June 1, 2016
Our lives have taken a bit of a swerve, with both of us now retired – well, I am working freelance which means maybe a month full-on, then nothing for two or three months. Al has been doing some casual security work, just to give a structure to his week and give us a bit of pocket money. The other huge change is that Piccolo is no longer with us, which hit us again like a ton of bricks when we set off on our current trip. Not that she was coming with us this time, it was a dog-free trip to allow us to camp in National Parks, but so many of the places that we are going to bring back memories of a visit with her. I keep wanting to turn around to check on her in the back seat.
We are travelling this time with Miranda and Dave, also dog-free, to visit many places they have not seen, and others that we haven’t been to either. They are too young to be retired and need to be home for work by early July, so we will be parting ways with them as we return down the Queensland coast.
Our rough agenda is : Alyson and Bram’s pub in Gayndah for State of Origin tonight, then Springsure, Charter Towers, Hughenden, Julia Creek then up to the Gregory (where I broke my wrist – oops!) for a week and on to Adel’s Grove for another week. Then across to Karumba and Normanton, Georgetown and Cobold Gorge, back to the coast somewhere and meander down to home by mid-July(ish).
And in other news, we are booked to go to Samoa in August/September on a Police Cultural Tour, which will be totally different! Then in November we will go to Europe for a month in Malta (after I run a half-marathon in Sicily), and on to a week in Copenhagen and a cruise along the coast of Norway for Christmas.
June 4, 2016 at 5:17 pm
Hi Catherine,
I’m not sure if you remember me… I used to work for Zelows Travelgoods. We met at one of their carpark sales. I was their luggage designer. They have since closed down and now I am working in the same field of work here in Melbourne. Anyhow, just wanted to let you know that I still follow your blog and I look forward to hearing about your coming adventures and in particular towards the end of the year your European trip! Hope you have a fantastic time and especially enjoy the cruise along the Norwegian coast!
Best of luck with you and Al for your retirements and sorry for your loss of a beloved pet.
Bon Voyage!!
Michael
June 4, 2016 at 5:42 pm
Hi Michael,
Lovely to hear from you! Of course I remember you – did you ever make it to Iceland? Thank you for following my blog – it was a bit lacking when I broke my wrist and couldn’t type – all good now.
Regards
Catherine
June 4, 2016 at 8:27 pm
No holding you two back! It will be chilly around Norway at Christmas!
June 5, 2016 at 5:46 am
🙂 I need to live my life through you two!
June 6, 2016 at 10:39 am
I love all your plans! Have a great trip and looking forward to seeing you both.