travel – hopemarg

Well, where has that time gone? We have achieved so much since my last post.

We sold our van, purchased a house in Tasmania, I traveled to England and Scotland with a life-long friend. Sadly, we lost my daughter-in-law to cancer, we sold the house in Tasmania and we are now living on the South Coast of NSW.

Do I have regrets? Only one! I wish my daughter in law was still with us! Looking on the positive side, I am so grateful that she chose my son to be her husband and together they gave us two treasured little boys and many, many wonderful memories that I will take to my grave. I could never have wished for a better daughter in law. Thanks, Shez.

So, after we reached Tasmania, we loved it so much we decided to sell the caravan and purchase a house. That house was just perfect! The only thing missing was my kids and grandkids. Eighteen months later a snap decision was made and here we are back in New South Wales. Back with the most important possessions in the world…..our family.

While I was in Tasmania I began to study online with the University of Tasmania (UTAS). Diploma of Family History was my choice (of course).

I have been researching our family since 1981 and I thought I was well versed in research, after all those years. I was so wrong! I have learned so much. I have one more unit to do and I will graduate.

Now, while I have been unpacking, I found my folders from Uni and I thought that I would like to preserve the stories I have written during my study. I was going to save them all in a file on my computer but I thought that they would eventually get lost. Then the lightbulb clicked and I recalled my WordPress Blog. This is the place where I can save them and share with those who wish to read them………and I won’t lose them!

So my next few blogs will be my essays. My last blog, being my niece’s wedding was part of my studies. I hope you enjoyed it. I enjoyed the wedding and the unit.

I hope you enjoy my stories.

Week 3 cont…….. & 4

It’s been busy!

After a relaxing weekend at Kilmore Caravan Park Monday was on our doorstep.We were both excited but a little apprehensive about towing our baby back to Kilmore. We booked a site for two more night so we could set up home.

We met some wonderful people who were very helpful giving us lots of tips and tricks.

Reg making himself at home on the new bed.

Our next stop was a beautiful little rest stop 9.5 kms out of Benalla called Casey’s Weir Rest Area. This was just magical. Just near the water and the birdlife is spectacular! we were the first to pull in but we had quite a few follow later in the afternoon. Once again we had a chat with the campers and felt very comfortable.

John chillin' after our first monoeuvre. — John chillin’ after our first monoeuvre.

Our view at Casey's Weir — Our view at Casey’s Weir

Well, how do we top our first night?

Darlene suggested we have a look at Bright. A place I have been several decades ago and John had never been there. So Bright was typed into the Sat Nav.

Whilst John was driving I was checking out Wiki Camps and Camp 8 and found Smoko Camping Area.

After we turned left on to the dirt road John became a little nervous as he thought I was leading him to somewhere we shouldn’t be!! Then all of a sudden we saw vehicles, campers and people.

What a nice spot next to the creek.

: Our backyard at Smoko

Stay safe!! xxx

Stay safe and love to all.

Week 2 CONT….& 3

A VISITOR FROM TOOMWOOMBA

On Monday Maree and Terry came to Warwick to visit us. I have not seen my step sister for many, many years nor had I met her wonderful husband. We had lots to talk about, so much so I forgot to take photos and Dad hardly got a word in!

Looking forward to keeping in touch with a beautiful couple.

A FEW PHOTOS OF THE BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE OF WARWICK.

St. Mark's, Warwick — St. Mark’s, Warwick

St. Mary's, Warwick — St. Mary’s, Warwick

A VISIT TO THE GOLD COAST.

Dad had not seen his sister Gwen for several years so we decided to head over to the Gold Coast to catch up.

Robina was programmed into out Navigator in the car and we told it to find the most economical way to our destination. Well……we had a lovely trip! She took us off the main highway and we saw some beautiful countryside where horse studs are a plenty. We would never have seen this pretty country if we didn’t have our Nav. I guess it is adventurous because it is ‘female’.

What a wonderful surprise to catch up with Linda and Daryle too. Dad had a surprise visit from Michael who took time off work to bring his Uncle Jack a beer. He has a big heart. I had not seen Michael since he was a baby!

Who remembers the salt & pepper shakers?

A VISIT TO AUNTY MARGE

After we left Warwick, heading to Victoria to pick up our caravan, we stopped off to see my other special Aunty- Aunty Marge. I have not seen her for a long time neither!

She was at her sons house and although I didn’t get to see him I met his lovely wife. Aunty Marge is in good hands.

ON THE ROAD.

We’ve done 1500 kms since we left Warwick on Wednesday, arriving at Killmore on Friday afternoon.

Time for some rest and relaxation until we get our caravan on Monday……….now that’s going to be a bit stressful but we are looking forward to setting up our new home.

Stay safe!!!

Week 1 & 2.

Well it’s getting close to two weeks since we left Ulladulla. We have packed a lot in since that day!

SWAN LAKE

Another tick off my bucket list………I went to my first ballet, Graeme Murphy’s Swan Lake. Two hours and forty minutes of beautiful music
and wonderful ballet. It was over before I knew it! I am now hooked on ballet and will be looking for shows whilst on the move.

From one extreme to another……..after the ballet we had a drink in ‘Scruffy Murphy’s’. An interesting venue!!

FAMILY PHOTO SHOOT

A photo shoot was organised on Saturday with the family at E G Waterhouse Camellia Gardens, Caringbah. What a beautiful day for family photographs. Although we don’t have the finished result yet those in the background took some great shots too.

Shez was there but I think she was the one in the background taking happy snaps. I will post the professional ones when they come available.

GATHERING OF THE SIBLINGS

As we are off on our travels and my sister is off to Tasmania we thought we should have a get together. We had a nice gathering at Davistown, NSW. Although it was good to catch up it was a little lumpy in the throat to say ‘see ya’.

I can’t handle goodbyes and with the technology of the era it is so easy to keep in contact. Even my 4 year old grandson rings me on FaceTime!

Our next stop was to my beautiful Aunty June’s at Budgewoi. We had a stop over with her and caught up on family news (some good, some sad), and reminisced about old times. I was so much engrossed in the conversations that I forgot to take photos. But I have some wonderful memories.

WARWICK QLD

We are now in beautiful Warwick. The first day we had here was 36 degrees. A stinker!!! The days have been in the high 20s since, which is bearable.

Art Gallery

At the Art Gallery we happened to notice there was an exhibition called Detour which was a Graphic artworks in pen, ink and watercolour by Dennis Hope. Great works depicting Warwick, Armidale and every other state in Australia and also very reasonably priced. I would have purchased one but I got the evil eye from John and poor ‘Henry’ the Ranger is packed to the rafters at the moment!

Glengallan

Well as most of you know I love history so we headed off to Glengallan Homestead & Heritage Centre. You can check it out here Glengallan Homestead

A homestead that has survived more time as a ruin than a home. The volunteers have worked hard to bring it back to its former glory. The families involved are also very interesting.