Wodonga to Thredbo

We camped in wodonga in a basic camp ground, the owner was very nice. Early the next morning we headed for Thredbo. Helen decided to leave her caravan and come back for it tomorrow, it was great to have her coming along and crossing a border was a fun idea.

The only problem was somewhere along the way the campervan decided it was not going to play fair anymore and started overheating. :(

If it had been as cold as the sign suggested why may not have had an engine problem.

So with some rearranging of kids and stopping and waiting, we made it across the border.

Our first casualty occured at the ranger's hut. B1's ipod was knocked out of the car, we realised after we had gone through some road works after a long wait we got back through the road works I said a little prayer that we would find it, we did!! but it had been run over buy a car. :(

Should have stipulated that we would find it ok in my prayer, huh!

I was hot, frustrated and didn't think I could make it over the Snowy range with the camper the way it was, but there was no mechanic for miles. So, we stopped at the pub had cold drinks a little breather and then headed out again. Helen was very patient and followed at 20km an hour for possible 2 hours. It was awful, but it made arriving at Thredbo a relief. Then we drove round the little streets with no carparks wondering how we'd find somewhere to stay. Fortunately, there was a lady out walking with her children who directed us to the Thredbo Alpine Hotel where we booked their biggest room and all slept soundly in real beds, well actually Helen said her caravan bed was more comfy, but me gee it was nice to just sleep with one child rather than between the two.

Prior to bed we had a very relaxing spa, which was fun.

And the room came with a buffet breakfast, which was all I had wanted for my birthday, but we couldn't find one that anyone would recommend in Melbourne (can you believe that?). Anyway, we had one here in Thredbo, which was decent enough. But it was just so nice to be in a nice place.

It rained during the night and when we woke up it was raining. We decided to go up the mountain anyway. We donned wet weather gear and rode the charilift up. It was pouring at the top of crakenback, we started hiking up but them I decided to call it off. There would be no view, it was freezing, we were wet despite our rain gear and I had visions of either Helen or I slipping and doing an ankle and both having long drives ahead, didn't think it was a go. And now we have a more compelling reason to go back, beacuase I want my kids to climb Australia's tallest mountain while they are still young.

Nikki did a picture for Paul (Pole) and Helen so they wouldn't miss her too much when we separated. Isn't she too cute!

When we got to the bottom (Thredbo) we separated with Helen and Paul heading back to Melbourne and us off to Canberra. It was sad to see them go. It has been great to have another enthusiastic road trip virgin navigating along our first journey.

I hope we'll do more in the future.