JANUARY 23

After a few heavy showers, lots of thunder and lightening the hail and storm that was predicted didn't eventuate but we did manage to photograph stormy clouds.

Off to Canberra today, at least the weather is sunny and we had a great trip down the Remembrance Drive. This is the main road from Sydney to Canberra and all along the way there are rest areas named after VC recipients. One of the better roads we have travelled on. Arriving at the park it was still abuzz with  the Street Car people. The park was full and so had a great look around before they all left later in the afternoon.

JANUARY 24

Spent the day getting organised and Mike helped the fellow parked next to us as he was trying to load a Street car on a trailer ready for him to leave early Tuesday morning. Mike got to have a ride in the Hot Rod, made his day.

JANUARY 25

Today we set off to the National War Memorial and what an amazing experience. We took a walk along the Remembrance Walls and into the main section known as the Hall of Memory. This was the most amazing place and we felt quite humble. The inside is covered with 6.5 million mosaic tiles all designed in patterns. There were also soldiers on the four corners done with mosaic tiles. Inside this Hall the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier can be seen.

The above mosaics were all done with tiny tiles.

After catching our breath we wandered the other exhibits and I discovered the Changi Quilt (at least a panel of the quilt). Looking at the quilt I became very teary as I thought of those poor women who had made the blocks and reading some of the words on the blocks knowing they didn't make it home.

 We waited until the closing ceremony which was about 4.45pm. There was a piper who appeared at the top of the steps and played a lament, very moving and haunting and at 5pm the gates were closed as the piper walked into the Hall of Memory. This was a visit we will never forget.

JANUARY 27

The bike had a service today plus an update required from a recall. While the bike was busy we decided on more sight seeing and went out to visit Cockington Green Gardens. There are many to scale miniature houses and pubs all representing typical English buildings and then there is an International section where the Embassies have sponsored a unique type of building from their country. A magnificent display.



Waitangi House centre of photo.



JANUARY 29

Away to find the ocean today. We decided while it is very hot here it will be cooler by the sea so off we went some 150k to find some water at Batemans bay.

We had a great trip through to Braidwood and Mike discovered a model car and train shop so of course we had to stop and see. There must have been about 1000 model cars and a few model trains.

The entrance to Braidwood was great, an avenue of Poplars going one way and some lovely golden trees heading out the other way.

Once again over the mountains we went to some very breath taking views and some very steep road, oh what fun on the bike.

Batemans Bay



Southern Entrance to Braidwood





Northern Entrance to Braidwood





JANUARY 30

The famous Old Bus Depot Markets called us today so off we went to see what the locals can produce. Lots of arty things, Jewellery, pottery and all things we didn't need.

From the markets we popped in to the Glassworks and had a guided tour round the work area. Often there are visiting and resident artists working and you can watch the professionals at work but it wasn't to be today.

We then headed to Lake Burley Griffin to listen to the Carillon Bells at lunchtime. Every Sunday there is  a lunch time performance so we sat on the banks of the Lake and listened to the most wonder sound of bells ringing. There are 55 bronze bells and one person sits at a clavier and plays the small and medium bells with her hands and the large bells with her feet. The sound was terrific and we were able to watch the lady playing via a screen as she was about 30m above the ground.

JANUARY 17

Another week starts and we spend the day at home after our long ride on Sunday. Poor Mike is still suffering with his feet, he tries to ignore the pain so we can walk but it is not easy for him.

JANUARY 18

While staying in Camden we were hoping to travel through the Kangaroo Valley but ran out of time so today we set sail and our first stop was Fitzroy Falls. What an amazing place and the Falls were fantastic,falling from such a high place and the sheer drop 81m below. I walked further round to see the Twin Falls but not nearly as speckie.

We travelled through the Kangaroo Valley pass, me trying to take photos while on the bike but most of the time I had to hang on with both hands. Some very tight corners while going up steep hills, breathtaking scenery and a fun ride on the bike. Kangaroo Vally was unbelievable, lush pastures, quaint little shops and a dairy industry.

