To follow our ( seemingly never-ending ) shipping drama please see the postscript at the bottom of this blog. It’s so depressing I simply could not bear to put it front and centre in any update. That said, it does dictate our life right now so it can’t be ignored. What’s important I suppose is how you make use of the down-time while you simply have to wait. And wait. And wait.
For the most part we’ve been doing the only thing we could which is to enjoy time here with family and friends ( and that has been absolutely wonderful ) while taking in a few local sights and making nearby road trips, some of which were on our larger travel itinerary anyway. Travelling around the Forbes area has been truly enjoyable, the weather superb, the sights always interesting and, because I was born and raised in the town, much of it has been ( as noted in the title of this week’s blog ) a bit of a walk/drive down memory lane. Previous trips home have almost always been fleeting so our shipping-induced “long stay” this time around has allowed us to explore and visit at a much more leisurely pace. After the slightly more hectic pace of our New Zealand travels, that’s actually been rather refreshing.
Australia Day festivities in Forbes with Lois, my sister Kaz and my brother in law, Peter.It’s great to be home and to enjoy classic Aussie treats – Lois insists this doesn’t count as “grocery shopping”..!The town of Parkes, just north of Forbes is home to a large radio telescope. It played an important role in the first moon landing in 1969, a story rather irreverently told in the Aussie cult classic movie, “The Dish”. While set in Parkes, the movie was substantially filmed in Forbes.Lois and my sister Kaz, downtown Parkes.Albert’s legendary “Rabbit Trap Hotel”.Lois in the bar. We enjoyed a great steak sandwich here.Local Albert legend, Jason Owen ( whose family owns the Rabbit Trap Hotel ), was runner-up in “X Factor-Australia” a few years back. His run to 2nd place in the show generated much interest in the town of Albert ( population 12 ) and the hotel specifically. People still drive from miles around to have a drink at this local ‘institution’.Mel B ( of Spice Girls fame ) judged the Australian “X Factor” show. She visited Jason in Albert.Lots of long endless roads in NSW. This one just outside Albert.Directions to the toilets in a fuel station in Trangie – Aussie style !“The Goanna” metal sculpture near Forbes.….and a close up look reveals the amazing detail and intricate welding required for the project.“Bird in the hand” sculpture near Forbes…….One has to be careful walking though the Australian bush.The small town of Trundle, rumored to have the widest Main Street in Australia , ironically named Forbes Street. The town was certainly very quiet.A scenic view of the Blue Mountains en route to Sydney from Forbes. A vehicle switch necessitated a quick return trip during the week.Thanks to old friends Justin and Angie for arranging our first car.Passed through CircularQuay, downtown Sydney and when returning the car, noticed that the Cunard ship “Queen Elizabeth” seems to be following us around the Pacific ( last spotted in Auckland harbour ) !Beautiful rural sunset in Forbes.My old school.The beautifully restored Forbes Post Office. The town retains many classic period buildingsForbes Town HallVictoria Park, ForbesMemorial at the place near Forbes where infamous local bushranger,, Ben Hall, was shot.
By the end of the week plans were being hatched for our road trip to Melbourne. Based on the procedures outlined by our shipping agent ( who has been absolutely wonderful in guiding us through all the steps ) it looks like vehicle collection in Melbourne is going to be at least a multi-day affair ( Carnet review and quarantine checks are separate parts of the process ). Hopefully we can minimize that, get back in our vehicle ASAP and just be on our way. We should know that by the next blog !
Postscript: Shipping Update
Preliminary excitement at the possibility of our camper being unloaded on January 25 ( based on ETA’s provided through the Wallenius shipping website ) was quickly tempered; first, disappointment that the ship was sailing very slowly towards Melbourne ( making the 28th a more likely arrival date ), and second, via a call from our shipping agent – while the ship would arrive off Melbourne close to its original ETA, cargo unloading was going to be delayed almost 2 weeks ! The revised unloading date was now February 8 with the real possibility of further delays beyond that if secondary cleaning was required.
Port of Melbourne scheduling site: Not only can we track when the ship arrives, we can track when it is scheduled to unload – good to know, but it does not help much when that date is so far away !
