Iron Knob
As you drive into this run down old mining town, you notice the dilapidated old road signs pointing you around the mine site to the town. This town was the start of a very busy village of mining workers. However, despite the mine closure, many residents were happy to stay on and keep the town active. Lyn chatted to the public toilets cleaner. She showed there was many years of history in those eyes. She and her first husband ran the pub for many years and through those swinging doors walked many personalities that make up the fragments of broken people who would have needed serious help to get back on the road of fruitful living. Many of those would have lived lonely, and in many cases, broken lives. History is written all around the messy town with only small pockets of population to keep those portions of the town in operation.
At Burra, Lyn defrosted the freezer. The wild migratory ducks from Russia, were intrigued with the ”southern” ice cream. We had visited this little village last year and found the shops were quaint, and the Cornish pastie at the cafe worth returning for.
Our last longish stay
We are members of a farm stay group and found this spot about 30 km out of Renmark. The green grass and clean heated pool were very welcoming. The relaxation button was not hard to ‘turn on’. The dessert at the local tavern was very welcome too.
Geelong and Grand daughter’s graduation
Our delay to return home too quickly was instigated by our granddaughter who told us “if you don’t turn up at my year 12 graduation, it sucks” – a new way of saying “please come”. The school is one that expects quite high standards of both behaviour and academics. She looked great and her family were proud of her.
The returning home celebrations
It’s no secret that we enjoy ice-cream. For some funny reason, the google maps app sent us from Geelong, around Melbourne on the western ring road and over the Christmas hills region down into Yarra Glen. It so happens that 30 minutes before reaching home, we managed to turn off into the chocolatier for a brunch and the ice cream shop. Soon after, we were home. Our gardener certainly has done a good job for us, in keeping the lawns and garden looking fabulous. Thanks Gary.
How did our figures turn out? For those interested, I’ve shown the route we took (the green icons are mostly places we free camped beside the highway and the pinkish icons are paid campgrounds) and the table is the costs and averages of fuel used on the almost 16,000 kilometers traveled. We were towing a 2 door SUZUKI all the way.
Thanks for following us around Australia. We hope you have enjoyed the trip as we have. For those who have done a lap before, I’m sure the memories have come back. For those who are planning your lap, I hope we have helped in your efforts to make your lap a great experience. It’s now into medical appointments and garden maintenance before Christmas. Enjoy another Christmas with your family and friends.
Our favorite location was Horizontal Falls with natures window at Kalbarri, a close second. Until next trip, live safely. (Now to do the movies and photo books.)
great life - retired got nothing on 