Time flies. It is nearly two years since I sold the van. My wings have been clipped. I had a wonderful swan song - the big lap over 10 months! That trip formed a kind of transition from my mobile life to the sedentary one that was beginning. 

During the big lap, I travelled mainly with Bethel, Pamela, Robyn, and Ali. After the Cohuna rally, most of the Solos headed west, along the Murray and then north to Gemtree, via Alice Springs. For a variety of reasons, the five of us (and John taking bird photos) left from Brisbane and travelled through Western Queensland, via Mount Isa and on the Gemtree. 

Ali, Monica, Bethel, Robyn and Pamela

Robyn, me and Pamela

At the Northern Territory Border, my van, Robyn's and Bethel's

After the rally or bush camp there, all five of us continued together to Darwin. Ali had trouble with her van and was stuck there for six weeks. The rest of use moved on and spent time in Lake Argyle, the Warrumbungles and the Kimberley area. Somewhere along the way, Pamela sprang a leak and her van went on a truck to Geraldton and she had to backtrack to eventually meet us in Broome.

We made our slow way across the north of Western Australia. At times we were joined by others, including Joy and Ed, Laraine, and Trevor. Having one of the blokes travelling with us added a campfire to the mix. We usually didn't bother about fires but the guys always carried a chainsaw and built a fire. Depending on who was with us at the time, sometimes there were dampers or meals. Our eventual destination was Leeman, north of Perth, for our second rally of the year. 

From there. we made our way home in smaller groups. Carol and Pamela left fairly early as Carol's son was ill. Bethel spent some time in hospital in Margaret River then flew home (to return for her van in the new year). I was meant to meet up with Robyn in Norseman to travel across the Nullabor together. However, she hurt her knee and was air ambulanced home, with her van following on a truck. So, when I got to Norseman, all my travel buddies had gone. I stayed at a free camp there, met up with a couple who were leaving at the same time, and travelled with them for three days in a quick trip. There was widespread rain, the roads were in dreadful condition, and it became important to get to the east coast while it was still possible.

At the Cohuna Flower Power rally

This blog was meant to explain the transition from travel to home but I'll save the transition for the next installment.