Almost to the end of December.................

 As it is almost the end of December, and the end of another year, I need to update newsfromjude. I find it hard to believe that we about to head into another year. So much has happened in the last few months of 2023, and I wonder what 2024 will bring??

Since we arrived home from WA on December 15 life has been rather hectic. There was only a week from then until Christmas, so preparation for that needed to happen. The van was unpacked, cleaned and washing done, in readiness for the next takeoff. There was a few meals enjoyed with friends, family and work colleagues. I had appointments at the hairdresser and doctor. 

Another job that has been on my 'todo' list for a long time was sorting out the clothes in my wardrobe. I have taken everything out of the wardrobe (s) many times, and then ended up putting it all back again. This time I succeeded, sorted it all and took a few tubs of clothes and other items to the local op shop. What a feeling to finally have this done!! My size has varied over many years, so I had clothes in a few different sizes. In the last 18 months I have steadily dropped a few sizes and 25kg and hopefully I am not going back. It was time to clear the decks on stuff I no longer wear. 

                                 

And then it was time to head up the road again, although this time without the van. We spent Christmas in Melbourne with DD3, DS and families.

2 days after we returned from Melbourne, it was time to pack the van again. There was a few days of holiday time until after New Year so we took the opportunity to head off again. 

We travelled out of town on a different road (Cannawigara Rd) to normal and turned onto the highway further on. The highway was very busy with a LOT of holiday traffic.

As it is school holiday time and we had no bookings for anywhere, we decided to travel to the Barossa and camp on DS's block. 

All went well until we almost at Tungkillo when Barry noticed that the temperature gauge was dropping. He stopped as soon as was safe on the side of the road to check out what was happening. Opening the bonnet soon revealed the problem, and it turned out the the car was no longer driveable. The weather was stormy, with some rain, lots of thunder and lightening. 

It was fortunate that we were close to our destination and DS came with his car to tow our van to his block. The RAA was called and they came promptly with a recovery truck to load the car and take it to the block as well.

We were very thankful this did not happen during our 8,000km trip to WA or across the Nullarbor.

All the 'stuff' in the car was unloaded and transferred to the van. Here is our camp site for a few days....

......and the house in the process of construction.

(edit, it seems like i missed the photo of the house.....)

                             Decisions needed to be made about the next step. We were on the block, but without a vehicle to drive, and what were we going to do about the car? It was fortunate that the business has a loan car that we could use. So the next day Barry's brothers drove to the block with that car for us to use and also a trailer that took Barry's car back to Bordertown.

                            

So yesterday Barry spent time loading all the gear from his car, into the replacement vehicle which gave us space back in caravan, which had been very 'cosy' with all the extra things.

Now it is time to start our holiday and be tourist in an area that we visit often, but haven't taken the time to look around.

I will be back before the end of the year to post about the last 2 days of 2023.

Blessings, From Jude