We can only manage a summary of our last week, having spent weeks trying to conjure up inspiration and coming up empty-handed.  This would be the difference between being on the road and being back in the land of living (what a joke!).   Monday morning we awoke to drizzling rain and started packing up.  We had no set plan for the week, but just to take our time, enjoy our last

We took our time driving up from Canberra and our first stop was the Big Merino.  This was actually more interesting than other "big" things that we've seen because they had a little display inside as you walked up.  Note, I said a little, not a lot.  We drove into Penrith at 3.00pm and went straight to Greg's cousin, Tupou's house.  Greg had given her hardly any notice

Woke up Monday morning at freecamp/national park in Maryborough, Vic.  Had arrived yesterday afternoon and spent our last few hours of daylight playing guitar.  Drove through lovely little country towns and arrived in Bendigo mid morning, impressed with the beautiful main street.  In fact, we have enjoyed the small Victorian country towns and although initially unenthused

We woke up to the sounds of birds and the smell of the forest, camping at Slaty Creek campground in Creswick national park, 20 minutes from Ballarat. Our old friends from Longreach, Annette and Lindsay, had saved us a great spot and we had been looking forward to seeing them again. Lindsay had lit a kick ass campfire to warm our cockles and prepare us for the day. We had another neighbour, Lisa

After several shite days of rain, the clouds seemed to be parting and making way for the odd lonely ray of sunshine. We exited the very average campground that reeked of redneck and was in major need of renovation just outside of Geelong to do a little bit of shopping in Torquay where we were able to hunt down some bargains on surf clothing.  We really couldn't give a toss what brands we

Woke up on top of Mt Schank near Mount Gambier.  We found Mt Gambier to be a lovely town with heaps to check out.  We did the rounds, starting at the very blue (strangely enough) Blue Lake.  Next stop Cave Gardens which was a sinkhole in the middle of town.  The GPS took us around and around and around the city and we thought it must be playing up on us again but finally

Happy birthday Greg!  The kidlets woke up nice and early to get ready for their Dad's birthday.  We spread out the presents (sheet music books, harmonica book, guitar picks, Muse cd, and guitar capo ... other than the million dollar camera!) and wrapped them in booklets from the visitor's information centre.  Woke Greg up and then proceeded to start the big day in earnest. 

A fresh week and we were woken by the little knocks of kids from around the park at the door wanting to play with ours. We had to send them away several times before they got the hint and the girls and Ash were ready to go and play. We were in slow mode, taking time to get brekky down the gullet plus all the other mundane daily ritual stuff. Once ready we set the kids loose, it was almost like

Monday morning and the wind at Streaky Bay is still blowing hard. We decided to pack up and leave. None of us had entered the water and we were all over the wind and dust that came with it. Our friends Gary and Jane had also decided that they had had enough. So I did a sneaky fill of Streaky water (signs stating that you're not allowed to fill water tanks larger than 2 litres, I misread and thought

Supporting hangovers were the order of the day.  Super start to the week.  Schoolwork was out and quiet enjoyment in.  I spent hours playing guitar.  Zhane, Sarai and Ash played in the park, did beading and puzzles, and Shan washed and read.  By the arvo we gained a second wind and headed to the shops to get ideas for Sarai's Birthday. Bloody shops! Every time we enter

Hi from Alice Springs!  We've uploaded new photos to the blog.   Cheers, Us x

Sarai had her second check up at the hospital for x-rays and a new cast to be applied.  Zhane was keen on watching the whole exercise and being the first person to sign Sarai's new cast so her, Sarai and I stuck together while Greg and Ash went to Woolies to stock up for the next leg of the trip.  The orthopaedic surgeon decided, after seeing the x-rays, that Sarai didn't need a new

We woke up on Monday morning looking forward to exploring Albany but unsure whether we would stay the night or move on.  Ash was excited about using the playground in the caravan park and Zhane and Sarai got straight back onto the ripstick on the basketball court.  I had just been to the bathroom and when I came out Sarai was standing with her arm resting on the bonnet of the car and

After spending one more day in the Margret River area, it was time to start heading for the border. We seem to be making a habit of staying in places for longer than expected. At this rate it will take us 3 years to do what we want to. Already we know that we are going to do this again. We spent the final day exploring the southern tip down to Hamelin Bay and Augusta – a cute little beach/fishing

We woke up on Monday morning knowing that we would be lulled into staying in the Margaret River area for a while.  Throughout our trip we have had the luxury of being able to stay as long as we like in places we loved and get out of the places we didn't.  I guess that is the beauty of being disorganised and having no set itinerary.  It has also been a very personal thing as some

