1st January 2013

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Woke up a little later this morning, it's 2013! We are leaving Goulburn and heading southwards, hoping to see some snowy mountains but basically turning slowly homeward.  We will end up near Wagga Wagga tonight so we don't know if we will have coverage.  We hope that you all have a great day today.

Update later and we'll see if we can get the photos on!
love the Wheaties xxxx

Well we have ended up driving the Snowy Mountain Hwy through Cooma, and then heading down towards the coast at Bega (http://www.begacheese.com.au/) .
We went down a pretty large pass between Nimmitabel and Bemboka with a lookout halfway called the Piper Lookout that was very lovely with views almost to the sea. Naomi has some video(please see her later), of the descent that was a little worrying as our brakes seem to get hot pretty fast. But going down in second most of the way and getting off and letting the faster locals go whenever I could worked okay.

Anyways,we have setup free-camping at Yellowpinch Dam rest area, a nice little spot in the forest with amenities and water and lovely trees all around..

Yellowpinch Rest Area

Same again

The only slight concern is that even as I type more vehicles are arriving, it's about 10 to 9pm and there are already a mix of about 12 cars, caravans and buses. It could get a little more crowded during the night I think....

Ben had his first Mum clipper hair cut yesterday

31st December 2012

Last day of the Year!

Today is what we parents like to call rest and recuperate day.  To the kids, it's called I'm slowly dying into boredom day. It all started with the clock.....

When you tell a kid that you can't get up until 7am ( trying to respect other patrons, at the same time as trying to get the last bit of comfort from the cool breeze...)  it becomes a nightmare.  The clock doesn't want to move and there a million things you want to say to your sister but you can't.  You get into trouble with your parents for whispering and finally a face of despair stretches across your face.

Finally the clock hit the right time and up they both get, to check if anything is different.  Well of course there is....a dead rat across the driveway near the entrance, another boy who woke up on the wrong side of the bed and is being mean, christmas beetles everywhere and most be shown to parents.  Ben had his fake snake around the caravan that scared two of the neighbours - however she scared us by telling us there had been two real snakes on the back fence (behind us - of course!)

Washing was done early and we had a quick drive into town for some car supplies and eggs.  We got back at 9am and was eating breakfast when the "boredom" started....Three out of four were quite happy reading their new books but alas the young energetic boy was not into it (you do that at night!?!).  Anyway, we tried to fend him off as best we could but in the end - we all jumbled into the car with scooters and helmets and Ben's brand new trimagic boomerang he bought from Questacon.

So we drove past the Goulburn prison, which has an amazing old building attached to it (sorry no close up photos allowed as it is a maximum prison - built in the 1840's!).  Yes the prisoners have a few visitors mostly on the weekends ( Naomi talked to the guard - half wondering if she was just going to drop in say hello to someone).  Then off to a huge park without any trees.

Well here it is that everyone had a go with the boomerang and the wind was picking it up here and there and taking it further than where we were standing( so we were on the move a little).  Then came Naomi's go.....She threw it into the wind, it got picked up and taken over the grass, across the toilet tops and into the tree that was right next to it. Oh dear....

We all traipsed around to the tree and because it is a 'special' boomerang it has three bits you can hold onto and it is stuck in the tree.  Shaking of the tree is no good as it wedges a little bit more to the tree.  Ben is already up there, trying to get up as high as he can go.  We look around and find two long planks - a wooden one and a metal one.  (At this point I'm pretty sure God has just materialised them there!) So James hands Ben the wooden one - but he is just not long enough to push it up - so close though - so the man (James) gets up the tree as well!!  He is able to reach and the boomerang comes down, the plank comes down, Ben and James come down and Naomi is not allowed to throw it again - well not until she is standing in the middle of the park!

We throw it around some more and then head off into the middle of town, where they have a nice park and the kids can scoot around there.  They are little champs, zooming around, looking out for a friendly face to make friends with, and finally we head home.

