It's Time to Move On

Rosy decided to trade in her 15 year old sewing machine on a new model and to get one that is lighter than the one she has and does overlocking stitches. She did very well and was able to get one. Rosy made good friends with Lyn who with her husband look after Sandalwood's maintenance. Lyn was very impressed that Rosy had an overlocker and now that Rosy had her new machine, she didn't need the overlocker any more. So she gave it to Lyn and gave her a lesson on how to operate it. Rosy is going to start putting her shingle out to let people know in the parks that she will do sewing jobs. It's a great way to meet people in the park.

Last Friday, Rosy, Angel and I went on a scouting mission to find our next location. We drove up to Tweed Heads and then followed the coast down. There were only two caravan parks at Chinderah that allowed pets and they both sucked. They were right on the freeway and one of the receptionists was really cold and prickly. We then went to Kingsliff where they have a dog beach at the north of the town, but the two caravan parks don't allow pets. Even in the main street they don't allow you to eat alfresco with your pet. Bunch of "dog haters"! We resigned ourselves to having to find other locations. The highlight of the day was going through a little town called "Mooball". It's claim to fame is that the only shop, the telegraph poles and some large rocks are painted white with black dots, like the markings on cows. It makes us chuckle everytime we go through it.

We had to move spots at Sandalwood at Wardell last Monday as the families start arriving for Easter. My intuition was telling me not to move on the Monday, so I cleared it with the park owner to move on Tuesday. Meanwhile on Monday Rosy, Angel and I went scouting inland for a suitable spot. We went up to Murwillumbah and found a great location, which is about 15 minutes drive to the coast (for Angel's beach running exercise). We thought that seeing we had to pack up anyway to move spots at Sandalwood, we might as well move on to Murwillumbah. On the way back to Wardell we went via Nimbin. This is he place where all the young and old hippies from Byron Bay ended up after the price of Byron Bay got too exclusive. I must say I only got asked once on the street if I wanted some drugs. It's only a little town, but all the shopfronts are coloured in great detail. All rainbow colours. We had lunch there and the owner of the cafe allowed us to have Angel with us at the table. They even provide for dogs with a water bowl. All the older men all look the same. Long grey hair with a grey beard with cheesecloth material pants and tops, looking like they needed a good hearty meal. It was really an experience. We then headed back to Wardell via Lismore.

On the way back we bought a decent air compressor. We have been finding it difficult to find a service station big enough to check our tyres on the van. So with the gadget I hook it up to the car battery and it fills up the tyres with a minimum of fuss. I don't want to risk anything with the tyre pressure as they are the only things between us and the road at 90kph.

Just as an aside, we found out that if we stay at any caravan park in Australia for more than 27 days, the GST reduces by 50% on the 28th day to our departure. Not many people are aware of this and the parks generally pocket the difference, or build it into a discount price. But know we know what they get up to.

Today was a sad day as we made many friends of Sandalwood and they each wanted to say good bye and wish us well on our trip around Australia.

It took us and hour and a half to get to Murwillumbah from Wardell and the rest of the day to unpack and relax. I don't know how the grey nomads do it. Moving from one spot to the next. A Welsh couple we met at Sandalwood did Australia in 6 months! The wife said they drove it but they didn't see much of it.

Anyway, must go now. Things to do and not do.

Stephen