Across the 'nearly' Snowy mountains to Ned Kelly country

WOW What a great couple of days!

We spent Sunday in Cooma. It's a great town. We did the 5km self guided tour with the kids on their scooters and TJ and I walking.

So much history and the Autumn colours were magnificent. I have been raving to the family about the beautiful gold and red in the poplars and finally got to take some pics on the walk.

 

Then we packed up and got ready for an early start.

We put on the "Dreampot" for our first go at using it on the road. For those who don't know it is a slow cooker that does the work on its own. We put all the ingredients in the pot, boiled it for 15 minutes then put it inside its own carry case. When we arrived in Glenrowan we had a perfectly cooked, hot casserole that used no power to cook.

Anyway we travelled from Cooma over the Snowy mountains and came across this beautiful cottage that is there for use when shelter is needed in an emergency. Stories inside talk of two dead bodies found in there back in the 1930's or 40's.

Then we stopped at Cabramurra, Australia's highest town, for breakfast in the van (by the way I haven't put on weight it was just the wind and the big sweat shirt).

Then down the other side. Incredible scenery. Huge climbs up mountain sides then extremely steep descents down the other side. We went through rain and really heavy fog where the visibility was down to about 20 metres. It took over five hours to cover the 200 kms. Lucky it was only Autumn can't imagine how it would be in another month.

We crossed dams. This was Tumut Pond Dam.

 

The photos don't do it justice.

We then went through Corryong which was the resting place of the original Man from Snowy River. Then on we went towards Wodonga. Finally some good roads and we could cover some distance.
Then we came upon one of the most beautiful sights, although the rest of the car didn't seem to get as excited as me. It was a beautiful river at the base of Lake Hume meandering through the Tallangatta (spelling) valley. Just breathtaking and my efforts to take a picture to capture it failed but if you get a chance you have to drive down here and see it.

A quick stop for a coffee and an ice cream then on to Glenrowan where we are set up for a few nights. Beautiful little caravan park on the base of the hills to the west of the township. We took this pic of some locals in paddock next to us as we drove in.

We are about 2 kms from the final siege of the Kelly Gang at the Glenrowan Inn. Tomorrow will be a bike ride around town to look at all of the history. Then a drive around Wangaratta and Beechworth too see some of the other Ned Kelly history on Wednesday.

These final couple of pics are of poor Lincoln who has been attached by mossies while sleeping.

I have had a request from Simon to take some photo's of the van inside and out with it all set up, and us in it, so will do that in the next couple of days.

Amazing day today. 402kms. 8 1/2 hours. Very tiring but the scenery made it worthwhile. The kids behaviour was fantastic.

Life is still great.

To the top and back - almost

What a fantastic day we had today. The weather was beautiful. A little chilly this morning but nothing different to what we expected.


We got on the road early and headed straight for Jindabyne which was about 60kms away.
First stop was Mt Gladstone Lookout on the edge of Cooma with views of the Snowy Mountains and Monaro Plains.

Stopped at Jindabyne dam.

Had a look around Jindabyne township and then headed up the hill to Charlotte Pass. Drove through Smiggins Holes and Perisher both of which resembled ghost towns as there wasn't a sole around, and made our way to the top car park at CP.  Took the obligatory pic.

Then walked the 850m to the top of their main chair lift where from the lookout we could see Mt Kosciuszko some 9 kms in the distance. We would have liked to get closer but after dragging Patrick the short climb up the hill we weren't going to bother trying any further.

From the top we had a magnificent view over a large area of the mountains right over to Koszi.
There was even some snow on the distant peaks.

Then it was off to Thredbo.
Really wish we had come here first. There were people everywhere and plenty to keep us entertained. We bought ski lift tickets and headed up to the top of the hill. It was a great ride. 15 minutes. 1.8kms long and rose approx. 600m to the peak at 1900 plus metres. It was really blowy but well worth the cost. Although we did find out on our trip down that we could have payed $90 instead of $64 and had as many trips on the lift as we wanted and as many goes on the toboggans. We didn't have the time but will definitely do that on our next visit.

Quick coffee at the top.
Then headed home. Great day out. Managed to see Kangaroos, cows, sheep, horses, corroboree frogs, emus and even some donkeys which made Patch's day.

They are all asleep and we are just recovering from a very full day. A quiet one tomorrow. There is a one hour walk/scooter history trip around Cooma and maybe a visit to the School museum. Then we will pack off and head out Monday morning.

We have been so blessed with the weather. Life is great!!

Heading to the Snowy Mountains

Well Canberra has come and gone and what a fantastic time we had. The weather was perfect with chilly mornings, magnificent clear skies and days in the low 20's. Canberra at its' Autumn best.

We arrived late Monday and managed to park on the side of the road in Chris and Kirby's street which took some of the worry away.

It was lovely seeing Kirby again and she made us feel so welcome.

Tuesday morning we caught up with my sister in law Alison and then had a surprise visit from my brother Bruce who ducked out of work to see us. Then their daughter Gilly came in which made for a really nice morning tea visit.

Then it was off to the Mint which we all enjoyed. The kids got to make their own $1 coin which only cost us $3 each...what a bargain????

Chris arrived that night and it was great to catch up with him. Tonia went with Kirby and Chris to a pub to watch a band they were hoping to have for their wedding but apparently they were pretty ordinary.

Wednesday the five of us went to the National Museum of Australia. Although we didn't spend the whole day there as you would expect with three little ones we found plenty to do that was interactive and enjoyable for the kids. They designed their own futuristic houses on a computer before getting to see these and their own faces in a 3D movie.

