Hello every one, and thank you to blogger for reminding me! It has been a fast year gone by since i last posted! Quite honestly i changed tablets and couldnt access my blog, so very lazily i stopped trying. But i am re enthused as blogger contacted me and here i am!
So life has been a huge change. I have moved into my own home at long last! That has been a huge challenge, settling down after almost 10 years on the road has been very daunting! Thank god for my patchwork community in Pinjarra, who have kept me grounded and given me friendship. At times it has been very lonely, when you are on the road there are always, new people to chat to and meet. When you live in a house , when you close your door, there is only you. But enough of that, i just keep travelling. So last year in October i left pertth to travel on the 3 Queens, fron Rome to New York, that was quite special and I met some more lovely people. As i was already over that end of the world, i decided to book a Christmas Markets River cruise, as you do! Friend Sharon flew over to join me for that, but first i had some time between, so i went to Ireland, love that country, its so beautiful. Even in winter. I hired a car and travelled around a few areas i hadnt been to before, including the Cliffs of Moher, gorgeous! And managed to grab a ticket to an Andre Rieu concert in Dublin. Was going to add a photo, but have forgotten how!
So christmas markets cruise was fantastic, we finally flew home on Christmas day, unfortunately i came home with pneumonia, took me a bit to get back on my feet, but again i was champing at the bit!
Finally nade the big decision to sell doigs donga, my motorhome has gone to a new home in NS W! Very sad day, but i didnt have anywhere to park it, and it was too much money tied up.
February saw Kath and I off to Singapore on a quick cruise, then May i had my usual retreat to Jurien, with patchworkers, June i went down to Esperance, for a judy neimeyer workshop, thats foundation pieced patchwork, and then went to Dwellingup for pinjarra patchworkers retreat at Banksia Springs, only got in last 3 days of that, but usual great fun. August brought me on my way to South Australia, to visit a couple of friends, but mainly to visit with my cousin Pauline to learn about family tree research. As next month, that is in 3 weeks, I am off to UK for a cruise to Russia, and following that a cruise to norway with hopes of sseeing the Northern Lights. I have a gap in between, so i am heading to Scotland hoping to solve a family mystery! So there we gave it a quick over view of my last year! Now i have got back into my blog, i promise more info more often! Cheers
Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
World cruise 2017
Hi folks , here i am as promised . Bringing you up to date .
We sailed a day late as the ship encountered heavy seas in the Australian bight, so i boarded on saturday in fremantle.
My cabin is a bit smaller than i have previously had, but as i am on my own its not too bad, wardrobe a little crowded but thats normal for me. I am on a table with 4 single ladies from all states, and 1 man! Poor devil, he doesnt get a word in!2 of the ladies come from Portland in Victoria, one works in a pharmacy, and probably knows graeme and hazel coysh, she is Pamela and works in the Amcal pharmacy. Iam going to the craft sessions, knitting scarves and socks until now, changed over to making jewellry from now as its too hot to knit. We had a full on pirate drill a couple of days ago, they must be acting up again, we arent allowed on deck from sunset to sunrise, no lights to show, all curtains drawn. They have the water hoses ready and the somic whistles , guards on deck looking for any problems all day . I didnt do anything new in colombo.had a swim, and a massage. We have lovely waiters and a sweet young girl is my cabin steward. All filipino.
The biggest problem of my trip was the fact i left all my undies and bras behind, when i packed! Lucky i brought my used ones from friday and one other set i was wearing! So i spend every night washing them out i have quite worn them out! I cant wait to get into dubai tomorrow and get some new ones! Course its ramadan, so dont know how much will be open? Got my fingers crossed! Well thats all for this fornight and the end of the first leg of my journey, more coming as the journey continues. Love vicki
We sailed a day late as the ship encountered heavy seas in the Australian bight, so i boarded on saturday in fremantle.
My cabin is a bit smaller than i have previously had, but as i am on my own its not too bad, wardrobe a little crowded but thats normal for me. I am on a table with 4 single ladies from all states, and 1 man! Poor devil, he doesnt get a word in!2 of the ladies come from Portland in Victoria, one works in a pharmacy, and probably knows graeme and hazel coysh, she is Pamela and works in the Amcal pharmacy. Iam going to the craft sessions, knitting scarves and socks until now, changed over to making jewellry from now as its too hot to knit. We had a full on pirate drill a couple of days ago, they must be acting up again, we arent allowed on deck from sunset to sunrise, no lights to show, all curtains drawn. They have the water hoses ready and the somic whistles , guards on deck looking for any problems all day . I didnt do anything new in colombo.had a swim, and a massage. We have lovely waiters and a sweet young girl is my cabin steward. All filipino.
The biggest problem of my trip was the fact i left all my undies and bras behind, when i packed! Lucky i brought my used ones from friday and one other set i was wearing! So i spend every night washing them out i have quite worn them out! I cant wait to get into dubai tomorrow and get some new ones! Course its ramadan, so dont know how much will be open? Got my fingers crossed! Well thats all for this fornight and the end of the first leg of my journey, more coming as the journey continues. Love vicki
Saturday, April 15, 2017
2017
Hello folks!
Very long time no write!
So back in september last year I came home to west Australia. Caught up with some of you. Travelled up to geraldton to stay with Meg, while i had my cataracts done. All went well. But in november, mum went downhill, so i flew down, leaving the motorhome at geraldton. Sadly she passed away, on november 22nd, after a long and eventful life at 102 and 4 months. Both my sisters were present, maxine flying in from Tahiti, interrupting her cruise.
After i flew back to geraldton to collect the motorhome, and have my postop appointment, i went to jarrahdale to house sit. I kept up with my patchworking group at pinjarra, spent a few days with the solo motorhome group at waroona, then did another house sit at north yunderup. I spent another few days with t h e solo group at lancelin and back to geraldton,for some more appointments. Which brings me to April.
Aagh! I have forgotten how to put photos in! The plan was forfor Meg and I ,and dee and her neighbour and Angie and herher husbsnd to go on a patchwork cruise from Sydney to South Islsnd NZ. We flew over and spent a night in sydney before boarding celebrity solstice. In the queue, Meg discovered she had her husbands passport, instead of her own! After several hours of help from shore staff, it was decided she would fly home. Tragic! Then she had to wait for a coupl e more hours for her luggage to be found and unloaded. We all felt for her.
So now i am at sydney airport waiting for myflight to b e called, been upgraded to business! Lucky as i h ad a bit extra luggage!
Next 40 days until i board sea princess, then the blog will keep happening.
Happy Easter everyone!
Very long time no write!
So back in september last year I came home to west Australia. Caught up with some of you. Travelled up to geraldton to stay with Meg, while i had my cataracts done. All went well. But in november, mum went downhill, so i flew down, leaving the motorhome at geraldton. Sadly she passed away, on november 22nd, after a long and eventful life at 102 and 4 months. Both my sisters were present, maxine flying in from Tahiti, interrupting her cruise.
After i flew back to geraldton to collect the motorhome, and have my postop appointment, i went to jarrahdale to house sit. I kept up with my patchworking group at pinjarra, spent a few days with the solo motorhome group at waroona, then did another house sit at north yunderup. I spent another few days with t h e solo group at lancelin and back to geraldton,for some more appointments. Which brings me to April.
Aagh! I have forgotten how to put photos in! The plan was forfor Meg and I ,and dee and her neighbour and Angie and herher husbsnd to go on a patchwork cruise from Sydney to South Islsnd NZ. We flew over and spent a night in sydney before boarding celebrity solstice. In the queue, Meg discovered she had her husbands passport, instead of her own! After several hours of help from shore staff, it was decided she would fly home. Tragic! Then she had to wait for a coupl e more hours for her luggage to be found and unloaded. We all felt for her.
So now i am at sydney airport waiting for myflight to b e called, been upgraded to business! Lucky as i h ad a bit extra luggage!
Next 40 days until i board sea princess, then the blog will keep happening.
Happy Easter everyone!
Friday, August 12, 2016
Travel within travel, part 2
Hi all, well a couple of days became a month, but whose Counting!
So I continue, we spent 2 nights at Birds ville, then 2 nights at Innaminka, 2 nights at Tibooburra, and 1 night at Hungerford. We crisscrossed in and out of Queensland and South Australia, all on dirt roads, visiting important historical sites from explorers Burke and Wills, travels, including their burial sites, or rather the sites where they died. It's a tragic story, as they missed their support team, by hours and so perished in the outback. Most older Australians would have been schooled in the history of our early explorers, but perhaps less so with our modern curriculum.
Because of the rains, we had fabulous vistas of yellow, white and pinky mauve wildflowers as far as the eye could see, and all so Green! Most unusual. Graham the trip leader, who I traveled with,kept saying he'd never seen it like this.
We saw lots of mobs of kangaroos, not so many emus, but quite a lot, and came across a few wedge tailed eagles. They are magnificent, but hard to catch a photo of, when one is traveling. We had a few campfires for happy hour, traveling out of town to sit around a huge fire, swapping limericks about our trip, mine were pretty Bad! As the cold desert air got to us, we learnt a trick to keep Warm! Take a good shovel full of coals and place under your camp chair, wonderful heat under your bottom and warms your Back! After Graham and I split from the group at the end of the trip, we lit campfires for our morning smoko, and lunch time breaks. Within 5 minutes we had a warm fire to sit or stand around, while we drank our coffees, plunger Too! Delicious, with an Anzac biscuit. It was a very well organized trip.
So I continue, we spent 2 nights at Birds ville, then 2 nights at Innaminka, 2 nights at Tibooburra, and 1 night at Hungerford. We crisscrossed in and out of Queensland and South Australia, all on dirt roads, visiting important historical sites from explorers Burke and Wills, travels, including their burial sites, or rather the sites where they died. It's a tragic story, as they missed their support team, by hours and so perished in the outback. Most older Australians would have been schooled in the history of our early explorers, but perhaps less so with our modern curriculum.
Because of the rains, we had fabulous vistas of yellow, white and pinky mauve wildflowers as far as the eye could see, and all so Green! Most unusual. Graham the trip leader, who I traveled with,kept saying he'd never seen it like this.
We saw lots of mobs of kangaroos, not so many emus, but quite a lot, and came across a few wedge tailed eagles. They are magnificent, but hard to catch a photo of, when one is traveling. We had a few campfires for happy hour, traveling out of town to sit around a huge fire, swapping limericks about our trip, mine were pretty Bad! As the cold desert air got to us, we learnt a trick to keep Warm! Take a good shovel full of coals and place under your camp chair, wonderful heat under your bottom and warms your Back! After Graham and I split from the group at the end of the trip, we lit campfires for our morning smoko, and lunch time breaks. Within 5 minutes we had a warm fire to sit or stand around, while we drank our coffees, plunger Too! Delicious, with an Anzac biscuit. It was a very well organized trip.