There is no more boredom, kids go back to wandering around the park after drinking a gallon of water each, parents are free to read and then all of a sudden it is time to order pizza!  yes Pizza and play monopoly until 11pm.  Sarah was bankrupt first and so ended the game.  We went up the War Memorial Lookout and from there we could see the twinkling lights of Goulburn.  There were a few sleepy children in the back of the car just before 12 and Ben was talking in his sleep..."Hi this is Ben, Happy New Year".... (We think this is due to the text messages coming in and reading them out aloud) We had been gently waking them up just in time to see some fireworks, not a big show, the people down the hill were louder and more excited.

So ended our day and year.  We hope that everyone has a great 2013 and that the Lord fills your heart and mind and soul. xxxxoooo

30th December 2012

Good Evening family and friends.

What a day today has been.  We woke with a little sprinkle of rain and pretty much everything was wet outside. We had a leisurely breakfast, kids played on their scooters and the playground, James finished off the last few pages of his book and Naomi was starting another one.

At 10.15am we headed off to find a church and we found the Goulburn Baptist Church, quite similar to Basso and heard the message about the "Body of Christ" ( in Romans) and how once you are a committed christian and are following Jesus, then your service to Him should be done in humility and interestingly enough, if you have a talent then use it - don't over estimate the gift NOR under estimate the gift.  Thoughtful message (very briefly paraphrased).

As we were in the car, we headed down to Canberra!  Now who can say that... " oh let's have a country drive down to the country's capital?"... On the way, however, we saw the BIG MERINO!!  We took some happy snaps, the kids walked through the "bottom" half of the ram and bought some souvenirs.  We got some lunch close by and then we were on the 'road again'.

The Big Merino!

So we crossed over another boundary line ( 2x today) and before you know it we were looking at Lake Burley Griffin.  As Naomi had been last year, she was the designated driver which was a relief for James and a chance for him to be a tourist.  We headed through the city, over the lake, past the National Library and parked outside "Questacon".  As James declared later, "It was like SciTech on steroids!"

There was so much to see and do and touch.  The kids saw the singing robot, free fell from a one storey tower (2x), touched and played with almost everything available to them.  We all went into the earthquake house, saw the Tesslar machine, looked at animals from the deep, twisted and turned chooks eggs until our arms ached, made funny faces in the mirrors and after two hours of winding up through the building, we bought some gifts at the gift shop and headed outside, where it was actually quite warm.

We took a stroll down to the lake and took a couple of pictures.  There comes a time, when one gets exhausted and tired (and a little cranky), so back in the car, to take in some of the famous sites.  We saw: the New and Old Parliament Houses, the Tent Embassy and the War memorial.  While we didn't have time to go into all these things, we had to pinch ourselves again to think that we were able to take them (our wonderful kids) to the capital, before any school trip, and that we crossed the nation by car to do it?  Is that rambling, I hope not because in fact I'm still amazed by what we have done/and are doing.  So the souvenirs will be bought at many places, because we never know when we will be back?!

Okay, then we went up Mt Ainsley and had a look at the whole city.  It was a great view.  Lady birds kept alighting on James and Ben had two butterflies land on him.  Sarah and Naomi had nothing, we put it down to the wrong deoderant.... hehehee.

As it was getting late, and who wants to travel with lots of roos around?  So we headed home for Goulburn past the airport - because hey? - if everything is closing time, the souvenir shops are closing too - except for the airport right?  Right.

ON our way headed home we saw the most amazing site - 6 hang gliders above the mountain top.  They were amazing and seemed to glide and hover so slowly - to be honest they are probably still up there wondering how to get down?  Photos were too ridiculous to obtain, so don't hang out for those ones.  Your imagination will be much better.

The next part is pretty simple, we had tea, arrived home, had showers, felt a million bucks and now three out of four are snoring, the fourth one will be harmoniously in tune with the others soon.

God bless you all,

PS. Happy Anniversary to those who want to remember and to those who don't - a kiss to you anyway x(mwah!)

Ben's favourite thing today - spending his pocket money
Sarah's favourite thing today - the singing robot and having her mum show her stuff....aaawww
James favourite thing today - not having to drive
Naomi's favourite thing today - being together to see stuff, having cups of tea/milo made for her!

Goodnight : )

29th December 2012 - Mum's 80th!

