Sweltering Sun, Sand, Sea, Snakes, Schucking & Smoke
Well, Von is currently doing her bit for fire preparations by raking up dead leaves from around the cottage in Kangaroo Valley, our base camp. So Dennis and I have retreated into the cosiness of the van as:
a) it's dropped 30C to around 18 and feels decidedly chilly and...
b) it's still quite smokey everywhere and....
c) it's Sunday and I thought a wee blog might be paws for reflection.
Our month of trialling stuff continues with pace and so we set off this week knowing that it was about to get stinking hot in the Valley with estimated temperatures of 44C and, indeed, Irene recorded 48C yesterday, just before the winds blew through and dropped it back into the 20's.
It's already been noticeable even from a couple of conversations with random Australian strangers on the road, that sadly there is eye-rolling scepticism surrounding "Climate Change" not helped by the attitude of the current Australian Government. There is no doubt that the climate is changing, with extreme weather events far more commonplace, and NSW are having their turn of it at the moment with the horrendous fires obliterating thousands of acres of Bush. That said, fires are happening all over Australia in pockets.
Yesterday was a most eerie day; we left the relatively safe haven of Shellharbour to make our way back to the Valley as this area still has been fairly fire free, despite a small bush fire on Derek and Irenes road, which was promptly brought under control by the local Voluntary Firies. Apparently it had been a couple of young guys playing with a quad bike who had stopped in long grass, and the heat from the machine was enough to start the fire! Gave them quite a fright no doubt, and thankfully quick response meant it didn't take too much of a hold. Everywhere is so dry that it doesn't take much to ignite and the abundance of Eucalypts means the fire explodes into action so quickly.
Yesterday with high winds and hot temperatures, the smoke was particularly bad and the sky orange by the evening even though we were still a reasonable distance away from everything. Quite surreal and if not a little scary particularly when looking at all the ash that had fallen on the van overnight.
It is so sad seeing all the coverage and listening to the radio hearing people losing their homes and worse, their lives. We are very thankful our home is on wheels and so the first sign of any issues we will vacate - as long as roads are all clear.
What has been apparent is that there is so much information around either from constant broadcasts on National Radio or Apps that show where all the fires are and what to do about them i.e Advice, Watch, Watch & Act, Evacuate or Too Late to Leave (!)
Believe me, we will not take any risks and have the experience of Derek and Irene who have lived here for years to take advice from. If they say GO, we will GO!
On a lighter note we continue to get used to the Van:
1. Top tip - if you feel the wind coming, retract the awning and always remember to close the sliding door. After much muttering this was achieved with no damage but a Lesson identified - or "Opportunity for Improvement" (OFI)
2. We purchased a set of levellers which now means not too much driving back and forth trying to find a flat bit! We are realising the ease in doing so with Priscilla is not as easy in the bigger van; another OFI!
3. We continued with the issue of the exploding drawer, coincidentally on the exact same piece of road as last week. A bend and a bump and out it comes. It does soft close immediately afterwards but the damage is already done by that stage as we have a panting, shaking, Dennis who wants to climb on my knee. Not that easy when I'm driving. We think we have fixed this by finding it was missing a screw in the drawer mechanics and the addition of a left over piece of foam stuffed between the drawer and the floor; we shall see.
4. Talking of foam we also purchased a foam topper for the bed - winner !
5. Our bit for the dry is saving our grey water and after our 4 night trip away we were able to deposit 40litres onto Derek & Irenes garden.
6. We are much more synchronised in general movement around the van - like a formation dance team with good use of the shower when overtaking each other!
7. We now have 3 different size storage boxes for the rear of the van; named Mitzi, Felicia & Bernadette. (Prize to who gets the connection...)
Our trips away this week, hampered a little by road closures and fires, had us initially in the Jervis Bay region which, when it's not smoky, is absolutely stunning with blue sea and white sand.
We free-camped on the driveway of friends in Vincentia. Trish and Ian, we got to know when living here, as they also defected from the UK. A great catch-up but proof we need more drinking training. Dennis had to be confined to barracks as he was a little too interested in the presence of Barney their 16yr old cat ! And we know how great Dennis is with felines. (Eh Dave Fairweather?)
Just a walk from their house was a great off leash dog beach so Dennis was much happier with that.
Next stop was a small campsite at the entrance to the Shoalhaven , Greenwell Point. Very very very windy so not many folks around but it did have oyster farms where we made a purchase the following day.
Rock & Pacific for $20 the dozen which was a bargain we reckon. Not to everyones taste but that flavour of the sea washed down with a very nice glass of something you can't beat!
Given the ever increasing temperatures inland we decided to stay by the coast for another couple of nights as it was definitely cooler, albeit slightly smoke hazy.
Waterfront sites were the price of a mortgage but it is Christmas so we rewarded ourselves.
Relaxing couple of days for all of us as Dennis got to swim and laze about as did we...not put off by the Warning signs of Snakes....much. We just walked with heavy feet and no sniffing or peeing in the bushes (for Dennis that is!)
Downside of Dennis loving the beach is the increase in sand EVERYWHERE...1st World Problem.
One fascinating interlude of life on the road was the observation of a 'Return and Earn Station' in a car park in Shellharbour. Von headed to the shops and, as it was hot, I stayed put in the van with Dennis with air con ON. I gradually became aware of the arrival of several vehicles who unloaded bags, and I mean bags, of bottles/cans to drop into the machine whereby they got money. 10c a bottle or can which I guess is a great incentive to recycle but I couldn't help think that the multitude of bags was either as a result of raiding another bottle bank or a severe drinking problem! I counted 10 full large black bin bags out of one vehicle ! Intriguing ......
a) it's dropped 30C to around 18 and feels decidedly chilly and...
b) it's still quite smokey everywhere and....
c) it's Sunday and I thought a wee blog might be paws for reflection.