To say that was a bit of a gut punch would be an understatement. The whole uncertainty thing is beyond frustrating from a travel planning standpoint but there are 3 issues in particular that are especially disappointing. Firstly, this was cutting into prime summer travel time ( something we had timed our planned arrival to maximize ). Secondly it was burning up precious “Carnet” time (think of that as the time-limited “visa” for our van). Finally, and depending on how long this process drags on, it is squeezing the time we had allowed between arrival in Melbourne and then getting on the ferry to Tasmania ( during which we had many other things planned ).
This whole port congestion thing has been an ongoing issue around the world since the onset of Covid 19, and, like Covid itself, is very contagious. The Talisman will now be seriously delayed into every port on the rest of its route, as will dozens of others. Melbourne is by no means alone and at various times the same thing has happened to ports in other countries – that’s little consolation when it is wreaking havoc on your own long-held plans.
Tormenting to see the Talisman, still just off the Melbourne coastline, but it might as well be a million miles away – so near, and yet SO FAR !
22 Comments
Karen O’Malley
on February 2, 2023 at 1:22 am
Has been wonderful having you guys to stay.
Jeff Gunn
on February 2, 2023 at 2:44 am
And been awesome staying ! Thanks Kaz !
Garth
on February 4, 2023 at 7:22 am
Really frustrating for you, hang in there! Love your pics of Forbes and remember all the towns around it. De ja vu for you !
Soo frustrating to wait, hang in there. Loved your pics of For Ed and towns nearby. Remember them well. Hope all goes well..!
Jeff Gunn
on February 4, 2023 at 11:45 am
Yes, always wonderful to get back to your home town !!
Lyle Lindsay
on February 5, 2023 at 12:46 pm
Hi Jeff and Lois,
Sorry to hear that your vehicle won’t be delivered on time.
What a beautiful trip you’ve had so far! I’ve especially enjoyed looking at the chain link sculptures and metal sculptures you included in your blog. What a lot of work and dedication to accuracy, it’s incredible how artistic people can be.
How big are the spiders in Australia? In your picture there was two spiders, one large one and one small one. Was the small spider a regular spider like we have in Canada or is it the small spider (baby) of the larger one?
I’m looking forward to your next adventures!
Keep safe and healthy!
Lyle
Jeff Gunn
on February 5, 2023 at 3:41 pm
Hello Lyle !
Not sure about those in particular but there are plenty of dangerous ones ! Hoping we don’t come across them…😊. We were also impressed by the sculptures, very detailed indeed !
Take care,
Jeff
Ollie
on February 4, 2023 at 8:17 am
Sorry to hear, yes a total gut punch for you. Hope the end of the delays are very soon! Loved the movie ‘The Dish’ and seeing the beautifully restored old buildings in Forbes. 🙂
Jeff Gunn
on February 4, 2023 at 11:44 am
One of our faves, too. Forbes really does have some classic older buildings !
Ed and Mae
on February 4, 2023 at 8:23 am
Sorry to hear about your shipping issues. Glad you are leisurely catching up with friends and family.
Take care,
Jeff Gunn
on February 4, 2023 at 11:43 am
Yes that’s definitely been a spin off benefit!
Chris Woods
on February 4, 2023 at 8:44 am
Major bummer. Maybe you’ll get lucky and it goes fast. Can’t wait to see you rolling down open road
Jeff Gunn
on February 4, 2023 at 11:43 am
Fingers crossed !
Ole
on February 4, 2023 at 9:01 am
Annoying with the delays of course. However look at the bright side and the «legacy» you have left behind by inspiring others. I am now in Punta Arenas,
Chile and taking a bus to Ushuaia, Argentina in a couple of days. Thus benefitting from info in your South America blog and also providing my wife in Norway with some free time from me😁
Jeff Gunn
on February 4, 2023 at 11:42 am
Ahhh, Punta Arenas ! Such fond memories of that place – one of the best empanadas we ate in South America was at a tiny “hole in the wall” restaurant there ! We loved TDF…! Hi to your lovely wife Britt !
Patti
on February 4, 2023 at 10:24 am
Thank you for including us in your travels – very educational!
