sunday.  We were supposed to be on our road trip for her birthday, but now that we are still here, her friends and colleagues want to do 'something'.

What was that about a road trip???   Ah, the imaginary road trip.  In our heads, it was such a great road trip!  I think I'll go to bed and dream about a road trip.  If we say it out loud ... I know!!!  ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP!  ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP!  ROCK STAR ROAD TRIP!

Nite all.

Clouds Birds Turtles and Battleships

If you are a teenage boy - and I'm pretty sure that there are no teenage boys who read this blog - or if you are a male who likes 1.  Science Fiction  2.  Crap movies where American bad boys come good and save the world, and 3.  Crazy special effects and violence - then the movie 'Battleship' is for you!

It is definitely no 'Armageddon' (doesn't EVERYBODY love that movie???).

The science dude (who looked like he stepped out of The Big Bang Theory) was a shining beacon of reality and provided us with some light relief.

I guess you can tell that I am not a fan of this movie.  Glad I saw it, just to see what the hype was about, but wouldn't recommend it.

This morning, we were woken at around 5.30 - ish by thunder and lightning and heavy rain on the tin roof.  It was brief but it was loud!

The ground here is still sodden from the floods in March, so any rain that we get, lies over the ground in large puddles beside the roads for days.  This morning's storm has done just that.

So the clouds were forming over the city all day.  They would build up in dark grey clusters looking like a huge storm cell about to dump on us, but would then disappear just as quickly without a drop falling from the sky.

We decided to drive up to Scenic Hill again and try for some cloud shots from up high.

I also used this one for day 2 of the May Photo a day challenge  'Skyline'

A tree growing out of a rock!

It was nice up there, but too wet to be climbing over the rocks looking for Hermit's Cave (which I would have liked to do, because I never actually got to see it when I lived here).

Afterwards, we went to BGWLBH's parent's house and took them for a drive out to Tabitta, hoping we could find a way in to Barren Box Swamp from that end.  No such luck.

What we did see, on the way, was a number of Whistling Kites flying around high in the sky - and by 'a number', I mean 50 or 60 in about a one square kilometre area.

At first we thought they were over the garbage tip, but we turned up that road and the kites were not that far up the road.

So we stopped and I tried to get some photos.  They were very high in the sky, so the only lens that could capture them was the long 400mm and I couldn't open the lens wide enough to get more than four kites in one shot at a time.

It really was a spectacle to behold and I was disappointed that I couldn't capture it in camera.

So we drove on.  BGWLBH came to a sudden stop because there was a turtle in the middle of the road.  (I LIKE TURTLES!)  So we pulled over to the side of the road and rescued him.  We made sure to put him on the side of the road that he was heading toward and I got a photo (of course).

He was lookin' at me, but he wasn't comin' out!

Not much further up the road there was a Black Shouldered Kite hovering in the sky looking for food, so we stopped again.

I got out of the car and aimed my camera toward him and he suddenly turned and flew straight towards me!  He hovered above me briefly.  Long enough for me to get a few quick shots in and then he flew away!

As you can see, he was beautiful!  I've never seen these in Queensland where I live, so I'm going to take every opportunity for photos that I can.

That's about all I have to share for today.  We've been out for most of the day, so I haven't had much opportunity to play with my photos yet.  Perhaps I'll have a chance tomorrow.

A day filled with clouds, birds, turtles and battleships ... and now sleep.

Nite all.