Friday, September 14, 2012

Long time episode 2

Next I went back up to Geraldton, to see GP, also another dentist visit, and it ain't over yet! get a haircut from my favorite hairdresser, catch upwith son Ben and his family, so you can see I haven't stopped. Also saw tax accountant, financial planner and arthritis specialist! Finally it was down to Juien Bay for some sewing  R and R.Once again our ptchwork retreat was a great time! I wouldn,t miss it for quids. To top off a great vsit, my footy team, Fremantle Dockers are having a good run! I was soo excited to watch them beat Geelong, but alas, all good things come to an end, and last night w ended the sason a Adelaide Crows beat us.
I sadly packed up m stuff an went back to Perth for my flight back to Brisbane and to continue my travels. Not that I am sad to be still travelling! oh no! So until I get a better hang of this tablet i will close for now and hope the next blog is better! Please allow for all the mistakes and I promise I will be more organised soon. Happy Travels
 Vicki

Long

Long time

Hi to you all! Sorry this has taken so long. 2 exuses, as you will see. I have a new tablet and am sruggling with it! an d als I have been flat chat being back in WA.
I started with my qantas flight from brisbane to Perth being 2 hours late, and got worse. I left my new camera on the plane. But I will never abuse qantas again they found it fo me!! Thank you Qantas!
Meg , my friend from Geraldton, icked me up from the aipot, as she was coming down to Pinjarra to do a patchwork class wth me. It took me twodays on the phone but we finally got though and yes the camera was in Perth. After the workshop, my sisters and I celebrated Ums 98th birthday and then we all scattered! I went to Geraldton to the dentist. and both my sisters went different was to Alice Springs and Uluru!
 HAD A QUIET FEW DAYS WITH MEG, We did lots of sewing of course, I finished off 3 UFO's, they are now in the Pinjarra pachwork shop for sale. I used my mothers day gift voucher to buy more fabric, asyou do! Life was good
I drove back down south , luckily my sisters let me use their houses ven when they weren't  home.  did my shop duty and then Maxine was back from her trip, so I went down agin and saw her  and Mum again also daughter Genevieve and the grandchildren. AS Maxine is trying to sell her house, I needed to finda storage unit for the stuff I hae left at her place! That took me five trips in the car to stow away.  went ov to Donnybrook ro se other iends, just down from wintering in the north. Once again I ave had my backside glued to the car seat!  Ialso picked up my cousin  from A who was ov to see family, and took her down to see mum.

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Reunion Time

Hi All,
I left the motorhoming group behind and travelled back over some old ground to meet Carol and Rob, friends from WA, who I meet up with every now and then. The deal was to get together at a "cheap" camp , called Cobb and Co, near Gympie, only 10dollars for me, as a single, not sure what they paid.  Lovely grounds, a billabong, trees and camp fireplaces, pay for wood. Rob went fossicking! But did it get cold!!It was freezing! We had the campfire, and they cooked a wonderful roast chook with veges in the camp oven. Carol and I got stuck into the sparkling shiraz, a bit of a favourite with us!!Came the morning , our host came over with what I thought was a pane of glass, and it was ice!! about 1/4 inch thick! So we were still wearing all out winter gear!! Next morning it was map studying time and we made the decision to travel about 30 kms to Kandanga Bowling Club, where we hoped to get a powered sit as it was so cold. I had stayed there twice before already! That was a good decision as they just want a donation, and we had power. also we got there on Friday and they have a lovely meal on fri nights, plus raffles, which I won Rob a 6 pack of beer! Stayed there 2 nights and drove into Gympie for shopping and gas bottle refills. Rob is like Doug used to be, he doesn't mind shopping, he likes to look around at all the bits and pieces just like we do, and even found me a fabric shop for me to get some fabric for my wa workshop!
Still very cold , so we opted to go back (for me) to Kennilworth, home of the gorgeous cheeses and yummy yoghurt and icecream. Once again we had power, amd the ground was dry, this time. (this is where I bought my wellington boots). Carol and rob thought the cheeses and yoghurts were just as delicious as I did, so that was a good decision. We scrounged some wood, read Rob for we, and had a campfire, where I finally christened my camp oven! worked a treat too, but its a bit small for 3 of us! We stayed 3 nights there as we are both filling in time. Finally we said goodbye to the hinterland and headed to the coast and hopefully some warmer nights. We booked into Caloundra Big 4 (I think) for 3 nights , it was all we could get! The park was closed this time last year when I tried to stay at it for renovations, they apparently spent a few million on it but still don't put the sullage traps close enough! This gave us great opportunities to sightsee, in Robs car, I got the chance to see some scenery without worrying if I would drive off the road! We went north as far as Marouchydore, looked aroun the canals, saw some magnificent ocean speed boats, (sorry I didn't have the camera), huge things, on specialised Low loaders, there was obviously going to be an ocean race, on the weekend. These are what we sometimes see in movies racing off miami etc.the lamborghinis of the ocean I guess, I bet there is some money tied up in them!! I also checked out a (possible) new motorhome while we were in the area, I have been feeling a little cramped with mine! Nothing that getting rid of some fabric wouldn't cure, but one can always tyre kick!! I am thinking about it. what is attractive is the guy offered me a good trade in price on mine. We'll see!!
So finally Carol and Rob and I parted company, me for brisbane and they for the Gold coast. I stayed at Aspley c.park where I stayed last year, did the usual , empty the fridge, the toilet, filled the water tanks, and packed my bags for the flight back to WA. Got in a tizz , cos I couldn't find my prescription, and was upending all my packing looking for it, before finally locating it in my handbag where I put it after the last "fill" so I wouldn't forget it!! So I am at the airport and realised I left the fridge door shut!!! Yuck when I get back! To make matters worse the plane was 2 hours late leaving. I have been really lucky with flights, I don't really know when I last had a delayed flight. Meg my friend from Geraldton picked me up from Perth as we were both doing a patchwork class down at Pinjarra, the next 2 days, and I discovered I had left my new camera on the plane!! Quel horrer!! But lucky for me Qantas had it!! 3 cheers for Qantas!!! I was able to pick it up from the terminal when I went back to Perth with Meg and picked up my hire car.
We had a great 2 days with the workshop, it was sort of the same as I had already done with the same tutor, at Dorrigo last year, But I can never get enough of tutorials. Meg, did a beautiful piece, and I just blundered along as usual! I was pretty tired and not as creative as I might have been, but I was happy with the end result.
Sister Jean and her husband Lawrie, and I went down to Busselton to meet our eldest sister, Maxine, and take Mum to lunch  for her 98th birthday on Saturday. Mum is pretty amazing really, she is still mostly on top of things, and mobile with a bit of help, when she is in unfamiliar surroundings, I am pleased to see she is still much the same as when I was last home in April. So that is good.
Jean and her husband have just bought a new caravan, and are off tomorrow for a 10 week or so , trip to SA and Uluru and Alice Springs with some friends. Maxine is off , also, flying to SA and also visiting Uluru and Alice Springs with a friend, She is also going to Kangaroo Island.
Well I think that just about brings you up to date on my doings! I trust you are all keeping well and the winter hasn;t been too hard on you, so until next time, keep smiling
Vicki

