Not again! Yep, again. Sorry. It's that time for the Bi Monthly update, this time covering May and June 2022 so sit back and read away, or not.
G'day,
Well, another 2 months done and dusted and in the history books. May slipped into the mix very quietly after April finished and I tell you that for free. That said, the first week of the month a visit to the Dentist was needed urgently due to pain that quickly got worse, so luckily after a quick search for a Dentist in the area got in and walked out minus a tooth, bugga. Oh well!
The same week a flat tyre on the aluminium tent had to be sorted but as the tent was fully set up with awning out and privacy screens around, table and chair etc and cooking equipment all set up under, I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I was sitting out front of van when a tyre mob from a local town was working on a vehicle the owner of the park had near me so I asked if they could sort my problem out and wanted the valves on 4 wheels done plus spare as the rubber sealing the valves was perished and every time I pumped up, the valve let go and all air gone within seconds. He wasn't sure but said he would get someone to ring me. No phone calls for a week so with a lot of trouble and loosening of guy ropes etc I slowly jacked up the side needed to just enough height to get tyre off and spare on. Not an easy task with a bad knee and shoulders but slowly done. I took the wheel to a different place as the other obviously didn't want work. They put a longer valve in for me and were willing to come and do the other tyres on site for me. That was great but for one thing, the cost was going to be over $300. I thought I would get them done maybe when I leave here, I could just call in and get it all done at the tyre place instead. That, or I do one at a time on different days myself. Slowly! It would have to be slow anyway as slow is how things get done lately.
Next, the Collie (no, not the dog, the car) was due for a service so went to book that in and had to wait for a month due to their bookings being heavy. A good sign I spose?
The 9/5 arrived and still no neighbors so decided to give the aluminium tents hatches and solar panels a clean so set up for that job and after 1.5 hours it was all done and dusted and everything put away. Luckily I can get through the roof hatches and reach the said items. I even got my battery blower out and gave around the aluminium tent a tidy up. That also looked good after finished.
Yeh, I know, it was w..k but hey, maintenance has to be done by someone. Being a Solo, I'm it. I must admit though my lower back, right shoulder and arm was quite painful at the end of it all. That's what happens with getting older for some people I spose.
The month moved along with not much happening but did have to go to a medical appointment and caught up with good friend Craig (Craig1) for a chat over a nice meal so was good to see him again.
Mid-Month I spent some time on-line trying to get an appointment for the 4th Covid jab but couldn't book one close by and finally got one in Shepparton for mid-June so booked it. The next day I was driving past the Vax centre in Wangaratta and noticed they were open, previous times I had driven past they had been closed, so went in all masked up and ended up getting a walk-in 4th jab after they cancelled the Shepparton one. All done and dusted and all vaxed up. Side effects? Nothing but a sore arm for a couple of days, so all good.
20th May arrived and bought with it the V8 Supercars at Winton Race Track for three days of speed and petrol heads. The race track is not all that far from base camp. Base camp filled up quicker than quick with no sites or even cabins left. All full! There was also camping at the track and I heard that was all full as well. Its the first time for two years Winton was open to public due to that dreaded Covid thing, so all the fans were itching at the feet to get there again.
I had to see my GP in Wangaratta for new, what I call, keep alive scripts and was going to get blood tests done as well but she decided to leave the tests until a couple of weeks before I see my Cardiologist in a few months so a referral for that was given to me as well. It made sense to get a little closer to that visit.
Before I forget, heaven forbid, the weather for May was starting to get very cold indeed overnight with the days not far behind. Mostly -2c to 6c over night with 13c to 17c during the day, wind at times and varied directions and strengths with light rain here and there. That said the last few days of May were freezing cold with a strong cold wind and light steady rain almost nonstop. Nothing to really write home about. Overall, no complaints from me really.
Next thing I knew, the month of May had come to an end and in the history books and believe it or not June started the very next day, true, it did. Trust me. It was also the start of Winter. Brrrrrrrr! I felt cold just writing that bit.
June also started as May finished with cold winds and light rain on and off. Ill continue with the weather for June seeing I am in that department already. Cold was what it was. Cold winds and some strong. 5/6 arrived and a massive storm hit around 7.00pm and lasted three hours. No damage around me but trees down around the area and elsewhere nearby. The next day and it was still windy but everything else settled a little. The next week continued with cold wet weather. Most of June was like that though and even snow in them there hills. Well, the Alps are just over the ways to the east and within sight. I got my first glimpse of snow on the mountains not all that far away looking East. Yep, cold describes it. Reports on the local news said it was the best start to snow season for many years and even started a week earlier, so that was good for the resorts. The month ended with some sunshine for a few days so that was very nice to have and was most welcome so thanks to the weather gods for that little winter treat.