After our arrival back at Charleville, I caught up with my laundry, picked up my repaired wheel nuts and restored my hubcaps to their original Beauty! And set off, heading east for a day, back to Mitchell, and then north,to injune, Rolleston and Ruby vale, via Emerald. All of these spots were filled with Grey nomads who were into gemstone fossicking. It was like the opal towns, a dozen or so jewelry shops, selling locally found Australian sapphires, mostly. I managed to restrain Myself! Some of the colours were really pretty. Next on to Clermont, where I met some lovely patchworkers, in the caravan park, who spent 3 months there as their husbands were gold prospectors, so the ladies have been meeting each other up there every year, and have joined the local group, so I did too. They had a great setup, the shire gave them a building . They left their sewing machines set up and came and went as they pleased. One of the visiting ladies I had met at Dorrigo, some years back, it's a small world when you are a Patchworkers! After a couple of days there I went on to Charters Towers, as I had my last hexagon flower to deliver from my swap group. The lady wasn't home, but her partner sent me off to her workplace, so we met and chatted for a few minutes. Then I pushed on ever northwards, heading for cairns. I had a deadline, as I was booked to fly home for my sister 70 th birthday. I drove via Greenvale and Innot Hot Springs. Another artesian pools caravan park, lovely, in the mornings the steam was rising from the creek, which was fed from the hot springs, I got almost the last site, kept getting lucky. Stayed 2 nights it was terrific to soak in 38 degree water,but jolly cold getting out and making a dash for the Showers! So finally making the last sprint to Cairns, via Mareeba in the Atherton table lands. Took me a lot of calls to find a caravan park in cairns, price ranging to 60 dollars per Night! No thank You! Finally got into top tourist park for 45.00 per night.still peak season up here. 2 nights to do my washing and pack , then out to the airport for a midnight horror flight to Perth. Not a fan of jetstar, but it's the only direct flight , so There! Then the flight was delayed, so I eventually arrive, lucky the hire car desks were still manned, I got an upgrade, again, to a Rav 4! A very nice car to sit in and drive. Spent what was left of the night at a hotel, as I had appointments in the morning, then down south to jeans. Whisked off to mum to visit on Saturday, picked up my mail, piles of it, thank you to all my hexagon swap People! Then settled into helping Kath with the catering for the birthday luncheon. 30 odd people, fork food, champagne, and gorgeous desserts. Whew! Kath did a fantastic job. Collapsed all day Monday, then off to Perth to visit John Bell for commiserating and a catchup, since his wife's funeral. It's hard, we she'd a few tears, and hugs. Then it was back to jetstar and the redeye, back to Cairns.
So I hope you are all keeping well, as I am, all the best to you until next time.
vicki
Friday, July 22, 2016
travel within travel
Hi everyone, I am back. And on a roll. Since I last blogged, I have been busy, traveling within my Travels! Does that make Sense? It does to me.
I came back from west Australia, in may after my normal april/may visit, picked up my motor home from Brisbane and continued in a westerly fashion to Dalby, spent a pleasant few days there, the caravan park is right in town, very convenient. A bit of star News! It is right opposite the qld twins house from house rules on TV! As it happened, they won, but I didn't know that then. They were very welcoming and posed for photos to my fellow traveller's, not Me! Then I was off, further west, over ground I had previously covered, towards Charleville. I paused for a few days at Mitchell, spent some time in the artesian hot spa there. Very good for my arthritis. The caravan park is a few minutes walk across a bridge to the pool. Then on to Charleville. I was there in 2014, but this time I stayed at charleville bush caravan park, about 3 km out of town,but what a great Place! Bush type sites, lovely ablution blocks, nice laundry,etc But the best bit was a great nightly camp fire, happy hour, camp oven damper several nights, camp oven dinner, sat nights, pizza night Sunday night. There was a bus to take us to town to the local RSL Monday and Thursday nights, and a very comprehensive tour of the area on several mornings. Bonnie and Charlie, are the managers, very welcoming and helpful. On arrival we were issued with our own Bath mat! That's a First! The owner, Graham, gave talks on a couple of afternoons before happy hour about the deserts and corners. Cameron, Haddon and Pepper to name a few. They also ran 4wd tag along tours. So to cut a long story short, I booked to go on the next one as a passenger with the Leader!
so I went off to drive a figure eight, sort of , to get back to charleville in a month. First stop long reach, and collect my mail. As I drove along, it started to rain, yea,the drought has broken., first rain in 5 Years! I arrive in long reach , caravan park is ankle deep in water, Yuk! But hey Rain! Great. So I book for a week, to get my mail, and next thing is terrible news,my lo very friend and wife of my kids godfather, passes away from cancer. I book to fly back west for her funeral, decide I have time to catch the train to Brisbane, that will be nice, see some different scenery, but no. Train tracks under water , etc, from Rain! So I fly, very sad time, but glad I went ba c, hugs and tears for John and his 3 sons and their lovely wives and grandchildren. Fly back after 5 days,get a a quick trip to Busselton to see Mum. Think I will go back on train, no it is still at Long reach! Fly again, long reach is isolated by road. Plod up to post office daily, chasing more mail, no, roads still closed, no Mail! Finally after about 18 or so days roads are open, I give upon mail, and head north for an abbreviated figure 8! They had about 10 inches of Rain! So I go to Winton, dinosaur country, but the roads are a mess, so I only see the stuff in Town! Julia Creek, Hughenden, then back to Winton, Barcaldine via Longreach, again, Black all, Augathella, and hello Charleville!
I am madly washing and packing , lightly, and getting some supplies, bottled water and lollies for the drive. We left 2 weeks ago, 4 couples and me. He only takes 5 vehicles max, the trip is all motel accommodated and meals. Of course I am single supplement, but hey, I won't get out to the Simpson desert on my own, so I pay my money and am grateful for the chance.
First day to Windorah, about 440 km, cabin accommodation, pretty good meal, continental breakfast, packed lunch. Off we go for the 400 plus km to Birds ville, and hitting dirt roads almost immediately. Pretty good roads though. Lots of oncoming traffic, as we have just missed "the Big Red Bash" 7000 people in the desert for a rock concert at big red, a spectacular sand dune 40 kms inland from Birdsville.! Imagine it, and it was rained out, they had to move the concert to town.! Our Birdsville accommodation is lovely, I stayed there about 5 years earlier when I did a flight tour out to Lake eyre. We spent 2 nights there, took a packed breakfast and drove up Big Red for sunrise, first lessons for everyone in 4 X 4 driving. My photos don't do it justice. And I hAve forgotten how to insert them , Again! The east side is easier to drive up, something to do with the prevailing winds, but we go inland further west to Eyre Creek, which is dry, have smoko and turn back over 20 plus dunes. It's been interesting riding with the experienced leader. He talks the others through the hard bits,encouraging the nervy, anxious ones and everyone is happy. Then we arrive back at Big red, it's a Sport! About 20 or so vehicles are there, people up the top, watching, as all the "guns" rev up and have a go. Most Fail! There is a "chicken run" for anyone who can not make it, or a slightly easier way at big red. We go up the easier way back to the top, watch some more, then a couple of our guys they want to have a go. More air out of types, some coaching from our great leader, and back down they go. 3 goes each, and they admit defeat. So our fl, fearless leader, and yours truly set off down, while our cheer squad stay on top. I am not missing out on This! Down we go, no messing around, no big run up, like some of them do, no turn arou nd, drop a few more gears, I presume, then away we go. Straight up and over in 1 Go! Boy that was Fun! I videoed it, but I think it is too big to put in here, but I will have a Go!
I will post this and continue in a c outlet of days.
I came back from west Australia, in may after my normal april/may visit, picked up my motor home from Brisbane and continued in a westerly fashion to Dalby, spent a pleasant few days there, the caravan park is right in town, very convenient. A bit of star News! It is right opposite the qld twins house from house rules on TV! As it happened, they won, but I didn't know that then. They were very welcoming and posed for photos to my fellow traveller's, not Me! Then I was off, further west, over ground I had previously covered, towards Charleville. I paused for a few days at Mitchell, spent some time in the artesian hot spa there. Very good for my arthritis. The caravan park is a few minutes walk across a bridge to the pool. Then on to Charleville. I was there in 2014, but this time I stayed at charleville bush caravan park, about 3 km out of town,but what a great Place! Bush type sites, lovely ablution blocks, nice laundry,etc But the best bit was a great nightly camp fire, happy hour, camp oven damper several nights, camp oven dinner, sat nights, pizza night Sunday night. There was a bus to take us to town to the local RSL Monday and Thursday nights, and a very comprehensive tour of the area on several mornings. Bonnie and Charlie, are the managers, very welcoming and helpful. On arrival we were issued with our own Bath mat! That's a First! The owner, Graham, gave talks on a couple of afternoons before happy hour about the deserts and corners. Cameron, Haddon and Pepper to name a few. They also ran 4wd tag along tours. So to cut a long story short, I booked to go on the next one as a passenger with the Leader!
so I went off to drive a figure eight, sort of , to get back to charleville in a month. First stop long reach, and collect my mail. As I drove along, it started to rain, yea,the drought has broken., first rain in 5 Years! I arrive in long reach , caravan park is ankle deep in water, Yuk! But hey Rain! Great. So I book for a week, to get my mail, and next thing is terrible news,my lo very friend and wife of my kids godfather, passes away from cancer. I book to fly back west for her funeral, decide I have time to catch the train to Brisbane, that will be nice, see some different scenery, but no. Train tracks under water , etc, from Rain! So I fly, very sad time, but glad I went ba c, hugs and tears for John and his 3 sons and their lovely wives and grandchildren. Fly back after 5 days,get a a quick trip to Busselton to see Mum. Think I will go back on train, no it is still at Long reach! Fly again, long reach is isolated by road. Plod up to post office daily, chasing more mail, no, roads still closed, no Mail! Finally after about 18 or so days roads are open, I give upon mail, and head north for an abbreviated figure 8! They had about 10 inches of Rain! So I go to Winton, dinosaur country, but the roads are a mess, so I only see the stuff in Town! Julia Creek, Hughenden, then back to Winton, Barcaldine via Longreach, again, Black all, Augathella, and hello Charleville!
I am madly washing and packing , lightly, and getting some supplies, bottled water and lollies for the drive. We left 2 weeks ago, 4 couples and me. He only takes 5 vehicles max, the trip is all motel accommodated and meals. Of course I am single supplement, but hey, I won't get out to the Simpson desert on my own, so I pay my money and am grateful for the chance.
First day to Windorah, about 440 km, cabin accommodation, pretty good meal, continental breakfast, packed lunch. Off we go for the 400 plus km to Birds ville, and hitting dirt roads almost immediately. Pretty good roads though. Lots of oncoming traffic, as we have just missed "the Big Red Bash" 7000 people in the desert for a rock concert at big red, a spectacular sand dune 40 kms inland from Birdsville.! Imagine it, and it was rained out, they had to move the concert to town.! Our Birdsville accommodation is lovely, I stayed there about 5 years earlier when I did a flight tour out to Lake eyre. We spent 2 nights there, took a packed breakfast and drove up Big Red for sunrise, first lessons for everyone in 4 X 4 driving. My photos don't do it justice. And I hAve forgotten how to insert them , Again! The east side is easier to drive up, something to do with the prevailing winds, but we go inland further west to Eyre Creek, which is dry, have smoko and turn back over 20 plus dunes. It's been interesting riding with the experienced leader. He talks the others through the hard bits,encouraging the nervy, anxious ones and everyone is happy. Then we arrive back at Big red, it's a Sport! About 20 or so vehicles are there, people up the top, watching, as all the "guns" rev up and have a go. Most Fail! There is a "chicken run" for anyone who can not make it, or a slightly easier way at big red. We go up the easier way back to the top, watch some more, then a couple of our guys they want to have a go. More air out of types, some coaching from our great leader, and back down they go. 3 goes each, and they admit defeat. So our fl, fearless leader, and yours truly set off down, while our cheer squad stay on top. I am not missing out on This! Down we go, no messing around, no big run up, like some of them do, no turn arou nd, drop a few more gears, I presume, then away we go. Straight up and over in 1 Go! Boy that was Fun! I videoed it, but I think it is too big to put in here, but I will have a Go!
I will post this and continue in a c outlet of days.Saturday, May 28, 2016
May time
Hello friends,
I'm not doing to badly this time, as it was March when I posted my last Blog!
So here I am filling you in since Then! I traveled up from Victoria, via the Monaco highway, a route I hadn't taken before, in my continuing effort to travel new Roads! Ended up in Cranberry, a place I had actively avoided, but I had a group of hexagon sewing ladies to swap with, so it was worth while going in to visit. I also caught up with Sue and Bruce, whom I had met on a previous cruise, they kindly let me park on their driveway for the night, we had a good chat about cruising ! Then it was off to Cowra to meet with the solo group of motor homers, the Blue Wrens, filling in time before we went to Forbes for the solo rally. Had a good 5 or so days there, was parked next to an interesting chap, who has been involved in the music industry, and also a bit of a fly boy. Had some very interesting chats with him, we had a few meals at the club, and pubs. Mostly nice weather, but we got caught with a torrential downpour, while we were at lunch one day, and when we got home, I had my roof hatches open, so my bed was pretty damp, not counting my table, with my sewing stuff all over It! Oh well it was a good test of my leaking slide out, but that was ok.
