After the turmoil

Back at the beachside apartment we finally got a date to fix the flooring! That’s right, from the 6-12 February the magnesite will be removed, floor levelled, wardrobe put back in and floorboards laid! Things finally were starting to sort out....

That's Life Mega Monthly

We made print and the net!

We also featured in “That’s Life – Mega Monthly” magazine! Thanks to our dear friend Eva for suggesting us. Apparently we are going to appear each month for the next 12 months – or until they get sick of us 😊, so you can also follow our adventures in print form, or you can follow us online as well as on the net! Click here to see more of our story online.

Whilst riding out the hot weather at some of the best beaches on the south coast of NSW, Maria found it extraordinary (remember first time camper here) at the rigs (is that the right term??) people had, from the well experienced to the novice. They opened off the top of mini-vans, utes with tray tops, caravans as long as a road train and in fact one had a truck to tow it with two separate entrances to the van!

At one place we stayed, there was a Japanese family who after making friends with us told us that this was their first time camping and you could tell. The light bouncing off their brand spanking new caravan, outdoor tables and chairs, cookware and clothes line, nearly blinded us but both Don and Maria thought - good on you for having a go.

This contrasts with the lovely Afghanistan couple with 3 little people’s first camping experience. They turn up very late in the evening on the Friday before Australia day and begin putting up a tent. After about 30 mins we notice that they had gotten in the car and left leaving a very deflated tent on the ground. They return late at night and we had gone to bed but got woken up by lights being flashed around and an odd noise that sounded like a whooshing sound.

The following morning after we make friends with them (well Maria) they explained they had decided suddenly to come camping, dashed to the shops and purchased a tent amongst other things and headed south. It turns out the husband was 6’3” and couldn’t stand up in the tent, so they had gone out at night to buy a new one.

Returning to put the new tent up, some other campers, saw them trying to erect the tent in darkness and offered lights (hence the flashing lights) and pump up the air beds by hand (the whooshing sound).

The husband went on to tell us a lovely story. He had come to Australia when he was 7 and in that first year of being in Australia and with very little English and knowledge of the Australian way of life, he went on his first school camp. He was fascinated by it and was taught how to put up a tent, cook over a fire, eat and sleep outside. He was so excited that when he got home he rushed to his parents to tell them about his experience.

His mother looked at him. Son why would I want to give up my bed, my oven, my kitchen, to eat outside and sleep on the floor? his mother had said. He was deflated to say the least, but the memory lingered and now with his lovely wife (she had come out when she was one) and their three lovely kids they had made a snap decision to come and as he said creating memories with the family!

Although this couple were 30 years younger than us we had a laugh about how the reaction from migrant mothers who left war-torn countries to start a new life in Australia was the same. Very appropriate for Australia Day.

They were curious about Zingara and we showed them around and they loved the concept and what could be done and there was great discussion on how they could outfit it with the three kids.

Port Kembla

They didn’t know the area, so we headed them off in a couple of directions – Port Kembla beach, the port to see the big ships come in (and do some fishing), the walk along the breakwater and Seacliff bridge. (Guess where we were 😊) – they were delighted with Port Kembla beach and their littlies had a fantastic time in the water.

Again we both thought how great for them to do this and create memories for their family.

As the drama at the country and beachside apartment subsided, we spent a morning repacking the bus. By this stage we had been on the road a couple of months and we found things we were using quite a lot (we kept these), things we were not using much (these went to the back of the bus) and not using at all but wanted to keep (these we will drop off at home when we go back to see about the flooring), with a few things being donated to the Op shop.

This appealed to the neat freak and organised side of Maria where everything must have a place and put everything back into place when done. Living in a small environment this is imperative, as space is small and needs to be used as best as possible. For example, cooking – two people just can’t do in the bus, so we either move it outside, or one person does it.

Speaking of food, it has been suggested to do a few videos on how we cook on the bus, so this is in the pipeline 😊. We are generally eaters who love fresh fruit and veges and some protein, but we got off track whilst at the country residence and we have gotten a little – well pudgy. We are back on track eating heaps of salads, greens, berries and fitting in some exercise.

At some point during our travels the seat from Maria’s pushbike disappeared. Maria says it was stolen, Don says it fell off, either way there was a pushy with no seat just a very straight upright pole.

Somehow as we passed thru the beachside apartment the bike (minus the seat) got left behind, prior to heading down the south coast. As Maria needed it because she was stranded without it, Don came to the rescue with his Seniors Opal card, a borrowed seat from brother Robert, hopped on the train to head back to the beachside apartment to collect the bike for the grand total of $2.50.

What he wasn’t counting on was the heat. No problems thought Don, I can hop on the bus with the bike on the way to the train station. Wrong. Bus driver would not let him on, so in the heat he cycled to the station to catch the train back. Needless to say, he was very hot and bothered when he finally got back. The good news was Maria did a 10 kms ride the next morning and was ecstatic that she wasn’t stuck!

Don finally got his drone and he has spent the last couple of weeks honing his droning skills (is there such a word?) and is having fun making videos from the sky. Don did insure the drone in the event it is lost. Apparently, the insurance pays out two new drones (a year) just in case…. We have also gotten in to making short videos, so catch them on our YouTube channel

One afternoon as a big storm approached, Maria learnt how things needed to be packed up, batten down and basically ensure that any big winds wouldn’t send any of their belongings out into the beach. Finishing this and sitting inside the bus as the rain arrived, a curious thing was going on outside in the next camping bay (is that what it’s called?)

A woman about 30 turns up in a smallish car. She hops out and has several big flatish boxes with her. Don looks out and says it looks almost like an Ikea flat pack. She lays all the plastic tubing on the ground. It had quite a few connectors and she began trying to put this together. She kept referring to instructions, then going back to the plastic tubing and connectors. This went on for about half an hour.

Then she gets in the car, moves it around a bit and stops. She moves to the next camping bay (she is now occupying two). Someone from the next camping bay comes over and asks if she needs help. No  she says my partner is coming soon. More time elapses.

Soon two other people arrive and start to work with her. Next two turns into eight (still raining). They somehow manage to put all the tubing and connectors together and form a roof. A tarp is found and thrown over the plastic roof trusses. Then six people raise the roof and the other two ran to each end and in between and insert the longer pole. When the rest of the tarp is brought out it turns out she is erecting a gazebo, complete with fake windows. Two tables are set up inside. And it is still raining.

Don and Maria shook their heads, if this was up 3 hours ago when the wind was howling, there would be very little left of the gazebo as there were no rope to tie it down and even Maria (the novice camper) knew you had to secure it!

the wedding

On the 1 February good dancing friends of ours were wed at the Kirribilli Yacht Club. It was on of the best weddings that both Don and Maria had been to. Low fuss, great food and wine, lots of dancing and a rocking DJ all made for a fantastic night!

the wedding

Later that week Maria left Don and Zingara to go on a 4 day cruise with her sister and mother. Mum was turning 85 and was yearning for a trip on a boat as she had done some 63 years ago when coming to Australia from Italy for the first time. To say she was excited was an understatment. As we cruised under the Harbour Bridge and pointed out the Quay, Opera House, and other famous landmarks, Mum was excited as a little girl.

the three of us on the cruise

The cruise people even got into the spirit and bought out a cake for her birthday with everyone singing happy birthday. Lots of cocktails later, an 8 course degustation dinner with matching wines, and some great shows and some sisterly and motherly time together, Maria eventually returend back to Don and Zingara ready to start the adventure again . . .