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We left home at 10:16am and headed for Coffs.
The weather was very warm, the air con worked beautifully.
Once we got past Coolangatta, the traffic was light.
We unpacked and had a swim to cool off and as we were sitting outside our room, we noticed a water dragon about a meter away. As it turned out, that was 'Mumma' water dragon, by the end of the arvo, there were 8 water dragons walking around. They were absolutely beautiful.
The motel room was very good.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head for Raymond Terrace.
Our route from Home to Coffs Harbour, NSW - 325 kms.
Pine Brush Rest Area.
Pine Brush Rest Area - Marg under the shade.
Aquajet Motel.
Aquajet Motel.
Aquajet Motel.
View from our outside table.
Our outside table.
Mumma Water Dragon.
Some of Mumma's babies.
We left Coffs at 8:37am and headed for Raymond Terrace.
The weather was very warm, the Truck's air con worked beautifully.
The traffic was light.
We unpacked and had a swim to cool off. Check out the pool, it is bloody magic.
The motel room was very good.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head for Goulburn.
Our route from Coffs to Raymond Terrace, NSW - 395 kms.
Selfie at Maccas.
Lunch time at Tuncurry.
Lunch time - Marg with her mate.
He was very friendly or a pest.
Sleepy Hill Motel pool - Bloody Beautiful.
We left Raymond Terrace at 8:54am and headed for Goulburn.
The weather was cooler and near Gundagai, it absolutely pissed down. We have never seen rain as thick as it was. It only lasted a few minutes and then the sun broke through again.
Again the traffic was light.
We drove through Sydney, using the North Connex tunnel which was brilliant and dear. I sat behind a truck on the 80kph speed limit and it was very easy driving. I was charged $22 which, I think is dear but it was very convenient using the tunnel.
We unpacked and relaxed for the afternoon. The managers had upgraded our room to a King Size room for free. I was staggered, it was magic. Usually, I just go for the cheapest Queen size room, as we are only staying for the one night.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head for Euroa.
Our route from Goulburn to Raymond Terrace, NSW - 352kms.
The remains of our brekky at Maccas.
Lindsay Bros trucks.
While driving, we have a competition of who can see the most Lindsay Bros trucks,
as we knew Mark Lindsay back in the 90s.
The current score is Marg leading 7 to 6.
Our King size bed.
Our room.
Our room.
Our room.
Our room.
Our Truck with his mate.
We left Goulburn at 8:00am and headed for Euroa.
The weather was pleasant, sunny with a light wind. Again the traffic was very light. We set cruise and most of the time, sat in the left lane, about 100 meters behind B Doubles who were sitting on 100kph.
We unpacked and sat in the Motel's Barbie area under the shade of the trees and read our Kindles and relaxed.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head for Essendon.
Our route from Goulburn to Euroa - 528 kms.
Maccas at Yass.
Views from the Truck.
Views from the Truck.
Pitstop at Tarcutta.
Devouring a pie at Beechworth Bakery, Albury.
Lindsay Bros - Marg is still winning 7 to 6.
Euroa Motor Inn.
We left Euroa at 7:41am and headed for Essendon.
We stopped at Maccas, then drove direct to Niddrie for a coffee and a small shop, before heading to our final destination at Marg's Brother and Sister-in-law's place (Paul & JJ).
The weather was pleasant , sunny with a light wind. Again the traffic was very light. We set cruise for most of the time, sat in the left lane, about 100 meters behind any trucks that we could find.
We unpacked and took over Paul and JJ's house, spending most of the arvo reminiscing.
Rae (Marg's sister) came over for dinner. Tom (Emily's husband) and their son Oscar, visited during the arvo.
Our route from Euroa to Essendon - 160 kms.
Brekky at Maccas Euroa.
Welcome to Melbourne, while having a coffee, a tram went past.
It has been a year since we physically have seen them. We are here for Marg's sister's son's wedding and to visit Dad.
We got a lift with Paul & JJ to the Church (St Therese's Church - Marg and I were married there way, way back on 17/8/1977).
Then to the reception which was in the Wellington Room at the Lakeside Centre, Taylors Lakes. It was a great night.
