A meeting of Nomads - Alice Springs NT

Alice Springs was the meeting place of a few friends we had made along the track as well as some friends of ours from Nowra, NSW.

Ian and Shirley Salway (from Caravan CoverUp), along with Kerry and Coralie, had arranged to meet us in the Big 4 at the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park, after they came in from the Tanami Track; and we had returned from our trip out to Uluru.   I had rung Ian a few days beforehand to find out when they would be in town, Ian, as usual the joker, teased me with the comment of "we won't have time to stop off at Alice"  I was starting to take the bait, then quickly thought, no, they wouldn't not see us! By the time we returned to the park (from Uluru), they were settled in and had left a message at Reception, with details of which site to find them on; so, as they were out jaunting around we left a message to tell them we were in the park. It was not long after we had finished wetting up and there was a verbal 'knock, knock' outside our awning; Bucko and I raced out to be greeted with huge hugs and  smiles all round; it was SO good to see the 4 of them. 

Ian's working previous life was spent as a 'Truckie' so, and it took no arm twisting to get all of us to go along to see the National Transport Hall of Fame Museum, a Truckie's Heaven; this was also our only chance to sit in a huge Kenworth truck, and we loved the place. 

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Evenings meals were spent with each other at the BBQ's with shared salads and many, many laughs.  Note the campground ambience in the photos - yellow lighting to prevent mozzies hanging around, and this type of lighting works.  We felt sad to say goodbye to our good friends, but, they were on their way back to Nowra, NSW, at lest we have good memories of our time in Alice. Thanks Ian, Shirley, Kerry & Coralie. Happy Trails to all of you.    

                              L-R around the table: Shirley, Ian, Mags, Selma-Janet, (in 2nd pic - Bucko) Kerry & Coralie       

     

Car Museum – Launceston, TAS

Launceston museum is vastly different than the one at Tocumwal.  A sleek and shiny Rolls Royce, old Holden Ambulance, motorbikes, racing cars, many and varied models and colours of vehicles are on display.  I will let the pictures tell the story, once again I have been a bit arty with some of the photos.  I hope you enjoy looking at them.  Why not leave me a Comment telling me what you think.  We would love to ‘hear’ from you.  

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Christies Car Museum – Tocumwal

So far during our trip we have visited three car museums, Forbes, NSW (already mentioned in an earlier posting), Tocumwal, NSW and Launceston, TAS.  I suppose you could say we have a fascination with old cars.
The museum at Tocumwal is a bit of an eclectic mix, all owned by George Christie, a man who just loves cars, trucks, old farm equipment, old caravans and many other collectable items.  George, who until a few years ago lived in Maryville, is a person who loves to have a chat, and is he such an interesting man to talk and listen too.  Bucko and I chatted to him for ages about his collection, and life in general; we enjoyed our time with George very much. 
Ian (Salway)on the left is a photo of the truck George drove until he retired, isn’t it fabulous?

Outside the museum, in the yard is an old ‘chuck’ wagon made out of galvanised iron and wooden wheels.  The wagon was used in the old days of cattle droving.  The oven is an cast iron fuel stove and it sits at the front of the wagon, a rough bench runs across the far wall and the Cook’s bed is at the end, at least he had a warm place to sleep on cold nights! Unfortunately, my camera battery had run out, so I was unable to take any photos of the wonderful old chuck wagon. 

I had to include the photo of the wonderful old cane dolls pram, I wish it was mine; I can see my old Pedigree dolls sitting in it!

How about Bucko with his Idols?  Yeah, we know they are only cut outs, but, what the heck?