We had a visitor today, Sarg called in for a few hours and he told us about his work at BlazeAid. I decided to light the choofer and invited everyone to sit round the fire, Billeee and Jules were the only ones to bring the makings for jaffles. Naturally I made one but not as good as usual, I always had brown sugar in the van but not now, only honey and from past experience knew that honey spills out from the side and burns making a hard job to clean off.
The evening went off very well we had visitors Julie and Len who were parked between Rod and Billeee were invited and came along, they are off tomorrow and Paul will take their spot. We broke up after 8pm making it a late night, a cold night too and I have started up the gas heater for a few minutes whilst everyone else went off to their heated vans. Which reminds me to turn if off now that the bus is warm.
Another successful day with the red claw and had another aperitif during the afternoon cooked by Jules. Syd arrived today we had met previously at Babinda and spent time travelling together down the coast, he is camped between Billeee and Paul. Had the choofer out again at night and enjoyed sitting round it I cooked my meal on it, a couple of savoury jaffles those small tins of shredded tuna just fit in the middle of the slices.
More of the same today Thursday, Jamie the grocery delivery man came as usual. He has increased his services and now is selling water for $10 per 100 ltrs and both Billeee and Rod took advantage of that. Another sunny day up to around 30 degrees and cooler evenings down to 15 degrees so out came the choofer and we all sat round until late. Friday and I had a good catch and one of my friends down by the waterside gave me another half bucket.
Have prepared the red claw and given them to Jules together with rice to see if she will cook tea for us all. The plan is to have a meal around the choofer this evening, so we will see how that turns out. Very well as it happened Jules made fried rice with all the trimmings and it went down very well. I lit the choofer again the fourth night in a row and again it was a late night, we invited a couple of solo travellers camped up near us, Glenn and Don.
The struts were picked up from Eidsvold P O by a friend who had an appointment in Eidsvold. Today Saturday we made up strong brackets by cutting down a steel square tube from end to end on opposite sides and with the appropriate holes being drilled the struts were mounted by Rod who had the necessary measuring skills. All up a great boon for me to be able to easily lift up the front of the bed to access the storage space with out having to get my shoulder underneath to put timber in place as stays.
Another night round the choofer till around 9pm. Billeee was in good form keeping us amused with his anecdotes and my illuminated speakers worked well in the background much better than the bluetooth speaker. We used Rod's caravan speakers the other night and had a complaint from a camper who claimed that he was camped 500mtrs away and could hear them. Yeah yeah a likely story but being up the hill the sound could carry, and we turned them off by 8pm.
Sunday and a day of rest!!!!!!!!!!!! not so Rod decided to drive out to the back blocks with his chainsaw to cut more wood for the fire, mine has gone over the past 5 nights. We had plenty of help, whilst Rod used the chainsaw Syd and Glenn carried the timber back to me and I stacked the back of the Disco. Got plenty and we know where to get more. Those who were at Greens know that I am a neat stacker of firewood.
Ric came up to visit this afternoon and told us about the coach he is preparing for the road 42ft long plus his vehicle towed behind just comes to the legal limit if he removes the draw bar on the 4WD. He didn't tell us how he was going to tow it without the draw bar. He has lifted the roof substantially from below the window level, not for head height but to allow the usage below to be increased. Tonight Sunday and it is Rod's night to light and maintain the fire, I have had the previous 5 nights. John
Thanks John...sitting here in cold wet Melbourne it does make me think what Im doing here. Keep em coming, always a pleasure to read.
Cheers
George & Fatdog
Good reading John, I'm still stuck in Jericho waiting for that stinking Tablet, supposed to be here Friday but not banking on it. Getting itchy feet, gotta get outa here, groceries here would have to be the most expensive in Aus. & my pantry's getting low.
I have been emailing Paul for a couple of weeks or so without reply and we have tried to ring him with no result. So either there is no phone access or his phone is in need of replacement. As I have had no contact from Paul, we were very concerned for him! Yes, Paul, if you are reading this there are people who do care that you are okay! As a last ditch idea....I thought of using this forum and there was a either very dejected Paul or he has been giving that ginger ale a nudge again!
I have been emailing Paul for a couple of weeks or so without reply and we have tried to ring him with no result. So either there is no phone access or his phone is in need of replacement. As I have had no contact from Paul, we were very concerned for him! Yes, Paul, if you are reading this there are people who do care that you are okay! As a last ditch idea....I thought of using this forum and there was a either very dejected Paul or he has been giving that ginger ale a nudge again!
Regards to all and hope to catch up at some time
Shirley
Hi Shirley,
Paul is fine but has no phone or internet access. I will tell him of your post and show him tomorrow.
Paul is fine and moving right along with his matchstick windmill - was very happy when I bought some paddle pop sticks - no I didn't eat all the paddle pops - they came from the craft section of Eidsvold newsagency - multi coloured!
__________________
jules "Love is good for the human being!!" (Ben, aged 10)
Hi Jules. I don't have your e-mail address on this Computer. If you could PM me with it, I can send the "Matchstick Fleet" email with Pics. that Vic sent me to you, and you could show it to Paul if you wouldn't mind. Tried to send it to both him and John, but for some reason I'm being blocked from John's 'puter. Bit wierd, as I could get through to him a week ago.
Jules it would have been much more fun if you enjoyed the ice cream that surrounded the paddle pop sticks! I look forward to seeing what Paul makes with those!