Patti
Rocky Point Armchair Traveller
Jeff Gunn
on February 4, 2023 at 11:38 am
You are most welcome, Patti, glad to have you along !
Deb Kornachuk
on February 4, 2023 at 2:38 pm
I’m adding my niece’s email to your list. I think she (from Toronto) and her husband will enjoy your travels and travails as much as I do. Thank you.
Jeff Gunn
on February 4, 2023 at 4:26 pm
Thanks Deb, happy to have her ride along !
Hans Kruiswyk
on February 6, 2023 at 9:12 pm
Hi Lois and Jeff,
Lovely to read your blog and this is vicarious travel for us.
When you are longing for the end of the Canadian winter your sunny pictures boost our morale in our part of the world.
Jeff Gunn
on February 6, 2023 at 9:39 pm
Hello Hans !
So glad you are enjoying it, will keep them coming especially with the sunny pics 😊😊 !
Jeff + Lois
We are Lois and Jeff, of Kelowna, BC, Canada. Recently retired with a serious overlanding travel bug, we hit the road in our truck camper in May 2019, initially tackling the Pan American highway. The PanAm completed in April 2022, and truck camper sold, we plan to continue exploring again later in 2022 in our Sprinter 4×4!
Has been wonderful having you guys to stay.
And been awesome staying ! Thanks Kaz !
Really frustrating for you, hang in there! Love your pics of Forbes and remember all the towns around it. De ja vu for you !
Frustrating for you, hang in there! Love the pics of Forbes and towns along the route, remember them well. Hope all goes well soon.
Soo frustrating to wait, hang in there. Loved your pics of For Ed and towns nearby. Remember them well. Hope all goes well..!
Yes, always wonderful to get back to your home town !!
Hi Jeff and Lois,
Sorry to hear that your vehicle won’t be delivered on time.
What a beautiful trip you’ve had so far! I’ve especially enjoyed looking at the chain link sculptures and metal sculptures you included in your blog. What a lot of work and dedication to accuracy, it’s incredible how artistic people can be.
How big are the spiders in Australia? In your picture there was two spiders, one large one and one small one. Was the small spider a regular spider like we have in Canada or is it the small spider (baby) of the larger one?
I’m looking forward to your next adventures!
Keep safe and healthy!
Lyle
Hello Lyle !
Not sure about those in particular but there are plenty of dangerous ones ! Hoping we don’t come across them…😊. We were also impressed by the sculptures, very detailed indeed !
Take care,
Jeff
Sorry to hear, yes a total gut punch for you. Hope the end of the delays are very soon! Loved the movie ‘The Dish’ and seeing the beautifully restored old buildings in Forbes. 🙂
One of our faves, too. Forbes really does have some classic older buildings !
Sorry to hear about your shipping issues. Glad you are leisurely catching up with friends and family.
Take care,
Yes that’s definitely been a spin off benefit!
Major bummer. Maybe you’ll get lucky and it goes fast. Can’t wait to see you rolling down open road
Fingers crossed !
Annoying with the delays of course. However look at the bright side and the «legacy» you have left behind by inspiring others. I am now in Punta Arenas,
Chile and taking a bus to Ushuaia, Argentina in a couple of days. Thus benefitting from info in your South America blog and also providing my wife in Norway with some free time from me😁
Ahhh, Punta Arenas ! Such fond memories of that place – one of the best empanadas we ate in South America was at a tiny “hole in the wall” restaurant there ! We loved TDF…! Hi to your lovely wife Britt !
Thank you for including us in your travels – very educational!
Patti
Rocky Point Armchair Traveller
You are most welcome, Patti, glad to have you along !
I’m adding my niece’s email to your list. I think she (from Toronto) and her husband will enjoy your travels and travails as much as I do. Thank you.
Thanks Deb, happy to have her ride along !
Hi Lois and Jeff,
Lovely to read your blog and this is vicarious travel for us.
When you are longing for the end of the Canadian winter your sunny pictures boost our morale in our part of the world.
Hello Hans !
So glad you are enjoying it, will keep them coming especially with the sunny pics 😊😊 !