Step Two for the "Big Trip"

It is the eve of step two towards our "big trip".  Our "big trip" is the long talked over, mulled over, yearned for trip around Australia.  We plan to build a trailer, sell up and travel and work around Australia for 12 months, most likely beginning early to mid next year.

Our first major step towards this becoming a reality was to finish hiring camper trailers and sell them all.  A couple of weeks ago some changes occurred at the mechanical workshop where Stephen works at in Hornsby prompting the decision to finish hiring our camper trailers now.  This will enable Stephen to go full time at the workshop with his mechanics and gives him nights and weekends building our new trailer rather than cleaning and maintaining our hire fleet.  We have sold one trailer with four more to go - but they aren't for sale immediately.  One is still out on hire and the others will be getting a little bit of work done to them.

Tomorrow we purchase a few thousand dollars worth of material which is our second big step ... the purchase of the suspension and water tanks for our trailer.  Stephen and an engineer friend, who we are very grateful for have spent almost six months drawing designs, bouncing them back and forth almost every night.  This design came about almost 12 months ago while we were away on our outback trip.  Our friend Stuart and Stephen began thinking about all the good parts on their trailers and then all the things they would like to change - the drawings began!!  Who said only girls get together to draw.

It is very exciting for us to watch our plans unfold and see our dreams become reality.  There are many many more steps to be taken and we'll try to blog a few along the way to keep you all updated.

Dunn's Swamp - Wollemi National Park

The beginning of April saw us taking a trip for five nights.  It was the first time we've gone away in the school holidays camping and were bracing ourselves for the crowds.

We arrived at Dunn's Swamp, about 25km out of Rylstone on the Friday afternoon and didn't have too many choices of campsites.  We where pleased we arrived on the Friday thinking it would fill up fast.  A few more arrived on the Saturday and then by Sunday afternoon there was only a handful of us left.  To our surprise Dunn's Swamp isn't nearly as busy as we thought.  Although we have heard if you plan to go there on a long weekend plan to be there EARLY or you may miss out.  There are no bookings and limited places for trailers and caravans.

The trailer spaces were excellent with their only, and not to be dismissed downfall being they are not on the water with no water views.  They were spacious, relatively level with separate, individual campfire spaces. Wood is supplied but not everyday.  Canoes are available for hire every weekend and school holiday time.

Own private campfire area

Camp fees are an honesty system with National Parks.  Cost was $3 per adult and $2 per child.  Pit toilets are scattered around the whole place and in all my camping experience they are the cleanest, least smelly pit toilets I have ever used!!!  That in itself made the camp fees well worth while.  The whole places was immaculately clean and well maintained.

Useful Links:
http://www.rylstone.com/pdf/DunnsSwamp.pdf
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkCamping.aspx?id=N0051

Matthew enjoying many a hot chocolate

Misty Morning

Kookaburra's watched every move we made

Landscape Photography Workshop

Here are a few of my favourite shots from the latest landscape photography workshop with photographer, Glenn Mckimmin.  It was a great day with an added bonus of no rain! (The previous landscape workshop was quite wet!)  Although we had no grand, spectacular sunrises or sunsets it was still a beautiful experience as that special early and late light always gives.

Sunrise - Wamberal

Somersby Falls

Sundown - Spoon Bay

Photography Workshops - Portraits

Last Saturday afternoon was our portrait photography workshop with Glenn McKimmin. What a blast it was for me and from all reports for many others! I'm loving my job organising these workshops - it is such a privilege to be involve. I get to meet amazing people who all share a passion for photography and of course learn something new along the way. It was not until I attended a few workshops that I realised just how much information Glenn offers.

After our portrait workshop in November I took to my kids to arrange a "Christmas Photo" for the grandparents. I'd learnt about lighting, apertures, lenses etc but the overall experience was stressful and sent a few of our family members to tears. What had I forgotten? It all made sense on the day ... I thought I could do this! I was clearly reminded after the workshop last Saturday all that I'd forgotten. Glenn talks at length about the importance of connecting with your models, staying calm, enjoying what you do - the model will reflect your mood, not rushing, special techniques to relax children..... Well, I dare say I wish it was nearly Christmas again to organise a re-shoot! I think I'll tackle it a whole lot different!

Next Saturday is our Landscape workshop. I'm very excited for this one. I find nature much easier to work with. I love the peace of the early mornings (even though I'm far from a morning person), the ever changing light of the sun rising or setting and the breathtaking results that drawer people to a peaceful, beautiful place. I'm hoping I will have photos to share next week!

