I feel another "controversy" coming on

how about "need to get off the blacktop to see the real Australia"

should I continue here or move to a new topic? ....over to you nice people,

Jim

name two things that are overseas "natural" that are not in australia, and then name two things that you can only see "off the blacktop" and a welcome from me as well

I agree. "Now in my day", said the little, old Granny, "they taught Australian Geography and quite a bit of the history". I wish they'd taught us more. As I travel around this country I find out the history of towns and regions I've never heard of, but I believe I should have. Geography happens all around us all the time, and it changes every season. Political correctness and soft options have to go and be replaced by the facts, and let the facts stand in their own right. Cheers Chris

Hi All, I'm having fun, nothing like throwing something into the mix and seeing what happens!

re the "leave the blacktop" topic I'm hoping that a few other GNs toss a few things in too!

Thanks Dave06 for the welcome...

Q1: Volcanos and Glaciers,  The stunningly awesome scenery and wildlife of Alaska etc, etc.

Q2: Simpson Desert, Cape York, most of the Kimberley, Cape Leveque, etc etc

by the way when traveling I make a point of meeting locals, going beyond the tourist traps, checking out the history. Our history defines who we are.

Please don't get the idea that I devalue the benefit and enjoyment of traveling within Australia, very much the opposite!

Q1 wilpena was once a volcano, a million years ago, most of the flinders were formed by volcanic eruptions and or tectonic plate movement caused by volcanoes, a lot of Tassie is or was formed by glaciers, wildlife, get out of here we have the most diverse and ecologically rich continent on earth and surround all that by the richest plant life on earth and throw in the mix the best people on earth, I wouldnt live anywhere else Q2 yeah well o.k. I'll give you that one, but given time the black stuff will get there

dave06 wrote:

---

Q1 wilpena was once a volcano, a million years ago, most of the flinders were formed by volcanic eruptions and or tectonic plate movement caused by volcanoes, a lot of Tassie is or was formed by glaciers,

wildlife, get out of here we have the most diverse and ecologically rich continent on earth and surround all that by the richest plant life on earth and throw in the mix the best people on earth, I wouldnt live anywhere else

Q2 yeah well o.k. I'll give you that one, but given time the black stuff will get there

---

I could stand to be corrected but my understanding is that Wilpena Pound is "non volcanic" in geological origin, some great 4wd tracks leading to some stunning scenery out there too. Undarra Lava Tubes (nth Qld) are very definitely volcanic in origin and only about 100,000 years old, amongst the world's largest and well worth a visit, also off the blacktop but only a short distance and no problem for 2wd rigs. The Lava tubes associated with Mt St Helens in Washington State are mere rabbit burrows by comparison. (The visitor "center" at Mt St Helens does make mention of the Undarra Lava Tubes).   Other interesting geological formations are Gosse Bluff in Central Aust, a comet crater, and Wolfe Creek Meteorite Crater on the NW edge of the Tanami Desert (both off the "blacktop").

Add Lawn Hill NP to locations well worth a visit but off the sealed road. Would think carefully about going there with a standard 2wd rig but "soft roaders" or 2wd utes with a dirt road capable van would be no problem in the dry season. It's a few years since I was there so conditions may have changed. Dust and corrugations are the main issues.

Also add Bungle Bungles to the list.

Quite a few "off blacktop" locations can be accessed by going on local 4wd bus tours from nearby centres and this may be a good option for those not inclined to "gear-up" for dirt road or off road travel.

I did this last year to Fraser Island to save the cost of taking my own rig over by myself and copped the tour guide from hell (thought he was funny, treated passengers like little kids, and wouldn't shut up, the bus was a heap and would never pass rego in NSW). The above situation can occur overseas too. I copped the tour guide from hell in Denali NP in central Alaska a few years back, same story with the guide and the bus was an old ex-school bus.

To sum up the "see Australia first" debate, my view is that we have a truly great and unique country and we should see as much of it as we can before we shuffle off this mortal coil, but we should not pass up the opportunity to travel beyond our shores to achieve this aim.

