Let's go bush

"Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are young and free..."

Those words are so true when you live like we do. Especially in the best country on Earth. So all you anthem loving, dinky di, fair dinkum, fundamental Australians, stop dreaming and start living. Check it out, you'd be surprised how amazing your home country can be. Like the famous Australian Ernie Dingo says: "Go on. Get out there!" And I must say, it is so much more pleasurable doing it in your own home, be it a Ford econovan or luxury motorhome  you can still enjoy it all the same. As for my wife and I, before we grew up, we started in a mozzie dome in the back of a Nissan Navara ute for more than three months around the Kimberleys. And at the time that was luxury (maybe just being together). Funny enough, after five kids it's still luxury being together.

Now that we have the phantom, life is much more simple. Don't get me wrong, because it still doesn't stop the sink from blocking up, the black water from being dumped, and all the other little hiccups that took the place of mowing the lawn and cleaning the gutters, etc. But the one thing I haven't got away from is picking the dog  poo up. Thank goodness he doesn't do it inside the home, or that would be his last poo. 😀

Now that the power source is functioning at full capacity, the man cave is reasonably sorted and the family is all geared up for an inland change as we have been on the beautiful NSW coast for a couple of months. The itinerary for departure is set! Justthethought of heading out bush brings on the craving for a roo tail over the fire, even a bit of roo kidney or liver or some wild goats... We're heading up New England Highway, so property owners up that way who will swap a good day's work for a hunt on your land, drop us a line.

- D -

Check...

...check...

...check. All set to go!

We LOVE the beach too, and will be back after some bush bashing

Great stay for a day (or three)

Due to the front wheel problem we've had lately, we stopped to check the oil level in the front hub on the side of the road at Brighton-le-sands. Plenty of clearance even for a big rig to park safely, and out of the way from residences - or so we thought. An anxious resident from the other side of the road (which is six lanes wide, mind you) expressed his disapproval of us stopping there, and in his words, "blocking the view from my waterfront unit". Although we knew we hadn't done anything wrong, it still left us with an uneasy feeling. This was soon to change when we got a visit from a police officer responding to a complaint, when she confirmed we were legally parked there, and as far as the police or council are concerned, there's no problem with us stopping there. "And what a beautiful spot it is", she said before wishing us a great day.  

We know how hard it is to park near beaches in a bus sometimes, but it was so easy to pull over here and let the kids go for a swim. There's showers and public toilets close by too, so we ended up staying for the day (or three). As long as you are self contained and discreet, even with five kids and a dog who says hello to everyone, I don't think big rigs would have a problem stopping at the Grand Parade to enjoy the beautiful Brighton-le-sands. Traffic noise can be a problem, and it goes on all day until about midnight. Our bus has double glazed windows thus giving us the comfort while parking on busy roads. After all, we're in the phantom.

- D -

Easy access to the beach

                                      

View from upstairs window

Friendly visit from officer confirmed we were parked just right.

And fishing we went

They say change is as good as a holiday, and in our case change of scenery IS a holiday! For my husband going fishing is a holiday, and since our children all seem to take after him, even the least likely fisherwoman (me) had to agree to this marvellous idea. Besides, when the kids are busy - whether it's fishing, swimming or playing in the park - us big people get some rest too. I spent my quiet moment reading a newspaper while the rest of the family caught us some dinner, and by the time they were all satisfied with their catch, it was already bedtime: some more quiet time. This is what I would call a win-win situation. 

- M -

The keenest fishermen kept going until it was dark.

When there's water, there's always a chance to swim. And this, ladies and gentlemen, is non-negotiable. 

Even these pelicans couldn't stop us from catching some fish.