Geehi

We have had the pleasure of sharing the end of the Bloomfields’ major adventure with them for 8 days in the Snowy Mountains for the Christmas/New Year’s holiday at the Geehi rest area. We were also joined by George and Graham Garner, once George was able to distinguish between Tom Groggin's and Geehi rest areas.

It has been a trip of sun, cycling and surf - well rapids on the river, OK a bit of a swift current, but the kids loved it anyway. The Bloomfield wagon rolled into camp on Christmas Day and we arrived on Boxing Day in the late afternoon after successfully cooking our brakes on the ridiculously steep hill down from Dead Horse Gap – more of that later.   We pitched camp using the second Bloomfield holiday home, having borrowed their tent, and also unloaded Phil's long-missed Giant road bike - which, since they left in June has still done more kms than the travelling mountain bike.

It didn't take long to get the Giant out on the road as Phil and Allison started the training camp rides with an easy(ish) jaunt to Tom Groggin's.  A fairly undulating road with a reasonably good hill in the middle was a good first runout for Phil. It was also useful that Phil got to know this stretch of road well because, as noted above, we had to drive back down there in the evening to rescue the Garners from the wrong camp ground.  George, as ever, was totally relaxed when Phil and I rolled into Tom Groggin’s camp.  When Phil asked Graham if he wanted to de-camp and join us down at Geehi his swift positive response indicated that he was relieved not to have to spend the whole holiday alone with Dad!

The second ride saw Thea make her road comeback on the nearly-as-ridiculous as-the hill-from-Dead Horse hill to Khancoban. A stunning effort up past Scammells Ridge lookout (approx 700m of climbing) and then down into Khancoban. The one-way to Khancoban was a sensible distance for a comeback, especially as Thea was on her mountain bike and so I accompanied Allison on the return journey, on Thea's bike. Luckily the red dust treatment, which the mountain bike’s gears endured on the front of the caravan over 6 months, at least had it stuck in the lowest set of gears.  It was a hot day’s riding with tough hills which certainly set the tone for the coming days.

So the riding continued the next day as Phil really tested his road return with a 50km jaunt to Thredbo with George and me.  This meant climbing the RSH (ridiculously steep hill) back up to Dead Horse Gap.  Note to all B2Bers, if you want to feel super strong, riding alongside Phil in ‘relative’ comfort up a RSH, then plan it for a time that he has not ridden seriously in 6 months!  It’ll still hurt but you’ll feel a lot better.  Anyway, the climb was glorious, in an achievement-scenery sort of way and the day got even better with double coffees in Thredbo, lunch with the families who’d driven up, a few runs on the Thredbo toboggan and then a run DOWN the RSH.  The toughest 100km ride I’ve ever done so a big hand to Phil for getting through it, and to George for riding down to our pace.

Paul and Arran on the Thredbo toboggan

Phil and Kai

The final ride of the week (yes, sorry this does seem to be more of a B2B-style blog) saw Allison have her turn on the RSH, taking me back for a second go.  We had been dropped at the foot of the hill by Phil but we then pushed on to Jindabyne where we were met by Phil and Thea and the kids – we did then take the easy car journey home.

So, yes, a lot of riding but the holiday – which was certainly how the Bloomfields intended to treat the week – was much more about relaxing in great company in a great location.  Phil and Thea had certainly camped in a great spot, literally on one of the tracks leading down to the best swimming hole.  This did mean we occasionally had other campers strolling through our living room but we at least got to see what was going on – and the size of the brown trout caught in the river.  We did try our luck with Maddi’s hand line but despite the best efforts of Gary the Grasshopper and Freds I & II the march flies we were unsuccessful and had to resort to just having a great deal of fun – ask Phil how you can lose a hand line reel and still keep the line.

Had we caught any fish they would have been cooked over our trusty fire – small in the early days with wood brought in by the Bloomfields but roaring on later nights after we found a huge stash of logs just outside the National Park on power station land.  As expected many marshmallows were toasted with just the odd one or two going up in flames or dropping to the ground – it depended on the child as to whether this resulted in tears or just the eating of a dirty marshmallow.  A couple of dampers were cooked on the fire and the odd potato – the dampers ranged from long drawn out cooking to quick cook, depending on how well the boys had set up the embers – both were yummy nonetheless.  The campfire was also the venue for last night sparklers as our oldest, Arran, celebrated his 7th birthday.