Next on to Forbes rally, where I was a volunteer, in the craft section, which was pretty quiet, I showed 2 ladies how to make my little triangle containers, there was a lot more interest in Margarets knitted blanket patterns. A good time was held by all. I managed to win some meat raffles at the Rsl Club. Stuffed my freezer full of beautiful pork. Then it was back on the road again. Heading for Mike and Hazel place up on the central coast. But before then I had to manage camping with Easter, being around the c order. I stopped off in a little town and got the last site at their caravan park, it was full of dog trials People! The Nsw, state sheepdog trials were on. There must have been 80 or more border cOllie dogs in the park, with their masters of course, but not a peep out of any of them. So we'll behaved I was Astonished! I walked over to the show grounds and watched them several days, it was quite interesting seeing t hem being worked. I kept thinking of "Babe", the Movie! Folk from all over Australia, not that I found any Western Australians, but I guess someone was there. A nice couple from Brisbane outskirts, offered me parking on their property for when I flew home. But as it turned out it didn't happen . So I carried on and met hazel and mike at Mudgee, where we travel led on together to a friend of theirs farm, where we stopped for a few days, very tranquil, beside a river, which mike said they still got a bit of gold from, if you got Lucky! What a shame Doug Wasn't around! He would have been down there Panning! So we continued on back to the central coast in tandem. I stopped and collected some mail from their place, had a good catchup, but I didn't do any beading,which was quite a change, I think we both have been "beaded out", since we finished the cruise, and of c ourse I am full on with my hexagon sewing, at the moment.
I meandered my way north, on the new England highway, heading for Brisbane ready for my flight home to catch up with the family, and my regular patchwork retreat. First I had to find somewhere to park the motor home, as my offer from my dog people had fallen through as they had a family illness to deal with. I ended up in a storage facility, quite a reasonable price, and I was able to have power on, as my freezer was full of all that darned meat from my raffles I kept Winning! Thank god for that. So I flew home and was upgraded to business, Whee! But as usual when I fly west, I can't get on the booze, cause I am picking up a hire car. Darn It!
Stayed overnight in Perth at a hotel, as I had Dr's appointments next morning, then drove down to jeans. This trip was a bit difficult as jean was doing renovations at their place and they were in their caravan, so I was off to the farmer neighbours house to Sleep! I whipped c own t of Busselton to see mum, staying with Kathy for a few days. Then we had our retreat, at swanleigh, a beautiful place , great food, comfortable beds, and Cosy workroom. We managed to put together another lovely quilt t for charity again. It was great to catch up with the girls again, very sad to see Jill still battling with her ill health, but she came each day, to sew a bit. I think we are all praying for her, and her family. After some more time down at busselton, it was time to go north to Geraldton, I had appointments with ophthalmologist, who I worked with, I need my cataracts done. Had a lovely visit with meg, and the Geraldton sewing girls, also son Ben and his family. Their youngest Lali, was 13, this week, quite the grown up young lady . We had a nice Mothers Day lunch, as Ben was off in a surfing competition.
That brings you almost up to date with my travels, will save the rest for next Blog! Keep well and to those of you not well, my prayers for a good recovery. Love and hugs,
vicki
I'm not doing to badly this time, as it was March when I posted my last Blog!
So here I am filling you in since Then! I traveled up from Victoria, via the Monaco highway, a route I hadn't taken before, in my continuing effort to travel new Roads! Ended up in Cranberry, a place I had actively avoided, but I had a group of hexagon sewing ladies to swap with, so it was worth while going in to visit. I also caught up with Sue and Bruce, whom I had met on a previous cruise, they kindly let me park on their driveway for the night, we had a good chat about cruising ! Then it was off to Cowra to meet with the solo group of motor homers, the Blue Wrens, filling in time before we went to Forbes for the solo rally. Had a good 5 or so days there, was parked next to an interesting chap, who has been involved in the music industry, and also a bit of a fly boy. Had some very interesting chats with him, we had a few meals at the club, and pubs. Mostly nice weather, but we got caught with a torrential downpour, while we were at lunch one day, and when we got home, I had my roof hatches open, so my bed was pretty damp, not counting my table, with my sewing stuff all over It! Oh well it was a good test of my leaking slide out, but that was ok.
Next on to Forbes rally, where I was a volunteer, in the craft section, which was pretty quiet, I showed 2 ladies how to make my little triangle containers, there was a lot more interest in Margarets knitted blanket patterns. A good time was held by all. I managed to win some meat raffles at the Rsl Club. Stuffed my freezer full of beautiful pork. Then it was back on the road again. Heading for Mike and Hazel place up on the central coast. But before then I had to manage camping with Easter, being around the c order. I stopped off in a little town and got the last site at their caravan park, it was full of dog trials People! The Nsw, state sheepdog trials were on. There must have been 80 or more border cOllie dogs in the park, with their masters of course, but not a peep out of any of them. So we'll behaved I was Astonished! I walked over to the show grounds and watched them several days, it was quite interesting seeing t hem being worked. I kept thinking of "Babe", the Movie! Folk from all over Australia, not that I found any Western Australians, but I guess someone was there. A nice couple from Brisbane outskirts, offered me parking on their property for when I flew home. But as it turned out it didn't happen . So I carried on and met hazel and mike at Mudgee, where we travel led on together to a friend of theirs farm, where we stopped for a few days, very tranquil, beside a river, which mike said they still got a bit of gold from, if you got Lucky! What a shame Doug Wasn't around! He would have been down there Panning! So we continued on back to the central coast in tandem. I stopped and collected some mail from their place, had a good catchup, but I didn't do any beading,which was quite a change, I think we both have been "beaded out", since we finished the cruise, and of c ourse I am full on with my hexagon sewing, at the moment.
I meandered my way north, on the new England highway, heading for Brisbane ready for my flight home to catch up with the family, and my regular patchwork retreat. First I had to find somewhere to park the motor home, as my offer from my dog people had fallen through as they had a family illness to deal with. I ended up in a storage facility, quite a reasonable price, and I was able to have power on, as my freezer was full of all that darned meat from my raffles I kept Winning! Thank god for that. So I flew home and was upgraded to business, Whee! But as usual when I fly west, I can't get on the booze, cause I am picking up a hire car. Darn It!
Stayed overnight in Perth at a hotel, as I had Dr's appointments next morning, then drove down to jeans. This trip was a bit difficult as jean was doing renovations at their place and they were in their caravan, so I was off to the farmer neighbours house to Sleep! I whipped c own t of Busselton to see mum, staying with Kathy for a few days. Then we had our retreat, at swanleigh, a beautiful place , great food, comfortable beds, and Cosy workroom. We managed to put together another lovely quilt t for charity again. It was great to catch up with the girls again, very sad to see Jill still battling with her ill health, but she came each day, to sew a bit. I think we are all praying for her, and her family. After some more time down at busselton, it was time to go north to Geraldton, I had appointments with ophthalmologist, who I worked with, I need my cataracts done. Had a lovely visit with meg, and the Geraldton sewing girls, also son Ben and his family. Their youngest Lali, was 13, this week, quite the grown up young lady . We had a nice Mothers Day lunch, as Ben was off in a surfing competition.
That brings you almost up to date with my travels, will save the rest for next Blog! Keep well and to those of you not well, my prayers for a good recovery. Love and hugs,
vicki
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Start of new year 2016
The fires delayed my departure, as 2 highways were closed due to the damage. I eventually was ready to leave on 24th January. I started slowly as I was pretty tired. Took 3 nights to cross the nullabor. I had nice weather, luckily, not too hot. I had problems, Again! Water Pump stopped, just a switch, fixed in port August a. Fridge playing up, had that looked at in port August a, but still problems, need to get to adelaide. The gps died. Oh well, what's New?
I drove to a delayed via Laura, to visit with yvonne and Ken, then south to Elizabeth, to visit Geoffrey and adele. Thank god for good friends, the fridge was going to take at least a week, 40 degree heat, whoa, cant live without a fridge. So I moved in with Geoffrey and a dele until it was fixed. Finally sorted and I am on my way again. Now I am trying to catch up with friends who are sewing hexagons. I visit Bute, Robe, and then stop off at Portland. Visiting Hazel and Graham. While there the hot water system Died! I get that fixed and leave to head north to visit some more sewing ladies. So I called into balranald, and then Talbot, Where I had some lovely times with my hexagon ladies. The photo is of my hand made hexagon quilt, I am on the last 3 borders. I have also become a member of an international hexagon swap. Having a great time sewing them and posting around the world. Am presently at loch, in victoria, visiting my good friends Glenda and ray, with their son Brad, who has just sorted out my photo problem. Yeah. N ow let's see if I can do it again, next blog! I am stopping now while I am in Front! Wishing you all good health and good luck! Vicki
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Merry Christmas, Early!
Hello Everyone!
Even I should be ashamed of Myself! 4 months gone since I last Blogged! So here I go trying to catch you all up with my coming and going!
Since July and Scotland, we cruised to Iceland , and had the most fantastic swim in the hot Blue Lagoon, very weird, with icy cold air and hot hot Water! Some people smothered their skin with white clay type mud, apparently good for skin conditions. No Thanks! The change rooms were a struggle, Scandinavians being totally Uninhibited! The aussies trying to change under a Towel! Haha! We missed going to Halifax in Canada as we had to travel quite slowly due to the amount of ice in the sea lanes, Never mind better safe than doing a Titanic! NEW York was a great time, arrival a nightmare the yanks decided we had to all clear the ship for immigration purposes before we could re board. At 1.00 am. Very hot and not at all comfortable in the "terminal"! Hazel and Mike and I made up for it the next day, getting ourselves more beading stock from the garment district. Then we did a cruise tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Next port was Charleston, southern Belles! Beautiful architecture, the homes were lovely I did a horse carriage ride. So saw them up close.
After a few days at sea we came to the Caribbean, dropping into Curacao, remember blue lagoon/blue moon Cocktails? A lovely spot with many colourful buildings. Then on to Cartagena, home of Emeralds! , Hazel and I did a jewelry making excursion there, raw cut emeralds and silver wire, I was very awkward, but we had Helpers! Then on to the magnificent Panama Canal, we could see the new canal being built beside the 2 current canals, should be opened in a year or so. I believe.
South America was next on the agenda, somewhere totally new to me. I finally got the chance to buy myself my Panama hat, which I have been hanging outt to do for years. Always been to stingy to key one before. But decided to bite the bullet and get One! Ha ended up with 4, some of course are Gifts! But I love them, watch do he people weaving them, take some a couple of days To each to make each one, and the amount they get paid for them is pretty small. The beauty of them is they fold up and don't break, Beautiful. So that was Ecuador, then on to Chile, and I took a few days off ship to go to Macchu Pitch, an expensive trip but a big tick on the bucket list. We were warned about preparing for altitude sickness, no booze before and while we were up there. That was a Drama! We were also advised to drink the coca tea whenever offered as it would ease the Symptoms! Didn't notice that, but it could have been Worse! So I drank gallons of coca tea, ate packets of coca lollies, and hoped when I got home and had my blood test, I wouldn't look like a crack Head! The symptoms were pretty horrendous, of altitude sickness, heart banging like mad in my chest, breathless, of course, huge headache, but I wasn't nauseated. We had b oxygen pumped into the hotel room at night, so got a bit of sleep, but over all it was still with the Discomfort! I Think! The scenery up the mountains was spectacular, amazing how the incas built these places, but I didn't realize it was only about 600/700 years Old! I was under the impression it was similar to the pyramids, but all the same the history and stories were fascinating. Glad to be back on board 3 days later at the next port. Then more sea days and Easter island, again very interesting. Pitcairn island, had the islanders coming out to the ship, for a show on board and they brought their crafts for us to buy from them.
