2016 THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF REDGUM

For me, it's the customers that make Redgum Store such a special place to be. As our customers grew to trust us, a mutual respect rapidly developed, transforming into a friendship with a very special few. We grew with them, understanding each others ways, customs, language, humour, personality and families. It was very special to share with them, be there to serve them and enjoy introducing many to new things.

Certainly there are a number of issues surrounding the aboriginal people and some customs, but for the most part, there is a lot to be learned from their way of life, support of each other, minimalist ways.

I learned a lot from our beautiful customers and miss them very much since we have departed. We look forward to seeing them again.

2016 A SPLASH OF COLOUR

After establishing a tyre playground, we started to paint them for some colour then I thought it would be great if we got the local kids to paint them and make their mark on the playground. So a painting competition was organised and the kids had a great time and produced an awesome outcome.

The kids were so passionate and many seemed to apply a "footy" theme/colours to their art, reflecting the display of aussie rules footy flags flying prominently above their swings.

These kids all worked together, shared paints and tyres and encouraged each other, proud parents joined in the fun and egging their kids on in hope of the $100 prize money win :)

2016 THE BEAUTY OF ABORIGINAL ART

We were so privelidged to meet these amazing artists, observe their painting and purchase some of their wares.

Some very famous artists amongst them, particularly the Pitjara Hunter family - sisters Susan, Annie, Jessie and brother Sandy. Also our favourite family we developed a great mutual respect and enjoyed their company greatly.

There is only so much art one can buy when living in a bus, and with no intention to sell any of our purchases, I had the idea to have the girls (Hunter sisters) paint some of the pull up blinds on our bus. This is so magical, and an ongoing memory of this beautiful family every time we roll down the blinds.

A fair and equitable price was paid for all the art we purchased.

2016 VICTORIA COMES TO NT

So many people heading off for life on the road express the negativity they receive from family and friends, making that decision to "just do it" so much harder.

I'm so pleased to say our family and friends have been incredibly supportive and one of the things I love the most is that they are venturing out to visit us. Yes, we nic back to Victoria and Townsville where our families are when we can, but our parents in particular have met us all over Australia, and my dearest friend ventured into the desert to visit us a Redgum too.

Dad and Faye come to Redgum, helped us out cleaning in the shop, we took them on a whirlwind trip to Karlu Karlu (Devils Marbles) in the back of the troopy. Such troopers they are. And my beautiful friend Michele and her son Matt also come to visit. Picking them up from Alice we did the West MacDonnell Ranges fleeting visit and then off to Redgum and exploring the newly found caves and surrounds.

DAD & FAYE COME TO REDGUM AND TRIP TO KARLU KARLU

MICHELE & MATT COME TO ALICE AND REDGUM

2016 RED DIRT AND ENDLESS SKIES

It is true, the red desert dirt gets under your skin (and in your house, your clothes, every nook and crannie, in and on everything). But it ingrains itself into your heart and soul.

I am yet to determine if it's the wide open spaces, the peace, the endless expanding blue skies and star dazzled nights, the few but very unique and fascinating inhabitants (both human and animal)or all of the above. Or maybe it's the NO RULES territory that I love so much....anything goes in the territory, red tape where it actually exists is often ignored, it is a beautiful thing.

The picturesque landscape is never dull. Sure, you go for walks and yelp at the bindi prickles (goats heads), brave through spinifex stings and swelter in heat, but it is usually all worth it when you stumble across "that rock" or waterhole or ancient artworks.

I love the desert and all that it gives, accepting all that it takes.

2016 OUTBACK BACKPACKERS

Redgum operates on a skeleton staff and relies on volunteers (mostly international backpackers) who come and stay for a while and help us out in the store.

We have met some awesome young backpackers during our travels, particularly when we stop and work. We maintain contact with most once we move on and some will be friends and welcome guests for life.

Redgum Store is an amazing opportunity for them to experience the remote life of the desert and a glimpse into aboriginal culture and their amazing art. Something many Australians don't ever experience.

We have had some exceptional helpers along the way and I celebrate them here where the photos tell the story - we've worked hard and played hard and learned a lot about each other and our similar but different nomadic lifes.

OUR REDGUM BACKPACKERS

2016 SUMMING UP REDGUM STORE, NT

MANAGING REDGUM STORE, UTOPIA, NT** Much of Year 3 has been about the Redgum Store experience! Choosing the gypsie life for us does not mean retiring - it means we both work to survive and also work to enjoy and experience.

There is no better way to really get to know a place, the people and the culture than to stop and work amongst them. But this opportunity was like no other work or travel we have enjoyed so far. So uniquely rich in culture, awareness and life as we never new it.

We had done a short relief management role at Redgum Store in central Australia back in 2014 for a few weeks and found it an amazing experience. Having been invited back to manage and grow the store for a while was an offer we simply could not refuse and so abandoned our plans of south and west and returned to the call of the desert.