The one downside was that Paul tripped over walking into the reception and hurt himself. He lasted until after entree then Jen drove him home. The good news is that he is a bit sore and sorry BUT no broken bones.
Marg asked the photographer if he would take a 'family' photo. He agreed but nearly died when 9 of Marg's brothers and sisters appeared with partners. I am still awaiting access to his photos, so I can get a copy of a photo that I appeared in. If I say it myself, I did scrub up well.
Marg's siblings with partners.
(L-R)Chris(Bro) & Maree, Paul(Bro) & JJ, Ted(Bro), Jules & Kitty(Sis), Jeff(Fran's husband), Nicole, Liam(Fran's son),
Fran(Sis),Shannon(Fran's daughter),Tom(Fran's son), Rae(Sis), Brian(Bro) & Helen, Leonie & Jimmy(Bro),
Karen(Ted's wife), Marg and finally me.
The photo has enhanced my size.
Marg's Siblings.
Chris, Ted, Fran, Kitty, Marg, Brian, Jimmy, Rae, Paul.
Marg's Siblings plus Bride and Groom.
Chris, Kitty, Ted, Fran, Nicole & Liam, Marg, Brian, Jimmy, Rae, Paul.
Bride and Groom.
Liam and Nicole.
Sunday:
We did less than "Sweet FA" and just bummed around until mid arvo, when some of Marg's brothers and sisters (Marg is 1 of 11) came over for a barbie. In attendance were Rae(sister), Fran(sister), Kitty(sister) and partner Jules, Tommy(Fran's son) his wife Shannon and their young daughter Ava, Dan (Paul & JJ's son) plus the interlopers Marg and me.
It was a good get together.
Monday:
Very similiar to yesterday.
Around 10am, we drove upto the Niddrie Shopping centre and had a coffee and a small shop at Woollies.
For the rest of the day, we did less than "Sweet FA" and just bummed around until mid arvo, when one of Marg's brothers Chris and his wife Maree came over and stayed for dinner and a chat, before driving back home to Canberra on Tuesday.
Again, it was a good get together.
Marg at our Niddrie Coffee Shop.
Tuesday:
Very similiar to yesterday.
Around 10am, we drove upto the Niddrie Shopping centre and had a coffee.
On the way home, we drove around most of Essendon's streets checking outmemories from Marg's childhood. Marg grew up in Essendon.
For the rest of the day, we did less than "Sweet FA" and just bummed around all day.
Again, it was a good get together.
Wednesday:
Very similiar to yesterday.
Around 10am, we drove upto the Niddrie Shopping centre and had a coffee and a small shop at Woollies.
For the rest of the day, we did less than "Sweet FA" and went to Marg's sister's place for dinner and for Jeff (Marg's BIL) to take me for a drive in his brand new Mustang GT. It is bloody beautiful.
Again, it was a good get together.
Jeff's Mustang and me.
Jeff's Mustang.
Jeff's Mustang.
Thursday:
Very similiar to yesterday.
At 8:30am, I backed out of the driveway and parked the Truck on the nature strip, so Jen could get her car out. I went and showered, we left about 10:15am for my cousin Jo's place and noticed that we had a parking ticket for parking on a nature strip. $111.
Arrived around 10:30am, we had coffee and cake and chatted. It was great to catch up with Jo.
Jo and I.
Friday:
At 10:00am, we drove upto the Niddrie Shopping centre and had our final coffee and a small shop at Woollies.
Then headed to Dads, stopped at the Black Rock YC for a sentimental photo with the Cerberus.
Arrived at Dads. It was great to catch up and cuddle with Dad and Carol.
Me at the Black Rock YC with the Cerberus in the background.
Friday-17th to Sunday-26th.
Friday:
Left Paul's at 10:00am.
Then headed to Dads, stopped at the Black Rock YC for a sentimental photo with the Cerberus.
Arrived at Dads. It was great to catch up and hug Dad and Carol.
I contacted my mates (DC & JH) who sailed with me, many years ago, to see if they were free for a photo session back at Black Rock YC tomorrow. Luckily, they agreed.
Saturday:
I was at a Southland coffee shop at 8:00am having my daily coffee. It was the same coffee shop that wwe visited last year and the owner remembered me. Unreal.
