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Post Info TOPIC: SEPTEMBER 2015 UPDATE
Dougwe


Chief one feather

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SEPTEMBER 2015 UPDATE
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Spring has sprung!  Yep, and with it so did September. 

 
First let's go back a few weeks.
 
Now the first day of Spring in down town Townsville bought a little rain first thing in the morning, the first rains for some time but rain none the less.
 
I started September with some business. I updated my mobile phone plan and replaced my old iPhone with a shiny new Samsung Galaxy s6 Smartphone. Nice too.
 
I, also sprung into action on the 2/9 and after many moons and saying goodby to my daughter and grandchildren, left Tropical Townsville for this year. 
 
Apart from the time all at Greens Lake, Central VIC who became Greens Lake Refugees late 2014 due to being closed for the near year eve period,  I travelled the shortest distance in my GN history I reckon. All of 1.5 hour drive south of Townsville took place and was set up at Home Hill for the night.  Camp 7, site 43. 
 
Reason?  Well I left mid morning and for me that is not normal as I am one of those travellers that are on the move at day break.  I wanted to get into a spot behind the shops that is a rest area/free camp so arrived early as the early bird gets the worm, in this case parking spot.  I leave early so I can arrive at my destination no later than 2pm if possible and travel around 400km per day. Yeh, I know, I should stop and smell the roses, maybe one day I will learn. 
 
Not long after my arrival the place filled quickly with all sorts of rigs and would have to be at least 30 odd in total.  The night was a little noisy with trains going past as I was about 5 mts from the track, no big deal really as they went past slowly. Now this 'free camp' had magnificent amenities, extremely clean toilets, shower, drinking water and a camp kitchen, yep you heard right, a camp kitchen, all for free. Well done Home Hill.
 
Up and at 'em at day break and headed to Waverley Creek rest area, another free camp/rest area that I discovered on my way up, it is located along side the Bruce hwy 11km south of the St Lawrence turn off, Camps 7, site 88, so found a nice spot and met a fellow grey nomad so enjoyed a mini happy hour. A quiet night after about 11.00 due to the trucks hurtling along the Bruce.  Again nice clean toilets but no shower and limited tank water only. No problem for me as I am well set up with my own.
 
Next morning I was on the move again and just for something different, I left at day break. This time heading for Gin Gin Show Ground but saw a rest area on the left just as you come from north into Gin Gin so checked it out and well, very nice indeed so set up for a one night stand, Gin Gin Rest Area, Camps 7, site 114. Two toilet blocks, no shower and one water tap. Heaps if room. I got  talking to a couple about my Chief van and ended up having a couple of drinks until dark. 
 
Day break arrived and on the move to my next destination, one of my favourite places, Byron Bay on the north NSW coast. I arrived early afternoon and headed to my favourite park and actually got on the same site I had on my way up, very happy camper and I tell you that for free. I planned to stay 5 nights and that I did although I really didn't want to leave but things to do and places to be. Great weather, mid 20's with no rain, oh! no humidity, yeeeh! Sadly the main beach was closed due to shark sightings as there was an attack not long ago.  Actually there has been a few shark attacks along this coast recently. Friends of mine stayed at the same place just last week but didn't like the place. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes In the playground. 
 
My 5 days at Byron went way to quick and it was time to head for my next 'Port' of call, Port Macquarie. Sorry all. I have very good friends there that offered me some time with them as they did on my way up so took up the offer. I spent 3 lovely days being, well, spoilt really. Alan and Adele showed me around places not seen on my earlier visit. A very big thankyou to two great people. I feel like they are family now.  Their Daughter Mandy and her family are just like family as well. Happy birthday for today 28/9 Mandy. 
 
