I think I posted, we were still in Bright, Victoria. A lot of water has passed under the bridge, and a lot of smoke drifted through the air...

We left the 12 month farm/caretaker role in February last year, and went on a 2 week cruise around New Zealand, something a little different for us. To be honest, I enjoyed it more than our trip to Indonesia the previous year. At least the food was good. On our return, we packed the van and headed north to Brisbane. We were on our way to Kangaroo Island.

We called into Lithgow for some work on the van, and caught up with John's youngest son, wife and grandie # 5 (or grandie #1 depending on...) Driving along the Bell Line of Road, it is amazing to think that it is now burnt...

Onward towards Kangaroo Island, via Brisbane, where we were able to catch up with Son Joe and Grandies # 1-4, in fact, John caught the train to Rockhampton to pick up #4 - pensioner free travel. After a few weeks prior to Easter, again we packed up the van, and taking with us Grandie #4, took a road trip to Rockhampton. Apparently, it was the best holiday she had ever had!

So, here we are, on our way to Kangaroo Island, heading west from Rockhampton, when in Emerald, we hear about the Traveling Lions Guiness World Book of Records attempt at the longest line of RVs. So off towards to Barcaldine we head - on our way to Kangaroo Island. The attempt was successful, the weekend was fun. I love the area surrounding Barcaldine. So, continuing our way to Kangaroo Island we ticked off townships in the outback  Isisford, Yaraka, Blackall, Adavale (for John's birthday - roast lamb in the weber, followed by sticky date pudding) Quilpie, Eromanaga, Nocundra..... The towns roll on. We visited the Dig Tree, Cameron Corner then, on our way to Kangaroo Island, headed back into NSW. The road to South Australia had only just re-opened (read Birdsville Track) after Cooper Creek had been in flood.

Ticking off more places on the map: Tibooburra, Milparinka, White Cliffs, Wilcannia, Little Topar (after a dust storm or three), onto Broken Hill, then we finally hit South Australia, in time for my birthday celebration at Waukaurina Ruins (one home made scone and a home make cappuccino). Off to Arkaroola for some bush walking to walk off the scone! (not, instead we drove the tracks), then onwards to Blinman, Leigh Creek, Parachilna, and down (as we were heading to Kangaroo Island) to Port Augusta. We were booked on the ferry for 1st November, it was still only early August, so we spent some time down on the Eyre Peninsula, visiting spots (national parks) that we were unable to when we were here previously with Brodie (our border collie). Ok. so we are a bit out of the way for the ferry, so headed back towards the correct peninisula, visiting our friends at Nuriootpa on the way. Now that is another story.......

On our cruise, when in Dunedin, I received a message from someone called John B suggesting that a mutual friend thinks we might be on the same cruise ship. I replied to John B saying that if they are on the Golden Princess, then we are, indeed, on the same ship, and suggested we meed in the players Bar at 6.00pm that night. Midnight that night, we were still chatting, each morning, day or evening on the cruise we all spent together. Our mutual hobby "geocaching" held us together. They live in Nuriootpa, so the promised "if you are in the area, please call in" happened.

It was like we had never left each other's side. We all still got on like a house on fire. Promises of "we will catch up again soon" as we left Nuri on our way to Kangaroo Island rang in our ears.

Via Murray Bridge, Strathalbyn, Goolwa, Victor Harbour to a house sit at Willunga near McLaren Vale before, finally, heading to Kangaroo Island, we set of to Cape Jervis for our trip to Kangaroo Island on 1st November.

The rest is history. We managed to visit all the western side of the island early in our three month stay, between a house sit for Darry Fraser (well known author of Historical Romantic Novels) and a farm sit for Wendy, (apparently self confessed well known entity on KI)

While on the farm sit, the fires flared up in the west, continued towards the east, frightening the begeebers out of us before we self evacuated ourselves to Kingscote, before leaving for the mainland one month earlier than planned. (Wendy had returned to her shack at Vivonne Bay, all was good with both her farm and shack.)

So, here we are back on the mainland. Time spent both south and north of Adelaide before heading down the Yorke Peninsula (currently) as we wait for our next exciting installment, Lake Gairdner for speed week in March. I then wait for knee replacements around the middle of the year, probably back in Brisbane.

So there we go, lots of water under the bridge, and a bit of smoke.