Wow – what an awesome year we have had. Despite experiencing some ups and downs we have arrived at the end of 2019. It has been the year where all our dreaming and planning has finally paid off and we are now living on the road full time. Here’s cheers to 2019 – Our Year in Review!
JANUARY
January saw us take part in the Dometic Winnebago Follow the Sun Relay. We were lucky enough to be able to take a Winnebago Motor Home from Adelaide across to Melbourne via the Barossa Valley and Murray River.
It was a whirlwind three weeks and we got to see some amazing sights and spectacular countryside. It really gave us a taste for this travel life and has given us a huge list of places that we can’t wait to get back to.
FEBRUARY
February we got to host another NextGen Caravans Owners Group get-together at Kingsley Grove Estate Winery, near Kingaroy. We had an awesome weekend meeting some more owners and also enjoying the delights that Kingsley Grove has to offer.
MARCH
March was the month Brenden got his new knee. If there is anyone out there who is contemplating having a full knee replacement, please don’t hesitate to have it done. After not being able to walk long distances for around 20 years without considerable pain, Brenden is now able to bush walk!
APRIL
Although Brenden recovered very well from his surgery, he wasn’t able to go back to work straight away. But that did give us a chance to head out to our favourite camp ground – Sharp Park at Canungra for a couple of nights.
At the same time, we finally got the renovations on our house completed and got it on the market. Then it was just a waiting game to see how quickly it would sell.
JUNE
June we made a quick trip down to Cowra for a good mates 50th birthday. It was also a good opportunity to take a load of stuff down to put in our container.
On the way we stopped to check out the newly painted silos at Yelarbon, not far from the Queensland – NSW border. They are yet another truly unique and spectacular piece of artwork.
JULY
This month we finally got the news we had been waiting for – we had sold the house! At the same time we also signed to purchase a smaller property that our kids would rent off us. So the final packing and culling began in earnest.
There were many trips to the local op shop, a few to the rubbish dump (but not many) and as much work as both of us could physically do to add a few more dollars to the kitty.
AUGUST
August was all about waiting for settlement of the two houses. This gave us the chance to enjoy visiting a couple of our favourite places on the Coast, like Paradise Point and to spend some time with the kids.
SEPTEMBER
This was the month it all happened. A week before we were due to leave the Gold Coast my Mum passed away. So I left early and Brenden stayed behind to finish packing the van and make sure the kids were settled in their new home.
Our ‘Life on the Road’ began officially on 20th September when we drove out of the driveway of Brenden’s brothers house in Cowra.
OCTOBER
We spent two weeks learning the ropes of
A great time was had by all and we loved showing off the Cowra district at the same time.
NOVEMBER
After managing the the Cootamundra
DECEMBER
By the beginning of December the work at Grong Grong had almost come to an end. Brenden was then offered the opportunity to continue work at Dimboola in Victoria.
We have been here for almost the entire month of December. It has given us the opportunity to really explore the local area. We have finished the Victorian Silo Art Trail that we started back in January, visited The Grampians and discovered some awesome little towns and villages along the way.
The town itself is quiet and peaceful and has the beautiful Wimmera River running through it.
BRING ON 2020
We can’t wait to welcome in the New Year and see what 2020 has in store for us. With no set plans beyond the end of March, I have a feeling we may head west.
A huge Thank You must go to everyone who reads our blog, follows us on Facebook or belongs to our group – Planning a Lap of Australia.
See you on the road in 2020!
Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
Yes I agree with Kathy – loving these unheard of places!
Yes we are too Jan…some truly unique little towns around to explore.
What a year you’ve had! It must be incredible to be on the road full time after all the hard work, waiting and planning. I’ve been following your travels closely and will continue to be very jealous of your new nomadic life. So far you’ve taken me to places I’ve never heard of. Happy 2020 guys.
Thanks Kathy….you will just have to hook up your van and come find us one day! Best wishes to you both for 2020.