About 11:15am, I drove Dad and myself to the Yacht Club, to meet DC & JH at 11:30am. While waiting, we checked out all the "OLD" trophies and Dad's namee appeared on a few.. eg: 1960 and 61 Club Champion. See I told you that Dad was an old fart.
DC & JH arrived, so I asked a lady if she could take our photos, we posed on the balcony with the HMAT Cerberus in the background.
As the boys were busy, we chatted for a few minutes and then went our seperate ways.
Marg and I did a small shop and relaxed andd chatted with Dad and Carol for the remainder of the day.
DC, Dad, JH and me at BRYC with the Cerberus in the background.
The 3 of us in 1980.
The 3 of us in Feb 2023.
I can't see any physical differences at all... Can you???
Sunday & Monday:
A routine is developing, while everyone was still asleep around 7:30am, I was off to my coffee shop at Southland and a small shop.
The rest of the days were just enjoying Dad and Carol's company and relaxing. Unfortunately, we cannot meet up with my sister (Lee), as she currently has Covid, so Marg and I definitely will keep clear of her as we don't want to catch it.
Who says that my conversations are boring as batshit.
All my friends got lost.
I had trouble getting a parking spot.
Tuesday:
Did my daily coffee routine, left home about 7:20am and headed to Southland for a coffee and a small shop.
About lunchtime, Dad and Carol left for a couple of days at Carol's place. This is their normal routine.
The rest of the day was spent doing "Sweet FA".
Wednesday:
Did my daily coffee routine, left home about 8:00am and headed to Southland for a coffee and a small shop.
About lunchtime, Marg and I visited our old house in Mordy and then stopped for lunch at Thrift Park, where we caught up with Ash who works in the tobacco shop, which Marg has used for many years.
The rest of the day was spent doing "Sweet FA".
Our old house is looking great.
Thursday:
Did my daily coffee routine, left home about 8:10am and headed to Southland for a coffee and a small shop.
On the way home, I got the truck washed at a car wash in Bluff Rd. I am pretty sure that Phil Robbo's dad originally had this service station, many years ago.
The rest of the day was spent doing "Sweet FA".
The Truck is clean ready for its trip back North.
Friday:
Did my daily coffee routine, left home about 8:20am and headed to Southland for a coffee and a small shop.
Marg was picked up by her girlfriend and taken to lunch. I relaxed back home by myself..Ahhh the serenity..
Late arvo, Dad and Carol arrived back home.
Dad and me.
Dad, Carol and me.
Saturday:
We had our family photo at 'my' coffee shop late morning. As we were walking through Southland back to the truck, I heard someone call out "Wayne". I turned around and SHOCK, HORROR, one of my best mates since school MURF and his wife Robbie were there. I nearly died... Unbelieveable, that Murf was there, I haven't seen him for about 10 years.
The rest of the day was spent doing "Sweet FA".
Our family photo at the Beekeen coffee shop Southland.
We left Dads at 8:58am and headed for the Albury Classic Motel.
We stopped at Maccas Wallan for a late brekky, then continued onto Albury's Myer Centrepoint Shopping Mall, visiting the Beechworth Bakery for lunch. Their pies are yumma and bought some sangas for dinner.
Our travelling routine is Maccas for brekky, lunch is visiting a Bakery and dinner is homemade sangas.
The traffic was unbelieveably light. The weather was pleasant, sunny with a light wind. We set cruise for most of the time, sat in the left lane, about 100 meters behind any trucks that we could find.
We unpacked and had a swim to cool off. Check out the pool, it is bloody magic.
The motel room was very good.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head for Goulburn.
Our route from Dads to Albury - 354 kms.
Pitstop near Glenrowan.
Albury Classic Motel.
Albury Classic Motel's pool area.
We left Albury at 8:42am and headed for the Willows Motel, Goulburn.
We stopped at Maccas Lavington for brekky, then stopped at Holbrook to take photos of the HMAS Otway Submarine. continued onto Tarcutta for a pitstop. We continued on to the next stop, which was at Gundagai-The Dog on the Tuckerbox. After a further 2 hours, we stopped at the Dalat Bakery in Goulburn and bought pies for lunch and sangas for dinner. We drove over to the local park and ate lunch, then drove the couple of kms to the Willows Motel.
