HOW IT ALL BEGAN
We spent three months camping in Australia from
November 1998-January 1999
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November 1998 Taralgon, Nr Melbourne,Victoria |
For his 60th birthday present Jim chose to ride a new KTM in the enduro World Championships down under. . |
The South Liverpool Motor Club entered the 'Team Old Fart' in the 73rd ISDE.
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Only Roger made it to the finish and Jim retired hurt but we met all our old friends and had a great time.
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Start of our journey across Australia. |
We bought a Mitsubishi station wagon, a 'Magwag' in Oz speak and after a drive along ninety mile beach spent the first night in our tent beside the ocean at Port Albert
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Jim had to learn how to cook on a small camping stove.
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As we live near Welshpool,Powys we visited the main post office in Welshpool,Victoria. |
Then down onto Wilson Promonontory for a magical campsite in the National park amongst the wild life and rock formations.Here we purchased a folding table-it will travel around the world with us-see our trip in 2006!
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We were learning quickly how to use our 'tarp' to make shade.
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Along the Great Ocean Road Dot spent hours making watercolour sketches of the scenery. |
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After visiting Philip Island race circuit, the
Speed Trials at Geelong we survived the crossing of the Nullabor in 46deg, off roading,
storms in Esperance, the heat at Wave Rock and a Xmas BBQ with the Thompson family in
Wanneroo WA |
Heading north to Cervantes we dodged the Japanese tourists at the Pinnacles Desert-Jim decided not to dance naked like Billy Connolly. |
Further north up to Shark Bay to see the dolphins, Shell beach and the mile long jetty at Canarvon.
Dot celebrated her 60th and decided that this was the best way of life-ever. |
Then we arrived at Kalbarri-a paradise on earth |
The campsite was just a few yards from where the Murchison river flows into the Indian Ocean. By now we were expert campers. |
The pelicans are fed every morning and then they go and pinch the bait out of the fishermens buckets. One problem we had was keeping supplies cool without a fridge. As the shops opened at 7am we would rise early, walk along the beach to get supplies before returning to camp for breakfast. |
All around this area are fantastic rock formations and the Murchinson gorge is a fantastic example of the power of water.
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From Perth to the UK to prepare for our big adventure! |
A visit to Freemantle to meet up with friends and take a tour around the US Navy ship Admiral Hooper
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We stayed down in Rockingham to sell all our camping gear at a car boot sale. Fellow campers fed us when all our cooking gear had gone. Aussie campers always have food on the barbie and cold beer ready. |
We enjoyed the Australia Day activities beside the Swan river in Perth and a spectacular firework display brought our trip to a close..
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We had decided to travel full time around the world, so on the long flight home we designed the vehicle we would need. Plans were made to begin a new phase in our life.
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We spent all the summer building our new camper which is a converted city bus. We named it the Kalbarri bus, our aim is to arrive in Australia or New Zealand at the end of our trip.
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In November 1999 our journey Round the World began.
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-----------The next part of our journey December 1999-April 2000--------------