There was some rain during our stay – quite a bit as the Bloomfields arrived apparently.  Over the next 7 days we had about 50 or 60 raindrops falling on the tarp!  An enormous storm that must have totally soaked the high mountains literally skirted by our camp.  So otherwise it was a whole week of almost unbroken sunshine – so good that we hardly had to drive anywhere to charge fridge batteries as the caravan’s solar system provided just enough to see us through. 

Someone who just dropped in for lunch at Geehi

So a beautiful site with beautiful weather, great enjoyment and fabulous company.  In between the riding, odd drives and swimming in the river the kids played a lot of games - swingball was a last minute addition to the trailer and a very popular choice and one day I must learn how to play ‘fly’.  We even managed a couple of games of petanque – risking the super heavy metal balls in a game with the kids – close management was required but we all came through it unscathed.  In fact given that Cameron (our youngest) and Kai were both in attendance there was a surprising lack of serious wounds incurred – the worst seemed to be a few mosquitoes and the ever-present march flies.  These are at least slow enough to allow you to stun them and feed to the fish.  As the kids played we adults also managed a good deal of just hanging out, catching up after not seeing each other for a long time.

Kai, Ella, Cameron, Arran and Maddi sharing lollies

Scammell Ridge Lookout

As I say we were really pleased that Phil and Thea asked if we’d like to spend the week with them and we’ll certainly be heading back to Geehi like a shot, hopefully with the same company.

You can of course look it up on a map and I could give you all detailed instructions on how to find the precise spot that we had .....but then you might go and take it from us next time!  Alright, just go down the RSH past Thredbo and stop at the first rest area you find – if in doubt ask George.

Signing off and wishing all fellow blog-readers and the Bloomfield blog-writers a very Happy New Year and successful 2012.

Paul

Lakes Entrance

Like all great travelling blogs it seems to be standard that when you are almost home you stop blogging and never quite finish it. Even though it is 9 months since we returned home I still plan on finishing this blog so I can print it out in a book as our keep sake of the trip. So with Christmas decorations’ starting to appear in stores it is time to write up what we did and where we were last Christmas.

We were heading to Lakes Entrance in Victoria for our Christmas, well Christmas Eve at least. After staying the night before in a rather dirty side of the road rest stop (which we arrived at after dark) we had another slow start because Thea wanted to get the traditional rice and almond pudding dessert made before we headed to our caravan park.

We arrived in Lakes Entrance late morning and proceeded to set up camp, do our 4 loads of washing and start preparing for our Christmas dinner. After another trip to the shops for some last minute supplies and decorations we returned to our site to decorate our Christmas tree. There were plenty of large family groups in caravans and tents setting up around us, (complete with Christmas lights and decorations) and with the play equipment near by we had plenty of people watching available. The owners had informed us that there had been some robberies the previous night and to make sure our belongings were secure. Apparently the thieves had striked twice in the last week and on one occasion walked off with a camper’s esky full of beer. Oh what a luxury it was to have a caravan and car that were both lockable.

The kids set about decorating a nearby tree and placing presents underneath while I cooked our traditional Christmas Eve roast pork dinner complete with red cabbage and the pudding prepared earlier. I kind fellow camper was concerned that maybe we planned on leaving the presents out overnight but this was certainly not our plan. We were only staying one night at Lakes Entrance so everything was out for only the one evening and packed away before Tig and I could rest our heads. 

Christmas 2011 Lakes Entrance

Before dinner we all showered, put on our best clothes and enjoyed a special fizzy drink for the kids. We even decorated our table for this event and sat down to a very nice pork roast. Somehow the kids managed to convince us to have presents before dessert and soon the sound of paper ripping was evident. The parents might have been quickly swayed, as we knew there was a thunderstorm on it way and impending darkness. Dessert quickly followed where Kai was the lucky boy who found the whole almond and claimed his prize.

All clean and ready for dinner 

Kids just a little excited

Roast Pork Christmas Dinner

Kai unwrapping one of his presents 

Ella's new music box

The winner and his slightly chewed almond

After the Christmas tree was un-decorated and while washing up was taking place in the camp kitchen (which overlooked the play ground) the kids took to the equipment with the masses of other children and stayed there till way after dark.

I must admit it was a little strange celebrating our Christmas with many other kids and adults spectating our event. There were a few confused children as to why we were opening presents and having a sit down dinner on Christmas Eve when they had to wait till the next day. We always celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve but I never knew it was a spectator sport.

With the kids finally tucked up in bed, almost everything outside packed away and Santa having visited (before we locked him out), it was time for some sleep for Tig and I. 