Yes it's Mum Wheat's 80th Birthday and we are on the wrong side of the country!
We called her this afternoon and wished her a very happy 80th birthday while everyone was there!

So we said goodbye to cousin Roy this morning in Wentworth Falls, after a very nice 4 days there and got back on the road. We decided to go via a back road to Goulburn, Australia's first inland town, about to celebrate it's 150th birthday. Along the way we went through Oberon and some other towns on a very scenic road, that had one pass that stopped us in our tracks halfway down with smoking front brakes. James stopped and let the brakes cool before we braved the rest of that extremely steep decent. The river valleys were full of sound from the cicada's in full song and the only other hick up on an otherwise lovely scenic drive was a sharp left bend over a narrow bridge with no warning signs, that almost saw us collide with the bridge and another motorist. But we managed to squeeze between the bridge post and the oncoming car and continued. We arrived in Goulburn and booked into the Big4 Caravan park, setup the van, then packed up again and moved several sites down to avoid some smoking caravaners, only to find other smokers right next door. But it did work out as the lesser evil and we are quite happy in this spot, with a cool breeze from the back and views over Goulburn.
We plan to stay till Tuesday and celebrate new years in this nice town.

Photos to be posted soon.


Until tomorrow...

James Naomi and Kids wishing you all good night!

28th Decemer 2012

Hello there family and friends.  What a day we had today.  What we didn't see the other day with all the fog and mist at Echo Point - 3 Sisters, we saw in  all it's beauty and majesty, this morning.  What a sight to behold, there will be no words or pictures to truly describe it- as it is huge and has depth and makes your knees go funny when you look over the edge.  There are literally thousands over trees covering the place and what you can't tell is how tall they are - but you know they are full size trees.  Once again Amazing!

One of many photos taken at the Three sisters.  Don't worry you'll see them later.

From there we headed southish towards Bowral and here I  must congratulate James on his driving today, which he did all of it.  Thanks mate.  Anyway, it took us a while to get there, the traffic was bigger as there were more people going to work and it is a fair hike.  So while James drove with Roy in the front, the back passengers fell asleep.  The countryside was still pretty with some very large estates with fancy fences and gates.  With the help of the GPS and Roy we arrived at  the Bowral cemetery.  A nice place to rest ( hehehee) and Roy went over to a guy who was filling in and asked by chance whether he knew the Whatman plot.  Well, if he didn't know Bruce Whatman ( a relative yet to find the connection - but will) and took us straight there!  He told us that Bruce would come every now and then and the plot was well kept.

Tombstone of Hilda Louisa and Hector G. Whatman

Tombstone of William George Whatman and Sophia Jane Whatman and also Hector John Whatman (Mum's brother)

Aunty Bill's plaque.

After looking around and seeing who was related to whom, we headed towards Don Bradman's house.  He built the house with his dad George who was a builder and later Aunty Mima brought the house (cousin Wendy's Grandma - James' Great Aunt ).  James fondly remembers the kisses she would give him at this house.

The "Don's House"

We walked across to the Bradman oval and the kids took a run to the pitch and back.  Then we turned on towards 11 Shepherd Street.

We stopped outside the home and piled out and three of us had cameras taking pictures and the kids saw people looking through the window and we gave a quick wave to them. Then down the driveway a lady appeared wanting to know if we like the house, as she had just had it painted.  When we explained that James' mum was born in the front room of the house, she was extremely pleased and her husband also came out and proceeded to show us around the house and tell us of the renovations they had done, that was still in keeping with the house.  They were once farming people, who were just so nice in talking to us and trying to remember the old people from the street in case we happened to know them.  Roy was in his element talking about what he knew, the guy was so lovely and telling Roy to write down all that he knew - he should write a book.  I've said a couple of times that he has an amazing memory.  Even the time (2am) that the boys arrived in Cronulla on their bikes and Richard saying, "Can you open the gate please, can you open the other gate please..."  so slowly and tired....It was great having Roy with us today.

Evelyn Wheat's house.

In the shed. James was so happy!

The fence still has the original pickets, wider than normal.  The shed was still roughly the same, with an extension on the side but still with the original wood.  The couple were so nice, showing us around and telling us some of things they had dug up in and around the yard.