Something I haven't mentioned before is that I have been caught out refuelling a few times with Hiflo Diesel, that means it fills trucks up real quick and has a bigger gun. The problem is though the inlet hole on my tug must be bigger to take the bigger gun and the Colorado doesn't have the bigger inlet, bugga. While in Townsville I made up an adaptor that will fit over the Hiflo gun with a smaller section to fit my inlet. I pulled in to fill up at Caboolture on the Sunshine Coast, yep, Hiflo, bugga again. Out with the adaptor, shut the front gate!  It worked, well done me. Problem solved. I had to use it twice more in as many days. 
 
I think what the problem is, having a big rig I sometimes can't fit in where cars normally go to refuel and have to go on the outside pumps where big rigs fill or out back where trucks fill, no problem now as I have my emergency adaptor. That said, I did find out that there is even a bigger Hiflo gun. I have made a note to self about that one, get out and take a peak first if going into the truck bays. 
 
Moving right along. I left Port Mac and battled through the Sydney traffic until finally joining the Hume hwy until I arrived at Mundoonen Rest Area Westbound. This is located on the left about 6km before the first Yass turn off. It is a huge area with clean toots, no shower, covered tables and seats, a large BBQ area and heaps of parking for motor bikes to huge rigs, massive place and a credit to the authorities. 
 
I spent one night at Mundoonen Rest Area near Yass NSW Camps 7 site 519 and was back on the Hume at Dawn with Girgarry in my sights, about 30km west if Shepparton but something happened. The Collie didn't turn right off the Midland hwy and kept going. As we came to the turn off for Greens Lake, yep, your guessed it, the Collie turned right and I ended up staying at Greens Lake for the night. Bugga :)  It was as if I had Auto Pilot turned on. Greens Lake Recreation Area, Camps 7, site 399.
 
I set up for the one night only, yes one night,  in front of a good friend Dave. I saw Dave not that long ago really as he visited Townsville. 
 
 "I'll be back".
 
After some light rain over night I was off at day break heading to Warrnambool. That rain continued all day, making for a slower than normal journey through hills and windy roads. I must say also, that some if the worst roads I have travelled on. The van and Collie handled it well though. 
 
Shame Victoria. 
 
I finally arrived just after lunch so set up for a 3 week stay camped near another good GN friend, Terry.
 
Terry and I headed for Geelong on the 24/9 as he had an appointment with an eye specialist and was not going to be able to drive. While I was waiting for him I called in to visit two very good GN friends, Daryl and Renata who I caught up when they visited me in Townsville. I wonder where we see each other next in this big playground ? Terry and I arrived back in Warrnambool around 6.15 just as it was getting dark. A big day for both of us really. A good day though.
 
You might remember while I was in Townsville I ordered a new mattress but was let down, well, close by to where I am staying in Warrnambool is a bed place so off I trotted to have a chat with them. Now that was 16/9 and after a chat and trying out a few mattresses I ordered one to be made to size for me. On the morning of the 25/9 I got a phone call saying my new mattress is ready so off I trotted again to pay for it. They then delivered it just after lunch for me. All set up with clean bedding one hour later. Ahhhhh! Now for a comfy sleep. 
 
While here in down town Warrnambool I have done a little of the tourist thing and looked around a bit while testing out the new phone's camera that is supposed to be pretty good, so far it is quite impressive. 
 
Now like most things, they have to come to an end so has this update, now come on, I heard that up in the Dress Circle!
 
I have included a few pics as usual but somehow I can't find the ones of Home Hill so I can't include one sorry, I'm sure I took a couple and Waverley Creek was included in a previous update.
 
Keep Safe all.
DOUG
 
 
First Lot,
 
Top Left............Rest Area, Gin Gin
Top Right..........Byron Bay
Bottom Left......I forget
Bottom Right....View the other way from I forget
 
 
 
Second Lot,
 
From Top..........Mundoonen Test Area
               ..........Looking out from Warrnambool RSL
               ..........From Look Out next to RSL
               ..........Hopkins Falls, 18km Nth East of Warrnambool
               
 
  image.jpg
 
 
 image.jpg
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
moamajohn


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Bloody good read Doug ! Well done .