Fast asleep and waiting for Santa 

Our make shift tea towel stockings

Kai and Maddi were the first up to see what was in their make shift tea towel stockings from Santa. Ella was soon woken and we enjoyed some mini ham and cheese croissants inside while it rained outside. Due to the rain the campground was quite quiet as kids huddled inside their tents. Once breakfast was finished, Tig and I packed the awning away in the rain again, hooked up the van and transferred the kids on our backs from the van to the car. After a quick change of clothes for Tig and I, off to church we went with the van in tow.

Kai and Maddi looking at what Santa brought them

Mini ham and cheese croissants

Church in their Christmas outfits from Gran

The previous day we had checked out where the local Anglican Church (St Nicholas) was and enjoyed a lovely Christmas Day Service complete with candle lighting and communion. After the service we had some conversations with the locals who gave us some advice on the route we planned on taking to get to the Snowy Mountains that day.

After heeding this advice we decided to change our plans and take a less hilly but slightly longer route. We had a long day of driving with only a stop for lunch, change of drivers and topping up on water and fuel at Jindabyne. We had decided to not fill up our water tanks at Lakes Entrance so we had a lighter caravan to tow over the mountains. We left Jindabyne with the van fully loaded with water and food for  the next week in the mid afternoon, it was fine but overcast and preceded up the Alpine Way towards Thredbo and Dead Horse Gap. As we passed Thredbo the weather closed in and we proceeded very, very slowly down to Tom Groggin and along to Geehi in the drizzle and fog. It all looked very gloomy and we were glad we didn’t meet many other drivers, as it isn’t a great road for passing a massive caravan like ours. The big engine in the Land Cruiser and the electronic breaks in the caravan controlled from inside the car came into their own on this 12km decent. 

On arrival at Geehi in the rain we scouted out a campsite that would accommodate us and our friends the Thomas' who would be joining us the next day. There were plenty of people already set up and we anticipated there would be plenty more to follow. Thankfully Tig found one site tucked away and it just required a little maneuvering of the van to get it in there. Fortunately it was not on top of anyone else which was great. In typical Snowy Mountain weather the rain stopped and the sun came out just as we finished leveling the van so we quickly set about setting up the wet awning and exploring the nearby river.

The next day the sun shone and we set about decorating camp with some festive lights and decorations while we awaited the Thomas’ arrival. We were really happy to be spending the next week in this one location, spending time with good friends and doing a little bit of bike riding.

The sun shinning at Geehi

Next blog will be from our final guest blogger.

Till then…

Tig and Thea

Back to the mainland

After our indulgent lunch at Elephant Pass Pancake Barn we drove onto Launceston and spent the afternoon seeing the sights of the Cataract Gorge. We walked around the gorge and across the suspension bridge then took the chair lift back. This wasn’t a value for money tourist attraction so we decided to opt for a council managed free camp for the night rather then another caravan park just to save on some expenses.

View looking back towards Cataract Gorge Pool

Cataract Gorge Suspension Bridge

Bunch of monkeys

One of the many peacocks at Cataract Gorge

One the chair lift looking towards the Gorge

Self portrait on the chair lift

The council managed free camp was only available for camping between the hours of 5pm and 9am. It only had 5 or 6 parking bays that backed onto a lovely, grassed reserve complete with great play ground facilities, BBQs, picnic tables and some toilets housed inside a water tank. It was just perfect for us and we took full use of these facilities and even had a chance to spread out our green mat to dry on the lawn after our wet pack up in the morning. It also came complete with a view over the river and we only shared it with one other camper. Tig did manage to find some locals who where meeting up at the park for Christmas drinks and had a great chat about caravans and travelling.

Only us so far at the Council Managed Free Camp

The next day we ventured up a very long narrow drive, with van attached to a cherry farm to purchase some white and black cherries as well as a pun net of blueberries just for good measure. We decided to opt for only a few then and there and save the rest till later in the day, which we discovered later was a good idea since 3 year old boys and cherries cause quite a mess.