Views from the up Lookout ( up from Mittagong).

So after having a good old reminisce there, we headed off to get some lunch and went up to Mt Gibraltor to look at the view.  It was great. After taking happy snaps, we set off for home and the sleepers slept and James kept driving.  What a champ.

Now here I (Naomi) must mention the super bargain I got because of Sarah.  One little girl was urgent for the toilet and we stopped at a shopping centre and on the way there was a closing sale at Millers (Ladies Fashion).  Well...... on the way back I had a quick look and lo and behold everything, I mean everything was only $3 each item.  So naturally, I bought a couple of things and I say 'thank you' to Sarah.

Getting back to Roy's at a reasonable time meant that we could relax and have a cuppa, have a simple tea, write the blog and now for us an early night as we say goodbye to Roy tomorrow.

Good night everyone xxxxx

27th December 2012

ZOO Day!

We got up at an unprecedented time of 6AM and caught an early train to Sydney from Wentworth Falls.
There was a lovely man at the station, who sold us tickets at the cute station, who explained how to get to the City and the Zoo.

Wentworth Station

Sarah enjoying the train journey

He posed for a photo (coming soon) and then gave us all free drinks. This set us in a good mood for the day, and just as well too. It was a long trip into town and different people got on and off the Blue Mountains Line.  When we arrived at Central Station it was a good deal of nearly two hours later.  The journey itself was enjoyable and we got to see the mountains today as it was clear!  Yippee. We then had to catch a train to Circular Quay  and Ben was by far the most animated.  He couldn't believe he was actually in Sydney and now and then we all pinched ourselves that we had managed to drive across the nation to be in Sydney...Amazing and we are so thankful that we made it safely.

On the Ferry to go to the Zoo.

So then we arrived at the Quay and there was the ferry to take us across to the zoo.  We couldn't believe the numbers of people already waiting but wewere fortunate to already have our all day tickets and so we could miss that line ( to get on the ferry).  The trip on the ferry was amazing and the kids and James went to the front and took pictures of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.When we arrived(12mins later) we caught a bus up to the the main entrance. The Zoo was absolutely packed with people, and the weather was a pleasant 22ish degress and sunny. We spent a few hours at the Zoo and saw a seal show (awesome!!!), gorillas, chimpanzees, condos, reptiles, a big komodo and even had a taste of native honey, from non stinging bees. After walking down and around and up and down we finally left and we then caught the ferry back to Circular Quay and found a food hall for lunch.

Dinosaur Theme

One eaten and now the next...

Keepsakes from the Zoo - a Snow leopard

Watch out for the snakes!

We took a walk back down to the Quay and walked around to the Sydney Opera House.  Loads of people there, all enjoying the warm weather and taking as many happy snaps as possible (which is exactly what we were doing).

We found time after that to enjoy an icecream and drink from HJ's - which seem to be everywhere and headed off to find Centrepoint tower.  This was an interesting walk and we enlisted the help of a few strangers to help us on the way.  Some girls initially helped us and we going the right way but we got side tracked and then asked a guy who lurched away and said he can't help  - Sarah got upset for her mum - but Naomi loudly exclaimed after him that she wanted directions - they are many people on the street homeless and asking for money, but that's what society does - is to look away....

Anyway, a lovely Sri Lankan looking woman not from Sydney helped us on our way and we made it!  We went up to the top of Sydney and were amazed at the views and that after finally staying still for a little while, realised how tired we were.  So after spending a bit of time there (that justified the money spent on going up) we went back down again.  We went through Victoria 'something' building which took us back to town hall station and got back to central station in time for the 5:18pm train back to the Blue Mountains.  (On a side note - we found a Krispy Kreme donut place and got a treat! )

Then we made it all the way back home, met Roy - who had had a lovely day rejuvenating, took showers and now heading off to bed - smelling and feeling much better!  We now know why Roy lives up here in the hills - it's because it's beautiful and clean and fresh and less noise and less people - shall I go on....  Very thankful for the time in the city but also glad to be out of it.

