Issue 9 Nov 2017
Brodie’s next 15,000 klm
On th e road again
Last one!
60 days ..... 120 just under $7000
Our Journey this issue
039 Kilometres 0 and we are home
In case you were wondering what we spent $7000 on
Dubbo to Morphet All packed up early, breakfast at McDonalds ...what would we do without these handy restaurants., and its on the road again. On the TV theme we decided to go via Mudgee, the location of the mythical town of Whyhope in Gulgong main street “Doctor Doctor. The icon photo was the clock tower and maybe the townhall, I had a haircut whilst at Mudgee and was most surprised that the young hairdresser had never seen the show, although she had noticed them filming at one stage. Mudgee is quite photogenic and very busy being the commercial hub for a few coal mines based in the area. Speaking of photogenic towns, we visited Gulgong just a short distance from Mudgee. Gulgong was imortatalised by having its photo on the first polymer $10 note, although it was already known as the Henry Lawson (a famous Australian poet) town even though he was born in Whyhope/Mudgee Town Hall Grenfell many 100's of k’s away. If you replaced the way too many cars for horse and carts I’m sure thats how it would have looked 150 years ago, if your in the area it is a must see of Australiana. We then proceeded along some fairly rough roads (with a lot of roadworks) cutting across to Morphet. We stopped for lunch at Merriwa, a little wheat and sheep town I had spent quite a bit of time at 30 odd years ago when I worked for the DMR. Timing our arrival through Maitland in peak hour got Jan back in the mood for city traffic, fortunately where my sister lives it was a lot quieter and it wasn’t too long before a cup of tea and bikkies were on the agenda.
Mudgee Clo
This clock tower is the iconic identiďŹ er for the mythical town of Whyhope, where the very popular TV series Doctor Doctor is based.
lock Tower
We spent 3 days at Sandie’s place, visiting the local area and just vegging out. Morpeth is an old quaint town that managed to re-invent itself into a yuppie town of antique, curio and coee shops all established in impressive heritage buildings.
Staying at Morpeth
We drove the 43ks all the way to Shoal Bay When we saw the park I thought I had booked the wrong one, as a 7 year old I camped here with my cousins and distinctly remembered it was right on the beach. Alas how things have changed, it is now a modern park across the road from the water. Just as we set up the wind joined us again rocking the van and creating white caps on the normal picture perfect azure blue bay. After hiding in the van from the wind most of the afternoon we joined our old friend Jenny for tea at one of the best Thai restaurants I have eaten at ... if they had had chips it would have been perfect.
Shoal Bay on a windy day
After leaving Shoal Bay we headed north towards home, we had to stop at the Avan yard in Pt Macquarie to book in for some warranty work next year, thought about staying the night but it looked like rain so we carried on. Approaching the South West Rocks turn o we thought we are in no hurry so why not stay here. What a great place (as the following photos will show), we got an unpowered site right on the edge of the bay, a bit like Whyalla but no wind, just perfect to wake up to. With the crashing of the surf giving us a good night sleep, Jan was at pains not to wake anybody when we got out of the motorhome, she got the surprise! We stuck out heads out to the smell of bacon and sounds of kids playing... the rest of the campsite was well and truly awake. A walk on the beach, a swim in the clear shallow water and then 3 hours later we were home!
T Gr
Trial Bay Campground reat view, friendly locals
Tria a walk on
al Bay on the beach
Trail Bay Gaol served as both a g before being adandond and th
gaol and a wartime interment palce hen taken over by National Parks
Some Some of of the the places places Jan Jan has has sat sat
The End