From Kangaroo Valley we headed to Nowra on the East Coast but didn't actually see any ocean until we started heading west through the Jamberoo pass. This was also quite a fun ride and the first part of the pass was very narrow and Trucks, caravans  and heavy vehicles are not permitted. We arrived back on the Illawarra Highway at Robertson and we both decided this is some of the most beautiful farming country we have seen. From here back through Exeter and Bundanoon to Goulburn ( 9 hours and exhausted)

JANUARY 20

We decided on a shorter trip today so off we went to Crookwell on a alternative route to the freeway. It was great seeing a different type of pasture, much drier but still plenty of hills. All the towns we travel through all have their own history and some extremely old buildings. From Crookwell we travelled to Gunning where on the sky line can be seen Windmills for power. Crookwell was the first town in Australia to have Windmills and now they want to build more, the towns people are fighting against it.
On the way home to Goulburn there are two more blocks of windmills on the high ridges, these are new ones, one still being assembled the other working.

JANUARY 21

There is a display of Hot Rods and Custom build cars advertised in Canberra so we decided to travel down to Canberra to see them. Unfortunately the information on the Internet was incorrect so decided to visit the caravan park we are due to go to tomorrow. A lot of the people involved with the cars are staying at the park so we were lucky to see them arriving and by 2pm we decided to head for home. An interesting day.

JANUARY 22

Pack up day . We went off to a craft market in Goulburn and then home to start the pack up for tomorrow.

While writing this a storm warning has been issued for Canberra, the Snowy mountains and us in Goulburn. Hail stones are part of the warning so must close and prepare for a rough night.     

JANUARY 10

This is our last week in Camden, we will be sorry to leave this lovely park and area. Today we decided to catch the ferry to Manly but the weather was wet and not great for site seeing plus Mike was having problems with his feet again. We had hoped to catch up with Paul and Chris in Manly but they couldn't get themselves organised. We spent the day at home  relaxing.

JANUARY 11

Time is running out so caught bus, train and ferry to Manly. The transport service is great and we arrived at Circular Quay relaxed and had a wonderful trip around the harbour to Manly.

 

 

Views from the Manly Ferry

JANUARY 13

Packing up today and then off to Narellan for fuel and groceries. We weren't able to park the truck in the car park so parked it in a side street and lo and behold my little eyes discovered a Quilt shop, had to pop in and have a look.

JANUARY 14

Off to Goulburn today via the Hume Highway. It was quite a scenic trip with plenty of up hill and down dale. The Caravan park is ordinary but we have a large area to ourselves. The first impressions of Goulburn are that it is a very old town and there doesn't seem to be money here even properties are quite cheap. 100 acres $190.000, house and all.

Entrance to Goulburn. A huge Merino Ram ( Wagin eat your heart out.)


JANUARY15

Information centre was our first stop and then off to discover the War Memorial  way up on a hill overlooking the town. Some magnificent views of Goulburn and surrounding area. Checked out the huge prison and the NSW Police training centre.

 View from War Memorial out over South Goulburn.


JANUARY 16

Another glorious day and ideal for the bike. There was a  Motor bike Swap meeting at the showgrounds so stop off there first to have a look, crowds of people and lots of junk.

  

  

From there we headed out to Windellama for a country market, 36 ks later no markets, in fact no town so we proceeded to Tarago. Lovely ride through some lovely valleys and and some harsh country. We were amazed at the number of paddocks that still had their crop standing, rather dark but up right. We met another biking couple resting in the shade in Tarago so stopped to have a chat and some more rides were suggested. On the way home we discovered Wakefield Racing circuit and just by chance there was a race meeting on with Fiat cars of all shapes and sizes racing. We stayed for awhile but it got too hot so left and headed for the air con back at the van. There were several headers working in paddocks harvesting so not sure why they are so late taking their crop off.

