May 2017 – Page 2 – photographyperthwa

Posted on May 22, 2017 by photographyperthwa · 1 Comment

Travels with the Winnie: Day 3

The highlight of today is reaching the Great Western Woodlands. According to Wikipedia the Great Western Woodlands ‘is the largest and healthiest temperate (Mediterranean climate) woodland remaining on Earth. It covers 16,000,00 hecatares, a region larger in size than England.’ Travelling on Great Eastern Highway we saw some smallish regions of the typical salmon coloured gums, but turning south towards Norseman the trees and shrubs became much more abundant and lush.

I took some video, but also made sure I took lots of photos today. As video takes a while to process I’ll just include the photos for now.

Great Western Woodlands

On Great Eastern Highway we noticed that they have added lots and lots of passing lanes, with some having passing lanes on both sides, so that you are actually on a four lane highway for 2 – 3 kms. Of course, when vehicles needed to pass us, it usually wasn’t where there were passing lanes, but the road is straight enough in sections for passing on the other lane to be quite safe.

We had a cold night, I estimate 5 -8 degrees, but forgot to check inside the van before putting the heater on this morning. The good thing was being able to use our winter doona. Either the cold or tiredness meant that I slept through the night, the first time since we started the process of getting Mum into Regis Greenmount. I was in a pattern of waking up at 3.30 a.m. and not getting back to sleep and that becomes difficult to break.

Misty morning at the Southern Cross Caravan Park (1 of 1) — after sunrise at the Southern Cross Caravan Park

Misty morning2 (1 of 1) — Another view of the mist

on the road after Southern Cross (1 of 1) — On the road after Southern Cross

Our plan was to stay at or near Coolgardie tonight, then travel to Norseman tomorrow. But we felt quite energetic, and Coolgardie is not that wonderful – a bit neglected looking – so we had lunch at a roadhouse and continued on our way. We were looking for the perfect rest stop to have some fruit and and a rest, and ended up finding such a spot, not an official rest stop, but off the road and within a very pretty part of the Woodlands.

From there, we felt we could make it to Widgeimooltha by about 4.00 p.m. And, that is where we are staying the night. The reason to stay overnight at Norseman was to do some shopping, washing and fill up with water. But, the roadhouse here at W. has water and it is only about 200 kms to Fraser Range Station from here, so the revised plan is to fill up with water here, do some shopping in Norseman (not a lot since we brought so much food from home), and go on to Fraser Range Station where we could possibly stay two nights and get some washing done. Fraser Range Station was a place we wanted to stay last time, but it didn’t fit our schedule.

Drinks and nibbles (1 of 1) — drinks and nibbles

at Widgiemooltha (1 of 1) — our campsite – Widgiemooltha

after sunset (1 of 1) — Widgiemooltha after sunset

Posted on May 21, 2017 by photographyperthwa · 3 Comments

Travels with the Winnie – Day 2

We woke up to sunshine this morning. It was cold, so we used the diesel heater, very effective. We had washes and breakfast, filled up the water container we had used overnight, emptied the toilet cassette, and left at about 10.45 a.m. The good weather lasted until early afternoon. After lunch, as we were having a short rest, a storm front came through, wind gusts rocking the van and there was very loud rain. That made our rest rather short, but I made some London Fog aromatic tea to have with our McVities, guaranteed to cheer us up.

It rained for the rest of the day, pretty much, until we arrived at Southern Cross. I am a very nervous passenger with Stephen at the wheel of the Winnie. Today is only the second time he has driven it – he feels fine, but I cling to the edge of my seat! Still, we want to be able to share the driving and I will have to get over it.

We consulted our Geowiki app about a free campsite at Southern Cross, but it was misleading this time. There was a 24hr stopping area, but no toilets or other facilities as promised. We decided to go to the Caravan Park. We have stayed here before, it is run by the council, and very pleasant, with wide sites, clean ablutions and quite nice views.

We’ve hooked up everything and are delighting in having always on running water, 240v electricity and being able to use our stuff in a more normal way. However, it was lovely at Meckering and I would definitely recommend it for overnight stays.

I haven’t taken any photos today, but have a little bit of video.

