Last week we spent 5 days and nights freedom camping around Central Victoria. Eril was keen to have a look around the Kyneton area. We were quite rushed getting organised to go away as other peoples plans had changed. Left Ballarat Monday evening and drove through Daylesford to Mount Franklin. Over the years we have travelled that road passing the Mt. Franklin turn off many times saying to ourselves that "We should visit it one day!!" Well this was the trip. Got there around 6.30pm and set up. There were several others camped around the reserve which is the crater of an old volcano. The Autumn colours are really beginning to show.
I was pretty buggered the next day so we decided to have a rest day. Only had to shift 30 meters to improve the TV reception. First job in the morning for Eril is making our breakfast and then I fire up the genset to heat the La Pavoni coffee machine so Eril will have the energy to do the dishes!!!!
Wednesday we headed to a cider distillery. Eril went in and I went to the free dump point in Harcourt, well done Harcourt!!! only 1km away. When I got back I walked in to where Eril had gone and enjoyed some cider sampling. We then tootled off to Mt Alexander where there was excellent TV and Internet. Only one other RV in sight and a couple set up tent in fading sunlight. The next morning a guy cam past on his motorcycle with all his gear stowed on the pillion rack. We decided to skirt around Bendigo and do there some other time. The day was hot and we stopped by the running/trickling Campaspe River. All on our lonesome so no worries re genset!! Needed ceiling fan until the weather change at midnight. The heat really knocks me around after the burns, not enough sweat glands, fortunately I don't have to raise a sweat these days!! Down to Kyneton for a quick look and realised that Kyneton will be a separate trip so tootling again we ended up at Glenlyon. Wiki was telling us we were there BUT the little tent icon was not where we were, AND there was quite a steep path down in the direction of the icon. Here am I walking around with the Ipad thinking, I have to make good decisions here or could end up in deep s***t!!! The decision to visit the general store and get the correct directions was a good move. Eril was happier.. Every trip is a new learning experience even after all the forum advice.
The recreation reserve was excellent BUT no phone or Internet but plenty of TV signal. I was wishing that the last visitor had added tyhat the icon is on the wrong spot. I will ad to Wiki in my comments.
There was a proper farmers market the next morning so I had to disconnect the Pajero for Eril to go to the market while I slept in. To save me organising the gensetEril brought me back a $4 s**t coffee. I guess it is the thought that counts!!!! Having our own espresso coffee twice a day is magic, so I get a little grumpy when we have to pay for terrible coffee, anyway supported the local store!!
We arrived home late arvo Saturday, and had a visit from latest grand child on the Sunday and the now 6 months old Olivia visit Monday. If only I was not so buggered all the time it would be a greater life that it is. I guess someone has to do it to make you lot, that are still working, envious!!!
Aussie Paul.
p.s. Bugger spell checked it in Gmail and did not remove the spell check before copy and pasting here. Not gonna type it again!!
Double bugger, the pics are not in order. Ah!! still so much to learn, just when I thought I knew it all!!!!!
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Tuesday 24th of March 2015 08:49:46 PM
Hey Paul. This is really great info - we're going to follow your path in a few months time. Have you posted in the cheap/free sites area and just to be a real pain you on wikicamps and are these places there??
You mentioned the word grumpy - please read my post about joining the GOM and GOW party - we can find a position for you and your coffee machine (or with a pollies perks - probably you can use a Crown credit card to hire a scantily clad 19 year old blonde to make the coffee for you as you grump at the rest of us) LOL
Dougwe said
02:34 PM Mar 25, 2015
Good to see you both getting out and about Paul.
KFT said
05:09 PM Mar 25, 2015
G'day Paul
a great read mate, you are doing well. Don't worry about going any faster than you are now. One thing I have learned since retiring is that everything now is at MY speed like it or lump it hey.
Love the photos too, made a good slide show.
