Mmmm, yet another month done and dusted and yes I survived the crowds visiting the area for the Townsville Show, V8 Supercars, Speed Boat Races, Monster trucks, huge Motorhome Convention and School Holidays. People and traffic everywhere.
I spent most of the last month running up a few KM's on the Colorado so I could get the 3000km free check done before I left Townsville, easily done too. No problems found and I can now tow as well. Done and dusted.
The spotlights and Roof Racks found their way onto the tug also and all looks and performs well. I had a slight problem fitting the lights as the Holden bull bar didn't allow enough room for the lights I had but the spotlights you can get fitted by Holden for heaps more $$$$ fit like a glove, funny that, so had to make up a bracket for each light then had a problem with two bolts cross threading. GST, Greg came to the rescue with his angle grinder and cut them off. Next day I got new bolts, put everything together and all sorted.
I also spent time visiting Yeoeleven,John, My Van, Paul and Bowlerbear, Chris who are travelling in convoy a couple of times and GST, Greg and Ruth, also Grevo, Gary and Cassy who I met late last month. Good to see them all again. Should see John at least, again later in the year back in Central Victoria. I also got to meet GN members Wanderers, Don and Diane just last week and very nice people, it was great to spend some time with them chatting away over a morning coffee/tea and then again a few days later for a lovely Roast dinner where they were camped, thankyou Don and Diane. GN's definitely eat well out here in the playground.
Now I am ready to leave here in the tropics and will be on the road 4th August as it is time to start the journey south for a medical appointment and get the next stage of my big lifestyle plan in action, so will be heading down the coast and catching up with a few GN members along the way so looking forward to that. I have been offered driveways or front lawns so I can prop a night or two so will take up the very kind offers as I go. I also need to get back to base camp to get the next stage of my big plan in action. I will arrive back during the last week in August/first week September but will prop in Wodonga or maybe even Howlong so I can get the rego of the Colorado changed from Q'land to Victorian as Vic Roads wanted me to do that ASAP. Well that's ASAP as I wasn't going to go down the Victoria a month ago then come back up to Townsville just for that. At least by doing it as I cross the boarder it looks like I have made an effort instead of waiting till I got home down the bottom of Victoria :)) Now I hear my good friends Brian, Cheryl, Brandt and Lorraine asking, how long will I be in Howlong, well guys, not toolong I don't think, maybe long enough to make a stew/casserole though. Sorry guys, couldn't resist that (inside joke).
The Colorado has been performing as I would hope and really think the right decision has been made with my choice of tug. I will also be interested to see how much and if the great economy will be effected by the Den being hooked up.
Saturday the 19/7 I decided to go to Jourama Falls, in the Paluma National Park, about 70km north of Townsville to give the camera a run. I had been to the camping area last year but not the falls for some reason.
Now the sign at the beginning of the walking path said "Moderate" 3km walk to the falls viewing platform, mmmmm, moderate to some maybe but this little black duck? Nope, I found it, well, a little hard BUT did get to the falls and back to the tug so I was very pleased with myself and I tell you that for free.
Jourama Falls is more like a series of a few small falls in very close proximity, at the time I was there anyway but very very nice indeedy. Well worth the very rocky in places and steep climb up well maintained paths and steps. These falls would be truly spectacular in the wet season but unfortunately due to part of the walk having to cross through a very rocky creek area that would transform into a raging deep river and well under water you would never get through so would not get to see the spectacular view that would be there. Bugga. In fact the park it self is closed off many times in the wet season due to two flooded creeks you would have to cross to enter the park. As I was coming back down it was good to see much younger people finding the going tuff too, stopping for breathers.
Speaking of water, I had a problem with the neighbour on the side of my daughter's house where the Avan was. Every time she uses her sprinkler system that she set up on top of the fence it flooded down the side of the Avan and if washing was on the line it all got wet.
I spoke to the lady and she didn't realise so we discussed it and she agreed not to water on weekends as that is when washing is on the line and she didn't use it from the Saturday just gone to give a chance to dry out as I said I will move the van around to the driveway and leave there. I am leaving next Monday so no problem and she can water again until the weekend. Just shows a bit of give and take and things work out. Thanks to Grevo, Garry who came around to help push the Avan out as it had to be pulled in not backed in, the big move took place on Tuesday, thanks heaps Garry, as you found out there was no way I could have done it by myself.
Weather, well it has been very difficult to deal with here in the tropics as we have had to put up with temps ranging from 10-16c over night, brrrrr, to not much better during the day with temps in the mid 20's, very little wind and as for rain, it just wouldn't let up from not happening. Really hard to take.
So there you have it, my 2014 northern migration is now at an end and I will do a U turn and start heading south again. I more than likely will return in 2015 and probably with a new DEN to escape the Arctic like winds and cold in South West Gippsland, although by then I hope to be a full time grey nomad and not calling that area base camp.
You haven't got rid of me yet though as I still have at least one more update to go or might go back to weekly updates for a while. Bugga, I here someone down the back say, sooooorry.
I have included a few pics below.
Until next time keep safe everyone and if you are already in the playground, enjoy, if not, get out here.
DOUG
kandagal said
03:54 PM Jul 31, 2014
As you head south Doug keep safe
kandagal said
03:55 PM Jul 31, 2014
As you head south Doug keep safe We will continue to put up with this nth Qld weather for a bit longer
pugs said
05:20 PM Jul 31, 2014
Good update and piccys,hope you keep them up going to the southland,and take care on the road. Pugs
Glenelg said
06:26 PM Jul 31, 2014
Good pics mate be safe on way home, went to caravan show in Adelaide today got a engel f/f honda gen & a vacuum thingie for food $$$ have to do it. see ya at greens for a beer. be safe
Dougwe said
06:48 PM Jul 31, 2014
Ah Ah, maybe that's why "Goldstar Caravans" didn't reply to my email today Dave. Busy at the show.