Our month of trialling stuff continues with pace and so we set off this week knowing that it was about to get stinking hot in the Valley with estimated temperatures of 44C and, indeed, Irene recorded 48C yesterday, just before the winds blew through and dropped it back into the 20's.
It's already been noticeable even from a couple of conversations with random Australian strangers on the road, that sadly there is eye-rolling scepticism surrounding "Climate Change" not helped by the attitude of the current Australian Government. There is no doubt that the climate is changing, with extreme weather events far more commonplace, and NSW are having their turn of it at the moment with the horrendous fires obliterating thousands of acres of Bush. That said, fires are happening all over Australia in pockets.
Yesterday was a most eerie day; we left the relatively safe haven of Shellharbour to make our way back to the Valley as this area still has been fairly fire free, despite a small bush fire on Derek and Irenes road, which was promptly brought under control by the local Voluntary Firies. Apparently it had been a couple of young guys playing with a quad bike who had stopped in long grass, and the heat from the machine was enough to start the fire! Gave them quite a fright no doubt, and thankfully quick response meant it didn't take too much of a hold. Everywhere is so dry that it doesn't take much to ignite and the abundance of Eucalypts means the fire explodes into action so quickly.
Yesterday with high winds and hot temperatures, the smoke was particularly bad and the sky orange by the evening even though we were still a reasonable distance away from everything. Quite surreal and if not a little scary particularly when looking at all the ash that had fallen on the van overnight.
It is so sad seeing all the coverage and listening to the radio hearing people losing their homes and worse, their lives. We are very thankful our home is on wheels and so the first sign of any issues we will vacate - as long as roads are all clear.
What has been apparent is that there is so much information around either from constant broadcasts on National Radio or Apps that show where all the fires are and what to do about them i.e Advice, Watch, Watch & Act, Evacuate or Too Late to Leave (!)
Believe me, we will not take any risks and have the experience of Derek and Irene who have lived here for years to take advice from. If they say GO, we will GO!
On a lighter note we continue to get used to the Van:
1. Top tip - if you feel the wind coming, retract the awning and always remember to close the sliding door. After much muttering this was achieved with no damage but a Lesson identified - or "Opportunity for Improvement" (OFI)
2. We purchased a set of levellers which now means not too much driving back and forth trying to find a flat bit! We are realising the ease in doing so with Priscilla is not as easy in the bigger van; another OFI!
3. We continued with the issue of the exploding drawer, coincidentally on the exact same piece of road as last week. A bend and a bump and out it comes. It does soft close immediately afterwards but the damage is already done by that stage as we have a panting, shaking, Dennis who wants to climb on my knee. Not that easy when I'm driving. We think we have fixed this by finding it was missing a screw in the drawer mechanics and the addition of a left over piece of foam stuffed between the drawer and the floor; we shall see.
4. Talking of foam we also purchased a foam topper for the bed - winner !
5. Our bit for the dry is saving our grey water and after our 4 night trip away we were able to deposit 40litres onto Derek & Irenes garden.
6. We are much more synchronised in general movement around the van - like a formation dance team with good use of the shower when overtaking each other!
7. We now have 3 different size storage boxes for the rear of the van; named Mitzi, Felicia & Bernadette. (Prize to who gets the connection...)
Our trips away this week, hampered a little by road closures and fires, had us initially in the Jervis Bay region which, when it's not smoky, is absolutely stunning with blue sea and white sand.
We free-camped on the driveway of friends in Vincentia. Trish and Ian, we got to know when living here, as they also defected from the UK. A great catch-up but proof we need more drinking training. Dennis had to be confined to barracks as he was a little too interested in the presence of Barney their 16yr old cat ! And we know how great Dennis is with felines. (Eh Dave Fairweather?)
Just a walk from their house was a great off leash dog beach so Dennis was much happier with that.
Next stop was a small campsite at the entrance to the Shoalhaven , Greenwell Point. Very very very windy so not many folks around but it did have oyster farms where we made a purchase the following day.
Rock & Pacific for $20 the dozen which was a bargain we reckon. Not to everyones taste but that flavour of the sea washed down with a very nice glass of something you can't beat!
Given the ever increasing temperatures inland we decided to stay by the coast for another couple of nights as it was definitely cooler, albeit slightly smoke hazy.
Waterfront sites were the price of a mortgage but it is Christmas so we rewarded ourselves.
Relaxing couple of days for all of us as Dennis got to swim and laze about as did we...not put off by the Warning signs of Snakes....much. We just walked with heavy feet and no sniffing or peeing in the bushes (for Dennis that is!)
Downside of Dennis loving the beach is the increase in sand EVERYWHERE...1st World Problem.
One fascinating interlude of life on the road was the observation of a 'Return and Earn Station' in a car park in Shellharbour. Von headed to the shops and, as it was hot, I stayed put in the van with Dennis with air con ON. I gradually became aware of the arrival of several vehicles who unloaded bags, and I mean bags, of bottles/cans to drop into the machine whereby they got money. 10c a bottle or can which I guess is a great incentive to recycle but I couldn't help think that the multitude of bags was either as a result of raiding another bottle bank or a severe drinking problem! I counted 10 full large black bin bags out of one vehicle ! Intriguing ......
Right'yo I'm off to get this proofread by the Punctuation Police and whilst she's doing that I will mainly be raiding bottle bins ! ........................................................................................................
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