We had promised the kids we would go to Westbury Maze so that was our next destination. The maze is a small, family run operation based on one of the two main roads in Westbury and basically built in the front and side yard. It wasn’t overly expensive like a lot of mazes are and we had an absolute ball. We paid our fees in the café and where given our verbal instructions. The aim being to get to the platform in the center and then find our way back out. Sounded simple but this one had us a little stumped. We got a rude shock when we looked at the entrance to discover it was quite a narrow maze with Tig and Thea’s shoulders often bumping the hedges on either side. We split up in teams and off we went. It took us a little longer then anticipated since being a smallish maze but team Tig, Maddi and Kai made it to the center first and Thea and Ella made it out again first. We then enjoyed a coffee, scones and ice blocks for the kids at the café and watched another family go in. We sat there for quite a while and we never saw the family come out again but could hear their calls to each other while they tried to work it out. Once we had had enough at the maze we drove down to the main street and parked for a ‘lunch in the van’ pit stop before walking to a local photographic gallery. The photos were very beautiful of many Tasmanian places we had visited in the 3 weeks prior but nothing captured us so no bulky purchases were made. It would have been a good opportunity to make a purchase since our good camera died back on Bruny Island so our photos are very substandard since then.

Narrow Entry at Westbury Maze

Onto Devonport we wandered to set up camp at Mersey Bluff Caravan Park. The caravan park had the best view and was basically empty. It also had great facilities and what was even better then all of those things was the excellent public play equipment just down the hill at the surf club. From our vantage point we could watch The Spirit of Tasmania depart each night in anticipation of our own crossing in a few days. We spent our time in Devonport doing some last minute Christmas shopping, getting the car serviced (again) and taking a bike ride along the foreshore. We also picked up some Christmas mail which included a parcel from Tig's parents. His mum had been very busy once more making Christmas dresses for the girls which they gave us a brief fashion parade in.

Yippee for Christmas Mail

Christmas clothes test run

When we come across on the Spirit of Tasmania in our haste to pack up and get down to the car in the morning we hadn’t done a thorough check of the beds and soon after picking up Tig’s sister in Launceston Thea realised that neither her or Tig had packed Maddi’s white teddy bear from her bed. ‘Whitey’ had a lovely 4 week holiday wrapped in brown paper and stuck in a cupboard at The Spirit of Tasmania Devonport office and after some patient waiting while the staff tried to work out who to arrange to open the cupboard he was reunited with Maddi. She tried to tell us that she had wondered were he was but since she did not ask even once where he was we never mentioned his disappearance or the arrangements we had made with the ships staff for his return. ‘Whitey’ was really just another stuff toy Maddi or Ella had insisted needed to come around Australia with us. We even managed to sneak some others back to Sydney in August in Tig’s luggage that they never realised.

On the day before we left Devonport we met up with the Varley family again at our camp for a couple of hours to catch up. The Varley family where leaving Tasmania on the boat before us so after our catch up they set off to find some dinner before boarding. We headed to the supermarket to do our final big shop of our trip, which was to cover Christmas and our 9 night Snowy Mountain holiday. Since the shop took longer then expected we grabbed a BBQ chook and some bread rolls and headed to an observation point to watch the Varley family leave through the river mouth on the Spirit of Tasmania 1. We had arranged with them to be on the side deck so we ate our picnic dinner and tried to spot them on board.

Picnic dinner while waiting for Spirit of Tasmania 1

It's coming!

Here it is!

Once we had waved farewell to the ship we headed back to the van to pack up everything outside, tire the kids bikes back on the roof rack, unpack the shopping and put the awning down. It was all in anticipation of our early start the following morning. We had to leave camp by 7am to be at the boat for a 7.30am check in and 9am departure.

The bridge is going up.

The little Devonport commuter ferry we took on our bike ride

The observation platform and Mersey Bluff Caravan Park in the background

Having sailed over night to Tasmania we thought it would be good to sail during the day. We were on the first day sailing for the busy Christmas season, which was pleasantly not crowded and no bikies this time. 

We had a 4 birth cabin which provided a base to leave all our gear as we explored the boat. There was kids entertainment with badge making and face painting and at 4pm photos of the face painted faces was made into badges as keep sakes. We also had the advantage of seeing the other Spirit of Tasmania pass as it returned to Devonport. Something not many people see on the night crossing as the two ships pass each other around 1am.

Face painting for the girls

Maddi watching the Spirit of Tasmania pass by

Once arriving at Port Melbourne at 6pm we were lucky to be one of the first unloaded and navigated our way quickly out of Melbourne heading South East towards Lakes Entrance. We drove as far as we could with the knowledge that we weren’t going to make it the whole way but wanting to cover as much distance as possible so our Christmas Eve drive was as small as possible.

Waiting for the doors to be opened

Kai fast asleep before we even got out of the Melbourne streets

Next up we will share what we got up to for Christmas.

Tig and Thea