Front Line Management

The holidays are nearing to an end. Our busy time has passed - with all the trailers currently out on hire with only a couple more hires to go for January.

Although the month is busy we get longer stretches of having all the trailers out and a little more time to give to other aspects of our business.

Last year Stephen & I began some training. We have started a cert IV in Front Line Management with Eagle Wing Education and Training. I began the course a little reluctant of the extra time it would require of me and perhaps wondering its relevance for a small two man business such as ours. My plan was for just Stephen to attend the course (to get him more organised :-)) and I can't recall how I got signed up too.

We are now half way in, a couple of assignments to complete and ..... I'm loving it! I've put some of my spare time these holidays to reading up on the notes and beginning some assignments. The beauty of the course is that it is in fact VERY relevant for our business and the assignments are projects to benefit OUR business.

So what am I doing? Making a Value Stream Map with attention to where our "wastes" occur, finding the root cause of problems rather than doing the "quick fix", doing 5 S on our work areas - Sort, Shine, Standardise, Stabilise and Sustain.... and more.

What's this got to do with camping, the outdoors and family time? Heaps!!! I believe the more time I put into our business now - eliminating "wastes" and standardising procedures etc it will quite quickly run more productively, be less stressful and give me more spare time. What can I do with this spare time - SPEND TIME WITH MY FAMILY and work towards our goal of travelling around Australia.

You can find more info on Eagle Wing and it's course here: http://www.ewet.biz/

Outback Adventures

I do apologise ... it has been such a long time since I've updated this blog!! I have one excuse after another, but will not bore you with that now but give you a little run down of our latest trip to Outback NSW.In August we (being my Mum & Dad, Stephen and our four children) set off for a relaxing three week trip. We decided this trip was to relax and chill out for a while, rather than accomplish mega kilometers and see many places. We began at Bourke - the third time we've stayed in Bourke. We stay at Kidmans Camp in North Bourke. My two favourite places are the Back O' Bourke Art Gallery and Mt Oxley. The girls and I did a pastel art class at the gallery and amazed ourselves again at what Jen can accomplish through us. We also spent a lazy, late afternoon on top of Mt Oxley. The family cooked a yummy, slow cooked stew in the camp oven while I took some solitary time out to photograph the sun setting on this gorgeous mountain.

After four days in Bourke we drove 70km to Byrock. We set up camp at the Mulga Creek Hotel. They have a great, spacious camp ground out the back - well away from the pub with full amenities. Here we met up with friends who were joining us for the remainder of the trip. There is a 10 minute walk from the pub to a rock - hole that holds water for long times and was a meeting place for Aboriginals. This was quite a treat to find. We had driven past Byrock a few times and were so glad this time we made the time to stop and stay. The pub served generous meals and was a great place for the kids too, with a great playground and even ferrets for the kids to see.

We definitely could have stayed at Byrock longer, but we needed to get to our next destination to meet up with another family who were joining us for the remaining two weeks. We meet on the side of the Barrier Highway at the Emmdale Roadhouse. Along the way we saw our first Major Mitchells (Pink Cockatoos) for the trip.Mt Gipps Station was our choice of places to stay at Broken Hill. None of us wanted to be in town and this places was about 30 minutes from town. It is roughly 100,000 acre property with much geological interest and plenty of history. Our campsite was lovely and peaceful ... there was no one else around, probably because it was 7km from the toilets and showers! After I got over the initial shock we managed quite well - which I will spare you the details of. Lets say we have since been offered a camp portaloo and have greatfully accepted for our next trip.On the property, side of the road heading to town and in Silverton we found Sturt Desert Pea's. Such a magnificent plant that brings such delight to see growing in the dry red dirt. There was dry, red dirt on this trip ... but there was also so much grass and green. The outback has had incredible rains this year and have made the area so lush with vegetation. We were commenting that many fields looked like golf courses! As beautiful as it was it took away from that real dry, outback look that is stunning in its own way.