The traffic was unbelieveably light. The weather was pleasant, sunny with a light wind. We set cruise for most of the time, sat in the left lane, about 100 meters behind any trucks that we could find.
We unpacked and relaxed. None of the Motels in Goulburn have pools. Unreal.
The motel room was very good.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head for Raymond Terrace.
Our route from Albury to Goulburn - 358 kms.
Me at the HMAS OTWAY.
The Truck at the HMAS OTWAY.
Pitstop at Tarcutta.
A busy Hume Highway.
The Dog is getting smaller.
Lunch at Belmore Park, Goulburn.
The Willows Motel.
We left Goulburn at 8:33am and headed for the Sleepy Hill Motel, Raymond Terrace.
We stopped at Maccas Goulburn for brekky, then drove through the North Connex tunnel and slugged us $22 in tolls, but it is well worth it. The tunnel was excellent about 7kms long and it is limited to 80kph and evryone sat on 80kph and evenly spaced. High recommended. Came out near Wahroonga and then continued to the Hawkesbury River Rest Area. At Wyong, we stopped for fuel, before stopping for lunch at Raymond Terrace's main shopping centre, we stopped at Melts n More in Raymond Terrace and bought ham, cheese & tomato toasties for lunch and sangas for dinner. After lunch, we drove the couple of kms to the Sleepy Hill Motel.
The traffic was unbelieveably light. The weather was pleasant, sunny with a light wind. We set cruise for most of the time, sat in the left lane, about 100 meters behind any trucks that we could find.
We unpacked and relaxed. During the arvo, we relaxed and couldn't be stuffed going for a swim.
The motel room was very good.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head for Coffs Harbour.
Our route from Goulburn to Raymond Terrace - 344 kms.
Brekky at Maccas Goulburn.
with all our mates.
Lindsay Bros.
Deerubbun Reserve on the Hawkesbury River.
Hawkesbury River Bridge.
taken from the Deerubbun Reserve.
Sleepy Hill Motel.
We left Raymond Terrace at 8:42am and headed for the Aquajet Motel, Coffs Harbour.
We stopped at Maccas Raymond Terrace for brekky, then after 139km, we pulled into the South Taree Truckstop for a pitstop and while there we bought sangas for dinner. We continued non stop to The Big Banana, for lunch and too waste time. Check out the photos of the Banana Sundaes. Absolutely YUMMA.
After lunch, we drove the couple of kms to the Aquajet Motel.
The traffic was unbelieveably light. The weather was pleasant, sunny with a light wind. We set cruise for most of the time, sat in the left lane, about 100 meters behind any trucks that we could find.
We unpacked and relaxed. During the arvo, we had a swim and relaxed.
The motel room was very good. We had a few visits from our water dragons.
Dinner was Sangas. They were YUMMA.
Tomorrow, we head Home. YIPPEE.
Our route from Raymond Terrace to Coffs Harbour - 368 kms.
Brekky at Maccas Raymond Terrace.
Lunch at The Big Banana.
Eltom John was there on 6th Feb 2020.
Our Banana Sundaes.
Our friendly Water Dragons at Aquajet Motel.
We left Coffs at 6:54am and headed for HOME.
We stopped at Maccas Coffs for brekky, then after 198km, we pulled into the West Ballina Truckstop for a pitstop. We drove non stop to HOME.
Arriving just before 11am, we unpacked and I drove to Lab Park to have a coffee at Josephs and do a small shop at Coles.
The traffic for the whole trip was unbelieveably light. The weather was pleasant, sunny with a light wind. We set cruise for most of the time, sat in the left lane, about 100 meters behind any trucks that we could find.
We are home and will do "SWEET FA" for a few days while we relax aand recover from the drive.
The mighty Navara didn't miss a beat and I love it.
Until our next driving adventure, I will continue to do my riding adventures.
Our route from Coffs Harbour to Home - 368 kms.
Our Lindsay Bros truck spotting competition.
Marg won our spot the Lindsay Bros trucks for the overall trip.
Marg saw 15 to my 10.
My excuse was that I was concentrating on driving safely. (And I am sticking with that excuse).
Coffee time back at Josephs at Lab Park.