Jonathan said
06:48 PM Jul 31, 2014
.. safe and happy travels Doug .. see you around the traps mate !
2weis said
07:14 PM Jul 31, 2014
the colorado will get better
mine has 27000 k and the economy has inproved from what it was at 5000k
very few problems encountered and no road conditions so far it could not handle
brian
Plendo said
07:16 PM Jul 31, 2014
Good to see you got it done Doug.
Travel safely, and we will see you on your way down the coast.
Dougwe said
07:21 PM Jul 31, 2014
Maybe I just didn't take my meds this morning David. Thanks for the call mate. Looking forward to seeing you both next week. I will make sure I take my meds though.
Vic41 said
07:23 PM Jul 31, 2014
Good report Doug and happy travels!
yeoeleven said
08:05 PM Jul 31, 2014
Good report as usual Doug, safe travels and hope to meet up again at Greens,
CYA John
copper1 said
09:05 PM Jul 31, 2014
Nice one Doug, great pictures as well now as you head south mate don't pack the winter woolly's away because you will need them see you soon.
pondsmob said
09:28 PM Jul 31, 2014
Good update, and lovely photos, safe travels back south.
Dougwe said
06:25 AM Aug 1, 2014
Jonathan wrote:
.. safe and happy travels Doug .. see you around the traps mate !
Geez Jon, I sure hope we don't get trapped mate. At least I would be in good company
Dougwe said
06:31 AM Aug 1, 2014
Thanks for the comments everyone, now I know at least you guys read my updates
I will be glad to be mobile again.
_wombat_ said
07:47 AM Aug 1, 2014
great shots mate, you stay safe on your trip south.
Cruising Cruze said
11:44 AM Aug 1, 2014
Don't be nice to Doug now Wombat
what do you want from Him
Dougwe said
11:48 AM Aug 1, 2014
Good Question John.
Now, what do you mean by DON'T be nice to Doug
I might just have to NOT turn off the highway as I go near your turn off next week now
_wombat_ said
12:41 PM Aug 1, 2014
Cruising Cruze wrote:
Don't be nice to Doug now Wombat
what do you want from Him
Anything he want to give away free,
_wombat_ said
12:43 PM Aug 1, 2014
Dougwe wrote:
Good Question John.
Now, what do you mean by DON'T be nice to Doug
I might just have to NOT turn off the highway as I go near your turn off next week now
Is that John I can hear cheering
ken thomas said
03:17 PM Aug 1, 2014
Doug
Stay where you are as it is still toooooo bloody cold down south.
Have place an order on Condor caravans to have the Dun Wurkun replaced and build will start in late October
Getting similar van built with rear doors so Lyn can get around the bed
Ken
Gerty Dancer said
07:51 PM Aug 1, 2014
Interesting as always Doug, and thanks for the photos.
We remembered that climb up to Jourama falls well, especially as when we finally arrived, hot and puffed, the falls were dry!!! Glad you were rewarded for your effort.
Cruising Cruze said
07:52 PM Aug 1, 2014
You sure that you want to go down south Doug Snow every were and to cold for most Aussies I've seen plenty for a life time when I was a young they can keep it from me.
and to Wombat:no you can't have one of the girls that hang around Doug's caravan, them 2 you have washing your van is even to much to handle for you I've been told
Cheers John
Dougwe said
08:10 PM Aug 1, 2014
I have to be last week August for tests then see the doc first week September. I shouldn't have to put up with the cold for too long so all good john. Besides, I need to get the ball rolling for the next stage of my big plan.
_wombat_ said
09:35 AM Aug 2, 2014
Cruising Cruze wrote:
You sure that you want to go down south Doug Snow every were and to cold for most Aussies I've seen plenty for a life time when I was a young they can keep it from me.
and to Wombat:no you can't have one of the girls that hang around Doug's caravan, them 2 you have washing your van is even to much to handle for you I've been told
.. safe and happy travels Doug .. see you around the traps mate !
mine has 27000 k and the economy has inproved from what it was at 5000k
very few problems encountered and no road conditions so far it could not handle
brian
Good to see you got it done Doug.
Travel safely, and we will see you on your way down the coast.
Good report Doug and happy travels!
Good report as usual Doug, safe travels and hope to meet up again at Greens,
CYA John
Nice one Doug, great pictures as well now as you head south mate don't pack the winter woolly's away because you will need them
see you soon.
Geez Jon, I sure hope we don't get trapped mate. At least I would be in good company
Thanks for the comments everyone, now I know at least you guys read my updates
I will be glad to be mobile again.
great shots mate, you stay safe on your trip south.
Don't be nice to Doug now Wombat
what do you want from Him
Good Question John.
Now, what do you mean by DON'T be nice to Doug
I might just have to NOT turn off the highway as I go near your turn off next week now
Anything he want to give away free,
Is that John I can hear cheering
Stay where you are as it is still toooooo bloody cold down south.
Have place an order on Condor caravans to have the Dun Wurkun replaced and build will start in late October
Getting similar van built with rear doors so Lyn can get around the bed
Ken
We remembered that climb up to Jourama falls well, especially as when we finally arrived, hot and puffed, the falls were dry!!! Glad you were rewarded for your effort.
You sure that you want to go down south Doug
Snow every were and to cold for most Aussies
I've seen plenty for a life time when I was a young they can keep it from me.
and to Wombat:no you can't have one of the girls that hang around Doug's caravan,
them 2 you have washing your van is even to much to handle for you I've been told
Cheers John
I can handle more