Then on to Tahiti, Samoa , Nz, and finally Sydney, where there was a big turn around of passengers. Including me losing the company of Hazel. Mike had flown back to to Australia, from Chile as his mother was very unwell. There but for the grace of God could have been Me! I helped Hazel off ship with their double lot of luggage, but Mike was waiting at the terminal to take it off our Hands!
I traveled on around the north of Australia, with many new passengers, and our dining table finally had a full complement. Some more lovely people to interact with. Although we missed out on going in to Geraldton, too rough for Tendering! We arrived back in Fremantle, 114 days after leaving , and a bit extra Luggage!
Next day Jean took me down to Busselton to see Mum, who turned 101 in august, I was thrilled she still remembered Me! Wanted to know when I was going to settle down and put all this travel behind me and "get a job"? I am still laughing about That! But she has got it into her head and every time I see her she asks, get a job Yet? No Way! I have caught up with many friends and all the family, as I write this, and am back into the swing of my motor home. I went to the solo rally at Wagon, and followed it up with the National motor home rally at Albany, which was disappointing as it drizzled all day everyday. But the company was great. Been up to Geraldton to visit my friends and son Ben and his family, caught up with Genevieve and newish, grand daughter Jamaica, who was 1 last month. What a cutie, red haired and gorgeous.
I have been patchwork in with my pinjarra and Geraldton friends, getting stuck into my insanity quilt, which is moving along nicely, got my 2 border nearly finished, only about 6 more to go.
Kathy and I have booked a Christmas cruise from Fremantle to Indonesia, so will be away for Christmas, back on Jan 4th. Then it will be off east to make the big push into North Queensland. And maybe finally finish the lap Around oz!
On a sombre note, I am devastated at the news from Paris and the tragic events there. I pray the world will find peace before we end up in another world war. For all my friends and family suffering in any way, may you have a peaceful and healthy and happy Christmas.
love
vicki
Even I should be ashamed of Myself! 4 months gone since I last Blogged! So here I go trying to catch you all up with my coming and going!
Since July and Scotland, we cruised to Iceland , and had the most fantastic swim in the hot Blue Lagoon, very weird, with icy cold air and hot hot Water! Some people smothered their skin with white clay type mud, apparently good for skin conditions. No Thanks! The change rooms were a struggle, Scandinavians being totally Uninhibited! The aussies trying to change under a Towel! Haha! We missed going to Halifax in Canada as we had to travel quite slowly due to the amount of ice in the sea lanes, Never mind better safe than doing a Titanic! NEW York was a great time, arrival a nightmare the yanks decided we had to all clear the ship for immigration purposes before we could re board. At 1.00 am. Very hot and not at all comfortable in the "terminal"! Hazel and Mike and I made up for it the next day, getting ourselves more beading stock from the garment district. Then we did a cruise tour to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Next port was Charleston, southern Belles! Beautiful architecture, the homes were lovely I did a horse carriage ride. So saw them up close.
After a few days at sea we came to the Caribbean, dropping into Curacao, remember blue lagoon/blue moon Cocktails? A lovely spot with many colourful buildings. Then on to Cartagena, home of Emeralds! , Hazel and I did a jewelry making excursion there, raw cut emeralds and silver wire, I was very awkward, but we had Helpers! Then on to the magnificent Panama Canal, we could see the new canal being built beside the 2 current canals, should be opened in a year or so. I believe.
South America was next on the agenda, somewhere totally new to me. I finally got the chance to buy myself my Panama hat, which I have been hanging outt to do for years. Always been to stingy to key one before. But decided to bite the bullet and get One! Ha ended up with 4, some of course are Gifts! But I love them, watch do he people weaving them, take some a couple of days To each to make each one, and the amount they get paid for them is pretty small. The beauty of them is they fold up and don't break, Beautiful. So that was Ecuador, then on to Chile, and I took a few days off ship to go to Macchu Pitch, an expensive trip but a big tick on the bucket list. We were warned about preparing for altitude sickness, no booze before and while we were up there. That was a Drama! We were also advised to drink the coca tea whenever offered as it would ease the Symptoms! Didn't notice that, but it could have been Worse! So I drank gallons of coca tea, ate packets of coca lollies, and hoped when I got home and had my blood test, I wouldn't look like a crack Head! The symptoms were pretty horrendous, of altitude sickness, heart banging like mad in my chest, breathless, of course, huge headache, but I wasn't nauseated. We had b oxygen pumped into the hotel room at night, so got a bit of sleep, but over all it was still with the Discomfort! I Think! The scenery up the mountains was spectacular, amazing how the incas built these places, but I didn't realize it was only about 600/700 years Old! I was under the impression it was similar to the pyramids, but all the same the history and stories were fascinating. Glad to be back on board 3 days later at the next port. Then more sea days and Easter island, again very interesting. Pitcairn island, had the islanders coming out to the ship, for a show on board and they brought their crafts for us to buy from them.
Then on to Tahiti, Samoa , Nz, and finally Sydney, where there was a big turn around of passengers. Including me losing the company of Hazel. Mike had flown back to to Australia, from Chile as his mother was very unwell. There but for the grace of God could have been Me! I helped Hazel off ship with their double lot of luggage, but Mike was waiting at the terminal to take it off our Hands!
I traveled on around the north of Australia, with many new passengers, and our dining table finally had a full complement. Some more lovely people to interact with. Although we missed out on going in to Geraldton, too rough for Tendering! We arrived back in Fremantle, 114 days after leaving , and a bit extra Luggage!
Next day Jean took me down to Busselton to see Mum, who turned 101 in august, I was thrilled she still remembered Me! Wanted to know when I was going to settle down and put all this travel behind me and "get a job"? I am still laughing about That! But she has got it into her head and every time I see her she asks, get a job Yet? No Way! I have caught up with many friends and all the family, as I write this, and am back into the swing of my motor home. I went to the solo rally at Wagon, and followed it up with the National motor home rally at Albany, which was disappointing as it drizzled all day everyday. But the company was great. Been up to Geraldton to visit my friends and son Ben and his family, caught up with Genevieve and newish, grand daughter Jamaica, who was 1 last month. What a cutie, red haired and gorgeous.
I have been patchwork in with my pinjarra and Geraldton friends, getting stuck into my insanity quilt, which is moving along nicely, got my 2 border nearly finished, only about 6 more to go.
Kathy and I have booked a Christmas cruise from Fremantle to Indonesia, so will be away for Christmas, back on Jan 4th. Then it will be off east to make the big push into North Queensland. And maybe finally finish the lap Around oz!
On a sombre note, I am devastated at the news from Paris and the tragic events there. I pray the world will find peace before we end up in another world war. For all my friends and family suffering in any way, may you have a peaceful and healthy and happy Christmas.
love
vicki
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Bonnie Scotland
HI Folks,
here I am in bonnie Scotland, getting ready to leave continental Europe behind, and head for the Americas. Since leaving Greece, we have sailed into Turkey at Kusadasi and Istanbul l, also visited Anzac Cove for a moving ceremony, then on to Venice. I just wandered around on my own at Kusadasi, but in Istanbul Hazel and Mike and I went into the city on the shuttle, and explored the Blue Mosque, and the grand Bazaar! It hasn't changed since 2003. Loved it then and loved it now, at least I didn't buy any more Carpets! Then it was Venice! What can I Say! Fantastic! We walked my feet into the ground, I was absolutely kNaked! Bought quite a bit of venetian glass, " murano" . We stayed overnight there and the next morning, hazel and mike and I did a trip to mural island to see the glass blowers in action,shockingly Expensive! Then we went over to Brand island, where the lace workers Are! Gorgeous, but we didn't have enough time to explore thoroughly.
After leaving Venice we stopped at Dubrovnik, my legs were playing up, after all the Venetian walking, so I can celled my tour and just went into town on the shuttle and wandered for a few hours, then came back on board for a well earned leg massage and treatment. Absolutely Fabulous! I booked more for after the big shore Days! To keep me mobile. I have discovered that cobblestones are murder on your legs and Ankles! The walled old city of Dubrovnik was fascinating, another place to ad to the bucket list.
Instead of getting smaller as I travel, it is actually getting Longer! Then we had Rome, livorno, for Florence and Pisa, then Barcelona and Lisbon. WELL Barcelona just blew me away. What a lovely city, mostly architecturally art nouveau period, different from art deco, really beautiful buildings, and the laws don't allow anyone to change the front ages , at least. Which means the whole place is protected. I did a tour up into the mountainside to Montserrat,a benedictine monastery, where I tasted their wine/liqueur, tasted like our benediction, but cheaper, so I bought a bottle. Also fantastic cheese and salami, for my pre dinner drinking nibbles. Have been able to pad out my minibar supply with a few from ashore, so that is a blessing.
Oh backtracking, when in Rome, the Vatican square was blocked off, Andre Bocelli was giving a concert for the Pope. Wasn't that what happened when we were there last time, with John and Judy, JEAN? Our train was beautiful, red leather seats, and air conditioned, thank god, we had the hottest weather while in that part of Europe, 36,so and 37. Pretty warm. I was absolutely wet through all day. !
Lisbon was a pretty place to visit too, Hazel and I just did a bit there as Mike has hurt his knee. Then after a good crossing of the Bay of Biscay, we landed at Le Havre, where I did a tour of Monet's Garden. Beautiful. Took a lot of photos, but there were so many visitors that I ended up buying lots of postcards, as I always had some Jap, s o head in mine. Lovely lunch in a mill house, converted to a restaurant. Then on to Rouen, Joan of Arcs Cathedral, where she was burnt at the stake. Finally crossed the channel to Southampton, then over to Cobb, Dublin and today, Greenock Scotland. Very disappointed as I hoped to catch up with my granddaughter who has come over to Scotland to be with her boyfriend, but she started training for her job at the festival in Edinburgh so she couldn't come. Never mind.
Well friends, I hope this reaches you all and finds you in good spirits. I have visited many churches and cathedrals so far and I say a prayer for you all in every one. Until the next blog, love and hugs, Vicki
here I am in bonnie Scotland, getting ready to leave continental Europe behind, and head for the Americas. Since leaving Greece, we have sailed into Turkey at Kusadasi and Istanbul l, also visited Anzac Cove for a moving ceremony, then on to Venice. I just wandered around on my own at Kusadasi, but in Istanbul Hazel and Mike and I went into the city on the shuttle, and explored the Blue Mosque, and the grand Bazaar! It hasn't changed since 2003. Loved it then and loved it now, at least I didn't buy any more Carpets! Then it was Venice! What can I Say! Fantastic! We walked my feet into the ground, I was absolutely kNaked! Bought quite a bit of venetian glass, " murano" . We stayed overnight there and the next morning, hazel and mike and I did a trip to mural island to see the glass blowers in action,shockingly Expensive! Then we went over to Brand island, where the lace workers Are! Gorgeous, but we didn't have enough time to explore thoroughly.
After leaving Venice we stopped at Dubrovnik, my legs were playing up, after all the Venetian walking, so I can celled my tour and just went into town on the shuttle and wandered for a few hours, then came back on board for a well earned leg massage and treatment. Absolutely Fabulous! I booked more for after the big shore Days! To keep me mobile. I have discovered that cobblestones are murder on your legs and Ankles! The walled old city of Dubrovnik was fascinating, another place to ad to the bucket list.
Instead of getting smaller as I travel, it is actually getting Longer! Then we had Rome, livorno, for Florence and Pisa, then Barcelona and Lisbon. WELL Barcelona just blew me away. What a lovely city, mostly architecturally art nouveau period, different from art deco, really beautiful buildings, and the laws don't allow anyone to change the front ages , at least. Which means the whole place is protected. I did a tour up into the mountainside to Montserrat,a benedictine monastery, where I tasted their wine/liqueur, tasted like our benediction, but cheaper, so I bought a bottle. Also fantastic cheese and salami, for my pre dinner drinking nibbles. Have been able to pad out my minibar supply with a few from ashore, so that is a blessing.