-- Edited by moamajohn on Monday 28th of September 2015 03:23:58 PM

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navynurse


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Bloody jealous Dougwe, Any chance of some info on your high flow adaptor. It would be handy at times.

Allan

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KFT


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Thanks Doug

almost makes me wanna get back out there

great update mate

thanks

KFT

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Avagreatday.

Kathy and Frank currently at Home near Quirindi NSW
Blues Man


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I also enjoyed the read Dougwe.

 

Blues man.



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The Doo crew


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Always enjoy the exploits of "The Chief"

Mike

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bronnie


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Thanks Doug for your update, great read!

Cheers Bronnie

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dishlicker


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Goodah Douge (were the bloody hell are you) really mate you should be the minister for tourisim in our great country just throw a bloody shrimp on the barby and well all be there cheers 



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Felicia


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Doug,

Great read, love the photos. "I Forget" has some great views, will have to google it so I can go there. You'll have to get that Collie under control, seems to act like some of the GPS systems, you'll never know where you'll end up.

Lynda

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Netco


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Good on ya mate.

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Cheers. Col & Annette.

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Woody n Sue


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Great read Doug


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Dougwe


Chief one feather

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Thanks for the kind words everyone but I can see I will have to be more careful not to leave so much blood on the paperwork from now on biggrin  a few of you have seen the "bloody" mess biggrin

Now Lynda, that place called "I forget" is one very nice place for sure and that lighthouse is located in Port Macquarie biggrin  As for the 'Collie' I will give it a good talking too for sure. That said, it has taken me to some very nice places though and I tell you that for free.

For those interested. I was PM'd and asked where the Twins are. Well, they asked to stay at Byron Bay as they too love it there so I agreed.  Mmmmm, spose that makes me a solo again. 

 

Keep Safe out there. 



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Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
in transit


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Doug, that "forgot" one is Smoky Cape at South West Rocks. A pretty town with the ruins of an old gaol nearby, and of course the lighthouse. NP campsite is on the road to the lighthouse and within walking distance.

Enjoyed the read, but got exhausted by the daily distances you travelled.

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"A year from now you'll wish you had started today."
Dougwe


Chief one feather

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BJC, I was just being silly old me, I did know but as the sign said it all I just let that say where it was. I did explain in my comment just before you.

"Exhausted" Sorry mate, have a cuppa? and rest up now.

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Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
Felicia


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I had read the sign and googled it.

Lynda

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aussietraveller


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An excellent update and great pictures, it's always interesting to hear what other forum members are doing especially when accompanied by photos, as others have said makes you want to get out in the big playground again well done Doug look forward To your next update.😉😄

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Weevil


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Great report and photo's Doug, thanks for sharing smile



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Fuzzball


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Awesome post! Any chance of a diagram of your "high flow adapter"??? It would be such a help to us, as we are a long rig, and can't always get in where the cars are.

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Dougwe


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I have also posted this in "Hints Tips and great Ideas" FB. With a little info as well. 

 

 



Attachments
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Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
Cruising Cruze


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Hi Doug

 


First I thought it was an implement that you bought or made at Byron Baybiggrinbiggrin

 

Cheers John



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Travelling Andos


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Hi Doug,

Makes for great reading, great pics. We look forward to the day we can be on the road seeing more of Aus.

At least your collie took you to greens lake (great gps).

Joys of having a GPS - we decided to go to Tocumwal for a few days, so I put all the details into our GPS. Needless to say, we did not end up in Tocumwal but in the middle of nowhere with cows walking in the middle of the road, no town in sight and no mobile signal. Totally lost we followed this farm road and ended up in Rochester and stayed there for our entire xmas holiday. Our stay in Rochester was fantastic.

Andos
appreciate the beauty out there

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yeoeleven


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Great report again Doug your posts are always a good read, hope to catch up again at Greens later.

John  



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