Wakefield Park Raceway

Welcome to WILKIES WIGWAM and the WILKINSON'S TRAVELS.

A New Years resolution was made with the help of some special friends we met in Camden. By the end of this the Campbell's may not be too special anymore!!!!!!

All of you who know me know that doing a daily write up may be quite a challenge. Oh well here goes.

NEW YEAR'S DAY

 The day was extremely hot so decided to visit the Mount Annan Botanic Gardens in Narrellan, not a great decision in hindsight. We donned our helmets and lightweight gear and off on the motorbike. a great ride and we were able to ride around the gardens on the bike. Thank goodness as too hot to walk. We had lunch at the tearooms and then I wandered up to an interesting garden layout, Mike stayed in the cool of the tearooms.

This is an Algorithmic clock using the sun with days and months on a stone slab in front of where I am standing. The only problem is it is not attuned to Daylight saving.

JANUARY 2

The day was great and the bike was calling so off we went on another ride this time to find so ocean.

We headed south to Mittagong, Bowral and across to Robertson and then through the Macquarie Pass to Shellharbour. The ride through the pass was unbelievable, some corners were so sharp there was a sign warning that  trucks may have to do a three point turn to get around. From Shellharbour we travelled up to Wollongong and onto Appin through the Bulli Pass (not nearly as much fun) and then home.

JANUARY 5

Today a little overcast so off to the Blue Mountains via Bells Line of Road. Several people had suggested that it was a great ride on the bike and they were not wrong. It was a magic day and the mountain views were unbelievable. Our first stop was at a lookout, Kurrajong Heights. The view was amazing but unfortunately the mountain mist made it hard to see too far into the distance.

Kurrajong Heights

From Kurrajong we wound our way around the mountains, going up and up, zig zaging at the same time. This is certainly a great road for the motorbike. Near the top of the mountains it started to rain and hail, oh yuk we ended up with very wet jeans for the rest of the day.

This is the type of view we had going up and down the mountains. It was so enjoyable I had forgotten how much we have missed the mountains.

Travelling along the ridges these sights just took our breath away.

We turned off at Bell and headed for Mount Victoria where we discovered a model shop with Trains and antique toys of all descriptions. the shop may have been small but it certainly had lots in it. After walking around, wet jeans and all we headed then to Katoomba. had lunch in Katoomba, jeans still wet but at least by the time we arrived home everything was dry and after 300k we were tired but had a wonderful day.

January 6

Had a quiet day today. Went into Camden and managed to get a hair  cut so feel a new woman now.Camden is a lovely town with lots of boutiques and coffee places.

January 7

Today we tried out the trains into Sydney. We caught the bus outside the caravan park in Camden and brought an all day pension ticket for $2.50 each and this allows you to travel on bus, train and ferry all day for the one price. We caught the train in Campbelltown and then travelled into Sydney (approx 1hr). So much easier than trying to find correct roads, Parking etc in Sydney. Train dropped us at Town Hall and we investigated the Chinese Garden (magnificent), onto Darling Harbour, strolled around the shops and went to the Australian Maritime Museum. From there we caught the mono-rail and did a short circuit above the city and left the mono-rail at The Galleries-Victoria and strolled around the 3 floors of shops. We crossed the road and went into the Victoria building where one window shops too expensive to buy although there were sales everywhere. The old architecture was magnificent and the stain glass windows were amazing. Back to Town Hall where we caught the train to Campbelltown and then the bus to Camden. On arrival home we were so proud of ourselves that we had managed to negotiate the transport system.

Views of the Chinese Garden. So tranquil in the centre of a noisy city.

January 8

Too exhausted to go any where but by afternoon we hopped on the bike and headed into MacArthur Square, a very large shopping complex on the outskirts of Campbell Town. Had a lovely afternoon wandering around the shops.