Posted on May 20, 2017 by photographyperthwa · 3 Comments

Travels with the Winnie: Day 1

Day 1 - waiting Winnie.jpg — Waiting Winnie

We woke up at around 6.30 a.m. even though I had the alarm off. We did quite a lot of preparation yesterday, but still had many, many things to do this morning. We have quite a lot of stuff on the floor of the van, in the interests of keeping the weight low. When we are camped we not only have the extra space of the slide out, but also tend to put lots of stuff in the cab, so it won’t be a problem.

Day 1 - a lot of stuff on the floor — Stuff, mainly food and drinking water, plus my step stool for the high cupboards.

I’ve downgraded our home internet plan, which they do at no cost to us, as we don’t need to keep paying for really high speed whilst we are away. I’ve parked the Winnie nose in because that means when I am backing I have our neighbour’s guttering in my right hand mirror next to me. Damaging their house is my main worry.

6.15 p.m.

We feel that it has been a successful day. We arrived at Greenmount close to lunchtime, and went down Scott Street to a cafe to wait until Mum had had her lunch. We arrived just in time as she was wanting to go out for a cigarette. She showed Stephen her room, then we went up to the smoking area. It was a pleasant visit. She is quite alert, though still doesn’t know why she is there. I gather she is still being rude to the staff as we heard her complaining about having to wait to be taken to the smoking area when we were arriving. Her eyes were red and her hair looks a bit wild, time for the hairdresser I would say. We enjoyed our visit anyway. Mum does like the huge tree outside her window.

Then, it was on our way to Meckering. We had one stop on the way just past Northam, and arrived at about 4.15 p.m. A cup of tea and walk around the immediate environment was enjoyable. There is a cafe, with cooked breakfasts, toilets, drinking water and a designated area for parking. We have streetlights nearby, which will help us to feel safe overnight. There is also the roadhouse on the other side of the highway.

Meckering Rest Area - setting sun (1 of 1) — Winnie catching the setting sun

rose (1 of 1) — We have a rose garden here as well

Posted on May 19, 2017May 19, 2017 by photographyperthwa

Travels with the Winnie: Preparations

We have had a busy couple of weeks with the choir, plus my mother was offered a room at Regis Greenmount. It took from Thursday 11th May to Tuesday 16th to get her moved, with much work done by the women in our family. On Wednesday Marie and I had to finalise the finances for her move, as well as be there when some of her furniture was delivered. She is finding it difficult, but we hope she will settle in soon.

On Thursday I was feeling the effects of several days running on adrenelin, and going to choir in the evening seemed the last thing I wanted to do, but actually found it beneficial. Raelene was unwell, so Stephen helped out by running the rehearsal, using his ukelele to give us our notes. He only had a few hours notice and we were impressed at how well he had planned everything. When I spoke with Eversley, she had had a similarly adrenelin filled week helping one of her friends with health issues.

We have been doing heaps of preparation in between other things. The Winnie’s top rear panel was finally replaced at Ken Peachy, plus a couple of small items and they installed our new TV. At the moment nothing on or in the Winnie is held together with duct tape. That won’t last of course!

We had two new tyres put on the front, and new valves on the rest. We had two indpendent tyre places confirm that the rear tyres were good for a long time, just the front tyres needed replacing. We had our gas bottles filled yesterday and feel good to go as far as the Winnie is concerned.

I have a set packing list which can be modified depending on where we are going and for how long, and I’ve been following it today, getting quite a lot done. Our neighbours went away this morning and we brought the Winnie up near the house. This makes it easier to plug in, switch on the fridge, load up our things, and fill the water tank. We met with our other neighbour who will help out with getting rid of rubbish and other things.

Our plan in the morning is to proceed slowly and methodically with preparing the house and packing last minute things. This is because we will be away for several weeks. Both our neighbours will keep an eye on things for us. Stephen has given them sets of keys.

We also plan to visit Mum in Greenmount on our way tomorrow morning. We will need a bit of time to have a cup of tea with her, and take her out for a cigarette. I’m looking forward to seeing how she is going.

We don’t want to spend too long driving for our first day, and have an earlier camping spot in Meckering, and a later one in Merredin if we feel like going about another 100kms. Meckering is only 134.5 kms away, but offers free overnight camping with toilets, drinking water and other facilities. In Merredin there is a choice of a caravan park or free camping in a town park, with toilets. I’m using Geowiki to scout for camping as we go.

