Since buying this second hand Toyota Coaster in January 2021, we spent a few months repairing and improving her before embarking on the first of many journeys throughout Australia.

The ClubMaster Team are delighted to announce the release of CM 1.1, which provides a number of features for both Members and guests.

At ClubMaster, we're working hard to ensure your content is under your control.

Farewelling our much loved sister, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt, cousin, and friend.

Please feel free to view the service via the following link:

https://vimeopro.com/walkerfunerals/past-funerals/video/831392785
 

A Reflection

©️ Michael Reid 2023

The initial reason for selecting Molloy's over the two caravan parks in Augusta was the wind - the forecast was for continuing very high winds during our stay in the region. The winds proved a godsend, as we discovered an amazin facility.

A very attractive waterfront hideaway in the south-east of Western Australia.

What a location this is. 

After a mechanical malfunction to our Coaster, we found ourselves calling the minimalist town of Cocklebiddy home for a little while. By town, we mean the Cocklebiddy Roadhouse, as this place constitutes the entire town.

We were 'fortunate' to break down on the highway immediately after lunching here (I recommend the chips with gravy), and the bus failed us next to a Telstra tower where the amazing Pete and Abby were working to improve the area's internet reception. They not only towed us back to the Roadhouse, but Pete then installed our replacement belts (which were still a little loose, and we all feared were the wrong Toyota belts).

So a night at the Cocklebiddy Caravan Park was to follow. Whilst the toilets and showers are basic (showers $4 for 7 minutes), they were fully functional and surprisingly clean. A powered site was $30 per night, or $25 unpowered. The gravel sites are fully level, and turned out to be extremely popular with numerous overnight visitors.

Other benefits are the adjacent service station and shop, a kiosk serving hot food and many food supplies, a bar with pool table, and a dining room. Local celebrities are Sammy and Bruce, two magnificent rescue wedge-tailed eagles. Most importantly the team were a delight, in the servo, behind the bar, and in other support roles. Special mention to Dave, Troy and Jack for helping us resolve our mechanical issues.

Only 12km down the road from the WA/SA border, after you've passed your quarantine inspection.

Showers are $A1 coins for 4-5 mins, plenty of time for most.

The amenities were spotless when we visited. Camp kitchen is basic.

The view is terrific if you choose one of the limited easterly spots.

Rates were $30 per night for both powered and unpowered.

Visit the Old Telegraph Station down the road, and the memorials adjacent to the camp ground.

An interesting visit, where we learned of the 10,000 artificial structures situated 1.5km offshore from this venue. Abalone prepared or in natural state, including thin slices ready for a gentle 30 seconds per side over the grill, a delightful luxury for that special occasion. At around $180 per kg, you might want to limit your guests at that dinner party...!! You can grab a coffee and a snack here, and buy your abalone to prepare at home.

What a warm and fuzzy feel when you walk into this place? Open fireplaces, sandstock brickwork, very nice indeed.

Drift is a quality restaurant with a casual beach vibe, situated in a fantastic waterfront location adjacent to the Streaky Bay Wharf. The food and service were boith excellent on our visit.

Opening hours are limited, so best to check.

Menus and prices are as at 8th March 2023.

With no shortage of quality dining and recreation options, the Torquay area, with a number of nearby towns and hamlets, also enjoys an abundance of exceptional beaches, parks, and accommodation.

A few quality days at Narooma on the New South Wales south coast.

One of the more anticipated destinations, Cheynes Beach didn't disappoint despite the disappointing weather.

Kimba

Streaky Bay is a terrific little town.

Fowlers Bay is an extraordinary location, our first stop on our journey across the Nullarbor Plain.

Salted Lips of Time

Reaching from a wind-swept dream, oh yeah
A silent pleasure-ground
Of smiling sun
And dancing seas, eternity above,
A fire within,
A fire within.

Sailing, gliding, sifting promises
Of love-dried sand through answered cries;
A seagull diving, I above, unclothed
And free, licking salted lips of time -
And life, a fresh-blown memory
On morning’s eyes.

Oh the wind-swept dream
Oh the smiling sun
Moruya memories
When the world was one

Oh the wind-swept dream
And the smiling sun
Fading memories
One by one

Alive, enchanted, feeling with the sky
And for a world apart, a past denied
A dream embraced, my wind-swept dream,
My sailing, silent carousel of love,
This freshness draining tears to sighs,
And pleasure to our Mother’s mastery.

Oh the wind-swept dream
Oh the smiling sun
Moruya memories
When the world was one

Oh the wind-swept dream
And the smiling sun
Fading memories
One by one

Fading memories
One by one
Fading memories
One by one

Moruya Heads, November 1978 (as amended)

© Michael G Reid 1978-2019

The Crackenback Winds

It’s roaring outside now at forty-two knots
Like a thousand beasts on a rampage
We’re bunkering down in an effort to sleep
But I know that the battle is lost.

The ending of this I can’t fathom or gauge
With windows and walls being battered
While the neighbouring trees sway, scream, crack and fall
Their valorous roots yielding to rage.

Another sound beats all to test our fettle
As the wind swings the chimney cap round
The poorly-set copper is grinding its teeth
An incessant screeching of metal.

I’m thinking of creatures in fear in the wild
And hoping that none come to grief
It’s likely this onslaught will take something’s child
Before this night’s madness should cease.

© Michael Reid 2019, all rights reserved

A decent crowd pressed in to listen and dance to Dom and the boys from Datura4 rocking the night away at the iconic Rodney's in Mosman Park.

Recently my mother-in-law (MIL) celebrated her 80 something a few years off 90th birthday and we were tasked with finding a birthday cake. There aren't too many places to buy a cake in South West Rocks so our options would be very limited.....One bakery, IGA and Coles.  The bakery didn't sell any birthday cakes (is a bakery even a bakery if it doesn't bake cakes), so off to IGA it was. If you've ever been to SWR you'll know that there is a cute cafe opposite IGA so we thought perhaps they might have cakes.  We walk in and there are two, yes 2 giant cakes that look divine. We ask if they will sell the whole cake (sorry if you went for coffee and cake that day and had slim pickings but we were desperate) .....and yes they would for a price.  SOLD!! My husband asks which one I prefer, and I reply it doesn't bother me as it's not gluten free so I won't be eating it.  Since having 3/4 of my bowel removed due to Cancer, I've become very Gluten intolerant so I normally don't get to enjoy the birthday cake. The lady responds, this one is Gluten Free as I made it. Happy days kids I get to enjoy cake with my MIL.

Other family members who participated in the ritual of birthday cake eating had no idea it was Gluten Free and it was the best....so far... Sponge and Gluten Free cake I've ever had.

I wonder whose Birthday is next ?

For the benefit of any Members who collect indigenous art, I've loaded on the CMX Marketplace a selection of works for sale. At present they're listed with fixed prices, however once CMX has released its Auctions module, I'm proposing to create an auction sometime in 2023 for any unsold works.

These works are all quality works, and the indigenous works were purchased between 2005 and 2012 from the highly respected Fireworks Gallery in Brisbane, Australia.

You will note in the Listings that I will accept select fiat currency and/or Bitcoin in full consideration.

To view the various works simply go to the Painting section within the Art, Artifacts & Collectibles portfolio.