The month moved along and the Collie finally got to go in to the car doctor for a check-up and a few hours later the service finished with no problems found. The running hot on hills is still there and reason still not found though. A job for later!
A week later I had to go back to the dentist for a small repair job that was found during the visit I mentioned earlier. Both the Dentist and Car Doctor were not cheap!
The 10/6 showed its face and people starting arriving by the, well, car load with all sorts of things being towed behind. You see, it was the Queens Birthday Long Week End. Although the actual holiday was the Monday. It seems a lot of people now take the Friday off as well, making it a four-day weekend. I'm jealous off course! You see, it was unheard off back in my previous life. If I was lucky, I would get the Monday off but a lot of times I still had to work. Gee retirement is good! All of N E VIC reported a full house or very close to full for the weekend.
The rest of the month moved along and the Wednesday Lunches I have mentioned in previous updates started up again and very much enjoyed, the month also ended in the middle of school holidays and as you read this very quiet around base camp.
News flash!
After much thought and even more thinking, yep (that was that rusty grinding sound you heard the other day), I have decided that this update will be my last. I am not doing a lot of moving around lately and a couple of other reasons, so I will give it a rest for a while or maybe even longer. That could all change though as I make last minute decisions and I am known to wake up in the morning and find myself in another place that night, even another state, so just maybe, one day. It will be like, watch this space!
Well, that said, this update has come to an end, so please everyone,
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Some final pics below.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Friday 1st of July 2022 11:51:45 AM
dogbox said
10:22 AM Jul 1, 2022
all ways a good read. if you don't do a bi-monthly report what are you going to do with all the spare time ?
gwb said
01:35 PM Jul 1, 2022
Thanks for all the effort you have put in for your reports, we will miss them greatly. Keep well.
Geoff and Bev
Craig1 said
01:45 PM Jul 1, 2022
Yep, a living diary, so you could keep them up.
cjt55 said
04:52 PM Jul 3, 2022
Sorry that you are not doing your updates anymore mate and understand. Bit hard when you are not moving around anymore. Stay warm. Currently in Adelaide visiting family before heading North. Stay warm mate.
Gaylehere said
08:18 PM Jul 3, 2022
Thanks Dougwe, I have always enjoyed your newsletters and photos of places I have never been. Enjoy your writing retirement. Haha. Cheers.
Cupie said
12:38 PM Jul 4, 2022
I always enjoy your updates. Just like having you visit & having a yarn out on the back deck (in sunny Qld .. well not so sunny today .. you should have been here yesterday LOL).
I hope that you change your mind and keep them coming .. perhaps quarterly?
Cheers & keep safe and well.
Stewart said
02:09 PM Jul 4, 2022
Thanks Doug always an enjoyable read. Hope you hit the road again soon I am sure the tropics are calling you. Cheers Stewart
86GTS said
05:09 AM Jul 17, 2022
Good report Doug. love the autumn leaves & the Clydesdale horses on the silo.
It's easy for me to say but I reckon that doing reports like you have been doing helps to keep your mind active & gives you a reason to take photos of things that you've encountered.
Maybe quarterly might suit?
I read your reports even when I wasn't subscribed to GN, you'd be surprised how many folk enjoy reading travel topics.
Plain Truth said
07:53 PM Jul 17, 2022
delete
-- Edited by Plain Truth on Sunday 17th of July 2022 08:04:29 PM
Dougwe said
07:45 AM Aug 1, 2022
Thanks everyone for your replies and a couple of good suggestions. I think for now though, I'll stick to my plan and maybe look at it again in a few months. I keep a daily electronic shortish journal so enough notes in that to gather info for an update. Also and as well even, 'Uncle Al' hasn't taken over completely just yet
Keep Safe on the roads and out there everyone.
ken thomas said
03:34 PM Oct 1, 2022
Have not been on for awhile,, stay safe out there
Ken
Tony Bev said
06:05 PM Oct 1, 2022
ken thomas wrote:
Have not been on for awhile,, stay safe out there Ken
X 2
Keep safe out there in the playground, Doug
Cuppa said
10:42 AM Oct 2, 2022
Doug, I understand that when not having regular changes of scenery & activity it can be difficult to be motivated to keep a blog or reports going. What were once weekly blogs for me have become 3 monthly blogs in recent times primarily because we have not been 'on the move'. I find (as I expect you might) that the longer you leave it, the harder it is to get 're-started. Lots of prevarication. However having finally listened to the the guilty little voice in the back of my head which nags at me to get it written, I am always pleased when I've done so. The folk reading it always seem to appreciate it & they are my motivators, but at the end of the day I appreciate them for keeping me to task & producing the record *for ourselves*. I know I no longer recall things as well as I'd like & that past blog posts are already useful memory joggers in that respect & I have no doubt that in the future I will be very pleased I kept it up. I encourage you to keep writing your reports if you possibly can. I know what it feels like to have less & less to say, but as 86GTS suggests it gives a reason for photographing & noticing stuff.