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Sunny Qld at last

Hi to all my followers,
Finally I can report Qld has turned on the sun! I can report I am starting a tan, only the front of my legs!, as I sit out in my chair in the sunshine, I only tan on  the front of my legs, definitely not a fashionable look!
I arrived at my caravan park which was really in Tewantin, and was guided into the campsite by a guy who obviously knew his stuff, but of course I have not been directed into a site before, so we had a bit of misunderstanding for a bit! He was saying "right hand down left hand down" etc, and I didn't have a clue what he meant, but it was turn steering wheel etc. When I got my ACT  together I went onto the site in one smooth motion! This was vital as the park, and Noosa, had had 10 inches of rain in the last 10 days, so everything was boggy, huge ruts of mud at the verge of each site. The folk who ignored this guys instructions chewed up the ground more as they backed and forward to get on site. I was 2 inches off the concrete annexe pad when I was parked, Really good. Over the next 10 days I was there I watched this bloke park nearly every one with just one smooth motion.
Luckily the sun started shining the next day and has stayed ever since. I met up with a lady from motorhome rally and we took the Noosa river ferry , up to Noosa heads a beautiful day, you can get on and off at the different stops, the captain was very amusing with his "patter", had some lovely fish for lunch at the yacht club. Looked at the shops at Noosa Heads, same old same old, just twice as expensive! I am getting good, didn't buy anything! She dropped me off at the park and we arranged to go to Eumundi markets together in a few days time! I just veged out, did a lot of sewing and basically enjoyed the sunshine, lots of nice people parked around me in the caravan park, every day it filled up and in the morning different ones moved out. I was able to catch a bus from outside the park up to Tewantin, it was a 40 minute walk, (no thanks), I went by bus to Noosaville, to see a podiatrist as I was having a bit of trouble with my heel, she sorted that out with acupuncture, ouch! but I am walking a lot better now.
I left Noosa behind and headed to Bundaberg to join a solo group of motorhomers to go on a tagalong trip, destination unknown, (to me!) They were a nice bunch, only 5 vans, 4 ladies and a chap. we met at the Botanic gardens and off we went. Stopped the first night at Granite Rest area, quite nice , but very noisy from the traffic, a lot of vans pulled in, and more came in through the night! Then we headed off to Miriamvale and then Calliope. We parked beside the river at a free camp and went to the Calliope markets, they were over sat and sun, big markets, Sunday was the better day, more locals stuff. You need to get into that campsite early on market weekends, we were lucky to get 5 sites near each other. we had a small brazier fire at night. It was freezing! but gorgeous sunny days!The chap left us from there, he had to go North and the next day one of the ladies also parted company as she had  to meet someone. So just 3 of us continued on to Ubobo, a really nice place, The discovery centre, not in  camps books yet, but really well set up. We had access to bathrooms with Hot water, a laundry, free!, and flat screen tv to watch the Olympics!, power $12.00, no power $10.00 I think it was good value, they even gave us a password for the internet! Big problem is no mobile coverage. So that was another lovely couple of days and nights, frost! I then went up to 1770 and Agnes water with one of the ladies, I thought we were going to stay the night, but we just had a look! lovely beach, not as white sand as we have in wa! Then I followed her to her home in South Kolan, her son is a cane farmer and ginger, I am now trying to get someone to fix my roof hatch that has got a problem. So that is all  for now  I will next send from WA as I fly back in 10 days ! Regards
 vicki

