29 September - Day 35 - Traralgon

Yes folks - we're back home. We left Moss Vale this morning at 07:00. We hitched the van up in a brief break between showers and headed down the Hume Highway. Throughout the day we continually ran into showers and this meant that there was nowhere that we really wanted to spend more time. We had morning coffee in Cooma and a quick bite to eat in Cann River and then pushed on and reached home by 5pm. We've had a wonderful time. We enjoyed great weather everywhere and got to do all the things we wanted to do and some more. A very relaxing time and everything we wanted the trip to be. So, until our next 'family' adventure I will track my motorbike activities on www.theosmotorcyclediaries.blogspot.com

28 September - Day 34 - Moss Vale

After a very chilly night we woke to an overcast, drizzly day. Moss Vale and the surrounding area is quite lovely but we've never had much luck with the weather here. Last night we had great steaks at The Briars, which is a restaurant and resort based in an old heritage building. The meal and the service were outstanding. Today we're resting and watching a few movies. Had a quick visit to town to photograph some of the tulips which are in bloom at the moment. This weekend the place will be overrun with visitors to the Tulip Festival. We'll make an early start in the morning with the aim of reaching Bombala or even Cann River. Either way this will have us arriving home sometime late on Friday.

27 September - Day 33 - Moss Vale

We left Port Macquarie at 07:30 this morning with the aim of tackling Sydney traffic in the middle of the day and not the peak. Our original plan was to overnight in Mittagong, but the caravan park there was full - a combination of school holidays and the Tulip Festival. Fortunately we were able to get a site at the Moss Vale Caravan Park down the road. The weather is cool but fine and so we have booked in for two nights so that we can check out the tulips tomorrow too. That means we hit the road again on Thursday and should reach Traralgon late on Friday.

26 September - Day 32 - Port Macquarie

We left the Gold Coast this morning at 7:40 to start the trip home. We had thought of spending some time in Coffs Harbour, but when we got there the weather wasn't inviting, so we kept driving. The skies finally cleared as we approached Port Macquarie and so we decided to stay at our favourite caravan park there. We had dinner at La Roma, the local Italian restaurant, and we've just walked back to the caravan - just as well as we shared a whole bottle of red. Tomorrow we plan to reach Mittagong just South of Sydney. We've meant to spend time here on other holidays but the weather has never been right. We'll see how we go tomorrow. From Mittagong we're only two days from home.

25 September - Day 31 - Gold Coast

Our last day on the Gold Coast. Had lunch at Pacific Fair. Today is the first day for weeks that we may see a bit of rain, so we'll pack up tonight just in case. Tomorrow we start the trip home. Our day by day travel plans will depend on the mood and the weather, but we should be home in a week or so.

23 September - Day 29 - Gold Coast

Spent some time at the Robina Shopping Center. We've watched this place being built over the past few years and it's all finished now. It has to be seen to be believed. Late in the afternoon we took a ride to Level 77 of the Q1 building which is the highest residential tower in the world. The views from here in the evening light were incredible. Finished off the night with dinner at our favorite Thai restaurant in Labrador, Lannai Thai.

22 September - Day 28 - Gold Coast

Unbelievably, today was another fine day, and we spent it by driving to Mt Tambourine which is a mountain top village located about 35 km from the Gold Coast. It features lots of interesting shops, art galleries and antique shops as well as my favorite, a German Cuckoo Clock shop. Another great day on the road.