When we finally get to that are we will be hoping to visit the places you have mentioned
enjoy life mate and avagreatday
frank
goldenyears said
04:37 PM Mar 29, 2015
Hi new to the gn site but enjoyed reading your story along with so many other ones ... planning eventual trip around oz made me realise there are still so many new places in vic to see ... ahhhhhhhhhhhh the beauty of retirement no rush and can spend more time smelling those roses !!
Last week we spent 5 days and nights freedom camping around Central Victoria. Eril was keen to have a look around the Kyneton area. We were quite rushed getting organised to go away as other peoples plans had changed. Left Ballarat Monday evening and drove through Daylesford to Mount Franklin. Over the years we have travelled that road passing the Mt. Franklin turn off many times saying to ourselves that "We should visit it one day!!" Well this was the trip. Got there around 6.30pm and set up. There were several others camped around the reserve which is the crater of an old volcano. The Autumn colours are really beginning to show.
I was pretty buggered the next day so we decided to have a rest day. Only had to shift 30 meters to improve the TV reception. First job in the morning for Eril is making our breakfast and then I fire up the genset to heat the La Pavoni coffee machine so Eril will have the energy to do the dishes!!!!
Wednesday we headed to a cider distillery. Eril went in and I went to the free dump point in Harcourt, well done Harcourt!!! only 1km away. When I got back I walked in to where Eril had gone and enjoyed some cider sampling. We then tootled off to Mt Alexander where there was excellent TV and Internet. Only one other RV in sight and a couple set up tent in fading sunlight. The next morning a guy cam past on his motorcycle with all his gear stowed on the pillion rack. We decided to skirt around Bendigo and do there some other time. The day was hot and we stopped by the running/trickling Campaspe River. All on our lonesome so no worries re genset!!
Needed ceiling fan until the weather change at midnight. The heat really knocks me around after the burns, not enough sweat glands, fortunately I don't have to raise a sweat these days!! Down to Kyneton for a quick look and realised that Kyneton will be a separate trip so tootling again we ended up at Glenlyon. Wiki was telling us we were there BUT the little tent icon was not where we were, AND there was quite a steep path down in the direction of the icon. Here am I walking around with the Ipad thinking, I have to make good decisions here or could end up in deep s***t!!! The decision to visit the general store and get the correct directions was a good move. Eril was happier.. Every trip is a new learning experience even after all the forum advice.
The recreation reserve was excellent BUT no phone or Internet but plenty of TV signal. I was wishing that the last visitor had added tyhat the icon is on the wrong spot. I will ad to Wiki in my comments.
There was a proper farmers market the next morning so I had to disconnect the Pajero for Eril to go to the market while I slept in. To save me organising the genset Eril brought me back a $4 s**t coffee.
I guess it is the thought that counts!!!! 
Having our own espresso coffee twice a day is magic, so I get a little grumpy when we have to pay for terrible coffee, anyway supported the local store!!
We arrived home late arvo Saturday, and had a visit from latest grand child on the Sunday and the now 6 months old Olivia visit Monday. If only I was not so buggered all the time it would be a greater life that it is. I guess someone has to do it to make you lot, that are still working, envious!!!
Aussie Paul.
p.s. Bugger spell checked it in Gmail and did not remove the spell check before copy and pasting here. Not gonna type it again!!
Double bugger, the pics are not in order. Ah!! still so much to learn, just when I thought I knew it all!!!!!
-- Edited by aussie_paul on Tuesday 24th of March 2015 08:49:46 PM
Enjoyed the read and may there be more. Ralph
Thanks Ralph.
Aussie Paul.
You mentioned the word grumpy - please read my post about joining the GOM and GOW party - we can find a position for you and your coffee machine (or with a pollies perks - probably you can use a Crown credit card to hire a scantily clad 19 year old blonde to make the coffee for you as you grump at the rest of us) LOL
a great read mate, you are doing well. Don't worry about going any faster than you are now. One thing I have learned since retiring is that everything now is at MY speed like it or lump it hey.
Love the photos too, made a good slide show.
When we finally get to that are we will be hoping to visit the places you have mentioned
enjoy life mate and avagreatday
frank