29th November 2016

Miss 10, being of the tech generation, popped this question over coffee and milo this morning at our idyllic first camp spot – Bingal Bay.  It sent us all into fits of laughter – but highlighted what the next generation believe should be included with your 4WD camping rental for 42 days!  Of course both girls know how to use my mobile phone better than me – however the concept of data consumption is still lost on Miss 12, who after 48 hours on the road has had her SIM card removed as she has managed to consume over 3 GB watching bullshit videos on Instagram and over 1 GB today listening to Spotify – having no idea how a streaming service works – welcome to an extra $40.00 on my bill this month!  Sheepishly, she has now asked if the Van Park has WIFI – I have no words.

Day 2 and we are camped watching the sunset over the outback of Charters Towers – it’s an unscheduled stop as we have to make a repair to the car tomorrow, however it has given the girls a chance to jump in the pool, us to sit and chill with a bottle of 2014 Smith and Hooper Merlot given to us for the trip by two colleagues and a hot shower in the morning.

On checking in to our campground (lovely owners and a beautiful park), I chatted away to them asking about what are the must do’s in Charters Towers tomorrow if we only have about 2 hours while our car is being repaired.  Laughing, then looking at me like I was mad, followed by realising indeed I was actually serious – they replied, “Have a coffee and people watch – you’ll love it!”  I told them we had started that at Irish Molly’s earlier over a beer – this was followed by much nodding and laughter from them.

Day 1 proved challenging learning the finer points of setting the tents and re-packing the car, however tonight was full of high fives as to how awesomely quickly we managed to set up and get to the pool.  We’ve also worked out how to Bluetooth the phone to the car van speaker – we are so cool.

What has struck me today however, is how incredibly friendly everyone has been given our current mechanical situation.  Our rental company have been on to everything, calling ahead to Townsville to arrange a mechanic to check it out, then on to Charters Towers to another mechanic who will be sorting us out in the morning – each of these mechanics helped us instantly, going out of their way to keep us on the road without delay (well let’s see what tomorrow brings however our CT mechanic is quietly confident – AND is giving us a courtesy car to get around until he is done).  It’s a breath of fresh air and a confirmation of the kindness of strangers, the “Aussie helping hand”, and the generosity of the human spirit.  Truly – it’s just gorgeous.

And so far, so is our trip.  48 hours in and we haven’t killed each other yet, Miss 12 is handwriting her journal as I type, Miss 10 is editing her photos from the day and the Husband is looking spunky and has put on a Jazz album … complete with our wedding waltz that we once danced to in the lounge room of his flat when we first met.  Miss T, I know you have your finger down your throat.

Photo collage by Miss 10.