So goodnight and God bless.  love the Wheaties

PS  Thanks mum for the gift today - we really enjoyed the Zoo (and the whole day).xxxxxoooo

26th December 2012

Another cool morning in the Blue Mountains and we are awake and listening to the drops on the top of the caravan.  We are situated underneath a crabapple tree, but thankfully none fell on the caravan.  It was about 9 degrees this morning and didn't get past about 11 degrees.  Yes, sorry to rub it in but we feel that all our loved ones are better off not having us there - so we don't complain about the heat over there...

We also need to teach the kids the time, as we thought it was 7:15am but in reality it was about 8.30am ?????  Anyway, we all got up and headed out for the famous lookouts at Echo Point and Wentworth Falls (where we are staying).  Well....headed out to see Wenworth falls and we saw mist.  Beautiful trees in front of us and apparently beyond us.  We then went to the local newsagent and bought a little gift for Grandma Wheat and Granny - no we are not telling you what we bought.

Wentworth Falls, we could hear the water but couldn't see it.  The fog did lift but not enough for us to see the waterfall.

We could see the trees in front of us.

Anyway, we then went to Echo Point where the 3 sisters are, but we don't have "mist vision" and so we didn't get to see them... Hopefully before we leave here - we can see them.  It's just one of those days when we were walking through the clouds.  It was exciting enough as it was different and loads of people were there.  Cousin Roy was telling us that many people book the coaches up to the Blue Mountains, sometimes a year in advance, so no choice about the weather, they were coming anyway.  So we saw a lot of people from around the world.  Their choice of clothing was a little cooler than our jeans, once again, the weather in Sydney is a bit different to the weather up here.  We went to the tourist shop - quite big - met up with some Aboriginal people who were doing a show - young fellas - we got a photo with them.  They had a shop with lots of Aboriginal paintings on canvas and Ben wanted a boomerang but I told him his uncle Ray could make him one - so we better inform him soon.

Here we are looking at the mist, with cousin Roy.

We then had lunch and went to Scenic World, where they have the cable cars go across the mountains and another one down the mountain.  They had a "rainy day special" but we didn't do it - no thanks.  On those cables... in wet weather...noooo.  Here it was just as packed and we bought a couple of souvenirs.

We then went home and relaxed.  Kids have been playing Lego in Roy's lounge room while the fire has been on. Yes we stoked up the fire - a real burning log fire ( in the slow combustion stove).  We all feel much drier now.  Going back to the kids. Yesterday, Roy put on the video, The Plank. Boy did Ben laugh his little heart out.  He enjoyed it immensely and has since watched it again today.  Both of the kids were also introduced to Keeping up appearances"...both of them were laughing through it. 

With the young fellas we met.  The young guy on the left is form the Wiradjuri people.

Dinner was nice and hot and we are ending the evening now after talking to the family back at Muchea, who are dipping in the pool to keep cool.  Well, we love you all.  We are off to the zoo tomorrow.

Roy's backyard - it's wet.  I also think there is a bird in the picture.

PS. Congratulations to Marie for getting a house!!  Thanks Aunty Valda for the cake ( yummo) and Rik Revett, your cake has been digested...

25th December 2012

Happy Christmas Everyone!

Change of scenery, very woodsy with plenty of kangaroos

Coming up to the mountains, lightning every time I put the camera down.

Here is the fog. It go heavier the higher we went up.

We woke up to the sounds of cicadas, birds ( maggies, kookaburras and others) and even a donkey!  We were situated outside of Young but closer to Cowra.  Just a reminder here, that no matter where you are always check before going to the toilet (in case you see in the paddock across from you a man riding a horse and cart waving at you Happy Christmas!).  It was a lovely place, the rest areas over here are well situated and have covered eating areas - very nice.  After trying to find cicadas, waving at people going by to their families and friends, opening the last of the Christmas presents and enjoying a nice egg breakfast,we headed off.  Well, here it gets interesting because if you didn't remember the rain from yesterday, well let me tell you a tale of the weather today....  It rained, it poured and there was lightning and thunder.  When we finally got to the Blue hills (sometimes in first and second gear) we could hardly see in front of us because of the fog!!  Went to see some mountains but only found fog. 

It's raining, it's pouring....

See in the mirror.. we are lapping with a caravan attached !!