Oh backtracking, when in Rome, the Vatican square was blocked off, Andre Bocelli was giving a concert for the Pope. Wasn't that what happened when we were there last time, with John and Judy, JEAN? Our train was beautiful, red leather seats, and air conditioned, thank god, we had the hottest weather while in that part of Europe, 36,so and 37. Pretty warm. I was absolutely wet through all day. !
Lisbon was a pretty place to visit too, Hazel and I just did a bit there as Mike has hurt his knee. Then after a good crossing of the Bay of Biscay, we landed at Le Havre, where I did a tour of Monet's Garden. Beautiful. Took a lot of photos, but there were so many visitors that I ended up buying lots of postcards, as I always had some Jap, s o head in mine. Lovely lunch in a mill house, converted to a restaurant. Then on to Rouen, Joan of Arcs Cathedral, where she was burnt at the stake. Finally crossed the channel to Southampton, then over to Cobb, Dublin and today, Greenock Scotland. Very disappointed as I hoped to catch up with my granddaughter who has come over to Scotland to be with her boyfriend, but she started training for her job at the festival in Edinburgh so she couldn't come. Never mind.
Well friends, I hope this reaches you all and finds you in good spirits. I have visited many churches and cathedrals so far and I say a prayer for you all in every one. Until the next blog, love and hugs, Vicki
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Ancient Greece
Hi every one, here I am in Greece, . We arrived nearly 11 hours late, as we were delayed in Suez, with the US navy getting precedence, with 5 ships, and then us. So almost the whole transit was in the DARK!
We have been having an interesting trip so far, dramas and small problems, but I am still enjoying It! WE had very hot weather in Dubai and Oman, my friends, Hazel and Mike, nearly killed me with getting around in those 2 places, but it was still enjoyable. I managed to restrain myself in both places and only spent small in the gold Souks! !, Hazel and I are busy making our trademark necklaces and bracelets, it took a while, but once the first item sold we have been kept BUSY! I am keeping a separate wallet for my sales, so I can tell how much I have made when the trip is over,have made a couple of rings, and sell them as fast as they get made, otherwise we find bracelets are popular, and the lanyards have been slow to take off.
We had a small fire alarm a few days ago, but it turned out it was only a fuse SMOKING! That was nice, still, people are steadily injuring themselves, we have had a lot of rough weather, as we dodged a cyclone off Karachi, on our way across to Dubai, so broken arms, upper arms, and one young lady who is in a rather serious wheelchair contraption, broke her foot, dropped a carpet bowl on It! I have been in the choir, we performed to a sellout crowd, before Dubai, next performance is at Gallipolis Cove, then before Southampton.
Have just started a repeat of my day CLOTHES! So that means they are lasting, found 2 pairs of shoes are too small, so they will go out in the op shop we have before we LEAVE! ! Also some of the clothes I brought on board, although I tried them on, when I sit, it's another Story! Must remember that trick next Time! Hazel and I had lovely photos taken last night, it was formal, so that was nice, but we are, the buying Yet?
So now we start a run of a different port every day, with Greece, turkey and Italy all one after the other.
My love and prayers to you all , I hope you are keeping well, in the wintry weather in Australia! Love and hugs,
vicki
We have been having an interesting trip so far, dramas and small problems, but I am still enjoying It! WE had very hot weather in Dubai and Oman, my friends, Hazel and Mike, nearly killed me with getting around in those 2 places, but it was still enjoyable. I managed to restrain myself in both places and only spent small in the gold Souks! !, Hazel and I are busy making our trademark necklaces and bracelets, it took a while, but once the first item sold we have been kept BUSY! I am keeping a separate wallet for my sales, so I can tell how much I have made when the trip is over,have made a couple of rings, and sell them as fast as they get made, otherwise we find bracelets are popular, and the lanyards have been slow to take off.
We had a small fire alarm a few days ago, but it turned out it was only a fuse SMOKING! That was nice, still, people are steadily injuring themselves, we have had a lot of rough weather, as we dodged a cyclone off Karachi, on our way across to Dubai, so broken arms, upper arms, and one young lady who is in a rather serious wheelchair contraption, broke her foot, dropped a carpet bowl on It! I have been in the choir, we performed to a sellout crowd, before Dubai, next performance is at Gallipolis Cove, then before Southampton.
Have just started a repeat of my day CLOTHES! So that means they are lasting, found 2 pairs of shoes are too small, so they will go out in the op shop we have before we LEAVE! ! Also some of the clothes I brought on board, although I tried them on, when I sit, it's another Story! Must remember that trick next Time! Hazel and I had lovely photos taken last night, it was formal, so that was nice, but we are, the buying Yet?
So now we start a run of a different port every day, with Greece, turkey and Italy all one after the other.
My love and prayers to you all , I hope you are keeping well, in the wintry weather in Australia! Love and hugs,
vicki
Saturday, June 6, 2015
I am OFF!
So everyone, it will be a bit hit and miss over the next 4 months, as I sail away around the world. Toady is day 8 and we landed in Sri Lanka at 7.30 this morning, have been walking around the city for a few hours and finally stopped at a lovely tea and coffee place with free wife. So wow I am IN! Spent 22 minutes the other day on board getting one email out, so that will have to IMPROVE!
So I have an inside cabin, at the far end of the ship cabin 201, on 9th deck, the lifts are halfway down so I am getting plenty of EXERCISE! My friends Hazel and Mike are the other end on deck 11, so that means we have a long Haul? So far we are beading each morning, getting plenty of interest but no sales Yet!. I joined the choir, we have our first performance day before Dubai. A bit of excitement, they made a call for blood donors and a positive, so that was me, I had my card with me so about 50 or more answered the call, and after 3 hours of testing etc, finally 6 of us, including me gave a unit,, apparently a bleeding ulcer, but that could be just gossip. Captain thanked us and so did the wife as she passed through, but it made us feel good. So that was the excitement, of the cruise so far.
Anyway, I will write as often as I can, but probably about weekly. Love to you all, and I pray for those of you who are poorly. Much love
Vicki
So I have an inside cabin, at the far end of the ship cabin 201, on 9th deck, the lifts are halfway down so I am getting plenty of EXERCISE! My friends Hazel and Mike are the other end on deck 11, so that means we have a long Haul? So far we are beading each morning, getting plenty of interest but no sales Yet!. I joined the choir, we have our first performance day before Dubai. A bit of excitement, they made a call for blood donors and a positive, so that was me, I had my card with me so about 50 or more answered the call, and after 3 hours of testing etc, finally 6 of us, including me gave a unit,, apparently a bleeding ulcer, but that could be just gossip. Captain thanked us and so did the wife as she passed through, but it made us feel good. So that was the excitement, of the cruise so far.
Anyway, I will write as often as I can, but probably about weekly. Love to you all, and I pray for those of you who are poorly. Much love
Vicki
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Home in WA
Hi All! Well, once again its been a while, I just looked back and last post was March! Things are gonna Change!
I finally came back to the west, in mid April, after a great run home, visited friends along the way in Victoria, and so. Picked up my credit cards in leongath a in Victoria, and I was back in Business! finally. Spent easter at Laura in sa. Caught up with Yvonne and Ken, they just arrived back in Sa. after being in Wa ! Stopped and caught up with my cousin in Kimba, in SA. Then on to ceduna, where I watered and fuelled ready for the trek across the nullabor. A fellow brings fresh oysters into the Foreshore Caravan Park, for sale 8 dollars a Dozen! Yum! Bought some, But! They were not Shucked! So I go , I can't do that, and he tells me Way! Freeze them, and when you thaw them they Open! And it's easy to cut the muscle and get them Open! I thought I had died and gone to Heaven! They were divine! So I ate some the next morning and brought the rest back with me in the Freezer!
These days, quarantine at the sa/wa border is getting Stricter! They made me open all my inside hatches, not just the pantry and fridge, and also my external hatches! Major pissed off, as one wouldn't stay Shut after! Had to stop about 3 times in the next hour to re close it, but finally it stayed shut.
Visited farming friends in Jerramungup, on my way passed, had some fun in the sheep Yards! The countryside was looking good, I had never seen the nullabor look so on green, I drove with the windscreen wipers on intermittent for a couple of days. Lots of water lying around. Then on to Lowden , near Donnybrook, to catch up with Ray an Glenda, we went off to Balingup small farm day, where I caught up with a few old friends from my Donnybrook days as well. Bought fabulous cheese from a annum sheep Cheesemaker! Yum! Again! We ate the last of my ceduna Oysters! Delish! While I was there,I made my first visit to mum in Busselton, he is getting frail, but she was in fine for , very chatty, had me in stitches with some of her Comments! But thank heavens she still remembers me, even though it is 3 /4 months since I saw her last, after her awful fall in January. I spent several days back and forth to bun bury, buying tubs for storage, and emptying out my excess stuff from the motor home, and stacking it in bun bury Storage! Unbelievable how much I was Carrying! Semi planning on selling this one, b UT still deciding.
Arrived at sister jeans, with a couple of days to spare to Anzac day. We went to the dawn service in pinJarra , very moving, very Cold! It's been a big year for Anzac, 100 years .A sea of red poppies every where you went. Then it was off to Jurien Bay for our patchwork retreat. I had found so many ufo,s as I unpacked the motor home, I wasn't worried about what to sew, I had a lovely time finishing off a Few. They are now in pinjarra for Sale! Went up to geraldton, after and caught up with son Ben, also doctor, dentist, hairdresser,etc. All getting me squared away before my Cruise! So, I am packing, repacking, Culling! True! Managed to get everything into 6 Cases! They are not all Big! 2 large, 2 medium, 2 small. I think that's pretty good for the time I am Away! So now I am down to countdown,after this is posted,1 Sleep! Yee Ha! Finally got my cabin no yesterday, was beginning to think I might be sleeping in the medical Centre! But no I have a Cabin! So next you hear from me will be hopefully, frequently, and from my ports of call.
I wish you all good health and happiness, and my prayers go with those of you in need . Love
Vicki
I finally came back to the west, in mid April, after a great run home, visited friends along the way in Victoria, and so. Picked up my credit cards in leongath a in Victoria, and I was back in Business! finally. Spent easter at Laura in sa. Caught up with Yvonne and Ken, they just arrived back in Sa. after being in Wa ! Stopped and caught up with my cousin in Kimba, in SA. Then on to ceduna, where I watered and fuelled ready for the trek across the nullabor. A fellow brings fresh oysters into the Foreshore Caravan Park, for sale 8 dollars a Dozen! Yum! Bought some, But! They were not Shucked! So I go , I can't do that, and he tells me Way! Freeze them, and when you thaw them they Open! And it's easy to cut the muscle and get them Open! I thought I had died and gone to Heaven! They were divine! So I ate some the next morning and brought the rest back with me in the Freezer!
These days, quarantine at the sa/wa border is getting Stricter! They made me open all my inside hatches, not just the pantry and fridge, and also my external hatches! Major pissed off, as one wouldn't stay Shut after! Had to stop about 3 times in the next hour to re close it, but finally it stayed shut.
Visited farming friends in Jerramungup, on my way passed, had some fun in the sheep Yards! The countryside was looking good, I had never seen the nullabor look so on green, I drove with the windscreen wipers on intermittent for a couple of days. Lots of water lying around. Then on to Lowden , near Donnybrook, to catch up with Ray an Glenda, we went off to Balingup small farm day, where I caught up with a few old friends from my Donnybrook days as well. Bought fabulous cheese from a annum sheep Cheesemaker! Yum! Again! We ate the last of my ceduna Oysters! Delish! While I was there,I made my first visit to mum in Busselton, he is getting frail, but she was in fine for , very chatty, had me in stitches with some of her Comments! But thank heavens she still remembers me, even though it is 3 /4 months since I saw her last, after her awful fall in January. I spent several days back and forth to bun bury, buying tubs for storage, and emptying out my excess stuff from the motor home, and stacking it in bun bury Storage! Unbelievable how much I was Carrying! Semi planning on selling this one, b UT still deciding.