I may start a new thread in the general forum on the "blacktop" topic to draw wider participation from both sides of the debate.

 

yep, I was "jerking your chain" I only asked for two, we spent our first 25 years of our relationship touring this great land in various employment positions,

95% of our travels were "off the blacktop", deserts mainly, we used various vehicles to do this and had various employment positions but I was employed as a heavy plant operator mostly, heavy mining equipment, monster dozer's were my forte, hence the rheumatoid arthritis

-- Edited by dave06 on Monday 13th of July 2009 10:31:54 AM

Dave, you're too quick to confess! You could have strung me out a bit longer!

Sorry, forgot to mention, the picture was taken at a roadhouse either at Tennant Creek or the Three ways. I think.

Mel I'm as happy as a clam (are clam's truly happy?) to hear from you again, I am really glad you took a little time to just refind your "centre" it will take time but you have plenty I was wondering how you were getting on and hoping that all has been good for you, all you can do is "one day at a time" get through today and then tommorow as I said you wont ever forget but it will become a little easier dont ever blame yourself for things unsaid, I tell all around me everyday how I feel about them but there will always be something left unsaid, no regrets here I'm glad you had a good break, you needed it, (i have a really bad habit of reading between the lines), just make the next break better and then better again one day at a time and one step at a time is all we can do as for suggestions, Port pirie is good

Hi Dave

Great to hear from you too. As they say, small baby steps. I am enjoying being at home and am currently painting the bedrooms. That keeps me occupied but my goodness every thing is aching. Whoever said this was easy should be shot.

Thanks for the suggestion of Port Pirie. Will add that to our list and look it up on the internet to see what it has to offer. Please keep them coming. With the time I have for the roadtrip, I am hoping to do all of Australia..except Tasmania..that can be another trip. Thanks again. Mel.

painting is always hard, no matter how fit i think I am, when I tackle the paint job I am always stiff and sore afterwards, ceilings are the worst, stiff neck every damn time, we use different muscles than we are used to if you like mountain scenery or just old geological features then wilpena pound would be the go, possibly blue mountains are worth a visit, halls gap for the Grampians, the great ocean road is a beauty, skiing is always great fun wherever it may be (snow may help though) then there is always Uluru for the grandeur and the mystique, Darwin is always good anytime of the year, Kakadu for the animals and wildlife, the Kimberley's may be a little out of your experience base just now but maybe in the future, who knows of course then there are the wine regions, Clare valley, and the interstate rubbishy ones that think they produce a reasonable drop but of course are wrong the mighty Murray is great anytime of year and full of free camps, Adelaide hills are well worth a visit full of old world charm and a relaxing way to spend a day or three (hahndorf jumps immediately to mind) the zoo's in any city are a great way to spend a day, I think the Sydney zoo is a must see, botanical gardens in any city are fantastic and not to be missed just let your imagination run free and let the littley pick a couple of spots as well, just you and her that matter in the world now, learn to look after and confide in each other and be Friends first, parent/child second, but whatever you decide to do we are all here and behind you 110% any yakking you want to do to get anything off your chest or to widen your knowledge base we are all here, if we don't know the correct answer we will simply make something up that sounds plausible, feel free to private message any of us on any subject anytime, we will answer you as best we can, doesn't matter how silly or trivial the subject, we are here!! one more thing, bloody well look after yourself!!! or else!

Been where you are Mel.  If I can be of any help just holla.

Ma

Hi Ma, how you going? Good to hear from you. I need help with this one please. I have this mother in law who has been giving me grief when my hubby passed. She's good now but is on my tail about hubby's ashes. She would like to have the ashes in a cemetery where she could go and visit and put flowers there. I have told her that I have not decided what i plan to do with them at the momnet so it's in the house until I decide. My question is..what's the meaning of the ashes. To my mother in law, she has advised me that it isn't him but just his bones...To me, it's my hubby...he was a fisherman and we have discussed this previously and his request is to be scattered at the Jetty at prawn season ( approximately March). My problem is... I don't want to let him go....Am i being selfish or is the mother in law right. Very Confused..Love to hear all opinions, it may help me make my decision. Regards Mel.