Dougwe said
07:12 AM Oct 13, 2022
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you Ken, Tony and Cuppa but I have been having a break from the Forum for my sanity. Some might say it didn't work
I hear you Cuppa and agree but I actually do a short daily personal Journal of my goings on each day so enough info there if I decide to do my Updates on here again.
Take care out there everyone.
Craig1 said
09:54 AM Oct 13, 2022
Put a note in for today, " bought flippers and waders"
Dougwe said
01:02 PM Oct 13, 2022
Not today mate. Got them last week ready. I also put a sign out front asking Noah to pick me up on his way past. I'm sure he'll have a solo lady to even things up
Jonathan said
01:40 PM Dec 14, 2022
"Uncle AL" and his many associates definitely tend to hinder ones plans ..
Glad I got back in time to say hi .. we'll catch up again soon !
Not again! Yep, again. Sorry. It's that time for the Bi Monthly update, this time covering May and June 2022 so sit back and read away, or not.
G'day,
Well, another 2 months done and dusted and in the history books. May slipped into the mix very quietly after April finished and I tell you that for free. That said, the first week of the month a visit to the Dentist was needed urgently due to pain that quickly got worse, so luckily after a quick search for a Dentist in the area got in and walked out minus a tooth, bugga. Oh well!
The same week a flat tyre on the aluminium tent had to be sorted but as the tent was fully set up with awning out and privacy screens around, table and chair etc and cooking equipment all set up under, I wasn't looking forward to it at all. I was sitting out front of van when a tyre mob from a local town was working on a vehicle the owner of the park had near me so I asked if they could sort my problem out and wanted the valves on 4 wheels done plus spare as the rubber sealing the valves was perished and every time I pumped up, the valve let go and all air gone within seconds. He wasn't sure but said he would get someone to ring me. No phone calls for a week so with a lot of trouble and loosening of guy ropes etc I slowly jacked up the side needed to just enough height to get tyre off and spare on. Not an easy task with a bad knee and shoulders but slowly done. I took the wheel to a different place as the other obviously didn't want work. They put a longer valve in for me and were willing to come and do the other tyres on site for me. That was great but for one thing, the cost was going to be over $300. I thought I would get them done maybe when I leave here, I could just call in and get it all done at the tyre place instead. That, or I do one at a time on different days myself. Slowly! It would have to be slow anyway as slow is how things get done lately.
Next, the Collie (no, not the dog, the car) was due for a service so went to book that in and had to wait for a month due to their bookings being heavy. A good sign I spose?
The 9/5 arrived and still no neighbors so decided to give the aluminium tents hatches and solar panels a clean so set up for that job and after 1.5 hours it was all done and dusted and everything put away. Luckily I can get through the roof hatches and reach the said items. I even got my battery blower out and gave around the aluminium tent a tidy up. That also looked good after finished.
Yeh, I know, it was w..k but hey, maintenance has to be done by someone. Being a Solo, I'm it. I must admit though my lower back, right shoulder and arm was quite painful at the end of it all. That's what happens with getting older for some people I spose.
The month moved along with not much happening but did have to go to a medical appointment and caught up with good friend Craig (Craig1) for a chat over a nice meal so was good to see him again.
Mid-Month I spent some time on-line trying to get an appointment for the 4th Covid jab but couldn't book one close by and finally got one in Shepparton for mid-June so booked it. The next day I was driving past the Vax centre in Wangaratta and noticed they were open, previous times I had driven past they had been closed, so went in all masked up and ended up getting a walk-in 4th jab after they cancelled the Shepparton one. All done and dusted and all vaxed up. Side effects? Nothing but a sore arm for a couple of days, so all good.
20th May arrived and bought with it the V8 Supercars at Winton Race Track for three days of speed and petrol heads. The race track is not all that far from base camp. Base camp filled up quicker than quick with no sites or even cabins left. All full! There was also camping at the track and I heard that was all full as well. Its the first time for two years Winton was open to public due to that dreaded Covid thing, so all the fans were itching at the feet to get there again.