Arrived at sister jeans, with a couple of days to spare to Anzac day. We went to the dawn service in pinJarra , very moving, very Cold! It's been a big year for Anzac, 100 years .A sea of red poppies every where you went. Then it was off to Jurien Bay for our patchwork retreat. I had found so many ufo,s as I unpacked the motor home, I wasn't worried about what to sew, I had a lovely time finishing off a Few. They are now in pinjarra for Sale! Went up to geraldton, after and caught up with son Ben, also doctor, dentist, hairdresser,etc. All getting me squared away before my Cruise! So, I am packing, repacking, Culling! True! Managed to get everything into 6 Cases! They are not all Big! 2 large, 2 medium, 2 small. I think that's pretty good for the time I am Away! So now I am down to countdown,after this is posted,1 Sleep! Yee Ha! Finally got my cabin no yesterday, was beginning to think I might be sleeping in the medical Centre! But no I have a Cabin! So next you hear from me will be hopefully, frequently, and from my ports of call.
I wish you all good health and happiness, and my prayers go with those of you in need . Love
Vicki
Friday, March 13, 2015
March 2015
Hi everyone,
Yes I am still on this earth, just in incredibly slack about sending a b log. So here we again. I have had some dramas with the donga, and i understand if ou want t skp this Blog! Flew into Sydney in early January, and went up to friends at Central Coast. Spent a couple of days with them toget motorhome sorted, then i moved inland to mudgee for a few weeks. Visited the patchwork shop and Kelly, welcomed me there. I spent some time sewing with her and being useful when i could. Shekindly took me out around the local vineyards for a spot of winetasting, which was lovely, another day a couple from the park, also took me for a drive to a lovely town whose streetscape was used in the killing fields. Then i planned to meet up with mike and hazel ant together go up to nambucca heads for a shared travel auction break. The park was lovely, just cover a sandhill to the beach. In the meantime, Mike had acquired a huge American motor Home! 36 ft, we had a lovely break and continued back to central coast for me to pack for my patchwork cruise. The plan was for them to drive me down to Sydney to the ship. Half an hour before leaving, I went out to the van to get a waterproof coat, ship was going to nz. Disaster struck. I opened the door, to a Flood! 2 inch e's of water in parts so we gathered all hazel rags and old towels, 2 hours later, everything under the bed was sodden , wine cartons soaked. God I thought it was never going to dry up. Patchwork fabric moldy, clothes black with mildew, a real mess. Poor hazel and mike, were left with the problem. You b know when you have Real friends! I boarded the ship with a heavy heart. Sister jean joined me , she flew over from wa. While I was on board, Mike took the motorhome up to Newcastle to maintenance people. I was left Worrying! Not really that enjoyable cruise.
Did a fabulous class with Helen golden, painting fabric and then quilting it. Great fun. Next class was repetition piecing, so I took some time out once I had the gist of it. We also did a little mystery class which was quite fun. Jean and I enjoyed the trip, we did some tours with the group in ports, visiting patchwork shops,, saw some lovely quilts, bought a little fabric, as you Do!
Got back to Sydney, and faced the motor home again, starting to get a bit over b This! Went to pick it up and it wasn't Ready! Went back again the next day, bingo. Finally. I spent quite a lot of waiting time studying other vehicle options, almost committed, but restrained myself. Not right timing, what with next cruise planned. While I was packing up , again, I discovered that now the slide out was tilted sideways, a result of them curing the Leak! Monday found me back to Newcastle Again! Really! After 4 hours waiting, they informed me it was as good as it Got! Then I found my reversing camera was Stuffed! Luckily a place recommended by Newcastle could do it next morning. And after organizing ride back to caravan park, where I had a cabin booked, due to emptying everything from under the bed, again. So I picked it up 785.00 poorer, and went back with a new reversing camera,screen and wiring. Next morning I am finally off South! Get about 25 km down the road and realize the picture on the screen is weird. It's Reversed! So I pull over and ring them. Oh it's a screw we forgot to turn. It's a problem we have found with this Model! So I drive back 25 km, pull in and 10 minutes later, all fixed. We're Sorry! So I have lost an hour plus and driven 75 km Extra! And all I got was Sorry!
Spent next 2 hours driving alternating between howling and getting really Angry! ? Finally pulled myself together and stopped for the night at a beach just north of well ongoing. Thought a bottle of wine might Fix me! Not! Next day drove to Bateman bay, where I ran into a couple I had met on my first visit to mudgee, last Year! We reminisced. They also having maintenance problems with their motorhome, an a van ovation.another bottle of wine and I am starting to feel better. Friday found me pulling into merimbula on south coast. Have to wait for my new credit card. Did I mention I lost It? So here I am. Next door couple have just pointed out the new rubber around the slide out, put on to help stop the leaks, is pulling Away! I think I'll open another bottle of Wine! Or put my head in the oven.! So sorry folks for boring you to death with my problems,but I don't have anyone else to vent To! Hopefully the next blog will be sooner and more cheerful.
I wish you all good health and fortune. Lovevicki
Yes I am still on this earth, just in incredibly slack about sending a b log. So here we again. I have had some dramas with the donga, and i understand if ou want t skp this Blog! Flew into Sydney in early January, and went up to friends at Central Coast. Spent a couple of days with them toget motorhome sorted, then i moved inland to mudgee for a few weeks. Visited the patchwork shop and Kelly, welcomed me there. I spent some time sewing with her and being useful when i could. Shekindly took me out around the local vineyards for a spot of winetasting, which was lovely, another day a couple from the park, also took me for a drive to a lovely town whose streetscape was used in the killing fields. Then i planned to meet up with mike and hazel ant together go up to nambucca heads for a shared travel auction break. The park was lovely, just cover a sandhill to the beach. In the meantime, Mike had acquired a huge American motor Home! 36 ft, we had a lovely break and continued back to central coast for me to pack for my patchwork cruise. The plan was for them to drive me down to Sydney to the ship. Half an hour before leaving, I went out to the van to get a waterproof coat, ship was going to nz. Disaster struck. I opened the door, to a Flood! 2 inch e's of water in parts so we gathered all hazel rags and old towels, 2 hours later, everything under the bed was sodden , wine cartons soaked. God I thought it was never going to dry up. Patchwork fabric moldy, clothes black with mildew, a real mess. Poor hazel and mike, were left with the problem. You b know when you have Real friends! I boarded the ship with a heavy heart. Sister jean joined me , she flew over from wa. While I was on board, Mike took the motorhome up to Newcastle to maintenance people. I was left Worrying! Not really that enjoyable cruise.
Did a fabulous class with Helen golden, painting fabric and then quilting it. Great fun. Next class was repetition piecing, so I took some time out once I had the gist of it. We also did a little mystery class which was quite fun. Jean and I enjoyed the trip, we did some tours with the group in ports, visiting patchwork shops,, saw some lovely quilts, bought a little fabric, as you Do!
Got back to Sydney, and faced the motor home again, starting to get a bit over b This! Went to pick it up and it wasn't Ready! Went back again the next day, bingo. Finally. I spent quite a lot of waiting time studying other vehicle options, almost committed, but restrained myself. Not right timing, what with next cruise planned. While I was packing up , again, I discovered that now the slide out was tilted sideways, a result of them curing the Leak! Monday found me back to Newcastle Again! Really! After 4 hours waiting, they informed me it was as good as it Got! Then I found my reversing camera was Stuffed! Luckily a place recommended by Newcastle could do it next morning. And after organizing ride back to caravan park, where I had a cabin booked, due to emptying everything from under the bed, again. So I picked it up 785.00 poorer, and went back with a new reversing camera,screen and wiring. Next morning I am finally off South! Get about 25 km down the road and realize the picture on the screen is weird. It's Reversed! So I pull over and ring them. Oh it's a screw we forgot to turn. It's a problem we have found with this Model! So I drive back 25 km, pull in and 10 minutes later, all fixed. We're Sorry! So I have lost an hour plus and driven 75 km Extra! And all I got was Sorry!
Spent next 2 hours driving alternating between howling and getting really Angry! ? Finally pulled myself together and stopped for the night at a beach just north of well ongoing. Thought a bottle of wine might Fix me! Not! Next day drove to Bateman bay, where I ran into a couple I had met on my first visit to mudgee, last Year! We reminisced. They also having maintenance problems with their motorhome, an a van ovation.another bottle of wine and I am starting to feel better. Friday found me pulling into merimbula on south coast. Have to wait for my new credit card. Did I mention I lost It? So here I am. Next door couple have just pointed out the new rubber around the slide out, put on to help stop the leaks, is pulling Away! I think I'll open another bottle of Wine! Or put my head in the oven.! So sorry folks for boring you to death with my problems,but I don't have anyone else to vent To! Hopefully the next blog will be sooner and more cheerful.
I wish you all good health and fortune. Lovevicki
Friday, December 26, 2014
Happy Christmas
Hello Everyone, sorry this has been so long in coming, but you should know enough about Me by now to know nothing goes as PLANNED!
Since my last blog posted I have been on a "quick" unexpected cruise, just a last minute THING! Saw it advertised and couldn't resist. SO I flew to Singapore and stayed 3 nights in a very ordinary hotel, cheap and cheerful, but the size of the rooms meant only suitable for one person, not me and my friend Kath! So we did a little shopping, not much for me, as I was overweight before I ARRIVED! So I was slugged 100 dollars for excess baggage before I even left SYDNEY! I flew Scoot , which is also cheap and cheerful, not bad really. Any way we boarded the Voyager of the Seas after she had had a refit. Apparently 80 million worth, not sure what they spent it on, but I guess it has a lot of Carpet! So we sailed to Sydney, via Darwin and Brisbane, very pleasant. We had a promenade inside cabin, which meant we had a Window overlooking the promenade., like an inside street, quite a good cabin actually. Met some lovely people, as you do, and finally reached
Sydney, where we stayed 2 nights at ibis darling Harbour. Just close enough to walk to the beautiful Queen Victoria Buildings, Strand Arcade and MYERS! Oh well, bought another carry on piece of luggage to get the extra stuff back to
wa. Luckily I booked extra luggage allowance, it's cheaper if you do it online, rather than wait until you are at the airport. WE Flew back to Perth and got stuck into Christmas preparations. I WENT TO Jarradale again to house sit for one of our patchwork friends, I was there last Christmas too.
Mum is going along pretty well, as to be expected for her age, I caught up with Genevieve and my newest granddaughter, Jamaica, areal strawberry blonde and very cute, she looks mostly like Asha e did as a baby. 1st I started off straight away with patchwork at Pinjarra and did my shop duties, have a couple more to GO! Much to my joy, (and Yvonnes) when she gets them , I have finished applique in flowers on her pillowcases. Yeah!!! Then I commenced my challenge for the patchwork cruise, not finished Yet! And, replaced a catch on one of the necklaces I sold on the Voyager. So I am feeling very Self righteous!
Have been helping Genevieve out with some issues regarding her family situation, and hopefully that is on track now. My sisters and I spent Christmas Eve having luncheon with Mum at her nursing home, once again she ate a god amount, as we only serve Fi get food, so we were pleased with that . I continued on to Kath. I for the night, a lot of talking, and I didn't even have a DRINK! Christmas day we lunched at her retirement village, very nice too, Then I drove back to Jarradale, and some serious watering.
Last week I had a power failure, and had to get an electrician to sort it . But now the reticulated is not working, I have had a couple of goes at getting it going again,but it means I have to hand water the whole place. So I won't be able to get up to Gerald to to see Benjamin and his family. So now you have all heard my tale of woe, but not
ALL, I have mislaid my Christmas Card list and address book, so to those of you who didn't get a card please be kind to me, as I can't remember everyone's address off the top OF MY HEAD! I do wish you all a happy and healthful new year, and best of good health every One!