Then they went upstairs to make and decorate a 1913 style hat which they then wore in a film shown on a big screen in the museum. The kids had a ball cutting, gluing and designing their own hats.

We had lunch down on lake Burly and then Chris and I went off to the panel beaters to have the bike rack mounted on the back of the caravan. Much better weight distribution...fingers crossed they stay attached.

Thursday morning I was up at 3.30 to head off to the dawn service at the War Memorial. Chris and Kirby were attending with the Federal Guard so I was really pleased when we got to sit together. What an amazing experience.
There were thousands of people there.
I don't know if it was 30000 as reported on the news but it was truly incredible.
It was extremely cold, minus 2 according to the news but I always think rain or cold adds to the whole thing. It helps me imagine in some small way what the diggers had to put up with back 98 years ago.

The letters from diggers from the different wars being read out, the bagpipes being played and then the bugler from the top of the War  Memorial barely visible in the dawn light just made this a morning I will never forget. I took a few pics that unfortunately didn't come out. Then there was the thousands of people walking down Anzac parade after the service.
WOW

Then the seven of us headed back into the City for the morning service and the march passed. It was great to share this with the kids. We went back to Chris' work for a BBQ and a game of two up. We also won a prize in one of the raffles which was a basket of various things including our new mascot for the trip - Hooterbell. She should appear in a lot of our photo's from now on so keep an eye out for her.

 

We sadly said good bye to Chris and Kirby Friday morning knowing that when we next see them it will be the day before their wedding in September. Thanks to you both for making us feel so welcome in your home. The love you show our kids is amazing and we all love spending time with you both. We will miss you.

Then it was time for the real thing!!!!

We headed south down the Monaro Hwy and arrived in Cooma a couple of hours later after a brief stop at the Snowy Mountains Hydro Scheme Centre. Really informative and great service. Nice coffee too.

Then a play in the park and a visit to the old Cooma gaol museum which is right in town next to the current and still operating gaol. Great place to visit...the museum that is.  We picked up a door stop for Linc which was for sale in the museum craft stall which is stocked with art and crafts created by the prisoners.

 

We are now set up in the local caravan park and are expecting a cold night. If it isn't too bad in the van we will stay here for a few nights. A day visiting Jindabyne and the resorts and then a good look around Cooma surrounds before moving on Monday.

We have been a bit spoiled with all the time we have spent with family and friends over the first two weeks of our holiday which has been truly wonderful but now the true trip begins. Just the five of us and lots of adventures ahead.

Just a side note. Thanks to our lovely neighbours the McSweeney's who provided us a book showing all the big, giant, tall etc things in Australia we are going to do our best to visit, or at least take a pic of all the things that fall into this category that we can as we travel. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond my control we don't have a photo of the Big Merino in Goulburn but see below for the Big Owl pic that we saw as we drove through a Canberra suburb...two down lots more to go.

Life is great!!

On the road again

We have left Budgewoi and the trip proper has commenced.
Firstly back to the storm.
The wind was not as bad as predicted but there was plenty of rain.
The morning was filled with board games, cards and lots of together time. (Lesson number two for the trip...if the rain is coming don't load things into the car because should you want to use your car you have to pull everything out even if it is raining).
We ended up at my sister's place for dinner, showers and a little bit of space...Thanks Leonie and Madeleine.
Sunday saw the sunshine back, bike riding and outdoor play. We dried things out and enjoyed our surroundings.
The kids took part in another of the holiday program activities.

I felt sick just watching.
Then this morning we packed it all up for the first time, went through Mt Colah to drop off about 40 kilos of gear that we decided we didn't need and picked up about 10 kilos worth of things we realised we needed.
Then after a couple of more chores tidying up the house for final departure we hit the road about 3pm.
Four hours later we were in Canberra after a quick coffee stop in Goulburn. Wow it is a little cooler down here.
We are spending four nights here with  Kirby and Chris (when he gets back from Victoria) so that we can spend Anzac Day here which will be really special at the War Memorial.
Four nights without the multiple night time bucket visits. Four nights without waking to every move that is made in the van. Maybe not a good idea for TJ who really enjoys the basic comforts of home.
Anyway we will get to spend time with Chris and Kirby, see Bruce, Alison and Gillian. We will visit the Mint and hopefully get a bike ride around Lake B.
It will also give me time to sort out the next stages of the trip.
Life is good!!!!

A storm is approaching

We have had another great day.
The kids took Zeus and Oscar, Sonia's two dogs for a walk while we had almost an hour on our own.
Sonia is Lisa's sister ,one of our neighbours who happened upon us yesterday.
The kids were racking up the kms on their bikes and making new friends while we had a chat over a coffee with Lisa and Sonia.

Then after a quick trip to replenish supplies we were off to the camp kitchen for another round of caravan park bingo. This time Lincoln was the big winner collecting a little telescope that he is keen to try out.
Milly and her new best friend Chloe both won a game and collected a voucher for pedal bikes.

Then before we knew it the sun was over the yard arm and it was time for a quiet drink and to get the barbie underway.
We then all had a game of spotlight which was great fun.
The manager of the park came around warning us of predicted 50km an hour winds and rain of up to 50 ml due through here tonight. So after the kids were in bed we have packed up everything that was outside including the awning and annexe.

I can tell you that the kids aren't then only ones exhausted tonight.

Fingers crossed the storm doesn't eventuate and we can get a good nights sleep.

Cheers