After four nights at Mt Gipps Station (which could have been longer!) we travelled 100km to Menindee Lakes and camped in Kinchega National Park at Lake Cawndilla for the next three nights. It was hard to remember that we were in the outback. There was so much water as the lakes were full and with water comes abundant bird life. This place kept our bird watcher friend very busy. While the kids tried a spot of fishing in the Darling River with no luck, a few of us went to investigate the old sheering shed and quarters. This took us right around the National Park. There was an abundance of kangaroos and emus to be seen.The kids were rarely seen at this stay. They were mostly down on the sand building homes, fortes, tours etc. It was a great place to stay, although the camp area wasn't very spacious and in busy times I think you could find yourself travelling to the other side of the National Park only to find it is full. The pit toilets weren't pleasant, but the surrounding beauty and wildlife made up for the facilities. Although, I'm not sure if it would be quite the same if the lakes were empty.

The whole trip was planned around one date. We wanted to be in Mungo National Park at the Walls of China at full moon! We made it. We did the loop around the National Park to just get back in time at for the moon rising over the wall.The closest station that has campers to the National Park is Turlee Station. It had great, clean facilities of hot showers, flush toilets and even a washing machine. It was great to clean up and relax. One of our crew had car problems that needed parts. Dad drove Stuart and Stephen to Mildura to get the part, Dad some petrol and Stephen a hair cut. On the way back about 20km from town they had an accident. The car rolled and hit the embankment at about 100km/h. It was quite a hit and thank God they all walked out. Dad's shoulder was badly hurt and Stuart had a cut on his head. Both were taken to Mildura hospital and were discharged that night. Stuart came back to camp and Dad stayed in town with Mum for a few nights and then flew home. He was in quite a lot of pain and travelling by car was out of the question.

This was quite a shake up for all of us. Turlee Station where great. There is absolutely no phone coverage at the station and they allowed us to make as many calls as needed up at the house. We are looking forward to returning to Turlee one day to have a good look around the place. After the accident it rained and we just took things slowly, therefore we didn't see what we planned to.Once the roads become drivable we drove to Lake Cargelligo. Our plans were to stay at the caravan park on the lake, but as we stayed an extra night at Turlee we decided to find a motel for the night. Next night was near Lithgow in a cabin, had a great pub meal then headed home in the morning after a quick stop at the local cafe and lolly shop.

The dramas didn't stop there as we were almost home when we received the phone call our house had been broken into over night. Computers, TV, work ute etc all gone. It was quite a blow after everything else that had happened. Thankfully our ute was found with a few small things in it that were taken from the kids rooms. Our main computer was all packed up neatly in a box and left on the floor. Lesson learned (thankfully not the hard way) - do adequate back ups and have them off site!!!Overall it was a fabulous trip. The company was great. Every place was interesting and enjoyable. And the main thing we are so grateful - we all returned, maybe not how we planned, but at least we're all here to tell our stories. Cars, TV's, laptops ... they're all replaceable sooner or later, but people aren't! Good reminder that spending good quality time with family and friends is far more important than any amount of money, successful business or anything we own.

Helpful Websites:
Kidmans Camp: www.kidmanscamp.com.au
Back O' Bourke Art Gallery: www.backobourkegallery.com
Mt Gipps Station: www.mountgippsstation.com.au
Turlee Station: www.turleestationstay.com.au

Easter camping .... will it rain?

All camper trailers are now booked for Easter. It is always a very popular time to go camping. We never camp then as we have no camper trailers available but we do try to take a break over the school holiday period.

Hopefully this year will be a dry Easter, as most Easters since we have owned this business have been WET! Rain never seemed to bother us 4 years ago, but now we are very conscious of the weather, where it is raining and when. I think I have learnt to stop stressing when I hear the rain pour down as most customers return with their trailer and let us know that it actually didn't rain where they were or it wasn't much or better still that it did rain and they stayed dry!!!

We have unfortunately had the odd customer get wet. This annoys us as we try to keep the tents water proof and in good condition. We have learnt that cleaning the tents seems to affect the water proofing, so now if we have had to bleach a tent we also water proof it afterwards. Occasionally it is user error. It is important to keep the run off sections of the tent at a good angle to stop water pooling on the tent roof or awning roof. If the water pools it will definitely start to seep in eventually.

Some people like to do the tarp thing of the tent. This guarantees a dry tent and can also make the tent cooler. We have never put a tarp over the trailers and have unfortunately been in torrential rain. We have remained mostly dry with only the odd drip after a few days of constant rain - which I feel is too be expected under any form of canvas. The only thing is that after a few days everything starts to feel quite damp... this can't be helped and is inevitable.

Camping in the rain is never much fun, but sometimes it can't be helped and you try to make the most of it and hope and pray the rain will stop before pack up time!