Day 5 - Mansfield
An absolutely beautiful day in the Victorian High Country! A brisk morning that needed the heater to work its magic before I could get up to make coffee but it steadily warmed up after that. I had a knock at the door at 9:10am from my neighbour asking if I wanted to go there for coffee - he even has the same kind of coffee machine as me! - but as I was still having my own coffee in bed, I had to decline.
We had to pay for our accommodation at 10:30am so that was pretty straight forward. A group were heading up to Sheepyard Flat but given Greg and I had camped up there, I didn't feel the need to go again. Besides, I had plans! One of the many very kind Sunlandians had offered to let me try one of their e-bikes as this is something I have been thinking about. So he gave me some lessons on his wife's bike, I had a few practice rides around the Showgrounds and then he and I headed out. I can see the benefits! Although we didn't do any major hills, the various levels of power assist were very handy and made it a lot more enjoyable! The weather was perfect for an easy cycle but even though we were only out for three quarters of an hour, my bum certainly felt it!
Back in time for lunch in what was a fairly quiet campground as many were out either on the drive or doing their own thing. I then chose to walk into town, for a bit of exercise, to check out the shops, to see where I had to drop the car off on Tuesday etc. I did the op shops (love a good op shop), got a couple of things at the supermarket, checked out the bicycle store and talked a bit more about e-bikes and was back in good time for the 4pm "yappy hour". Tonight's presentation was on all the huts in the High Country and really interesting, especially as not all have been, or will be, rebuilt after the various bushires.
Dinner back at the van which I shared a table with my neighbours (but brought my own dinner!) before it was time for games night. Tonight was Mahjong, a game that my mother adored. Turns out I should have had some lessons from her but I had a good teacher tonight and it was a lot of fun too.
It's a very well organised gathering, with lots of activities, friendly people and in a lovely location.
Day 4 - Berwick to Mansfield
I almost feel like I'm part of a cult! The same kind of caravan as far as the eye can see, and the only reason we are all here is because we own the same kind of caravan. Friendly people, don't get me wrong, and there's no praying or sacrificing but it does seem really weird to get 150 people together just because they own a Sunland caravan!
Pack up at the Thomas campground this morning was easy enough and after hugs and farewells, I was on the road just after 10:30am. The 2.5 hour drive took me on freeways, through suburbia, and then into country towns and rural roads. All roads that were once familiar to me and I did have to chuckle when I drove past the Yarra Glen Racecourse, where we spent so many childhood Saturdays.
Apart from a quick toilet stop, I drove straight through. Signage for all Sunlands to the Mansfield Showgrounds was well done as was the check in and the finding of a spot. I'm next to some lovely people I met in Tassie when they came to one of the mini-Sunland gatherings Jan and I organised, and in fact, I have caught up with many others I met at the three gatherings we held. Those people in particular (because they had met him) were very sympathetic about Greg and several shared stories of times spent together.
I got all set up, had a late lunch, chatted to lots more people and admired the many caravans. The section I am in is only one of three - we have definitely taken over the Showgrounds!
4pm is "Yappy Hour" - BYO drinks up to the main hall for chatter, and we had a couple of presentations today as well. Suggested and planned activities were outlined, we all learnt some things, and there was much laughter and chatter. Back to the vans for dinner and I took the opportunity to test the TV out. More than two years since we bought the van and this is the first time it's been used!
Back to the Luncheon Hall for games and trivia, which was very amusing and provided great entertainment. I met another lady who was born in Tasmania but I am officially the only Sunlandian here from Tassie.
As the sun set on the first day, and while it might all seem very quirky, I have met and caught up with some truly lovely people so I'm sure the next week will be fun.
Day 3 - Berwick and the Dandenongs
Spending time around here, I sometimes feel like I have landed in an alien world. The Berwick of my high school years (1985-1990) is almost unrecognisable. The main street is pretty much the same (although shock, horror - the charcoal chicken shop (where us "country train" kids used to go for a delicious snack between school finishing and our train arriving) has closed - just recently though. Today I went south, along roads that used to be country lanes and are now four lane major roads, struggling to see any familiar landmarks, and instead seeing concrete jungles of takeaway food places and big box shops. It is really strange.
In the middle of the day, Lisa and I went for a drive up into the Dandenongs for lunch. Thankfully, the Dandenongs have not changed much. The roads, the buildings, the houses all look much the same. Still beautiful, olde world and with towering gum trees. We had lunch at Miss Marple's tea rooms, which are a bit of an institution in the area. I was hungry so had a "proper" lunch while Lisa had the scones which were as huge and fresh and delicious looking as always.
We drove home a different way and some roads or buildings would trigger a childhood memory, while others make the place alien like. It is really a clash of old meets new - in my head anyway.
Lisa did some more work this afternoon so I went and picked up Kobi from school, and then did a grocery shop, a Bunnings shop and got fuel - slightly cheaper here than home. Lisa was out tonight so the rest of the family and I sat down to a delicious dinner. Tomorrow, I move on up to the Victorian high country and the Sunland caravan gathering.
