I have a Map.

It's not an "Normal Map" - One of paper that never quite goes back into its creases.  
This One is Fabric and is actually an Embroidery Wall-hanging 

With the Awesome title of "MAP MY LAP" (That's my Lap around Australia!)

It has all the Major Roadhouses, Station Stays, Roads & Outback Tracks. 

As well as the  Indian Pacific and Ghan Train Lines. 

(They haven't caught up with The Overland or Great Southern - But I have added those routes in as well.)

It is getting a bit congested around Adelaide as the Great Trains are Based at  Adelaide's Keswick Station.

I have also added Our Great South Australian Adventure of 2008 (Teal with Gold Beads for where we stayed each night.)

Red for the Ghan runs through the Heart of the Country while the Blue of Indian Pacific goes Perth to Sydney

The Great Southern - Brisbane to Adelaide via Melbourne is Orange
And The Overland (also Blue) travels from Melbourne to Adelaide.

Our travels around Victoria are still to be done but I am thinking I will just add some Seed Beads in the places we have stayed, especially when you retrace your steps.

And we haven't forgotten Tasmania!

Our latest Adventure is already Mapped In.

I couldn't resist adding these Iron On Train Patches to my Order.

I just have to work our WHERE I want to put them 

And when it is time to take my Embroidery On the Road - 

It came with a very well thought out Organic Cotton Tote Bag with room for my Threads and Scissors

So Where To Next?  And do I pack it or enjoy reliving the trip when we get back?

* * *

If anyone's interested you can get them from Ecoluxe Travel Decor.  

They specialise in making comfy bedding for Caravans & Campers.

Happy Valentine's Day

 It doesn't matter How Long We've been Together

He can still surprise me.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY ...

 If you are going to keep the Christmas Punch...

Don't Put it in the fridge and Forget it

Because it 

can get 

a bit

MESSY!

Thankfully it was the Plastic Bottle that exploded and not the Glass one. 

(Ahh... brought back memories of my Dad and his Ginger beer - exploding glass beer bottles, and ...  exactly WHY was it my fault?)

Time to Fix It

The Front Fence came with the House - It was not well built

The Bricks were not Keyed in to the Pillars and
With Children walking past to School, Childcare and the local Playground it is an Accident waiting to happen.

It's amazing how long you keep something and then FINALLY you have a use for it!

These are my Father's PIPE CLAMPS, they are very strong and infinitely adjustable and Just the tool to pull the leaning brickwork back in line with the Pillar

With it securely braced we were able to attach strong Corner brackets into the bricks.

It's not Pretty - 

But it IS Safe.

And the View from the Street.

I am very happy with the result.

(It will certainly hold until we can get it replaced.)

Welcome to January

Gotta Love this Sunburnt Country

We certainly have had it all.

In the space of a few hours on the 15th January, record breaking rain triggered flash flooding at  Lorne, Wye River, Separation Creek and Cumberland River that swept away cars, caravans and tents. Several cars ending out to sea.

And then a week later the area was on Fire....

The towns are recovering but need our help.  Donations are fine but what they need is for people to come - fill the Cafe's and honour the Holiday bookings.

One thing we learnt from travelling in Country and Outback Australia - Dropping your change into the Jar / Tin / Fire extinguisher on the Pub counter means you care that the Towns are raising funds.  CFA, Footie Team or RFDS.

It's not a tip for the Staff, it is much more. 

It is helping out Folks that do so much for Our Country that often put their hands into their empty pockets and give.

Photo credits:

Nine News

www.flyingdoctor.org.au/sant/news/tap-william-creek-hotel/

2026

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

Give me a light

that I might tread safely into the unknown.

And he replied –

Go out into the darkness

and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to thee – better than a light

and safer than a known way.

                                                                                        

                                                                                                 M. Louise Haskins

                                                                                                                 (1875 - 1957)

Footnote:

The above Text has been a favourite of mine 

since I acquired a 'framed' copy in my teens.

Today I discovered, it is the opening lines of a bigger Poem,

that the Author died the year I was born 

and these words were also a Favourite Poem of HRH Queen Elizabeth 11.                                                                                 

2025 - Year in Review

Here we go again

What  Happened in 2025?

January

We had Both sides of Life this Month

with a Funeral followed by a Birth

Welcome Granddaughter No. 5

February / March

Too much work to do to Blog about

These 2 Months were spent at DD's Home

Fixing a HUGE problem caused by a thirsty Rat

April

How can I sum up 12 Days of Adventure touring Tasmania?

With my Favourite Photo of the Trip

The Lighthouse at Hells Gates

May

Installing a Garage Hoist

Another "Simple Project" that took longer than planned for DS#2

June

I started building a 1940's Train Carriage Book Nook

(Christmas Gift)

Which was fun until it wasn't

July

Spike got to Meet Logan while DS#2 went on a trip to Fitzroy Island

(I wonder if they are watching for him to return?)

August

Lots of Birthdays during August

September

Back to help DS#2 

 Out with the Previous Owners Garden

 and In with His

October

We spent October turning a Disaster at my Mother's Home

into something She can enjoy

November

With lots of Tears and Hugs

We said Fare-well to our Neighbours of 45 Years

December

Australia is rocked by what will become known as BONDI 2025

16 lives lost, 45 Injured

Countless traumatised, by Two men with Legal Guns

It is NOT who we are.

December

and so that I can finish 2025 on a Happier Note

what has to be Our Quote of the Year...

"I need to learn EVERYTHING before I go to School"

Heaven help their Teachers!

🤣