We started the week off by attempting to get ready to move on from Perth.  Once again, up for dollars on new tyres, two this time (tyres that is, not dollars) and the once in a lifetime car service where the mechanic gives a price and actually sticks to it.  That would be the Repco mechanic at Joondalup.  We would save money driving to Joondalup from home to get regular services

This week we said goodbye to our friends in Greenwood and made our way to stay with cousin Feona. It was Feona's birthday on Friday but we made it our mission to celebrate every night of the week. She likes to take advantage of the opportunity and gave constant reminders that it was her birthday to everyone near her, that worked with her, related to her and even those who happened to glance in

This week has been spent kicking back in Greenwood, Perth enjoying our new Christmas toys, relaxing with friends and exploring (kind of !) a new city. We have been to Trigg Beach for a swim, Kings Park for a look and ... back to the Woollards' house. We are now in "home mode" rather than travel mode and have put down roots. This is easily done and will be hard work to reverse when the time

Up and out bright and early in the morning. We explored a beautiful little beach town called Yanchep, a popular holiday destination for Perthinites. The caravan park here was so exy that we decided to scab out and move on towards Perth. Next destination – Quinns Rocks about 50 clicks north of Perth. As we came over the rise on the approach to Quinns Rocks, we were confronted by a sea of terracotta

Up early in the morning and off to Monkey Mia to check out the dolphin feeding. Strangely enough we were too late however we managed to make it onto a boat cruise for some dugong and dolphin spotting. The boat was a big catamaran and we kicked our shoes off and relaxed on the netting as we sailed out to sea. The weather was, once again, beautiful. I keep saying the weather is beautiful

I forgot to say that to see photos, you have to check http://www.expeditionaustralia.com.au/blaxlandozventures/album.php.   Cheers, Us x

Happy New Year!   Have uploaded some new photos to go with latest blog instalments.    Cheers, Us x

First stop of the day was the library to spend some time Christmas shopping over the internet whilst Greg grocery shopped for the next week. I have not missed the mad rush at the shops with everybody clamouring for the next big ticket item.  We have picked up little bits and pieces along the way and anything extra has been ordered over the net and posted to Perth awaiting our arrival. 

Drove in to Exmouth and was greeted by what seemed to be a family of emus wandering down the main street. We weren't in the best of minds due to hassles set upon us by the yetis renting out the bottom of our house so the emus were a very pleasant surprise which helped us to forget about those funkwits for a while. After cruising the small township and restocking we drove around the cape to Cape

After several more nights of farewell drinks we said farewell to Broome. It just seemed too hard to find the motivation to pack up and leave, but we finally pulled our fingers out and bit the bullet. By this time the caravan park had become a ghost town and all the other campers we had become friends with had moved on.   Next stop...80 mile beach. Books and brochures state that this place

Am rolling three weeks of holidaying into one blog entry as time seems to be just drifting away.   We have enjoyed Broome so much that we have found it difficult to leave.  It's been a relaxing, laid back time and we've met many good people to share the laughs with.  As I write this, we have delayed our departure twice and are still not set to leave tomorrow as planned.  Greg

A fresh week and we're all itching to get to the coast.  Woke up early because Ash has absolutely no concept of time and thinks that the first ray of light means it's time to wake up.  The sparrows haven't even cracked a fart yet and the roosters are still snuggling up to the hens but the Blaxlands are up and have eaten breakfast.  After brekky I took the kids to the site's toilet

We decided to leave Darwin this week as the Wet was starting to kick in and we wanted to escape before it really started. The nights have been getting hotter and stickier and the mosquitos are unbelievable. Ash has been chomped all over so the time is ripe. I've really, really enjoyed Darwin, like the vibe of the place and have felt relaxed staying at Nancy and Amanaki's place. Their

Have spent most of this week time just chilling out and enjoying our surroundings and the company of Greg's family. Nancy and Amanaki's kids were on school holidays for a week so our kids just loved hanging out with Rachael (12) and John (6). We went back to the waterslide park (Leanyer Park) another two days and the kids went mad on the water slides whilst we enjoyed the freedom of swimming

We are back in civilisation again, spending some time in Darwin. After trying unsuccessfully to get into the cheap and dodgy showground camping (ie no shade, no amenities, water and power? but CHEAP!) we ended up staying at a place called Free Spirit at Palmerston. Three swimming pools, bar, restaurant, water, power, perfect. Easy camping, just what we needed. I think we are now getting