One vicki
Since my last blog posted I have been on a "quick" unexpected cruise, just a last minute THING! Saw it advertised and couldn't resist. SO I flew to Singapore and stayed 3 nights in a very ordinary hotel, cheap and cheerful, but the size of the rooms meant only suitable for one person, not me and my friend Kath! So we did a little shopping, not much for me, as I was overweight before I ARRIVED! So I was slugged 100 dollars for excess baggage before I even left SYDNEY! I flew Scoot , which is also cheap and cheerful, not bad really. Any way we boarded the Voyager of the Seas after she had had a refit. Apparently 80 million worth, not sure what they spent it on, but I guess it has a lot of Carpet! So we sailed to Sydney, via Darwin and Brisbane, very pleasant. We had a promenade inside cabin, which meant we had a Window overlooking the promenade., like an inside street, quite a good cabin actually. Met some lovely people, as you do, and finally reached
Sydney, where we stayed 2 nights at ibis darling Harbour. Just close enough to walk to the beautiful Queen Victoria Buildings, Strand Arcade and MYERS! Oh well, bought another carry on piece of luggage to get the extra stuff back to
wa. Luckily I booked extra luggage allowance, it's cheaper if you do it online, rather than wait until you are at the airport. WE Flew back to Perth and got stuck into Christmas preparations. I WENT TO Jarradale again to house sit for one of our patchwork friends, I was there last Christmas too.
Mum is going along pretty well, as to be expected for her age, I caught up with Genevieve and my newest granddaughter, Jamaica, areal strawberry blonde and very cute, she looks mostly like Asha e did as a baby. 1st I started off straight away with patchwork at Pinjarra and did my shop duties, have a couple more to GO! Much to my joy, (and Yvonnes) when she gets them , I have finished applique in flowers on her pillowcases. Yeah!!! Then I commenced my challenge for the patchwork cruise, not finished Yet! And, replaced a catch on one of the necklaces I sold on the Voyager. So I am feeling very Self righteous!
Have been helping Genevieve out with some issues regarding her family situation, and hopefully that is on track now. My sisters and I spent Christmas Eve having luncheon with Mum at her nursing home, once again she ate a god amount, as we only serve Fi get food, so we were pleased with that . I continued on to Kath. I for the night, a lot of talking, and I didn't even have a DRINK! Christmas day we lunched at her retirement village, very nice too, Then I drove back to Jarradale, and some serious watering.
Last week I had a power failure, and had to get an electrician to sort it . But now the reticulated is not working, I have had a couple of goes at getting it going again,but it means I have to hand water the whole place. So I won't be able to get up to Gerald to to see Benjamin and his family. So now you have all heard my tale of woe, but not
ALL, I have mislaid my Christmas Card list and address book, so to those of you who didn't get a card please be kind to me, as I can't remember everyone's address off the top OF MY HEAD! I do wish you all a happy and healthful new year, and best of good health every One!
One vicki
Monday, November 10, 2014
Age pensioner
WELL hello every One! I guess if I get a blog out every month it won't be too bad. So I had the motor home serviced in Adelaide at Iveco they even let me have a courtesy car which was great. I visited with A dele AND geoff and Adel e's mum , Bernice, so that was good. Went back to Leasing ham with the news that they found an oil leak in the gear box, but couldn't find the earlier problem.so I booked it in again and went and stayed with a dele while it happened. They had it for 3 days waiting for a part, but all under warranty, thank god. Geoff went off to The am worth for a real reunion, so I was able to be a bit useful as company for a dele. We went off chasing card making stuff, so that was fun, all I have to do now is make Em! Headed off to Lofton and cousin Pauline s. Genevieve had us on our tiptoes as she had some Labour pains but nothing happened. I pored over more family tree info, ready for when I can find time to do some research myself. It is so fascinating.
Finally departed for Mildura and points along the Murray river further east. Stopped at Robin vale, and then contacted Merrilyn at Nagambie and dropped in there for a night, then headed northish towards the nsw coastal areas. Met up with Hazel and Mike at Gearing on for a bead class, then south towards Wallaga Lakes. We were supposed to do 5 days there but that didn't quite work out . Still we had a lovely few days. I went on to a cmca friend for a few nights , and then headed west again towards Yass. Spent my 65th birthday at the show grounds at Bungendore. Finishing off a couple of beading ufos. This morning came to Yass, spent several hours at Centre link, trying to get my age pension sorted, if that's Possible! , Came away with about 50 pages of forms to fill In! I can see why it's hardly worth the hassle! ,,!.
Anyway Genevieve delivered safely child no 6, a girl, Jamaica Dawn, on October 28th. I pray that's the End! She is finding out what it's like to have a fifo partner, Dion has gone back already.
Had a lovely photo of aunt Margaret doig who turned 100 last month,came on Facebook page from the dockets. I wished I could have been there but not to be,more so close to mums 100th. They g are both marvellous. Good health to you all. Love
Vicki
Finally departed for Mildura and points along the Murray river further east. Stopped at Robin vale, and then contacted Merrilyn at Nagambie and dropped in there for a night, then headed northish towards the nsw coastal areas. Met up with Hazel and Mike at Gearing on for a bead class, then south towards Wallaga Lakes. We were supposed to do 5 days there but that didn't quite work out . Still we had a lovely few days. I went on to a cmca friend for a few nights , and then headed west again towards Yass. Spent my 65th birthday at the show grounds at Bungendore. Finishing off a couple of beading ufos. This morning came to Yass, spent several hours at Centre link, trying to get my age pension sorted, if that's Possible! , Came away with about 50 pages of forms to fill In! I can see why it's hardly worth the hassle! ,,!.
Anyway Genevieve delivered safely child no 6, a girl, Jamaica Dawn, on October 28th. I pray that's the End! She is finding out what it's like to have a fifo partner, Dion has gone back already.
Had a lovely photo of aunt Margaret doig who turned 100 last month,came on Facebook page from the dockets. I wished I could have been there but not to be,more so close to mums 100th. They g are both marvellous. Good health to you all. Love
Vicki
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Late blog
Hello Everyone, sorry about the long wait, I really do have good Intentions! Any way here we go again. I last sent after Mum's birthday, she's doing pretty good still. That's the main thing.
I flew back to central coast, and my good friends, Hazel and Mike, picked up the motor home from its maintenance problems and headed off to Dorrigo for my patchwork retreat. As usual I try to do a different route, so I headed across to Gloucester, a nice little town in the mountains, and then on to Walcha. I stayed 2 nights there as I was ahead of my self. The morning came for me to leave and I didn't have any water.? I check it out and my water hose is frozen, I eventually was able of unscrew it and lugged the hose over to the showers, where I was able to thaw it out by running the hot water over IT! That was a first? So I continued to Dorrigo and settled in re Ady for 6 days of patchwork, eating and drinking with old friends, It is my 4 trip there, they are all good company. I did a quilt as you go workshop, for 2 days, a mystery quilt , 1 day, a bag 1 day, and an art piece with Helen God den, that was 2 days, but I had to get the motor home back to Newcastle for more maintenance issues.
Got that sorted and then headed off to ST. For my friend Yvonne's 60th birthday. Got ax far as outer suburban Sydney and bang, the gears seized. Three and a half hours sitting on the side of the road next to a Westfield shopping Centre, waiting for the Iveco roadside assist guy to turn UP! I am rapidly getting over this MOTOR HOME! Finally got it sorted, like "I can't find a reason for it, your good to go!!" Yeah, what happens if it happens I outback Somewhere? Thankfully it didn't, I got to Wentworth and joined friends for 5 days of country music, and bought a few more cos. Some great new talent there again.Headed off to Clare on Sat morning and got there early enough, had a lovely evening with Yvonne and Ken, met up with some west aussies who came over too. Had a lovely brunch on Sunday and then headed off to Leasing ham where I am booked in for 10 days,at a special rate. This morning woke up to storm and strong win warnings,so I am bunkered down in the motor home, awning in and the van rocking to some really strong wind gusts. Luckily I have Pl, entry of hand sewing to do.
Well I hope this finds you all safe and we'll and my apologies to any of you that got bothered by an odd email, I was hacked, changed all my passwords etc, so hope that is the end of that. Cheers
Vicki
Thursday, September 4, 2014
100 years on
Here I am, getting down to the nitty gritty, the reason why I am in WA again.
I flew in from Sydney nearly 3 weeks ago, ready to celebrate Mums 100th birthday.
stopped with sister Jean and we had a lovely morning Teanwith the residents of Mums nursing home on Wednesday 20th August, A photographer from one of the local papers came and took a zillion photos and all went well. MUM GOT THE LETTER FROM THE queen, the Governor General, Tony Abbott, the rest of the local pollies so she was pretty chuffed. We gave her a couple of days to get over that and then we had an afternoon tea at the local church hall for all the family and friends and a couple of nieces and some old friends from way back etc. It was great as everyone came Except for one grandson who had to work . REALLY GOOD. I made a short speech and the eldest grandson, Brett made one too.Amazingly she took the day in her stride. HER ROOM looked like a florists afterwards. And she has enough chocolates to last her til CHRISTMAS! ! So that was all very satisfactory. Except, I came down with the flu, and gave it to my brother in law, sister Maxine caught it too, Genevieve mob got it also Bens mob luckily not mum. They breed them tough 100 years AGO! !
So I haven,the done much this trip, the usual at this time of the year, seen the accountant, the doctor and been sewing. But not a lot of visiting as I didn't want to spread my joy too far around. One great thing from this trip, I have renewed my limited knowledge of Mahjong, Jean plays with some ladies and I joined them a couple of times and also played at night at Jeans. So that was great.
Now you might not notice, but I have invested in another new tablet, as the old one had died. So I hope to send these out again a bit more regularly. Also I might be able to add photos again , once I get the hang of this new one.Ha! Hope this finds you all well I am back over east on Monday and back I to my travels. Bye for now
Vicki
00000again
I flew in from Sydney nearly 3 weeks ago, ready to celebrate Mums 100th birthday.
stopped with sister Jean and we had a lovely morning Teanwith the residents of Mums nursing home on Wednesday 20th August, A photographer from one of the local papers came and took a zillion photos and all went well. MUM GOT THE LETTER FROM THE queen, the Governor General, Tony Abbott, the rest of the local pollies so she was pretty chuffed. We gave her a couple of days to get over that and then we had an afternoon tea at the local church hall for all the family and friends and a couple of nieces and some old friends from way back etc. It was great as everyone came Except for one grandson who had to work . REALLY GOOD. I made a short speech and the eldest grandson, Brett made one too.Amazingly she took the day in her stride. HER ROOM looked like a florists afterwards. And she has enough chocolates to last her til CHRISTMAS! ! So that was all very satisfactory. Except, I came down with the flu, and gave it to my brother in law, sister Maxine caught it too, Genevieve mob got it also Bens mob luckily not mum. They breed them tough 100 years AGO! !
So I haven,the done much this trip, the usual at this time of the year, seen the accountant, the doctor and been sewing. But not a lot of visiting as I didn't want to spread my joy too far around. One great thing from this trip, I have renewed my limited knowledge of Mahjong, Jean plays with some ladies and I joined them a couple of times and also played at night at Jeans. So that was great.
Now you might not notice, but I have invested in another new tablet, as the old one had died. So I hope to send these out again a bit more regularly. Also I might be able to add photos again , once I get the hang of this new one.Ha! Hope this finds you all well I am back over east on Monday and back I to my travels. Bye for now
Vicki
00000again
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Sunny Qld
This could be a long one as I have been offline for soo long. I will try and make it short.
I went to Deniliquin after Wodonga and had another problem. with my battery charger!By the time that was fixed i ended upstaying a week.Still th Carotel at Deniliquin is over the rod from the RSL club and walking distance to town. So not too bad! I met a woman who was solo there and she was ready to move on so we decided to travel together for as long as it suited. First stop was Wentworth, to arrange bookings for the next Mildura Country Music Festival, for my friends. I decided not thhis year. Then north to Broken Hill, a place I hadn't driven to before. Had a look at various galleries etc but refrained from buying anything. We went to a club one night for dinner, took the local bus into town and got the courtesy bus home,luckily as we both one raffles! I took a meat tray and Dot took a veggie tray! tons of it> I barely managed to get it into my freezer. then it was off towards the east. first stop was just a bit east of Wilcannia at a lovely park that was fairly new. the ablutions were almost like an ensuite, free laundry, and a huge campfire every night. we cooked a cmpoven on the second night there with my lamb chops and dots veg. very good but I had more leftoveers to put into the freezer!. Then it was on to Bourke, where there was another great plaxe to camp. After looking at the old wharf on the Darling river, I took a photo for my friend Meg, of the old hospital where she was born. Then out to Kidman Camp just out of town. We went on the paddle boat for a trip up the Darling river. these sort of sidetrips are soo interesting. the guides really know their stuff. He never stopped talking for over an hour and it was all really interesting.
