As you can see we are back at Tallebudgera and again looking after Patches and Pretzel for Clare and Matt. They have gone down to Melbourne for a holiday and family wedding so here we are!
After leaving here last time we had a couple of days at Tweed Caravan Park before heading off. Our plan was to do a big loop out to Lightning Ridge and then back to the coast and a visit to my brother, Simon in Noosa.
We made our way out to our first overnight free camp just inland of Casino called Cherry Tree Hill. As the name suggests, we were high up and parked at the lookout. We had the place to ourselves and enjoyed a peaceful time in a beautiful spot.
Next stop for us was just outside Glen Innes where we spent 4 nights. We enjoyed lazy days reading and chatting with fellow travellers. We celebrated Australia Day in town, enjoyed the free breakfast at the market, the old museum and then watched the citizenship ceremony. We had a great morning and both enjoyed the emotional atmosphere of the occasion.
We left Glen Innes and headed out towards Inverell stopping at another free camp on the way before checking into Inverell Showgrounds for two nights. We checked out the highlights of Inverell and also spent some money at the local Hervey Norman store. My old laptop had decided to play up and the keyboard had finally died on me so making the most of a “back to school” sale, I invested in a new laptop.
While at Inverell we drove out to the New England Wood Turner Supplies, just out of town. We spent a while talking with Rob, looking at all his wood and metal work pieces before watching his talented efforts at playing a wide range of didgeridoos.
Next we left Inverell and headed to Bingara Common. We had had some rain before but that had now gone and the temperature was rising. We parked up at the common by the river to a temperature of 38 degrees and cooled down by quick dunks in the very warm river water. Our plan was to stay here at this beautiful spot for a few days but that didn’t happen as early the next morning we had a phone call from my brother, Roger. Mum was not well and this was the call we are always dreading.
We packed up and were heading back to Tweed again within the hour. Lightning Ridge will have to wait for another time!
It was just as we were getting back into Tweed the next day that we had another call from Roger telling us that mum had now come good and the drama was over until the next time. This was the best news and although our rushed trip back now seemed totally unnecessary, we’re glad we did it. Mum, however was quite unfazed by it all and wanted to know what we were doing back already. We made the excuse that the weather was too hot for us so we changed our plans.
Now back at Tweed and only 5 weeks before we needed to be back here at Tallebudgera, we decided to stay put at the caravan park and spent time with mum, enjoy the park and have sleepovers with Olivia and Ruby.
We did still go to Noosa for the last few days where we caught up with my two brothers Simon and John with their families. We met and had lunch with our latest great niece, another Ruby, who is the daughter of Vicky’s son, Ben. John and Vicky babysit Ruby on Tuesdays (Ruby Tuesday, a nod to the old Rolling Stones song) and we joined them for lunch at the newly refurbished Sunshine Beach Surf Club.
Here we are now, in the middle of the drama of the Coronavirus. What a few months of roller coaster moments! From the drought to the bush fires and then the floods, whatever next? Well this Coronavirus is really stirring things up around the world, from the cancelling of so many flights, events and venue to bringing out the worst and stupidity of some people with panic buying. The stock exchange shares have plummeted and on paper we have lost an awful lot of money! We are trying not to panic as there is nothing we can do but ride this latest drama out when we are told things should then return back to normal. Added to all this is an overseas trip that we have already booked and paid for. We have a “bucket list” holiday booked from May 8th for just over 8 weeks where we will be visiting 10 different countries. We now don’t know if this will happen and are just holding our breath and hoping for the best! We are not panicking yet but watch this space!