It is steeper than it looks, let me tell you.

Further up we go.

A very exciting part of our trip was going to Bathurst and doing a lap on Mount Panorama - with a CARAVAN!!!!  We didn't get the fastest lap but we did survive the bends and steep bits - this was the quietest Naomi had been.

Patsy is very proud of herself, as we hang out at the park after the lap.

We made it safely to Roy's house, on the way we saw a car crash.  Heaps of cars stopped to assist so we kept going.  Through the fog and crazy NSW drivers and with the help of the GPS, we arrived and had a lovely tea, went to a lookout and went to Leura to see a gorgeous street lined mall.  Very wintry Christmas feel.  Got some lovely Christmas messages and we hope you all had a great day.

Finally got to cousin Roy's house!

Christmas Tea with Roy! Sausages and Deb! I never, well I have now..hehehe

24th December 2012

Well, we woke up to the sound of birds at the Mildura, Big 4 Caravan park.  It was stinking hot, again, with only a hint of breeze trying to get through the caravan curtains.  We all slept okay and we went off quite early with the kids (Alice, Patrick and Matthew) from the caravan park saying goodbye to us and wishing us a safe journey.  Nice to have someone waving us goodbye.  Naomi stuck her hands out to everyone saying goodbye and wishing everyone a Happy Christmas as we went down the streets... We treated ourselves to a McDonald's breakfast and we were on the way again.  The roads were hot, the air was getting muggier and there was no relief.  Our most exciting part of the day was coming into Euston, and we got to glimpse the Murray River.  So we crossed another border into New South Wales and saw the scenery changing from vineyards and orchards to plains that were big and dotted with bushes - perfect to hide emus if they were crouching low....Well, they should rename that area, "Emu Plains" as there were heaps of them!  So, onwards we went and through the course of the day it dropped from 42 degrees to 28 degrees in the car - why you ask....well...  We were driving into a nice big storm.  We could never catch the storm and it was so alluring to get cooler.  Well, when we hit Naranderra, the rain poured!!  Sarah and Ben went out into it and so did James, it was amazing.  From then the driving was a bit hard but James was a trooper and drove fantastically.

As you must realise there is so much we are seeing and so much we haven't described but it is a journey that we all happy with and so glad that we are doing.

Stopped at rest area, cops were there and across the street a cyclist having a break!!!

 truck crash.(at the very beginning).  

Trying to catch some rain.

Here it comes!

Real rain, hope you're not too jealous.

We don't know what the building holds, but all we know is that we are travelling with a Millard!

pretty area of town

Crossing the Murray and the river boats ready to go.

Capture part of the rainbow.

We went through Cootamundra and the kids and James quickly jumped out to do the "Captain's Walk" in the park - where there all the Australian Cricket captain statues.  Naomi was waiting in the car, across the road from a house that were already starting their celebrations in a very nice way, which made her feel a little homesick but we got on the road again and made it to Junee, a great little town.  It was here that the thunder absolutely cracked a big one right over our heads, it was a juicy one! Made Naomi squeal! But onwards we go, and we got the town of Young and we picked up a cooked chook and some Christmas supplies. As we were leaving, there was the biggest full rainbow ever! (Gen 9:17)  It was magnificent over the hills and valleys, James was trying to get photos through the windscreen, out the window, in the rain and through the wiperblades.  We will see at the end of the trip how he did.
The kids are always looking for things, dead animals, live animals, and Ben spotted the eagles today.  there was a few near the town of Gol Gol.  It has access to the river, so we imagine that there is a good food source there.

So now, we are camped a few miles out of Young - we couldn't go anymore and that is the beauty of not having a timetable, though we would love to see cousin Roy on Christmas day.  But that is another story for tomorrow.  The kids are in their bunks, reading away, waiting for their last present.  What a day it will be.  Christmas on the other side of the nation. Happy Christmas eve.
love the Wheaties xxxx

23rd December 2012

Scenery near Iron Knob

More of the same

Port Augusta

same

Morning stop to make sandwiches for Lunch

Same - heading for the Flinders

Burra, nice little town

same

and again

Batteries holding up well

Close to Victorian border