The store offers products and services to the local aboriginal people in surrounding communities/homelands. Too far off the beaten track to attract tourists (most of the white people we encounter are either lost or government workers), our customer service charter is based solely around the local people. And wonderful people they are.

As well as the usual fuel, groceries and take away food, we sell electronics, whitegoods, furniture, car parts and accessories and provide Centrelink and limited postal services.

INSIDE THE STORE

In summing up the work side of things, wow did we work! Always ones to work hard and proud, this was a constant demand in physical, mental and emotional effort - 7 long days a week. However, we were both pleased and proud to be part of a number of changes at Redgum Store during our time here.

An automated fuel delivery system and fortnightly stock delivery truck as opposed to a 6 hour round trip plus pickup all over Alice in one day loading up the troopy. Low cost fresh fruit and veg and a new full range of nutritious home cooked meals daily.

The installation of a public toilet block for our customers' benefit, building a playground the kids just loved, removing the prison like bars in and around the store, a fresh new look both inside and out, and most important a customer service charter based on RESPECT for our valued customers. All changes our customers acknowledged and appreciated.

Our customers' staple home diet is flour, sugar, tea, powdered milk and kangaroo tail. To our fried food take away menu we added roast meat and vegetables, chicken curries, beef chow mein, apricot chicken....the list goes on. But by far the favourite was Brad's daily roasted kangaroo tail. Having never eaten or cooked kangaroo tail, he first took advice of the locals which was to sprinkle it with garlic and curry powder and roast slowly (oh my god, the smell was atrocious). Having tasted this outcome, Brad was not satisfied and so developed his own secret recipe - well it was a hit, the locals loved it and it quickly become a daily staple with Sunday roast beef another must do.

BEFORE PHOTOS

AFTER PHOTOS

THE WORKS IN PROGRESS

2016 OUTBACK FOOTBALL MANIA

The local people are mad about football! Aussie rules of course. From the day we started at Redgum Store, the customers constantly asked us if we were going to host a footy carnival. It had been many years since footy carnival at Redgum, so succumbing to pressure we agreed and had just 2 weeks to plan/prepare and staff this crazy event.

It is a rotating gathering that occurs at this time it each. Families travel from communities far and wide, moving from carnival to carnival held at different communities. Bascially, it's a 3-5 day football playoff to grand final by day, then music, cowboy/girl competition and ute comps by night. Over a period of weeks, moving on from one community to another, each an endless party of footy, competition, music and dance. Each carnival is organised by local groups, ours by the Petrick family. Our role is simply to fully stock the store, open all hours and put up prize money for the footy and softball grand finals and the cowboy/cowgirl and ute competitions.

These footy players are tough - there's no carefully manicured lawns in winter time out here on these ovals, just hot, hard red dirt and dust! The play hard and party hard (all grog free events) and just love it - as did we, no matter how exhausted from the mania of serving the hoards of hungry customers for long long hours, the logistics alone!

But this was an event I will never forget. Such a privelidge to share in this gathering from communities far and wide, all getting together to have such a great time. Just fabulous.

DAY TIME FUN AND GAMES

NIGHT TIME EVENTS

The opportunity to watch the kids dance was such a treat. Supported by the local aboriginal bands playing and based on ceremonial dance, they run into the middle, offer a rhythmic wiggle and jiggle and run out again. So much fun and talented moves or what? :)

2016 BACK UP THE STUART HIGHWAY

Duty calls so despite only leaving the NT in November last year and vowing to finally head west, it is back up the Stuart Highway we go.

We have been offered the exciting opportunity to manage the Redgum Store, located within the remote Utopia region of Northern Territory providing products and services to the local aboriginal communities.

We relief managed at the store for a few weeks back in 2014 and loved it, so really looking forward to adding a little bit of us to the store and experience the local culture.

But first, the trip back up north, Goolwa SA to Alice Springs NT, then a further 300kms north east to Redgum Store.

Commencing at Redgum also kicks off our 3rd year living and working on the road, somewhere on the bus.

2016 FLYING HIGH IN GOOLWA AND MENINGIE, SA

Meningie & Goolwa, SA Social media has been a big part of our actual social life on the road. Facebook friends Margaret and Tim were nearby so will called in to Goolwa Airfield to meet them and say gidday....and then we didn't leave. Stayed a few days enjoying their company and Tim took Brad and Lola up for a flight in his light aircraft, what a buzz.

We also caught up with David, another road traveller we have met along the way and keep in touch via FB.