Saturday, July 14, 2012

Quilting at Eumundi

 Day 3 quilt
 Day 1 quilt, I have finished the central block.
 day 2 quilt, combined techniques
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Quilting at Eumundi

Hi All, This is one mainly for the quilters!
I arrived at Eumundi in Qld, on a wet and miserable day, drove to the showgrounds/camping spot. Only to find the solid ground was on a quite heavy slope, and because of the the oval was not available! Great! I parked on the least sloping section after driving all over the area! Spent the night dragging my bedding back onto the bed! Not a happy vegemite! Thursday I drove back into town to have a look at the place where the quilting was and a parking place was available and fairly flat, Got back to the showgrounds and the caretaker had tried to make me a ramp to drive up onto to get a bit more level. Not very successful, but I guess he got marks for trying!  In the meantime the rain was still pouring down, (and did I say it was no power?). I had my first moment of depression in the whole trip, I thought, what am I doing here in the rain and cold? Vicki go home! Well I had paid for my workshop , so I wasn't not doing that! Friday morning bright and early I headed into town and parked at the school hall , got a fairly flat spot, only took up one "official" parking space, as I overhung some bare ground. Took my stuff into the hall and we were off. A lovely bunch of ladies doing the same quilts as me, from all over Australia  and a lady from Nz. So I missed out as the most travelled to get there! My sister Maxine's friend Heather, came over from WA, It was through her I was there> I had never heard of it. Not surprising as it was the first event. I think it will be a goer though!
I was booked in to do a Karen Styles quilt, she is from Somerset Quilting/patchwork? Her quilts are reproduction ones, as ypou will see from the photos, fairly intricate, and done by hand! (another one!) First day was a lovely Lemoyne star quilt. I managed to achieve one star and half of a 2nd! Friday night there was a meal and a"trunk " show, where the tutors show their work, from suitcases! I took lots of photos, generally got someones head in them. I went off to bed in the car park, ready to pay first thing in the morning as the "famous" Eumundi markets were on and the school makes money by charging for the parking. We were warned to pay up, no arguing, and the quilt people would refund us our parking money. I was quite happy to pay up to 20 dollars, However the man made me move to another area and only took $5. Problem was he moved me to a shady spot, and remember this was day 5 without power and no sun! When we came out from 2nd day of sewing and I moved the van back to my original spot, I was on flashing battery warning. I showered quickly and changed as we went out to dinner, and after wards went to bed and read by torchlight! Day 2 in quilting was an unusual, theme, Each of the 3 tutors taught their techniques, on one overall quilt, moving around the room , so each person got 2 hours from each tutor, but only working on one quilt. Does that make sense? Anyway, another handmade quilt, some different methods, more fabric, more templates, english paper piecing, etc , get the picture? Day 3 another quilt!, fabric, templates, english paper piecing, hand piecing, reproduction fabrics! All these quilts are at least 60", mine of course, are 80 and 90 ", never do things by halves when you can do it the hard way. Now I have 4 reproduction quilts on the go, but I don't need anything else! who can believe that? So endeth the Eumundi lesson!
Next on the agenda, was catching up with various motorhoming groups in some nearby places as I am booked into Noosa, for 10 days from Monday. First I went to Kandanga, bowling club, very welcoming group, had dinner at the club for a very reasonable cost, spent a few days there then drove around in a circle to Kenilworth, via Buderim, the ginger factory and across the road to  the chocolate and Macadamia nut factory!! Filled the fridge with goodies!! Kennilworth has a great cheese factory, with lovely goodies also, including wonderful icecreams and other wonderful things to eat. (Its a wonder I am able to lose weight at all, even maintaining it would be a miracle considering all the fabulous tastes I have been trying!) but I am! losing a bit gradually. that is.
Met more great people at these 2 motorhoming chapter gatherings, everyone is so welcoming. doesn't matter who or what you are, if you are driving a motorhome, it is welcome with open arms! Some even acknowledge caravanners!!
Anyway, it turned wet and cold at Kenilworth, the ground underfoot positively saturated, one was wading through deep watery grass, ugh!! I succumbed and bought gumboots, finally! Very pretty, pink with black ponies or something, one is faded so I got a good deal. Who cares if they are faded so long as I can walk in the wet conditions with my feet dry? I was going to go and visit another chapter gathering, but friends warned me it was just as wet, as Kennilworth , so I decided to come back to Kandanga, just a donation to the bowling club, I have power, and there is a combined toilet and shower, unisex, but that doesn't affect me as I use my own in the night time. Dinner at the club on Friday night and dinner at the pub Sat night!, great, monday Noosa here I come.
I hope I can put the photos in, but if not you may get them shortly. Keep your chin up and keep smiling, Love and best wishes to you all
 love vicki