Onwards northwards to Cunnamulla, the country music bloke the cunnamulla fella, a lovely bronze statue in the town of the typical drover . Then out to Riverside on the Warrego River, another "bush" type caravan park complete with fabulous campfire on the river edge. Really lovely. Icy cold , had tons of clothes on, but roasting in front of the fire. happy hours have been really good at these spots. Leaving here we were heading east again along the Natural Science Loop, next stop Yowah, to investigate Yowah opal nuts! Dot knew about them as she and her family had opal site up Lightning Ridge way.Stayed there for 3 nights and had a good look around . some really interesting things. The caravan Prk had an artesian water supply, well the whole town used it. But the bathrooms were set up with baths that you had in private and filled up withvery hot rtesian water. the rooms had no ceiling, one night I was in the bath when it started raining!! luckily I had already had my long soak . Afterthat we had to stay another night as th road we planned on leaving on was dirt, and I wasn't taking any chances, we saved 140 kms by taking the gravel road, which we were advised was not too bad, but we took it over 1 hour and a half. compplete with stop for taking photos of kangaroos about 20 yards away.I now have a rattle in the motor? I didn't have before. Hope it isn't anything serious.Then it was on to Thargomindah, and Noccundra. this included a detour of 40 kms to a hotel for camping and a lovely meal. we were staying at caravn parks for power as it was soo cold at night. -2degrees average. Then we went to Quilpie to see a beautiful opal altar, lectern and font at the catholic church. Just gorgeous. then on to Charleville, where I had to wait for 3 ddays for my prescription to be ordereed in. After here dot and I parted compay as she was heading morth towards Longreach and I was heading east to get ready to fly back to WA for mums birthday next month.
I stopped at Roma, miles to visit a lovely historic village, then on to chinchilla. here I finally went out to the weir to free camp, quite a big area but each afternoon it filled up and was pretty packed by late afternoon. met some lovely people who organised campfires for happy hour, finlly the days are getting warmer and even the nights are not too bad. I have again had trouble with the motorhome, my water connecctiion needs attending to as when I put on Mains pressure, i waste a lot of water. also when I pulled up at the last stop, a place called Jondarryan I had a big crack in my bench top in the bathroom. Grr!! So I rang up where I ordered the motorhome from as it is relatively quite close. they can fit me in on Wednesday , so I drove into Maroochydore on the sunshine coast and here I am!Lots more to tell you but this has brought you all up to daate with my life at the moment. This is also the first tme I have been able to get on line with this computer, as my tablet has died with a vengeance. So again I don'tknow when I will be online gain but it will be as soon as I can. hope you are all keeping well, and life is good to you. Haven't the Commonwealth games been good? Thoroughly enjoying the tv coverage, but of course I don't sleep much so that helps. as you may be able to tell from the timing of me sending this!
love Vicki
I went to Deniliquin after Wodonga and had another problem. with my battery charger!By the time that was fixed i ended upstaying a week.Still th Carotel at Deniliquin is over the rod from the RSL club and walking distance to town. So not too bad! I met a woman who was solo there and she was ready to move on so we decided to travel together for as long as it suited. First stop was Wentworth, to arrange bookings for the next Mildura Country Music Festival, for my friends. I decided not thhis year. Then north to Broken Hill, a place I hadn't driven to before. Had a look at various galleries etc but refrained from buying anything. We went to a club one night for dinner, took the local bus into town and got the courtesy bus home,luckily as we both one raffles! I took a meat tray and Dot took a veggie tray! tons of it> I barely managed to get it into my freezer. then it was off towards the east. first stop was just a bit east of Wilcannia at a lovely park that was fairly new. the ablutions were almost like an ensuite, free laundry, and a huge campfire every night. we cooked a cmpoven on the second night there with my lamb chops and dots veg. very good but I had more leftoveers to put into the freezer!. Then it was on to Bourke, where there was another great plaxe to camp. After looking at the old wharf on the Darling river, I took a photo for my friend Meg, of the old hospital where she was born. Then out to Kidman Camp just out of town. We went on the paddle boat for a trip up the Darling river. these sort of sidetrips are soo interesting. the guides really know their stuff. He never stopped talking for over an hour and it was all really interesting.
Onwards northwards to Cunnamulla, the country music bloke the cunnamulla fella, a lovely bronze statue in the town of the typical drover . Then out to Riverside on the Warrego River, another "bush" type caravan park complete with fabulous campfire on the river edge. Really lovely. Icy cold , had tons of clothes on, but roasting in front of the fire. happy hours have been really good at these spots. Leaving here we were heading east again along the Natural Science Loop, next stop Yowah, to investigate Yowah opal nuts! Dot knew about them as she and her family had opal site up Lightning Ridge way.Stayed there for 3 nights and had a good look around . some really interesting things. The caravan Prk had an artesian water supply, well the whole town used it. But the bathrooms were set up with baths that you had in private and filled up withvery hot rtesian water. the rooms had no ceiling, one night I was in the bath when it started raining!! luckily I had already had my long soak . Afterthat we had to stay another night as th road we planned on leaving on was dirt, and I wasn't taking any chances, we saved 140 kms by taking the gravel road, which we were advised was not too bad, but we took it over 1 hour and a half. compplete with stop for taking photos of kangaroos about 20 yards away.I now have a rattle in the motor? I didn't have before. Hope it isn't anything serious.Then it was on to Thargomindah, and Noccundra. this included a detour of 40 kms to a hotel for camping and a lovely meal. we were staying at caravn parks for power as it was soo cold at night. -2degrees average. Then we went to Quilpie to see a beautiful opal altar, lectern and font at the catholic church. Just gorgeous. then on to Charleville, where I had to wait for 3 ddays for my prescription to be ordereed in. After here dot and I parted compay as she was heading morth towards Longreach and I was heading east to get ready to fly back to WA for mums birthday next month.
I stopped at Roma, miles to visit a lovely historic village, then on to chinchilla. here I finally went out to the weir to free camp, quite a big area but each afternoon it filled up and was pretty packed by late afternoon. met some lovely people who organised campfires for happy hour, finlly the days are getting warmer and even the nights are not too bad. I have again had trouble with the motorhome, my water connecctiion needs attending to as when I put on Mains pressure, i waste a lot of water. also when I pulled up at the last stop, a place called Jondarryan I had a big crack in my bench top in the bathroom. Grr!! So I rang up where I ordered the motorhome from as it is relatively quite close. they can fit me in on Wednesday , so I drove into Maroochydore on the sunshine coast and here I am!Lots more to tell you but this has brought you all up to daate with my life at the moment. This is also the first tme I have been able to get on line with this computer, as my tablet has died with a vengeance. So again I don'tknow when I will be online gain but it will be as soon as I can. hope you are all keeping well, and life is good to you. Haven't the Commonwealth games been good? Thoroughly enjoying the tv coverage, but of course I don't sleep much so that helps. as you may be able to tell from the timing of me sending this!
love Vicki
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Problems/Problems
Hi all, I am really going to be good for the rest of the year, with my blog!
So I arrived at the farm at Loch, to be hosted by my friend's children, as my friend is back in WA! So I had a nice week there, washing, watching the rain come down, freezing my butt off! It was pretty cold for me , at least! Takes some getting acclimatising, after mild WA. Finally made my plans to leave, as I needed to coordinate with my granddaughter Emma, who is over in Victoria studying. I promised her she could have my sewing ,achine, as she is studying fashion sign etc. But trying to get it to her proved too hard! I eventually planned to leave it with Brad , om the farm, to deliver it to her in Melbourne at a mutually suitable time.
So I headed off to Kinglake to visit there with my young friend who had had her baby since I was last there in January/Fbruary. And to deliver her her wedding quilt, which I had finished last month . It took up a lot of weight in my suitcase, flying back from WA! So we achieved that and she seems happy with it, luckily! I have posted photos on my facebook page, but I can't still, work out how to get them on to my blog! it is so frustrating!!!
Next to my problems! It was very wet up at Kinglake and strong winds, I was really rocking through the night. so come morning I step out of bed, squelch!! what thexx??!! water! I got out the towels and mopped up, thinking it was the strong winds forced the rain through the slideout , but no! I opened another cupboard to get some socks out and phew!! wet black milw, a cupboard full of summer t shirts and clothes, sopping wet and black and stained! yuK! So i dragged that out into some plastic bags, and got in comtact with motorhome maintenance at Wodonga, where I had had maintenance done before. So I drove up here via Nagambie to visit with my friend over the weekend, THEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED TO WORK! I am like!!! what!! I am rapidly getting over this! I really was pretty lucky with the old motor home, apart from a cracked hatch that leaked, it wasn't too bad! Considering this is only 18 months old.I had to book a cabin to stay in as I needed to empty out a lot of stuff from the motor home to give the men room to work,and also to stay in as without water and maybe more rain on the way, I didn't want to get any wetter!So first thing this morning, it was drop of the motorhome, luckily just around the corner om the caravan park,Then I started on 3 loads of washing to try and ure the mildew problem!Course it isn't raining , but it is so overcast, I will have to use the dryer as well, so although I have a washing machine of my own, I have to pay 12 bucks for 3 loads to wash, and then probably another 12 bucks to dry it. Not happy Jack!!
So I arrived at the farm at Loch, to be hosted by my friend's children, as my friend is back in WA! So I had a nice week there, washing, watching the rain come down, freezing my butt off! It was pretty cold for me , at least! Takes some getting acclimatising, after mild WA. Finally made my plans to leave, as I needed to coordinate with my granddaughter Emma, who is over in Victoria studying. I promised her she could have my sewing ,achine, as she is studying fashion sign etc. But trying to get it to her proved too hard! I eventually planned to leave it with Brad , om the farm, to deliver it to her in Melbourne at a mutually suitable time.
So I headed off to Kinglake to visit there with my young friend who had had her baby since I was last there in January/Fbruary. And to deliver her her wedding quilt, which I had finished last month . It took up a lot of weight in my suitcase, flying back from WA! So we achieved that and she seems happy with it, luckily! I have posted photos on my facebook page, but I can't still, work out how to get them on to my blog! it is so frustrating!!!
Next to my problems! It was very wet up at Kinglake and strong winds, I was really rocking through the night. so come morning I step out of bed, squelch!! what thexx??!! water! I got out the towels and mopped up, thinking it was the strong winds forced the rain through the slideout , but no! I opened another cupboard to get some socks out and phew!! wet black milw, a cupboard full of summer t shirts and clothes, sopping wet and black and stained! yuK! So i dragged that out into some plastic bags, and got in comtact with motorhome maintenance at Wodonga, where I had had maintenance done before. So I drove up here via Nagambie to visit with my friend over the weekend, THEN THE WATER PUMP FAILED TO WORK! I am like!!! what!! I am rapidly getting over this! I really was pretty lucky with the old motor home, apart from a cracked hatch that leaked, it wasn't too bad! Considering this is only 18 months old.I had to book a cabin to stay in as I needed to empty out a lot of stuff from the motor home to give the men room to work,and also to stay in as without water and maybe more rain on the way, I didn't want to get any wetter!So first thing this morning, it was drop of the motorhome, luckily just around the corner om the caravan park,Then I started on 3 loads of washing to try and ure the mildew problem!Course it isn't raining , but it is so overcast, I will have to use the dryer as well, so although I have a washing machine of my own, I have to pay 12 bucks for 3 loads to wash, and then probably another 12 bucks to dry it. Not happy Jack!!
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