Day 2 - Berwick
A trip down memory lane today - back to what was when we were children, the best restaurant in Berwick. Our parents went there for fancy dinners, as we got older we helped Marg (Lisa's mum) with fundraising events there, Lisa had her wedding there and we were there for the literal last supper wehn Marg held an International Women's Day event there 10 years ago, right before the old owners closed it up. Fast forward ten years, and it re-opened a couple of months ago. The new people might not have got everything right in the beginning but Lisa, Marg and I went there for my birthday lunch today (yes, the festival of Tracey continues, and it's still 5 days until my actual birthday!) and Lisa said it has improved a lot! Most importantly, the building is still the same, down to the same crockery.
After lunch, the trip down memory lane continued, back to many old haunts, including (not very excitingly) a stop at the servo in Beaconsfield where Lisa filled up but I remembered my mother putting $2 worth of petrol in the car to get us home the 30km to Nar Nar Goon North 40-odd years ago!
A quiet afternoon and then a delicious meal at home with this birthday cake to add to the birthday festival.
Day 0 - Bangor to Devonport and Day 1 - Geelong to Berwick
It was a very emotional departure from Bangor on Sunday afternoon. No Greg, and a real fear that Slick the wonder dog may not be there when I return - and that he will fear I have left him like his Daddy did. Anna and Alex the housesitters are great and will ply him with love and attention, and I'll ring him (obviously via Anna!) every few days so he can hear my voice.
Only a few kilometres up the road, with tears still obscuring my drive, I ran into this Bangor style traffic jam.
A good distraction and I was soon on my way with clearer eyes. I arrived in Devonport an hour and a half later and was met by Fiona who used to work for me, and we had coffee in Cafe Phoenix (yes, that's the caravan). Only too quickly, I had to pack up the coffee machine and drive around the corner to board and was on board by 4:30pm. Thanks to a very considerate friend who happens to run the Spirits, I found myself with an upgrade to a deluxe cabin but still put on my big girl pants and headed out to the bar for a drink with other people around me, and then dinner.
A bit of rocking kept me awake for a good part of the night until the wake up call came at 6:15am (even though I'd been awake for ages). A shower and then the call for my vehicle deck and I was driving off at about 7:15am. Neill and Jude came to pick me up and we headed out for breakfast, leaving the van securely parked up. Good on them for getting up early so I had some friendly faces at the end of my somewhat lonely crossing.
After breakfast, with my big girl pants on again, I headed up the highway. It was sunny in Geelong and I needed sunglasses but as soon I came out the other side of the Burnley tunnel, it was raining, and continued through to Berwick. I arrived at this lovely campsite which wouldn't usually rate on our campsite rating scale, but the company is exceptional and the services very impressive.
An afternoon of catching up and a little bit of retail therapy in all these big shops that we don't have in Tassie before dinner with Lisa's extended family, who have been my second family for 42 years. They all wanted to celebrate my birthday early with me and even the restaurant kitchen came to the party despite us saying we were so full we couldn't eat dessert.
A wonderful start to the birthday I have been dreading as my first without Greg by my side in 24 years. But beautiful friends and family made it fun.
This little ducky is a bit tired after the big day's travels and rough sleep on the ship so it's off to sleep in a much more stable caravan.
The Gismo Queen has lost her King
As all followers of this blog know, we sadly farewelled Greg in July 2026 after his sudden passing on the 14th July. Greg loved nothing more than sitting around a campfire somewhere in regional or remote Australia, chatting with friends and sharing laughs. It was so important to both of us that we were able to keep doing this after Greg lost his eyesight. I know how proud he was of me for learning to tow the caravan, and how proudly he described me as an "expert" after more than 100,000km of doing it!
So, of course we will keep doing it. This upcoming trip was planned for many months and to honour him, Neill, Jude and I are going to go to the music festival he had chosen and will continue talking to him around the campfire. There will be sad times but also opportunities to revisit happy memories. And I know Greg will want me to make new memories too.
I don't want to re-name the blog because this blog has more than 20 years of Greg's and my travel memories. But as of this Sunday when I board the Spirit of Tasmania on my own for the first time in 24 years, the Gismo Queen will travel on - never alone - and with love and gratitude for her King always front of mind.
Day 29 - East Devonport to Bangor
Pulling into our driveway at lunchtime today rounded out the 3,981 kilometres of this trip. All good things must come to an end....
A delightful quiet, warm sleep (with the gas heater on) in East Devonport restored us both as we slowly enjoyed our last cuppa in bed, our last breakfast in the van, and our last pack up.
Two hours later, we pulled up to the shed to find housesitter Alex waiting there with Slick, who was super excited to see us! These housesitters have been amazing and Slick and Tabitha (yes, even Tabitha!) seem to have been very happy with them. They left shortly after so we had lunch and began the unpack. Cleaning will have to wait until next weekend.
Back to the real world tomorrow, but it was a lovely relaxing trip. The Eyre Peninsula was stunning with it's beaches, cliffs, wildlife, cropping, small towns, friendly people and more. Must just remember to not go in spring next time if there is any chance of avoiding the wind. Thanks so much to our travelling companions for all the laughs, good food and great company. Better start planning the next trip.....