2016 BLUE LAKES TO KINGSTON SE

BLUE LAKE TO KINGSTON SA - FEB 2016 BLUE LAKES AND BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS When I said we were heading to Mount Gambier, Dad asked were we going to see the Blue Lake. Not knowing what it was, I made a mental note to find out. So a bit of a detour and the Blue Lake we found, what we didn't find is what makes it blue, other than being a volcanic crater. Apparently much bluer in certain days in November, it was still stunning blue, quite unreal for a lake like this.

Further on we got to enjoy a part of country SA that is quite different from elsewhere. Loads of plantation pines with grapes and wineries spattered in amongst it.

A scenic coastal view detour almost defeated us, both with the hills and turning circle at the end. But we made it, the trailer just on the brink of jack knifing Arrived at Kingston SE for the night and out with fishing rod - no fish for Brad and Lola's dinner tonight, vegie stirfry instead.

2016 BRIDGEWATER WINDPOWER & DARTMOOR SCULPTURES

WINDPOWER UPGRADE After exploring Bridgewater and conquering the rather steep hill (well steep for a 10+tonne bus towing a car/trailer) and admiring the blowholes which none of my photos do justice to. We were more so in awe of the amazing wind farms, being so up close and personal to one of these giants was quite magnificent. They are controversial I know, but I find something soothingly pleasant about watching them rotate around and around.....so much more so than seeing a big coal fired electricity plant.

DARTMOOR DETOUR
We decided to make a brief detour from the coast and go a little inland near Coonawarra to visit some fellow travellers. "Dingo Man" and "Charm Brown" have been FB friends for a while and after learning they have blown a motor and are currently stuck seeking options, we called in to offer a little moral support, having just recovered from that experience ourselves.
On the way through we stayed at Dartmoor, a fantastic "donation" camp by the river on a huge grassy park. A lovely spot, and the very small town boasts the attraction of this beautiful carved art. I should be able to tell you all about the history and meaning, but I didn't read about it other than I know these are chainsaw carvings.

2016 WARNAMBOOL WAVE WATCHING

Wave Watching & Flying Foxes at Warrnambool Having fond memories of Warrnambool when our eldest Jay was young and Lola just a baby so had to come back. A really nice town, beautiful parks and beaches, great for kids. Fantastic for awesome wave watching.

2016 IT TRULY IS A GREAT OCEAN ROAD

25 FEB 2016 - IT TRULY IS A GREAT OCEAN ROAD Well we said goodbye to our loved ones, it will be some time before we see them again as we head north with a work commitment and then further north and west to tour the great WA. Originally intending to head across and up via Broken Hill (mostly because I like to take a different road than one we've travelled), a last minute change of plan to head along the south Vic and SA coasts toward Victor Harbour. So glad we did! This is such a beautiful part of the country, it truly, truly is a Great Ocean Road. Travelling inland to Colac, we arrived on the GOR at the 12 Apostles (skipped Apollo Bay and Lorne due to time factor and that we've seen them before). It is cool and raining on arrival, but so lovely we didn't care. Along the way a little frustrated to be at such beautiful beaches but too cold to enjoy a swim, however these temps of low 20's are just perfect travelling weather, if not swimming weather.

2016 SURPRISE, WE'RE HERE

Hello family & friends! It was so much fun surprising everyone, hard to keep our visit secret from Dad, though we managed. We just rocked up to our friends house (boldly assuming we can park and stay during our visit) and so happy to see them all. Sneakily managed to get our son to turn up there to surprise him and then knocked on doors of family and loved ones seeing their shocked but happy faces.

Wow, when you've been out in the desert, bush and travelling country and beach towns for so long, it's easy to forget how big the big city is! And you don't get much bigger than Melbourne - massive buildings, traffic, construction, multi lane highways all on a scale we haven't seen for quite a while.

So wonderful to catch up with family and friends we miss so much. It's weird how we pick up conversation and friendships as if it were only last weekend we saw each other last. In fact, it was over 16 months ago we last visited.

Our dear friends of over 20 years, we had the pleasure to share Laura's 23rd birthday dinner, mad hatter tea party. Then after surprising our beautiful family, we all quickly agreed that we should all do a weekend out at Lake Glenmaggie, Heyfield, just like old times. And just like old times it was.

After Glenmaggie farewells, we stopped off at Longwarry for Lola to see her best friend Rosa. We parked on the side of the road and Pop and Faye called in for roadside dinner while Lola hung out with Rosa. So much fun seeing Rosa's face when we turned up in the bus and surprised her. Then off to Dandenong to get some new front tyres and wheel alignment. Then farewell to our fantastic son Jay before taking off again. A fleeting visit but so worth it, love you all xxxxx

2016 LIPSON COVE AND A SNAP DECISION

After a brief tour of the much anticipated Tumby Bay, SA and discovering there was nowhere nice for us to stay, we continue on to a picturesque donation camp called Lipson Cove. Arriving late, parked just behind the sand dunes with water views and semi sheltered from the winds, we settled in for the night.