I had to see my GP in Wangaratta for new, what I call, keep alive scripts and was going to get blood tests done as well but she decided to leave the tests until a couple of weeks before I see my Cardiologist in a few months so a referral for that was given to me as well. It made sense to get a little closer to that visit.
Before I forget, heaven forbid, the weather for May was starting to get very cold indeed overnight with the days not far behind. Mostly -2c to 6c over night with 13c to 17c during the day, wind at times and varied directions and strengths with light rain here and there. That said the last few days of May were freezing cold with a strong cold wind and light steady rain almost nonstop. Nothing to really write home about. Overall, no complaints from me really.
Next thing I knew, the month of May had come to an end and in the history books and believe it or not June started the very next day, true, it did. Trust me. It was also the start of Winter. Brrrrrrrr! I felt cold just writing that bit.
June also started as May finished with cold winds and light rain on and off. Ill continue with the weather for June seeing I am in that department already. Cold was what it was. Cold winds and some strong. 5/6 arrived and a massive storm hit around 7.00pm and lasted three hours. No damage around me but trees down around the area and elsewhere nearby. The next day and it was still windy but everything else settled a little. The next week continued with cold wet weather. Most of June was like that though and even snow in them there hills. Well, the Alps are just over the ways to the east and within sight. I got my first glimpse of snow on the mountains not all that far away looking East. Yep, cold describes it. Reports on the local news said it was the best start to snow season for many years and even started a week earlier, so that was good for the resorts. The month ended with some sunshine for a few days so that was very nice to have and was most welcome so thanks to the weather gods for that little winter treat.
The month moved along and the Collie finally got to go in to the car doctor for a check-up and a few hours later the service finished with no problems found. The running hot on hills is still there and reason still not found though. A job for later!
A week later I had to go back to the dentist for a small repair job that was found during the visit I mentioned earlier. Both the Dentist and Car Doctor were not cheap!
The 10/6 showed its face and people starting arriving by the, well, car load with all sorts of things being towed behind. You see, it was the Queens Birthday Long Week End. Although the actual holiday was the Monday. It seems a lot of people now take the Friday off as well, making it a four-day weekend. I'm jealous off course! You see, it was unheard off back in my previous life. If I was lucky, I would get the Monday off but a lot of times I still had to work. Gee retirement is good! All of N E VIC reported a full house or very close to full for the weekend.
The rest of the month moved along and the Wednesday Lunches I have mentioned in previous updates started up again and very much enjoyed, the month also ended in the middle of school holidays and as you read this very quiet around base camp.
News flash!
After much thought and even more thinking, yep (that was that rusty grinding sound you heard the other day), I have decided that this update will be my last. I am not doing a lot of moving around lately and a couple of other reasons, so I will give it a rest for a while or maybe even longer. That could all change though as I make last minute decisions and I am known to wake up in the morning and find myself in another place that night, even another state, so just maybe, one day. It will be like, watch this space!
Well, that said, this update has come to an end, so please everyone,
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Some final pics below.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Friday 1st of July 2022 11:51:45 AM
Geoff and Bev
I always enjoy your updates. Just like having you visit & having a yarn out on the back deck (in sunny Qld .. well not so sunny today .. you should have been here yesterday LOL).
I hope that you change your mind and keep them coming .. perhaps quarterly?
Cheers & keep safe and well.
It's easy for me to say but I reckon that doing reports like you have been doing helps to keep your mind active & gives you a reason to take photos of things that you've encountered.
Maybe quarterly might suit?
I read your reports even when I wasn't subscribed to GN, you'd be surprised how many folk enjoy reading travel topics.
delete
-- Edited by Plain Truth on Sunday 17th of July 2022 08:04:29 PM
Thanks everyone for your replies and a couple of good suggestions. I think for now though, I'll stick to my plan and maybe look at it again in a few months. I keep a daily electronic shortish journal so enough notes in that to gather info for an update. Also and as well even, 'Uncle Al' hasn't taken over completely just yet
Keep Safe on the roads and out there everyone.
Ken
X 2
Keep safe out there in the playground, Doug
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you Ken, Tony and Cuppa but I have been having a break from the Forum for my sanity. Some might say it didn't work
I hear you Cuppa and agree but I actually do a short daily personal Journal of my goings on each day so enough info there if I decide to do my Updates on here again.
Take care out there everyone.
Glad I got back in time to say hi .. we'll catch up again soon !