Being business owners doesn't give us lots of time for trips away, and because our business is catering we usually have to work weekends, and we do office work through the week. Last weekend was one of those weekends when we had nothing on, and we decided to Take off to the Melbourne 4x4 show from Adelaide. We were to leave on the Friday but decided to shove off on the Thursday afternoon. Around 3 we finally drove out the gate on our way. We hit Keith and decided to stop for the night, which ended up being a good decision. It was a great Park.
Friday morning we hitched up and off we went to Melbourne. Have you ever been to the Morning Loaf Bakery?? One Word, WOW! It is a HUGE shed built over and around the old Police Station. It is absolutely jam packed with Nick Nacs and antiques to remind us of days gone by. The coffee is to Die for and the food is just amazing. They even have Gluten Free Bread for us with Coeliac Disease. How good is that?
So after a wonderful breakfast and coffee we were off again, stopping here and there for a look on the way. We pulled into the Ashley Gardens Caravan Park around 4ish that afternoon and were shown to, what can only be described as, a driveway. Fine if you are over nighting, but we had booked for 4 nights. We couldn't put our awning out as there wasn't the room. We had people walking right past, and up against the van and absolutely no privacy. Being tired and just wanting to relax we didn't do anything about it that night and just put up with it.
Off to the 4x4 show the next day in a frightfully cold wind and rain and we spent far too much money as they also had some great Ideas for Vans.
Popping back to the van just to put away our purchases Hubby decided to 'have a chat' with the people at reception and asked for another site. It was no problem for them and they gave us a much better site where we could put the awning and clothes line out.
Then came a big mistake on Hubbies part. He mentioned H&M's. OOPs now I just had to go. So off we went to my favorite shopping experience. Well a few more coins were spent when He asked, ' did you go upstairs?' 'HUH'? there's an upstairs?' 'OH, you finish paying for this and i will see you later!' Upstairs I went. Alas I didn't find anything there so he saved some money.
Home to the Van to check out our new purchases!!! YeeHaa!! Sitting out under the awning with a cheese platter and a wine, was bleeding cold and bleeding windy!! So back inside we went.
The next morning we were off to the Queen Victoria Markets. Oh Dear, More money spent. But I won't need to go shopping again for a long long time. Not saying that I won't! Just don't need to.
That afternoon we were sitting in the Van and thought that we had booked for another 2 nights but really didn't want to stay. It was right by a Major intersection, you could count every light on every plane landing at Tullermarine through the hatch, and that went on all night. Although the park was clean and the amenities were spotless, there was no atmosphere. You know how some parks you pull into and it feels friendly? This one didn't. So we made a decision to leave in the morning and head for Echucha. Sure we could have come home, but that's no fun!
So we left in the morning and made the long run to Echucha. What a lovely town. We stayed at the Echucha Holiday Park and immediately felt that 'Friendly' vibe.
Set up the van and sitting outside with a vino and cheese, and of course over come the neighbours carrying their chairs. Told you it was friendly. What a great evening we had. Sadly though it had to end, and tomorrow we had to head home. I never want to go home.
Off we set at 10am and head to Ouyen. Traveling along chatting to each other about work and retirement and not wanting to go home. Etc, general Chit Chat, when the phone rang. It was the person who was having the function on Thursday evening, the reason we had to get home. He said, thanks for that I will see you on Friday. We hung up and looked at each other, " did he say Friday'? Hmmm, check the calendar, and sure enough it is a Friday evening function, not Thursday!!!! YAHOOO we have another day up our sleeve! Standing in the park in Ouyen, Looking at each other, and wondering where to go from here. UMMM," Mildura looks nice!". Without hesitation we headed straight for Mildura and had a lovely evening at the Buronga Family Park, Just over the bridge from Mildura and right on the river. A lovely lovely park and a pleasure to stay at.
The next morning we just HAD to go home. Responsibilities and the like but felt like we had a bonus with our extra night away
Does anyone else do this? Just go where the road leads? or are we the only irresponsible Grey 'Hippie' Nomads??
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Be good at everything you do- even if its bad be really good at it
Yes, I often change my mind halfway along a road and end up going in a different direction, but no where near as exciting as your trip.
A couple of questions, firstly where was this Morning Loaf Bakery? as I assume you had already left Keith.
Also what is H&M in Melbourne. Even though I have been to Melbourne and shopped there H&M doesn't ring a bell.
Oh, and Echuca my home town. Certainly is a lovely town. Won't be back down there till it warms up, around November.
Hi Happy Wanderer,
The Bakery is in Bordertown SA. Seriously worth going there for a coffee just to look at the place. Wonderful. 81 North Terrace, Bordertown SA
H&M is a world wide clothing store. It is in Bourke St in Melbourne now and is the largest H&M in the world. I discovered them in Hong Kong and fell in love. It has men's, ladies and children's wear and is so reasonably priced. I love just going in, finding something in my size and without trying it on know it will fit. H&M seems to have their sizing worked out so that if you buy a size in one garment it will be the same in another.
__________________
Be good at everything you do- even if its bad be really good at it
If I had 6 weeks I would have taken every second of it. Sadly we need to work to support our lifestyle, but when a few days comes along we take it and run!!
__________________
Be good at everything you do- even if its bad be really good at it
Yes Trish, just about done the same trip as you back in February, yes, owning our business to support our nomad trips, and we talk about retirement as well while on the road.
Pete
"Does anyone else do this? Just go where the road leads? or are we the only irresponsible Grey 'Hippie' Nomads??"
Yes Suzi_Q, when we start off in the morning, we travel the direction the 4wd is pointed. When we leave Bright on Saturday, we have 2 1/2 weeks to get to Melbourne. All I know is we can't go over Great Alpine Road cos of the snow and we don't want to use the Hume. Leaves a couple of options, will decide when we hit an intersection.
Happy travelling
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Pay it forward - what goes around comes around
DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
. Fine if you are over nighting, but we had booked for 4 nights. We couldn't put our awning out as there wasn't the room. We had people walking right past, and up against the van and absolutely no privacy. Being tired and just wanting to relax we didn't do anything about it that night and just put up with it.
OOPs now I just had to go. So off we went to my favorite shopping experience. Well a few more coins were spent when He asked, ' did you go upstairs?' 'HUH'? there's an upstairs?' 'OH, you finish paying for this and i will see you later!' Upstairs I went. Alas I didn't find anything there so he saved some money. 
. Etc, general Chit Chat, when the phone rang. It was the person who was having the function on Thursday evening, the reason we had to get home. He said, thanks for that I will see you on Friday. We hung up and looked at each other, " did he say Friday'? Hmmm, check the calendar, and sure enough it is a Friday evening function, not Thursday!!!! YAHOOO we have another day up our sleeve! Standing in the park in Ouyen, Looking at each other, and wondering where to go from here. UMMM," Mildura looks nice!". Without hesitation we headed straight for Mildura and had a lovely evening at the Buronga Family Park, Just over the bridge from Mildura and right on the river. A lovely lovely park and a pleasure to stay at. 