A bit of early evening fishing on the beach, stroll along the waters edge finished with a little bit of a rock climb, we had a great night. These pockets of black sand were intriguing, no idea the cause.

Waking in the morning, we realise we are running out of coast and still have a few weeks to go before our commitments back in Alice Springs commence. So in one of those moment decisions we planned to do a quick surprise visit back to Melbourne as it will be quite some time before we see these family and friends again (unless they visit us up north that is). So we packed up and fled, leaving on the 14th Feb and arriving on the 15th......SUPRISE!

2016 COFFIN OUT, OFF TO PORT LINCOLN

With plans to spend a couple of nights at Coffin Bay then pass through Port Lincoln, they changed upon arrival.

Coffin Bay is apt, I felt like I was in a coffin. Despite water all around, it felt cramped, crowded and claustrophobic. On top of that, no options for us to stay, only National Parks which don't allow Daisy to enter or an ugly looking caravan park on the wrong side of the beach.

So after driving the Esplanade we did find a nice spot to stop by the long beach (the nice beach) and cook up some dinner and drop a line in before being forced to move on.

So we headed for Port Lincoln and found a good permit parking ($10 per night) spot by the boat ramp at Billy Lights Point on the south end of town just in time for the sunset. It's a car park for the boat trailers sectioned off for self contained motor homes....thank you Port Lincoln for providing for those of us who do not wish to park like sardines in an overpriced caravan park paying for facilities we don't need). We will definitely spend our $$$ in your town. Thanks again.

We have just arrived, and with somewhere to live, we can spend the next few days exploring Port Lincoln (and with phone signal, getting some work and school work done).

2016 BRAD SCULPTURE & WOOLSHED CAVES, TALIA

We've been free camping with no power and water for a good week or so now (well permit & honesty box camps $5 and $10 per night), so we are headed for a caravan park in Elliston to charge up using 240v and do some washing.

On the way in to Elliston, we took the scenic Cliff Top drive and arrived upon some sculptures of Brad! Refer below. He's been told twice in the last week that he looks like Barnaby Joyce but we think this resemblance is much greater.

First off after leaving our stay at Camp Coodlie we headed straight to Woolshed Cave at Talia. Well the cave looks nothing like the brochure led us to believe, but a beautiful scenic beach and rock walk nonetheless. It's our first time seeing real waves for well over a year and a half. Yippeee! Still no swim yet though.

2016 MURPHYS HAYSTACKS & CAMPCOODLIE

MURPHYS HAYSTACKS

Murphys Haystacks is naturally sculptured from pink Hiltaba Granite and said to be some 1500 million years old. Their present form is believed to have been established at least 100,000 years ago. Well worth a stop and a look, it's quite amazing really.

CAMP COODLIE

Initially a tad disappointed this camp wasn't by the beach as it appeared to be on the map, and after getting over the feeling of being back at school camp all those years ago, this really is a great little bush camp.

Well laid out, swag huts for those in tents and swags to stay off the ground and under shelter, well fitted out camp kitchen, and fireplaces located throughout. But the highlight I think is both the novelty and eco friendliness of the bucket showers.

The shower room is a setup of cubicles made from oyster racks with buckets on a pulley system - it was good fun and actually a pleasant way to shower. $10 bucks a night with a flushing toilet, this was a good place to stop.

We were also joined by Jan and Wendy, two single ladies travelling together each in their own van. We met them at Perlubie Beach, they followed us into Baird Bay and then we all caught up again here and then at Venus Bay. Fun girls living life to the full.

2016 SWIMMING WITH SEA LIONS & DOLPHINS

Awesome (something which inspires awe) and Momentous (of great importance or significance)

These are the two words Lola used to describe her experience.

For as long as I remember, swimming with dolphins is something Lola (11yo) has always wanted to do and she finally got her chance here at Baird Bay. Though I think it was the sea lions that stole her heart and the show......

Although I didn't swim (someone had to take photos, and it was a bit cold in the morning), it was just as awesome being on the boat and so close to these wonderful, majestic creatures.

Starting at 9am, wetsuit and snorkel fitted, we head out into the bay and find a colony of sea lions bathing in the sun. They clearly didn't feel like swimming yet, so we headed out into deeper waters to find the dolphins.

And find the dolphins we did - flying across the waters chasing fish, they move like lightning when they want to. The swimmers jump in the water and enjoy the experience of sharing the dolphins life....swimming, playing and skipping away. Not quite as warm and friendly as the sea lions, the dolphins were happy to be admired by the fellow swimmers, but did not engage in any real interactions.

The sea lions however, in particular one young girl, was happy to play....Lola bounced above and below the water in time with her new friend, and even got a kiss on the hand when she held it out. Amazing!

I think herface sums up her day ..... though exhausted. Couldn't resist ending with a little sea lion porn pic.