Our plan is to travel short distances of up to about 250 kms per day, free camping about half the time. There seem to be increasing numbers of towns offering free overnight parking for self contained vehicles. Caravan park owners are not necessarily pleased, but other businesses benefit from travellers staying in town. We will go to the Norseman Caravan Park to stock up, fill the tank and water jugs, dump tanks, etc. before crossing the Nullabour where there are limited options available. Roadhouses offer electrical hookup, showers and toilets, but no water.

As we plan this journey, we are reflecting on our 2015 trip across the Nullabour with Eversley. We know what to expect in some ways, but it will still be quite a different journey.

The photo for the day is from May Day. We are quite a small choir now, but we still have the passion.

MayDay Working Voices with Banner (1 of 1) — Working Voices Choir – May Day 2017

Posted on May 1, 2017May 1, 2017 by photographyperthwa

Life after Fairbridge – Mandurah Songfest

We had three nights at home, then set off again for Mandurah for the Songfest. It is a workshop, followed by a short concert, run by a choir in Mandurah.

We left Fairbridge on Tuesday at about midday, after most campers had left. We were really just taking our time and savouring the experience of being there. No rain the whole time meant there was lots of dust.

Coming down to Mandurah, we were surprised to find a Services stop at Baldivas, which we don’t remember seeing before. It has service stations either side, and on ours a large hall with fast food stalls, and toilets, of course. We plan to fill up with petrol and check the tires on the way home. The one on the way down is set up for trucks as well as cars, and we are hoping that the one on the way back to Perth is pretty similar.

We have stayed at the Belevedere Caravan Park in Mandurah before. It is comfortable, without being fancy. We took a short walk down to the beach last night, but didn’t get out until it was dark, so could not see very much.

This morning we tried not to rush to get ready. The workshop runs from 10.00 a.m. until 7.00 p.m., and includes morning and afternoon teas and lunch. Therefore, once we leave here, we are away for a long time. We have a frozen home cooked meal to come back to, but may have a meal out if we can find somewhere inexpensive. There is a Chinese restaurant next door to the caravan park, so that is an option.

As usual, it is sunny, with 26 degree maximum predicted. It was chilly overnight, so we have been glad of the heater. Although we were comfortable at Fairbridge without electricity it seems quite magical that all of our power points actually work!

Monday 1st May, 2017

It was a very long day at the Songfest. We learned six songs and two rounds, some of which are stuck in my head, going round and round. We had some five minute breaks, a longer break for morning and afternoon tea, and about an hour for lunch. During the lunchtime break we went down to the shore front for a walk. Morning teas, lunch and afternoon teas were provided by the Mandurah Choir, which was lovely and helped to keep us going, but we also wanted to get out for a while in the bigger break.

We had an hour between the rehearsal finishing and the final performance, so went to the Dome for a sit down and coffee. At that point we were feeling completely finished, no energy left, but the break was long enough for me at least to be able to do the concert without discomfit.

Our choir director was lovely, keeping us involved and singing our best. The choir had already learned the songs, which provided a good base for the rest of us to pick up on the music.

There was a raffle, and we actually won a prize. It was heavy to carry back to the caravan park (about a kilometre away), but we were determined and managed it. We had a frozen meal and toast, quite comforting, and tried out some chocolates from our prize box. There was wine, marmalade, truffle salt(?), olives and chocolates, we had to open it to have a look when we got home.

We should have had black clothes for the concert, but choir members lent us a bit of gear so we didn’t stand out too much. Something to remember next time.

We were granted a late checkout, and woke up quite late anyway, so it would have been difficult to get ready by 10.00 a.m. By 12.00 we were ready and on the way home stopped at the Northbound version of the Baldivas service stop to fill up with deisel and check the tyres. Stephen was having a bit of difficulty and asked for help from another truck owner. He was delightful and even crawled underneath to check the spare. He is a mechanic by trade, with his own business. He said he and his employees are absolutely flat tack and can’t take any more business, but he did leave his phone number, just in case. He said our vehicle is known for being very reliable, which is why Winnebago use it as the basis for their motorhomes, and that was reassuring. And I have deliberately blanked out the child’s face, he would have been recognisable otherwise.