Nice to see you again mate, glad you are getting there.

Its still early days yet, you will know what to do when the time comes I believe. There is no reason to rush anything is there?

Another reason for baby steps.

It's your choice, and obviously you discussed it with you husband, and you can decide how to respect his wishes.My best friend in WA lost her long-term partner very suddenly. She scattered some of his ashes at his favourite place, Bells Gorge up the Gibb River Road.She considered having the rest formed into a diamond which is apparently done these days.You don't have to do anything but keep them on the mantle piece. A memorial wall can be impersonal. What's wrong with just remembering the loved one wherever we are. Maybe a photo in a nice place at home - not a shrine, but a memory place. If we didn't give them the best when they were on this earth, after they're gone is a bit late.Share the love.  Cheers Chris

will PM you Mel.

Elaine

Hi Chris, so good to hear from you too. The diamond thing that you mentioned sounds interesting. If you don't mind would love to hear more on that.

Our favourite holiday place was the Bunya Mountains, so will scatter some ashes there like your friend did. I did have a look at the cemetery where they had all the options on what can be done with the ashes, and your right..very impersonal.

Thanks for your great advise.

Mel

Mel he will forever dwell in your heart, the mortal remains were only his vehicle, the soul still remains, what you do with the ashes has got to be your choice alone, mum had him through his growing years but then as a man he chose you, you are the only one to decide personally I would go to a beautifull secluded valley somewhere and scatter the ashes in there, the memory will stay with you forever however, you are getting great support in here now from fantastic people who have been there and know what they are talking about I will butt out, but whatever you decide you make it your choice, plenty of time, if you want a yak dont hesitate, private or public I dont mind, anytime day or night you are under the wing of some great folks in here, use them to lean on, you dont have to go it alone, dont let it bottle up, just let it out wherever it feels right and talk about it look after yourself

Mel, I don't mean to seem insensitive here, but have you thought about the Solomon solution?
1 He wanted the ashes scattered in a certain place.
2 You want to keep him with you.
3 Mum-in-law wants him.

If you divided the ashes into 3, every-one could be satisfied.
[Mum-in-law needn't know.]

Cheers,
xina.


-- Edited by xina on Friday 21st of August 2009 04:36:13 PM

Hi Dave

You could never butt in as your opinion is important to me. Thank you for your kind words and it ha helped. Every one's comments help me. Just knowing I have some where to turn to gives me strength to take a day at a time I know that time does heal..(I was getting sick of hearing it but I know its true).

Thanks for your wisdom and will keep in touch. Mel.

Hi Xina

You know its very funny you should have said that. I did exactly that. I asked for his ashes to be in 3 containers..was not sure why I had requested it but  I just did.

Great to hear from you and thanks for your input. I will definately think about it. Mel.

Mel the pain never "heals" but it becomes more bearable through time, anytime you want a yak we are here

To MIke and Judy, Chris and Dave and all the others of you out there offering such support to Mel.
You guys just blow my mind. You are such caring loving people! I am so impressed by your attitude and I feel  secure in the knowledge that people like you are out there offering to help people like Mel (and me as a newbie).
Mel-I don't know you but I feel as if I've shared a tiny bit of your journey as a result of reading your posts and the wonderful responses you've received.
And Dave softies like you are hard to come by. Bless you! Freespirit

if we cant help someone along the way then I dont want to be here, only too glad to hold out a freindly hand anytime to anyone

That is so true. Since becoming a member, every one has been another family to me. Hearing every one's opinions and their troubles is a breath of fresh air as family members don't understand what I and every one has been through. Thanks every one for the tower of strength you have given me over the months.

Thanks Melinda. I'm glad all our contributions were of some comfort in that terrible time.I hope some of the pain has eased, and everything is starting to make sense again. How's the travel plan coming along? I for one would be interested to learn how you're going to tackle "the dream trip", and when. All the best to you and your family, and keep us nosey buggers posted. Cheers Chris